US3884437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Train control system for transit vehicles
Assignee: Trane US Inc
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Filing: 1973-10-09
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Granted: 1975-05-20
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Expires: 1993-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of biased, direct curent control relays, each requiring a predetermined high or low level of operating energy, are coupled across a two conductor signaling channel extending along the nonconducting right-of-way. A first conductor is divided into insulated sections of preselected lengths corresponding to right-of-way speed requirements. The midpoint of a direct current wayside signal energy source is connected to a common bus lead to which the second channel conductor is also connected. Either the positive and negative end terminal of the source is selectively connected to each first conductor section through a preselected resistance to fix the high or low voltage level and the polarity of the applied control signal. The train relays selectively respond to the polarity and voltage level of the received signals in accordance with each relay''s characteristics, and accordingly control various train operating functions such as speed and door opening. In one alternate form, only train speed is controlled by the biased relays while the doors are controlled by a reed relay influenced by a magnet mounted at the train stopping point on each station platform. The train relays in multiple, also serve as a shunting circuit for releasing a wayside train detector relay, connected between each first conductor section and the common bus, to register train occupancy. These detector relays enforce station-to-station train separation but train speed is otherwise selected only in accordance with the physical character of the right-of-way.
Inventors
- 👤 William J Linderman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:29
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61L; B61L3/00; B61L3/16; B61L3/18; B61L3/185; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A train control system for trains traversing a fixed rightof-way, comprising in combination, a. a signaling channel comprising a first and second conductor extending parallel to said right-of-way, 1. said first conductor being divided into a plurality of separate sections to form corresponding adjacent channel sections, 2. said second conductor being electrically continuous and connected to a system common bus, b. a signal source connected to each first conductor section and to said common bus for transmitting through each channel section a signal having a predetermined distinctive characteristic, c. control apparatus on each of said trains coupled across said first and second conductors for receiving the signal transmitted by said source through the section then occupied by that train, d. said control apparatus on each of said trains also coupled for controlling selected train functions in response to the distinctive characteristic of the received signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A train control system for trains traversing a fixed rightof-way, comprising in combination, a. a signaling channel comprising a first and second conductor extending parallel to said right-of-way, 1. said first conductor being divided into a plurality of separate sections to form corresponding adjacent channel sections, 2. said second conductor being electrically continuous and connected to a system common bus, b. a signal source connected to each first conductor section and to said common bus for transmitting through each channel section a signal having a predetermined distinctive characteristic, c. control apparatus on each of said trains coupled across said first and second conductors for receiving the signal transmitted by said source through the section then occupied by that train, d. said control apparatus on each of said trains also coupled for controlling selected train functions in response to the distinctive characteristic of the received signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A train control system as defined in claim 1 in which, a. each train-carried control apparatus comprises a plurality of relays, each responsive to a different one of the plurality of distinctive signal characteristics transmitted through said first conductor sections, b. each relay is coupled for controlling a different controllable function on the corresponding train when a signal having the associated characteristic is received.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
said second conductor being electrically continuous and connected to a system common bus, b. a signal source connected to each first conductor section and to said common bus for transmitting through each channel section a signal having a predetermined distinctive characteristic, c. control apparatus on each of said trains coupled across said first and second conductors for receiving the signal transmitted by said source through the section then occupied by that train, d. said control apparatus on each of said trains also coupled for controlling selected train functions in response to the distinctive characteristic of the received signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
98 words
said second conductor being electrically continuous and connected to a system common bus, b. a signal source connected to each first conductor section and to said common bus for transmitting through each channel section a signal having a predetermined distinctive characteristic, c. control apparatus on each of said trains coupled across said first and second conductors for receiving the signal transmitted by said source through the section then occupied by that train, d. said control apparatus on each of said trains also coupled for controlling selected train functions in response to the distinctive characteristic of the received signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
at least another relay controlling the train door operation at station platforms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
at least another relay controlling the train door operation at station platforms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
130 words
A train control system as defined in claim 2 in which, a. each train-carried relay is of a direct current biased type having a preset required operating voltage level different from at least one other of said plurality of relays, b. said signal source is a direct current energy source with end terminals of opposite polarity and a midpoint terminal connected to said common bus, c. a preselected end terminal of said source is connected to each first conductor section through a resistance of selected value to apply a predetermined voltage level signal, and d. each relay being coupled to said first and second conductors fOr responding only to received signals of a predetermined polarity and having a voltage level providing at least the required operating voltage of that relay.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
A train control system as defined in claim 3 which further includes, a. a reed relay control means on each train coupled for controlling the train doors when actuated, b. a magnet means at each station along said right-of-way positioned for actuating the reed relay on each train when stopped at that station, and in which, c. said biased relays on each train are coupled to train propulsion means for controlling train speed to a plurality of different levels determined by the distinctive signal received from said channel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A train control system as defined in claim 4 in which, said biased relays are further coupled to the train braking means for activating a brake application to stop the train when no distinctive signal is received.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A train control system as defined in claim 2 in which, at least one of said plurality of relays is coupled for actuating train movement along said right-of-way at a preselected speed only when the corresponding distinctive signal characteristic is received from said channel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
114 words
A train control system as defined in claim 6 which further includes, a. a train detection means coupled between each first conductor section and said common bus, b. each train detector means receiving the signal transmitted from said source to the associated section, when no train occupies the corresponding right-of-way section, and responsive to the received signal for registering the nonoccupied condition of that corresponding section, c. said train detection means further coupled for inhibiting the transmission of a distinctive movement control signal from said source to any first conductor section between adjacent stations until a train, once detected in any of the corresponding sections, has departed from that station-to-station stretch of said right-of-way.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
138 words
A train control system as defined in claim 1 in which, a. said signal source is a direct current energy source having end terminals of opposite polarity and a center tap connected to said common bus, b. said control apparatus includes four biased direct current relays having at least two different predetermined operating voltage requirements, (1) said relays so coupled to the channel conductors to establish a different operating characteristic, including voltage and polarity requirements, for each relay, c. a preselected end terminal of said signal source is connected to each first conductor section through a resistance of selected value for supplying a signal of selected polarity and voltage level to that channel section, d. each relay further coupled for controlling a different controllable function on the corresponding train when the received signal has the corresponding operating characteristic,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
114 words
A train control system as defined in claim 8 which further includes, a. a train detection means coupled between each first conductor section and said common bus, b. each train detection means receiving the signal transmitted from said source to the associated section, when no train occupies the corresponding right-of-way section, and responsive to the received signal for registering the nonoccupied condition of that corresponding section. c. said train detection means further coupled for inhibiting the transmission of a distinctive movement control signal from said source to any first conductor section between adjacent stations until a train, once detected in any of the corresponding sections, has departed from that station-to-station stretch of said right-of-way.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
A train control system as defined in claim 9 in which, said relays are also coupled to the train brAking apparatus for activating a brake application to stop the train when no signal is received and to hold the train halted when only a door control signal is received.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |