US3907238A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Occupancy detector for vehicle control systems
Assignee: SASIB SpA Bologna
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Filing: 1974-05-20
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1994-05-20
Abstract
Abstract Vehicles are operated over a plurality of zones. Devices are provided on the vehicle for demarcating the ends thereof and wayside markers at an entering boundary, for each zone, responsive to the passage of each end of the vehicle, and assuming first and second conditions respectively in accordance with encountering an odd or even number of demarcating devices. Occupancy registration is responsive jointly to the first condition for the next two wayside markers in advance of the vehicle and the second condition for its associated marker for cancelling the occupancy indication. Occupancy registration is additionally responsive to the direction of traffic along the guideway by detecting vehicle presence as it enters the zone from either direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry C Sibley
- 👤 Jr John H Auer
- 👤 Willis R Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:53
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61L; B61L21/00; B61L21/10; B61L27/00; B61L27/20; B61L3/00; B61L3/02; B61L3/08; B61L3/12; B61L3/121
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A vehicle control system for operating vehicles over a rightof-way divided into a plurality of zones and having control means for governing the operation of the vehicles in accordance with the traffic conditions communicated from the wayside to the vehicle wherein the improvement comprises: a. means on the vehicle for demarcating ends thereof; b. wayside marker means at an entering boundary of each zone respoNsive to the passage of each end of the vehicle for respectively assuming a first or second condition in accordance with the passage of an odd or even number of demarcating means respectively; c. occupancy means for each zone responsive to its associated wayside marker for registering occupancy in accordance with said first condition until cancelled; said means, governing the occupany means, governed jointly by the first condition for the next two wayside markers in advance of the vehicle and a second condition for its associated marker for cancelling the occupancy indication.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A vehicle control system for operating vehicles over a rightof-way divided into a plurality of zones and having control means for governing the operation of the vehicles in accordance with the traffic conditions communicated from the wayside to the vehicle wherein the improvement comprises: a. means on the vehicle for demarcating ends thereof; b. wayside marker means at an entering boundary of each zone respoNsive to the passage of each end of the vehicle for respectively assuming a first or second condition in accordance with the passage of an odd or even number of demarcating means respectively; c. occupancy means for each zone responsive to its associated wayside marker for registering occupancy in accordance with said first condition until cancelled; said means, governing the occupany means, governed jointly by the first condition for the next two wayside markers in advance of the vehicle and a second condition for its associated marker for cancelling the occupancy indication.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The vehicle control system of claim 1 wherein said demarcating means comprises a magnet on each end of the vehicle having the same polarity at opposite ends of each magnet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The vehicle control system of claim 2 wherein said wayside means comprises: a bi-stable switch responsive to the demarcating means for producing the first output after the passage of a magnet having its polarity to a first condition and producing the second output upon the passage of a magnet of the opposite polarity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The vehicle control system of claim 3 wherein said wayside marker further includes a repeater relay of said bi-stable switch for operating a plurality of contacts for said occupancy and reset means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
104 words
The vehicle control system of claim 3 wherein said occupancy means comprises: a. means responsive to the bi-stable switch including a neutral stick relay having its stick circuit opened in response to the first condition of said bi-stable switch and; b. a memory means including a magnetic stick relay having a drive down and pick-up circuit, assuming an energized condition indicative of occupancy in accordance with the first condition of said bi-stable switch and a de-energized condition indicative of the passage of the vehicle out of the zone in accordance with the reset of the stock relay of the zone preceding the associated zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
The vehicle control system of claim 5 wherein said reset means comprises a circuit for picking the neutral stick relay governed jointly by a contract of the bi-stable switches in the first condition for two blocks in advance of the associated zone, a contact of the memory means and the bi-stable switch in respective first and second conditions for one block in advance of the associated block and a contact of the memory means and the bi-stable switch in the second condition for the associated block.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The vehicle control system of claim 5 wherein said magnetic stick relay for an occupied zone is reset to its first condition through a pick-up circuit including a front contact of said neutral stick relay for the zone rearward of the associated zone.
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) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |