EP0624507B1 - Impedance bonds - Google Patents
Impedance bonds Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0624507B1 EP0624507B1 EP94301669A EP94301669A EP0624507B1 EP 0624507 B1 EP0624507 B1 EP 0624507B1 EP 94301669 A EP94301669 A EP 94301669A EP 94301669 A EP94301669 A EP 94301669A EP 0624507 B1 EP0624507 B1 EP 0624507B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- current
- bond unit
- impedance bond
- flow
- rails
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
- B61L1/00—Devices along the route controlled by interaction with the vehicle or vehicle train, e.g. pedals
- B61L1/18—Railway track circuits
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
- B61L1/00—Devices along the route controlled by interaction with the vehicle or vehicle train, e.g. pedals
- B61L1/18—Railway track circuits
- B61L1/181—Details
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
- B61L1/00—Devices along the route controlled by interaction with the vehicle or vehicle train, e.g. pedals
- B61L1/18—Railway track circuits
- B61L1/181—Details
- B61L1/187—Use of alternating current
Definitions
- This invention relates to impedance bonds for railways.
- the vehicles' traction power (which may be supplied to the vehicles by, for example, a catenary wire over the railway tracks) may be returned to the substation via the rails of the track.
- the highest efficiency is obtained when both rails are used.
- This may be done using a shorting bar to connect the rails directly together, but where track circuit signalling is used, shorting bars cannot be employed because they would short-circuit the track circuit system.
- the rails are connected by impedance bond connectors which present a low impedance at the frequency of operation of the traction circuit but a high impedance at the frequency at which the track circuit signalling system operates.
- impedance bonds include an LC circuit connected to the rails 1,2 via a transformer and resonated so as to have a high impedance at the frequency of the track circuit signals.
- the traction current is returned to the substation via a centre tap of the transformer. Where the bond acts only to balance the traction currents in the rails the centre tap is left unused.
- impedance bonds must maintain their impedance characteristics over a range of temperatures (to cope with varying weather conditions). It is difficult to design conventional impedance bonds to achieve this effect; and in overcoming the problem conventional impedance bonds are generally made to be bulky.
- an impedance bond unit for use in returning traction circuit current from first and second rails of a railway track, comprising:
- the sensing means preferably senses flow of current at the first or second input.
- the control signal preferably is produced in dependence on the sensed flow of current in the region of a determined frequency, suitably a track circuit frequency.
- the active control means includes power amplification means (which could be linear but most preferably includes switch mode power amplification means) preferably controlled by the feedback means so as cause power to be applied selectively between the rails to reduce said flow of signalling current.
- power amplification means which could be linear but most preferably includes switch mode power amplification means
- the active control means includes a transformer having a first winding coupled between the first input and the second input, with a centre tap coupled with the traction output; and a second winding coupled so as to receive power from the power supply means.
- the sensing means preferably senses flow of current between the first winding of the transformer and one rail of the track.
- FIG. 2 shows two side-by-side rails 1,2 between which one winding 3 of a transformer is connected via inputs 1' and 2'.
- the other winding 4 of the transformer is connected across an active power supply/amplification circuit 5.
- the active power supply/amplification circuit 5 supplies power selectively across the winding 4 so as to give the effect of reducing the flow of signalling current between the rails whilst allowing flow of traction current from the rails to a traction return output 3' connected to a centre tap of the winding 3.
- FIG. 3 shows the impedance bond unit in greater detail.
- the rails 1,2 are coupled together via inputs 1' and 2' across one winding 3 of a transformer, a centre tap 6 of which receives traction current to be returned via output 3' from vehicles on the track, for example to a substation.
- the other winding 4 of the transformer is connected across the active power supply circuit 5. This comprises a power supply unit 7 and a switch mode amplifier 8.
- the power supply unit comprises a standard rectifying power supply circuit connected between the rails via inputs 1'' and 2'', and a switch mode power supply unit 9, and uses the signalling current in the rails for its power.
- the unit could use a separate source if available.
- the switch mode amplifier 8 comprises a current sensor 10, a control feedback unit 11 and a control circuit 12.
- the current sensor 10 detects the flow of current between the impedance bond unit and the rail 2.
- a representation of the detected current is transmitted to the control feedback unit 11 which, using negative feedback, produces a feedback signal in dependence on the detected flow of current at (or in the region of) a determined frequency (the frequency of the track circuit signals in the railway system).
- the feedback signal is received by control circuit 12 which selectively controls the supply of power from the power supply unit 7 to the winding 4 of the transformer, in response to the feedback signal, so as to ensure that the flow of current through the impedance bond unit at (or in the region of) the determined frequency of the track circuit signals is minimized. This involves current flow to and from the power supply unit. Thus the power supply unit only needs to supply power to cover any power losses.
- the circuit may include resonant capacitor 13 connected across winding 4.
- the impedance bond unit may be used to assist in the management of the railway system by measuring and recording (or transmitting to a control station) data on the flow of current in the system.
- data could include details of the level of the traction return current, the difference in current between the rails and the harmonic content of the return current could be measured.
- current sensor 10 has an output 14 for transmitting to a recordal/transmission unit data concerning the detected flow of current.
Description
- This invention relates to impedance bonds for railways.
- Where railway vehicles are electrically powered, the vehicles' traction power (which may be supplied to the vehicles by, for example, a catenary wire over the railway tracks) may be returned to the substation via the rails of the track. The highest efficiency is obtained when both rails are used. In this case it is necessary to connect the rails so as to balance the return of traction current between them and to provide a return path from both rails to the substation. This may be done using a shorting bar to connect the rails directly together, but where track circuit signalling is used, shorting bars cannot be employed because they would short-circuit the track circuit system. In that case, to balance the traction current the rails are connected by impedance bond connectors which present a low impedance at the frequency of operation of the traction circuit but a high impedance at the frequency at which the track circuit signalling system operates.
- Conventionally (as shown schematically in Figure 1), impedance bonds include an LC circuit connected to the
rails 1,2 via a transformer and resonated so as to have a high impedance at the frequency of the track circuit signals. The traction current is returned to the substation via a centre tap of the transformer. Where the bond acts only to balance the traction currents in the rails the centre tap is left unused. However, impedance bonds must maintain their impedance characteristics over a range of temperatures (to cope with varying weather conditions). It is difficult to design conventional impedance bonds to achieve this effect; and in overcoming the problem conventional impedance bonds are generally made to be bulky. - According to the present invention there is provided an impedance bond unit for use in returning traction circuit current from first and second rails of a railway track, comprising:
- a first input for connection to said first rail;
- a second input for connection to said second rail;
- a traction output for returning traction current; and
- control means coupled with the first and second inputs and the traction output for allowing flow of traction current from the first and second inputs to the traction output, and acting to reduce the flow of signalling current between the first and second inputs, characterised in that said control means comprises active control means which includes:
- sensing means for sensing the flow of signalling current between the rails, through the impedance bond unit, and for producing a control signal in dependence on the sensed flow of signalling current; and
- feedback means for controlling the active control means in response to the control signal to reduce the flow of signalling current between the first and second inputs.
- The sensing means preferably senses flow of current at the first or second input.
- The control signal preferably is produced in dependence on the sensed flow of current in the region of a determined frequency, suitably a track circuit frequency.
- Preferably the active control means includes power amplification means (which could be linear but most preferably includes switch mode power amplification means) preferably controlled by the feedback means so as cause power to be applied selectively between the rails to reduce said flow of signalling current.
- Preferably the active control means includes a transformer having a first winding coupled between the first input and the second input, with a centre tap coupled with the traction output; and a second winding coupled so as to receive power from the power supply means. The sensing means preferably senses flow of current between the first winding of the transformer and one rail of the track.
- The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an impedance bond unit; and
- Figure 3 is a schematic diagram in greater detail of an impedance bond unit.
- Figure 2 shows two side-by-
side rails 1,2 between which one winding 3 of a transformer is connected via inputs 1' and 2'. Theother winding 4 of the transformer is connected across an active power supply/amplification circuit 5. This replaces the capacitor of the conventional impedance bond circuit. The active power supply/amplification circuit 5 supplies power selectively across the winding 4 so as to give the effect of reducing the flow of signalling current between the rails whilst allowing flow of traction current from the rails to a traction return output 3' connected to a centre tap of the winding 3. - Figure 3 shows the impedance bond unit in greater detail. The
rails 1,2 are coupled together via inputs 1' and 2' across one winding 3 of a transformer, acentre tap 6 of which receives traction current to be returned via output 3' from vehicles on the track, for example to a substation. Theother winding 4 of the transformer is connected across the activepower supply circuit 5. This comprises apower supply unit 7 and aswitch mode amplifier 8. - The power supply unit comprises a standard rectifying power supply circuit connected between the rails via inputs 1'' and 2'', and a switch mode
power supply unit 9, and uses the signalling current in the rails for its power. Alternatively the unit could use a separate source if available. - The
switch mode amplifier 8 comprises acurrent sensor 10, acontrol feedback unit 11 and acontrol circuit 12. Thecurrent sensor 10 detects the flow of current between the impedance bond unit and therail 2. A representation of the detected current is transmitted to thecontrol feedback unit 11 which, using negative feedback, produces a feedback signal in dependence on the detected flow of current at (or in the region of) a determined frequency (the frequency of the track circuit signals in the railway system). The feedback signal is received bycontrol circuit 12 which selectively controls the supply of power from thepower supply unit 7 to the winding 4 of the transformer, in response to the feedback signal, so as to ensure that the flow of current through the impedance bond unit at (or in the region of) the determined frequency of the track circuit signals is minimized. This involves current flow to and from the power supply unit. Thus the power supply unit only needs to supply power to cover any power losses. - To reduce the load on the
switch mode amplifier 8, the circuit may includeresonant capacitor 13 connected across winding 4. - The impedance bond unit may be used to assist in the management of the railway system by measuring and recording (or transmitting to a control station) data on the flow of current in the system. For example, such data could include details of the level of the traction return current, the difference in current between the rails and the harmonic content of the return current could be measured. To allow this to be done,
current sensor 10 has anoutput 14 for transmitting to a recordal/transmission unit data concerning the detected flow of current.
Claims (13)
- An impedance bond unit for use in returning traction circuit current from first and second rails (1,2) of a railway track, comprising:a first input (1') for connection to said first rail (1);a second input (2') for connection to said second rail (2);a traction output (3') for returning traction current; andcontrol means (5) coupled with the first and second inputs and the traction output (3') for allowing flow of traction current from the first and second inputs (1',2') to the traction output (3'), and for acting to reduce the flow of signalling current between the first and second inputs (1',2'), characterised in that said control means (5) comprises active control means which includes:sensing means (10) for sensing the flow of signalling current between the rails, through the impedance bond unit, and for producing a control signal in dependence on the sensed flow of signalling current; andfeedback means (11,12) for controlling the action of the active control means in response to the control signal to reduce the flow of signalling current between the first and second inputs.
- An impedance bond unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing means (10) senses flow of current at one of said inputs (1',2').
- An impedance bond unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sensing means (10) includes an output (14) for transmitting data concerning the sensed flow of current to recordal or transmission means.
- An impedance bond unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control signal is produced in dependence on the sensed flow of current in the region of a determined frequency.
- An impedance bond unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein the determined frequency is a track circuit frequency.
- An impedance bond unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the active control means (5) includes power amplification means (8).
- An impedance bond unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the power amplification means (8) is switch mode amplification means.
- An impedance bond unit as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the power amplification means (8) is controlled by the feedback means (11,12) so as to cause power to be applied selectively between the rails (1,2) to reduce said flow of signalling current.
- An impedance bond unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the active control means (5) includes power supply means (7).
- An impedance bond unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the power supply means (7) includes a switch mode power supply means (9).
- An impedance bond unit as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the power supply means (7) includes third and fourth inputs (1'', 2'') for connection to the first and second rails (1,2) respectively, to allow the power supply means (7) to draw power from track circuit signals in the rails.
- An impedance bond unit as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the active control means (5) includes a transformer having a first winding (3) coupled between the first input (1') and the second input (2'), with a centre tap (6) coupled with the traction output (3'); and a second winding (4) coupled so as to receive power from the power supply means (7).
- An impedance bond unit according to claim 12, wherein the sensing means (10) senses flow of current between the first winding (3) of the transformer and one of the rails (1,2) of the track.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9309993A GB2278005B (en) | 1993-05-14 | 1993-05-14 | Impedance bonds |
GB9309993 | 1993-05-14 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0624507A1 EP0624507A1 (en) | 1994-11-17 |
EP0624507B1 true EP0624507B1 (en) | 1997-10-22 |
Family
ID=10735509
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP94301669A Expired - Lifetime EP0624507B1 (en) | 1993-05-14 | 1994-03-09 | Impedance bonds |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0624507B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69406354T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2107746T3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2278005B (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2278219B (en) * | 1993-05-20 | 1997-01-22 | Westinghouse Brake & Signal | Railway track circuits |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2240673A5 (en) * | 1973-08-10 | 1975-03-07 | Jeumont Schneider | Railway system AC pulsed track circuits - eliminates stray interference effects from return traction current |
IT1151495B (en) * | 1980-04-18 | 1986-12-17 | Ansaldo Sa | HARMONIC TRACTION CURRENT DISTANCE DETECTOR IN TRACK CIRCUITS |
IT1157785B (en) * | 1982-11-23 | 1987-02-18 | Sasib Spa | IMBALANCE DETECTOR DEVICE BETWEEN THE TWO FRACTIONS OF THE TRACTION RETURN CURRENT ON THE TWO RAILS OF A RAILWAY TRACK |
-
1993
- 1993-05-14 GB GB9309993A patent/GB2278005B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1994
- 1994-03-09 EP EP94301669A patent/EP0624507B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-03-09 ES ES94301669T patent/ES2107746T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-03-09 DE DE1994606354 patent/DE69406354T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
Electronic Circuits, Design and Applications, U.Tietze and Ch. Schenk, Springer-Verlag, Berlin 1991, pages 350-351, 372-373 and 384-385. * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69406354T2 (en) | 1998-05-20 |
GB2278005A (en) | 1994-11-16 |
GB2278005B (en) | 1997-01-15 |
DE69406354D1 (en) | 1997-11-27 |
ES2107746T3 (en) | 1997-12-01 |
GB9309993D0 (en) | 1993-06-30 |
EP0624507A1 (en) | 1994-11-17 |
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