US5092544A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Highway crossing control system for railroads utilizing a communications link between the train locomotive and the crossing protection equipment
Assignee: SASIB SpA Bologna
•
Filing: 1989-12-22
•
Granted: 1992-03-03
•
Expires: 2009-12-22
Abstract
Abstract Highwasy crossing protection equipment which operates warning lights or crossing gates is controlled from the train locomotive which enters into an interchange of messages via a radio link with the controller at the crossing. Communications between the train and the crossing controller is initiated when the locomotive passes a trackside beacon transponder located beyond a safe braking distance from the crossing. The crossing controller transmits a message addressed to the train acknowledging the receipt of the train signal. The interchange of messages can be repeated a plurality of times; each time the minimum time being updated so that traffic flow across the crossing is handled efficiently with minimum interference. All communications are handled through vital communications logic which activates the protection equipment to its safe condition or sets alarms or brakes in the train in the event of errors or failures in the messages being handled in the crossing controller or in the train equipment, respectively. Wayside signals may also be used to warn the train driver to stop the train unless the communication link has been established. The crossing protection equipment is responsive to successive occupancy and unoccupancy of the crossing.
Inventors
- 👤 William A. Petit
- 👤 John W. Parker
- 👤 Zalmai Shahbaz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:40
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61L; B61L29/00; B61L29/08; B61L29/18; B61L29/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
The method for controlling the operation of crossing protection equipment guarding a highway crossing for railroad tracks along which trains travel, said equipment having first and second states in which highway traffic across said tracks is allowed and disallowed respectively, said method comprising the steps of establishing a communications link between a train approaching said crossing and the equipment, interchanging messages over said link from said approaching train to said equipment and from said equipment to said approaching train, respectively, as to the speed of said approaching train and its distance from said crossing and as to the time when said transmission of a next successive message from said approaching train is required, computing a minimum time for said equipment to be disposed in said second state when said link is first established upon receipt of a first of said messages from said approaching train, and updating said minimum time upon each interchange of messages from said equipment to said train and from said train back to said equipment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
The method for controlling the operation of crossing protection equipment guarding a highway crossing for railroad tracks along which trains travel, said equipment having first and second states in which highway traffic across said tracks is allowed and disallowed respectively, said method comprising the steps of establishing a communications link between a train approaching said crossing and the equipment, interchanging messages over said link from said approaching train to said equipment and from said equipment to said approaching train, respectively, as to the speed of said approaching train and its distance from said crossing and as to the time when said transmission of a next successive message from said approaching train is required, computing a minimum time for said equipment to be disposed in said second state when said link is first established upon receipt of a first of said messages from said approaching train, and updating said minimum time upon each interchange of messages from said equipment to said train and from said train back to said equipment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said communications link establishing step is carried out by radio.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of communicating first signals to the approaching train when it is at a location sufficiently far from the crossing to enable the train to stop when travelling at maximum speed, carrying out said communications link establishing step when said approaching train receives said first signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein said first signals communicating step is carried out by transmitting said first signals from a trackside beacon at said location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein said first signals communicating step is carried out by transponding with said beacon when said train is at said location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein said first signals are transmitted from said beacon with information as to the identity of the crossing which distinguishes it from other crossings along the tracks, the direction from which the train is approaching the crossing, the identity of which track of multiple tracks on which the train is travelling, and the distance to the crossing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 6 further comprising the step of coding said messages from said train to said equipment with said information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein said step of coding said messages from said approaching train to said equipment also includes coding said messages from said approaching train with the identity of said approaching train.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method according to claim 8 further comprising the step of transmitting said messages from said equipment to said approaching train as acknowledgment messages each coded with the identity of the approaching train so that said acknowledgment messages are addressed exclusively to the approaching train.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of detecting the successive occurrence of occupancy and unoccupancy of said crossing by a train, operating said equipment to its second state when said minimum time, as updated, expires, and operating said equipment back to its first state when said detecting step reveals the successive occurrence of unoccupancy of said crossing by a train.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of performing vital, safety checks in said communications link at said train and at said crossing equipment, and stopping said train or operating said equipment to its second state when said vital checks indicate an error in said messages.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of operating wayside signals to allow the approaching train to proceed past sad wayside signals toward the crossing when said communications link is established and to disallow the approaching train to proceed when said communications link has not been established.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 12 wherein said wayside signal operating step is carried out by transmitting radio messages addressed to said wayside signals from said crossing equipment when said link is established.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of detecting when the approaching train reaches a minimum distance from the crossing to allow the crossing equipment to be operated to said second state immediately when the approaching train is detected at said minimum distance and said communications link has not been established.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 4 further comprising preventing the approaching train from reaching the crossing under conditions when signs further from the crossing than said beacons are not manually acknowledged within a predetermined time before said first signals from said beacon are detected by the approaching train.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
173 words
Apparatus for controlling the operation of crossing protection equipment guarding a highway crossing for railroad tracks along which trains travel, said equipment having first and second states in which highway traffic across said tracks is allowed and disallowed respectively, said apparatus comprising means for establishing a communications link between a train approaching said crossing and the equipment, means for interchanging messages over said link from said approaching train to said equipment and from said equipment to said approaching train, respectively, as to the speed of said approaching train and its distance from said crossing and as to the time when said transmission of a next successive message from said approaching train is required, means for computing a minimum time for said equipment to be disposed in said second state when said link is first established upon receipt of a first of said messages from said approaching train, and means for updating said minimum time upon each interchange of messages from said equipment to said train and from said train back to said equipment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
173 words
Apparatus for controlling the operation of crossing protection equipment guarding a highway crossing for railroad tracks along which trains travel, said equipment having first and second states in which highway traffic across said tracks is allowed and disallowed respectively, said apparatus comprising means for establishing a communications link between a train approaching said crossing and the equipment, means for interchanging messages over said link from said approaching train to said equipment and from said equipment to said approaching train, respectively, as to the speed of said approaching train and its distance from said crossing and as to the time when said transmission of a next successive message from said approaching train is required, means for computing a minimum time for said equipment to be disposed in said second state when said link is first established upon receipt of a first of said messages from said approaching train, and means for updating said minimum time upon each interchange of messages from said equipment to said train and from said train back to said equipment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 16 further comprising radio means at said crossing and carried on said train for establishing said communications link.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus according to claim 16 further comprising means for communicating first signals to the approaching train when it is at a location sufficiently far from the crossing to enable the train to stop when travelling at maximum allowable speed, means for establishing said communications link when said approaching train receives said first signals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 18 further comprising a trackside beacon at said location, and said first signals communicating means comprises means for transmitting said first signals from said trackside beacon.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said first signals communicating means comprises means for transmitting said first signals with information as to the identity of the crossing which distinguishes it from other crossings along the tracks, the direction from which the train is approaching the crossing, the identity of which track of multiple tracks on which the train is travelling, and the distance to the crossing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said establishing means comprises coding said messages from said train to said equipment with said information.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said means for coding said messages from said approaching train to said equipment includes means for coding said messages from said approaching train with the identity of said approaching train.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said establishing means comprises means for transmitting said messages from said equipment to said approaching train as acknowledgment messages each coded with the identity of the approaching train so that said acknowledgment messages are addressed exclusively to the approaching train.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus according to claim 16 further comprising means for detecting the successive occurrence of occupancy and unoccupancy of said crossing by a train, means for operating said equipment to its second state when said minimum time, as updated, expires, and means for operating said equipment back to its first state when said detecting step reveals the successive occurrence of unoccupancy of said crossing by a train.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus according to claim 16 further comprising means for performing vital, safety checks in said communications link establishing means at said train and at said crossing equipment, and means for stopping said train and operating said equipment to its second state when said vital checks indicate an error in said messages.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus according to claim 16 further comprising wayside signals spaced from said crossing, means for operating said wayside signals to allow the approaching train to proceed past said wayside signals toward the crossing when said communications link is established and to disallow the approaching train to proceed when said communications link has not been established.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said wayside signal operating means comprises means for transmitting radio messages addressed to said wayside signals from said crossing equipment when said link is established.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus according to claim 16 further comprising means for detecting when the approaching train reaches a minimum distance from the crossing allowing minimum time for the highway crossing protection equipment to assume said second state and means for operating said crossing equipment to its second state when said train is detected at said minimum distance and said communications link has not been established.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus according to claim 19 further comprising pre-acknowledgement signs spaced beyond said beacon away from said said crossing, means for preventing the approaching train from reacting the crossing under conditions when said signs are not manually acknowledged within a predetermined time before said first signals from said beacon are detected by the approaching train.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2028497A
Cited
US1978286A
Cited
US2131042A
Cited
US2433281A
Cited
US2368826A
Cited
US2399738A
Cited
DE1160881B
Cited
US3267281A
Cited
US3297868A
Cited
US3246143A
Cited
US3558874A
Cited
US3603786A
Cited
US3610920A
Cited
US3781541A
Cited
US3781542A
Cited
US3944173A
Cited
US4087066A
Cited
US4120471A
Cited
US4172576A
Cited
US4365777A
Cited
US4550444A
Cited
US4582280A
Cited
US4703303A
Cited
US4711418A
Cited
US4860977A
Cited
US4735383A
Cited
US4942395A
Cited
US4974259A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-03 | 1995-09-02 | 1996-03-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-03 | 1999-09-02 | 2000-03-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-03 | 2003-09-02 | 2004-03-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |