US3740548A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control of an interlocking in a vehicle control system
Assignee: Bombardier Transportation Holdings USA Inc
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Filing: 1971-06-25
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Granted: 1973-06-19
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Expires: 1991-06-25
Abstract
Abstract Fail-safe electronic logic elements having unidirectional failure modes are used in the construction of a fail-safe logic circuit which controls the interlocking in a vehicle control system. The logic circuits provide control signals for properly aligning the interlocking such that vehicles which are operational in the system may travel along selected vehicle travel routes. There are also provided a group of status signals which are indicative of whether or not it is safe for a vehicle to enter the interlocking zone.
Inventors
- 👤 R Hoyler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:12
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61L; B61L19/00; B61L19/06; H; H03; H03K; H03K19/00; H03K19/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
269 words
In a vehicle control system wherein a vehicle travels along a vehicle travel path divided into a plurality of vehicle detecTion zones which include at least first and second travel routes, with an interlocking included in at least one of said vehicle zones which may be aligned in a first position for travel along said first vehicle travel route, and which may be aligned in a second position for travel along said second vehicle travel route, the combination comprising: a first electronic gate responsive to the provision of a signal indicative of the presence of said vehicle in a vehicle detection zone preceding said one vehicle detection zone concurrent with the provision of another signal indicative of a vehicle travel route request for said vehicle for providing a first signal; a second electronic gate responsive to the provision of said first signal concurrent with the provision of a signal indicative of said interlocking being aligned in a position necessary to meet said vehicle travel route request for providing a second signal; means responsive to the provision of said second signal and the provision of a signal indicative of the absence of another vehicle in said one vehicle detection zone for providing a third signal indicative that said vehicle may be allowed to enter said one vehicle detection zone; and a third electronic gate responsive to the provision of said first signal concurrent with the provision of a signal indicative of the absence of a vehicle in said one vehicle detection zone for providing a fourth signal indicative that said interlocking may be realigned from one position to the other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
269 words
In a vehicle control system wherein a vehicle travels along a vehicle travel path divided into a plurality of vehicle detecTion zones which include at least first and second travel routes, with an interlocking included in at least one of said vehicle zones which may be aligned in a first position for travel along said first vehicle travel route, and which may be aligned in a second position for travel along said second vehicle travel route, the combination comprising: a first electronic gate responsive to the provision of a signal indicative of the presence of said vehicle in a vehicle detection zone preceding said one vehicle detection zone concurrent with the provision of another signal indicative of a vehicle travel route request for said vehicle for providing a first signal; a second electronic gate responsive to the provision of said first signal concurrent with the provision of a signal indicative of said interlocking being aligned in a position necessary to meet said vehicle travel route request for providing a second signal; means responsive to the provision of said second signal and the provision of a signal indicative of the absence of another vehicle in said one vehicle detection zone for providing a third signal indicative that said vehicle may be allowed to enter said one vehicle detection zone; and a third electronic gate responsive to the provision of said first signal concurrent with the provision of a signal indicative of the absence of a vehicle in said one vehicle detection zone for providing a fourth signal indicative that said interlocking may be realigned from one position to the other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination claimed in claim 1 including means for blocking the provision of said fourth signal in the event said vehicle has time sufficient to enter said one vehicle detection zone during the time said interlocking is being realigned.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination claimed in claim 2 including means for blocking the provision of said third signal in the event said interlocking is not properly aligned.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination claimed in claim 3 wherein the means for providing said third signal includes an electronic latch circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination claimed in claim 4 wherein said first, second, and third electronic gates each comprise AND gates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination claimed in claim 5 wherein said AND gates are fail-safe.
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) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |