Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to a lamp assembly, a lamp system and a method for operating a lamp system, for example for use in connection with railroad grade crossings and railroad crossing warning devices.
Warning systems have been developed to warn people and cars of an approaching train at a railroad grade crossing. Railroad grade crossings, sometimes referred to in the U.K. as level crossings, are locations at which railroad tracks intersect roads. A constant warning time device, also referred to as a grade crossing predictor (GCP) in the U.S. or a level crossing predictor in the U.K., is an electronic device that is connected to the rails of a railroad track and is configured to detect the presence of an approaching train and determine its speed and distance from a railroad grade crossing. The constant warning time device, in combination with a crossing controller, will use this information to generate constant warning time signal(s) for controlling crossing warning device(s). A crossing warning device is a device that warns of the approach of a train at a crossing, examples of which include crossing gate arms (e.g., the familiar red and white striped wooden or fibreglass arms often found at highway grade crossings to warn motorists of an approaching train), crossing lights (such as the red flashing lights often found at highway grade crossings in conjunction with the crossing gate arms discussed above), and/or crossing bells or other audio alarm devices.
Existing crossing controllers flash crossing lamps directly and must accommodate multiple lamp models, which necessitates a complex and costly circuit board design. It also requires additional setup for an end user to program lamp voltages. Additionally, a single failure of the controlling relay in the control house can result in a railroad grade crossing with all lamps dark. Thus, there may exist a need to improve lamp control so that there is not a single component failure that will leave a dark railroad grade crossing.
Briefly described, aspects of the present disclosure relate to a lamp assembly, a lamp system and a method for operating a lamp system, for example for use in railroad crossing warning devices and railroad grade crossings.
A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a lamp assembly comprising a light source coupled to a base, an electronic circuit for operating the light source, and a switching device for setting a flash rate of the light source, wherein the electronic circuit is configured to operate the light source in response to an activation signal and in accordance with a set flash rate so that the light source switches between an on state and an off state by default.
A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a lamp system comprising a lamp assembly comprising a light source coupled to a base, an electronic circuit for operating the light source, and a switching device for setting a flash rate of the light source, a lamp communication device configured to transmit control signals to the lamp assembly, and a communication network interfacing with the lamp assembly and the lamp communication device, wherein the electronic circuit is configured to operate the light source in response to a control signal transmitted by the lamp communication device via the communication network, and in accordance with a set flash rate so that the light source switches between an on state and an off state by default.
A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for operating a lamp system comprising installing a lamp assembly comprising a light source coupled to a base, an electronic circuit for operating the light source, and a switching device for setting a flash rate of the light source, transmitting an activation signal by a lamp communication device to the lamp assembly via a communication network, and flashing the light source according to a set flash rate in response to a received activation signal.
To facilitate an understanding of embodiments, principles, and features of the present invention, they are explained hereinafter with reference to implementation in illustrative embodiments. In particular, they are described in the context of being a lamp assembly, a lamp system and a method for operating a lamp system. Embodiments of the present invention, however, are not limited to use in the described devices or methods.
The components and materials described hereinafter as making up the various embodiments are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable components and materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of embodiments of the present invention.
The GCP system 40 is configured to detect the presence of an approaching train, determine its speed and distance from the railroad crossing, calculates when the train will arrive at the crossing, and will use this information to generate constant warning time signals for controlling the crossing warning devices 110, 112, 120, 130. Typically, a crossing controller, which can be for example a normally energized master relay 132, only shown schematically herein, is arranged between the GCP system 40 and the warning devices 110, 112, 120, 130, for example along the connecting elements 140 and operably coupled by the connecting elements 140, wherein an output of the GCP system 40 feeds a coil of the master relay 132. According to a pre-programmed time, for example a number of seconds and/or minutes, before projected arrival time of the approaching train, the GCP system 40 is configured such that the output feeding the coil of the master relay 132 is turned off to drop the master relay 132 and to activate the crossing warning devices 110, 212, 120, 130. Other configurations of a crossing controller are possible. It should be noted that the GCP system 40, the master relay 132 (crossing controller) and the warning time devices 110, 112, 120, 130 will not be described in further detail as those of ordinary skill in the art are familiar with these devices and systems.
The lamp system 200 comprises lamp assembly 210. Lamp assembly 210 can be used for one or more of the crossing lights 152. The lamp assembly 210 comprises a light source 212 coupled to a base 214. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the lamp assembly 210 itself comprises circuitry, e.g., electronic circuit 216, for independently flashing the light source 212. As noted before, existing crossing lamps, such as lamps 120, are simply flashed by a crossing controller (in connection with a GCP) and provides control signals to the crossing lamps 120. In contrast, the provided lamp assembly 210 is not flashed by a crossing controller but uses a lamp (light source 212) that flashes independently without the need for a traditional crossing controller. Rather, the electronic circuit 216 is configured to operate the light source 212 in response to an activation signal and in accordance with a set flash rate so that the light source 212 switches between an on state and an off state by default. Thus, the lamp assembly 210 comprises a switching device 218 for setting a flash rate of the light source 212.
According to an embodiment, as illustrated in
In an example, the switching device 218 comprises a dip switch. A dip switch provides a simple and inexpensive solution to select an operating mode (flash rate) of the light source 212. In accordance with regulations of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the switching device 218 is configured to set a flash rate between 35 flashes per minute and 65 flashes per minute. Further, the switching device 218 is configured to set the light source 212 as a member of a first flash cycle or a second flash cycle to generate alternating flashes.
As noted before, the electronic circuit 216 is configured to operate the light source 212 in response to an activation signal or control signal. Such an activation signal or control signal is provided and transmitted to the lamp assembly 210 by a lamp communication device 250. For the lamp assembly 210 to communicate, which comprises at least receiving, the lamp assembly 210 comprises a data connection 220. The data connection 220 can be configured for wired or wireless communication. Further, lamp system 200 comprises a communication network 260, wired or wireless, interfacing with the lamp assembly 210 and the lamp communication device 250.
If communication is wireless, the lamp assembly 210 comprises for example an air interface, e.g. Wi-Fi, to communicate wirelessly for example via Internet. Alternatively, if communication is wired, the lamp assembly 210 comprises a wired connection to the lamp communication device 250, for example via cables.
The lamp communication device 250 may be embodied as software or a combination of software and hardware. The lamp communication device 250 may be an existing device programmed to interact with the lamp assembly 210. For example, the lamp communication device 250 may be incorporated into an existing wayside control device, for example constant warning device or crossing controller, by means of software. The lamp communication device 250 may be a module programmed into an existing crossing controller.
As illustrated in
Typically, a grade crossing and/or crossing warning devices comprises multiple lamp assemblies 210, wherein the lamp communication device 250 is configured to provide the clock syncing, health checks and activation signals of one or more lamp assemblies 210. Further configurations of the lamp system 200 will be described with respect to
In an embodiment, the light source 212 comprises a light emitting diode (LED) and the base 214 comprises a LED circuit board. Using one or more LEDs provides smart and low power lamps. Alternatively, the light source 212 can comprise an incandescent light bulb. Thus, existing devices, such as crossing warning devices, with incandescent light bulbs can be retrofitted to achieve or accomplish the light assembly 210.
In an embodiment, the electronic module 230 is configured as a separate nesting module comprising an opening 232 for inserting the base 214 into the module 230 so that the light source 212 is in communication with the module 230. In another embodiment, the module 230 can comprise a back-up batterie for operation of the light source 212, for example when regular power supply to the lamp assembly 215 is not available. For regular power supply of the lamp assembly 215, the module 230 provides pass-through power to the light source 212. In another embodiment, the electronic module 230 can be a daughter board stacked on a LED circuit board when the light source 212 comprises one or more LEDs.
Instead of the base 214, the module 230 can be adapted to communicate with the lamp communication device 250 wired or wireless. If communication is wireless, the module 230 comprises for example an air interface, e.g. Wi-Fi, to communicate wirelessly for example via Internet. If communication is wired, the module 230 comprises a wired connection to the lamp communication device 250, for example via cables.
Lamp system 200 typically comprises a plurality of lamp assemblies 210 and/or 215.
In a first embodiment, the lamp communication device 250 can directly communicate with the lamp assemblies 210 and/or 215, for example send activation signals for flashing directly to each lamp assembly 210 (see right section of
Further, the lamp assemblies 210, 215 are powered by a power supply. Traditionally, crossing lamps are powered by alternating current (AC) power via crossing equipment, for example the crossing controller. In addition, back-up batteries are installed allowing the lamps to function during a power failure. In an embodiment, the lamp assembly 210, 215 receive constant power from one or more power storage device(s), such as batteries, for example the existing back-up batteries. In another embodiment, the lamp assemblies 210, 215 can be powered by solar power utilizing solar panels installed in proximity and coupled to the lamp assemblies 210, 215. In an example, the lamp assemblies 210, 215 can be powered primarily by solar power, wherein existing back-up crossing batteries may be used as secondary power supply when solar power is not available.
The configuration of
The configuration of
In a first step 310, a lamp assembly 210 or 215 is installed. The lamp assembly 210, 215 comprises a light source 212, a base 214, an electronic circuit 216 for operating the light source 212, and a switching device 218 for setting a flash rate of the light source 212 (see
The lamp assembly 210, 215 flashes independently without the need of special control equipment. Lamp functions are being largely managed by the lamp assemblies 210, 215 themselves. Further, the lamp assembly 210, 215 includes an independent power supply, for example utilizing power storage devices, such as batteries, and/or solar power. The provided assemblies 210, 215 and system 200 cost significantly less than traditional systems, provide a simplified user experience, have a smaller footprint within the crossing bungalow, and reduce the risk of a dark crossing.
While embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed in exemplary forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and its equivalents, as set forth in the following claims.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2018/040209 | 6/29/2018 | WO | 00 |