Patent ID: 6568641
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: B61L

Abstract:
An operating apparatus for operating a railroad switch stand having a rotatable hub, said operating apparatus including:a rotary actuator having a rotatable shaft, said shaft being selectively rotatable between a first position and a second position; a coupling member having a first and a second end, said second end of said coupling member attached to said shaft of said rotary actuator such that said coupling member is adapted to conjointly rotate with said shaft, said first end of said coupling member adapted to be attached to the hub of the switch stand such that said coupling member is adapted to conjointly rotate with the hub of the switch stand, said coupling member adapted to rotationally couple said shaft to the hub of the switch stand and to provide conjoint rotation of the hub of the switch stand with said shaft of said rotary actuator; a hydraulic pump in fluid communication with said rotary actuator for providing selective rotational movement of said shaft; and a first sensor adapted to be activated when said shaft is located in said first position; whereby when said first sensor is activated said first sensor deactivates said hydraulic pump.