AU2017201582A1

AU2017201582A1 - Simplified interlocking system for a switching section

Info

Publication number: AU2017201582A1
Application number: AU2017201582A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Stephane DESBLED
Original assignee: Alstom Transport Technologies SAS
Current assignee: Alstom Transport Technologies SAS
Priority date: 2016-03-08
Filing date: 2017-03-08
Publication date: 2017-09-28
Also published as: FR3048669B1; MX2017002923A; EP3216673A1; ES2836502T3; EP3216673B1; BR102017004476A2; ZA201701565B; CL2017000537A1; BR102017004476B1; FR3048669A1

Abstract

This system for a switching section situated between an upstream section and first and second independent downstream sections, the switching section including an entry section, a switch, and an exit section, includes an interlocking device connected to track devices. It is characterized in that the track devices include: a device actuating the switch in first or second interlocking positions; a signalling device displaying a state of the switching section and an interlocking position of the switch; and a device detecting the presence of a vehicle on the exit section including a coil mass detector. This interlocking system has no device for detecting the presence of a vehicle upstream of the switch. -220 -260 XF ~ ~ ~ ' 1:G 327( 'I/u I ---

Description

Australian Patents Act 1990 2017201582 08 Mar 2017

ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT

Invention Title

Simplified interlocking system for a switching section

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:-1 1a 2017201582 08 Mar 2017

The present invention relates to the general field of interlocking systems for a switching section of a railroad track, in particular an interlocking system for a switching section of a railroad track for a tram.

One known interlocking system is shown in figure 1. 5 The system 1 equips a track including a switch. This track successively includes an upstream section 4, a switching section 10 and first and second downstream sections 26 and 28.

The switching section 10 includes an entry section 14, the entry of which corresponds to the exit from the upstream section, the switch 15 strictly speaking, and an 10 exit section 17, the exit of which is shared by the first and second downstream sections.

The system 1 includes an interlocking device 30, which is a computer arranged near the track portion incorporating the switch, and a plurality of pieces of track equipment, controlled by the interlocking device.

The plurality of pieces of track equipment includes: 15 - A short-range communication device 40, including an antenna positioned between the rails of the upstream section 4. The antenna is intended to capture a command signal transmitted by an antenna of the tram when the latter passes over the antenna on the ground; - A first detection device 41 for detecting the presence of a tram on the entry 20 section 14. This device is made up either of a track circuit or an axle counting device. It is able to generate a signal detecting the presence of a tram on the entry section, which is a binary signal assuming the value zero when no tram is detected on the entry section, or the value 1 when a tram is detected on the entry section. - A signaling device 44, made up of a light placed at the switch and making it 25 possible to provide the driver of the tram with a visual indication of the state of the switching section 10 and the current interlocking position of the switch 15. - A device 42 for actuating the switch, making it possible to place the switch in a straight track interlocking position, for the circulation of a tram from the upstream section 4 to the first downstream section 26, or in a deviated track interlocking position, for the 30 circulation of a tram from the upstream section 4 to the second downstream section 28. - A second detection device 46 for detecting the presence of a tram on the exit section 17. This device incorporates a coil mass detector situated on the track. When a tram passes over this detector, the inductance of the coil is modified by the metal masses of the tram. This detector is able to generate a signal detecting the presence of a tram, 35 which is a binary signal assuming the value zero when no tram is detected on the exit section and the unit value when a tram is detected on the exit section. 2 2017201582 08 Mar 2017

In the present document, the term "track equipment" refers both to the sensor (antenna, axle counting device, etc.) and the actuator (motor for moving the switch point rail of the switch) and its low-level electronics, which for example makes it possible to digitize the analog signal delivered by a sensor or to apply an appropriate signal to power 5 the actuator.

Such an interlocking system works as follows.

Upon approaching the switching section 10 from the upstream section 4, and knowing that he for example wishes to enter the second downstream section 28, the driver uses an appropriate interface to initiate the sending, by the tram, of a command 10 message requesting that the switch be placed in the deviated track interlocking position.

While the tram passes over the antenna, the latter captures the command message and the communication equipment 40 sends the corresponding command to the interlocking device 30.

When the command is received, the interlocking device 30 first verifies that certain 15 safety conditions are met. In particular, the interlocking device 30 checks that the switching section 10 is in the "not locked" state.

The not locked state of the switching section is developed at each moment by the interlocking device 30 from signals detecting the presence of a tram generated on the one hand by the first upstream detection device and on the other hand by the second 20 downstream detection device. The switching section will be said to be in the "not locked" state if neither of these two detection devices detects the presence of a tram. In all other cases, the switching section will be in the “locked" state.

If, when the command sent by the tram is received, the switching section 10 is indeed in the "not locked" state, the interlocking device executes the command requesting 25 that the switch be placed in the deviated track interlocking position.

To that end, the interlocking device 30 reserves the switching section 10 by placing it in the “locked" state.

Then, the interlocking device 30 sends an actuating signal to the actuating device 42 so as to place the switch 15 in the requested position, in this case the deviated track 30 position. The interlocking device verifies the current interlocking position of the switch, and if necessary places the switch point rail of the switch in the deviated track position allowing the tram to travel from the upstream section to the second downstream section. The actuating device 42 sends a confirmation signal of the interlocking position of the switch to the interlocking device 30. 35 The interlocking device then sends a signaling signal to the signaling device 44 so that it indicates the current interlocking position of the switch point rail. Noting, according 3 2017201582 08 Mar 2017 to what is displayed by the signaling device, that the section has been reserved for him and that the switch is in the requested interlocking position, the driver of the tram drives the tram onto the switching section.

The interlocking device 30 next checks the following sequence of events: 5 - the detection signal of the presence of a tram by the first detection device goes from a zero value to a one value, indicating that the front of the tram has advanced onto the entry section; - the detection signal of the presence of a tram by the second detection device goes from a zero value to a one value, indicating that the front of the tram has advanced 10 onto the exit section, the tram being in the process of crossing the switch; - the detection signal of the presence of a tram by the first detection device goes from a one value to a zero value, indicating that the rear of the tram has left the entry section; and - the detection signal of the presence of a tram by the second detection device 15 goes from a one value to a zero value, indicating that the rear of the tram has left the exit section.

Observing that both the upstream and downstream detection signals are once again zero, the interlocking device 30 places the switching section 10 back in the "not locked" state. 20 If, when the command sent by the tram is received, the switching section 10 is in the “locked" state, the interlocking device 30 does not execute the command, but instead stores it in memory. It tries to execute it periodically until the safety constraints are met.

As long as the command has not been executed, the signaling device 30 displays a default signal indicating to the driver not to advance the tram on the switching section. 25 This interlocking system is fairly complex and requires a large number of track devices.

However, in tram car barns in particular, many switches are provided in a relatively small zone. As a result, there is a need to simplify interlocking systems to reduce their cost, simplify their installation and maintenance, and make them easier to use. 30 To that end, the invention relates to an interlocking system for a switching section of a railroad track, situated between an upstream section and first and second independent downstream sections, the switching section including an entry section, a switch, and an exit section, the system including an interlocking device and a plurality of track devices installed along the switching section and connected to the interlocking 35 device, characterized in that the plurality of track devices includes: a device actuating switching in a first or second interlocking position; a signaling device at the switch 4 2017201582 08 Mar 2017 displaying a state of the switching section and an interlocking position of the switch; and a device detecting the presence of a railway vehicle equipping the exit section and able to generate a detection signal, the detection device including a detector of the coil mass detector type, the interlocking system having no device for detecting the presence of a 5 vehicle upstream of the switch.

According to specific embodiments, the interlocking system has one or more of the following features, considered alone or according to any technically possible combinations: the interlocking device includes a radio communication module making it 10 possible to exchange messages with a radio communication module on board railway vehicles authorized to travel on the switching section. the interlocking device is able to reject a switching command message transmitted by a railway vehicle, when the command contained in said message cannot be executed immediately, the radio communication module of the railway vehicle 15 repeating the transmission of the command message until the corresponding command is executed. the interlocking device has no means for storing a command that cannot be executed immediately, or means for processing commands having been rejected and stored. 20 - the interlocking device updates an interlocking state of the switching section only from the current value of the interlocking state and values of the detection signal generated by the device for detecting the presence of a vehicle, installed downstream of the switch. the plurality of track devices further includes a manual interlocking control 25 panel connected to the interlocking device, the interlocking device being able, upon receiving a command to modify the interlocking position of the switch generated from said panel, to send an actuating signal to the actuating device of the switch. the system further includes a second device detecting the presence of a railway vehicle including a coil mass detector and installed downstream of the detection 30 device.

The invention also relates to a method for using the preceding interlocking system, including the following steps: periodically updating, via an interlocking device, the state of a switching section from a current state of the switching section and the signal generated by a detection device; checking the command, sent from a tram and received by the 35 interlocking device, and requesting that the switch be placed in a requested interlocking position, can be executed; executing the accepted command so as to place a switch point 2017201582 08 Mar 2017 5 rail of the switch in the requested interlocking position, the actuating device sending a confirmation signal of the current interlocking position of the switch to the interlocking device; using the interlocking device to change the state of the switching section to the "locked" state; sending a signal to the signaling device to display the current interlocking 5 position of the switch.

Preferably, the step consisting of updating the switching section consists of checking whether the current state is the "locked" state or the "not locked" state, and if the current state is the "locked" state, checking whether the detection equipment detects the presence of a tram, then detects the absence of a tram, the switching section going to the 10 "not triggered" state if so.

Also preferably, the step consisting of checking that the received command can be executed consists of checking the current value of the state of the switching section, the command being rejected when the switching section is in the "locked" state and, optionally, the current value of the detection signal generated by the detection device, the 15 command being rejected when the detection device detects the presence of a tram.

The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description, this embodiment being provided solely as a non-limiting example. This description is done in reference to the appended drawings, in which: - figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an interlocking system according to the state 20 of the art; - figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a simplified interlocking system according to the invention; and - figure 3 is a block diagram of the operating method of the interlocking system of figure 2. 25 In reference now to figure 2, one preferred embodiment of an interlocking system 101 according to the invention will now be described in detail.

Like in the state of the art, the system 101 equips a railroad track 2 including a switch. This track 2 successively includes an upstream section 4, a switching section 10 and first and second downstream sections 26 and 28. The switching section 10 includes 30 an entry section 14, the entry of which corresponds to the exit from the upstream section 4, the switch 15 strictly speaking, and an exit section 17, the exit of which is shared by the first and second downstream sections 26 and 28.

The system 101 includes an interlocking device 130 and a plurality of track devices installed along the track. 35 This plurality of devices includes at least: 6 2017201582 08 Mar 2017 - an actuating device 42 making it possible to place the switch 15 either in the deviated track interlocking position, or in the straight track interlocking position; - a signaling device 44, placed at the switch 15 making it possible to give the driver of the tram a visual indication of whether the switching section 10 is in the “locked" state 5 or the "not locked" state, and when it is in the "not locked" state, the current interlocking position of the switch 15; and - a detection device 46 for detecting the presence of a tram on the exit section 17. This device includes a coil mass detector. When a tram passes over this detector, the inductance of the coil is modified by the metal masses of the tram. This device is able to 10 generate a signal detecting the presence of a tram, which is a binary signal assuming the value zero when no tram is detected on the exit section 17 and the value one when a tram is detected on the exit section.

The interlocking device 130 is for example made up of a computer rather than an automaton of the relay type incorporating a plurality of switches. This computer includes a 15 computing means, such as a processor 132, and storage means, such as a random-access memory 134, the storage means storing computer program instructions able to be executed by the processor 132.

The device 130 also includes a plurality of input/output interfaces 142, 144 and 146, to which the various devices of the plurality of track devices are connected. 20 Preferably, the device 12 is also equipped with a radio communication module 150 making it possible to exchange messages between a tram and the interlocking device 130, instead of a short-range communication device of the type including an antenna along the track. The tram T is therefore also equipped with a radio communication module 151 for establishing a temporary wireless link with the module 150. For example, a link 25 using the Wi-Fi protocol can be implemented.

The device 130 includes a communication bus 160 connecting the various components.

The device 130 is therefore programmed differently to account for this minimum set of track devices and peripherals. The device 130 is programmed to carry out the 30 operating method that will now be described in reference to figure 3.

The operating method 200 includes a step 210, during which the device 130 periodically updates the state of the switching section 10 based on a current state of the switching section 10 and the signal generated by the detection device 46 only. The device 130 in particular checks whether the current state is the "locked" state or the "not locked" 35 state, and if the current state is the "locked" state, whether the detection device 46 detects the presence of a tram. 7 2017201582 08 Mar 2017

More specifically, if the current state is the "locked" state and if the detection device 46 detects the presence of a tram followed by the absence of a tram, the switching section 10 goes to the "not locked" state.

Otherwise, the switching section 10 stays in the "locked" state. 5 If the current state is the "not locked" state, the device 130 waits to receive a command message to interlock the switch 15.

In step 220, upon approaching the switching section 10 from the upstream section 4, and knowing that he for example wishes to enter the second downstream section 28, the driver of the tram uses an appropriate interface to initiate the sending, by the radio 10 communication module 151 on board the tram, of a command message requesting that the switch 15 be placed in the deviated track interlocking position.

During step 230, the radio communication module 150 of the device 130 receives the command message for interlocking of the switch 15, extracts the command therefrom and sends it to the processor 132 of the device 130. 15 In step 240, the device 130 checks that the received command can be executed.

This verification consists of checking the current value of the state of the section 10.

If the switching section 10 is in the "locked" state, the device 130 rejects the command and, in step 250, sends the tram a command refused message. 20 Advantageously, this verification also consists of checking the value of the signal generated by the detection device 46. If the detection device 46 detects the presence of a tram, the device 130 rejects the command and, in step 250, sends the tram T a command refused message.

Alternatively, other additional safety conditions may be checked in step 250 by the 25 device 130, in order to determine whether the received command can be executed.

The radio communication module 151 on board the tram is then invited to resend the command message regularly until the command is accepted by the device 130.

When the device 130 accepts the command, it executes it immediately.

To that end, in step 260, it applies an actuating signal to the actuating device 42 so 30 as to place the switch point rail of the switch 15 in the interlocking position requested by the command received from the tram.

In step 270, the device 42 checks the current position of the switch, and if necessary places the latter in the requested position, in the case at hand the deviated track position, allowing the tram to travel from the upstream section 4 to the second 35 downstream section 28. The actuating device 42 sends a confirmation signal of the current position of the switch 15 to the interlocking device 130. 2017201582 08 Mar 2017 8

In step 280, the device 130 changes the state of the switching section to the "locked" state.

In step 290, the device 130 sends a signal to the signaling device such that the latter displays the current interlocking position of the switch 15, so that the driver of the 5 tram is informed thereof and can check that his command has been taken into account and that the switch is in the appropriate position for the desired movement.

Then, in step 300, the tram T advances on the switching section 10, first on the entry section 14, then the switch 15, and lastly on the exit section 17.

At this moment, the detection device 46 for detecting the presence of a tram 10 generates a detection signal assuming the value one (detection of the presence of a tram).

The tram continues its movement and enters the second downstream section 28.

When the rear of the tram has left the exit section 17, the detection device 46 generates a detection signal assuming the value zero again (detection of the absence of a 15 tram).

In step 310, recognizing the change in the value of the detection signal first from zero to one, then from one to zero, the device 130 frees the switching section 10 by changing the state thereof and replacing it with the "not locked" value.

One skilled in the art will therefore note that the interlocking system described 20 above has a simplified structure relative to a system according to the state of the art, since it now includes only one device for detecting the presence of a tram.

Furthermore, in the particularly advantageous alternative embodiment in which the communication between the tram and the interlocking device is done using a radio communication link instead of using a near field communication device, the interlocking 25 device asks the tram to repeat the command message when the latter has been rejected, instead of saving this rejected command and trying to execute it later. It is thus possible to simplify the logic implemented by the interlocking device, the device no longer having to store a command that was not executed immediately or to have a loop making it possible to take stored commands into account and optionally a priority management mechanism 30 between the rejected commands and the new received commands.

Alternatively, as shown in dotted lines in figure 2, and in a known manner, the system can be equipped with a manual control board 48 for the interlocking. This board is placed near the track and can be actuated manually by an operator so as to change the interlocking position of the switch. This board is connected by an appropriate interface 148 35 to the interlocking device and constitutes an additional track device. 2017201582 08 Mar 2017 9

When a button provided on this board is actuated, the device 130 immediately changes the interlocking position of the switch. In the state of the art, when a manual interlocking command is received by the interlocking device, the latter checks beforehand whether one or the other of the first and second detection devices is sending a detection 5 signal with value one, i.e., indicating that the presence of a tram is detected.

It is not certain that the interlocking system described above can meet all of the safety constraints imposed by a given existing tram line, in particular the portion of tram lines transporting passengers as opposed to the car barn portions. However, it is certain that the present system meets reduced safety conditions, as may be found on car barn 10 portions, where vehicles travel at a lower speed and do not take on passengers.

For installation along the track so as to meet the safety criteria associated with transporting passengers, it is considered to add a second detection device to the interlocking system described above, said second detection device incorporating a coil mass detector, and to install it downstream of the device 46. 15 The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. 20 Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. 25

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. - An interlocking system (101) for a switching section (10) of a railroad track (2), the switching section (10) being located between an upstream section (4) and first and second downstream sections (26, 28), independent one form the other, and including an entry section (14), a switch (15), and an exit section (17), the interlocking system including an interlocking device (130) and a plurality of track devices installed along the switching section (10) and connected to the interlocking device (130), characterized in that the plurality of track devices includes: - an actuating device (42) to lock the switch in a first interlocking position or second interlocking position; - a signaling device (44), located at the switch, displaying a state of the switching section and a current interlocking position of the switch; and - a detection device for detecting the presence of a railway vehicle, equipping the exit section (17) and able to generate a detection signal, said detection device including a detector of the coil mass detector type, the interlocking system having no device for detecting the presence of a vehicle upstream of the switch.
2. - The system according to claim 1, wherein the interlocking device (130) includes a radio communication module (150) making it possible to exchange messages with a radio communication module (151) on board railway vehicles authorized to travel on the switching section.
3. - The system according to claim 2, wherein the interlocking device is able to reject a switching command message transmitted by a railway vehicle, when the command contained in said message cannot be executed immediately, the radio communication module (151) of the railway vehicle repeating the transmission of the switching command message until the corresponding command is executed.
4. - The system according to claim 3, wherein the interlocking device has no means for storing a command that cannot be executed immediately, or means for processing commands having been rejected and stored.
5. - The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interlocking device (130) updates an interlocking state of the switching section (10) only from the current value of the interlocking state and values of the detection signal generated by the detection device (46) for detecting the presence of a vehicle.
6. - The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of track devices further includes a manual interlocking control panel (48) connected to the interlocking device (130), the interlocking device being able, upon receiving a command to modify the interlocking position of the switch (15) generated from said panel, to send an actuating signal to the actuating device (42) of the switch (15).
7. - The system according to any one of the preceding claims, including a second device detecting the presence of a railway vehicle including a coil mass detector and installed downstream of the detection device (46).
8. - A method (200) for using an interlocking system (101) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it includes the following steps: - periodically updating (210), by means of an interlocking device (130), the state of a switching section (10) from a current state of the switching section (10) and the signal generated by a detection device (46); - checking (230) that a command, sent from a railway vehicle and received by the interlocking device (130), and requesting that the switch (15) be placed in a requested interlocking position, can be executed; - executing (260, 270) the accepted command so as to place a switch point rail of the switch (15) in the requested interlocking position, an actuating device (42) sending a confirmation signal of the current interlocking position of the switch (15) to the interlocking device (130); - changing (280), by means of the interlocking device (130), the state of the switching section (10) to the "locked" state; - sending (290) a signaling signal to the signaling device to display the current interlocking position of the switch (15).
9. - The method (200) according to claim 8, wherein the step consisting of updating (210) the state of the switching section (10) consists of checking whether the current state is the "locked" state or the "not locked" state, and if the current state is the "locked" state, checking whether the detection device (46) detects the presence of a railway vehicle and then detects the absence of a railway vehicle, and if so moving the switching section (10) into the "not locked" state.
10.- The method (200) according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the step consisting of checking (230) that the received command can be executed consists of checking the current value of the state of the switching section (10), the command being rejected when the switching section is in the "locked" state and, optionally, checking the current value of the detection signal generated by the detection device (46), the command being rejected when the detection device (46) detects the presence of a railway vehicle.