Hydraulic switch machine for railroads

Abstract

Provided is a hydraulic railroad switch machine that incorporates a lock-spring assembly, a point-detection and display system, a connector rod assembly, and a hydraulic system to overcome disadvantages associated with throw-out linkages.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A railroad switch machine, comprising:
 an electrical system; 
 an electronics system coupled to the electrical system, the electronics system comprising a controller adapted to control
 a lock spring assembly, 
 a point detection and display system, 
 a connector rod assembly, and 
 a hydraulic system; 
 
 the lock spring assembly is coupled to the electrical system, and comprises a spring lever coupled to a spur gear, the lock spring assembly is further coupled to the hydraulic system; 
 the point detection and display system comprising at least two proximity sensors mounted to a sensor bracket, each proximity sensor corresponds with a location of a target built into associated with the connector rod assembly, and the target corresponding to at least one of said proximity sensors including at least an offset target; 
 the connector rod assembly comprising a connector rod; 
 the hydraulic system comprising
 a reservoir; 
 a hydraulic power unit coupled to the reservoir; 
 a hydraulic manifold assembly coupled to the reservoir; 
 
 the hydraulic power unit is adapted to provide a force to move the connector rod, such that when the offset target moves away from a proximity sensor in a “normal” position, the proximity sensor in the normal position is de-energized, to signal a switch movement to the controller, thereby the controller is configured to detect the offset target moving away from the proximity sensor in order to signal the switch movement to the controller. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1  wherein the electrical system is coupled to a solar array. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1  wherein the hydraulic manifold assembly comprises an electrically operated directional control valve operated by valve control solenoids. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1  wherein the hydraulic manifold assembly comprises a manually operated directional control valve. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 4  further comprising a manual directional selector lever coupled to the manifold assembly. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 4  further comprising a manual hand pump coupled to the hydraulic manifold assembly. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1  wherein the proximity sensors are inductive proximity sensors. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1  wherein the connector rod is adjustable. 
     
     
       9. A railroad switch machine, comprising:
 a connector rod assembly comprising a connector rod;   a hydraulic system connected in-line with the connector rod;   a lock spring assembly coupled to the hydraulic system,
 wherein the lock spring assembly provides an increasing resistive force to the hydraulic system through a first range of movement to a neutral point, 
 wherein the lock spring assembly provides a decreasing resistive force to the hydraulic system through a second range of movement from the neutral point by imparting a force on the connector rod; 
   a point detection and display system comprising at least two proximity sensors,
 wherein each proximity sensor corresponds with a location of an offset target associated with the connector rod assembly; 
   an electronics system comprising a controller adapted to control the hydraulic system and further connected to the point detection and display system;   wherein the hydraulic system provides a force to move the connector rod, such that when the offset target moves away from a proximity sensor in a “normal” position, the proximity sensor in the normal position is de-energized to signal a switch movement to the controller, thereby the controller is configured to detect the offset target moving away from the proximity sensor in order to signal the switch movement to the controller.