Methods and system of automating track circuit calibration

Abstract

A method for calibrating a track circuit is provided. The track circuit includes a transmit processing unit, a receive processing unit, and a plurality of rails coupled in series to form a track section having a first end and a second end. The transmit processing unit is coupled to the track section adjacent the first end. The receive processing unit is coupled to the track section adjacent the second end. The method includes operating the transmit processing unit so that a first voltage is applied to the track section, operating the receive processing unit to detect a first current signal, and if a parameter of the first current signal is not within a predetermined acceptable range, then communicating with the transmit processing unit so that the transmit processing unit applies a second voltage to the track section, the second voltage having a different magnitude than the first voltage.

1 . A method for calibrating a track circuit, the track circuit including a transmit processing unit, a receive processing unit, and a plurality of rails coupled in series to form a track section having a first end and a second end, the transmit processing unit coupled to the track section adjacent the first end, the receive processing unit coupled to the track section adjacent the second end, said method comprising:
 operating the transmit processing unit so that a first voltage is applied to the track section; and   operating the receive processing unit to detect a first current, and if a parameter of the first current is not within a predetermined range, then communicating with the transmit processing unit so that the transmit processing unit applies a second voltage to the track section, the second voltage having a different magnitude than the first voltage.   
   
   
       2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising operating the receive processing unit to detect a second current. 
   
   
       3 . A method in accordance with  claim 2  further comprising operating the receive processing unit to detect the first current, and if the parameter of the first current is within the predetermined range, then communicating with the transmit processing unit so that the transmit processing unit records at least one of a magnitude of the first voltage, a magnitude of the first current, and a magnitude of the second current. 
   
   
       4 . A method in accordance with  claim 3  further comprising operating at least one of the transmit processing unit and the receive processing unit such that when at least one of the magnitude of the first voltage, the magnitude of the first current, and the magnitude of the second current is recorded, the track circuit calibration is complete. 
   
   
       5 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the track circuit is coupled in electronic data communication to a remote system, said method further comprising operating the remote system such that a signal is applied to the transmit processing unit instructing the transmit processing unit to apply a start-up signal to the track section. 
   
   
       6 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the track circuit is coupled in electronic data communication to a remote system, said method further comprising operating the remote system such that a signal is applied to the receive processing unit instructing the receive processing unit to apply a start-up signal to the track section. 
   
   
       7 . A method in accordance with  claim 6  further comprising operating the transmit processing unit to detect the start-up signal so that the transmit processing unit applies the first voltage to the track section. 
   
   
       8 . A track circuit comprising:
 a remote system;   a transmit processing unit and a receive processing unit, said remote system configured for communication with at least one of said transmit processing unit and said receive processing unit; and   a plurality of rails coupled in series to form a track section having a first end and a second end, said transmit processing unit coupled to said track section adjacent said first end, said receive processing unit coupled to said track section adjacent said second end;   said transmit processing unit configured to apply a first voltage to said track section during operation for track circuit calibration, said receive processing unit configured to detect a first current during operation, if a parameter of said first current is not within a predetermined range, then said receive processing unit is configured to communicate with said transmit processing unit such that said transmit processing unit applies a second voltage to said track section wherein said second voltage has a different magnitude than said first voltage.   
   
   
       9 . A track circuit in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said receive processing unit is configured to detect a second current. 
   
   
       10 . A track circuit in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said receive processing unit is configured to detect said first current, and if said parameter of said first current is within said predetermined range, then communicating with said transmit processing unit so that said transmit processing unit records at least one of a magnitude of said first voltage, a magnitude of said first current, and a magnitude of said second current. 
   
   
       11 . A track circuit in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said track circuit calibration is complete when at least one of said transmit processing unit and said receive processing unit record at least one of the magnitude of said first voltage, the magnitude of said first current, and the magnitude of said second current. 
   
   
       12 . A track circuit in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said track circuit remote system is configured to apply a signal to said transmit processing unit instructing said transmit processing unit to apply a start-up signal to said track section. 
   
   
       13 . A track circuit in accordance with  claim 10  wherein remote system is configured to apply a signal to said receive processing unit instructing said receive processing unit to apply a start-up signal to said track section. 
   
   
       14 . A track circuit in accordance with  claim 13  wherein said transmit processing unit is configured to detect said start-up signal and to apply said first voltage to said track section in response to detecting the start-up signal. 
   
   
       15 . A track circuit comprising:
 a transmit processing unit;   a receive processing unit; and   a plurality of rails coupled in series to form a track section having a first end and a second end, said transmit processing unit coupled to said track section adjacent said first end, said receive processing unit coupled to said track section adjacent said second end;   said transmit processing unit configured to apply a first voltage to said track section during operation, said receive processing unit configured to detect a first current during operation, if a parameter of said first current is not within a predetermined range, then said receive processing unit is configured to communicate with said transmit processing unit such that said transmit processing unit applies a second voltage to said track section wherein said second voltage has a different magnitude than said first voltage.   
   
   
       16 . A track circuit in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said receive processing unit is configured to detect a second current. 
   
   
       17 . A track circuit in accordance with  claim 16  wherein said receive processing unit is configured to detect said first current, and if said parameter of said first current is within said predetermined range, then communicating with said transmit processing unit so that said transmit processing unit records at least one of a magnitude of said first voltage, a magnitude of said first current, and a magnitude of said second current. 
   
   
       18 . A track circuit in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said track circuit calibration is complete when at least one of said transmit processing unit and said receive processing unit record at least one of the magnitude of said first voltage, the magnitude of said first current, and the magnitude of said second current.