EP2858875B1 - Locating of rail vehicles - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method having the features according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such a method is known from the international patent application WO 2011/027166 A1 and also from the patent US 5,330,136 known. In this prior art
Method is provided for locating a rail vehicle along a rail track, a waveguide, which is laid along the rail route. Electromagnetic pulses are fed one after the other into the waveguide. At least one backscatter pattern generated by vehicle-induced backscattering of the electromagnetic pulse is received and evaluated for each emitted pulse. By evaluating the backscatter patterns, the rail vehicle is located on the railway line.

The invention has for its object to provide a method that allows reliable error detection in case of malfunction of the locating device.

This object is achieved by a method having the features according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention are specified in subclaims.

Thereafter, the invention provides that a device located in the region of the rail track at a known position vibration device is activated at a predetermined activation time and thereby at the known position a backscatter of the electromagnetic pulse causing vibration is generated, the period between the activation time and the input of the Vibration indicating backscatter pattern is measured and the measured time duration for checking the operation of the locating device or used to calibrate the locating device.

A significant advantage of the method according to the invention is the fact that with this the operation of the locating device can be checked regularly with little effort. For checking, it is merely necessary to deliberately generate a shock and to evaluate the behavior of the locating device.

Preferably, an error signal indicating a malfunction of the locating device is generated when the measured time period reaches or exceeds a predetermined maximum time duration or when the measured time duration reaches or falls below a predetermined minimum time duration. In both cases, the evaluation device can namely assume that the locating device is not working correctly, either because it is defective or because it has been manipulated.

In order to allow a check of the locating device without additional equipment and thus with minimal cost, it is considered advantageous when a vibration device - a - anyway present - mechanically adjustable outdoor equipment element of the track system is activated and the outside equipment element when adjusting the vibration and thus the backscatter of the electromagnetic pulses is caused.

Switches, track locks, sash signals or barriers are particularly suitable for generating vibrations, so that it is considered advantageous if a switch, a track lock, a sash signal or a barrier is adjusted as the exterior system element of the track system and the vibration and the backscattering of the electromagnetic pulses caused by the switching of such an outdoor equipment element.

In addition, a correction value can be formed with the measured time duration, which can be taken into account when locating rail vehicles on the rail track.

It is considered to be advantageous, for example, if the time interval between the feeding of the electromagnetic pulses into the waveguide and the detection of the respectively associated vehicle-induced backscatter pattern is measured for locating a rail vehicle on the railway track, the correction value is subtracted from this period of time to form a corrected period and a location signal indicating the location of the vehicle is generated on the basis of the corrected time span.

The invention further relates to a locating device for locating a rail vehicle along a railway track with a waveguide laid along the railway track, a pulse generating device for generating and feeding temporally successive electromagnetic pulses into the waveguide, a detection device for detecting backscatter patterns generated by backscattering and a Evaluation device that can evaluate the backscatter patterns for locating the rail vehicle.

With regard to such a locating device, it is provided according to the invention that the locating device has a vibration device which is located in the region of the railroad track at a known position and which is connected to the evaluation device, which can be activated at a predetermined activation time, thereby providing backscattering of the electromagnetic pulses at the known position can produce generating vibration, wherein the evaluation device is configured such that it can activate the vibration device at a predetermined activation time and the time between the receipt of the vibration indicating backscatter pattern and the activation time for checking the operation the locating device or for calibrating the locating device can use.

With regard to the advantages of the locating device according to the invention, reference is made to the above statements in connection with the method according to the invention, since the advantages of the method according to the invention essentially correspond to those of the locating device according to the invention.

It is considered to be particularly advantageous if the evaluation device is designed such that it generates an error signal indicating a malfunction of the positioning device, if the measured time duration reaches or exceeds a predetermined maximum time duration or if the measured time duration reaches or falls below a predetermined minimum time duration.

The vibration device is preferably formed by an exterior system element of the track system, particularly preferably by a switch, a track barrier, a sash signal or a barrier.

Figur 1

ein Ausführungsbeispiel für eine erfindungsgemäße Ortungseinrichtung zum Orten eines Schienenfahrzeugs entlang einer Schienenstrecke,

Figur 2

beispielhaft Rückstreumuster, die das Schienenfahrzeugs gemäß Figur 1 erzeugt, und

Figur 3

beispielhaft ein Rückstreumuster, das durch eine Erschütterungseinrichtung der Ortungseinrichtung gemäß Figur 1 erzeugt wird.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments; thereby show by way of example

FIG. 1

An embodiment of a locating device according to the invention for locating a rail vehicle along a rail track,

FIG. 2

exemplary backscatter pattern, the rail vehicle according to FIG. 1 generated, and

FIG. 3

For example, a backscatter pattern, the by a vibration device of the locating device according to FIG. 1 is produced.

For the sake of clarity, the same reference numbers are always used in the figures for identical or comparable components.

The FIG. 1 shows a locating device 10, a pulse generating device 20, a detection device 30, an optical coupling device 40, a waveguide 50 z. B. in the form of an optical waveguide, an evaluation device 60 and located at a known position vibration device 70 includes.

The pulse generating device 20 preferably has a laser, which is not further shown, and which makes it possible to generate pulses, for example at a fixed pulse rate, of short electromagnetic, in particular optical, pulses and to feed them into the waveguide 50 via the coupling device 40. The pulse generating device 20 is preferably activated by the evaluation device 60, so that the evaluation device 60 is at least approximately aware of the times of pulse generation.

The detection device 30 has, for example, a photodetector which makes it possible to detect electromagnetic radiation. The detection device 30 transmits its measurement signals to the evaluation device 60, which evaluates them.

In the FIG. 1 It can be seen that the waveguide 50 is arranged along a rail track 100. On the railway line 100 a rail vehicle 110 travels along the direction of the arrow P from left to right.

• Die Auswerteinrichtung 60 steuert die Pulserzeugungseinrichtung 20 derart an, dass diese zeitlich nacheinander elektromagnetische Pulse Pin über die Koppeleinrichtung 40 in den Wellenleiter 50 einspeist. Die erzeugten elektromagnetischen Pulse Pin laufen entlang der Pfeilrichtung P in der Figur 1 von links nach rechts und werden vorzugsweise am Wellenleiterende 50a von einer Absorptionseinrichtung 200 absorbiert.

The locating device 10 according to FIG. 1 can be operated to locate the rail vehicle 110, for example, as follows:

• The evaluation device 60 controls the pulse generating device 20 in such a way that these pulse pulses in chronological succession via the coupling device 40 in the Waveguide 50 feeds. The generated electromagnetic pulses Pin run along the direction of the arrow P in the FIG. 1 from left to right and are preferably absorbed at the waveguide end 50a by an absorber 200.

By traveling on the rail track 100 rail vehicle 110, the waveguide 50 is locally shaken or vibrated; this is in the FIG. 1 indicated by arrows with the reference Ms. Due to these vibrations or due to the vibrations of the waveguide 50, a backscattering of the electromagnetic radiation will occur locally in the area in which the rail vehicle 110 is currently located. The backscattered radiation runs counter to the direction of travel P of the rail vehicle 110 or against the direction of the arrow P in the direction of the coupling device 40 and in the direction of the detection device 30 and is detected there by the detection device 30. The intensity of the backscattered radiation Ir (t) measured by the detection device 30 is shown in FIG FIG. 2 shown over time t.

In the FIG. 2 It can be seen that the backscattered radiation Ir (t) has a backscatter pattern Rm characteristic of the vibration caused by the rail vehicle 110 and coupled into the waveguide 50. The evaluation device 60 is designed such that it evaluates the time periods which pass between the feeding of the electromagnetic pulses Pin into the waveguide 50 and the detection of the respectively associated backscatter patterns Rm.

In the FIG. 2 It can be seen that the time span dt elapses between the electromagnetic excitation pulse, which was generated in the illustration according to FIG. 1 at the time t = 0, and the recognition of the associated backscatter pattern Rm. The time span dt is based on the transit time, ie the electromagnetic pulse in the waveguide 50 in the direction of the rail vehicle, the transit time dr of the electromagnetic backscatter pattern in the waveguide 50 in the direction of detection device 30 and a system-related delay time dv, which is required for the generation of pulses, the detection of the backscattered radiation Ir (t) and the computer or computer-assisted evaluation of the backscattered radiation to detect the backscatter patterns. It therefore applies: $$\mathrm{dt}=\mathrm{dr}+\mathrm{ie}+\mathrm{dv}$$

It is obvious that with increasing distance of the rail vehicle 110 from the pulse generating device 20 or the detection device 30, the time span dt increases as the transit times dh and dr increase. The system-related delay time dv will remain approximately constant or vary stochastically to a certain extent.

This situation is exemplary in the FIG. 2 indicated by a dashed backscatter pattern Rm 'taken at a later time when the rail vehicle 110 has continued to travel along the direction of arrow P. The corresponding position of the rail vehicle is in the FIG. 1 shown by dashed lines and designated by the reference numeral 110 '.

wobei Ls die Länge des Wellenleiterabschnitts zwischen der Pulserzeugungseinrichtung 20 bzw. der Detektionseinrichtung 30 und der jeweiligen Position des Schienenfahrzeugs 110 bezeichnet und wobei V die Geschwindigkeit der Pulse im Wellenleiter 50 angibt. Der Faktor 1/2 berücksichtigt, dass die Strahlung den jeweiligen Wellenleiterabschnitt zweimal durchlaufen muss, nämlich einmal in Hinrichtung und einmal in Rückrichtung.The evaluation device 60 is thus able to use the time span dt or dt 'to determine the location of the rail vehicle 110 and to generate a corresponding location signal So; In doing so, it can ignore or take into account the system-related delay time dv, if it is known, by deducting the system-related delay time dv. The location of rail vehicle 110 may be calculated, for example, according to: $$\mathrm{ls}=1/2*\left(\mathrm{dt}-\mathrm{dv}\right)/\mathrm{V}$$

where Ls denotes the length of the waveguide section between the pulse generating device 20 and the detection device 30 and the respective position of the rail vehicle 110 and where V indicates the velocity of the pulses in the waveguide 50. The factor 1/2 takes into account that the radiation must pass through the respective waveguide section twice, namely once in the direction of execution and once in the return direction.

wobei c0 die Lichtgeschwindigkeit und n die Brechzahl im Wellenleiter 50 angibt.For the velocity V, for example: $$\mathrm{V}=\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="0"\; label="c"\; filenames="imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">c</figure-callout>}0/\mathrm{n}$$

where c0 indicates the speed of light and n the refractive index in waveguide 50.

The FIG. 1 also shows that the vibration device 70 located in the region of the rail track 100 at a known position is in communication with the evaluation device 60 and can be activated by the latter by means of an activation signal ST. The vibration device 70 is preferably an exterior element of the track system of the rail track 100, in particular a switch, a track barrier, a wing signal or a barrier. These devices generate when actuated mechanical vibrations that shake the ground and thus can be used as targeted vibration devices, although their main function is actually another.

If the vibration device 70 is activated by means of the activation signal ST, it generates shocks which occur in the FIG. 1 are indicated by arrows with the reference Me. These vibrations also lead to a backscattering of the electromagnetic pulses Pin and to a characteristic backscatter pattern Rme, which in the intensity signal Ir (t) in the FIG. 3 is recognizable. The FIG. 3 shows in addition to the backscatter pattern Rme of the vibration device 70 and the backscatter pattern Rm of the rail vehicle 110 according to FIG. 1 which is located between the pulse generating device 20 or the detection device 30 and the vibration device 70.

The backscatter pattern Rme of the vibration device 70 is generated at a known location in the waveguide 50 because the location of the vibration device 70 in the track system is known. The distance of the vibration device 70 from the coupling device 40 is in the FIG. 1 denoted by the reference Le.

$$\mathrm{Tv}\ge \mathrm{Tmin}\Rightarrow \mathrm{Fehlersignal\; F\; wird\; erzeugt}$$

The evaluation device 60 will measure the time period Tv between the generation of the activation signal ST and the recognition of the characteristic backscatter pattern Rme and generate an error signal F if the period Tv is too large or too small or in other words reaches or exceeds a predetermined maximum time period Tmax or reaches or falls below a predetermined minimum time duration Tmin: $$\mathrm{tv}\ge \mathrm{Tmax}\Rightarrow \mathrm{Error\; signal\; F\; is\; generated}$$

$$\mathrm{tv}\ge \mathrm{Tmin}\Rightarrow \mathrm{Error\; signal\; F\; is\; generated}$$

In both cases, the evaluation device 60 assumes that the locating device 10 is not working correctly, either because it is defective or because it has been manipulated.

wobei p einen Proportionalitätsfaktor angibt.Since the time period Tv approximately corresponds to the system-related delay time dv or is at least approximately proportional thereto, the evaluation device 60 can form a correction value K with the time period Tv, which can be taken into account when locating the rail vehicle 110 on the rail track 100, for example according to: $$\mathrm{K}=\mathrm{p}*\mathrm{tv}.$$

where p indicates a proportionality factor.

The evaluation device can take account of the correction value K, for example, by calculating the correction value K from the time intervals measured in the future to form a correction value K subtracts corrected period and generates in each case on the basis of the corrected time a location of the rail vehicle indicating location signal So.

Additionally or alternatively, the evaluation device 60 can determine the system-related delay time dv during the operation of the vibration device 70 by further evaluating the time interval dte between the generation of the electromagnetic pulses Pin and the detection of the respective backscatter pattern Rme in the further course (cf. FIG. 3 ).

Since the distance Le to the vibration device 70 is known, the evaluation device 60 can determine the system-related delay time dv, which is required for pulse generation, detection and evaluation of the backscatter patterns, by calculating the transit times of the electromagnetic pulses in the waveguide 50 from the measured time span subtracts, for example, as follows: $$\mathrm{dv}=\mathrm{dte}-\mathrm{Le}/\left(2*\mathrm{V}\right).$$

The measured value for the measured system-related delay time is - as explained above - preferably taken into account during the localization.

While the invention has been further illustrated and described in detail by way of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

locating device

20

Pulse generating means

30

detection device

40

coupling device

50

waveguides

50a

Waveguide end

60

evaluation

70

vibration device

100

railway line

110

track vehicle

110 '

track vehicle

200

absorber

dt

Period of time

dt '

Period of time

dte

Period of time

F

error signal

Ir (t)

backscattered radiation

Le

Distance to the vibration device

ls

Distance to the rail vehicle

me

Shock caused by vibration device

ms

Shock by rail vehicle

P

Arrow / direction

Pin code

electromagnetic pulses

rm

Backscatter

rm '

Backscatter

warmth

Backscatter

So

location signal

ST

activation signal

t

time

Claims (10)

1. Method for operating a locating apparatus (10) which comprises a waveguide (50) laid along a stretch of track (100) for locating a rail vehicle (110) on the stretch of track (100), wherein the method consists of injecting a series of electromagnetic pulses (Pin) into the waveguide (50) and receiving and evaluating backscatter patterns (Rm, Rm') produced by backscattering of the electromagnetic pulse (Pin) for each pulse (Pin) transmitted,
   characterised in that

   - a vibration device (70) installed at a known position in the region of the stretch of track (100) is activated at a predefined activation time, thereby producing at the known position a vibration (Me) causing backscattering of the electromagnetic pulse (Pin),

   - the time between the activation time and the arrival of the backscatter pattern (Rme) indicating the vibration is measured and

   - the measured time is used for checking the operation of the locating apparatus (10) or for calibrating the locating apparatus (10).
2. Method according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   a fault signal (F) indicating a malfunction of the locating apparatus (10) is generated,

   - if the measured time reaches or exceeds a predefined maximum duration or

   - if the measured time reaches or falls below a predefined minimum duration.
3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that

   - a mechanically movable outdoor element of the track system is activated as a vibration device (70) and

   - the vibration and therefore the backscattering of the electromagnetic pulses (Pin) is produced when the outdoor element is moved.
4. Method according to claim 3,
   characterised in that

   - the movable outdoor element of the track system is a switch, a derail, a semaphore signal or a barrier gate and

   - the vibration and the backscattering of the electromagnetic pulses (Pin) is produced when said element is moved.
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that the measured time is used to create a correction value which is taken into account for locating rail vehicles on the stretch of track (100).
6. Method according to claim 5,
   characterised in that

   - to locate a rail vehicle (110) on the stretch of track (100) the time between injection of the electromagnetic pulses (Pin) into the waveguide (50) and detection of the associated vehicle-induced backscatter pattern (Rm, Rm') is measured,

   - the correction value is subtracted from this time to produce a corrected time and

   - a location signal (So) indicating the location of the vehicle is generated on the basis of the corrected time.
7. Locating apparatus (10) for locating a rail vehicle (110) along a stretch of track (100) comprising

   - a waveguide (50) laid along the stretch of track (100),

   - a pulse generating device (20) for generating and injecting a series of electromagnetic pulses (Pin) into the waveguide (50),

   - a detection device (30) for detecting backscatter patterns (Rm, Rm') caused by backscattering and

   - an evaluation device (60) which can evaluate the backscatter patterns (Rm, Rm') to locate the rail vehicle (110), characterised in that

   - the locating apparatus (10) has a vibration device (70) installed at a known position in the region of the stretch of track (100) and connected to the evaluation device (60), said locating device being activatable at a predefined activation time, thereby enabling it to produce, at the known position, a vibration causing backscattering of the electromagnetic pulses (Pin),

   - wherein the evaluation device (60) is designed to be able to activate the vibration device (70) at a predefined activation time and use the time between the arrival of the backscatter pattern (Rme) indicating the vibration and the activation time to check the operation of the locating apparatus (10) or to calibrate the locating apparatus (10).
8. Locating apparatus (10) according to claim 7,
   characterised in that the evaluation device (60) is designed to generate a fault signal (F) indicating a malfunction of the locating apparatus (10),

   - if the measured time reaches or exceeds a predefined maximum duration or

   - if the measured time reaches or falls below a predefined minimum duration.
9. Locating apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims 7-8,
   characterised in that the vibration device (70) is an outdoor element of the track system.
10. Locating apparatus (10) according to claim 9,
    characterised in that the outdoor element of the track system is a switch, a derail, a semaphore signal or a barrier gate.

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