Patent ID: 7810435
Filing Date: 2010-10-12
Classification: G05F

Abstract:
1. A power regulation device for a model railroad system, comprising: first and second input terminals for connection to a supply of power in the form of an alternating waveform; a first current measuring circuit coupled to the first and second input terminals that measures current flow from said first and second input terminals and generates a first current measurement signal representative thereof; a controller coupled to said first current measuring circuit that analyzes said first current measurement signal to detect an undesired over-current condition at the first and second input terminals and in response generates a trigger signal; first and second output terminals for connection to respective rails of a track section to connect the alternating waveform to said respective rails; a switch circuit connected to said first and second input terminals and to said first and second output terminals to control connection of said alternating waveform from said first and second input terminals to said first and second output terminals, wherein said switch circuit is responsive to said trigger signal to disconnect said first and second output terminals from said first and second input terminals; and a power supply circuit that is connected to said first and second input terminals, wherein the power supply circuit rectifies the alternating waveform to produce power to operate circuits in said device for a period of time after loss of power due to a detected short circuit condition.