Rail line sensing and safety system

Abstract

A rail line sensing and safety system adapted to reliably sense the presence, and optionally the direction and speed, of vehicles traveling on a rail line, and when a vehicle is sensed, to indicate whether a safety device, such as crossing gates, lights, bells, etc., should be activated. The system comprises at least one detection module typically mounted on a rail, at least one remote module typically located near a detection module, and at least one control module typically located near a safety device. In operation, a detection module senses a vehicle traveling on a rail line and sends signals to a remote module. The remote module then processes signals received from the detection module and transmits signals to the control module. The control module then directs, either directly or indirectly as a backup or supplement to an existing sensing and safety system, whether a safety device should be activated.

1 . A sensing device for a rail line comprising:
 a first sensor attached to a rail line;   a first detector electrically coupled to said first sensor;   a second sensor attached to the rail line;   a second detector electrically coupled to said second sensor;   a signal processor electrically coupled to said first detector and said second detector;   wherein said first sensor generates a first coupling signal in response to a train traveling on the rail line that is communicated to said first detector;   wherein said second sensor generates a second coupling signal in response to the train traveling on the rail line that is communicated to said second detector;   wherein said first detector generates a first output pulse signal when said first coupling signal has a magnitude that exceeds a first predetermined level;   wherein said second detector generates a second output pulse signal when said second coupling signal has a magnitude that exceeds a second predetermined level;   wherein said first output pulse signal is communicated to said signal processor; and   wherein said second output pulse signal is communicated to said signal processor.   
     
     
         2 . The sensing device of  claim 1 , wherein said signal processor compares said first output pulse signal and said second output pulse signal to calculate a speed of the train traveling on the rail line. 
     
     
         3 . The sensing device of  claim 1 , wherein said signal processor compares said first output pulse signal and said second output pulse signal to calculate a direction of the train traveling on the rail line. 
     
     
         4 . The sensing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a control module electrically coupled to said signal processor. 
     
     
         5 . The sensing device of  claim 4 , wherein said signal processor generates a control signal that is communicated to said control module. 
     
     
         6 . The sensing device of  claim 5 , wherein said control module is operable to control a safety device. 
     
     
         7 . The sensing device of  claim 6 , wherein said safety device includes a gate. 
     
     
         8 . The sensing device of  claim 1 , wherein said first detector includes a first signal filter; and wherein said second detector includes a second signal filter. 
     
     
         9 . The sensing device of  claim 8 , wherein said first signal filter includes a first capacitor; and wherein said second signal filter includes a second capacitor. 
     
     
         10 . The sensing device of  claim 1 , wherein said first sensor includes a first inductor; and wherein said second sensor includes a second inductor.