133results about "Signal operation from vehicle" patented technology

An assembly for monitoring an area is provided. The assembly can include two or more cameras sensitive to radiation of distinct wavelength ranges. The fields of view of the cameras can be substantially co-registered at the area to be monitored. The assembly can include a computer system which can process the image data to monitor the area. The computer system can be configured to identify relevant objects present in the area, update tracking information for the relevant objects, and evaluate whether an alert condition is present using the tracking information.

A lightweight photovoltaic concentrator is disclosed. The concentrator comprises at least two sections each comprising a cell panel, a radiator panel and a reflector panel. In one embodiment, the concentrator system of the present invention comprises at least two hinged sections each comprising a solar cell panel, a flat radiator panel, and a curved reflective concentrator panel. The solar cell panel comprises at least one photovoltaic cell for generating electrical power in response to radiation. The solar cell panel is aligned with the radiator panel at an angle less than 180 degrees but not less than 90 degrees facing the reflective concentrator panel. In another embodiment, the cell panels on adjoining sections are angled in opposite directions with respect to the radiator panels and wherein the reflective concentrator panels are located on opposite sides of the radiator panels. A heat pipe or loop heat pipe is located in the radiator panel to dissipate heat from the solar cells.

An vehicle detection system is provided for tracking, detecting, and monitoring vehicles. The system and methods of the present invention are suitable for on track and roadway vehicles. In particular the present invention provides an improved and cost effective system and methods for tracking, detecting and monitoring locomotives and on track vehicles.

The present invention is directed to vehicle communication equipment capable of transferring information using light without adding new light emitting means, and further, between a stationary apparatus and a vehicle or between vehicles. A light emitted from a signal lamp (11) of a stationarily installed traffic signal (10) or a head lamp (35) or a tail lamp (36) of a vehicle (20) is superimposed with a signal by a modulator (13), the modulated light is received by a light receiving unit (21) of the vehicle (20) side, and the received modulated light is demodulated by a decoder (22) to be displayed on a display panel (24).

An apparatus that prevents motorists from crossing railroad tracks, when the warning gates are down during approaching of a train consists, of a plurality of tire-piercing cogs which are retracted from the ground when the railroad crossing gate is closed. The cogs are arranged across the entire width of the automobile road in order to prevent a motorist from going around the closed gate through the oncoming traffic lane. The piercing cogs are interlocked with a warning visual and / or sound signal which is activated if the vehicle went onto the railroad tracks and stuck on the rails after smashing the closed road gate arm. The cog drive mechanism is located below the ground level, and when the gate is open for normal traffic through the railroad crossing, the cogs are turned into position in which their back surfaces are arranged in flush with the ground level for smooth passage of the vehicles. The power station of the cog drive mechanism is located in a small pit between the lanes of the opposite-direction traffic.

A highway / railroad crossing detection and warning system which uses sets of Doppler radar transmitters and receivers to detect the approach of a train coming from either direction toward a highway crossing. The Doppler radar sets are located an extended distance from the crossing with each set detecting movement toward and away from its location. Presence detectors are located at the crossing and sense moving or stationary trains. All detector devices transmit signals to warning equipment to provide aural and visual indications to approaching motorists or work crews.

A system and method that enables trains to rapidly accelerate through grade crossings from station stops or civil speed restrictions is disclosed. In some embodiments, equipped trains and grade-crossing controllers communicate wirelessly to address operational limitations pertaining to the grade crossings. In conjunction with the train's equipment, conventional crossing controllers are augmented with a communications capability and logic to accept commands to operate in a “Prediction” mode or a “Motion-Sensing” mode. The Prediction mode is the default operating mode for conventional constant-warning grade-crossing prediction controllers. The Motion-Sensing mode is an operating mode whereby the crossing is actuated as soon as an approach circuit detects train motion.

A system includes a determination module and a communication module. The determination module is configured to be located onboard a first vehicle that travels along a first route including a crossing corresponding to an intersection of the first route with a second route. The determination module is configured to be communicatively coupled with a remote crossing module that is configured to impede travel of a second vehicle through the crossing, and to identify an upcoming stop at a station within a range of a track detection system associated with the remote crossing module. The communication module is configured to communicatively couple the determination module to the remote crossing module, and to transmit an inhibit request message to the remote crossing module. The inhibit request message is configured to prevent the remote crossing module from activating a warning when the first vehicle is stopped at the station.

A system and method for automatically detecting the presence of an obstacle located within a surveillance area associated with a railroad grade crossing. The system includes a transmitter transmitting a signal through the surveillance area and a modulating reflector receiving the transmitted signal. The modulating reflector includes a phase modulator receiving the received signal and generating a phase modulated signal having a characteristic. The modulating reflector transmits the phase modulated signal through the surveillance area that is received by a receiver located to receive the phase modulated signal. The system further includes a processor coupled to the transmitter and to the receiver, the processor being configured to process the received phase modulated signal and to initiate an action as a function of the characteristic in the received phase modulated signal.

The invention discloses a railway rockfall early warning system and method. The railway rockfall early warning system comprise a fiber bragg grating vibration sensing part, a fiber bragg grating demodulating instrument and an analyzing and alarming device, wherein the fiber bragg grating vibration sensing part is provided with a fiber bragg grating suitable for generating strains along with the vibration of a track; the fiber bragg grating demodulating instrument is used for guiding light emitted by a light source to the fiber bragg grating, receiving light reflected back from the fiber bragg grating and outputting an electric signal reflecting wavelength variation, caused by the strains, of the reflected light; and the analyzing and alarming device is used for acquiring the wavelength variation information of the light reflected back from the fiber bragg grating so as to determine whether to give out an alarm on the fault of the track. The invention also relates to a railway rockfall early warning method, comprising the following steps of: providing the fiber bragg grating generating strains along with the vibration of the track; acquiring the electric signal reflecting the wavelength variation of the light reflected back from the fiber bragg grating through the fiber bragg grating demodulating instrument; acquiring the wavelength variation information of the light reflected back from the fiber bragg grating on the basis of the electric signal; and determining whether to give out an alarm on the basis of the wavelength variation information.

Apparatus, methods and a communication system for providing relatively constant warning time at a rail grade crossing for trains with prediction of the approach of a train from a remote controller via rail-based communications to a crossing controller. A first communication signal is generated when a prediction occurs and a second communication signal is generated for slower moving trains, with the second signal temporarily overriding the first signal to provide relatively constant warning time at the crossing. Cancellation timers with timing intervals are used to resolve situations where the train does not enter the approach or where the train leaves by way of a switch or backs out. Directional logic is used to determine the direction of movement of the train and, in conjunction with cancellation timers, causes the warning devices to be activated when the timers expire.

A train detection mechanism for detecting the presence of a train on a section of track, the track section including first and second rails 1, 2 and delimited by first and second ends thereof, includes current injector for injecting current into the first rail at the first end of the section and current receiver for receiving current from the second rail at the first end of the section, and a shunt 3 connected between the first and second rails at the second end of the section, characterized in that the shunt includes a switch 4 for controlling current flow through the shunt, the switch being operable by the passage of a train.

A system and method that enables trains to rapidly accelerate through grade crossings from station stops or civil speed restrictions is disclosed. In some embodiments, equipped trains and grade-crossing controllers communicate wirelessly to address operational limitations pertaining to the grade crossings. In conjunction with the train's equipment, conventional crossing controllers are augmented with a communications capability and logic to accept commands to operate in a “Prediction” mode or a “Motion-Sensing” mode. The Prediction mode is the default operating mode for conventional constant-warning grade-crossing prediction controllers. The Motion-Sensing mode is an operating mode whereby the crossing is actuated as soon as an approach circuit detects train motion.

The embodiment of the invention discloses an access unlocking method and device. The method comprises the steps of judging whether a resource conflict train enters an access proximity section or not after a closed state of an access entrance signal machine is received, if yes, searching for the operation state of the resource conflict train, judging whether the resource conflict train can stop stably in front of an access entrance according to the operation state, and judging whether other trains enter the access section or not if the resource conflict train can stop stably in front of the access entrance; if no other trains enter the access section, a current access is unlocked, specifically, the operation state comprises the position and operation speed of the resource conflict train. When it is determined that the train can stop stably in front of the access entrance by searching for the operation state of the train, and it is also determined that no other trains enter the access section, the current access is unlocked immediately, safety can be ensured, the access unlocking time and handling time for other accesses are shortened, and the operation efficiency of a mobile blocked train control system is improved.

A retractable gate comprising a movable arm gate having multiple sections which nest or telescope into each other when parked (e.g. upright), and extends into a full length blocking position as it is deployed. The gate arm sections are deployed by the movement of one of the arms, e.g. the outer one section, relative to the ground or a stationary support member and is joined to the stationary support member by a pivot point or bearing, and is connected to the stationary support or ground by a cable connection (or equivalent) which powers the arm sections into extended or retracted positions by movement of the gate about the pivot bearing. A novel corresponding counterweight system provides selectable balance and torque requirements.

The invention provides a coordinated control system and method of a train door and a platform door. The coordinated control system comprises an RFID system, a ZigBee wireless two-way transmission system, a PSL platform door local control system and a PSA platform door state monitoring system; the RFID system provides an enabling switching signal of in-place stable stop of a train; the ZigBee wireless two-way transmission system completes wireless two-way transmission of instruction sending of the train door and the platform door and state feedback receiving of the platform door; the PSL platform door local control system completes data collection and transmission of the RFID system and ZigBee wireless two-way transmission system, and control over the platform door; the PSA platform door state monitoring system completes operation recording of all events, failure state alerting, and monitoring and control of on-line parameter adjustment. The coordinated control system and method of the train door and the platform door have the advantages that cost is low, the construction period is short, the interface integration level is high, higher reliability and safety are achieved, and operation is convenient.

A method and apparatus for indicating the presence of one or more trains near a railroad crossing having at least two train tracks. The signaling system has a first sensor for detecting the presence of the first train near or approaching the railroad crossing and a second sensor for detecting the presence of the second train near or approaching the railroad crossing. A warning signal having a first and second mode is responsive to the sensors such that the detection of either the first train or the second train generates the first mode warning signal and the detection of both the first train and the second train generates the second mode warning signal.

A wireless position sensing device is provided for monitoring railyard equipment status. The device comprises a gravity sensing mechanism for sensing an angular displacement with respect to a substantially vertical line, and for generating a displacement signal upon sensing a change in angular displacement exceeding approximately 40 degrees. A processing mechanism, operatively coupled to the gravity sensing mechanism, receives the displacement signal. A radio frequency transmitter, responsive to the processing mechanism, transmits a data signal indicative of the angular displacement. The processing mechanism is programmed to activate the radio frequency transmitter upon receipt of the displacement signal. The gravity sensing mechanism is affixed, attached, or mechanically coupled to railyard equipment comprising at least one of a manually operated rail switch or a safety indicator.

A railroad crossing gate flasher assembly has a sealed, rodent-proof connection for electrical cables that pass from the foundation to a junction box. A clearance between the bottom of the junction box and the top of the foundation is sealed with a plate to prevent rodents from accessing the cables. The seal plate is mounted to the bolts that extend from the foundation and is leveled after it is inserted onto the bolts. The junction box is lowered onto the seal plate and attached to the same bolts so that the junction box also is level. The seal plate has an opening, coupling and conduit for protecting the cables.

A wireless position sensing device is provided for monitoring railyard equipment status. The device comprises a gravity sensing mechanism for sensing an angular displacement with respect to a substantially vertical line, and for generating a displacement signal upon sensing a change in angular displacement exceeding approximately 40 degrees. A processing mechanism, operatively coupled to the gravity sensing mechanism, receives the displacement signal. A radio frequency transmitter, responsive to the processing mechanism, transmits a data signal indicative of the angular displacement. The processing mechanism is programmed to activate the radio frequency transmitter upon receipt of the displacement signal. The gravity sensing mechanism is affixed, attached, or mechanically coupled to railyard equipment comprising at least one of a manually operated rail switch or a safety indicator.

Systems and methods of the invention relate to transferring energy from a vehicle to a device via a track circuit. Embodiments of the present invention include a power source of a vehicle that can be utilized to transfer energy through a track circuit to a device coupled thereto. The track circuit can include a section of track having a first pair of insulated joints located on a first rail and a second pair of insulated joints on a second rail, each pair separated by a distance. Moreover, a signal can be communicated to the vehicle based on receipt of the transferred energy.

A system includes a motion switch module, an energy storage module, a resistive module, and an interface. The motion switch module includes at least one motion activated switch that is movable between an open and a closed position responsive to movement of an axle to which the motion switch module is coupled. The energy storage module includes at least one energy storage element that discharges a stored charge responsive to a motion of the corresponding at least one motion activated switch from the open to the closed position. The resistive module includes least one resistive element that dissipates energy discharged by the corresponding at least one energy storage module. The interface is configured to provide information regarding a change in charge state of the at least one energy storage element, wherein the change in charge state corresponds to a movement of the vehicle.

A railroad switch machine which is normally operated by an electric motor but which may be manually operated without causing rotation of the power shaft of the electric motor to enable the switch machine to move the switch points without having to overcome the brake resistance applied to the power shaft by the brake and gearbox thereof.

The invention relates to a tramcar platform door and car door linkage control system which is provided with an on-board device and a ground device. The on-board device comprises an on-board wireless transmitting device and an on-board alignment device. The ground device comprises a ground wireless receiving device, a platform alignment device and a platform door control panel. Data transmission between the on-board wireless transmitting device and the ground wireless receiving device is achieved through wireless communication. The on-board alignment device and the platform alignment device have an alignment detection function, the alignment precision meets the requirement of stopping precision, and platform doors can be opened only when positions of car doors and positions of the platform doors are in one-to-one correspondence. The tramcar platform door and car door linkage control system has the following advantages that the effect that the platform doors can be effectively linked with the car doors under various working conditions can be guaranteed, and the synchronism is guaranteed; and the number of interfaces with relevant systems is small, the work amount is small, the tramcar platform door and car door linkage control system is suitable for new projects, and modification of existing projects is also facilitated.