Patent ID: 6688559
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: B61L

Abstract:
A switch machine for moving a shiftable track having a movable track between a first position and a second position along a direction of travel, the switch machine comprising:a support; and a detection mechanism connected with the support; the detection mechanism including a first sensor apparatus and a second sensor apparatus, the first and second sensor apparatuses each being modular in form and being removably mounted on the support, each of the first and second sensor apparatuses including a frame assembly and a primary sensor; each frame assembly including a sensor mount; the primary sensors being disposed on the sensor mounts, the sensor of the first sensor apparatus being structured to detect a condition in which the movable track has moved from the first position beyond a first threshold position that is spaced from the first position, the primary sensor of the second sensor apparatus being structured to detect a condition in which the movable track has moved from the second position beyond a second threshold position that is spaced from the second position; and in which the first and second sensor apparatuses each include a secondary sensor disposed on the sensor mount, the secondary sensor of the fist sensor apparatus being structured to detect a condition in which the movable track is located at a first readjustment position disposed between the first position and the first threshold position, the secondary sensor of the second sensor apparatus being structured to detect a condition in which the movable track is located at a second readjustment position disposed between the second position and the second threshold position.