U.S. patent number 3,706,098 [Application Number 05/083,512] was granted by the patent office on 1972-12-12 for railway signal system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Erico Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Willard L. Geiger.
United States Patent |
3,706,098 |
Geiger |
December 12, 1972 |
RAILWAY SIGNAL SYSTEM
Abstract
A railway crossing signaling system in which an audio frequency
signal coupled into the tracks is affected by the presence of a
train near the crossing location and utilized to control operation
of a conventional crossing signal relay. A relatively high
impedance amplifier is transformer coupled to a section of the
tracks, the latter acting as a part of a low impedance feedback
path to cause oscillations at a fixed frequency determined by a
high Q resonant reed filter. In preferred embodiments of the
invention, oscillation is sustained via either direct connection of
the feedback loop or connection through the tracks and interrupted
by the shunting effect of the train, however, one embodiment of the
invention relies on the presence of a train to complete the
feedback circuit to produce oscillation. In all embodiments of the
invention a relatively low frequency high power signal is impressed
upon the track circuit through the common amplifier both to enhance
oscillation and to cause frittering or establishment of the track
circuit in spite of surface contamination and the like.
Inventors: |
Geiger; Willard L. (Chagrin
Falls, OH) |
Assignee: |
Erico Products, Inc.
(Cleveland, OH)
|
Family
ID: |
22178804 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/083,512 |
Filed: |
October 23, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
246/40; 331/116M;
246/125 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B61L
29/286 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B61L
29/00 (20060101); B61L 29/28 (20060101); B61l
021/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;246/34CT,40
;331/65,116M ;340/258R,258C |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Forlenza; Gerald M.
Assistant Examiner: Libman; George H.
Claims
I, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as my
invention:
1. Apparatus for establishing an electrical island along a railroad
track sensitive to the presence of a shunting medium therein and
for signaling such shunting condition, comprising input and output
transformers, said transformers being coupled to the track at first
and second locations to establish the electrical island, an
amplifier for energizing said output transformer, said amplifier
having said input transformer connected at the input thereof
forming an oscillator system in which oscillations are affected by
a shunting medium in the electrical island, a resonant reed filter
in connection at the input of said amplifier for restricting
oscillation to a predetermined frequency, an oscillator coupled to
said amplifier, said oscillator having a lower frequency
oscillation than said predetermined frequency and producing a
signal at said lower frequency, said signal being supplied to said
amplifier for amplification, and means for monitoring the
oscillatory state of said amplifier and for providing indications
thereof.
2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said monitoring means
comprises a second amplifier coupled to said first amplifier, a
transformer energized by said second amplifier, a bridge rectifier
connected to the output of said transformer for converting the AC
signal to pulsating DC, a capacitor in connection at the output of
said bridge rectifier for smoothing the DC voltage, and a crossing
relay in shunt connection with said capacitor, said relay being
operative to control railway crossing signal devices.
3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first amplifier
comprises first and second stages of transistor amplifiers
connected in common emitter configuration, and a third power
amplifier stage having said output transformer in the collector
path thereof, and further including a track power control
potentiometer in connection between said second and third stages
for variation of the signal applied to the tracks, said amplifier
stages being AC coupled to provide a fail-safe operation.
4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said second oscillator
circuit comprises a unijunction transistor connected in oscillatory
configuration for charging a capacitor in the base circuit thereof,
and a diode connecting said capacitor and the base electrode signal
circuit of said third amplifier stage for injection of the
oscillatory signal, said diode providing synchronization of the
signals of said oscillator circuit and said first amplifier
circuit.
5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein the output circuit and
input circuit of said input and output transformers respectively
include a high value capacitor connected to the tracks for
isolation from DC signals.
6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 further including a
potentiometer in the collector path of said second stage amplifier,
the slider of said potentiometer being connected to the input of
said relay driver circuit for varying the sensitivity of the
system.
Description
This invention relates to signaling systems and more particularly
to apparatus for controlling indicators signaling the approach of
trains at railway crossings and the like.
One of the problems with systems of this type is that of achieving
consistent operation under great variations of encountered
conditions, for example where the condition of the track is
influenced by environmental factors or where variable
characteristics are exhibited by different trains which are to be
monitored. Railway signal systems must be reliable and the
possibility of component failure imposes frequent checking
procedures, a burden and high expense for railway maintenance
crews. Preferably systems of this type should be of the fail-safe
variety wherein any fault in the system is recognized and signaled,
however such advantage cannot be attained at the expense of
introducing a large number of components in the system which may
affect reliability.
Railway signaling systems which rely on an impressed signal basis
are in widespread use today. Such systems characteristically
operate by transmitting an oscillatory signal into the track system
and detecting the presence of such signal at a remote location or
the variations in same when modified by the shunting effect of a
train in the vicinity. One of the faults of such systems is that
extraneous noise can be introduced therein, for example by electric
trains which have associated therewith a strong magnetic field that
can be coupled into the track system or the connecting wires
leading to the indication system.
Also in order to obtain an appreciable length of island in which
the system is sensitive to the presence of a train it is necessary
to have a powerful transmitter and sensitive receiver arrangement
and in many instances it is necessary to isolate such islands by
the insertion of insulative members in the track sections to
interrupt the electrical continuity thereof. Typically such systems
consume relatively large amounts of power and are subject to
deterioration of components due to the heating effects therein and
may be so sensitive as to be affected easily by extraneously
introduced signals, for example, from power lines and the like.
Still further such prior art systems are typically frequency
sensitive in that in order to obtain any measure of discrimination,
frequency matching must be effected between the transmitter and
receiver units. Due to the temperature sensitivity of components or
even the aging characteristics thereof, frequency variations can be
encountered and can only be effectively cancelled by the inclusion
of costly stabilization equipment.
The apparatus of the instant invention provides improved
performance in these areas in utilizing a minimum of conventional
components in a specific self-sustaining oscillatory mode, which
mode of operation is highly insensitive to temperature variations,
extraneous signals and the effects of component aging. Essentially
the signaling system comprises an amplifier circuit connected in an
oscillatory mode, utilizing a section of the tracks as a portion of
the feedback connection or in shunt with the feedback connection,
to promote oscillation at a single specified frequency.
The system comprises a transistor amplifier coupled to the tracks
by way of a transformer which matches the intermediate impedance of
the amplifier with the extremely low impedance of the track
circuit. A second transformer is coupled to the tracks in a similar
manner, this transformer also matching impedance levels and having
an output fed to a highly selective audio filter for return to the
input of the amplifier in a proper phase to produce oscillations
therein. The audio filter is determinative of the frequency of
operation of the system and preferably is of the mechanical type
comprising a contactless resonant reed filter. The track
connections are arranged such that the presence of a train in the
vicinity of the signaling system produces a shunting effect upon
the output signal from the amplifier circuit, thereby causing loss
of signal or loading and a frequency variation therein and
rejection by the audio filter to prevent further oscillation.
Superimposed upon the oscillatory signal of the system is a second
signal of relatively low frequency and synchronized with the main
oscillatory signal to produce relatively large voltage excursions
in the track circuit to assist in completion of the electrical
circuit through the shunting medium. This phenomenon is known as
frittering which produces lower load impedances due to the fact
that the physical contact which is attained over a relatively small
surface area is subject to a relatively high density of current
transfer. The contact peaks are partially eroded producing a larger
surface area and promoting also a better penetration of surface
contaminants.
Sensing the condition of oscillation of the main circuit is a relay
driver circuit of fairly conventional configuration. This circuit
amplifies the oscillatory signal to a power level suitable for
rectification and filtering to drive a typical crossing relay which
may in turn control crossing lights or crossing gate circuits. The
relay driver circuit is arranged so that a suitable oscillatory
signal is required to maintain energization of the crossing relay
and the remainder of the circuitry is fully AC coupled throughout
to provide a fail-safe configuration of operation. Shunting of the
signal in the feedback circuit primarily reduces the amplitude of
the feedback signal but also may alter the frequency of operation
of the system to a frequency outside the acceptance range of the
audio filter as well as affect the relative phase of signals
therein so that the system drops out of oscillation, which
condition is detected by the relay driver circuit, causing
deenergization of the crossing relay. A similar result occurs upon
failure of any one component in the entire system so that any
condition outside of that critical condition of stability of the
system presents a fault indication.
Controls are provided for the power level supplied to the track
circuit and for the gain or sensitivity of the relay driver
circuit, such controls being interdependent to effect a variation
in the length of island protected by the system and the sensitivity
and stability of the complete system. Several variations of track
interconnection are depicted whereby continuity of the track
between connection locations can be verified as well as achieving
various effects upon the length of island. Another variation of the
system, not in the fail-safe mode but providing a reverse mode of
operation is an interconnection with the track system which relies
upon the presence of a train within the island of sensitivity to
complete the feedback loop in order to produce oscillations for
operation of the crossing relay.
It is therefore one object of this invention to provide an improved
railway signaling system which is fail-safe in operation and is
more reliable than previously known systems.
It is another object of this invention to provide an improved
railway signaling system which operates in a single mode of
oscillation and which is capable of rejecting undesired oscillatory
modes.
It is a still further object of this invention to provide an
improved railway signaling system in which the track circuit forms
a part of the feedback loop for an oscillator, which oscillator
operates at a substantially higher impedance level.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved
railway signaling system which monitors the rails as a part of the
system and requires continuity for proper operation.
It is a yet further object of this invention to provide an improved
railway signaling system which operates at a nominal frequency and
includes a superimposed oscillatory signal to assure conductivity
through the track circuit.
It is a yet further object of this invention to provide an improved
railway signaling system in which the island of sensitivity of the
system can be adjusted by various track interconnection schemes and
control over the power output level and sensitivity of the
system.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent as the following description proceeds.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the
invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully
described, the following description and the annexed drawings
setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the
invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the
various ways in which the principles of the invention may be
employed.
In said annexed drawings:
FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing in block diagram form showing the
general interconnection of components in a first embodiment of
track interconnection;
FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing in block diagram form of a second
embodiment of track interconnection;
FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing in block diagram form of a third
embodiment of track interconnection in which reliance is made upon
the shunting medium for completion of the feedback loop; and
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a preferred form of the invention
including a fourth embodiment of track interconnection.
Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown a section of railroad track
10 with which the apparatus of the invention is interconnected for
protection of a railway crossing indicated generally by the arrow
11. The railroad track is conventionally designated as comprising a
positive rail 12 and negative rail 13, such polarity designations
being employed primarily for DC track signaling circuits, but not
required for purposes of this invention other than to indicate
compatibility or conformity to pre-existing systems. A pair of
indicator devices 14 are shown at the crossing 11 which devices may
comprise the usual flashing signal lights or the well known
crossing gates as well as other indicators, all typically being
energized by actuation of a relay 15. Interconnection with such
crossing relay 15 is designated by the dashed line 16 with further
interconnection between the indicator devices which normally act in
unison being shown by the dashed line 18. Such interconnection
lines are typically buried underground and the indicator devices 14
may be remote from the remainder of the signaling system depending
upon the available space, the availability of power for the system,
the environmental conditions and the like.
The main components of the system comprise a first amplifier 19
having an output connected by way of lines 20 to a transmitter or
output coupling device 21 which in turn provides insertion of the
system signal into the track circuit. The coupling device 21
preferably is a transformer having a relatively high impedance
primary winding receiving energization from the amplifier 19 and a
low impedance secondary winding providing a pair of output leads 22
connected to the positive and negative rails 12, 13 at a first
location 24 therealong. The connection location 24 is determined
primarily as a function of the desired operating characteristics of
the system and usually falls outside the crossing 11 which the
system is protecting. There is some variation possible in distance
of spacing not only from the crossing 11 but also from the receiver
location 25 dependent upon the sensitivity and output power of the
system and the "island" or length of tracks in which reliable
responses are desired.
An input coupling device 26 or transformer is used for receipt of
the signals, being connected at the second location 25 and having a
pair of connecting leads 28 from the positive and negative rails
12, 13 respectively, coupled to the low impedance primary winding
in proper phase to sustain oscillations within the system. The
coupling devices 21, 26 may further include components forming
equalizers, lightening arresters or protection devices and may be
either in shunt or series connection. These devices are
conventional in railway signaling systems and do not significantly
affect the signals therein or mode of operation of the system.
The output of the receiver coupling device 26, being the high
impedance secondary winding of a transformer is connected by lines
29 to a filter 30 characterized by a high Q, highly selective
response, suitable to pass substantially a single desired frequency
for determining the frequency of operation of the system. The
output of the filter 30 is returned to the input of the amplifier
19 thereby completing the feedback circuit which includes the
tracks 10 therein by direct connection through the rails 12, 13. It
will be apparent that the portions of the tracks 10 outside the
connection locations 24, 25 will also have an effect upon the
signal formed in the system and as previously mentioned the range
of sensitivity of the system or island may be varied to some
extent.
The portion of the system described including the amplifier 19,
coupling devices 21, 26, rails 12, 13 and filter 30 comprise a
closed loop system in which continuity is required for proper
operation. Conversely, failure in any part of the system or loss of
signal will cause a cessation of oscillation, the removal of the
signal being positively effected under desired monitoring
conditions by the shunting effect of a train in the presence of the
signaling system. The transformers included in the coupling devices
21, 26 are selected to match approximately a 2 ohm impedance at the
track circuit and a relatively higher impedance, on the order of
fifty to several hundred ohms, in the amplifier circuit thereby
providing a closed loop system with very low feedback impedance.
This characteristic provides reliable and consistent results from
the system, matching the shunting effect of the train which is on
the order of an ohm or two or even less depending upon many
conditions including the surface contamination of the tracks, the
type and weight of the train thereon, the common surface area and
the like. This impedance arrangement, however, provides great
discrimination between the shunted and unshunted conditions
produced by the train and the circuit makes it virtually impossible
for noise or other signals to interfere with operation,
concurrently eliminating the necessity for external filters and the
like in the signal lines.
The system further includes a second amplifier 31 having an output
connected to the crossing relay 15 for energization of the latter
when an oscillatory signal is present in the closed loop system.
This detection and indication portion of the system is connected at
a convenient location in the closed loop by means of leads 32, to
amplify the oscillatory signal appearing therein in order to
develop sufficient power for direct energization of the crossing
relay 15, the relay being deenergized in the absence of such signal
indicating a fault or desired monitored condition in the
system.
An independent oscillator 34 is also included as a part of the
system, providing a signal output or line 35 to the first amplifier
19 at a frequency substantially lower than the normal frequency of
oscillation of the system to serve two important functions. First
the oscillator 34 introduces transients into the system to assure
consistent operation of same and to assist in initial start-up.
Since the feedback is variably affected by the presence of a
shunting medium in the region of the monitored island, the
transition range from the oscillatory to the non-oscillatory mode
may be extremely broad and subject to temperature influences and
the like. The signal introduced from the oscillator 34 alleviates
this condition in providing for more consistent oscillation of the
system when in the transient range and not substantially affecting
the operation of same when sufficient shunting is encountered.
Secondly, the signal from the oscillator 34 combines with the
signal normally occurring in the closed loop system to produce a
high power pulse at intervals therein determined by the frequency
of the oscillator 34, which pulses cause the frittering effect upon
the components forming the shunt connection, i.e., the track 10 and
train electrical connection, to assure and maintain electrical
continuity. Effectively the frittering increases the contact
surface area in spite of surface contamination and the like
reducing the effective impedance of the shunting medium, thereby
providing more precise and reliable monitoring conditions.
Referring now to FIG. 4 there is shown a schematic circuit diagram
of a preferred embodiment of the invention in a specific
interconnection with a section of railroad tracks 36. Input power
for the system is received at positive power terminals 38 and
negative power terminals 39, being directly connectible to a source
of power (not shown) which may be a conventional lead-acid storage
battery closely associated with the equipment or alternatively a
semiconductor power supply energized from available power lines.
The power requirements for the system are minimal due to the use of
semiconductor components and the simplified circuit arrangement as
to further enhance the reliability of the system and effectively
reduce maintenance procedures. The major portion of power consumed
in the system is that required for substantially continuous
energization of the crossing relay, which requirement is imposed by
the fail-safe standard of operation.
First and second output terminals 40, 41 and first and second input
terminals 42, 44 are shown for the system, these terminals being
commonly referred to as transmitter and receiver terminals
respectively, in the commonly employed terminology of the trade,
however in the instant system such terminals are merely connection
points for wires leading to the tracks 36 for establishment of the
electrical island of sensitivity. In this system of interconnection
the first output terminal 40 and first input terminal 42 are
connected by separate lines 45, 46 to a common location 48 on the
positive rail while the second output terminal 41 and second input
terminal 44 are similarly connected by separate lines 49, 50 to a
second location 51 on the negative rail of the track 36. It will be
clear that by this connection arrangement, the output terminals 40,
41 are connected directly to the input terminals 42, 44 and in
parallel connection with the section of tracks 36 such that a train
in proximity to the connection locations 48, 51 will cause a
shunting and thus a diminution of the electrical signal appearing
in the track circuit.
The amplifier section of the system comprises three transistors 52,
54, 55 in common emitter configuration providing power gain for the
input signal received on line 56. Transistor 52 receives the input
signal at the base electrode thereof and is AC coupled, by way of
capacitor 58, to the base electrode of transistor 54, both
transistors 52, 54 being suitably biased to provide sufficient gain
for the input signal. A first potentiometer 59 in the collector
path of transistor 54 provides adjustment over the amplitude of
signal appearing there and is connected in turn to the relay driver
portion 60 of the system. A second potentiometer 61 in the
collector path of transistor 54 is AC coupled by way of capacitor
62 to the base circuit of transistor 55, this potentiometer 61
being designated the track power control potentiometer and
primarily determinative of the output level of the signal applied
to the track circuit.
The collector electrode of transistor 55 is coupled to the primary
winding of the output or transmitter transformer 64 for isolation
of the system from the tracks 36 and for impedance matching
purposes. The secondary winding of transformer 64 is connected to
the output terminals 40, 41 of the system, one lead including a
series capacitor 65 for DC isolation purposes in the event that DC
signaling or other circuits are employed on the same tracks 36.
In a similar manner the signal from the track circuit is received
at the input terminals 42, 44 and applied to the low impedance
primary winding or the input or receiver transformer 66 by way of a
series capacitor 68, again for isolation purposes. The relatively
high impedance secondary winding of the input transformer 66
supplies the signal input to the filter 70 which is determinative
of the frequency of operation of the system. Coupling is made by
way of a resistor and capacitor network 71 and a pair of
back-to-back diodes 72 in shunt connection across the input of the
filter 70 to prevent overloading of same. The output of the filter
70 is connected to the base circuit of transistor 52 by lead 56,
the transistor being biased or referenced to a slightly positive
voltage by means of the divider consisting of resistors 74, 75,
noise suppression being provided by the series connected capacitors
76.
While the filter 70 may be of any type which provides a highly
selective characteristic, to produce transmission of substantially
only a single frequency, preferably the filter 70 is of the
mechanical type utilizing a vibrating reed 77 for providing
coupling between the input and output windings thereof, such reeds
77 being resonant only at the desired frequency of operation and
providing an extremely high Q factor. A filter especially suited
for this purpose is the RF-20 filter manufactured by The Bramco
Controls Division of Ledex, Inc., providing an operating mode at
1,200 Hz. Different frequencies of operation for the system are
made possible by substitution of different frequency filters of
this type and it has been determined that the most useful range of
operation for the system is from 500 to 2,700 Hz.
The output of the sensitivity control potentiometer 59 is applied
by way of a series resistor 78 and capacitor 79 to the base circuit
of a first transistor 80 in the relay driver portion 60 of the
system wherein both voltage amplification and power increase
occurs. Transistor 80 and power transistor 81 are connected in
common emitter configuration, with the emitter circuit of the
former coupled to the base circuit of the latter by the low
impedance resistor 82. An isolation transformer 84 is connected in
the collector circuit of transistor 81 and provides an output
voltage at its secondary winding when the system is in an
oscillatory mode, which voltage is rectified in the bridge
rectifier 85 and filtered by the shunt capacitor 86 in parallel
with terminals 88, to which the crossing relay 89 is connected for
energization of the latter. The transformer 84, rectifier 85 and
filter 86 arrangement for energization of the crossing relay 89 is
a standard circuit configuration required to assure fail-safe
performance. In the event of fault anywhere within the system and
loss of the oscillatory signal therein, no voltage will be
developed across the filter capacitor 86 for energization of the
relay 89 and the latter will automatically revert to a condition
indicative of same. The relatively long time constant of the filter
circuit provides a time lag for response so that momentary
interruptions due to switching spikes or voltage transients and the
like may pass without indication.
The crossing relay 89 in turn includes suitable contacts (not
shown) for control of indicator lamps or gate movement and the
like, such indicator circuits receiving power from any available
source including the same DC voltage source which powers the
signaling system. A pair of lock-out contacts 90 are also provided
for the system, these being a pair of normally open contacts in
series connection with the negative source voltage and with a diode
91, the latter connected to the base electrode of transistor 80 in
the relay driver circuit 60. Such lock-out contacts 90 may be
employed for auxiliary testing procedures and the like and the
polarity of the diode 91 is arranged such that when the contacts
are in a closed condition the base electrode of transistor 80 will
be prevented from rising above the negative voltage level.
The signaling system further includes an independent oscillator 92
therein for superimposing a signal upon that normally oscillatory
signal of the system for improving the conductivity of the track
circuit and for exciting the system into operation during transient
intervals. The oscillator 92 comprises a unijunction transistor 94
connected in a relaxation oscillator mode by virtue of the series
resistor 95 and capacitor 96 connection at the emitter terminal
thereof, such circuit developing positive voltage signals across
the base resistor 98 and thus across a shunt connected capacitor
99, the latter providing some signal shaping. The capacitor 99 in
turn is connected to the base circuit of the power output
transistor 55 by way of a diode 100 biased to pass such positive
signals, the diode otherwise providing isolation by virtue of its
high back resistance.
Frequency of operation of the independent oscillator 92 is selected
to be some fraction of the nominal frequency of operation of the
system although not necessarily a submultiple thereof. In this
embodiment of the invention such frequency is 18 Hz and such
signals are caused to coincide or be in synchronization with the
higher frequency signal of the system by virtue of the diode 100
connection, thereby providing a high level, high power output
signal to the output transformer 64 and thus to the tracks 36 at
the frequency of the independent oscillator 92. Such combined
signal output at the tracks 36 is preferably on the order of one
volt at over one ampere of current and is suitable to assure the
track circuit connection through the shunt medium by the process of
frittering previously described and in addition pulses the system
by way of the input transformer 66 with a transient high voltage at
the frequency of oscillation of the independent oscillator 92. As
noted such high level signal is prevented from overloading the
filter 70 by virtue of the diodes 72 at the input connection
thereof but does produce a momentary high level signal throughout
the system.
By virtue of the track connections shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 a
shunting of the feedback signal is effected by the presence of a
train in the location of the electrical island of sensitivity and
in fact for some distance on either side of the island. This
extension of sensitive area from those locations of direct
connection 24, 25, 48, 51 to the railroad tracks 10, 36 is a
function of the power supplied to the system, the sensitivity of
the relay driver portion 60 of the circuit and the particular track
connection utilized.
An appreciation of this distance of monitoring can be obtained in
part from an understanding of the operational adjustment procedures
developed for this system. Thus, for example, once the system has
been physically interconnected with the tracks 10, a 0.06 ohm shunt
101 may be placed across the tracks at location 102, outside of the
location 25 of physical connection, and the following adjustments
can be made. With the sensitivity potentiometer 59 set at midpoint
on its scale the track power control potentiometer 61 may be
adjusted upwardly from the minimum level to a point where the
crossing relay 89 energizes to set a level at which detection is
desired. The shunt 101 should then be moved from location 102 to
location 25, approximately at the location of the physical
connection to the tracks 10, at which point the relay should
de-energize and provide the desired indication. The sensitivity
control 59 may now be rotated throughout its range noting the
dropout and pull in points of the relay 89 with the island length
being the longest at the point where the relay energizes.
Conversely, the opposite setting of the sensitivity control 59 will
shorten the island distance to the minimum level.
In either configuration of the system shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 the
presence of a train in the island of sensitivity acts to shunt out
the signal in the feedback path to disrupt the oscillatory mode of
system. It is also significant to note, in the FIG. 1 embodiment of
the invention, that proper operation of the system depends upon
electrical conduction through the rails 12, 13 between the
connection points 24, 25, thereby operating as a check upon the
continuity of the rail system. In the FIG. 4 embodiment the output
terminals 40, 41 and input terminals 42, 44 are directly connected,
with the tracks 36 in shunt connection thereacross, so that no
continuity in the track circuit is required.
FIG. 2, however, depicts another embodiment of this system in which
the rails 104, 105 are monitored and in which the presence of a
train shunts out the signal in the feedback circuit, such system
falling into the category of a "wrap-around" circuit in which
continuity in the system is required for proper operation. In this
embodiment of the invention one lead 106 of the output transformer
108 and one lead 109 of the input transformer 110 are connected to
individual rails 104, 105, but at a common location 111 along the
tracks by way of the conventional arrester and equalizer devices
112 previously mentioned. The remaining leads 114, 115 of the
output 108 and input 110 transformers respectively are also coupled
to individual rails 104, 105 at the second location 116 along the
tracks and outside the crossing 118. It will be noted that the
output and input transformers are coupled by way of the electrical
connections through the rails 104, 105 and therefore require
continuity of the rail system for proper operation. Similarly in
this type of system the presence of a train in the location of the
crossing 118 produces a shunting effect upon the signal. These
individual non-paired connections to the rail are suitable for
either the short or long islands and are characterized as providing
a short ring by hookup.
FIG. 3 depicts yet another embodiment of the invention
significantly different from those previously described in that it
is required that the train be present in the island of sensitivity
in order to complete the feedback circuit and produce an
oscillatory signal for detection by the relay driver and for
energization of the crossing relay 120. In this embodiment of the
invention one terminal of the output transformer 121 and one
terminal of the input transformer 122 are directly connected by way
of a short length of jumper wire 124 while the remaining terminals
of the transformers are connected by leads 125, 126 to the positive
and negative rails 128, 129 at spaced locations 130, 131
therealong. This system provides a reversed mode of operation from
those previously described but does require conductivity through
the track circuit to complete the feedback loop, relying also on
the presence of the shunt medium for this purpose. Once again,
arrester devices 132, 134 are employed, having no effect upon
system operation and modifications can be made to the track circuit
by the insertion of insulated joints at locations 135, 136 in
either rail to further isolate the island of sensitivity.
Oscillation of the system is similar to the other embodiments of
the invention described and it will be appreciated that the shock
effect of the independent oscillator may be advantageous to start
oscillation of the system and assure conductivity upon the approach
of a train, thereby reducing transition effects.
In all of the embodiments of the system described it is possible to
change the nominal frequency of operation merely by the
substitution of a different frequency filter 70 therein, in most
cases not even necessitating trimming of the sensitivity 59 or
track power control 61 potentiometers. Such arrangement is
advantageous when several systems are employed along a common track
and so closely adjacent as to overlap in their sensitive ranges.
The critical pass band of the filter 70 prevents receipt of
interfering signals from adjacent stations and similarly may be
chosen to reject interfering noise signals developed from passing
trains, nearby power lines and the like. Utilization of insulated
joints can be made if more definite discrimination between adjacent
stations is required but preferably, so as not to affect DC
signaling circuits and the like, the frequency determinative method
is preferred.
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