Power system for model railroad engines

Abstract

This invention relates to devices that enable a user to view a perspective view on a camera mounted to a model railroad train. Previously, the camera carrier wave of the camera was corrupted by inconsistent power going to the camera and interference from a model railroad engine, which is part of the model railroad train. The present invention uses a power supply circuit ( 14 ) and battery with battery management circuit to remedy the inconsistent power problem by removing spikes and gaps in power. A high gain antenna ( 31 ) remedies the interference problem by greatly increasing the reception of the camera carrier wave of the camera. Further, a battery management circuit can ensure that consistent power is provided to both the camera and the model railroad engine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, configured to convert a first voltage on a track that powers a model train engine to a second voltage that powers a camera on a model train; the system comprising:
 a first power source electrically coupled to the tracks which is configured to produce a first voltage to power the model train engine;   a power supply circuit comprising a bridge rectifier in series with a voltage regulator and a battery with battery management allowing the power supply circuit to compensate for spikes and gaps in power supplied to the model railroad engine due to track anomalies; wherein the power supply circuit converts the first voltage to a second voltage;   wherein the camera is powered by the second voltage.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the power supply circuit further comprises a voltage regulator that dissipates excess voltage by increasing amperage output rather than dissipating the electrical power as heat; this provides the system much greater longevity both in terms of real-time periods of usage as well as extended lifetime of components.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the power supply circuit comprises at least one buffer capacitor to smooth out spikes and gaps in power supplied to the model railroad engine due to track anomalies providing the clean power to an intended device.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the power supply circuit further comprises an output where the output is electrically coupled to at least one rechargeable battery on the output of the power supply circuit for reserve power supply and to smooth out spikes and gaps to provide a specific direct current output voltage to the an intended device.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 ,
 a battery management circuit, electrically coupled to the camera and to the power supply circuit; wherein the battery management circuit is configured to switch between providing the electrical power from the power source via the power supply circuit and providing the electrical power from the at least one rechargeable battery via the power supply circuit;   wherein when the electrical power from the power source is interrupted, the battery management circuit switches from the power source to the at least one rechargeable battery in order to maintain a consistent flow of power to the components.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 ,
 wherein circuit logic is in the battery management system such that when the electrical power from the power source is interrupted, the battery management circuit switches from the power source to the at least one rechargeable battery in order to maintain a consistent flow of power to an intended device.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 ,
 wherein the battery management circuit is configured to direct the electrical power to charge the at least one rechargeable battery;   in this manner, when the electrical power from the power source is interrupted, the battery management circuit switches from the power source to the at least one rechargeable battery in order to maintain a consistent flow of power to the model railroad engine.