Railway beacon and related production method

Abstract

A railway beacon having a casing ( 3 ) supporting an electronic circuit ( 4 ), which receives an electromagnetic enabling signal from a vehicle travelling along a railway line, and generates a coded response signal (telegram) transmitted to the vehicle. The casing ( 3 ) is formed in one piece from insulating material, and has at least one sunken seat ( 12 a ) housing the electronic circuit ( 4 ), which is embedded in a layer of insulating silicone resin ( 40 ) poured and set inside the sunken seat.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 ) A method of producing a railway beacon comprising the steps of:
 producing a casing made of insulating material and having at least one sunken seat;   inserting an electronic circuit, formed on at least one support, in particular a printed circuit, inside said sunken seat; said electronic circuit receiving an electromagnetic enabling signal from a vehicle travelling along a railway line, and generating a coded response signal (telegram) transmitted to the vehicle and containing information relative to travel of the vehicle;   producing a resin containing substantially no water particles or air;   feeding said resin inside said sunken seat, so as to embed said support and the components on said support inside said resin, and allowing the resin to set to obtain a stable position of said electronic circuit inside said casing.   
   
   
       9 ) A method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said step of producing a casing is performed by injecting, into a cavity of a mold complementary in shape to said casing, a mixture of heat-setting materials containing a predetermined quantity of glass fibre. 
   
   
       10 ) A method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the outer surfaces of said casing are coated with an insulating layer of gel-coat. 
   
   
       11 ) A method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said step of feeding said resin comprises the steps of:
 placing a nozzle close to a bottom wall of said sunken seat, so that the poured resin covers said bottom wall, contacts a bottom face of said support, and eventually covers a top face of said support;   moving said nozzle into a position close to the larger components on said support, and pouring the resin so as to expel any air beneath and/or inside said components;   continuing to pour said resin to fill said sunken seat; and   allowing the poured resin to set hard.   
   
   
       12 ) A method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein, during pouring, said nozzle is located, inside said sunken seat, on the opposite side to a through connector extending between said sunken seat and a further sunken seat adjacent to it.