Patent ID: 6296208
Filing Date: 2001-10-02
Classification: B61L

Abstract:
A point detection system for a railway switch machine having a housing, said point detection system comprising:a point detector bar positionable in a normal point position and a reverse point position;a point detector target affixed to said point detector bar;point detecting means positioned within the housing for detecting when said point detector bar is in said normal point position and when said point detector bar is in said reverse point position, said point detecting means including a first proximity sensor for detecting said point detector target when said point detector bar is in said normal point position and a second proximity sensor for detecting said point detector target when said point detector bar is in said reverse point position, said first proximity sensor generating a normal point detection signal and said second proximity sensor generating a reverse point detection signal, said normal point detection signal having a first predetermined range of values to indicate that said point detector bar is in said normal point position and having a second predetermined range of values, which is different from said first predetermined range of values, to indicate that said point detector bar is not in said normal point position, said reverse point detection signal having a third predetermined range of values to indicate that said point detector bar is in said reverse point position and having a fourth predetermined range of values, which is different from said third predetermined range of values, to indicate that said point detector bar is not in said reverse point position; andmeans for processing point detection information from said normal point detection signal and said reverse point detection signal.