US3696356A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Acknowledging circuit arrangement
Assignee: Trane US Inc
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Filing: 1971-06-17
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Granted: 1972-10-03
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Expires: 1991-06-17
Abstract
Abstract An acknowledging arrangement comprising a charging circuit associated with each input signal, a warning actuating and acknowledging circuit means, and a secondary discharge circuit associated with each input signal except the least restrictive. Each charging circuit is controlled in response to the reception of the associated input signal to store a predetermined amount of operating energy. When a more restrictive signal is received, this stored energy is discharged to actuate a warning indicator. A time delay arrangement included in the actuating circuit delays the warning for a preset time to eliminate momentary false restrictive signals. A single relay is actuated to control the warning indicator for all input signals. This same relay responds to acknowledgement action by the train operator to halt the warning and restore the brake magnet valve, if other safety checks are proper. The secondary discharge circuits drain the stored energy from the activated charging circuit, when a less restrictive input signal is received, to inhibit the warning indication and the need for acknowledgement.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond C Franke
- 👤 William B Dufer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:25
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61L; B61L3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A circuit arrangement for acknowledging the reception of a more restrictive signal among a plurality of input signals selectively applied one at a time to a control system, the input signals having a predetermined order of more restrictive significance, comprising in combination, a. a plurality of charging circuits, one for each of said plurality of input signals and responsive to the reception of the corresponding input signal by said control system to store a predetermined energy charge, b. an actuating means operable from a first to a second condition at the end of a predetermined time delay interval after an actuating energy signal is applied thereto, 1. said actuating means selectively connected in accordance with the received input signal to receive an actuating energy signal from a particular one of said plurality of charging circuits when a more restrictive input signal is received, c. a warning indicator controlled by said actuating means for providing a warning indication signal when said actuating means is in its second condition, and d. acknowledging means connected for restoring said actuating means to its first condition when operated to acknowledge said warning indication signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A circuit arrangement for acknowledging the reception of a more restrictive signal among a plurality of input signals selectively applied one at a time to a control system, the input signals having a predetermined order of more restrictive significance, comprising in combination, a. a plurality of charging circuits, one for each of said plurality of input signals and responsive to the reception of the corresponding input signal by said control system to store a predetermined energy charge, b. an actuating means operable from a first to a second condition at the end of a predetermined time delay interval after an actuating energy signal is applied thereto, 1. said actuating means selectively connected in accordance with the received input signal to receive an actuating energy signal from a particular one of said plurality of charging circuits when a more restrictive input signal is received, c. a warning indicator controlled by said actuating means for providing a warning indication signal when said actuating means is in its second condition, and d. acknowledging means connected for restoring said actuating means to its first condition when operated to acknowledge said warning indication signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
A circuit arrangement as defined in claim 1 which further includes, a. a plurality of secondary discharge circuits, one for each charging circuit except that one associated with the least restrictive input signal, b. each secondary discharge circuit being responsive to the reception of any input signal having a less restrictive significance than the corresponding input signal for discharging the associated charging circuit of any stored energy charge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
a second position relay contact being connected for supplying actuating energy to said warning indicator to provide said warning signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
a second position relay contact being connected for supplying actuating energy to said warning indicator to provide said warning signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
an electrical device controlled by said circuit network for providing an output signal when the charge in said other storage means reaches a preset level, c. said two condition means connected to receive said output signal and responsive thereto for operating to its second condition,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
an electrical device controlled by said circuit network for providing an output signal when the charge in said other storage means reaches a preset level, c. said two condition means connected to receive said output signal and responsive thereto for operating to its second condition,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
said bistable circuit network controlled by said acknowledging means for operating to said first conducting condition when said acknowledging means is operated, and d. said warning indicator is controlled by an energized position contact of said relay for providing a warning signal when said relay is energized.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
said bistable circuit network controlled by said acknowledging means for operating to said first conducting condition when said acknowledging means is operated, and d. said warning indicator is controlled by an energized position contact of said relay for providing a warning signal when said relay is energized.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A circuit arrangement as defined in claim 1 in which, a. said actuating means includes a timing delay means and a two condition means operable between its first and second conditions when activating signals are applied thereto, b. said timing delay means comprises,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
A circuit arrangement as defined in claim 3 which further includes, a. a plurality of secondary discharge circuits, one for each charging circuit except that one associated with the least restrictive input signal, b. each secondary discharge circuit being responsive to the reception of any input signal having a less restrictive significance than the corresponding input signal for discharging the associated charging circuit of any stored energy charge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
A circuit arrangement as defined in claim 4 in which, a. each secondary discharge circuit includes a two condition switching means connected to interrupt the discharge circuit path for the associated charging circuit when in its first condition and to complete the discharge path when in its second condition, b. each switching means being responsive to the reception of any input signal less restrictive than the corresponding input signal to occupy its second condition, otherwise occupying its first condition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
A circuit arrangement as defined in claim 5 in which, each switching means is a transistor controlled by each charging circuit associated with a less restrictive input signal, each transistor biased to its conducting condition when an energy charge is stored and to its nonconducting condition when no energy charge is stored in any one of said less restrictive charging circuits.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
116 words
A circuit arrangement as defined in claim 3 in which, a. said electrical device is a four layer diode having a predetermined breakdown potential for conduction in the forward direction to provide said output signal when conduction occurs, b. said other energy storage means is a resistor-capacitor circuit network with preselected charging time characteristics such that the breakdown potential of said diode is exceeded by the capacitor charge level at the end of said predetermined time delay interval, anD c. said two condition means is a two position magnetic stick relay having a first winding connected to receive operating energy from said capacitor, when said diode conducts, poled to operate said relay to its second position,
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
113 words
A circuit arrangement as defined in claim 7 which further includes, a. a plurality of secondary discharge circuits, one for each charging circuit except that associated with the least restrictive input signal, b. each secondary discharge circuit comprising a transistor connected for discharging energy stored in the associated charging circuit when that transistor conducts, and a bias circuit network connected to normally hold the associated transistor nonconducting, c. each bias network controlled by the charging circuits associated with all input signals less restrictive than that associated with he corresponding discharge circuit, for actuating the associated transistor to its conducting condition when energy is stored in any one of the less restrictive charging circuits.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
106 words
A circuit arrangement as defined in claim 3 in which, a. said electrical device is a unijunction transistor having a predetermined gating potential for actuating conduction to supply said output signal, b. said other energy storage means is a resistor-capacitor circuit network connected for supplying the gating signal to said transistor, and having charging time characteristics such that stored energy exceeds the required gating signal potential only at the end of said predetermined time delay interval, c. said two condition means comprises a relay and a controlling bistable circuit network normally in a first conducting condition and energizing said relay when in a second conducting condition,
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
58 words
A circuit arrangement as defined in claim 9 which further includes, a. a plurality of secondary discharge circuits, one for each charging circuit except that one associated with the least restrictive input signal, b. each secondary discharge circuit including in series a two position switching means associated with each input signal less restrictive than the corresponding input signal,
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
186 words
In a railroad cab signal and speed control system selectively providing a plurality of input signals to each set of train-carried apparatus, said input signals having a predetermined order for designating more restrictive speed signal indications, a train-carried acknowledging arrangement on each train comprising in combination, a. a plurality of signal receiving means, one for each possible input signal, b. a charging circuit means associated with each signal receiving means and controlled thereby for storing a predetermined energy chargE when the corresponding input signal is received, c. an actuating circuit means selectively connected by said signal receiving means for receiving the charge stored in a particular charging circuit means when a more restricted input signal is received, d. said actuating circuit means being operable in response to the reception of an energy charge from one of said charging circuit means for actuating a more restricted signal warning indication a predetermined time delay interval after the reception of a more restricted input signal, and e. an acknowledging means connected to said actuating circuit means and operable for restoring said actuating circuit means and halting the warning indication.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
186 words
In a railroad cab signal and speed control system selectively providing a plurality of input signals to each set of train-carried apparatus, said input signals having a predetermined order for designating more restrictive speed signal indications, a train-carried acknowledging arrangement on each train comprising in combination, a. a plurality of signal receiving means, one for each possible input signal, b. a charging circuit means associated with each signal receiving means and controlled thereby for storing a predetermined energy chargE when the corresponding input signal is received, c. an actuating circuit means selectively connected by said signal receiving means for receiving the charge stored in a particular charging circuit means when a more restricted input signal is received, d. said actuating circuit means being operable in response to the reception of an energy charge from one of said charging circuit means for actuating a more restricted signal warning indication a predetermined time delay interval after the reception of a more restricted input signal, and e. an acknowledging means connected to said actuating circuit means and operable for restoring said actuating circuit means and halting the warning indication.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
69 words
An acknowledging arrangement as defined in claim 11, which further includes, a. a plurality of secondary discharge circuit means, one for each charging circuit means except that one associated with the least restrictive input signal, b. each secondary discharge circuit means controlled by all signal receiving means having a less restrictive order and connected for discharging the associated charging circuit means when a less restrictive input signal is received.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
165 words
An acknowledging arrangement as defined in claim 11 which further includes a warning indicator device and in which, a. said actuating circuit means includes a time delay means and a relay means operable to a first and a second condition, b. said delay means selectively connected by said signal receiving means for receiving the charge stored in said particular charging circuit means and operable in response to the reception of a charge to provide an output signal at the end of a predetermined time delay interval, c. said relay means controlled by said time delay means for operating to its second condition in response to said output signal, d. said relay means connected for actuating said warning indicator device to provide a warning indication when said relay means is in its second condition, e. said relay means further controlled by said acknowledging means for operating to its first condition when said acknowledging means is operated to acknowledge the reception of a more restricted input signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
69 words
An acknowledging arrangement as defined in claim 13, which further includes, a. a plurality of secondary discharge circuit means, one for each charging circuit means except that one associated with the least restrictive input signal, b. each secondary discharge circuit means controlled by all signal receiving means having a less restrictive order and connected for discharging the associated charging circuit means when a less restrictive input signal is received.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
84 words
An acknowledging arrangement as defined in claim 13 in which said time delay means comprises, a. a four-layer diode having a predetermined breakdown potential for conduction in the forward direction, b. a resistor-capacitor circuit network with preselected charging time characteristics such that said diode breakdown potential is exceeded by the capacitor charge level only after said predetermined time delay interval, c. said resistor-capacitor network connected to supply said capacitor charge level to said diode for providing said output signal when said diode becomes conducting.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
88 words
An acknowledging arrangement as defined in claim 15 in which, a. said relay means is a two-position magnetic stick relay having a first winding connected to receive said output signal from said diode poled to operate said relay to its second position, b. a second winding of said relay connected for receiving operating energy when said acknowledging means is operated, poled to restore said relay to its first position, and c. a second position contact of said relay is connected for supplying energy for actuating said warning indication.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
116 words
An acknowledging arrangement as defined in claim 16 which further includes, a. a plurality of secondary discharge circuits, one for eaCh charging circuit means except that associated with the least restrictive input signal, b. each secondary discharge circuit comprising a transistor connected for discharging energy stored in the associated charging circuit means when that transistor conducts, and a bias circuit network connected to normally hold the associated transistor nonconducting, c. each bias network controlled by the charging circuit means associated with all input signals less restrictive than that associated with the corresponding discharge circuit, for actuating the associated transistor to its conducting condition when energy is stored in any one of the less restrictive charging circuits.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
93 words
An acknowledging arrangement as defined in claim 13 in which said delay means comprises, a. a unijunction transistor having a predetermined gating potential for actuating conduction and connected for conducting energy when actuated from said particular charging circuit means to provide said output signal, b. a resistor-capacitor circuit network connected for receiving energy from the selected charging circuit means and for supplying a gating signal to said transistor, and having charging time characteristics such that stored energy exceeds the required gating signal potential only at the end of said predetermined time delay interval.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
45 words
An acknowledging arrangement as defined in claim 18 in which said relay means comprises, a. a bistable circuit network controlled by said acknowledging means for operating to a first conducting condition when said acknowledging means is operated and normally holding in that first conducting condition,
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
68 words
An acknowledging arrangement as defined in claim 19 which further includes, a. a plurality of secondary discharge circuits, one for each charging circuit means except that one associated with the least restrictive input signal, b. each secondary discharge circuit including in series a two-position switching means associated with each signal receiving means corresponding to an input signal less restrictive than that input signal corresponding to that discharge circuit,
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-03 | 1976-04-03 | 1976-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-03 | 1980-04-03 | 1980-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-03 | 1984-04-03 | 1984-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |