Patent ID: 7954770
Filing Date: 2011-06-07
Classification: B61L

Abstract:
1. A jointless track system comprising: a first signaling point connected to a railroad track; a second signaling point connected to the railroad track, wherein a first distance between the first signaling point and the second signal point is at least five miles, wherein the railroad track is jointless along the entirety of the first distance and there are no signaling points between the first and second signaling points, and wherein at least one of the first signaling point and the second signaling point is configured to provide a voltage and/or current to the railroad track; and a first passive signaling device (“PSD”) and a second PSD each attached to the railroad track and positioned between the first signaling point and the second signaling point, wherein a second distance between the first PSD and the second PSD is one or more miles, and wherein there are no passive signaling devices between the first PSD and the second PSD; wherein each of the first PSD and the second PSD is configured to: receive electrical power from the voltage and/or current provided to the railroad track by the at least one of the first signaling point and the second signaling point, for powering the PSD; and to analyze the voltage and/or current for detecting a rail break and/or detecting presence of a train; and wherein PSDs in the system are spaced apart from the first signaling point and the second signaling point by one or more miles.