The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 06, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 01, 2000
Ray Hoyer, St. John, IN (US);
Stephen R. Kuhn, Richton Park, IL (US);
Meridian Rail Information Systems Corp., Lombard, IL (US);
Abstract
A switch machine for moving railroad switch points. The switch machine includes a switch stand adapted to be connected to the railroad switch points. The switch stand includes a rotatable hub which is selectively rotatable to throw the switch points. A rotary actuator includes a rotatable pinion that is coupled to the hub of the switch stand. A hydraulic pump and a valve are in fluid communication with the rotary actuator and selectively control the direction of rotation of the pinion. A first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor are provided to sense the position of the pinion and hub. When the pinion and hub are rotated to a first position to move the switch points to a first switch point position, the first sensor will deactivate the hydraulic pump. When the pinion and hub rotate the switch points to a second switch point position, the second proximity sensor will deactivate the hydraulic pump.