Derail Warning Light System

Abstract

The derail warning system may include a solar-powered LED indicator for derail or switch. The derail warning system may also include an orientation sensor that automatically turns on depending on the orientation of the derail (up or down), derail metal flag, or switch indicator flag. The derail warning system may bring more visibility with a 360-degree LED that is solar powered and may detect orientation and turn on based on the position of the derail, switch, or flag. The derail warning system may use a unique acceleration sensor or g-sensor that can detect orientation movement and automatically turn on or off and be fully charged to operate day or night. The derail warning system may also include a data-logging microprocessor to determine a time stamp of position and location.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A portable derail warning light for use with a derail device mounted or positioned on a rail, the derail warning light comprising:
 one or more sensors configured to detect whether a derail device is in an active position or an inactive position, wherein in the active position a wedge component of the derail device is positioned atop a rail and configured to cause a train traversing the derail device to derail, and wherein in the inactive position the wedge component is not positioned atop the rail leaving the rail unobstructed;   a plurality of LEDs, wherein the derail warning light is configured to automatically turn on the plurality of LEDs when the derail device is in the active position; and   a mounting device configured to removably attach the derail warning light to the derail device.   
     
     
         22 . The derail warning light of  claim 21 , wherein the derail warning light is configured to automatically turn off the plurality of LEDs when the derail device is in the inactive position. 
     
     
         23 . The derail warning light of  claim 21 , wherein the derail device comprises a hinged, slide, and/or portable derail device. 
     
     
         24 . The derail warning light of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more sensors include one or more orientation sensors. 
     
     
         25 . The derail warning light of  claim 24 , wherein the one or more orientation sensors comprise an acceleration sensor, a g-sensor, a tilt sensor, and/or a compass sensor. 
     
     
         26 . The derail warning light of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more sensors include a magnetic sensor. 
     
     
         27 . The derail warning light of  claim 21 , wherein the derail device includes a mounting section that mounts to the rail and a rotatable base plate adjacent to the mounting section. 
     
     
         28 . The derail warning light of  claim 27 , wherein the mounting section includes a pair of rotating brackets and a rotating pin to connect the base plate to the mounting section. 
     
     
         29 . The derail warning light of  claim 28 , wherein the pair of rotating brackets and the rotating pin allow the base plate and the derail device to rotate from the inactive position to the active position. 
     
     
         30 . The derail warning light of  claim 21 , wherein the mounting device is a clamp to mechanically attach the derail warning light to a base plate of the derail device. 
     
     
         31 . The derail warning light of  claim 21 , wherein the mounting device is a clamp to mechanically attach the derail warning light to a handle of the derail device. 
     
     
         32 . The derail warning light of  claim 21 , wherein the mounting device includes a magnet to magnetically attach the derail warning light to the derail device. 
     
     
         33 . The derail warning light of  claim 21 , further comprising a microprocessor with data storage capabilities for time-stamping and data-logging the position of the derail device. 
     
     
         34 . The derail warning light of  claim 33 , wherein the microprocessor is programmable to include data logging to record and log data generated using the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         35 . The derail warning light of  claim 33 , wherein the microprocessor is included within the derail warning light. 
     
     
         36 . The derail warning light of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of LEDs are located around a periphery of the derail warning light. 
     
     
         37 . The derail warning light of  claim 21 , further comprising a solar power panel configured to provide power via solar energy to the derail warning light. 
     
     
         38 . The derail warning light of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more sensors are within a base of the derail warning light.