Patent ID: 11964686
Assignee: PRECISION RAIL AND MFG., INC.
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B  H

Claim 18:
19. A switch device for moving a switch rails, the switch device comprising:
a motor operatively coupled to move the switch rails into and between first and second positions, wherein the motor has first, second, third, and fourth terminals, wherein the motor is configured to be coupled to a power source having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, wherein the second terminal of the motor is coupled to the negative terminal of the power source, and wherein the motor is configured for electricity to flow therethrough along a first path and a second path;
a motor controller operatively coupled to the motor, wherein the motor controller is configured to monitor a current drawn by the motor and to compare the current to a predetermined threshold, and wherein the motor controller is further configured to open at least one of the first path and the second path through the motor when the current exceeds the predetermined threshold;
a first relay having a normally open contact within the first path, wherein the first relay when activated electrically couples the first terminal of the motor to the positive terminal of the power source;
a second relay having a normally open contact within the first path, wherein the first relay and the second relay are configured to activate and deactivate together, and wherein the second relay when activated electrically couples the third terminal and the fourth terminal of the motor;
a third relay having a normally open contact within the second path, wherein the third relay when activated electrically couples the third terminal of the motor to the positive terminal of the power source; and
a fourth relay having a normally open contact within the second path, wherein the third relay and the fourth relay are configured to activate and deactivate together, and wherein the fourth relay when activated electrically couples the first terminal and the fourth terminal of the motor;
wherein the first relay, the second relay, the third relay, and the fourth relay are configured such that the first relay and the second relay are prevented from being activated when the third relay and the fourth relay are activated; and
wherein the motor moves the switch rails towards the first position when the first relay and the second relay are activated and the third relay and the fourth relay are deactivated, and wherein the motor moves the switch rails towards the second position when the third relay and the fourth relay are activated and the first relay and the second relay are deactivated.