Railway switches and signals – Vehicle-energy actuation – Signals and gates – automatic
Reexamination Certificate
2001-05-29
2002-07-09
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Railway switches and signals
Vehicle-energy actuation
Signals and gates, automatic
C246S125000, C246S293000, C246S473100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06416021
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The inventor has worked in the field of safety in the workplace for some twenty-five years and has performed considerable work on studies dealing with railroad grade crossing accidents. Motorist-train accidents occur at railroad grade crossings for two reasons. First and foremost, a motorist is attempting to “beat” a train to the crossing, which generally results in an impact between the train and the automobile. These accidents will occur at both guarded and un-guarded crossings. The second cause of grade crossing accidents is due to the fact that the motorist does not see the approaching train. Finally, grade crossing accidents occur because the motorist did not hear the approaching train.
Very few accidents at guarded crossing result from the fact that the motorist did not see or hear the approaching train. These forms of accident occur at un-guarded crossing. State law requires that, at un-guarded crossing, the motorist come to a complete stop at the grade and look both ways before proceeding across the tracks. What the law requires and what the motorist does are two different things. Most motorists approach the tracks, take a quick look (or attempt to listen), and then drive across the tracks. Some of these grade crossings occur at a bend in the railroad, which makes it impossible to see a train in time—particularly if the vehicle is still moving forward.
In analyzing railroad grade crossings, it has been found that the elderly are particularly susceptible. Their vision and hearing is impaired. It was further found that the modern car is basically soundproof Add to this fact, that most motorists run a ventilation system and a radio. (This fact has been noted in equipping emergency vehicles with sirens and horn-type warning systems, which are designed to penetrate the sound insulation of the modern vehicle.)
It is known that there are well over 100,000 un-guarded railroad crossings in the United States alone. Over one-half of these crossings are “private” crossings. That is, a public road is not involved. The cost off equipping the average grade crossing with conventional warning systems is approximately 50,000 dollars per crossing. Whereas, the state could require all public roads to be guarded; no such requirement can be placed on private crossings. Due to the fact that the railroad has the right-of-way, the states must pay for guarded crossings from state funds. Guarded crossings require a source of power that is supplied by local electric utilities or by railroad power systems.
Thus, there remains a need for an inexpensive warning system that may be placed at critical un-guarded crossings throughout the United States. The system should be capable of being “self-powered.”
PRIOR ART
All of the prior art requires some sort of train movement detection system. One of the systems ties to the railroad tracks and others require some form of transmitter attached to the train. These systems are, by their very nature, expensive. Gibson (U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,405) discloses a light assembly and flasher circuit, which may readily be installed at grade crossings. The device uses a battery, solar cells or conventional battery charger to charge the battery, and warning lights, strobes and bells, all mounted in a stand. However, train detection requires electrical connection to the railroad track several hundreds of yards to each side of the crossing along with associated cables.
Pace (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,735,492 and 5,954,299) discloses a Railroad Traffic Warning System Apparatus and Method Therefore, which is similar to the system disclosed by Gibson. However, the system proposed by Pace utilizes magnetic sensors located near the track to detect the train. Again, train detection requires sensors and cabling located several hundreds of yards to each side of the grade crossing.
Kato (U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,855) discloses a Train Detection Device for Railroad Models, etc. which may be applied to full sized trains. The train detection method utilizes the capacitance effect caused by a passing train. Again, cables and detectors must be placed several hundreds of yards to each side of the grade crossing.
Bader (U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,360) discloses a Vehicle Presence Detection System, which utilizes magnetic effects (voltage) caused by a passing train. In this system a series of coils are placed in the railroad bed several hundreds of yards to each side of the grade crossing. Again, cables and detectors must be placed several hundreds of yards to each side of the grade crossing.
Welk (U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,682) proposes a system that utilizes GPS (Global Positioning System) and RF (Radio Frequency) transmission. The GPS is mounted in the train along with a computer, which knows the location of all grade crossings, and the train. As the train approaches a given crossing, an RF signal is transmitted to the crossing system to activate the warning system. This concept will require an expensive RF receiver in each locomotive, which is not cost effective.
In a similar manner, Ferrari et al. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,942,395 and 5,729,213) proposes an RF system that transmits a continuous signal. The signal would be picked up by the crossing guard system to activate the warning system. At the same time, it is proposed that vehicles also be equipped with RF warning systems. The concept is not cost effective, as each vehicle (in the country) must have a receiver system. Government could require new vehicles to have the system, but is would be impossible to retrofit existing vehicles.
Geiger (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,987,989 and 4,365,777) proposes an electronic audio detection system, which attaches to the rails and “listens” for the approaching train. Steel rails readily transmit audio waves and the rolling noise of an approaching train is easily detected. This is then sent to the crossing guard warning system. Again, cables and detectors must be placed several hundreds of yards to each side of the grade crossing.
The prior art is well developed and it works. However, it requires expensive installations. Installing sensors at grade crossings and running cabling for several hundreds of yards to each side of the crossing takes time and money. Installing RF transmitters in each locomotive is cost prohibitive. Thus, there remains the need for a stand-alone grade crossing warning system, which negates the need for expensive installations, which can provide a visual warning, and which can readily be installed at the thousands of un-guarded grade crossings through out the county.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention is designed to operate at un-guarded grade crossings without the need for expensive train detection sensors. It comprises of a self-contained, stand-alone, device, which is to be installed on each side of an un-guarded crossing. The stand-lone device contains a battery, a charging source, a flashing warning light, and a sign, which is designed to inform the motorist as to the function of the device, and a device to detect the presence of an approaching train. The important difference in the system, and to the prior art, is the train detection method.
State law requires an approaching train to blow its horn, or whistle, a predetermined number of times and distance from the unguarded crossing. A well-educated train-driver knows the location of all grade crossings on the line. In addition, the railroad company installs “W” or whistle signs at the proper distance, either side, of all crossings whenever and wherever required. Thus, the locomotive horn itself severs to announce the presence of a train and recognition of the blowing horn, by the instant device, will serve as the train detector.
Mounted to the system is directional detector, which is tuned to the standard audio frequency, used by locomotives. The audio detector points in both directions and uses a tube to mechanically direct the horn signal to a microphone or its equivalent. The microphone is coupled to the appropriate electronic amplifier/filter, which is tuned to the locomotive horn frequency (or frequencies). The amplifi
Alworth C. W.
Jules Frantz F.
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