Systems for railroad switch position detection

Abstract

The present disclosure includes a portable rail safety system configured to determine a position of a rail switch. The rail safety system may include a rail switch detector, one or more rail switch beacons, a work block marker, a personal alert device, a collision avoidance system or combination thereof. In some aspects rail switch detector includes a first detector configured to be positioned between switch rails of a rail track and having a body, a first sensor coupled to the body and configured to detect a first switch rail tip of the switch rails, and a controller configured to calculate a first distance between the first sensor and the first switch rail tip and based on the first distance, determine a position of the switch rails between a first position and a second position.

1 . A system for detecting a position of a railroad switch, the system comprising:
 a switch position detector configured to be disposed between switch rails of a rail track, the switch position detector including a sensor configured to detect a position of the switch rails;   one or more switch position beacons in communication with the switch position detector, each switch position beacon comprising a light source configured to emit visible light;   a controller coupled to the switch position detector and configured to:
 determine the position of the switch rails between a first position and a second position; and 
 based on the position of the switch rails, transmit a first signal to the one or more switch position beacons. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein
 the position of the switch rails is moveable between a first position and a second position; and   the controller is further configured to:
 detect a change of the position of the switch rails between the first position and the second position; and 
 based on the change of the position of the switch rails, transmit a second signal to the one or more switch position beacons. 
   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein in response to receiving the second signal, the one or more switch position beacons are configured to change a frequency of visible light emitted by the light source. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the switch position detector comprises
 a first sensor configured to detect a first switch rail tip of the switch rails; 
 a second sensor configured to detect a second switch rail tip of the switch rails; and 
   the controller is configured to:
 calculate a first distance between the first sensor and the first switch rail tip; and 
 calculate a second distance between the second sensor and the second switch rail tip; and 
 based on the first distance or the second distance increasing or decreasing by a predetermined amount, transmit the second signal to the one or more switch position beacons. 
   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the one or more switch position beacons comprises a first beacon removably coupled to a first line of the rail track and a second beacon removably coupled to a second line of the rail track; and   the first beacon and the second beacon are positioned at least 25 meters from the switch position detector.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the switch position detector is coupled to a rail tie of the rail track and configured to:
 select the first line as a passable track; 
 transmit a passable signal to the first beacon; and 
 transmit a non-passable signal to the second beacon; and 
   based on receiving the passable signal, the first beacon is configured to emit light at a first frequency; and   based on receiving the non-passable signal, the second beacon is configured to emit light at a second frequency.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the second beacon is configured to detect a rail vehicle travelling along the second line; and   based on receiving the non-passable signal and detecting the rail vehicle by the second beacon, the controller is configured to transmit a warning signal to the rail vehicle.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a personal alert device (“PAD”) in communication with the switch position detector, the PAD including an alarm and configured to be carried by a rail worker; and   a collision avoidance system (“CAS”) coupled to a rail vehicle and in communication with the switch position detector; and   wherein:
 based on the PAD being within a first predetermined distance of the switch position detector, the controller is configured to transmit the first signal to the PAD; and 
 based on the CAS being within a second predetermined distance of the switch position detector, the controller is configured to transmit the first signal to the CAS. 
   
     
     
         9 . A portable railroad switch position detector comprising:
 a first detector configured to be positioned between switch rails of a rail track, the first detector including:
 a body having a first end and a second end; 
 a first sensor coupled to the first end of the body and configured to detect a first switch rail tip of the switch rails; and 
 a controller configured to:
 calculate a first distance between the first sensor and the first switch rail tip; and 
 based on the first distance, determine a position of the switch rails between a first position and a second position; and 
 based on the position of the switch rails, transmit a first signal to one or more beacons positioned on the rail track; 
 
   wherein a height of the first detector is less than or equal to 10 centimeters.   
     
     
         10 . The detector of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to:
 detect a change of the position of the switch rails between the first position and the second position; and   based on the change of the position of the switch rails, transmit a second signal to the one or more beacons.   
     
     
         11 . The detector of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the first detector comprises a second sensor configured to detect a second switch rail tip of the switch rails; and   the controller is configured to:
 calculate a second distance between the second sensor and the second switch rail tip; and 
 based on the first distance or the second distance increasing or decreasing by a predetermined amount, transmit the second signal to the one or more beacons. 
   
     
     
         12 . The detector of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first detector comprises a sensor housing coupled to the first end, the sensor housing including:
 a bracket defining a plurality of openings; and 
 a sensor frame coupled to the bracket and defining a first opening; and 
   the first sensor is coupled to the sensor frame.   
     
     
         13 . The detector of  claim 12 , the sensor frame is rotatable relative to the bracket such that:
 a detection field of the first sensor rotates with the sensor frame; and   the first opening of the sensor frame is configured to align with at least three openings of the plurality of openings of the bracket.   
     
     
         14 . The detector of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a second detector coupled to an inner surface of a first rail of the rail track;   wherein:
 the second detector is configured to emit a second detection field that is angularly disposed to the inner surface of the first rail by a first angle; and 
 the controller is configured to:
 based on the first switch rail tip being within the second detection field, transmit a third signal to the first detector; and 
 based on the first switch rail tip being outside of the second detection field, transmit a third signal to the first detector. 
 
   
     
     
         15 . The detector of  claim 14 , wherein the second detector is spaced from an end of the first switch rail tip by at least five centimeters. 
     
     
         16 . The detector of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first detector comprises an operation switch configured to be toggled between a first position and a second position; and   the controller is configured to:
 based on the operation switch being in the first position set a first line as a passable track; and 
 based on the operation switch being in the second position, set a second line as the passable track. 
   
     
     
         17 . A method of operating a railroad safety system, the method comprising:
 detecting, via a detector positioned between a rail track, a position of switch rails;   transmitting a first signal to a first beacon positioned on a first line of the rail track;   transmitting a second signal to a second beacon positioned on a second line of the rail track;   detecting, via the detector, a change in the position of the switch rails; and   transmitting a switch signal to the first and second beacons.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 setting a track set switch of the first beacon to a first position;   setting a track set switch of the second beacon to a second position; and   setting the first line or the second line as a passable track for a rail vehicle.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 coupling the detector to a rail tie disposed between the switch rails;   positioning a first sensor of the detector to detect a first switch rail tip of the switch rails; and   positioning a second sensor of the detector to detect a second switch rail tip of the switch rails.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising removing the detector, the first beacon, and the second beacon from the rail track.