Remotely Activated Rail Switch System

Abstract

A remotely activated rail switch system is disclosed herein that is configured to permit the remote control of a railroad switch. The rail switch system may include at least a connecting clamp configured to removably attach to any standard size rail switch throw arm, a motor, an interconnect member between the connecting clamp and the motor, and a transceiver. In various embodiments, the remotely activated rail switch system may be installed without making any modifications to the existing rail infrastructure. For example, the rail switch system may be installed without any welding, digging, and/or other civil construction. Rather, the remotely activated rail switch system may be installed by simply (or only) clamping a frame or body of remotely activated rail switch system to wooden ties adjacent a rail switch and attaching the connecting clamp of the remotely activated rail switch to the throw handle of the switch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for remotely activating a rail switch comprising:
 a connecting clamp removably attached to a throw arm of a rail switch;   an interconnect member having a first end and a second end, wherein the interconnect member is connected to the connecting clamp at the first end;   a motor connected to the interconnect member at the second end; and   a transceiver, wherein the motor is configured to cause the rail switch to move from a first position to a second position by rotating the interconnect member in response to a signal received via the transceiver.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting clamp is configured to accommodate any standard sized throw arm. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting clamp includes a clamp body having a rectangular cross section, wherein one side of the clamp body is open to receive the throw arm. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the connecting clamp includes one or more clamp screws configured to selectively secure the throw arm within the clamp body. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting clamp is attached to a base of the throw arm of the rail switch. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting clamp is attached to the throw arm of the rail switch at a pivot point of the throw arm. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interconnect member includes one or more joints permitting misalignment of at least one component of the motor with the connecting clamp. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises one or more sensors configured to detect whether the throw arm is in a first position or a second position. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more sensors are further configured to detect whether the throw arm is between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the system further comprises one or more processors configured to cause at least one of an audible alert or a visual alert to be provided based on a position of the throw arm detected using the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the system further comprises one or more processors configured to cause a notification to be provided to a locomotive based on a position of the throw arm detected using the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises one or more processors configured to send a signal to a train causing the train to stop automatically based on a position of the throw arm detected using the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein to send the signal to the train, the one or more processors are configured to send the signal to a device on the train that, upon receiving the signal, causes air to be released from a brake pipe, thereby applying a set of brakes on the train. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the signal sent to the train causes the train to stop without requiring communication with a locomotive operator. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a main frame, wherein the motor member is mounted to the main frame. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the system further comprises a power source, wherein the power source is mounted to the main frame. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein once placed adjacent to the rail switch, the system is installed by only clamping the main frame to wooden ties proximate the rail switch and attaching the connecting clamp to the throw arm of the rail switch. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is installed without making any modifications to the rail infrastructure. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein installing the system without making any modifications to the rail infrastructure comprises at least installing the system without any welding. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein installing the system without making any modifications to the rail infrastructure comprises at least installing the system without any digging.