Switch Gap Detection System

Abstract

A switch gap detection system is disclosed herein that is configured to monitor a switch installed on a railway, detect a switch gap, and notify a train operator or otherwise take action to prevent a derailment, accident, or other dangerous situation. The switch gap detection system may include one or more switch gap sensors installed on or adjacent to a rail at a location proximate to a switch. The one or more switch gap sensors may be configured to determine a status of the switching points on the switch (e.g., open, closed, or switch gap detected). If the one or more switch gap sensors detect a switch gap, a notification may be provided to a train operator, for example, in the form of an audible and/or visual alert. In some embodiments, a signal may also be sent to automatically stop the train to prevent a derailment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A switch gap detection system for use on a railway comprising:
 one or more switch gap sensors installed on or adjacent to a rail at a location proximate to a switch, wherein the one or more switch gap sensors are configured to determine whether the switch is open, closed, or whether a switch gap is detected;   one or more train wheel sensors configured to detect when a rail wheel passes over a predefined point on the rail; and   a control unit comprising one or more processors configured to:
 receive a signal from the one or more train wheel sensors indicating that a train has passed the predefined point on the rail; 
 responsive to receipt of the signal from the one or more train wheel sensors, obtain from the one or more switch gap sensors a current state of the switch, wherein the current state of the switch indicates whether the switch is open, closed, or whether a switch gap is detected; and 
 responsive to a determination that a switch gap is detected, cause a notification to be provided to an operator of the train. 
   
     
     
         2 . The switch gap detection system of  claim 1 , wherein to determine whether the switch is open, closed, or whether a switch gap is detected, the one or more switch gap sensors are configured to detect movement of a switch connecting arm of the switch in a direction perpendicular to the rail. 
     
     
         3 . The switch gap detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more switch gap sensors comprise one or more electromagnetic sensors. 
     
     
         4 . The switch gap detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more train wheel sensors are installed on or adjacent to the rail at a location at least 50 feet from the one or more switch gap sensors. 
     
     
         5 . The switch gap detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the notification comprises an audible alert and/or a visual alert. 
     
     
         6 . The switch gap detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the notification comprises a radio signal transmitted to the train. 
     
     
         7 . The switch gap detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to send a signal to the train causing the train to stop automatically. 
     
     
         8 . The switch gap detection system of  claim 7 , wherein the control unit is configured to send the signal to the train causing the train to stop automatically responsive to a determination that proper action has not been taken manually before the train is within a predefined distance of the switch. 
     
     
         9 . The switch gap detection system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more LED lights mounted in a secure housing located adjacent to the rail, wherein the one or more LED lights are configured to provide a visual indication of the current state of the switch. 
     
     
         10 . The switch gap detection system of  claim 1 , further comprising a solar power module located adjacent to the rail and configured to provide operating power to at least the one or more switch gap sensors and the control unit. 
     
     
         11 . The switch gap detection system of  claim 1 , wherein to determine whether the switch is open, closed, or whether a switch gap is detected, the control unit is further configured to:
 measure a first distance between the switch and the rail at a first point in time when the switch is in a first position;   store the first distance as calibration data associated with the switch when the switch is in the first position;   measure a second distance between the switch and the rail at a second point in time when the switch is in the first position; and   determine that the difference between the second distance and the first distance exceeds a threshold value stored in association with the switch, wherein the notification is provided to the operator of the train responsive to the determination that the difference between the second distance and the first distance exceeds the threshold value.   
     
     
         12 . The switch gap detection system of  claim 11 , further comprising a calibration button, 
       wherein the first distance is measured and stored as calibration data responsive to user actuation of the calibration button. 
     
     
         13 . A method of monitoring a switch on a railway, the method comprising:
 receiving a signal from one or more train wheel sensors indicating that a train has passed a predefined point on a rail, wherein the one or more train wheel sensors are configured to detect when a rail wheel has passed over the predefined point on the rail;   obtaining from one or more switch gap sensors a current state of the switch responsive to receipt of the signal from the one or more train wheel sensors, wherein the one or more switch gap sensors are installed on or adjacent to a rail at a location proximate to the switch, and   
       wherein the current state of the switch indicates whether the switch is open, closed, or whether a switch gap is detected; and
 cause a notification to be provided to an operator of the train responsive to a determination that a switch gap is detected. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , the method further comprising detecting, by the one or more switch gap sensors, movement of a switch connecting arm of the switch in a direction perpendicular to the rail to determine whether the switch is open, closed, or whether a switch gap is detected. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , the method further comprising sending a signal to the train to cause the train to stop automatically. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , the method further comprising sending the signal to the train causing the train to stop automatically responsive to a determination that proper action has not been taken manually before the train is within a predefined distance of the switch. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , the method further comprising:
 measuring a first distance between the switch and the rail at a first point in time when the switch is in a first position;   storing the first distance as calibration data associated with the switch when the switch is in the first position;   measuring a second distance between the switch and the rail at a second point in time when the switch is in the first position; and   determining that the difference between the second distance and the first distance exceeds a threshold value stored in association with the switch, wherein the notification is provided to the operator of the train responsive to the determination that the difference between the second distance and the first distance exceeds the threshold value.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first distance is measured and stored as calibration data responsive to receipt of user actuation of a calibration button associated with the one or more switch gap sensors.