System and method for self powered wayside railway signaling and sensing

Abstract

System and method for self powered wayside railway signaling and sensing. The system includes a power scavenging module and a power utilizing module. The power scavenging module is configured to convert an excitation of a rail into electrical power. The power utilizing module is powered by the electrical power and is configured to detect a predetermined characteristic in relation to the rail, a train moving on the rail or an environment of the railroad and to communicate data in relation to the predetermined characteristic.

1 . A railroad signaling system, comprising: 
 a power scavenging module configured to convert an excitation of a rail into electrical power;    at least one sensor coupled to said power scavenging module and configured to detect a predetermined characteristic in relation to at least one selected from the group consisting of said rail, a train moving on said rail, an environment of said railroad signaling system, and combinations thereof; and    circuitry coupled to said at least one sensor and configured to receive a signal sent by said at least one sensor in relation to said predetermined characteristic and communicate data in relation to said predetermined characteristic.    
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one sensor comprises at least one broken rail sensor.  
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one sensor comprises at least one occupancy detector configured to detect an occupancy status of said rail.  
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined characteristic in relation to said train comprises a sequential count of a plurality of at least one selected from the group consisting of wheels, axles, railroad cars, and combinations thereof of said train.  
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined characteristic in relation to said train comprises a temperature of at least one selected from the group consisting of an axle, a wheel, a bearing, and combinations thereof of said train.  
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined characteristic in relation to said train comprises an identity of said train.  
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined characteristic in relation to said train comprises a speed of said train.  
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined characteristic in relation to said environment comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of wind speed, rainfall, snowfall, earthquake, landslide, temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said excitation comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a vibration of said rail, a displacement of said rail, an electromagnetic excitation of said rail, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein said power scavenging module further comprises a transducer configured to convert said excitation into at least one selected from the group consisting of a voltage, a current, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein said transducer comprises a piezoelectric system configured to convert said vibration of said rail into said at least one selected from the group consisting of said voltage, said current, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein said piezoelectric system is configured based on a cantilever design to convert said vibration of said rail into said at least one selected from the group consisting of said voltage, said current, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said cantilever design comprises a temperature compensated flexural mode structure to maximize an efficiency of said cantilever design.  
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein said transducer comprises a hydraulic system configured to convert said displacement of said rail into said at least one selected from the group consisting of said voltage, said current, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein said displacement comprises a vertical displacement.  
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein said transducer comprises a electromagnetic system configured to convert said electromagnetic excitation of said rail into said at least one selected from the group consisting of said voltage, said current, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said power scavenging module further comprises a power storage system configured to store said electrical power.  
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein said power storage system comprises a capacitor.  
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein said power storage system comprises a battery.  
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said power scavenging module further comprises a power conditioning circuit comprising: 
 a rectifier to rectify said electrical power; and    a regulator to regulate said electrical power.    
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said circuitry further comprises: 
 a signal conditioning module coupled to said at least one sensor and configured to condition said signal sent by said at least one sensor in relation to said predetermined characteristic;    a controller coupled to said power scavenging module, said at least one sensor and said signal conditioning module and configured to control and coordinate activities of said power scavenging module, said at least one sensor and said signal conditioning module; and    an output module coupled to said controller and configured to receive a conditioned signal from said controller and to communicate said data in relation to said predetermined characteristic, wherein said controller is further configured to control and coordinate activities of said output module.    
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein said signal conditioning module is further configured to convert said signal sent by said at least one sensor to a digital form for further analysis and storage.  
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein said data comprises data in relation to status of at least one selected from the group consisting of a local signal, a visual signal, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein said data comprises data in relation to position of at least one selected from the group consisting of a gate, a switch, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein said output module further comprises a transmitter configured to send said data to a remote location.  
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 25 , wherein said remote location comprises a railroad operations control center.  
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 26 , wherein said railroad operations control center is configured to process at least one data stream and configured to create a high level decisioning system based on integration of said at least one data stream with said data communicated by said output module.  
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 27  wherein said at least one data stream comprises at least one data stream related to at least one selected from the group consisting of logistics, maintenance, diagnostics, repair history, calibration, and combinations thereof of said system.  
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 25 , wherein said transmitter is further configured to send said data to a train.  
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 25  further comprising a data processing module configured to receive said data communicated by said output module.  
     
     
         31 . The system according to  claim 30 , wherein said data comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a vibration signature, an electronic signature of said train, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 31  further configured to process said data based on a predetermined analysis technique.  
     
     
         33 . The system according to  claim 32 , wherein said predetermined analysis technique comprises a regression analysis technique.  
     
     
         34 . The system according to  claim 32 , wherein said predetermined analysis technique comprises a pattern recognition technique.  
     
     
         35 . The system according to  claim 32 , wherein said predetermined analysis technique comprises a counting technique.  
     
     
         36 . The system according to  claim 32 , wherein said predetermined analysis technique comprises a principal component analysis technique.  
     
     
         37 . The system according to  claim 32 , wherein said predetermined analysis technique comprises a standard comparative analysis technique.  
     
     
         38 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein said output module is further configured to communicate based on a predetermined communication protocol.  
     
     
         39 . The system according to  claim 38 , wherein said predetermined communication protocol comprises an advanced train control system.  
     
     
         40 . The system according to  claim 21  further comprising a receiver configured to receive a signal from a remote location.  
     
     
         41 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein said controller is further configured to activate at least one selected from the group consisting of a switch, a gate, a visual signal, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         42 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said railroad signaling system is packaged in a hollow tie located in a rail-bed of said rail.  
     
     
         43 . A railroad signaling system, comprising: 
 a power scavenging module configured to convert an excitation of a rail into electrical power;    at least one sensor coupled to said power scavenging module and configured to detect a predetermined characteristic in relation to at least one selected from the group consisting of said rail, a train moving on said rail, an environment of said railroad signaling system, and combinations thereof; and    circuitry coupled to said at least one sensor and configured to receive a signal sent by said at least one sensor in relation to said predetermined characteristic and communicate data in relation to said predetermined characteristic.    
     
     
         44 . The system according to  claim 43 , wherein said at least one sensor comprises at least one broken rail sensor.  
     
     
         45 . The system according to  claim 43 , wherein said excitation comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a vibration of said rail, a displacement of said rail, an electromagnetic excitation of said rail, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         46 . The system according to  claim 43 , wherein said power scavenging module further comprises a transducer configured to convert said excitation into at least one selected from the group consisting of a voltage, a current, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         47 . The system according to  claim 43 , wherein said power scavenging module further comprises a power conditioning circuit comprising: 
 a rectifier to rectify said power; and    a regulator to regulate said power.    
     
     
         48 . The system according to  claim 42 , wherein said circuitry further comprises: 
 a signal conditioning module coupled to said at least one sensor and configured to condition said signal sent by said at least one sensor in relation to said predetermined characteristic;    a controller coupled to said power scavenging module, said at least one sensor and said signal conditioning module and configured to control and coordinate activities of said power scavenging module, said at least one sensor and said signal conditioning module; and    an output module coupled to said controller and configured to receive a conditioned signal from said controller and to communicate said data in relation to said predetermined characteristic, wherein said controller is further configured to control and coordinate activities of said output module.    
     
     
         49 . The system according to  claim 48 , wherein said signal conditioning module is further configured to convert said signal sent by said at least one sensor to a digital form for further analysis and storage.  
     
     
         50 . The system according to  claim 48 , wherein said output module further comprises a transmitter configured to send said data to a remote location.  
     
     
         51 . A railroad signaling system, comprising: 
 a power scavenging module configured to convert an excitation of a rail into electrical power;    at least one sensor coupled to said power scavenging module and configured to detect a predetermined characteristic in relation to at least one selected from the group consisting of said rail, a train moving on said rail, an environment of said railroad signaling system, and combinations thereof;    a signal conditioning module coupled to said at least one sensor and configured to condition a signal sent by said at least one sensor;    a controller coupled to said power scavenging module, said at least one sensor and said signal conditioning module and configured to control and coordinate activities of said power scavenging module, said at least one sensor and said signal conditioning module; and    an output module coupled to said controller and configured to receive a conditioned signal from said controller and to communicate data in relation to said predetermined characteristic detected by said at least one sensor, wherein said controller is further configured to control and coordinate activities of said output module.    
     
     
         52 . A system for generating local power on railroad, comprising: 
 a power scavenging module configured to convert an excitation of a rail into electrical power; and    a power utilizing module powered by said electrical power.    
     
     
         53 . A method for railroad signaling, comprising: 
 generating power from an excitation of a rail and using said power to energize at least one sensor;    sensing a predetermined characteristic in relation to at least one selected from the group consisting of said rail, a train moving on said rail, an environment of said railroad signaling using said power, and combinations thereof;    conditioning a signal generated based on said sensing of said predetermined characteristic; and    communicating data in relation to said predetermined characteristic.    
     
     
         54 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein said sensing comprises sensing electrically.  
     
     
         55 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein said predetermined characteristic in relation to said rail comprises a break in said rail.  
     
     
         56 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein said predetermined characteristic in relation to said rail comprises an occupancy status of said rail.  
     
     
         57 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein said predetermined characteristic in relation to said train comprises a sequential count of at least one selected from the group consisting of a plurality of axles, a plurality of wheels, a plurality of railroad cars, and combinations thereof of said train.  
     
     
         58 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein said predetermined characteristic in relation to said train comprises a temperature of at least one selected from the group consisting of an axle, a wheel, a bearing, and combinations thereof of said train.  
     
     
         59 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein said predetermined characteristic in relation to said train comprises an identity tag of said train.  
     
     
         60 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein said predetermined characteristic in relation to said train comprises a speed of said train.  
     
     
         61 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein said predetermined characteristic in relation to said environment comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of wind speed, rainfall, snowfall, earthquake, landslide, temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         62 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein said generating power comprises: 
 positioning a power scavenging module on said rail;    converting power from said excitation of said rail; and    storing said power electrically.    
     
     
         63 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein said converting power comprises converting power from at least one selected from the group consisting of a vibration of said rail, a displacement of said rail, an electromagnetic excitation of said rail, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         64 . The method according to  claim 63 , wherein said displacement is a vertical displacement.  
     
     
         65 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein said converting power comprises converting power into at least one selected from the group consisting of a voltage, a current, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         66 . The method according to  claim 53 , further comprising conditioning said power.  
     
     
         67 . The method according to  claim 66 , wherein said conditioning said power comprises rectifying said power.  
     
     
         68 . The method according to  claim 67 , wherein conditioning said power comprises regulating said power.  
     
     
         69 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein said conditioning a signal further comprises converting said signal to a digital form for further analysis and storage.  
     
     
         70 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein communicating data comprises communicating status of at least one selected from the group consisting of a local signal, a visual signal, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         71 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein communicating data comprises communicating position of at least one selected from the group consisting of a gate, a switch, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         72 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein communicating data comprises communicating based on a predetermined communication protocol.  
     
     
         73 . The method according to  claim 72 , wherein said predetermined communication protocol comprises an advanced train control system.  
     
     
         74 . The method according to  claim 53 , further comprising receiving said data.  
     
     
         75 . The method according to  claim 53 , further comprising transmitting said data to a remote location.  
     
     
         76 . The method according to  claim 75 , further comprising processing said data based on a predetermined analysis technique.  
     
     
         77 . The method according to  claim 76 , wherein said data comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a vibration signature, an electronic signature, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         78 . The method according to  claim 77 , wherein said vibration signature comprises at least two vibration signatures from two different rails.  
     
     
         79 . The method according to  claim 76 , wherein said predetermined analysis technique comprises regression analysis technique.  
     
     
         80 . The method according to  claim 76 , wherein said predetermined analysis technique comprises a pattern recognition technique.  
     
     
         81 . The method according to  claim 76 , wherein said predetermined analysis technique comprises a counting technique.  
     
     
         82 . The method according to  claim 76 , wherein said predetermined analysis technique comprises a principal component analysis technique.  
     
     
         83 . The method according to  claim 76 , wherein said predetermined analysis technique comprises a standard comparative analysis technique.  
     
     
         84 . The method according to  claim 53 , further comprising receiving a signal from a remote location.  
     
     
         85 . The method according to  claim 53 , further comprising activating at least one selected from the group consisting of a switch, a gate, a visual signal, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         86 . A method for railroad signaling, comprising: 
 generating power from an excitation of a rail and using said power to energize at least one sensor;    sensing a predetermined characteristic in relation to at least one selected from the group consisting of said rail, a train moving on said rail, an environment of said railroad signaling, and combinations thereof using said at least one sensor;    conditioning a signal generated based on said sensing of said predetermined characteristic; and    communicating data in relation to said predetermined characteristic.    
     
     
         87 . The method according to  claim 86 , wherein said generating power comprises: 
 positioning a power scavenging module on said rail;    converting power from said excitation of said rail; and    storing said power electrically;    
     
     
         88 . The method according to  claim 87 , wherein said converting power comprises converting power from at least one selected from the group consisting of a vibration of said rail, a displacement of said rail, an electromagnetic excitation of said rail, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         89 . The method according to  claim 86 , further comprising conditioning said power.  
     
     
         90 . The method according to  claim 89 , wherein conditioning said power comprises rectifying said power.  
     
     
         91 . The method according to  claim 86 , wherein said conditioning a signal further comprises converting said signal to a digital form for further analysis and storage.  
     
     
         92 . The method according to  claim 86  further comprising transmitting said data to a remote location.  
     
     
         93 . A method for generating local power on railroad, comprising: 
 generating power from an excitation of a rail; and    energizing a power utilizing module using said power.