EP3513001B1 - Device and method for energy management in an electrical points heating system - Google Patents

Description

Track elements of railways, especially switches, are heated as required to prevent freezing or blocking of the moving parts by snow and ice, especially in winter, and thus to ensure operational safety. Known point heaters are based on systems with hot water steam, gas heating or electrical energy. The economic viability of such point heaters is largely determined by the purchase, maintenance and energy costs.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for energy management of an electrical point heating system. Such switch heating systems include at least one switch which has fixed stock rails and movable tongue rails and a locker linkage, and an electrical distribution with heating outlets for the power supply of electrical heating elements on the rails of the switches with control device for controlling and regulating the rail temperature.

Generic methods and devices are from the prior art, for example DE 198 32 535 C2 such as DE 198 49 637 C1 , known per se. Such electrical point heaters consist, among other things, of an electrical distribution with control and regulating devices for switching, controlling, regulating and monitoring each individual heating outlet, a weather-dependent control that activates the heating in ice and snow, and electrical heating elements on the rails of the points that This warms up and prevents the moving parts of the points from freezing.

Snow and ice are detected by recording and evaluating air temperature and precipitation. If the actual rail temperature falls below a parameterizable target rail temperature, for example + 4 ° C, the entire point heater is switched on and as a result all points are heated with a delay due to the mass of the rails. A rail temperature sensor on a guide switch regulates the rail temperature to a specific target rail temperature in a two-point or constant temperature control.

In the case of point heaters of this type, all heating outlets are switched on and off by control and regulating devices synchronously, that is to say the power consumption is equal to the connected load when the heating is switched on and zero when the heating is switched off. As a rule, a heating outlet with control and regulating device is arranged for each switch in the electrical distribution.

Out DE 100 43 571 C1 Switching, control and regulating devices for electrical point heaters are known, with which energy is achieved by reducing the control deviation by introducing a variable duty cycle when the heating is switched on. In this case too, all switching devices and thus all electrical heating elements are switched on and off synchronously as a function of a rail temperature sensor on a guide switch.

From the test report 06-P-3408-TZF92-UN-0780 by DB AG dated December 12, 2006, attempts to save energy on electric point heaters by additional thermal insulation of the stock rails on the outer surface are known. When regulating the point heater with an adjustable rail target temperature, energy savings were achieved by reducing the energy consumption compared to heating with an uninsulated rail.

An energy management system for electrical point heaters to reduce the simultaneously effective power is also known ( DB Netz, "General principles (1), energy management, Leipzig 10.03.2009 ), with which the individual turnouts are heated at different times depending on their operational or contractual importance. Priorities are set for all turnouts of a turnout heater, for example turnouts with priority and subordinate priority, so that these turnouts are mutually heated according to the priority. If the points with priority have reached the target rail temperature, their power consumption drops. This power is then available for heating the turnouts with a lower priority. The switches with subordinate priority reach the target rail temperature with a time delay. The prioritization is based on the importance of the points to be heated and can be set. It is disadvantageous that a lower power for heating is available for switches with subordinate priority and the target rail temperature is reached with a time delay.

Out DE 199 32 833 A1 A method for regulating the total output of an energy-technical system is known, in which the load profile or the switch-off and connection conditions of the system are determined in order to limit the total power consumption and a load schedule is drawn up, with which the maintenance of the reduced output is ensured by temporarily switching off individual consumers can. With this solution, too, the current ascertained or defined priorities are decisive for switching the consumers on and off.

Out WO 2010/115436 A1 A method and a device for energy management of an electric point heater with several points is known, in which the control and detection of snow by evaluating the air temperature and precipitation as well as regulating the rail temperature several control and regulating devices for switching, controlling, regulating and monitoring for each heating outlet by reducing the simultaneously effective installed electrical heating output by staggered and staggered power connection of the heating outlets. Cheek and tongue rails of the switch are provided with heat insulation segments, so that heating and cooling times of at least the same length should be generated at the desired rail temperature and minimum operating temperatures. To limit the output, the control devices are assigned to one or more heating regimes, each with a different number of groups according to the output of the heating outlets, so that all groups of a heating regime have approximately the same output and each group of a heating regime is assigned to a time window regularly, in succession and all round via group release , in which the control and regulating devices of the group generate heating impulses with a duty cycle between 0% and 100% and the groups of a heating regime are switched in sequence via a group release.

Disadvantages of this solution are the complex heat insulation segments, the project-specific and thus fixed assignment of the switches to groups, which are allotted to a time window via complex group release and generate heating pulses with a pulse duty factor between 0% and 100%, and the associated high expenditure on hardware and software for group release as well as the determination and evaluation of various time constants for each group operation, which are determined on a rail pattern and stored in the control.

It is also known (DB Netz, "Switching Heating Seminar", author Ludwig Linke) that all rails of a point heater fall below a parameterizable certain air temperature, for example less than + 3 ° C, to a low rail target temperature, for example + 2 ° C, preheat and, if there is additional precipitation, heat to a higher rail temperature, for example + 4 ° C. The associated increased energy consumption is disadvantageous.

In the case of generic switch heaters, control types by manual switching, temperature control and climate control are currently known.

Manual switching is carried out by the dispatcher during the winter time. The temperature control by means of two-point control takes place at heating intervals by switching on the heating at a rail temperature below + 3 ° C and switching off the heating at a rail temperature above + 7 ° C. The climate control takes place in the operating modes "wet heating" or "low temperature heating". In so-called "wet heating", when a snowfall is detected by means of moisture or precipitation and air temperature measurement on a guide switch, all switches in a system are switched on and over Rail temperature sensors are heated and regulated to the target rail temperature value of, for example, + 6 ° C, in that all heating elements of the point heating system are switched on and off at the same time for each point by means of a switching device by means of the control device. The "humid heating" heating condition is deemed to be fulfilled if precipitation is present and the rail temperature falls below a pre-parameterized value. As a result, the power of all connected heating elements is always switched on and off when the heating is requested, and the actual power during the heating process fluctuates between zero and a maximum value that corresponds to the sum of the connected load of all heating elements. If the ambient temperature is negative, the switch-on points are raised. An optional additional flight snow sensor switches on as an additional snow detector.

The operating mode "low temperature heating" takes place in dry conditions and low air temperatures between - 5 ° C and -15 ° C. The "low-temperature heating" serves to bypass the very sluggish heating behavior of the system, which results from the system conditions, and thus pre-heat for a possible precipitation event and to melt ice and flying snow in the switch. If there is no precipitation or ice and flying snow, heating is carried out accordingly without need. The control regulates the heating of all turnouts to a constant + 6 ° C using a wave packet or two-point control via a switching device when the heating condition is fulfilled.

The methods and devices known from the prior art are sometimes very complex and have the disadvantage that either energy is consumed without need, or some points in a system are heated later or not adequately.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method for energy management of electrical point heating systems and to provide a corresponding device, as a result of which simple adjustment of the output depending on predeterminable operating parameters and reliable functioning of the point heating systems with optimal energy use is achieved.

1. a) während des Heizbetriebes der elektrischen Weichenheizungsanlage Bilden von zyklisch nacheinander folgenden Taktzeiten (Zt),
2. b) für jede Taktzeit (Zt) Bilden mindestens eines Leistungsverhältnisses (L) entsprechend der Anzahl eingeschalteter und ausgeschalteter Heizabgänge (6),
3. c) während jeder Taktzeit (Zt) zumindest eines festen Leistungsverhältnisses (L_f) oder eines mit zumindest einem extern erfassbaren Betriebsparameter (B) korrelierenden Leistungsverhältnisses (L_e) Aktivieren der Heizabgänge (6) der Reihe nach beginnend mit den eingeschalteten oder ausgeschalteten Heizabgängen (6) entsprechend dem Leistungsverhältnis (L) und Deaktivieren der übrigen Heizabgänge (6) in umlaufender schrittweiser Betriebsweise,
4. d) dadurch Ausführen zumindest eines aktiven Leistungsverhältnisses (L_a), wobei eine Anpassung des zumindest einen aktiven Leistungsverhältnisses (L_a) vorgenommen wird, die in Abhängigkeit einer tatsächlichen Regelabweichung erfolgt und ein Grenzwert "maximale Regelabweichung" ermittelt wird, indem beim erstmaligen Einschalten der elektrischen Weichenheizungsanlage mit projektspezifischem Leistungsverhältnis (L_pro) zwischen 50 % und 80 % innerhalb der Aufheizzeit (t_auf) eine vorhandene Regelabweichung (xw_auf) zu Beginn der Aufheizzeit (t_auf) erfasst und mit einer gespeicherten maximalen Regelabweichung xw_max verglichen wird, wobei beim Überschreitung der maximalen Regelabweichung (xw_max) die Anpassung des zumindest einen aktiven Leistungsverhältnisses (L_a) auf 100 % erfolgt
   d1) Wiederholen des Schritt d) nach einer vorgebbaren Zeitspanne oder bei Unterschreiten oder Überschreiten der maximalen Regelabweichung (xw_max),
5. e) bei witterungsbedingter Heizanforderung (Hz) für zumindest eine Weiche (12) Berechnen der theoretischen Aufheizzeit bis zum Erreichen der vorgebbaren Schienen-Solltemperatur (X_s) der Weiche (12) und Vergleichen derselben mit einer parametrierbaren Aufheizzeit (t_auf),
   e1) bei Überschreiten der parametrierbaren Aufheizzeit (t_auf) Erhöhen des aktiven Leistungsverhältnisses (L_a) zumindest des betroffenen Heizabgangs (6), indem die Anzahl der pro Taktzeit (Zt) eingeschalteten Heizabgänge (6) um eins erhöht und die Anzahl der pro Taktzeit (Zt) ausgeschalteten Heizabgänge (6) um eins verringert wird oder das Leistungsverhältnis (L_a) auf 100 % erhöht wird,

wobei nach und/oder vor jeder Taktzeit (Zt) die jeweilige Schienentemperatur (X) zumindest einer an die elektrische Weichenheizungsanlage angeschlossenen Weiche (12) mit der vorgebbaren Schienensolltemperatur (X_s) verglichen wird, wobei in Auswertung dieses Vergleichs die Zuordnung der eingeschalteten und ausgeschalteten Heizabgänge (6) verändert wird, indem Heizabgänge (6) mit Erwärmungsüberschuss zugunsten von Heizabgängen (6) mit Erwärmungsdefizit während der jeweiligen Taktzeit (Zt) ausgeschaltet werden.In a first aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by a method for energy management of an electric point heating system, which has at least two points (12), on each of which at least one heating element (7) is arranged, at least one switching distribution (1) with at least one heating outlet (6), in particular one heating outlet (6) per switch (12), and has at least one control device (3) for controlling and regulating the rail temperature (X), comprising the steps:

1. a) formation of cyclically successive cycle times (Zt) during the heating operation of the electrical point heating system,
2. b) for each cycle time (Zt) forming at least one power ratio (L) corresponding to the number of switched on and off heating outputs (6),
3. c) during each cycle time (Zt) at least one fixed power ratio (L _f ) or one power ratio (L _e ) correlating with at least one externally detectable operating parameter (B), activating the heating outlets (6) one after the other, starting with the switched on or off heating outlets ( 6) in accordance with the power ratio (L) and deactivation of the other heating outlets (6) in continuous step-by-step mode of operation,
4. d) thereby carrying out at least one active power ratio (L _a ), an adaptation of the at least one active power ratio (L _a ) taking place as a function of an actual control deviation and determining a limit value "maximum control deviation" by switching on the first time electrical point heating system with project-specific performance ratio (L _pro ) between 50% and 80% within the heating-up time (t _up ), an existing control deviation (xw _up ) at the beginning of the heating-up time (t _up ) is recorded and compared with a stored maximum control deviation xw _max , whereby if the maximum control deviation (xw _max ) is exceeded, the at least one active power ratio (L _a ) is adjusted to 100%
   d1) repeating step d) after a predeterminable time period or if the maximum control deviation (xw _max ) is undershot or exceeded,
5. e) in the case of weather-related heating requirements (Hz) for at least one switch (12), calculating the theoretical heating-up time until the specifiable rail target temperature (X _s ) of the switch (12) and comparing it with a parameterizable heating-up time (t _on ),
   e1) if the parameterisable heating time (t _on ) is increased, the active power ratio (L _a ) at least of the affected heating outlet (6) by increasing the number of heating outputs (6) switched on per cycle time (Zt) by one and the number of heating cycles per cycle time (Zt) switched off heating outputs (6) is reduced by one or the power ratio (L _a ) is increased to 100%,

whereby after and / or before each cycle time (Zt) the respective rail temperature (X) of at least one switch (12) connected to the electrical point heating system is compared with the predefinable rail setpoint temperature (X _s ), with the evaluation of this comparison relating the assignment of the switched on and switched off Heating outlets (6) is changed by switching off heating outlets (6) with excess heating in favor of heating outlets (6) with heating deficit during the respective cycle time (Zt).

• zumindest einen Regler (10), der zwischen der Steuerungseinrichtung (3) in der Schaltverteilung (1) und einem Schaltgerät (5) des zumindest einen Heizabgangs (6) angeordnet ist, wobei der zumindest eine Regler (10) über eine binäre Verbindung und/oder eine Busverbindung mit der Steuerungseinrichtung (3) verbunden ist,
• zumindest ein Schieberegister (13) mit Takter (14), das über eine binäre Verbindung und/oder eine Busverbindung mit dem zumindest einen Regler (10) und der Steuereinrichtung (3) verbunden ist,
• zumindest einen Ausgang "Stellsignal Heizen Weiche EIN" (Yn) des Reglers (10), der über den Takter (14) des Schieberegisters (13) mit einem Steuereingang des Schaltgerätes (5) oder über ein Stellsignal max (Y_max) direkt mit dem Schaltgerät (5) verbunden ist,

wobei über eine Verbindung zwischen der Steuerungseinrichtung (3) und dem Schieberegister (13) während jeder Taktzeit (Zt) das aktive Leistungsverhältnis (L_a) zu dem Schieberegister (13) und die Schienen-Solltemperatur (X_s) von der Steuerungseinrichtung (3) zu dem zumindest einen Regler (10) übertragbar ist, und ein vom aktiven Leistungsverhältnis (L_a) abweichendes Leistungsverhältnis (L) über das Stellsignal max (Y_max) von dem zumindest einen Regler (10) auf das Schaltgerät (5) über eine direkte Leitung übertragbar ist, und
wobei in der Schaltverteilung (1) zumindest ein Speicher angeordnet ist, der über eine binäre Verbindung und/oder eine Busverbindung mit der Steuerungseinrichtung (3) verbunden ist, wobei über diese Verbindung zumindest ein Betriebsparameter (B) übertragbar und in dem zumindest einen Speicher speicherbar und von der Steuereinrichtung (3) aus diesem abrufbar ist.In a second aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned object is achieved by a device for energy management of an electrical point heating system, which has at least two points (12), on each of which at least one heating element (7) is arranged, at least one switching distribution (1) with at least one a heating outlet (6), in particular a heating outlet (6) per switch (12), and at least one control device (3) for controlling and regulating the rail temperature (X)

• at least one controller (10) which is arranged between the control device (3) in the switching distribution (1) and a switching device (5) of the at least one heating outlet (6), the at least one controller (10) via a binary connection and / or a bus connection is connected to the control device (3),
• at least one shift register (13) with clock (14), which is connected to the at least one controller (10) and the control device (3) via a binary connection and / or a bus connection,
• at least one output "control signal heating switch ON" (Yn) of the controller (10), which via the clock (14) of the shift register (13) with a control input of the switching device (5) or via a control signal max (Y _max ) directly with the Switching device (5) is connected,

the active power ratio (L _a ) to the shift register (13) and the target rail temperature (X _s ) from the control device (3) being connected via a connection between the control device (3) and the shift register (13) during each cycle time (Zt) to which at least one controller (10) can be transmitted, and a power ratio (L) deviating from the active power ratio (L _a ) via the control signal max (Y _max ) from the at least one controller (10) to the switching device (5) via a direct one Line is transferable, and
wherein at least one memory is arranged in the switching distribution (1) and is connected to the control device (3) via a binary connection and / or a bus connection, at least one operating parameter (B) being transferable via this connection and storable in the at least one memory and can be called up from the control device (3).

The invention advantageously leads to an optimal use of energy when heating individual switches in an electrical switch heating system while at the same time ensuring the function of all switches. By variably adapting the output depending on predefinable operating parameters, peak power can be avoided and energy saved compared to conventional systems. In addition, many elements of generic electrical point heating systems can be used, for example the usual heating elements can be used.

A major advantage of the present invention is to achieve a reduction in the energy supply costs by reducing the actual electrical power regardless of priorities but with the same heating of all connected turnouts 12 by forming the active power ratios (L _a ), so that compared to. the state of the art (e.g. WO 2010/115436 A1 ) an even more flexible adjustment of the power distribution (through time-shifted and staggered power connection of the heating outlets (6)) is possible and even more energy can be saved.

The invention is described in detail below. If objective features are mentioned in the description of the method according to the invention, these relate in particular to the device according to the invention. Method features that are mentioned in the description of the device according to the invention likewise relate to the method according to the invention.

In the first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for energy management of an electrical point heating system. This electrical point heating system has at least two points (12), on each of which at least one heating element (7) is arranged, at least one switching distribution (1) with at least one heating outlet (6), in particular one heating outlet (6) per point (12), and at least one control device (3) for controlling and regulating the rail temperature (X).

In step a), during the heating operation of the electrical point heating system, successive cycle times (Zt) are formed cyclically, preferably by microcontroller timers in the control device (3).

For the purposes of the present invention, “cycle time” is understood to mean a period of time in which the heating outlets (6) of an electrical point heating system are switched on or off during a heating request (Hz).

In step b), at least one power ratio (L) corresponding to the number of switched-on and switched-off heating outlets (6) is then formed for each cycle time (Zt), preferably as a function of the operating parameters (B).

According to the invention, the "power ratio" refers to the ratio or quotient of the number of switched-on or switched-off heating outlets (6) to the total number of heating outlets (6) of the electric point heating system. Examples are given below in the description of the embodiments.

In step c), during each cycle time (Zt), at least one fixed power ratio (L _f ) or one power ratio (L _e ) correlating with at least one externally detectable operating parameter (B _e ), the heating outputs (6) are activated in order, starting with the ones switched on or switched-off heating outputs (6) according to the power ratio (L) and deactivating the other heating outputs (6) in continuous step-by-step mode of operation.

Thereby, in step) d at least one active power ratio (L _a), to obtain an adjustment of at least one active power ratio (L _a) is carried out of that occurs in dependence of an actual control deviation and a limit value "maximum deviation" is determined by at Switching on the electric point heating system with a project-specific performance ratio (L _pro ) between 50% and 80% within the heating-up time (t _up ), an existing control deviation (xw _up ) at the beginning of the heating-up time (t _up ) and a stored maximum control deviation (xw _max ) is compared, wherein if the maximum control deviation (xw _max ) is exceeded, the at least one active power ratio (L _a ) is adjusted to 100%,

The maximum control deviation (xw _max ) is determined from the stored quotient of an experience-based control deviation heating up (xw _up ) and an experience-based heating up time (t _up ) multiplied by a project-specific parameterizable maximum heating up time (t _up-max ).

In step d1) step d) is repeated after a predeterminable time period or when the maximum control deviation (xw _max ) is undershot or exceeded. This predeterminable time period is 1 minute to 15 minutes, preferably 3 minutes to 10 minutes, in particular 5 minutes.

Optionally, a step d2) can be carried out, in which the time course of the heating is recorded at least on a switch (12) of the electrical point heating system and the time course of the control deviation (xw _up ) is monitored therefrom, starting from a parameterizable control deviation (xw _up ) the time course of the control deviation (xw _n ) is integrated over time and compared with a limit value. This limit value is the product of the maximum permissible control deviation (xw _max ) and the maximum permissible time to compensate for the maximum control deviation (xw _max ). If the limit value is exceeded, the next higher power ratio (L) and / or the power ratio L 100% is activated for at least one heating outlet (6) or the entire electrical point heating system.

Step e) provides that in the event of a weather-related heating request (Hz) for at least one switch (12), the theoretical heating-up time until the specifiable rail set temperature (X _s ) of the switch (12) is calculated and compared with a parameterizable heating-up time (t _on ) becomes.

Alternatively, step e) can be carried out such that for a control deviation xw _n during weather-related heating requests (Hz) for at least one switch (12) Heating for this switch (12) is switched off during the following cycle times (Zt) as long as the control deviation xw _{n is} zero.

In the present case, an "electronic signal" is referred to as "heating request", which signals the need for heating energy for one or more switches (12). The heating request (Hz) can be generated in particular by the data of a weather station at the location of at least one switch (12) and / or by a weather service.

The "parameterizable heating-up time" means that the heating-up time (t _up ) can be adjusted depending on the externally ascertainable operating parameters (B). Examples are given below in the description of the embodiments.

If the parameterisable heating time (t _up ) is exceeded, step e1) provides for the active power ratio (L _a ) to be increased at least for the heating output (6) concerned by increasing the number of heating outputs (6) switched on per cycle time (Zt) by one and the number of heating outputs (6) switched off per cycle time (Zt) is reduced by one or the power ratio (L _a ) is increased to 100%.

Alternatively, step e1) can be carried out in such a way that if the control deviation xw _{n of} the switch (12) falls below the maximum control deviation xw _max, the active power ratio (L _a ) of at least the affected heating outlet (6) is reduced by reducing the number of pro Cycle time (Zt) switched on heating outputs (6) is reduced by one and the number of heating outputs (6) switched off per cycle time (Zt) is increased by one.

The method according to the invention provides that, after and / or before each cycle time (Zt), the respective rail temperature (X) of at least one switch (12) connected to the electrical point heating system is compared with the specifiable target rail temperature (X _s ), with evaluation This comparison changes the assignment of the switched on and off heating outputs (6) by switching off heating outputs (6) with excess heating in favor of heating outputs (6) with heating deficit during the respective cycle time (Zt).

Optionally, step f) can also be carried out, in which, when the rack deviation (xw _n ) of the switch (12) reaches the value zero, the active power ratio (L _a ) of at least the affected heating outlet (6) is blocked by this The heating outlet (6) is switched off until the control deviation (xw _n ) becomes greater than zero.

In this way it is possible to variably supply the points (12) with energy within an electrical point heating system and to react flexibly to changing external circumstances, ie to implement changing heating requirements (Hz). The available energy is used optimally Retrieving additional energy is only necessary in exceptional cases. In this way, a reduction in the energy supply costs is achieved by reducing the actual electrical power, regardless of the priorities of the points connected (12).

For practical applicability in different weather conditions, it has proven to be advantageous if, depending on the at least one externally detectable operating parameter (B), distinguishable control types with correspondingly assigned rail target temperature values (X _s ) are formed, by means of parameterizable basic target values Setpoint surcharges are added in each case if the at least one externally detectable operating parameter (B) is exceeded or / or fallen below. The advantage is that with the lowest output and optimal use of energy, maximum functional reliability of the turnouts (12) is made possible in winter, ie the turnouts (12) are heated as required.

In the present case, "distinguishable control types" mean control types of the electrical point heating system which can be variably adapted to external circumstances depending on the operating parameters (B). The setpoint surcharges are preferably 1 K per precipitation amount of snow and / or 1 K depending on the type of precipitation and depending on the air and / or rail temperature of the unheated rail.

The externally ascertainable operating parameters (B) are preferably selected from air temperature, air humidity, rail temperature (X), snow, flying snow and / or rain.

These operating parameters (B), which can be detected using conventional detection devices using methods known to the person skilled in the art, cover the parameters relevant for the operation of railway switches. Depending on local conditions, however, additional externally ascertainable operating parameters (B) can be added.

In a specific embodiment, the snow depth is determined with a suitable sensor by detecting the "snow" operating parameter, thereby activating or deactivating a "low-temperature heating" type of control for the specifiable operating parameter "air temperature" by recording and evaluating the time profile of the operating parameter "air temperature""a parameterizable temperature value (T _par ), preferably greater than + 3 ° C, over a predefinable time, preferably 5 minutes to 30 minutes, in particular 15 minutes, and / or by recording the operating parameter" rain "over a parameterizable time (t _par ), preferably 5 minutes to 30 minutes, in particular 15 minutes.

In step a) of the method according to the invention, the cyclically successive cycle times (Zt) of the same duration from 1 second to 300 seconds, preferably 50 seconds to 70 seconds, in particular 60 seconds, are formed with or without a pause. The pause can be between 1 second and 10 seconds.

In a development of the invention, the at least one active power ratio (L _a ) is formed from the quotient of the number of switched-on heating outputs (6) or switched-off heating outputs (6) and the total number of heating outputs (6) of the electric point heating system, a lower limit of the Power ratio (L) is preferably 40%.

It has proven to be advantageous for an even more variable energy management if the switching sequence of the heating outlets (6) is changed after and / or before each cycle time (Zt).

In one embodiment, the recorded time profile of the rail temperature (X) can be stored on at least one switch (12) in the control device (3) and the end value of the rail temperature (X _e ) can be compared with a predefinable rail target temperature (X _s ), the number the switched-off heating outputs (6) is formed during at least one cycle time (Zt) by the largest temperature difference determined in this way.

To further save energy or to optimize the energy distribution, if the rail temperature (X) on a switch (12) with a heating outlet (6) that is not switched off is greater than the target rail temperature (X _s ), preferably 0.5 ° C to 3 ° C, in particular 1 ° C, this heating outlet (6) can be switched off during the current cycle time (Zt).

In a development of the method according to the invention, the actual power is determined during each cycle time (Zt) and the minimum actual power, the average actual power and the maximum actual power are stored within a predefinable time period, preferably 5 minutes to 60 minutes, in particular 15 minutes.

Furthermore, when the heating is switched on, the control device (3) can activate a power ratio (L) as a function of the externally detectable operating parameters (B), which is from 40% to 80%, preferably 60%, and is set to 100% when a maximum operating value is exceeded becomes.

In another development of the method according to the invention, the active power ratio (L _a ) is monitored during each cycle time (Zt), so that if the power ratio (L _a ) is increased at least once _, a power ratio (L _a ) of 100% is reached, in a first memory, which is connected to the control device (3), the current operating parameters (B) are stored for this moment, with these stored operating parameters (B ) with the then current operating parameters (B), so that if the then current operating parameters (B) are the same or worse for the electric point heating system than the stored operating parameters (B), a power ratio of 100% is set immediately.

• zumindest einen Regler (10), der zwischen der Steuerungseinrichtung (3) in der Schaltverteilung (1) und einem Schaltgerät (5) des zumindest einen Heizabgangs (6) angeordnet ist, wobei der zumindest eine Regler (10) über eine binäre Verbindung und/oder eine Busverbindung mit der Steuerungseinrichtung (3) verbunden ist,
• zumindest ein Schieberegister (13) mit Takter (14), das über eine binäre Verbindung und/oder eine Busverbindung mit dem zumindest einen Regler (10) und der Steuereinrichtung (3) verbunden ist,
• zumindest einen Ausgang "Stellsignal Heizen Weiche EIN" (Yn) des Reglers (10), der über den Takter (14) des Schieberegisters (13) mit einem Steuereingang des Schaltgerätes (5) oder über ein Stellsignal max (Y_max) direkt mit dem Schaltgerät (5) verbunden ist,

wobei über eine Verbindung zwischen der Steuerungseinrichtung (3) und dem Schieberegister (13) während jeder Taktzeit (Zt) das aktive Leistungsverhältnis (L_a) zu dem Schieberegister (13) und die Schienen-Solltemperatur (X_s) von der Steuerungseinrichtung (3) zu dem zumindest einen Regler (10) übertragbar ist, und ein vom aktiven Leistungsverhältnis (L_a) abweichendes Leistungsverhältnis (L) über das Stellsignal max (Y_max) von dem zumindest einen Regler (10) auf das Schaltgerät (5) über eine direkte Leitung übertragbar ist, und
wobei in der Schaltverteilung (1) zumindest ein Speicher angeordnet ist, der über eine binäre Verbindung und/oder eine Busverbindung mit der Steuerungseinrichtung (3) verbunden ist, wobei über diese Verbindung zumindest ein Betriebsparameter (B) übertragbar und in dem zumindest einen Speicher speicherbar und von der Steuereinrichtung (3) aus diesem abrufbar ist.The second aspect of the present invention relates to a device for energy management of an electrical point heating system, the electrical point heating system comprising at least two points (12), each having at least one heating element (7), at least one switching distribution (1) with at least one heating outlet (6 ), in particular one heating outlet (6) per switch (12), and at least one control device (3) for controlling and regulating the rail temperature (X). The facility includes

• at least one controller (10) which is arranged between the control device (3) in the switching distribution (1) and a switching device (5) of the at least one heating outlet (6), the at least one controller (10) via a binary connection and / or a bus connection is connected to the control device (3),
• at least one shift register (13) with clock (14), which is connected to the at least one controller (10) and the control device (3) via a binary connection and / or a bus connection,
• at least one output "control signal heating switch ON" (Yn) of the controller (10), which via the clock (14) of the shift register (13) with a control input of the switching device (5) or via a control signal max (Y _max ) directly with the Switching device (5) is connected,

the active power ratio (L _a ) to the shift register (13) and the target rail temperature (X _s ) from the control device (3) being connected via a connection between the control device (3) and the shift register (13) during each cycle time (Zt) to which at least one controller (10) can be transmitted, and a power ratio (L) deviating from the active power ratio (L _a ) via the control signal max (Y _max ) from the at least one controller (10) to the switching device (5) via a direct one Line is transferable, and
wherein at least one memory is arranged in the switching distribution (1) and is connected to the control device (3) via a binary connection and / or a bus connection, at least one operating parameter (B) being transferable via this connection and storable in the at least one memory and can be called up from the control device (3).

According to the invention, the "switching distribution" is the unit in which individual elements of the electrical point heating system are housed together, in particular the control device (3), at least one switching device (5) with one heating outlet (6), in particular one heating outlet (6) per switch (12 ), to the outside and at least one controller (10). The switching distribution (1) is connected to the power network (9).

The "control device" is a process unit for controlling and regulating the rail temperature (X) to which the individual controllers (10) are connected. The control device (3) is supplied with relevant data by the weather station (s) (2).

According to the invention, the "circuit diagram" designates the assignment and the number of switched-on or switched-off heating outputs (6).

The control device (3) and the at least one controller (10) are preferably designed as microcontrollers (hardware), while the controller function is software.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer elektrischen Weichenheizungsanlage nach dem Stand der Technik,

Fig. 2

ein Diagramm zur Darstellung des zeitlichen Verlaufs der Leistung in Abhängigkeit der witterungsabhängigen Heizanforderung nach dem Stand der Technik,

Fig. 3

eine tabellarische Darstellung der Schaltzustände nach dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren für eine erfindungsgemäße elektrische Weichenheizungsanlage ,

Fig. 4

eine tabellarische Darstellung der Schaltzustände aus Fig. 3 bei einer angenommenen installierten Heizleistung von 10 KW pro Weiche 12,

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindergemäßen elektrischen Weichenheizungsanlage,

Fig. 6a-d

Diagramme zur Darstellung des zeitlichen Verlaufs der Schaltfolge nach dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren,

Fig. 7

ein Diagramm zur Ermittlung der maximalen Regelabweichung xw_max,

Fig. 8

ein Diagramm zur Darstellung des Heizverlaufs bei der Erwärmung von der Schienen-Isttemperatur X_n bis zur Schienen-Solltemperatur X_S und

Fig. 9

Darstellung der Betriebsmodi in Abhängigkeit von der Niederschlagsqualität.

Further objectives, features, advantages and possible applications result from the following description of exemplary embodiments which do not restrict the invention with reference to the figures. All of the described and / or illustrated features, alone or in any combination, form the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their relationship. Show it:

Fig. 1

1 shows a schematic illustration of an electrical point heating system according to the prior art,

Fig. 2

1 shows a diagram to show the time profile of the power as a function of the weather-dependent heating requirement according to the prior art,

Fig. 3

a tabular representation of the switching states according to the inventive method for an electric point heating system according to the invention,

Fig. 4

a tabular representation of the switching states Fig. 3 assuming an installed heating capacity of 10 KW per switch 12,

Fig. 5

1 shows a schematic representation of an electrical switch heating system according to the invention,

6a-d

Diagrams to show the time course of the switching sequence using the method according to the invention,

Fig. 7

a diagram for determining the maximum control deviation xw _max ,

Fig. 8

a diagram showing the heating curve during heating from the actual rail temperature X _n to the desired rail temperature X _S and

Fig. 9

Representation of the operating modes depending on the precipitation quality.

In heating operation over several cycle times Zt, the power corresponds to the product of the power ratio L and the installed connected power P of all heating elements 7 of the electric point heating system, with the power ratio L remaining the same.

The term "performance ratio" is explained in more detail below.

The maximum number of power ratios L results from the number of heating outlets 6 of the electric point heating system reduced by one. However, this maximum number is limited due to the insufficient heating of the turnouts 12 at power ratios of less than about 35% and for economic reasons in electric turnout heating systems with more than 15 turnouts 12.

The power ratio L can be switched over while heating is running. The syntax of a power ratio L is derived from the cycle ratio of the heating times to the cooling times.

Power ratio 50% corresponds to all heating outlets 6 of an electric point heating system 1 cycle heating to 1 cycle cooling (1H: 1K) and requires two, four etc. heating outlets 6.

Power ratio 66.6% corresponds to all heating outlets 6 of an electric point heating system 2 cycles of heating to 1 cycle of cooling (1H: 1K) and requires three, six etc. number of heating outlets 6.

Power ratio 75% corresponds to all heating outlets 6 of an electrical point heating system 3 cycles heating to 1 cycle cooling (3H: 1K) and requires at least four, eight etc. heating outlets 6.

Switching from power ratio L 50% to another power ratio L, e.g. 75%, takes place at the beginning of the cycle time Zt, the switching sequence switching off and on first being carried out simultaneously and / or in succession.

In heating mode, there is a change between the power ratios L. The sequential, all-round activation of the heating outlets 6 takes place so quickly that all connected points 12 are heated simultaneously. As a result, all switches 12 are kept at the same temperature level.

The sequence of switching the heating outlets 6 on and off is not fixed. This can be done in sequence. If the switching state of heating outputs 6 in heating mode is not changed in the following cycle time Zt during heating, ie not switched off, there is no switching operation of the respective heating outlets 6 to protect the switching contacts between the cycle times Zt.

During the heating operation, a variable number of heating outlets 6 is switched on and the remaining part of the heating outlets 6 is switched off during cyclical successive cycle times Zt in each cycle time Zt, and the assignment of the switched on and off heating outputs 6 is changed step by step during each cycle time Zt, the number the switched on and off heating outlets 6 and thus the duty cycle of each heating outlet 6 remains the same and / or is changed depending on the rail temperature X and / or the weather. If all the heating outlets 6 of the electric point heating system are switched on, the power ratio is 100% and the cycle times Zt are interrupted and switched off, ie the actual power consumption corresponds to the connected load. If, on the other hand, at least one heating output 6 is switched off and the other heating outputs 6 are switched off during one or more cycle times Zt, the power ratio is in the range from 1% to 99%, preferably between 40% and 75%, ie the actual output corresponds to the product of installed Power P _max and the power ratio L.

Depending on the number of heating outlets 6 switched on or off, several power ratios L are possible.

The power ratios L are formed from the ratio of any number of heating outlets 6, preferably from the ratio of the heating outlets 6 switched on per cycle time Zt, to the number of heating outlets 6 present in the electric point heating system or a subset of heating outlets 6. The power ratios L can be between a minimum value which corresponds to the ratio of one switched-on heating outlet 6 to all heating outputs 6 and a maximum value of 100% which corresponds to the ratio of all switched-on to all heating outputs 6. A power ratio of between 50% and 75% is preferably set when the electrical point heating system is switched on.

For example, there is an electrical point heating system with five points 12, the heating elements 7 of each point 12 being supplied with energy via a heating outlet 6 with controller 10 in the switching distribution 1 when heating (Hz) is requested. Accordingly, five heating outlets 6 are present in the switching distribution 1. The possible power ratios L are five heating outputs x 50% = power ratio 2.5 and five heating outputs x 75% = power ratio 3.75. In this way, between 2.5 and 3.75 heating outlets 6 could be activated in each cycle time Zt. The integer of the two values is 3, ie three heating outlets 6 are switched on and two heating outlets 6 are switched off in each cycle time Zt. The activated power ratio L _a is 100% x 3/5 = 60%. If each heating outlet 6 has 10 kW heating output, the connected load is P, if all heating outputs 6 are switched on, ie with a power ratio of 100%, equal to 5 x 10 kW = 50 kW and with a power ratio of 60% equal to 3 x 10 kW = 30 kW.

• L1 = 100 % x 5 / 5 = 100 % in jeder Taktzeit Zt sind fünf Heizabgänge 6 EIN, d.h. die Heizleistung beträgt 100 % oder 50 kW
• L2 = 100 % x 4 / 5 = 80 % in jeder Taktzeit Zt sind vier Heizabgänge 6 EIN und ein Heizabgang 6 AUS, d.h. die Heizleistung beträgt 80 % oder 40 kW
• L3 = 100 % x 3 / 5 = 60 % in jeder Taktzeit Zt sind drei Heizabgänge 6 EIN und zwei Heizabgänge 6 AUS, d.h. die Heizleistung beträgt 60 % oder 30 kW
• L4 = 100 % x 2 / 5 = 40 % in jeder Taktzeit Zt sind zwei Heizabgänge 6 EIN und drei Heizabgänge 6 AUS, d.h. die Heizleistung beträgt 40 % oder 20 kW
• L5 = 100 % x 1 / 5 = 20 % in jeder Taktzeit Zt sind ein Heizabgang 6 EIN und vier Heizabgänge 6 AUS, d.h. die Heizleistung beträgt 20 % oder 10 kW

The following power ratios L are possible for the electrical point heating system:

• L1 = 100% x 5/5 = 100% in each cycle time Zt, five heating outlets are 6 ON, ie the heating output is 100% or 50 kW
• L2 = 100% x 4/5 = 80% in each cycle time Zt are four heating outlets 6 ON and one heating outflow 6 OFF, ie the heating output is 80% or 40 kW
• L3 = 100% x 3/5 = 60% in each cycle time Zt are three heating outlets 6 ON and two heating outlets 6 OFF, ie the heating output is 60% or 30 kW
• L4 = 100% x 2/5 = 40% in each cycle time Zt are two heating outlets 6 ON and three heating outlets 6 OFF, ie the heating output is 40% or 20 kW
• L5 = 100% x 1/5 = 20% in each cycle time Zt, one heating output 6 ON and four heating outputs 6 OFF, ie the heating output is 20% or 10 kW

Depending on the externally detectable operating parameters B such as air temperature, rail temperature X (cold rail), amount of snow per unit of time, etc., a power ratio L is activated in the control device 3 during each cycle time Zt. If the air temperature is e.g. 0 ° C and precipitation is rain, the power ratio 60% is activated according to the previous example, i.e. during each cycle time Zt three heating outlets 6 are switched on and two heating outlets 6 are switched off. During the first cycle time Zt e.g. the heating outlets 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 are switched on and the heating outlets 6.4 and 6.5 are switched off. During the second cycle time Zt, the circuit diagram is continuously advanced by one in the manner of a step-by-step mechanism, so that the heating outlets 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4 are switched on and the heating outlets 6.5 and 6.1 are switched off, and thus the same number of heating outlets 6 is switched on and off as during the previous cycle time Zt. The circuit diagram is always shifted by one step during the heating time in each cycle time Zt.

The adaptation of the power ratio L to the externally detectable operating parameters B is described below.

In order to ensure reliable heating of the turnouts 12 in winter up to the target rail temperature X _s within a reasonable time, when a certain control deviation xw _n , preferably of 2 K, is exceeded, a monitoring function is activated. The monitoring function consists of a limit value, that is to say the product of preferably 5 K and a maximum time of, for example, 10 minutes = 50 K / min. If this limit is exceeded during heating, the system switches to the next higher power ratio L and / or to 100% power ratio. For this purpose, the time course of the control deviation xw _{n is} recorded during heating in the control circuit of each switch 12 and, after integration of the recorded time course of the control deviation xw _n, compared with the limit value and a greater power ratio L is activated when the limit value is exceeded.

This will be explained below using an example. In the case of heating demand Hz, a control deviation xw _n of 5 K, for example, should not be exceeded within a maximum permissible heating-up time of, for example, 10 minutes. If the rail temperature X is recorded, for example, in steps of 0.1 K and the time is recorded in milliseconds, the limit value integral is, for example, 5 ° K × 0.1 × 10 minutes × 60,000 = 3,000,000 K × ms. For each switch 12, the existing integral of the control deviation xw _{n is} determined by recording the control deviation xw _n over time and compared with the limit value integral. If the limit value integral is exceeded, the switch is made to the next higher power ratio L or to power ratio L 100%, and if the control deviation is zero, there is no heating requirement for this switch 12 and this heating output 6 is not switched on during the cycle time Zt.

On the basis of the existing externally detectable operating parameters, all and / or only individual heating outlets 6 are switched on, with the switching sequence of the switched on and off heating outlets 6 being switched on by one in the next cycle time Zt and thus each heating outflow 6 being switched over several heating cycles consumes the same power and thus a uniform heating of all points 12 of the electrical point heating system is achieved.

According to the invention, various operating modes are activated in the control device 3 as a function of the existing and / or predicted weather conditions in order to ensure the safe functioning of the electric point heating system in winter with a variable power ratio L and changing switching sequences of the heating outlets 6 within cycle times Zt.

A first solution is to suspend "low temperature heating" depending on the probability of precipitation. For this functionality, the weather service queries the forecast values for the probability and type of precipitation. If the probability of precipitation is below 60% for the next 30 minutes at low temperatures, "low temperature heating" is suppressed. If the probability of precipitation is over 60%, a distinction is made as to whether the expected precipitation is Snow or rain, and then the "low temperature heating" activated accordingly as a preheating function. When it rains, the preheating is switched on when there is a 80% probability of precipitation, whereas in the case of forecast snow, heating is started at a probability of 60%.

In this preheating mode, the rail temperature X is kept constant at 0 ° C until the actual precipitation event occurs.

Another solution to save energy is to activate the "low temperature heating" in the case of possible flying snow depending on the amount of snow fallen in the past and subsequent monitoring of the temporal course of the air temperature and the "rain" precipitation in such a way that the amount of snow, preferably the snow depth, from the a snow detector per unit of time is determined with the duration of the snowfall and a signal "flying snow possible" is set and stored at a parameterizable minimum snow height. The snow depth is added as long as the "Flying snow possible" signal has not been reset. The "Flying snow possible" signal is reset after snow has fallen as soon as the air temperature has been above 0 ° C, preferably greater than + 3 ° C, for a long time. If the air temperature falls below - 5 ° C, for example, "low temperature heating" is switched on. If the air temperature exceeds the value of + 3 ° C for a parameterizable time after the signal has been set or if rain is detected for a parameterizable time, the "Flying snow possible" signal is reset and deleted. If the air temperature falls below - 5 ° C, the "low temperature heating" is not switched on.

Another solution is the individual specification of the target rail temperature X _s depending on the type of precipitation and the amount of precipitation.

For example, the target rail temperature X _s does not have to be as high in the rain as in the case of snow. The value also depends on the actual amount of precipitation. The data recorded by the precipitation sensor are included in the control regime, so that the target rail temperature X _s dynamically adapts to the precipitation events on site. If the precipitation sensor detects "drizzle" or "rain", the rail is only heated to +1 ° C in order to prevent the rain from freezing over on cold sliding chairs or tongue rails. Compared to the current state of the art + 6 ° C, considerable savings are possible. In the event of snowfall, depending on the amount of precipitation, a corresponding target rail temperature is selected (cf. Fig. 3 ).

After the end of the rain there is the option to heat the rail once for about 30 minutes to + 6 ° C so that there is no more moisture. This "dry heating" of the switch 12 ensures that when the temperature drops and there is no precipitation and thus the heating is switched off, no residual moisture freezes on the switch 12.

Operating modes according to the invention for electrical point heating systems with heating request Hz by a weather station 2 and / or connection to a weather service with an energy management system can be implemented as follows.

• ◆ Wettervorhersage Niederschlagswahrscheinlichkeit > 80 % und Niederschlagsart "Niesel" bzw. "Regen" oder Niederschlagswahrscheinlichkeit > 60 % und Niederschlagsart "Hagel" bzw. "Schnee" in den nächsten 30 Minuten
• ◆ Vorheizen der drei Gruppen in einer 33 %-Taktung bzw. 66 %-Taktung der Weichen 12 auf einen Schienen-Solltemperatur X_s von ca. 0 °C

Operating mode "low temperature heating" (air temperature <- 5 ° C):

• ◆ Weather forecast probability of precipitation> 80% and type of precipitation "drizzle" or "rain" or probability of precipitation> 60% and type of precipitation "hail" or "snow" in the next 30 minutes
• ◆ Preheating the three groups in a 33% or 66% switching of the switches 12 to a target rail temperature X _s of approx. 0 ° C

• ◆ Lufttemperatur < - 5 °C und verwehfähiger Schnee vorhanden (Signal "Flugschnee möglich" ist gesetzt)
• ◆ Vorheizen der drei Gruppen in einer 33 %-Taktung oder 66 %-Taktung der Weichen auf eine Schienen-Solltemperatur X_s von ca. 0 °C
• ◆ Wird zusätzlich durch einen Flugschneefühler tatsächlich Flugschnee detektiert, wechselt die Anlage in das Heizregime "Feuchtheizen Schnee".

Operating mode "flying snow":

• ◆ Air temperature <- 5 ° C and snow that can blow away (signal "Flying snow possible" is set)
• ◆ Preheating the three groups in a 33% or 66% switching of the switches to a target rail temperature X _s of approx. 0 ° C
• ◆ If flying snow is actually detected by a flying snow sensor, the system changes to the "moist snow heating" heating regime.

• ◆ Wettervorhersage Lufttemperatur < + 3 °C und Niederschlagswahrscheinlichkeit > 80 % und Niederschlagsart "Niesel" bzw. "Regen" in den nächsten 30 min
• ◆ Vorheizen der drei Gruppen in einer 33 %-Taktung auf eine Schienensolltemperatur von ca. 0 °C
  ODER
• ◆ Lufttemperaturfühler < + 3 °C und Niederschlagsfühler detektiert Regen
• ◆ Heizen der drei Gruppen in einer 33 %- oder 66 %-Taktung auf eine Schienen-Solltemperatur X_s von ca. + 1 °C

Operating mode "heating in damp rain":

• ◆ Weather forecast air temperature <+ 3 ° C and precipitation probability> 80% and precipitation type "drizzle" or "rain" in the next 30 min
• ◆ Preheat the three groups in a 33% cycle to a target rail temperature of approx. 0 ° C
  OR
• ◆ Air temperature sensor <+ 3 ° C and rain sensor detects rain
• ◆ Heating the three groups in a 33% or 66% cycle to a target rail temperature X _s of approx. + 1 ° C

• ◆ Lufttemperatur < + 3 °C und Wettervorhersage Niederschlagswahrscheinlichkeit > 60 % und Niederschlagsart "Hagel" bzw. "Schnee" in den nächsten 30 Minuten
• ◆ Vorheizen einer Gruppe in einer 33 %- bzw. 66 %-Taktung auf eine Schienensolltemperatur von ca. + 3 °C
  ODER
• ◆ Lufttemperaturfühler < + 3 °C und Niederschlagsfühler detektiert Schnee oder Hagel
• ◆ Heizen der drei Gruppen in einer 33 %- oder 66 %-Taktung auf eine Schienensolltemperatur entsprechend Menge und Lufttemperatur (Sollwertanhebung ab - 1 °C)

Operating mode "Heating in damp snow or flying snow":

• ◆ Air temperature <+ 3 ° C and weather forecast precipitation probability> 60% and precipitation type "hail" or "snow" in the next 30 minutes
• ◆ Preheating a group in a 33% or 66% cycle to a target rail temperature of approx. + 3 ° C
  OR
• ◆ Air temperature sensor <+ 3 ° C and precipitation sensor detects snow or hail
• ◆ Heating of the three groups in a 33% or 66% cycle to a target rail temperature according to the quantity and air temperature (setpoint increase from - 1 ° C)

• ◆ 30 Minuten Trockenheizen der drei Gruppen nach Wegfall des Niederschlagsignals in einer 66 %-Taktung um Restfeuchte, welche an der Schiene gefrieren könnte, zu verhindern, Sollwert + 6 °C

Operating mode "Dry heating of the turnouts after the heating request Hz is no longer available":

• ◆ 30 minutes dry heating of the three groups after the precipitation signal disappears in a 66% cycle to prevent residual moisture that could freeze on the rail, setpoint + 6 ° C

• ◆ Manuelle Einschaltung zeitbegrenzt über Steuerungseinrichtung in mit Leistungsverhältnis zwischen 50 % und 75 % oder 100 %.

Operating mode "emergency or short-term heating"

• ◆ Manual activation for a limited time via the control device in with a power ratio between 50% and 75% or 100%.

In Figure 1 An electrical point heating system according to the prior art is shown with three heating outlets 6. If the weather is suitable, the heating request Hz is generated by the weather station 2 in the control device 3 and all heating outlets 6 are switched on simultaneously. At least one rail temperature sensor 8 regulates the rail temperature X during the heating request Hz between two parameterizable setpoints, for example + 4 ° C and + 7 ° C.

In Figure 2 the time course of the power P is shown as a function of the weather-dependent heating request time according to the prior art. At time t1 the heating condition is fulfilled, ie the air temperature is less than or equal to + 3 ° C and precipitation occurs. At this time, the electrical point heating system is switched on and the power P corresponds to the installed power P _max , which corresponds to the sum of all installed heating elements 7 of the electrical point heating system, and all the points 12 are heated. The power consumption corresponds to the installed heating power P _{max of} the heating elements 7 of all turnouts 12. From time t1 to time t2, the turnouts 12 are heated up to the target rail temperature Xs. The target rail temperature X _{s is} reached at time t2 and at this point all heating outlets 6 are switched off and the rails of all switches 12 cool. The power is zero from time t2. When the lowest rail target temperature X _{s is reached} at time t3, the heating of all switches 12 is switched on again and the switches 12 are heated up to the upper setpoint. From here on, the power P corresponds again to the installed power P _{max of} the heating elements 7 of all switches 12. If no precipitation is detected at the time tn, the heating device Hz is omitted from the control device 3 and the heating is switched off completely.

In Figure 3 the switching states of an electrical point heating system with five heating outlets 6.1 to 6.5 for five points 12 are shown for the inventive method with circulating heating operation with a power ratio L 60%. At Heating request Hz are 60% of the five heating outputs 6, that is three heating outputs 6, switched on during the first cycle time Zt, the others are switched off. The cycle time Zt is, for example, 60 seconds. In the next cycle time Zt, the switching sequence is switched one step further. After five cycle times Zt, all heating outlets 6.1 to 6.5 were switched on for a total of 3 x 60 seconds. Due to the long dead time of the rails, there are no disadvantages of heating due to the switching state OFF.

In Figure 4 is the performance of the switching states after Figure 3 given an assumed installed heating power P of 10 KW per switch 12 over five cycle times Zt and the resulting total power. The total power is 30 KW.

In Figure 5 An electrical point heating system according to the invention with three heating outlets 6 is shown. Between the control device 3 and each switching device 5 of the electrical point heating system is a controller 10 with input rail temperature sensor X _n , input rail setpoint temperature X _s depending on the active operating mode, output control signal Y _n "heating ON", output control deviation xw _n and output Y _max arranged. In addition, a shift register 13 with clock 14 is arranged between the control device 3 and the control input St of a switching device 9. The controller 10 receives the current operating mode from the control device 3, ie the target rail temperature X _s . The shift register 13 receives the current power ratio L from the control unit 3 and the clock 14 activates the number of switching devices 5 corresponding to the power ratio L during each clock time Zt and deactivates the other switching devices 5 cyclically by the connection between the control signal Y _n "heating switch" and Control input St switching device can be closed or opened via contacts of the clock 14. Via the connection of control output Y _n of controller 10 and switching device 5, the power ratio L of each heating outlet 6 can be changed individually to 100% and / or 0% depending on the control deviation switch xw _n .

In the Figures 6a to 6d is, according to the inventive method, the time course of the switching sequence of an electrical point heating system with three points 12 when heating with a power ratio 66.6% and different control deviations xw _n and the resulting setting of the power ratios L of the individual points 12 of an electrical point heating system over time for each switch 12 shown. Corresponding Figure 6a the heating request Hz, for example due to falling snow, is activated from time t1 to tn.

In the Figure 6b the switching sequence for switch 12.1 is shown. Initially, the parameterized is activated from time t1 based on the heating request Hz Power ratio L or the increase in the power ratio L to 100% depending on the comparison of the control deviation switch 12.1 (xws1) with the calculated limit value maximum control deviation xw _max accordingly Figure 7 . The pitch control deviation xw _n is the time t1 for example. 10 K. The control deviation Soft xw _riser is formed from the quotient deviation Soft 12.1 (XW1) and the heating time _(t) and is 5 K / 10 min = 0.5 K / min. The operator of the electrical point heating system has parameterized the parameterized heating time t _par with 15 minutes project-specifically. By multiplying the pitch control deviation xw Soft _sidewalk and parameterized heating time t _par results in the maximum control deviation xw _max at 7.5 K of 0.5 K / min multiplied by 15 minutes. This value is greater than the maximum control deviation (xw _max ) limit of 7.5 K accordingly Figure 7 , so that the power ratio L for switch 12.1 is switched to 100% by the time tx1. As a result, the switch 12.1 is heated with 100% power and the control deviation xw _n decreases quickly. At time tx1, the control deviation slope of switch 12.1 (xws1) is equal to the limit value control deviation (xw _max ), so that at the next following cycle time Zt the power ratio L 66.6% for switch 12.1 is activated, i.e. the further heating of switch 12.1 takes place with power ratio L 66.6% until the end of the heating requirement Hz at time tn and beyond with a time delay for dry heating of the switch 12.1.

In Figure 6c the control deviation switch 12.2 (xw2) at the time t1 is less than 5 K, e.g. 4 K, and is therefore smaller than the maximum control deviation xw _max , so that the heating of the switch 12.2 from time t2 with a power ratio L 66.6% up to the time tn and also with a time delay to dry the switch 12.1.

In Figure 6d the control deviation of switch 12.3 (xw3) at time t1 is less than 5 K, for example 2 K, and is zero at time tx3. As long as the control deviation xw _{n of} the switch 12.3 is zero, there is no heating requirement and the power ratio L for switch 12.3 is set to 0%. Only when the control deviation of the switch 12.3 is greater than zero, the power ratio L 66.6% is activated again. If there are more than three switches 12, several power ratios L can be formed.

In Figure 6d The heating for switch 12.3 begins at time t3 at intervals of 120 seconds and the control deviation is greater than 2 K at time t1. In the case of control deviation greater than 2 K, the monitoring function for switch 12.3 is switched off at time t1. The limit value product is not exceeded, so that heating continues in cyclical operation. At time tx3 the control deviation becomes zero and the further switching on of the switch 12.3 remains switched off as long as the control deviation xw _{n is} zero.

In Figure 7 the determination of the maximum control deviation xw _{max is} shown, if it is exceeded the power ratio L is increased and if it is undershot the power ratio L is decreased. From practical experience, it is known that electrical point heating systems with heating elements 7, the specific heating capacity is for example 330 W / m, when heating with cycle times Zt and Value L 66.6% the rails during a heating time t _to 10 minutes to an excess temperature 5 K heat, that is, in this example, the control deviation xw _at 5 K when heated during the heating time of t _to 10 minutes. The slope deviation is dXw from the quotient of the control deviation xw during heating _and the heating time t _on from 5 ° K divided by 10 minutes formed, ie, the slope deviation dXw is 0.5 K / min. The project-specific programmable maximum heating time t _on-max is parameterized specific plant individual, for example, 15 minutes, and the maximum control deviation xw _max from the product of a project-specific configurable maximum heating time t _on-max and pitch control deviation xw formed _sidewalk, ie for example the product of a project-specific programmable maximum heating time tup-max of 15 minutes, multiplied by pitch control deviation xw _sidewalk of 0.5 K / min gives a maximum control deviation xw _max of 7.5 K. During the entire heating operation, the control deviation xw _n 12 detects an electrical point heating system at all points and If the maximum control deviation xw _max is exceeded, the power ratio L of at least this switch 12 is increased, for example to 100%, and is reduced if it falls below.

The Figure 8 shows in heating the course of the heating of the rail actual temperature X _n at the time t1 to the rail set temperature X _S during the heating-up time t _to the time t1 to the time t2, and the profile of the rail actual temperature X _n during the regulating heating tr from the time t2 for each control cycle tz, a control cycle tz being shown, for example, from time t2 to time t3 and consisting of a heating time component, here the heating is switched on, and a cooling time component, here the heating is switched off. Due to the inertia of the rails, the actual rail temperature X _n overshoots. During the heating operation, the control deviation xw _{n of} each switch 12 of the electrical switch heating system is recorded and monitored at the beginning of the heating-up time at the time t1 and during the control time tr within each control cycle tz between the times t2 and t3 by comparison with the maximum control deviation xw _max and corresponding Switching to a higher or lower power ratio L in the event of deviations, taking into account a parameterizable hysteresis control deviation XH.

Switching to a higher power ratio L should be accordingly Figure 8 with the values Figure 7 are explained by way of example. At the start of heating operation, the actual rail temperature X1 of the switch 12.1 is, for example - 4 ° C and it is a project-specific parameterizable maximum heating-up time tauf-max of 15 minutes parameterized. When the heating is switched on at time t1, the control deviation xw1 from the maximum control deviation xw _{max is} 7.5 K minus the actual rail temperature X1 - Xn at time t1 (7.5 K - - 4 K) 11.5 K. From comparison of control deviation xw1 with maximum control deviation xw _max results in control deviation xw1 is greater than maximum control deviation xw _max and the power ratio L is increased at time t1, for example to 100%. After the heating-up time t _on at time t2, the control deviation xw _n is zero and the heating is switched off and after a short overshoot of the actual rail temperature X1, the rail cools down. Upon reaching the lower hysteresis rail temperature XH, the detection of the control deviation occurs xw _rule and comparing the deviation xw _rule with the maximum control deviation xw _max analog during heating and depending on the lowering of the power ratio L, for example, to the configured value of 66.6% below Consideration of a parameterizable hysteresis control deviation xwH.

In Figure 9 The operating modes are shown depending on the precipitation quality and the offsets provided for cold rails depending on the amount of precipitation and ambient temperature and / or rail temperature.

In the "no precipitation" operating mode, "low-temperature heating" takes place with the "low-temperature heating ON" switch-on condition with a set rail temperature X _s of + 6 ° C and an increase in the set rail temperature X _s by 1 K / ° C from a parameterizable ambient or rail temperature X (cold rail) and with switch-on condition "low temperature heating ON" with a target rail temperature X _s of - 99 ° C, ie the heating is not switched on.

In the operating mode "forecast precipitation" by a weather station 2, for example, there is a target rail temperature X _s of 0 ° C. and no increase in the target rail temperature X _s as a function of the amount of precipitation and the ambient temperature.

In the operating mode "Flying snow possible" by evaluating the weather history, for example by recording the time profile, air temperature takes place with a target rail temperature X _s of 0 ° C and no increase in the target rail temperature X _s depending on the amount of precipitation and ambient temperature.

In the "Rain" operating mode, for example by a weather station 2, the rail target temperature X _s of + 1 ° C and no increase in the rail target temperature X _s depend on the amount of precipitation and an ambient temperature offset of 1 K to the rail target temperature X _s an ambient or rail temperature cold rail per - 1 ° C.

In the "Snow" operating mode, for example by a weather station 2, the target rail temperature X _{s is} + 3 ° C and the target rail temperature X _{s is} increased by 1 K depending on the amount of snow recorded and the snow depth derived from it per time unit, e.g. Snow depth from 2 cm per hour and an additional ambient temperature offset from 1 K to the target rail temperature X _s from an ambient or rail temperature cold rail per -1 ° C.

Reference numerals

1

Switching distribution

2nd

Weather station

3rd

Control device

5

Switchgear

6

Heating outlet

7

Heating elements

8th

Rail temperature sensor

9

power grid

10th

Regulator

12th

Switch

13

Shift register

14

Clock

B

predefinable operating parameters

Hz

Heating request

L

Performance ratio

L _f

fixed performance ratio

L _e

correlating performance ratio with externally ascertainable operating parameter (B)

L _a

active performance ratio

L _pro

project-specific performance ratio

P _max

installed capacity

P _n

Power switch

T _par

parameterizable temperature value

St

Control signal

t _par

parameterizable time

t _n

time

t _max

Max. Heating time

t _on

configurable heating time

t _on-max

project-specific programmable maximum heating time t _on

t _r

Standard time

t _z

Control cycle

X

Rail temperature

X _n

Actual rail temperature

X _s

Rail target temperature

X _e

End value of the rail temperature

xw _n

Control deviation switch

xw _sn

Slope control deviation switch

xw _max

maximum permissible control deviation

xw _rule

Rule deviation rules

xw _on

Deviation heating time t _on

xw _sidewalk

Slope of the control deviation xw _at

Y _n

Control signal "heating switch ON"

Y _max

Control signal "power ratio max"

Zt

Cycle time

Claims (12)

1. Method for managing energy in an electrical switch heating system, comprising at least two switches (12), on each of which at least one heating element (7) is arranged, at least one circuit distribution (1) with at least one heating output (6) per switch (12) and at least one control device (3) for controlling and regulating the rail temperature (X), comprising the steps of

   a) during the heating operation of the electric switch heating system, forming of cyclically successive cycle times (Zt)

   b) for each cycle time (Zt), forming at least one power ratio (L) corresponding to the number of switched-on and switched-off heating outputs (6),

   c) during each cycle time (Zt) of at least one fixed power ratio (L_f) or a power ratio (Le) correlating with at least one externally detectable operating parameter (B), activating the heating outputs (6) one after the other starting with the switched-on or switched-off heating outputs (6) in accordance with the power ratio (L) and deactivating the remaining heating outputs (6) in a circulating step-by-step mode of operation,

   d) thereby carrying out at least one active power ratio (L_a), wherein an adaptation of the at least one active power ratio (L_a) is carried out, which is carried out as a function of an actual control deviation and a limit value "maximum control deviation" is determined by detecting an existing control deviation (xw_auf) at the beginning of the heating time (t_auf) when the electrical points heating system with a project-specific power ratio (L_pro) between 60% and 75% within the heating time (t_auf) is switched on, whereby the quotient of the existing control deviation (xw_auf) and a heating time (t_auf) results in a gradient of the control deviation (xw_steig), which is stored so that a maximum permissible control deviation (xw_max) during heating is determined from the product gradient of the control deviation (xw_steig) and a maximum heating time (t_auf-max) which can be parameterised in a project-specific manner, wherein when the maximum control deviation (xw_max) is exceeded, the at least one active power ratio (L_a) is adapted to 100%,
   d1) repeating step d) after a definable time period or if the maximum control deviation (xw_max) is exceeded or not reached,

   e) in the event of a weather-related heating requirement (Hz) for at least one switch (12), calculating the theoretical heating time until the predeterminable desired rail temperature (X_s) of the switch (12) is reached and comparing this with a parameterizable heating time (t_auf),
   e1) if the parameterizable heating time (t_auf) is exceeded, increasing the active power ratio (L_a) at least of the affected heating output (6) by increasing the number of heating outputs (6) switched on per cycle time (Zt) by one and reducing the number of heating outputs (6) switched off per cycle time (Zt) by one or increasing the power ratio (La) to 100%,

   wherein after and/or before each cycle time (Zt) the respective rail temperature (X) of at least one switch (12) connected to the electrical switch heating system is compared with the predeterminable rail target temperature (X_s), wherein in evaluation of this comparison the allocation of the switched-on and switched-off heating outputs (6) within the allocatable groups (G) is changed by switching off heating outputs (6) with heating surplus in favour of heating outputs (6) with heating deficit during the respective cycle time (Zt).
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein, depending on the at least one externally detectable operating parameter (B), distinguishable control modes with correspondingly assigned rail setpoint temperature values (X_s) are formed by adding setpoint supplements to parameterizable basic setpoint values in each case if the at least one externally detectable operating parameter (B) is exceeded and/or undercut.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the externally detectable operating parameter (B) is selected from air temperature, air humidity, rail temperature (X), snow, blowing snow and/or rain.
4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein by detecting the operating parameter "snow" the snow depth is determined with a suitable sensor and thereby in the case of the predeterminable operating parameter "air temperature" a control mode "low-temperature heating" is activated or deactivated in that a parameterizable temperature value (T_par) over a predeterminable time and/or over a parameterizable time (t_par) has been detected via the detection and evaluation of the time characteristic of the operating parameter "air temperature" and/or via the detection of the operating parameter "rain".
5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in step a) the cyclically successive cycle times (Zt) of equal duration from 1 second to 300 seconds, preferably 50 seconds to 70 seconds, are formed with or without time pause.
6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one active power ratio (L_a) is formed from the quotient of the number of switched-on heating outputs (6) or switched-off heating outputs (6) and the total number of heating outputs (6) of the electric switch heating system.
7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the switching sequence of the heating outputs (6) is changed after and/or before each cycle time (Zt).
8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the detected time curve of the rail temperature (X) at at least one switch (12) is stored in the control device (3) and the final value of the rail temperature (X_e) is compared with a predeterminable desired rail temperature (X_s), wherein the number of switched-off heating outputs (6) during at least one cycle time (Zt) is formed by the largest temperature difference thus determined.
9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein if the rail temperature (X) at a switch (12) with an unswitched heating feeder (6) is greater than the rail target temperature (X_s), this heating feeder (6) is switched off during the current cycle time (Zt).
10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the actual power is determined during each cycle time (Zt) and the minimum actual power, the average actual power and the maximum actual power is stored within a predeterminable time period.
11. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein during each cycle time (Zt) the active power ratio (L_a) is monitored so that when a power ratio (L_a) of 100% is reached at least once when the active power ratio (L_a) is increased, the operating parameters (B) current at that moment are stored in a first memory connected to the control device (3), wherein, in the event of a subsequent heating request (Hz), these stored operating parameters (B) are compared with the then current operating parameters (B), so that if the then current operating parameters (B) are equal to or worse for the electric points heating system than the stored operating parameters (B), a power ratio (L_a) of 100% is set immediately.
12. Device for the managing energy of an electric switch heating system, which has at least two switches (12), on each of which at least one heating element (7) is arranged, at least one circuit distribution (1) with at least one heating output (6) per switch (12) and at least one control device (3) for controlling and regulating the rail temperature (X), comprising

    - at least one controller (10), which is arranged between the control device (3) in the circuit distribution (1) and a switching device (5) of the at least one heating output (6), wherein the at least one controller (10) is connected to the control device (3) via a binary connection and/or a bus connection,

    - at least one shift register (13) with clock pulse (14), which is connected to the at least one controller (10) via a binary connection and/or a bus connection,

    - at least one output "control signal heating switch ON" (Y_n) of the controller (10), which is connected via the clock pulse (14) of the shift register (13) to a control input of the switching device (5) or via a control signal max (St_max) directly to the switching device (5),

    wherein the active power ratio (L_a) to the shift register (13) and the rail target temperature (X_s) can be transmitted from the control device (3) to the at least one controller (10) via a connection between the control device (3) and the shift register (13) during each cycle time (Zt), and a power ratio (L) deviating from the active power ratio (L_a) can be transmitted from the at least one controller (10) to the switching device (5) via a direct line via the actuating signal max (St_max), and
    wherein at least one memory is arranged in the circuit distribution (1), which memory is connected to the control device (3) via a binary connection and/or a bus connection, wherein at least one operating parameter (B) can be transmitted via this connection and can be stored in the at least one memory and can be retrieved from the latter by the control device (3).

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