Magnetic Rail Bond

Abstract

Magnetic means and apparatus for implementing rail bonds and rail feeds. A rail bond embodiment comprises an electrical conductor. Mechanically and electrically coupled to each end of the electrical conductor is a magnet that comprises a magnetic material that is plated with an electrically conductive material. In an alternative embodiment, the magnet comprises a magnetic material that is disposed between two pieces of steel or other metal. In operation, the two magnets are attached to two rail sections, across a joint separating the rails, via the attractive magnetic force between each magnet and its associated rail. In this way, the electrical circuit comprising the rails is maintained.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method of replacing an old rail feed connecting control circuitry to a railway rail, comprising:
 magnetically coupling a permanent magnet to the rail wherein the permanent magnet is coupled to an end of an electrical conductor and the magnetic coupling of the permanent magnet to the rail causes the rail to be electrically coupled to the electrical conductor;   coupling a second end of the electrical conductor to control circuitry operable to transmit an electrical signal to the rail via the electrical conductor and the permanent magnet; and   replacing the old rail feed with a new rail feed.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 decoupling the permanent magnet from the rail; and   decoupling the second end of the electrical conductor from the control circuitry.   
     
     
         26 . A method of forming an electrical connection between a first and second railway rail, comprising:
 magnetically coupling a first permanent magnet to the first rail wherein the first permanent magnet is coupled to an end of an electrical conductor and the magnetic coupling of the first permanent magnet to the first rail causes the first rail to be electrically coupled to the electrical conductor; and   magnetically coupling a second permanent magnet to the second rail wherein the second permanent magnet is coupled to a second end of the electrical conductor and the magnetic coupling of the second permanent magnet to the second rail causes the second rail to be electrically coupled to the electrical conductor.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising mechanically coupling the first permanent magnet to the first rail. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising mechanically coupling the second permanent magnet to the second rail. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising applying caulk, epoxy or an electrically conductive adhesive along an interface of the first permanent magnet and the first rail. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising applying caulk, epoxy or an electrically conductive adhesive along an interface of the second permanent magnet and the second rail. 
     
     
         31 . A method of forming an electrical connection with a railway rail, comprising:
 magnetically coupling a permanent magnet to the rail wherein the permanent magnet is coupled to an end of an electrical conductor and the magnetic coupling of the permanent magnet to the rail causes the rail to be electrically coupled to the electrical conductor.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising coupling a second end of the electrical conductor to control circuitry operable to transmit an electrical signal to the rail via the electrical conductor and the permanent magnet. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising mechanically coupling the permanent magnet to the rail. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the step of mechanically coupling comprises bolting the permanent magnet to the rail. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the step of mechanically coupling comprises screwing the permanent magnet to the rail. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising applying caulk, epoxy or an electrically conductive adhesive along an interface of the magnet and the rail.