US3672611A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle control system and method
Assignee: Bombardier Transportation Holdings USA Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-03
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Granted: 1972-06-27
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Expires: 1990-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A path along which a vehicle traverses is divided into a plurality of blocks. In each block two devices sense the presence of a vehicle, and one of the devices is used to sense the absence of the vehicle. The two devices concurrently sensing the presence of a vehicle provide a presence signal to be stored which is indicative of a vehicle having been present in the block. In response to the sensing of the absence of the vehicle by the one device during the time the presence signal is stored, a control signal is generated. A predetermined amount of time after the control signal is generated the storage of the presence signal is discontinued.
Inventors
- 👤 George M Thorne-Booth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:31
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61L; B61L1/00; B61L1/18; B61L1/181; B61L1/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
In a vehicle control system operative when a vehicle traverses along a path divided into a plurality of control blocks, the combination comprising: means for providing a first signal in response to the presence of said vehicle within a given control block; means for providing a second signal in response to the presence of said vehicle within said given control block; means responsive to the concurrent provision of said first and second signals for providing a first control signal; means for storing said first control signal; and means responsive to the sensing of the absence of said vehicle within said given control block during the time said first control signal is stored for providing a second control signal for controlling the traversal of other vehicles along said path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a vehicle control system operative when a vehicle traverses along a path divided into a plurality of control blocks, the combination comprising: means for providing a first signal in response to the presence of said vehicle within a given control block; means for providing a second signal in response to the presence of said vehicle within said given control block; means responsive to the concurrent provision of said first and second signals for providing a first control signal; means for storing said first control signal; and means responsive to the sensing of the absence of said vehicle within said given control block during the time said first control signal is stored for providing a second control signal for controlling the traversal of other vehicles along said path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a system wherein a vehicle traverses a path divided into a plurality of control blocks, the combination comprising: first means for sensing a presence signal from said vehicle when said vehicle is within a given block; second means for sensing the presence or absence of said vehicle within said given block; third means for providing a first control signal in response to said sensing of a presence signal from said vehicle by said first means concurrent with said second means sensing the presence of said vehicle; fourth means for storing a second control signal in response to said third means providing said first control signal; and fifth means responsive to the sensing of the absence of said vehicle in said given control block by said second means during the time said second control signal is stored for providing a third control signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a system wherein a vehicle traverses a path divided into a plurality of control blocks, the combination comprising: first means for sensing a presence signal from said vehicle when said vehicle is within a given block; second means for sensing the presence or absence of said vehicle within said given block; third means for providing a first control signal in response to said sensing of a presence signal from said vehicle by said first means concurrent with said second means sensing the presence of said vehicle; fourth means for storing a second control signal in response to said third means providing said first control signal; and fifth means responsive to the sensing of the absence of said vehicle in said given control block by said second means during the time said second control signal is stored for providing a third control signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said third control signal is used for controlling the operation of other vehicles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 2 including means for discontinuing the storage of said second control signal by said fourth means a predetermined amount of time after the provision of said third control signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 2, with each of said third and fifth means comprising AND signal logic gates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 5 with said AND signal logic gates each having first and second inputs and an output, and where a given signal applied to said first input is reproduced at said output when another signal is concurrently applied to said second input.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 6 with said another signal which is applied to the second input comprising operating potential for the AND signal logic gate.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of controlling a vehicle traversing along a path divided into a plurality of control blocks, said method comprising the steps of: sensing a presence signal from said vehicle when said vehicle is within a given control block; sensing the physical presence or absence of said vehicle within the said given control block; storing a first signal indicative of said vehicle having been present in said given block in response to said sensing of said presence signal concurrent with the sensing of the physical presence of said vehicle within said given control block; providing a vehicle control signal in response to the physical absence of said vehicle in said given control block during the time said first signal is stored; and controlling the operation of other vehicles along said path in response to said vehicle control signal.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of controlling a vehicle traversing along a path divided into a plurality of control blocks, said method comprising the steps of: sensing a presence signal from said vehicle when said vehicle is within a given control block; sensing the physical presence or absence of said vehicle within the said given control block; storing a first signal indicative of said vehicle having been present in said given block in response to said sensing of said presence signal concurrent with the sensing of the physical presence of said vehicle within said given control block; providing a vehicle control signal in response to the physical absence of said vehicle in said given control block during the time said first signal is stored; and controlling the operation of other vehicles along said path in response to said vehicle control signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 8, including the step of: discontinuing the storing of said first signal a predetermined amount of time after the provision of said vehicle control signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2975272A
Cited
US2994764A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |