FR2803763A1 - FIRE DETECTION AND FIGHTING SYSTEM IN A RAILWAY CONVEYOR - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for detecting and fighting a fire in a railway train whose cars are used for transporting road vehicles. The invention is characterized mainly in that each car comprises a device for detecting the position of a fire site, each device comprising a plurality of infrared radiation detectors (S1 to S18) and an electronic device for controlling the valves (A1, B1, C1, A2, B2, C2) with which the distribution lines of each car are provided, according to the position of the detector (S) which has detected the infrared radiation. The invention can be used for cars of a railway train.

Description

 DETECTION <B> AND FIRE FIGHTING <B> SYSTEM <B> IN A RAILWAY CONVEY </ B> The invention relates to railway convoys for the transport of road vehicles, and more particularly in such railway convoys, a system for detecting the position of one or more fires on one or more wagons and for controlling these fires according to their position on the wagon.

It is known from the French patent application N 97 13138 automatic fire extinguishing devices integrated into a railway train which comprise a pump tank car distributing a fire extinguishing liquid to each wagon via pipes equipped with sprinklers. placed in wagons carrying road transport vehicles. Watering is controlled either by the fusion of thermo-fusible shutters equipping the sprinklers of a main network, or by the use of fire detectors whose signals cause the actuation of motorized valves supplying a secondary network. This type of automatic fire extinguishing device has the disadvantage of triggering watering by the main network in the area covered only by the hot melt sprinkler, and / or on a secondary network covering the entire car and / or associated with the vehicle transported on the basis of a signal provided by a single detector for the whole car. However, in the case of a railway convoy, the hot air flow due to the fire focus moves in the opposite direction to the movement of the train so that the thermofusible shutter that is triggered is not always the one closest to home, resulting in inefficiency in the effect of watering on the actual fireplace.

Moreover, as each secondary network is triggered only by a single fire detector, it intervenes quickly in the fight against fire to the extent that the detector is close to the home. In addition, the watering obtained is dispersed throughout the car and is therefore relatively inefficient on the extinction of the home, focus on which should be concentrated all means of firefighting. An object of the invention is therefore to provide a system for detecting the position of a fire center in a wagon of a road vehicle transport train convoy and a fire fighting system which concentrates watering the extinguishing liquid on the detected fire.

The invention therefore relates to a system for detecting and fighting against fire in a railroad train comprising several wagons, at least one wagon comprising at least one extinguisher liquid tank and at least one device for propelling the extinguishing liquid in pipes. distributing to other wagons, said pipes being equipped, on each road vehicle transport wagon (s), with valves and sprinkler nozzles, characterized in that each road vehicle transport wagon (s) ( s) comprises - a position detection device of a fire center comprising a plurality of infrared radiation detectors at fixed positions of the wagon, and - an electronic device for controlling the valves equipping the distribution ducts of each wagon according to the position of the detector which detected the infrared radiation so as to trigger the water nozzles near the fire. Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following description of a particular embodiment, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings in which - Figure 1 is a diagram showing the composition of a railway train comprising a detection and fire-fighting system according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram illustrating the fire-fighting elements arranged on a wagon of the railway convoy; - Figure 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of sprinklers or sprinkler nozzles according to the invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the fire detectors on a wagon according to the invention; FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a detected fire detection and fire detection automaton; FIG. 6 is a timing diagram of the sampling times of the electrical signals of each fire detector; FIG. 7 is a representation of the detection algorithm of a fire center according to the invention; FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of the fire detectors, the spray nozzles and the different zones of detection and watering; FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a fire-fighting strategy according to the invention.

A rail freight vehicle transport convoy comprises at least one lead locomotive 10 at one end and a locomotive 12 at the other end of the convoy. Between the two locomotives 10 and 12 are arranged, for example, two reams of m wagons W1 to Wm, each arranged to transport road vehicles of goods. These road vehicles are brought on the wagons of each trainset and unloaded at their destination via two maneuvering platforms 14a and 14b.

It also includes a car 16, behind the lead locomotive 10, for transporting drivers of road vehicles and a wagon 18 for transporting fire-fighting means.

These fire-fighting means on the wagon 18 mainly comprise a main reservoir 20 filled with an atmospheric pressure extinguishing liquid such as water, a high-pressure pump 22 disposed on an outlet pipe 24 of the main reservoir. and a secondary reservoir 26 filled with an antifreeze liquid of which an outlet pipe 32 is equipped with a medium pressure pump 28. The outputs of the high pressure pumps 22 and medium pressure pumps 28 are connected to a main distribution pipe 34 which supplies each car W1 to Wm two distribution ducts 40 and 42 mounted on one side and the other of each wagon.

The outlet pipe 24 of the main reservoir 20 comprises a manual valve 80 at the outlet of the tank followed by a motorized valve 82, which makes it possible to control the flow of the extinguishing liquid. The main tank is equipped with a filling pipe 84 equipped with a manual valve 86, a non-return valve 88 and a filling mouth 90.

The output of the motorized valve 82 is connected to the inlet of the pump 22 whose output is connected to the main pipe 34 by a non-return valve 92. The pump 22 comprises a pump proper P and a drive motor M diesel type so as to make the system independent of the power supply.

The outlet pipe 32 of the antifreeze liquid reservoir 26 comprises a manual valve 94 whose output is connected to the inlet of the pump 28. The output of the pump is connected directly to the conduit 42 of the pipe 34 and via a non-return valve 96 to the conduit 40.

This connection between the pump 28 and the conduit 42 is equipped with an anti-freeze liquid flow indicator 98 which provides an IF signal if it detects anti-freeze circulation.

It is also equipped with pressure switches PS1, PS2 and PS3 which respectively provide signals P1, P2 and P3. The signal P1 appears when the pressure in the pipe is below a threshold S1, for example 20 bar.

The signal P2 appears when the pressure is greater than a threshold S2, for example 25 bars.

The signal P3 appears when the pressure is below a threshold S3, for example 10 bar.

The pump 28 comprises, like the pump 22, a pump proper P and a diesel drive motor M.

The antifreeze tank 26 is equipped with a filling line 100 comprising a manual valve 102, a non-return valve 104 and a filling mouth 106.

The antifreeze tank 26 is equipped with a second outlet pipe 108 for supplying the pump 22 with antifreeze via a manual valve 110 and a motorized valve 112.

The motorized valves 82 and 112 each comprise a valve proper V and an actuator A which is controlled by the signals P3 and FI.

The motor of the pump 22 is controlled by the signals P3 and FI while the motor of the pump 28 is controlled by the signals P1 and P2.

The ducts 40 and 42 are connected together at their end, that is to say at the tail of the convoy on the loading car, by a manual valve 116 which is open so as to allow the flow of antifreeze liquid in the direction of the arrows f1 and f2 as a result of the non-return valve 96.

At the entrance of each loading car, the ducts 40 and 42 are connected by a manual valve 114 which is closed.

In each wagon (FIGS. 3 and 8), each duct 40 and 42 supplies watering nozzles, for example 15 in number, which are referenced N1 to N15 for the duct 40 and N16 to N30 for the duct 42, by way of intermediate of branches equipped with motorized valves A1, C1, B1 for the duct 40 and A2, C2 and B2 for the duct 42.

Each bypass and motorized valve feeds five of the thirty spray nozzles on one car. The pipes 40 and 42 are filled with extinguishing liquid with antifreeze under pressure while the branches supplying the spray nozzles contain no liquid in normal operation, that is to say, out of fire in the wagon.

These nozzles are preferably arranged on the upper part of each wagon near the vertical walls and their jet of extinguishing liquid is directed downwards and inside the wagon at a particular angle to be as effective as possible vis-à-vis -vis a fire on the road vehicle.

The motorized valves A1, C1, B1, A2, C2 and B2 are controlled by the signals supplied by a controller 44 specific to each car (FIG. 4).

This controller 44 is connected by a cable 46 to infrared radiation detectors S1 to S18 distributed in half on one side and the other of each wagon W1 to Wm and disposed in the upper part of the vertical walls of the wagon. The electrical signals supplied by the detectors S1 to S18 are analyzed by an electronic device, which is part of the automaton 44, so as to detect, on the one hand, a temperature higher than the ambient temperature and, on the other hand, a rate of increase of this temperature which is above a certain threshold.

This algorithm is, for example, designed to detect a class A fire in slow development according to the criteria of the association called "National Fire Protection Association".

By way of example, the electronic device will be set to detect a temperature Ta which is equal to or greater than 40 C at room temperature and a temperature gradient R which is equal to or greater than Ra = 0.10C / sec.

For this purpose, this electronic device will comprise, for example (Figure 5).

a sampling circuit 50 of the signals supplied by the detectors S1 to S18; an analog / digital converter 52 of the amplitude of the samples of the signals; a memory circuit 54 for recording, for each detector, the n representative numerical codes. n successive samples during a predetermined time interval, 8 - a processing circuit 56 n numerical codes of each detector S, such as a microprocessor, to determine the detector whose signals have exceeded the temperature thresholds Ta and a temperature gradient Ra, and a logic circuit 58 for firstly determining the motorized valve (s) to be opened for watering the fire zone corresponding to the detector S whose signals have exceeded the thresholds and, secondly, , supply the control signals of the motorized valves A1, A2, C1, C2, B1, B2.

By way of example, the number n of samples per detector S will be sixteen over a time interval of thirty seconds, ie one sample every two seconds at the instants V0, V1, ..., V15, Vo being the date the most recent (Figure G).

La figure 7 illustre, sous la forme d'un diagramme logique, les opérations effectuées par le circuit de traitement<B>56</B> sur les n échantillons provenant d'un seul détecteur S. Les trois valeurs consécutives de température T(S, VO), T(S, V1) et T(S, V2) sont comparées à l'étape 60 au seuil Ta et fournissent un état logique 1 si elles sont égales ou supérieures au seuil Ta. The exceeding of the temperature threshold Ta must be detected for a detector S over at least three consecutive values T (S, VO), T (S, Vi) and T (S, V2) while the temperature gradient R (S) of the detector S is calculated on the sixteen values T (S, VO) to T (S, V15) according to the following formula

FIG. 7 illustrates, in the form of a logic diagram, the operations performed by the processing circuit <B> 56 </ B> on the n samples from a single detector S. The three consecutive values of temperature T ( S, VO), T (S, V1) and T (S, V2) are compared at step 60 with the threshold Ta and provide a logic state 1 if they are equal to or greater than the threshold Ta.

An AND logic operation is performed in step 62 on the three logic states resulting from operation 60 so as to provide a logic state 1 for three simultaneous overshoots.

Moreover, the calculation of the function f (T, V) is performed on the n = 16 samples of a detector S in step 64 so as to obtain the temperature gradient R (S) for the detector S. the next step 66, the gradient R (S) is compared with the threshold Ra so as to provide a logic state 1 if it is equal to or greater than Ra.

The logic states resulting from steps 62 and 66 are combined in an AND logic operation 68 to provide an AL (S) fire detection alarm upon exceeding Ta and Ra. The position of the fire is defined by that of the detector S.

FIG. 8 illustrates the respective positions of the detectors S1 to S18 of the watering nozzles N1 to N30, the watering zones A, B and C and the extinction zones FS1 to FS2. It also illustrates the valves A1 and A2, B1 and B2, C1 and C2 which are actuated to carry out the respective watering zones A, B and C. It should be noted that each extinction zone FS1 and FS2 comprises two zones. watering: A and C for the extinction zone FS1 and B and C for the extinction zone FS2.

Figure 9 illustrates a firefighting strategy in a car according to the detector that provided the AL alarm signal.

Thus, in the idle state, an alarm AL from one of the detectors S1 to S4 and S10 to S13 causes watering in the extinction zone FS1 comprising the watering zones A and C.

An alarm AL from a central detector S5 or S14 causes watering in the two extinction zones FS1 and FS2, that is to say over the entire length of the wagon.

An alarm AL from one of the detectors S6 to S9 and S15 to S18 causes watering in the extinction zone FS2 comprising the watering zones B and C.

When an extinction zone FS1 or (FS2) is watering (ONE ACTIVE ZONE), then the other extinction zone FS2 (or FS1) is sprinkled if one of the detectors S7 to S9 and S16 to S18 (or S1 to S3 and S10 to S12) provides an AL alarm. We then go to the state TWO ACTIVE ZONES.

The operation of the system according to the invention is as follows.

In normal operation, that is to say out of fire, the ducts 40 and 42 contain an extinguishing liquid with antifreeze under a pressure of between 20 and 25 bars. The motorized valves A1 and A2, B1 and 82, C1 and C2, are closed so that the spray nozzles N1 to N30 are in the dry state, that is to say without liquid.

The pressure is maintained between 20 and 25 bar thanks to the pressure switches PS1 and PS2 which supply, one a signal P1 for starting the pump 28 and the other a signal P2 for stopping the pump 28.

In the presence of an alarm signal AL, at least one of the motorized valves A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 is open so that the pressure in the ducts 40 and 42 drops to the value of 10 bars. , which is detected by the pressure contactor PS3 providing the signal P3.

On the other hand, the pump 28 has been turned on by the signal P1 so that the extinguishing liquid circulates in the ducts 40 and 42 in the direction of the arrows <B> f1 / f2 and f2. This circulation is detected by the device 98 which then provides an IF signal.

The combination of the signals P3 and FI opens the motorized valve 82 so that the pump 22 is supplied with extinguishing liquid, which is propelled at high pressure, for example 130 bar, in the pipe 34 by the pump 22 started by the signals. P3 and FI. The pipe 34 supplies the pipes 40 and 42 so that the extinguishing liquid flows in the direction of the arrows f3 under a high pressure which is greater than the threshold of the contactor PS3. The pump 28 is stopped by the signal P2.

Furthermore, the signals P3 and FI close the motorized valve 112 so that the pump 22 is no longer supplied with antifreeze, which avoids the emptying of the reservoir 26 in case of fire.

The invention has been described in connection with a particular embodiment. however, it can be implemented according to different embodiments.

 Thus, the infrared radiation detectors may be arranged according to a layout adapted to the types of vehicles to be transported. The spray nozzles may also be located on the wagon at positions more adapted to fight the fire. In addition, the fire-fighting strategies may also be different without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (8)

R E V E N D I C A T IO N S 1. A system for detecting and combating fire in a railway train comprising several wagons (W1 to Wm), at least one wagon (18) of which comprises at least one extinguisher liquid reservoir (20) and at least one propulsion (22) of the extinguishing liquid in distribution ducts (34, 40, 42) to the other wagons, said ducts being equipped, on each road vehicle transport car (s), with valves supplying nozzles; watering system, characterized in that each road vehicle transport car (s) comprises - a detection device (50, 52, 54, 56) for the position of a fire center comprising a plurality of infrared radiation (S1 to S18) at predetermined positions of the wagon relative to the spray nozzles, and - an electronic control device (58) of the valves (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) fitted to the distribution (40, 42) of each car according to e the position of the detector (S1 to S18) that has detected the infrared radiation so as to trigger the watering nozzles (N1 to N30) near the fire. 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection device comprises - means (50, 52) for analyzing the electrical signals supplied by the infrared detectors for measuring the temperature (T), - means (54, 56 ) for processing the temperature values measured by each detector to determine an exceeding of a temperature threshold (Ta) of 13 and a threshold (Ra) of temperature gradient, and - means (60, 62, 64, 66, 68) for providing an alarm (AL) when the temperature (T) and the temperature gradient (R) of a detector are equal to or greater than respective thresholds (Ta, Ra). 3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the watering nozzles (N1 to N30) are arranged in zones (A, B, C), the watering nozzles of each zone being fed by at least one valve motorized (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2), and - in that the electronic control device (58) of the motorized valves comprises a logic circuit (58) for actuating at least one motorized valve according to the detector which provided the alarm (AL). 4. System according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the exceeding of the temperature threshold (Ta) is measured over at least three consecutive temperature values and in that the temperature gradient is measured on the basis of a plurality (n) consecutive temperature values. 5. System according to claim 4, characterized in that the temperature gradient is calculated according to the formula.

      in which - Vi is the measure of the instant i among n, - S is the detector concerned by the measurement Vi, - T (S, Vi) is the temperature measured at time i for the detector S. 6. System according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that - the spray nozzles of a road vehicle transport car (s) are connected to the valves of the distribution pipes by means of supply ducts of the dry type. 7. System according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it further comprises - a reservoir (2b) of antifreeze liquid, which is arranged on the transport car of the reservoir of the extinguishing liquid, means (28) for propelling the antifreeze liquid into the extinguishing liquid distribution pipes (40, 42) and maintaining (PS1, PS2) a determined pressure in said pipes, - means (PS3, 98) for detecting a decrease pressure in said pipes (40, 42) and to start the propellant (22) of the extinguishing liquid so as to supply said pipes (40, 42) under high pressure when a dispensing valve (A1, A2, Bl, B2, C1, C2) on a road vehicle transport car (s) was opened by the electronic control device (58) of the valves. 15 8. System according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises - means (112, PS3, 98) for stopping the supply of said pipes antifreeze liquid from the start of the propulsion device (22). extinguishing liquid.