Method and apparatus utilizing unique cdab sequence for detecting synchronization error in railway vehicle readout signal

Claim 2

Apparatus for detecting axle and readout synchronism error in a system for generating a readout signal synchronized with the axle count for each vehicle in a train of standard railway vehicles including: first, second, third and fourth axle detectors arranged in that order along the line of movement of the train, each detector being actuatable by movement of an axle assembly past it, said detectors being spaced for actuation once per vehicle in a proximate, unique ''''third + fourth + first+ second'''' sequence for standard four-, six- and eight-axle cars and engines; a counter for each of the first and fourth detectors effective to count and totalize the number of axles passing each corresponding detector, and means for programming each of the counters to reset after each has counted the total number of axles on the vehicle; a sequence detector effective to sense said unique sequence when the intermediate portion of each four-, six-, or eight-axle vehicle is adjacent said axle detectors; error signal means to indicate one of the counters out of synchronism with the axles; and means responsive to coincidence of said unique sequence and predetermined combination of the first and fourth detector counter totals to control the activation of said error signal means.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the first and fourth axle detectors are spaced apart less than the minimum distance between inner axles on trucks at opposite ends of a standard railway vehicle, and more than the maximum distance between adjacent axles on any one truck of standard railway vehicle. 3 Apparatus for detecting axle and readout synchronism error in a system for generating a readout signal synchronized with the axle count for each vehicle in a train of standard railway vehicles including: first, second, third and fourth axle detectors arranged in that order along the line of movement of the train, each detector being actuatable by movement of an axle assembly past it, said detectors being spaced for actuation once per vehicle in a proximate, unique ''''third + fourth + first + second'''' sequence for standard four-, six- and eight-axle cars and engines; a counter for each of the first and fourth detectors effective to count and totalize the number of axles passing each corresponding detector, and means for programming each of the counters to reset after each has counted the total number of four, six-or eight-axles on the vehicle; a sequence detector effective to sense said unique sequence when the intermediate portion of each four-, six-, or eight-axle vehicle is adjacent said axle detectors; error signal means activatable to indicate one of the counters out of synchronism with the axles; and error signal control means responsive to the counters and sequence detector to activate the error signal means upon the coincidence of said unique sequence and any combination of counter totals other than the following list: 1st detector count 3, 4th detector count 2 1st detector count 4, 4th detector count 3 1st detector count 5, 4th detector count 4.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 3 in which said list also includes: 1st detector count 1, 4th detector count 0.

Claim 5

Apparatus for detecting axle and readout synchronism error according to claim 3 including display means operable to display information in response to said readout signal, and said error signal means being effective when activated to modify the operation of said display means.

Claim 6

Apparatus for detecting axle and readout synchronism error in a system for generating a readout signal synchronized with the axle count for each vehicle in a train of standard railway vehicles including: first, second, third and fourth axle detectors arranged in that order along the line of movement of the train, each detector being actuatable by movement of an axle assembly past it, said detectors being spaced for actuation once per vehicle in a proximate, unique ''''third + fourth + first + second'''' sequence for standard four-, six- and eight-axle cars and engines; a counter for each of the first and fourth detectors effective to count and totalize the number of axles passing each corresponding detector, and means for programming each of the counters to reset after each has counted the total number of four-, six- or eight-axles on the vehicles; a sequence detector effective to sense said unique sequence when the intermediate portion of each four-, six-, or eight-axle vehicle is adjacent said axle detectors; error signal means activatable to indicate one of the counters out of synchronism with the axles; error signal control means operable in response to the occurrence of said unique sequence to compare the counter totals and to activate said error signal means in response to any combination of counter totals other than the following: 1st detector count 3, 4th detector count 2 1st detector count 4, 4th detector count 3 1st detector count 5, 4th detector count 4.

Claim 7

Apparatus for detecting axle and readout synchronism error in a system for generating a readout signal synchronized with the axle count for each vehicle in a train of standard railway vehicles including: first, second, third and fourth axle detectors arranged in that order along the line of movement of the train, each detector being actuatable by movement of an axle assembly past it, said detectors being spaced for actuation once per vehicle in a proximate, unique ''''third + fourth + first + second'''' sequence for standard four-, six- and eight-axle cars and engines; a counter for each of the first and fourth detectors effective to count and totalize the number of axles passing each corresponding detector, and means for programming each of the counters to reset after each has counted the total number of four-, six- or eight-axles on the vehicles; a sequence detector effective to sense said unique sequence when the intermediate portion of each four-, six-, or eight-axle vehicle is adjacent said axle detectors; error signal means activatable to indicate one of the counters out of synchronism with the axles; error signal control means operable in response to the occurrence of said unique sequence to compare the counter totals and to activate said error signal means in response to any combination of counter totals other than the following: 1st detector count 3, 4th detector count 2 1st detector count 4, 4th detector count 3 1st detector count 5, 4th detector count 4.

Claim 8

Apparatus for detecting axle and readout synchronism error in a system for generating a readout signal synchronized with the axle count for each vehicle in a train of standard railway vehicles including: first, second, third and fourth axle detectors arranged that order along the line of movement of the train, each detector being actuatable by movement of an axle assembly past it, said detectors being spaced for actuation once per vehicle in a proximate, unique ''''third + fourth + first + second'''' sequence for standard four-, six- and eight-axel cars and engines; a counter for each of the first and fourth detectors effective to count and totalize the number of axles passing each corresponding detector, and means for programming each of the counters to reset after each has counted the total number of four-, six- or eight-axles on the vehicle; a sequence detector effective to sense said unique sequence when the intermediate portion of each four-, six-, or eight-axle vehicle is adjacent said axle detectors; error signal means activatable to indicate one of the counters out of synchronism with the axles; count comparator effective to compare the total counts on at least the counters for said first and fourth detectors; and error signal control means effective to operate said error signal means on coincidence of said unique sequence and any total combination on said first and fourth detector counters other than the following: 1st detector count 3, 4th detector count 2 1st detector count 4, 4th detector count 3 1st detector count 5, 4th detector count 4 1st detector count 1, 4th detector count 0.

Claim 9

Apparatus for detecting axle and readout synchronism error in a system for generating a readout signal synchronized with the axle count for each vehicle in a train of standard railway vehicles including: first, second, third and fourth axle detectors arranged that order along the line of movement of the train, each detector being actuatable by movement of an axle assembly past it, said detectors being spaced for actuation once per vehicle in a proximate, unique ''''third + fourth + first + second'''' sequence for standard four-, six- and eight-axel cars and engines; a counter for each of the first and fourth detectors effective to count and totalize the number of axles passing each corresponding detector, and means for programming each of the counters to reset after each has counted the total number of four-, six- or eight-axles on the vehicle; a sequence detector effective to sense said unique sequence when the intermediate portion of each four-, six-, or eight-axle vehicle is adjacent said axle detectors; error signal means activatable to indicate one of the counters out of synchronism with the axles; count comparator effective to compare the total counts on at least the counters for said first and fourth detectors; and error signal control means effective to operate said error signal means on coincidence of said unique sequence and any total combination on said first and fourth detector counters other than the following: 1st detector count 3, 4th detector count 2 1st detector count 4, 4th detector count 3 1st detector count 5, 4th detector count 4 1st detector count 1, 4th detector count 0.

Claim 10

Apparatus for detecting axle and readout synchronism error in a system of generating a readout signal synchronized with the axle count for each vehicle in a train of standard railway vehicles including: first, second, third and fourth axle detectors arranged in that order along the line of movement of the train, the first and fourth axle detectors being spaced between 9 feet 4 inches and 11 feet apart, each detector being actuatable by movement of an axle assembly past it, said detectors being suitably spaced for actuation once per vehicle in a unique ''''third + fourth + first + second'''' sequence for standard four-, six- and eight-axle cars and engines; a counter for each of the first and fourth detectors effective to count and totalize the number of axles passing each corresponding detector, and means for programming each of the counters to reset after each has counted the total number of four-, six- or eight-axles on a vehicle; a sequence detector effective to sense said unique sequence when the intermediate portion of each four-, six- and eight-axle vehicle moves past said axle detectors; an error signal means activatable to indicate one of the counters out of synchronism with the axles; a count comparator effective to assume a null condition in response to one of the following totals combinations in said counters: 1st detector counter 3, 4th detector counter 2 1st detector counter 4, 4th detector counter 3 1st detector counter 5, 4th detector counter 4 and error signal control means for activating said error signal means in response to the sequence detector and count comparator, said control means being initiated in response to sensing of said unique sequence, and, when initiated, being effective to activate said error signal means in the absence of a null condition in said count comparator.

Claim 11

Apparatus for detecting axle and readout synchronism error in a system of generating a readout signal synchronized with the axle count for each vehicle in a train of standard railway vehicles including: first, second, third and fourth axle detectors arranged in that order along the line of movement of the train, the first and fourth axle detectors being spaced between 9 feet 4 inches and 11 feet apart, each detector being actuatable by movement of an axle assembly past it, said detectors being suitably spaced for actuation once per vehicle in a unique ''''third + fourth + first + second'''' sequence for standard four-, six- and eight-axle cars and engines; a counter for each of the first and fourth detectors effective to count and totalize the number of axles passing each corresponding detector, and means for programming each of the counters to reset after each has counted the total number of four-, six- or eight-axles on a vehicle; a sequence detector effective to sense said unique sequence when the intermediate portion of each four-, six- and eight-axle vehicle moves past said axle detectors; an error signal means activatable to indicate one of the counters out of synchronism with the axles; a count comparator effective to assume a null condition in response to one of the following totals combinations in said counters: 1st detector counter 3, 4th detector counter 2 1st detector counter 4, 4th detector counter 3 1st detector counter 5, 4th detector counter 4 and error signal control means for activating said error signal means in response to the sequence detector and count comparator, said control means being initiated in response to sensing of said unique sequence, and, when initiated, being effective to activate said error signal means in the absence of a null condition in said count comparator.

Claim 14

The method of detecting axle and readout synchronism error according to claim 9 in which the first and fourth locations are spaced apart less than the minimum distance between inner axles on trucks at opposite ends of a standard railway vehicle, and more than the maximum distance between adjacent axles on any one truck of a standard railway vehicle.

Claim 17

The method according to claim 11 in which said list of combinations of axle counts includes the following: a one-count at the first location combined with a zero count at the fourth location.