EP3313709A1

EP3313709A1 - System and method for supplying decentralized functional units with electrical energy

Info

Publication number: EP3313709A1
Application number: EP16722583.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Martin Hediger; Anton Reichlin; Daniel Sigg
Original assignee: Siemens Schweiz AG
Current assignee: Siemens Mobility AG
Priority date: 2015-06-25
Filing date: 2016-05-02
Publication date: 2018-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2036-05-02
Also published as: WO2016206842A1; EP3313709B1; EP3109125A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and to a method for supplying decentralized functional units (E) arranged in an industrial installation with electrical energy, wherein: a) a superordinate control system (STW) is provided, which exchanges information with the decentralized functional units (E) by means of data telegrams via a data bus (CB, NB1, NB2), b) network node units (SND) are arranged sequentially between two feed points (PS1, PS2) of an energy bus (EB) having a ring-like structure, which network node units provide the decentralized functional units (E) with the access to the energy bus (EB) and optionally to the data bus (CB), c) the network node units (SND) have a controllable switching module (S), which comprises a first switch (S1) and a second switch (S2), wherein each switch (S1, S2) can be used to switch access to one of the two feed points (PS1, PS2), d) the first switch (S1) and/or the second switch (S2) is selectively opened and a voltage dropping across the inputs of the energy bus into the network node unit can be measured; and e) an evaluating module (CPU, SL) is provided, which evaluates the measured voltage within a network node unit (SND) and/or among adjacent network node units (SND) for an interruption of the energy bus (EB) and/or a faulty switching module (S).

Description

System and method for supplying decentralized

Functional units with electrical energy

The present invention relates to a system and method for supplying decentralized functional units with electrical energy arranged in an industrial plant.

Such decentralized functional units are in

Particular in rail networks, for example, used as the railway where they are used to

To control vehicle influencing and / or vehicle monitoring units and to monitor the functionality and to record process data and report back to a central control and / or monitoring center, such as a control center or a signal box. As train-influencing units, that is

Give instructions to the driver or even make direct intervention in the vehicle control or directly set a safe track, for example, signals, switches, balises, line conductors, track magnets and the like, as well as sensors for detecting

Process variables of the moving train, such as

Power consumption, speed and the like can be considered. As a train and track section

Monitoring units can also use balises and

Line conductors, but also axle counters and track circuits and other train detection systems are called.

Basically, however, the present invention relates to all industrial installations in which functional

Units are distributed over longer distances and still need to be controlled centrally. The central controller can be perceived by a stationary control center, but also by a non-stationary virtual control center.

In railway traffic, it is usually so that these decentralized functional units of a signal box or be controlled a remote interlocking computer. For the data transfer between the signal box and the

Functional units in the track area are nowadays generally provided with standardized copper cables, for whose classical travel distances the upper limit is 10 km in practice due to the physical transmission parameters, the cable coverings (RLC). For certain types of functional units, however, this upper limit can only be at a maximum of 6.5 km.

From the project Sinet® Siemens Siemens AG and the corresponding European patent application EP 2 301 202 AI are a device and a method for controlling and / or monitoring of along a

Transport network arranged decentralized

Functional units are known which comprise the following key points:

a) a higher-level control system which exchanges information with the decentralized functional units by means of data telegrams,

b) a data transport network with a number of

Network access points, where the parent

Control system is coupled via at least one network access point on the data transport network;

c) communication units, each at a

Network access point are connected, wherein:

d) the decentralized functional units are combined into subgroups, each with its own subnetwork; and where

e) the subnetwork of each of the subgroups at each of its two ends is coupled to the data transport network via a communication unit and via a network access point. In this way, a digital data transport network can be used for the coupling of the decentralized functional units, which is robust in each case against a simple error event, yet a very skillful use of very widely used in railway engineering copper cables, for example, previously available interlocking cables, and finally requires only a relatively small number of network access points.

Such a device is in particular

advantageous for a rail network for the

Railway traffic can be used. Consequently, in a further advantageous refinement, it is then expedient to use the decentralized functional units to monitor traffic-controlling and traffic-controlling functional units, such as

especially signals, switches, axle counters,

Track circuits, point and line

Train control elements to couple to the data transport network.

The construction of technical facilities, especially in the railway infrastructure, is due to the more than 100 years of history of industrial plant construction and the

Railway system designed for robustness and reliability. In the former conception, the outer elements of the railway safety systems were connected in particular via relatively strong cable cores in order to be able to reliably detect the switching states over the defined distances, ie. the design is carried out according to the

Peak loads with sufficient reserve. With the switching operation of the outer elements is on the

Energy supply also transmitted the information. It follows, however, in an obvious way, that the

possible distances are limited by the detectable energy flow. In today's flexibility, cost and resource policy aspects, these established concepts are urgently needed in addition to the communication structure disclosed by EP 2 301 202 A1

Energy supply to innovate and so the previous

Coupling of information and energy dissolve. For this purpose, the international patent application WO 2013/013908 AI discloses a solution. This solution sees one

Device and method for operating distributed in an industrial plant decentralized

Functional units, comprising:

b) a data transport network with a number of

Network access points, where the parent

c) communication units which are connected to a network access point and provide access to the data transport network to the decentralized functional units, and

d) an energy transport network to which the decentralized

Function units are connected and that the

decentralized functional units supplied with electrical energy. That's the way it is now

Energy transport network completely decoupled from a signal box.

Based on today's interlocking architecture with decentralized stations, but point-to-point

Energy supply, a new, innovative approach is taken, which was sold by Siemens Switzerland AG under the name Sigrid®. Today's cable-intensive and labor-intensive point-to-point connections for the power supply or power supply of the peripheral elements along the track (element controller or decentralized functional unit) are replaced by wire-saving and easy-to-install bus or bus

Ring lines.

However, the solution disclosed in WO 2013/013908 A1 is by no means limited to the one described above

Application of the interlocking architecture of railway systems, but goes far beyond that. As future

Examples are the energy management for buildings or for large plants in the producing or

manufacturing industry based on decentralized

Seen energy supply.

If the power bus between two interlockings or other facilities with connection to the

Energy supply networks is laid, so the

Supply of the connected consumers (decentralized functional units) from both feed sides. This creates a previously unavailable redundancy of the energy supply. The decentralized

Functional units - also called element controllers or EC for short) are used by network node units - too

Bus coupler, or SND for short - called Smart Node Device - connected to the data bus and the power bus, the

Control, monitoring and diagnostic functions

can take over. For example, the SNDs can interrupt or bypass the power bus, as well as measure currents and voltages in the power bus.

Simple defects, so for example short circuits or interruptions, in the energy bus lead with correct

Treatment due to the redundancy does not directly lead to a failure of elements. In the case of a failed feed side, the supply of all would be decentralized

Function elements taken over from the second feed side. Due to the redundancy of the power supply with two

Supply sides can be covered in certain cases, an interruption. As already mentioned, such an interruption does not lead to failures of connected consumers in a first error case. However, if there is already an undetected break between two

decentralized functional elements or in one

Network node unit is present, another

Interruption necessarily cause all between the two interruptions lying decentralized functional units are separated from the power supply. This is especially in the range of

To avoid railway safety installations; It is therefore a high reliability of the feed required.

Therefore, interruptions in the bus must be detected within a reasonable time and corrected accordingly, so that e.g. During installation work, it is not by mistake that part of the system is disconnected from the mains.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a system and a method for supplying arranged in an industrial plant decentralized functional units with electrical energy, in the interruptions in the power bus or faulty

Network node units, in particular their switching modules, reliable and quickly detectable, so

Immediate measures to restore the correct function of the energy bus can be initiated.

The object is achieved with respect to the system according to the invention by a system for supplying arranged in an industrial plant decentralized functional units with electrical energy, wherein:

a) a higher-level control system is provided, which with the decentralized functional units means

Data telegrams exchanges information via a data bus,

b) network node units sequentially between two

Supply points of a ring-shaped power bus are arranged, which provide the decentralized functional units access to the power bus and optionally to the data bus,

c) the network node units via a controllable

Have switching module comprising a first switch and a second switch, with the two switches each having an access to the two feed points is switchable d) the first switch and / or the second switch are optionally apparent and one falling over the inputs of the power bus in the network node unit

Voltage is measurable; and

e) an evaluation module is provided, which measures the measured

Voltage within a network node unit and / or under adjacent network node units to an interruption of the power bus and / or a faulty switching module evaluates out.

Regarding the method, this task

according to the invention by a method for supplying arranged in an industrial plant decentralized

Functional units solved with electrical energy, wherein:

Data telegrams exchanges information via a data bus,

b) network node units sequentially between two

Supply points of a ring-shaped power bus are arranged, the decentralized functional units access to the power bus and optionally to the

Provide power bus,

c) the network node units via a controllable

Switching module comprising a first switch and a second switch, wherein the two switches each have access to the two feed points,

d) the first switch and / or the second switch is selectively opened and a falling over the inputs of the power bus in the network node unit

Voltage is measured; and

e) an evaluation module is provided which evaluates the measured voltage within a network node unit and / or under adjacent network node units to an interruption of the power bus and / or a faulty switching module out. In this way, a system and method are created with which it can be evaluated based on the evaluation of the voltages across the switches within a

Network node unit or adjacent network node units is possible to safely detect interruptions of the power bus and / or faulty switches of network node units. In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, for the two inputs of the

Energy bus measured in a network node unit

Voltages of the same network node unit are compared. In this way it can be determined whether the connection to both feed points is intact or whether one of these

Connections is interrupted or if one of the switches has a fault.

Alternatively or in addition to this, for the two inputs of the power bus in two directly

adjacent network node units measured voltages are compared. In this way, it can also be determined whether the connection to both feed points is intact or whether one of these connections between the two network node units is interrupted.

In a further advantageous embodiment of

It can be provided according to the present invention that the voltage values measured on a network node unit can be transmitted via the data bus to an adjacent network node unit and / or the higher-order control system. In this way, the data can be accumulated in a suitable manner where their evaluation is provided by means of the evaluation module. The

Evaluation module is rather an evaluation instance, because the evaluation of the voltage values is done by software and therefore the required hardware for this purpose in a suitable place, such as in the parent Control system (eg the interlocking) or else can be arranged on a master network node unit.

To check is now also possible

To poll network node units in turn. For this purpose, a monitoring cycle for the successive opening of the two switches for each network node unit can be provided by means of a successive processing of the network node units starting at one of the two feed points.

Alternatively or additionally, a monitoring cycle for successively opening the two switches for each

Network node unit by means of a successive processing of the network node units starting at the im

Tension center of the energy bus lying

Node unit and then be provided in two-sided extent to the feeding points. Thus, can

be systematically operated from network node unit to network node unit until all network node units sequentially arranged within the power bus are processed.

To ensure the supply of the

Monitoring cycle periodically executed at appropriate intervals or by a network node units or by the higher-level control system, if necessary

be triggered.

A typical implementation case for the industrial plant may be a railway network. Accordingly, then by means of the decentralized functional units

Traffic monitoring and traffic control units, in particular signals, switches (W), axle counters,

Track circuits, point and line

Train control elements, controlled. Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention

Invention can be found in the remaining subclaims. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention

Invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. 1 shows a schematic view of a

Interlocking architecture with a data bus and an energy bus;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a network node unit for connecting a decentralized

Functional unit with the data bus and power bus;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the voltage curve over the power bus in normal operation;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the voltage curve over the power bus for two types of interruptions; and

Figure 5 shows a schematic view of the voltage curve over the power bus for two hidden interruptions in the power bus. Figure 1 shows schematically a interlocking architecture with a system Sys, which i.a. a signal box STW, a redunant degraded data backbone NB1, NB2, a

Data bus CB and an energy bus EB with two

Supply points PS1 and PS2 has. The interlocking STW controls the train traffic on a track section G, in which here, for example, signals S, points W, a

Railway crossing Bue and axle counter AC are arranged. These train protection and influencing components each connect to a decentralized functional unit - also called element controller unit E - on the data bus CB and the power bus EB. The decentralized

Functional units E are connected to the annular data bus CB in such a way that over each side of the annular data bus CB accessing the

Data backbones NB1 and NB2 is given. The data bus CB coupled with corresponding routers / switches SW to the respective data backbone NB1, NB2.

Figure 2 shows schematically the data and

Energy supply connection of the element

Controller unit E of a train control component, here for example a switch W, to the data bus CB and the power bus EB. Such an attachment point comprises a network node unit SND, a communication unit SCU and the actual element controller EC. The

Communication unit SCU is used for data exchange over both branches of the data bus CB.

Energy side, the network node unit SND is provided which couples to both branches of the power bus EB. The network node unit SND controls and monitors the

Energy bus EB, detects current overshoots within the power bus and at the connected consumer (SPU with EC). In redundant manner, it is always supplied from two sides with electrical energy and therefore has in a switching module S via a left switch Sl and a right switch S2 and a load switch S3 to the supply unit SPU of the element controller EC. In the present exemplary embodiment, the switching module S also includes a control and / or evaluation logic SL that is used, for example, for measuring the voltages and / or currents at the inputs of the power bus EB in the network node unit SND.

The network node unit SND also supplies the

Communication unit SCU with voltage and can use this also via an Ethernet connection data

and is thus incorporated into the data bus CB (e.g., to enable manual operation of the SND via

Remote access and actuation of the switches Sl to S3, for the delivery of diagnostic data to the interlocking or a superordinate service and diagnostic system, query of the current voltages, currents, energy and energy

Power values, parameterization of the SND, for the delivery and / or receipt of data for charging / charging

Energy management of an energy storage not shown here or for the registration of a future power requirement). In the network node unit SND is here via the switch S3, the supply unit SPU

integrated, the voltage of the power bus EB to those required for the element controller EC

Input voltage converted. There is also one

Data connection between the switching module S of

Network node unit SND and the supply unit SPU, e.g. in the form of a serial RS 422, provided.

Energy-technically typical here is, for example, a three-phase connection with 400 VAC. The element

Controller EC controls and supplies the switch W in FIG. 2 in the present case. The element controller EC receives data telegrams from a higher-level one

Signaling computer CPU via an Ethernet connection from the communication unit SCU and gives about this

Communication unit SCU the feedback to the

Interlocking CPU. The interlocking CPU

here also represents a corresponding evaluation module that evaluates the received data as intended.

FIG. 3 now shows the voltage curve over the

Energy bus EB, in which here seven network node units SND1 to SND7 are connected, in normal operation. In normal operation, somewhere on the power bus EB, an energy center will be set at which the power is sourced from both supply points SP1 and SP2. Up to this center, the energy in the bus is supplied by only one feeder SP1 or SP2; it only flows in one direction. This results in the following failure scenarios: a) interruptions at any point in the

Energy bus EB as indicated in Figure 4 with the letter A for an interruption between SND2 and SND 3; and b) interruptions in the switches Sl, S2 a

Network node unit SND as indicated in Figure 4 with the letter B for an interruption in SND2.

It is assumed that the

Network node units SNDl to SND7 both stream and

Voltage at the power bus EB, as well as the current direction in the power bus EB at both bus inputs (bus left, bus right) measures. It is further assumed that in the network node units SNDL to SND7 a switching function is implemented in the switching module S, wherein the switches Sl and S2 by means of unidirectional or bidirectional

conductive semiconductor devices are realized. Thus, in each network node unit SND there is a "switch left", through which the current I flows from right to left, and a "switch right", through which the current flows to the right. In the case of the bidirectionally conducting semiconductor element, although there is only one

Bus switch that conducts in both directions. In addition, it is assumed here that the connected supply units SPU can bridge a voltage interruption of about 20 ms.

The present invention solves the technical problem of monitoring the power bus EB by means of a

segment-wise checking of the network node units SND1 to SND7. It can be revealed with the resources anyway necessary for the function also a hidden redundancy failure. So neither a high-precision current or voltage measurement has to be implemented on the energy bus EB, nor does it have to be a big one

Circuit costs are operated to put test signals on the data bus CB and receive and

evaluate. Of course, all data could be in eg Ways to replace a power line communication via the power bus EB.

The network node units SND1 to SND7 present in the energy bus EB can carry out the test procedure autonomously on the basis of a defined time sequence. This is the

Network node units assigned a fixed time based on the position in the power bus EB, to which they

May carry out an interruption test. It is also possible to run the test procedure in a synchronized manner via the communication between the network node units, for example triggered by a

predefined master SND. From the combined measurement of current, current direction and voltage at both switches Sl, S2, the network node unit SND can determine the state of the power bus EB by briefly separating the switches S1 and S2.

First of all, the reaction of the power bus EB to the two interruptions (A) and (B) shown in FIG. 4 will be described here. The network node units are now only SND or with their number

referenced. In case of interruption (A) will be in the power bus

Voltage jump visible. The on the break

adjacent SNDs, here SND2 and SND3, measure different bus voltages at their bus inputs. about

If the measured values of SND2 and SND3 are exchanged, this interruption (A) can be easily recognized, since the two adjacent network node units SND2 and SND3 differ from each other at their respectively facing bus inputs

Measure voltages. In the case of interruption (B), the SND whose

Switch is defective, different bus voltages at the two voltage measuring points at the bus inputs. The difference is greater than the voltage drop across the Switches Sl, S2 itself. This case can be seen during operation without much effort.

It becomes more difficult when the interruption close to

electrical center is located in the power bus, which is shown with the letters (C) and (D) in Figure 5, or a switch Sl to S3 is affected in the switching module S, which does not conduct in the current-carrying direction letter (F) in Figure 5. Here the interrupt detection algorithm described below becomes active.

The interruption detection system regularly checks for obvious interruptions according to letters (A) and (B) in the energy bus EB. This can also be realized, for example, by adjacent SNDs exchanging their current / voltage measured values and reporting an interruption in the case of irregularities. If

between the readings at the two switches of a SND or between two adjacent SND's a significant

Voltage jump is detected, there must be an interruption in the power bus EB. In addition, hidden interrupts are searched for periodically. For this purpose, the SND in the case of synchronized interrupt detection is as follows:

The SND in the electrical bus center, in this case SND4, separates the switches S1 and S2 for both directions. If at both inputs of the switch module S the voltage does not change significantly, the cables to the two adjacent SND are intact and the next SND can be tested.

SND5 disconnects "switch left" which causes SND4 to be fed only from the left and the two inputs on SND5 need to measure different voltage values If the voltage on the left input of SND5 completely collapses, or is below the minimum allowed threshold "Switch right" of SND4 defective (defect (D)) Otherwise, the next SND can be checked.

SND6 disconnects "switch left" which causes SND5 to be fed only from the left and the two inputs of the switch module on SND6 need to measure different voltage values If the voltage on the left of SND6 is completely close together SND5 is "switch right" malfunction. Otherwise, the next SND can be checked.

As soon as the test routine has opened the "leftmost switch" of the SND on the right-hand side and checked the entire right-hand side of the power bus EB, SND3 can continue to work in the left direction. In the first step, SND3 would open "switch right". Defect (F) would be revealed when "switch left" is opened by SND 1. The check routine can also be used with bi-directionally conductive semiconductor elements, then there is only one bus switch that conducts in both directions.

Accordingly falls in this case, the type of failure "the

A switch that does not conduct in the current-carrying direction will fail, only the failures A, B, C and D would have to be considered for this case, F would no longer exist.

If an interruption is detected somewhere, this test run is stopped immediately and the error is displayed by the SND by means of data telegrams and reported to the other SND and / or the interlocking STW and / or another related diagnosis device. Until one

Repair is done, manipulations in the power bus EB are then omitted.

It is also possible to start the process only time-triggered without explicit synchronization between the SND. Depending on the prevailing current direction, one SND after the other opens its switches S1, S2. In this case, SND1 would be the first on the Configuration predefined time slot

(Time synchronization via NTP) and open the "switch right" (the current flows from left to right, so this rung is interrupted to check the other current direction.) Next, SND 2 is on, and so on from both sides receives power, opens both switches, the SND, in which the current flows only from the right, open the "switch left". The interruption detection works analogous to the procedure described above, an existing one

In this case, interruption leads to a brief voltage interruption in the Element Controller Units E, which lie between the SND currently being tested and the interruption. For this reason, the switches must not be left open for more than 10 ms within the scope of the assumption made above for a 20 ms seized power supply. For the exact localization of the interruption, the entire energy bus EB must also be run through, each SND must briefly open its switches S1 and / or S2. The interruption is reported, and again, no

Manipulation except the repair done on the power bus EB.

Claims

claims

A system (Sys) for supplying decentralized functional units (E) with electrical energy arranged in an industrial installation, wherein:

a) a higher-level control system (STW) is provided, which with the decentralized functional units (E) by means of data telegrams information about a

Data bus (CB, NB1, NB2) exchanges,

b) network node units (SND) sequentially between two feed points (PS1, PS2) of a ring-shaped

Energy bus (EB) are arranged, the decentralized functional units (E) access to the power bus (EB) and optionally also to the data bus (CB, NB1, NB2)

provide,

c) the network node units (SND) via a controllable

Switching module (S) having a first switch (Sl) and a second switch (S2), wherein with the two switches (Sl, S2) each have access to the two feed points (PS1, PS2),

d) the first switch (Sl) and / or the second switch (S2) are optionally apparent and a voltage dropping at the input of the network node unit (SND) can be measured; and

e) an evaluation module (CPU, SL) is provided, which evaluates the measured voltage within a network node unit (SND) and / or under adjacent network node units (SND) to an interruption of the power bus (EB) and / or a faulty switching module (S) out ,

2. System according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the voltages of the same network node unit (SND) measured for the two inputs of the power bus (EB) in a network node unit (SND) are compared.

3. System according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that the voltages measured for the two inputs of the power bus (EB) in two immediately adjacent network node units (SND) are compared.

4. System according to one of claims 1 to 3,

characterized in that

that measured on a network node unit (SND)

Voltage values over the data bus (CB) to an adjacent network node unit (SND) and / or the parent

Control system (STW) are transferable.

5. System according to one of claims 1 to 4,

characterized in that

a monitoring cycle for successive and / or

simultaneously opening the two switches for each

Network node unit (SND) by way of a successive

Processing of the network node units starting at one of the two feed points (PS1, PS2) is provided.

6. System according to one of claims 1 to 4,

characterized in that

a monitoring cycle for successive and / or

Simultaneously opening the two switches for each

Network node unit (SND) by way of a successive

Processing of the network node units (SND) starting at the voltage node of the power bus (EB) lying network node unit (SND4) and then in

bilateral expansion to the feed points (PS1, PS2) is provided out.

7. System according to claim 5 or 6,

characterized in that

the monitoring cycle periodically executed or by a network node units (SND) or through the

higher-level control system (STW) is triggered.

8. System according to one of claims 1 to 7,

characterized in that the industrial plant is a railway network.

9. System according to claim 8,

characterized in that

by means of the decentralized functional units (E)

Traffic monitoring and traffic control units, in particular signals (S), switches (W), axle counters (AC), track circuits, point and line-shaped

Train control elements, are controllable.

10. A method for supplying decentralized functional units (E) with electrical energy arranged in an industrial installation, wherein:

Data bus (CB, NB1, NB2) exchanges,

b) network node units (SND) are arranged sequentially between two feed points (PS1, PS2) of a ring-shaped power bus (EB), which are the decentralized

Function units (E) provide access to the power bus (EB) and optionally to the data bus (CB), c) the network node units (SND) have a controllable switching module (S) having a first switch (Sl) and a second switch ( S2), wherein the two switches (Sl, S2) each have an access to the two feed points (PS1, PS2),

d) the first switch (Sl) and / or the second switch (S2) is selectively opened and a voltage dropping to the input of the network node unit (SND) is measured; and

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11,

characterized in that

the voltages measured for the two inputs of the power bus (EB) in two immediately adjacent network node units (SND) are compared.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that

that measured on a network node unit (SND)

Control system (STW) are transferable.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that

a monitoring cycle for successive and / or

Simultaneously opening the two switches (Sl, S2) for each network node unit (SND) by means of a successive

Processing of the network node units (SND) starting at one of the two feed points (PS1, PS2) is provided.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that

a monitoring cycle for successive and / or

bilateral expansion to the feed points (PS1, PS2) is provided out.