Willard L Geiger

US Patent:

39879895, Oct 26, 1976

Filed:

Apr 16, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/568565

Inventors:

Willard L. Geiger - Chagrin Falls OH

Assignee:

Erico Rail Products Company - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

B61L 2106

US Classification:

246 34R

Abstract:

A railway signal system detects a train approaching the system tie points to a railroad track by transmitting in the track a modulated AC carrier wave signal, which is attenuated by the variable shunt effect of an approaching train, and monitoring the track signal in a receiver that responds to signal variations caused by such an approaching train to drop a signal relay, which operates a gate, flasher, or the like at a grade crossing. The track signal is normally automatically regulated to be within a voltage window, and a continuous system latch up feature precludes pick up of the signal relay upon occurrence of a broken rail or high track signal, for example, caused by a very high impedance ballast, until manually reset. A time delay circuit delays pick up of the signal relay after motion has been first detected, and a bypass circuit for a low track signal detector allows system operation even after an unexpected shunt occurs on a monitored section of track. Moreover, an automatic gain control in the receiver reduces ring-by time to a minimum when a train leaves the system tie points, which define a monitored track island.

US Patent:

39749916, Aug 17, 1976

Filed:

Aug 27, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/608085

Inventors:

Willard L. Geiger - Chagrin Falls OH

Assignee:

Erico Rail Products Company - Solon OH

International Classification:

B61L 2106

US Classification:

246 34CT

Abstract:

A first transmitter-receiver movement detector system operable at a first frequency detects a train approaching a first grade crossing or other track location in response to train approach speed and distance, and a repeater receiver movement detector device also operable at such first frequency but located at a subsequent grade crossing or location, which is relatively proximate the first, is capable of looking through the first crossing even under unfavorable ballast conditions thereat to detect an approaching train with respect to its speed and distance from the second crossing. The output of the repeater receiver and that of a further transmitter-receiver movement detector system operable at a different frequency from the first are combined in a logic circuit to provide safe, minimum signal down time at the subsequent location.

US Patent:

43657770, Dec 28, 1982

Filed:

Aug 17, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/067321

Inventors:

Willard L. Geiger - Chagrin Falls OH

Assignee:

Modern Industries Signal Equipment, Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

B61L 102
B61L 112
B61L 2106

US Classification:

246130

Abstract:

A train approach detector uses frequencies in the audio spectrum to activate grade crossing protection devices in advance of and during the presence of railroad trains at grade crossings. The detector is completely solid state, and includes one transmitter and one receiver each connected to the tracks so that transmitted and received track signals, which are partially pulse modulated for optimum filtering and signal coupling and minimum third harmonic radiation, appear on opposite sides of the crossing. The section of track between the transmitter and receiver is designated as a crossing island and sections of rail outside of the island are known as approaches. In addition to its basic train movement detection function, the detector contains additional features that are designed to provide operation under a variety of application conditions, including automatic ballast compensation, loss of shunt, low signal/low gain condition, high signal/broken rail condition, delayed pick-up, delayed drop-out and reverse switch override, and bi-directional motion detection.

US Patent:

40265056, May 31, 1977

Filed:

Jan 15, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/649502

Inventors:

Willard L. Geiger - Chagrin Falls OH
John D. Williams - Burton OH

Assignee:

Harmon Industries, Inc. - Grain Valley MO

International Classification:

B61L 2106

US Classification:

246 34R

Abstract:

A high pass coupler or filter network provides a bypass for relatively high frequency AC signals, while providing DC signal isolation and avoiding loading the track for relatively low frequency AC signals, around a set of insulated joints in a railroad track or the like. The high pass coupler includes a coupling portion for connection to a track and a dynamically resonant filtering portion with a selectable low cut off frequency determined by the proper size capacitor. The capacitor sets up resonance with the track inductance, which decreases in magnitude in response to the moving shunt affect of a train approaching the coupling portion and thus increases the resonant frequency of the coupler, and the capacitor is of a magnitude that ensures the coupler resonant frequency will not exceed the frequency of the AC signals normally to be passed by the coupler. Moreover, in the high pass coupler, losses may be introduced, for example, by a potentiometer to present to the coupled AC signals and particularly to the system employing the same an impedance characteristic at least approximately equivalent to the normal track impedance characteristic presented thereto if the track were electrically continuous.