FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005
AND
The Patents Rules, 2003
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2005
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A track vacancy detection system for railways
APPLICANT :
Crompton Greaves Limited, CG House, Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai 400 030, Maharashtra, India, an Indian Company
INVENTOR (S):
Namjoshi Yogendra and Trivedi Neelabh; both of Crompton Greaves Ltd, CG Global R&D Center, Crompton Greaves Limited, Kanjur Marg, Mumbai 400 042, Maharashtra, India; both Indian Nationals.
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
This invention relates to the field of electronics engineering and processing
systems.
Particularly, this invention relates to a signaling system for railways.
Specifically, this invention relates to a track vacancy detection system for railways.
More specifically, this invention relates to a track vacancy detection system using digital axle counting mechanism that counts the axles of a train across a predefined track section
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Railways and rail transport are an important way of terrestrial travel and form a large network of railroads or railway tracks laid throughout a country for long-distance travel or a defined jurisdiction for relatively short-distance or even urban travel. With increasing population, dependency on railroad travel is increasing and traffic on railroads is getting dense.
In order to monitor and rationalize such traffic, on a railway network, newer and newer systems are being tried, tested, and deployed in order to squeeze in more trains per hour without comprising on safety. According to standard safety regulations, there is a pre-defined gap in terms of signaling sections, that is to be followed in between two consecutive trains on a given linear line or even at crossings. This incorporates a signaling system on the tracks which is centrally guided or controlled in order to notify a train driver of impending danger or to

allow the driver to continue, hindrance-free. Thus, every train driver, by way of signals on the railway track, needs to know that there is a defined vacant space between the driver's train and a train which is up-forward so that the speed can be controlled to that degree which the space allows so as to avoid running into one another and causing a collision.
There are sensors which sense a train passage over a defined segment of a track. One of such sensors is an axle-counting sensor. An axle counter is a device on a railway track that detects the passing of a train. The safety and accident-free operation of the railway depends crucially on the proper function of the axle counting and train detection systems. Therefore, there are provided multiple axle-counters communicably couple to each other by means of a modem on a single track section.
Axle Counter in single section system is for long-haul (long distance). They employ long distance communication equipments. The cost of equipment is relatively higher for long distance communication with modem and is usually slower than required for high speed urban traffic. Typically, this distance, between two sensors of an axle-counter is 10 km.
Due to the use of modem telecommunication, currently, there is an over-safe distance gap that is being followed. There is a need for a safe and sound system which allows for determination of gaps in a rapid and efficient manner. There is a need for a relatively inexpensive system.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
An object of the invention is to provide a high speed system which senses train traffic in an efficient manner and which communicates the sensed information to a signaling network in a relatively faster and a relatively cost-efficient manner.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system which allows relatively more number of trains in a given direction over a defined segment of a railroad network, thereby helping higher density of traffic which is important for urban traffic.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system which allows relatively more number of trains in a given direction over a defined segment of a railroad network, without compromising on safety.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a system whose components interoperate smoothly and relatively faster.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a track vacancy detection system over relatively smaller segments of railroad tracks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
According to this invention, there is provided a track vacancy detection system for railways, wherein a track is divided into pre-defined segments or sections with far-end axle-counters and associated signaling and interlocking equipment deployed at either end of each of said segments, characterised in that, said system comprises: i. at least one enhancing telecommunication equipment adapted to be deployed, in conjunction with associated signaling and interlocking

equipment, between a pair of said far-end axle-counters and associated signaling and interlocking equipment in order to communicably couple said far-end axle-counters and associated signaling and interlocking equipment, said deployment adapted to cover sliced sections of said pre-defined segment.
Preferably, wherein said system includes a plurality of communicably coupled enhancing telecommunication equipment between each segment defined by said far-end axle-counters and associated signaling and interlocking equipment.
Typically, wherein said enhancing telecommunication equipment is a serial transceiver equipment.
Typically, wherein said enhancing telecommunication equipment is a short distance communication card.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
Figure 1 illustrates a track vacancy detection system of the prior art over a defined long section of the railroad.
The invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 2 illustrates a track vacancy detection system over a defined long section of the railroad with one axle counter added to slice the section into two allowing two trains to pass the same section;

Figure 3 illustrates a track vacancy detection system over a defined long section of the railroad with three axle counters added to slice the section into four allowing four trains to pass the same section; and
Figure 4 illustrates a track vacancy detection system at a railroad junction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
Figure 1 illustrates a track vacancy detection system of the prior art over a defined long section of the railroad (10). On a railroad track, axle-counters (12) are deployed at pre-defined intervals. These pre-defined intervals may be about lOkms. Accounting for the average speed of the train, the stoppage time required for a train, in general, and the average length of trains that pass over a given section, the distance between two successive axle-counters is defined. These axle-counters are communicably coupled to track interlocking equipment and signaling equipment. As the distance between successive axle counters is defined in a pre-calculated manner, similarly, corresponding signaling equipment is deployed. There is a modem (15) involved in the communication coupling of successive axle counters. This may be a leased line modem. As a train passes a second axle counter and associated second signal, the information of passage must be relayed to a first axle counter and associated signal, since the defined safe distance between two axle counters and signals can now be termed as vacant and be allowed for further traffic, in that particular direction and over that defined segment. Similarly, a cascade of linear axle-counters and corresponding signaling equipment is deployed through a railway line. Also, this mechanism may be coupled to track interlocking equipment in cases of multiple train lines or junctions. There is processing time involved with respect to a modem and the cost of leased line modem and associated equipment for telecommunication between equipment is relatively

higher. The processing time is to be built-in into the allowable safe distance and time, and hence, there may be resultant lesser allowable traffic, than is actually possible.
According to this invention, there is provided a track vacancy detection system for railways.
Figure 2 illustrates a track vacancy detection system over a defined long section of the railroad with one axle counter added to slice the section into two allowing two trains to pass the same section.
Figure 3 illustrates a track vacancy detection system over a defined long section of the railroad with three axle counters added to slice the section into four allowing four trains to pass the same section
In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, there is provided a predefined segment of a railway track which is sliced into relatively shorter segments and the end of each segment is equipped to be deployed with an enhancing telecommunication equipment (14) such as a serial transceiver equipment or a short distance communication card. There may be a singular such equipment or a plurality of such equipment between two successive axle-counters along with other components of the signaling system.
As seen in Figure 2, and in contrast to Figure 1, the current system includes the method of slicing the same defined segment into two parts, and deploying an additional axle-counter along with the enhancing telecommunication equipment (14) in between in order to provide more signals in a relatively faster manner. The axle counter with short distance communication equipment is required to keep

count of wheels on both segments. The configuration allows two trains to pass the section in contrast to Figure 1.
As seen in Figure 3, and in contrast to Figure 1, the current system includes the method of slicing the same defined segment into four parts, and deploying three additional axle-counters along with the enhancing telecommunication equipment (14) in between in order to provide more signals in a relatively faster manner. The axle counter with short distance communication equipment is required to keep count of wheels on both segments. The configuration allows four trains to pass the section in contrast to Figure 1.
Modems may still be deployed between far-end axle-counters (12) and signaling and interlocking equipment. But, coupled with the enhancing equipment (14) and associated signaling and interlocking equipment, faster sensing can occur, and the time dedicated for transmission and processing by the use of a modem over the relatively longer distance is reduced. Also, serial equipment is a relatively less expensive and replaceable commodity. Hence, damages can be repaired without much cost.
Figure 4 illustrates a track vacancy detection system at a railroad junction.
The tracks (10) at a railway junction are illustrated. In such a situation, the distance between axle-counters and signaling and interlocking equipment on each track is relatively less. Hence, for rapid and caution-proof action, far-end axle-counters (12) and associated signaling and interlocking equipment are intermittently deployed with enhancing telecommunication equipment in between them so as to allow for faster transmission of data, thereby allowing more number of crossovers at the junction.

The distance between two successive enhancing telecommunication equipment (14) can be up to about 1.2km.
The equipment for single section axle counter also adds software acting as a dummy transmission of data between two neighbouring equipments as well as sensing wheels at its location, thus slicing the longer section into shorter sub-sections.
While this detailed description has disclosed certain specific embodiments of the present invention for illustrative purposes, various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, and it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

We claim,
1. A track vacancy detection system for railways, wherein a track is divided into
pre-defined segments or sections with far-end axle-counters and associated
signaling and interlocking equipment deployed at either end of each of said
segments, characterised in that, said system comprising:
i. at least one enhancing telecommunication equipment adapted to be deployed, in conjunction with associated signaling and interlocking equipment, between a pair of said far-end axle-counters and associated signaling and interlocking equipment in order to communicably couple said far-end axle-counters and associated signaling and interlocking equipment, said deployment adapted to cover sliced sections of said pre-defined segment.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system includes a plurality of communicably coupled enhancing telecommunication equipment between each segment defined by said far-end axle-counters and associated signaling and interlocking equipment.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said enhancing telecommunication equipment is a serial transceiver equipment.
4. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said enhancing telecommunication equipment is a short distance communication card.