Method and apparatus for improving rail shunts

Details Method and apparatus for improving rail shunts Method and apparatus for improving rail shunts

1990-09-21

1992-12-15

Huppert, Michael S.

Railway switches and signals

Block-signal systems

Automatic

246126, 246128, B61L 310

Patent

active

051709708

ABSTRACT:
A reliable and consistent electrical contact path between the rails of a railroad track established by the shunting effect of the wheels and axles of a train is ensured by applying an alternating current signal to the rails at a voltage level sufficient to overcome poor wheel/rail contact and cause a wetting current to flow between the rails. This likewise provides a current path for railroad control and communication signals, such as the island circuit signal of a grade crossing warning system. The effective range of the wetting current signal is limited by providing the signal with a frequency of 10 KHz or higher to inductively isolate the signal source and associated stretch of track from any shunts beyond that stretch. To avoid interference with other types of electronic track equipment, the signal is applied only when required. In grade crossing warning systems, it is controlled in a fail-safe manner.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3622110 (1971-11-01), Campbell
patent: 3706098 (1972-12-01), Geiger
patent: 3777139 (1973-12-01), Peel
patent: 3944173 (1976-03-01), Moe et al.
patent: 3977634 (1976-08-01), Smith
patent: 4062294 (1977-12-01), Cohen
patent: 4307860 (1981-12-01), Kuhn
patent: 4581700 (1986-04-01), Farnham et al.
patent: 4745262 (1988-05-01), Larsen
patent: 4868538 (1989-09-01), Ballinger et al.
patent: 4979392 (1990-12-01), Guinon

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