EP3838708A1 - System and method for detecting a malfunction of a consumable dispenser for railway rolling stock, and method for signalling such a malfunction - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention mainly relates to a system for detecting a malfunction of a consumable dispenser for railway rolling stock, which dispenser comprises at least one reservoir and at least one dispensing device provided for dispensing said consumable at the level of at least one. at least one wheel (1) of said railway material according to at least one determined distribution setpoint, the dispenser being in an operational state when at least the level of consumable in its reservoir is greater than a determined limit level, characterized in that the system comprises at least one level sensor of the consumable in the reservoir of the dispenser, and processing and control means which are connected to the level sensor and to the dispensing device, and configured to compare at least one measurement data coming from the level sensor and the distribution setpoint, and to generate at least one piece of data indicating a malfunction of the distributor if the level sensor measurement data is not correlated with the distribution setpoint.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention falls within the field of the distribution of consumables during the circulation of railway rolling stock.

The invention relates more particularly to the field of the distribution of consumables at the level of the interface between the wheels of the railway rolling stock and the rails of the railway track.

PRIOR ART AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE PRIOR ART

In a known manner, in order to ensure safe circulation of railway rolling stock, it is necessary to provide a distribution of consumable at the interface between the wheels 1 of the rolling stock and the rails 4 of the railway track. Each wheel 1 of railway equipment comprises a tread 2 in contact with the upper surface 5 of the rail 4, and a flange 3 which guides the wheel 1 by resting against a lateral face 6 of the rail 4.

In particular, a railway rolling stock comprises at least one grease distributor - called a flange lubricator - which continuously distributes a fatty substance between the wheels 1 of the equipment and the rails 4. The distribution of grease thus makes it possible to generate a layer of fatty substance between the wheel flange 3 and the rail 4, which makes it possible to reduce the friction between said flange 3 and the rail 4, and to prevent premature wear of the wheels 1, or even the derailment of the rolling stock.

The rolling stock also includes at least one sand distributor - known as a sand pit - which distributes sand on an ad hoc basis between the tread 2 of the wheels 1 of the rolling stock and the rails 4, to increase the friction between the wheels 1 and the rail 4 in the event of external conditions unfavorable to the grip of the wheels 1, and in particular in the event of a thunderstorm.

In a known manner, the level of these consumables in the reservoirs of the respective distributors is checked between two maintenance operations programmed in advance.

This solution nevertheless has drawbacks. First, no control of the consumable level is carried out between two maintenance operations. In fact, the frequency of maintenance is not optimized. On the other hand, it is not possible to detect a malfunction of the consumable dispenser between two maintenances, or even to detect whether the consumable reservoir is empty, which prevents the dispensing of consumable at the level of the wheels which could lead to problems. difficulties in the movement of railway material. In addition, a malfunction is not necessarily identified during maintenance if no specific verification operation of one of the distributors is programmed.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

The invention therefore relates to a system for detecting any malfunction of a consumable dispenser making it possible to optimize the frequency of maintenance operations and to limit the impact of this malfunction on the movement of railway rolling stock.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

To this end, the invention relates to a system for detecting a malfunction of a consumable dispenser for railway rolling stock, which dispenser comprises at least one reservoir and at least one dispensing device designed to dispense said consumable at the level of. 'at least one wheel of said railway material according to at least one determined distribution setpoint, the dispenser being in an operational state when at least the level of consumable in its tank is greater than a determined limit level, characterized in that the system comprises at least at least one level sensor of the consumable in the reservoir of the dispenser, and processing and control means which are connected to the level sensor and to the dispensing device, and which are configured to compare at least one measurement data coming from the sensor of level and the distribution setpoint, and to generate at least one datum indicating a malfunction of the distributor if the level sensor measurement data is not correlated with the distribution setpoint.

• Les moyens de traitement sont configurés pour déduire de la consigne de distribution une consommation de référence de consommable et pour la comparer au niveau de consommable dans le réservoir.
• Le système comprend des moyens de géolocalisation reliés au moyens de traitement et de commande et destinés à géolocaliser le matériel roulant ferroviaire, et des moyens de communication sans fil reliés aux moyens de traitement et de commande et destinés à envoyer au moins la donnée de dysfonctionnement.

The system may also include the following optional characteristics considered in isolation or in all possible technical combinations:

• The processing means are configured to deduce from the distribution instruction a reference consumption of consumable and to compare it with the level of consumable in the tank.
• The system comprises geolocation means connected to the processing and control means and intended to geolocate the railway rolling stock, and wireless communication means connected to the processing and control means and intended to send at least the malfunction datum.

1. i.Détermination de la quantité théorique de consommable distribuée à un instant donné à partir de la consigne de distribution de consommable ;
2. ii.Détermination du niveau théorique de consommable dans le réservoir du distributeur à partir de la quantité théorique distribuée ;
3. iii. Détermination du niveau réel de consommable dans le réservoir ;
4. iv.Détermination de la différence entre le niveau réel et le niveau théorique du réservoir ;
5. v.Si la valeur absolue de cette différence est supérieure à un seuil déterminé, génération d'une donnée de dysfonctionnement du distributeur.

The invention also relates to a method for detecting the malfunction of a consumable dispenser for moving railway rolling stock equipped with at least one detection system as described above, comprising the successive steps of:

1. i.Determination of the theoretical quantity of consumable dispensed at a given time from the consumable dispensing instruction;
2. ii.Determination of the theoretical level of consumable in the dispenser tank from the theoretical quantity dispensed;
3. iii. Determination of the actual level of consumable in the tank;
4. iv. Determination of the difference between the actual level and the theoretical level of the reservoir;
5. v. If the absolute value of this difference is greater than a determined threshold, generation of a dispenser malfunction datum.

• La donnée de dysfonctionnement indique que le dispositif de distribution est bouché si le niveau réel du réservoir est supérieur au niveau théorique, et en ce que la donnée de dysfonctionnement indique que le réservoir de consommable fuit si le niveau réel dudit réservoir est inférieur au niveau théorique.
• La donnée de dysfonctionnement indique que le réservoir est vide si le niveau réel du réservoir est inférieur à un niveau limite déterminé.
• Le procédé comprend suite à la détection d'un dysfonctionnement du distributeur à l'étape v, les étapes supplémentaires successives de :
  • Génération d'une donnée de localisation précisant le type de dysfonctionnement et la position du matériel ferroviaire roulant à l'instant déterminé par des moyens de géolocalisation compris dans le système de détection et reliés aux moyens de traitement et de commande ;
  • Envoi de la donnée de localisation, par des moyens de communication sans fil dit bord-sol intégrés dans le système de détection et reliés aux moyens de commande et de traitement, à au moins des moyens de transmission et de réception sans fil installés au sol.
• La quantité théorique distribuée à l'instant donné est déterminée à l'étape i en fonction du nombre de commandes ponctuelles de distribution de consommable intervenues audit instant donné.
• La consigne de distribution engendre une distribution continue de consommable, et en ce que la quantité théorique distribuée à l'instant donné est déterminée à l'étape i en fonction de la distance parcourue à cet instant donné par le matériel roulant ferroviaire, laquelle distance parcourue est déterminée à l'aide de moyens de géolocalisation compris dans le système de détection et reliés aux moyens de traitement et de commande.

The process can also include the following optional characteristics considered in isolation or according to all the possible technical combinations:

• The malfunction data indicates that the dispensing device is clogged if the actual level of the reservoir is greater than the theoretical level, and in that the malfunction datum indicates that the consumable reservoir is leaking if the actual level of said reservoir is below the theoretical level .
• The malfunction data indicates that the tank is empty if the actual level of the tank is below a determined limit level.
• The method comprises, following the detection of a malfunction of the dispenser in step v, the successive additional steps of:
  • Generation of location data specifying the type of malfunction and the position of the rolling stock at the instant determined by geolocation means included in the detection system and linked to the processing and control means;
  • Sending of the location data, by wireless communication means called edge-to-ground integrated in the detection system and connected to the control and processing means, to at least wireless transmission and reception means installed on the ground.
• The theoretical quantity dispensed at the given instant is determined in step i as a function of the number of one-off orders for dispensing consumable made at said given instant.
• The distribution setpoint generates a continuous distribution of consumable, and in that the theoretical quantity distributed at the given instant is determined in step i as a function of the distance traveled at this given instant by the railway rolling stock, which distance traveled is determined using geolocation means included in the detection system and connected to the processing and control means.

Finally, the invention relates to rolling stock comprising at least one consumable dispenser and at least one detection system as described above capable of implementing the detection method as described above.

PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

• [Fig. 1] La figure 1 représente une vue en perspective d'une partie de roue d'un matériel roulant ferroviaire posée sur un rail d'une voie ferrée ;
• [Fig. 2] La figure 2 est un ordinogramme représentant les étapes du procédé de l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description which is given below, by way of indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended figures:

• [ Fig. 1 ] The figure 1 shows a perspective view of a wheel part of a railway rolling stock placed on a rail of a railway track;
• [ Fig. 2 ] The figure 2 is a flowchart representing the steps of the method of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is first of all specified that in the figures, the same references designate the same elements whatever the figure in which they appear and whatever the form of representation of these elements. Likewise, if elements are not specifically referenced in one of the figures, their references can easily be found by referring to another figure.

It is also specified that the figure 2 essentially represents one embodiment of the object of the invention but that there may be other embodiments which meet the definition of the invention.

The invention can be applied to all types of rolling railway vehicles provided with at least one consumable dispenser provided for distributing said consumable between the wheels 1 of the railway vehicle. The implementation of the invention will be presented through a grease distributor at the level of the flange 3 of wheels 1 of the railway material. The consumable of this dispenser being grease, it will be referred to hereinafter as “lubricator”. The implementation of the invention will also be presented through a sand distributor between the rails 4 and the tread 2 of the wheels 1 of the railway rolling stock. The consumable of this dispenser being sand, it will be referred to hereinafter as “sandbox”.

In the remainder of the description, the rolling stock will be called "train", knowing that the invention applies to any type of rolling stock.

The train comprises several grease nipples and several sand pits making it possible to distribute grease and sand respectively at the level of the wheels 1 of the train.

The lubricator comprises a grease reservoir and a distribution device controlled by a control system on board the train. This distribution device, of known type, is configured to continuously distribute grease at the level of the flange 3 of the wheel or wheels considered 1. Thus, the distribution setpoint implemented by the train control system generates a continuous distribution of grease, according to a determined theoretical flow rate and recorded in a database of said control system.

The sand pit comprises a sand reservoir and a distribution device controlled by the on-board control system on the train. This distribution device, of known type, is configured to distribute sand from time to time between the tread 2 of the wheels 1 and the rails 4 of the railway track. Thus, the distribution setpoint implemented by the train control system generates a punctual distribution of sand, each punctual order of distribution sent by the control system distributing a theoretical calibrated dose of sand.

According to the invention, the train comprises a system for detecting at least one malfunction of the consumable distributor considered, that is to say at least one of the lubricators and / or at least one of the sand pits of the train. .

The detection system firstly comprises processing and control means connected to the various elements of the detection system, as well as to the distribution devices of the various distributors of the train. Advantageously, these processing and control means are included in the train control system.

The detection system further comprises a plurality of level sensors connected to the processing and control means, each sensor being installed in the reservoir of the distributor in question. Such a level sensor makes it possible to determine the filling level of consumable in the tank in question. The processing and control means can thus receive the data transmitted by the level sensors. In the remainder of the description, these data coming from the level sensors will be called “sensor data”.

The detection system further comprises geolocation means connected to the processing and control means, which geolocation means are for example a satellite positioning system of the GPS type. Finally, the detection system comprises wireless communication means connected to the processing and control means, making it possible to communicate with a terminal installed on the ground also provided with wireless communication means. These wireless communication means are commonly called edge-to-ground communication means, and are implemented for example by combining cellular networks (in particular 3G and 4G protocols) and wireless communication protocols of the Wi-Fi type.

The functions of the geolocation means and of the wireless communication means will be specified below, in connection with a method according to the invention for detecting at least one malfunction of the consumable dispenser (s) considered, with reference to the figure 2 .

During the first step of the method E1, the processing and control means of the detection system determine the theoretical quantity of consumable distributed at a given time, from the consumable distribution instruction implemented by the train control system.

The implementation of this first step E1 differs depending on whether the distributor is a lubricator or a sandbox.

When the distributor is a sand pit, the processing and control means determine the theoretical quantity of sand distributed by the distributor in question after each one-off order sent to said distributor. Thus, after n dispensing commands, the processing and control means determine that the theoretical quantity dispensed is n times the theoretical calibrated dose dispensed after a single dispensing command.

When the distributor is a lubricator, the distribution of grease being continuous, the processing and control means periodically determine the theoretical quantity distributed, over a period which depends on the type of lubricator and the speed of the train. When determining the theoretical quantity distributed at a given instant, the processing and control means determine the distance traveled by the train at this given instant via the geolocation means, by comparing the position of the train at this instant and the position of the train just before its departure. The theoretical quantity distributed at this given instant is then deduced by the processing and control means by correlating the theoretical grease delivery rate and the distance traveled by the train at this instant.

• Les moyens de traitement et de commande déterminent la différence entre la quantité initiale de consommable, déterminée avant le départ du train à l'aide d'une donnée capteur provenant du capteur de niveau considéré, et la quantité théorique distribuée déterminée à l'étape précédente pour en déduire la quantité théorique restante de consommable dans le réservoir considéré,
• Les dimensions des différents réservoirs des graisseurs et sablières étant enregistrées dans une base de données comprise dans un espace mémoire des moyens de traitement et de commande, ces derniers déterminent un niveau théorique de consommable dans le réservoir à partir de la quantité théorique restante de consommable dans ledit réservoir.

During the second step E2, the processing and control means determine the theoretical level of sand or grease in the reservoir of the distributor (s) considered. This theoretical level is calculated as follows:

• The processing and control means determine the difference between the initial quantity of consumable, determined before the departure of the train using a sensor datum coming from the level sensor in question, and the theoretical quantity distributed determined in the previous step to deduce therefrom the theoretical remaining quantity of consumable in the tank considered,
• Since the dimensions of the various grease nipple and sandbox reservoirs are recorded in a database included in a memory space of the processing and control means, the latter determine a theoretical level of consumable in the reservoir from the theoretical remaining quantity of consumable in said reservoir.

During the third step E3, the processing means recover from the level sensor considered the sensor data indicating the actual level of consumable in the reservoir of the distributor considered.

During the fourth step E4, the processing and control means calculate, for each distributor of the train, the difference between the real level determined in the third step and the theoretical level of the tank considered. If the absolute value of this difference is less than a determined threshold recorded in the memory space of the processing and control means, then the distributor in question is deemed to be functional.

• Si la différence est négative, le distributeur considéré a distribué davantage de consommable qu'attendu théoriquement. Les moyens de traitement et de commande générèrent alors une donnée de dysfonctionnement indiquant une fuite du réservoir ou du dispositif de distribution du distributeur considéré ;
• Si la différence est positive, le distributeur considéré n'a pas distribué suffisamment de consommable vis-à-vis de la quantité théorique attendue. Les moyens de traitement et de commande génèrent alors une donnée de dysfonctionnement indiquant l'obstruction du dispositif de distribution du distributeur considéré.

If the absolute value of this difference is greater than said threshold, this means that the measurement data coming from the level sensor are not correlated with the associated distribution setpoint. Thus, during the fifth step E5:

• If the difference is negative, the distributor in question has distributed more consumable than theoretically expected. The processing and control means then generate malfunction data indicating a leak from the reservoir or from the dispensing device of the distributor in question;
• If the difference is positive, the distributor in question has not distributed enough consumable with respect to the expected theoretical quantity. The processing and control means then generate malfunction data indicating the obstruction of the distribution device of the distributor in question.

In all cases, if the level of the reservoir of one of the distributors falls below a threshold level, the value of which is recorded in the memory space of the processing and control means, then said processing and control means generate a malfunction data indicating that the reservoir of the distributor in question is empty.

In addition, the malfunction datum generated by the processing means is associated with the distributor considered. In this way, each defective distributor is assigned by the control processing means a malfunction datum indicating the type of malfunction determined.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the detection method of the invention comprises two additional steps E6, E7.

During the sixth step E6, the processing and control means determine, via the geolocation means, the position of the train at the instant when a malfunction of at least one distributor is detected by the system of the invention. The processing and control means then generate so-called location data, identifying the train and specifying in particular the position of said train and the type of malfunction detected.

During the seventh step E7, the processing and control means send, via the wireless communication means, one or more location data to one of the terminals equipped with its wireless communication means and installed on the edge of track. This terminal is then able to retransmit the location data to a maintenance center, generally the closest center and / or the best equipped to deal with the malfunction (s) detected, and if necessary to request a maintenance operation for the train considered.

The system and the method of the invention therefore make it possible to rapidly detect any malfunction of the consumable dispensers installed in a moving train, in particular the grease nipples or sand pits. The frequency of maintenance operations is then optimized as necessary, the impact of malfunctions on the movement of railway rolling stock is limited, because a maintenance operation can be quickly triggered after any detection of such a malfunction.

Claims (10)

System for detecting a malfunction of a consumable dispenser for railway rolling stock, which dispenser comprises at least one reservoir and at least one dispensing device designed to dispense said consumable at at least one wheel (1) of said railway equipment according to at least one determined distribution setpoint, the distributor being in a functional state when at least the level of consumable in its tank is greater than a determined limit level, characterized in that the system comprises at least one level sensor of the consumable in the tank of the distributor, and processing and control means which are connected to the level sensor and to the distribution device, and which are configured to compare at least one measurement datum coming from the level sensor and a theoretical level deduced of the distribution setpoint, and to generate at least one datum indicating a malfunction of the distributor if the he level sensor measurement data is not correlated with the theoretical level. Detection system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the processing means are configured to deduce from the distribution setpoint a reference consumption of consumable in order to calculate the theoretical level of consumable in the tank. Detection system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises geolocation means connected to the processing and control means and intended to geolocate the railway rolling stock, and wireless communication means connected to the processing means and control and intended to send at least the malfunction datum. Method for detecting the malfunction of a consumable dispenser for moving railway rolling stock equipped with at least one detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises the successive steps of: i. Determination (E1) of the theoretical quantity of consumable dispensed at a given instant from the consumable dispensing instruction; ii. Determination (E2) of the theoretical level of consumable in the reservoir of the dispenser from the theoretical quantity dispensed; iii. Determination (E3) of the actual level of consumable in the tank; iv. Determination (E4) of the difference between the real level and the theoretical level of the reservoir; v. If the absolute value of this difference is greater than a determined threshold, generation (E5) of a dispenser malfunction datum. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the malfunction datum indicates that the dispensing device is clogged if the actual level of the reservoir is greater than the theoretical level, and in that the malfunction datum indicates that the consumable reservoir is leaking if the actual level of said reservoir is lower than the theoretical level. Method according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the malfunction datum indicates that the reservoir is empty if the actual level of the reservoir is below a determined limit level. Method according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that it comprises, following the detection of a malfunction of the dispenser in step v (E5), the successive additional steps of: • Generation (E6) of location data specifying the type of malfunction and the position of the rolling stock at the time determined by geolocation means included in the detection system and linked to the processing and control means; • Sending (E7) of the location data, by means of wireless communication called edge-to-ground integrated in the detection system and connected to the control and processing means, to at least wireless transmission and reception means installed on the ground. Method according to any one of Claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the theoretical quantity of consumable dispensed at the given instant is determined in step i (E1) as a function of the number of punctual orders for the distribution of consumable made in said given moment. Method according to any one of Claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the distribution setpoint generates a continuous distribution of consumable, and in that the theoretical quantity distributed at the given instant is determined at step i (E1) as a function of the distance traveled at this given instant by the railway rolling stock, which distance traveled is determined using geolocation means included in the detection system and connected to the processing and monitoring means ordered. Railway rolling stock comprising at least one consumable dispenser and at least one detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 capable of implementing the detection method according to any one of claims 4 to 9.

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