Patent ID: 7975968
Filing Date: 2011-07-12
Classification: B61L

Abstract:
1. A method for detecting an occupation state of a track section, the method which comprises: dividing a track circuit into subsections, wherein each of the subsections of the track circuit has a length, half of the length of each of the subsections of the track circuit overlaps half of the length of an adjacent one of the subjections of the track circuit, and each of the subsections of the track circuit has two ends and a center; providing one end of each one of the subsections with a transmitter/receiver device including a transmitter and a receiver, providing another end of each one of the subsections with a transmitter/receiver device including a transmitter and a receiver, and providing a single center location of each one of the subsections with a transmitter/receiver device including a transmitter and a receiver; feeding a transmission signal into the track circuit at the center into a subsection in which a rail vehicle is entering; and outputting detection signals from the two ends of the respective subsection of the track circuit or passing the detection signals to the ends of the track circuit and outputting the detection signals there; deducing from the detection signals whether the track section is occupied or unoccupied; and using the detection signals as a switching criterion for successive activation of the subsections.