U.S. patent application number 09/867014 was filed with the patent office on 2001-12-13 for locomotive whistle controlled railroad grade crossing warning system.
Invention is credited to Greene, George Jefferson JR..
Application Number | 20010050324 09/867014 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26902783 |
Filed Date | 2001-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010050324 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Greene, George Jefferson
JR. |
December 13, 2001 |
Locomotive whistle controlled railroad grade crossing warning
system
Abstract
A railroad grade crossing warning device designed to operate at
un-guarded grade crossings without the need for expensive train
detection sensors. The system utilizes the sound of an approaching
locomotive horn or whistle to activate a warning at a grade
crossing. The preferred device is self contained and is powered by
solar panel and storage battery to provide a flashing strobe
warning on the approach of a train.
Inventors: |
Greene, George Jefferson JR.;
(LaRue, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALWORTH LAW & ENGINEERING
505 CUMBERLAND ROAD
TYLER
TX
75703-9324
US
|
Family ID: |
26902783 |
Appl. No.: |
09/867014 |
Filed: |
May 29, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60207979 |
May 30, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
246/284 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B61L 29/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
246/284 |
International
Class: |
B61L 011/04; B61L
013/00 |
Claims
I claim
1. A locomotive whistle controlled railroad grade crossing warning
system capable of listening for the presence of a locomotive
whistle comprising: horn detection means providing a signal
indicating the presence of a locomotive whistle; control logic
means providing means for receiving signal from said horn detection
means; warning means for reacting to said logic control means to
provide indication of the presence of a locomotive; and power
source means for powering said horn detection means and said
control logic means:
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said horn detection means further
comprises directional horn detector and amplifier/filter.
3. The device of claim 2 further comprising a weatherproof housing
having an outside and an inside.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein said horn detection means is
mounted to the outside of said housing and wherein said logic
control means and said amplifier/filter are mounted inside of said
housing.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein said power source further provides
power to said warning means.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein said warning means comprises a
strobe.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein said power source further
comprises a storage battery and means for charging said storage
battery.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein said means for charging said
storage battery comprises a solar panel.
9. The device of claim 8 further mounted to a stand for placement
by a railroad grade crossing.
10. A locomotive whistle controlled railroad grade crossing warning
system capable of listening for the presence of a locomotive
whistle comprising: a weatherproof housing having an inside and an
outside; plurality of directional horn detectors mounted to said
outside of said housing each providing an audio signal derived from
a locomotive whistle; amplifier/filter within said housing capable
of receiving said audio signal and providing an electronic signal
indicating the presence of a locomotive whistle; control logic
means within said housing providing means for processing said
electronic signal; warning means for reacting to said logic control
means to provide indication of the presence of a locomotive; and
power source means for powering said horn detection means and said
control logic means.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein said power source further
provides power to said warning means.
12. The device of claim 11 wherein said warning means comprises a
strobe.
13. The device of claim 12 wherein said power source further
comprises a storage battery and means for charging said storage
battery.
14. The device of claim 13 wherein said means for charging said
storage battery comprises a solar panel.
15. The device of claim 14 further mounted to a stand for placement
by a railroad grade crossing.
16. The device of claim 1 wherein said power source further
provides power to said warning means and said power source receives
power from alternating current source.
17. The device of claim 1 wherein said power source further
provides power to said warning means and said power source receives
power from railroad provided power source.
18. The device of claim 1 wherein said warning means comprises
standard railroad crossing guard means.
19. A locomotive whistle controlled railroad grade crossing warning
system capable of listening for the presence of a locomotive
whistle comprising: a weatherproof housing having an inside and an
outside; plurality of directional horn detectors mounted to said
outside of said housing each providing an electronic audio signal
derived from a locomotive whistle; amplifier/filter within said
housing capable of receiving said audio signal and providing an
electronic signal indicating the presence of a locomotive whistle;
control logic means within said housing providing means for
processing said electronic signal; strobe warning means for
reacting to said logic control means to provide indication of the
presence of a locomotive; storage battery for providing power to
said strobe warning means, said amplifier/filter means, said
control logic means, and said directional horn detectors, and solar
panel for charging said storage battery.
20. The device of claim 16 further mounted to a stand for placement
by a railroad grade crossing.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application 60/207,979 filed on May 30, 2000.
[0002] The present invention relates generally to safety devices
and in particular to an apparatus for warning the motorist of
approaching trains at Railroad Grade Crossings.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] Geiger (U.S. Pat. No. 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.
[0014] 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
[0015] 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.
[0016] 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.
[0017] 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 amplifier/filter in turn energizes the
warning system whenever a train is detected.
[0018] In the preferred mode, the instant invention utilizes a
solar panel to keep the battery charged. The battery provides power
for the amplifier/filter, logic circuits, and the warning signal
that is usually a strobe light. The apparatus also includes a large
sign which essentially states "Danger High Speed Trains: Look and
Listen Before Crossing: Flashing Light Indicates Train Is
Approaching" The actual language would be set by state law or
follow the recommendations of various railroad standards.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 shows the instant device mounted in a weatherproof
cabinet with an external strobe light and locomotive horn
detectors.
[0020] FIG. 2 shows a control block diagram for the instant
device.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows the instant device including the sign, a
storage battery, the preferred charging device, the strobe light
and horn detectors.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a common installation of the instant device on
both sides of the grade crossing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the preferred device consists of
an appropriate stand, 12, upon which is mounted a battery, 14, a
solar panel, 13, a flashing beacon (strobe), 3, directional
locomotive horn detectors, 15 and 16, and a weatherproof cabinet,
1. If standard electric power is available, a battery charger (not
shown) may be used to maintain the energy level in the battery. A
battery system is still preferred in case electric power is lost
due to storms or other problems. The strobe, 3, may be extended
above the cabinet by an extension conduit, 2, if required.
[0024] The location of the various components within the system is
not critical and would be set by design requirements. For example,
the solar panel must be located in a manner that would protect it
from vandalism and/or attack by bullets and the like. In a similar
manner the beacon (or strobe), 3, must be protected. Electronics
and control logic should be encased in the protective enclosure, 1.
The battery should be enclosed and protected.
[0025] The horn sound detector (15 and 16) comprises a hollow tube,
6 and 7, that points in the direction from which trains would
approach. These horns provide an audio signal related to the
locomotive horn or whistle to the electronic circuits. Additionally
the hollow tube is flared, 5 and 8, at the end pointing in the
direction from which trains approach. Usually, trains travel in
both directions; thus, two horn sound detectors pointing in two
directions will generally be required.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, sound is then focused on a microphone
(or equivalent) that is attached to the filter/amplifier. The
electronic filter/amplifier is tuned to the horn frequency or
frequencies used on locomotives. The amplifier is also set to trip
at a certain sound level (or intensity) measured in decibels (dB).
For example, the average locomotive horn is 185 dB, which falls off
as the square of the distance from the horn. Thus, the amplifier
would be set to trip at 100 dB and at the horn frequency, which
would reduce the number of false alarms possibly caused by other
horn sounds near the grade crossing. This electronic signal would
be passed to the logic circuit. It should be noted that the
amplifier/filter and control logic circuits would (or could) be
combined on the same board. In fact it is not necessary to separate
the two electronic systems. This disclosure contemplates the
combination of these circuits in function and form.
[0027] Standard electronic design techniques would be employed to
obtain a filter/amplifier that would respond to locomotive horns at
adjustable frequencies and levels. The output of the
filter/amplifier would be sent to a logic controller for activation
of the warning sub-system. All functions may be combined within one
circuit.
[0028] The logic control circuit would also provide regulation of
power. That is, the circuit would receive energy from the solar
panel, or other source of energy, and control charging of the
battery. Additionally, the control circuit would distribute power
to the filter/amplifier and warning sub-system. In the preferred
device, the logic control circuit would control power developed by
a solar panel and stored in a battery, and the warning sub-system
would be a strobe. Alternate embodiments would be capable of
receiving power from power lines (110 volts or equivalent) and
charging the storage battery. State Law may set the warning
sub-system, and a strobe might not be legal. The device
contemplates this situation, and the warning sub-system may take
the form of standard railroad crossing guards such as bells,
flashing lights, crossing gates, and the like, provided some form
of external power is available.
[0029] Other alternate embodiments envision the separation of the
weatherproof housing from the horn detectors, logic control and
power source. For example, the railroad may choose to place the
signs and warning sub-system separate from the horn detection,
amplifier/filter, control logic and power source. These components
may have to be placed in a vandal-proof building or the like
depending on the location.
[0030] At a minimum, two such preferred systems should be installed
on either side of the grade crossing as shown in FIG. 4. This
concept provides safety as a redundant system. In some
circumstances more than one road approaches a grade crossing. Under
these circumstance a warning system should be installed on each
approach to the grade crossing.
[0031] There has been disclosed the preferred and best modes for
the instant invention. Several alternate embodiments contemplating
other forms of warning sub-systems and separation of components
within the instant device have also been disclosed. The instant
device is essentially a stand-alone device that may drive any form
of external warning, and the use of the instant device in this
situation is a part of the disclosure.
* * * * *