Method and apparatus for controlling railway switches

Abstract

The invention provides a railroad switch for use in un-signaled (dark) territory. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

1 . A railroad switch system, comprising:
 a railroad track in a dark territory, the railroad track comprising
 a main track segment, 
 a first track segment, 
 a second track segment, and 
 a switch point that selectively couples the main railroad track segment to the first track segment or the second track segment; 
   a power switch coupled to the switch point;   a switch controller for controlling the operation of the power switch;   a dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) module for receiving a signal, the DTMF coupled to the switch controller;   the switch controller coupled to a main control unit (MCU), the MCU adapted to receive a wireless signal via a wireless communications device;   a switch circuit controller coupled between the MCU and the switch point;   a first track circuit coupled between the first track segment, main track segment and the MCU; and   a second track circuit coupled between the second track segment and the MCU.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a second wireless communications device that is communicatively coupled to the first wireless communications device. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the system is powered with a remote power source coupled to the switch. 
   
   
       4 . In a dark territory portion of a railroad track, a switch system comprising:
 a controller coupled to a railroad main control unit (MCU);   a dual tone multiple frequency module (DTMF) coupled to the controller, the DTMF coupled to the MCU;   the connector adapted to couple to a switch point, the switch point located in a dark territory of a railroad track; and   the MCU coupled to a wireless receiver.