US3676669A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for the centralized control of the operation of trains
Assignee: Umicore NV SA
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Filing: 1970-05-14
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1990-05-14
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for the centralized control of the operation of trains travelling in a network divided into zones, each zone being controlled by a central station that transmits coded messages to a bilateral communication system. A coded name is given by the central station to each train entering a zone. The train retains its coded name while in the zone and considers only messages intended to it. The train transmits to the central station data relating to its speed, its zone of origin and the distance it has travelled in the zone as well as other characteristics. Such data is stored in a memory portion of the central station and serves to send the coded messages to the train based on that data, on the obstacles lying ahead of the train and on the true distance travelled by the train at the time of sending the codes messages. The central station calculates at all times such true distance by means of the distance stored in the above-mentioned memory portion of the central station, of the speed of the train and of the time interval elapsed between the storing of the above-mentioned distance and the transmission of the coded messages.
Inventors
- 👤 Christian Jauquet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:03
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61L; B61L25/00; B61L25/06; B61L25/02; B61L25/04; B61L27/00; B61L27/20; B61L3/00; B61L3/02; B61L3/08; B61L3/16; B61L3/22; B61L3/225; B61L7/00; B61L7/06; B61L7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
321 words
An apparatus for the centralized control of the operation of trains travelling in a network divided into zones each being controlled by a central station cyclically sending messages to the trains travelling in the concerned zone, each zone being defined by a loop formed by a cable located in the track and having regularly spaced crossings or other marking points, said cable serving as inductive transmission means between the central station and the trains, said apparatus comprising aboard each train a receiver responsive to an antenna coupled to the cable, a decoder connected to said receiver, counting means for the marking points of the cable operated from said receiver, first register means connected to said decoder for storing informations received by said receiver and comprising data relative to a coded name of the train, the type of train, the zone of origin of the train, the zone in which the train is actually travelling and the distance travelled in the zone, means for storing corresponding data existing aboard the train, comparator means connected to said first register means and to said means for storing data existing aboard the train, AND gates the inputs of which are connected to the outputs of said comparator means, second register means connected to said decoder for stoRing informations received by said receiver and comprising instructions for the control of the train, transfer circuits controlled by said AND gates for transmitting the informations stored in said second register means to memories which supply instructions for the driver or operate the automatic control of the train, said apparatus further comprising an encoder fed by the signals representative of the type of train, the speed of the train, and the distance travelled by the train in the zone, said encoder being controlled by one of said logic AND gates, and a transmitter connected to an antenna coupled to the cable and modulated by the output of said encoder.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
321 words
An apparatus for the centralized control of the operation of trains travelling in a network divided into zones each being controlled by a central station cyclically sending messages to the trains travelling in the concerned zone, each zone being defined by a loop formed by a cable located in the track and having regularly spaced crossings or other marking points, said cable serving as inductive transmission means between the central station and the trains, said apparatus comprising aboard each train a receiver responsive to an antenna coupled to the cable, a decoder connected to said receiver, counting means for the marking points of the cable operated from said receiver, first register means connected to said decoder for storing informations received by said receiver and comprising data relative to a coded name of the train, the type of train, the zone of origin of the train, the zone in which the train is actually travelling and the distance travelled in the zone, means for storing corresponding data existing aboard the train, comparator means connected to said first register means and to said means for storing data existing aboard the train, AND gates the inputs of which are connected to the outputs of said comparator means, second register means connected to said decoder for stoRing informations received by said receiver and comprising instructions for the control of the train, transfer circuits controlled by said AND gates for transmitting the informations stored in said second register means to memories which supply instructions for the driver or operate the automatic control of the train, said apparatus further comprising an encoder fed by the signals representative of the type of train, the speed of the train, and the distance travelled by the train in the zone, said encoder being controlled by one of said logic AND gates, and a transmitter connected to an antenna coupled to the cable and modulated by the output of said encoder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a level detector connected to said receiver and responsive to a silent gap preceding said zone for resetting said counting means to zero before the entry of the train in said zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2, comprising a memory circuit for storing said coded name of the train during its full travel in said zone, and means for feeding said memory circuit during the first message received by the train and containing said coded name.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3250914A
Cited
US3268727A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |