Patent ID: 6062514
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: B61L

Abstract:
A railway switch circuit controller for a railroad switch point that is movable by an attached point detector connecting rod, wherein the railway switch circuit controller comprises:a controller housing having a bottom surface and opposed side surfaces, wherein said side surfaces have respective openings provided therethrough;a shaft rotatably disposed through said side surface openings and coupled to the point detector connecting rod, thereby to be rotated by lateral movement thereof;a drive gear fixedly mounted to said shaft to rotate with said shaft;a mounting block defining a cavity between opposing guide walls and affixed proximate to said drive gear within said housing;a platform cooperatively engaged with said drive gear and positioned between said opposing guide walls, thereby to be movable laterally over said cavity according to rotation of said drive gear;a first and second target fixedly mounted to said platform and extending into said cavity;a first and second proximity detector mounted to said mounting block and extending into said cavity, for providing a first and second output, respectively, indicative of the respective positions of said first and second targets within said cavity; anda terminal board operatively connected to said first and second proximity detectors and receiving as input said first and second outputs, whereby said terminal board provides an indication of the position of the point detector connecting rod and attached switch point.