GB2417549A

GB2417549A - Rail Signal Unit

Info

Publication number: GB2417549A
Application number: GB0523193A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry Wright
Original assignee: Dorman Traffic Products Ltd
Current assignee: Dorman Traffic Products Ltd
Priority date: 2002-10-21
Filing date: 2002-10-21
Publication date: 2006-03-01
Anticipated expiration: 2022-10-21
Also published as: GB2394531B; GB0224435D0; GB2417549B; GB2394531A; GB0523193D0

Abstract

A rail signal (1) is disclosed having a frame (100) into which signal modules (200, 300, 400) are mounted whereby each module can be partially disconnected from its operational position to pivot out of the frame into a cleaning position. The front of each module may therefore be cleaned without the need to reach around a backboard (15) and without interference from cowls (21, 31, 41).

Description

241 7549

SIGNAL

The present invention relates to rail signals. It is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with construction of rail signals, and in particular rail signals using light emitting diodes (LEDs) as a light source.

Rail signals are used to convey information to train drivers, such as whether it is safe to proceed along a certain track, or whether a particular route has been set. Almost all rail signals currently in use involve the use of one or more white or coloured light elements.

Each particular arrangement of illuminated light elements is called an "aspect", and conveys a different message to a driver. One signal is normally capable of displaying a number of different aspects, typically through illumination of one or more different light elements at any one time.

Two particular types of signal can be identified: position light signals (also called ground position lights) are normally located on the ground and are used in areas such as sidings and maintenance areas; colour light signals (CLS - also called colour line signals) are normally located directly above, or above and to one side of, a main line. CLS are generally used to control traffic flow along one or more tracks of a main line.

In the UK, all signals which are to be used as CLS ho must conform to Railtrack line specification RT/E/S/10062 (current issue 1, August 1999). This specification lays out minimum conditions for, among other things format, reliability, colour and visibility. Similar standards exist for position light signals and in other countries.

Most current light signals used on railways use tungsten filament bulbs as light sources. However, the potential advantages of using LEDs instead of such filament bulbs have recently been realised. The present invention relates to signals in which either LEDs or filament bulbs are used as the light source(s).

Figures 1 to 3 show a typical rail CLS unit 1 of the prior art. The CLS has three separate light sources generally denoted by 20, 30 and 40 (the actual light sources are contained within signal casing 16). The CLS / - ) unit 1 is therefore capable of displaying a number of aspects.

Associated with each light source is a protective front cover 22, 32 and 42 which is translucent, and may also act as a lens for the light source and a cowl 21, 31 and 41 which shields the lens. The cowl 21, 31 or 41 not only provides a degree of weather protection for the respective cover 22, 32 or 42, but also significantly reduces the angles from which direct sunlight can shine on the lenses. Direct sunlight shining on a lens can result in a phantom" aspect being displayed, which is undesirable (a phantom aspect is when an aspect appears to the driver to be displayed, but is not actually lit).

The CLS unit 1 also has a backboard 15, which provides a background against which the aspects displayed by the CLS unit 1 can be viewed to increase their visibility. For this reason the backboard 15 normally is required to extend above, below and to either side of the lenses 21, 31 and 41 and is generally painted matt black.

The light sources 20, 30 and 40 are enclosed in signal casing 16, as is any relevant local control and feedback circuitry. This circuitry and the light sources themselves can be accessed for maintenance or replacement through a door 17. Door 17 is usually secured shut by

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fastening means 18, such as a padlock to prevent unauthorized access or vandalism.

CLS unit 1 is mounted on the signal gantry (not shown) or other support by mounting bolts 19.

During use, environmental conditions will normally result in an accumulation of dirt on the signal. Such an accumulation of dirt on the front face of the signal, and particularly on covers 22, 32 and 42 can result in a reduction in the visibility of one or more aspects of the ]0 CLS unit 1.

In normal installations, human access to the CLS unit is only provided to the rear of the unit to allow maintenance and or replacement of the light sources.

Whilst access could be provided to the front of the unit, this is not normally done to save cost and space, and also due to the need to avoid the cowls 21, 31 and 41 which extend from the front of the signal.

Therefore in order to clean the front of the signal to maintain the required visibility levels of all aspects, it is usually necessary for the cleaner to have to reach around the backboard 15 and clean the front of the signal "blind". This is not only inconvenient, but it is also not generally possible to be certain that the area in question has been properly cleaned. i

A more certain way of cleaning the signal units, particularly those mounted above tracks on gantries is to use an elevated platform which runs on the track(s) below the signal. However, this requires the track to be taken out of use whilst cleaning is in progress. Given the number of CLS units in use and the frequency with which they need to be cleaned, this can result in significant amounts of track not being available for normal use due to cleaning.

At its broadest, the present invention provides a rail signal having a frame with a plurality of mounting points and a plurality of light sources, wherein the light sources are contained in separate modules and each module has an attachment means, and can be independently releasably mounted on the frame by engagement of the attachment means with at least one of the mounting points.

The frame may also have attached to it other items commonly found on signal units, such as cowls and/or a backboard.

Preferably each module contains a single light source, and more preferably each module is entirely self- contained in that it includes all the necessary drive circuitry and monitoring circuitry for that light source.

This allows the modules to be simply and easily replaced should a light source fail.

Modular assembly of a signal unit according to the present invention is particularly preferable when the light sources of the signal modules include a plurality of LEDs. When the light sources include LEDs, there are generally no maintainable parts contained in the signal module. Therefore on failure of one of the light sources, it was necessary to replace the entire unit.

Modular construction according to the present invention means that only the module containing the failed light source needs to be replaced. This is an easier and quicker operation that replacing the entire signal unit.

Preferably the mounting of each module to the frame occurs at at least two mounting points. More preferably once the module is mounted, it can be released from one of said mounting points and pivoted about the other so that the front of the module can be easily accessed from the rear of the signal unit.

In an embodiment of the invention, the mounting points may include a plurality of bars positioned substantially horizontally across the frame.

In the above embodiment, the modules may have two attachment means. The first attachment means includes a groove running along the base of the module, close to the front of the module adapted to receive one of said bars.

The second attachment means includes a pivoted hook mounted on the top of the module and securing means for securing the hook. The second attachment means is arranged such that a second of said bars can be secured by said hook, thereby releasably attaching the module to the frame.

Any or all of the attachment means may be adjustable so that the alignment of the module can be adjusted.

This adjustability may be provided by the way in which the attachment means are fixed to the body of the signal module. For example, the attachment means may be fixed to the body of the module by fixing means, such as a screw or bolt which passes through a slot in the attachment means and engages with a corresponding bore in the module body. The slot allows the attachment means to be moved relative to the module body, and therefore the alignment of the module body to be adjusted relative to the frame of the signal unit.

Preferably if the module has two attachment means, both are adjustable, and the adjustments they allow are rotation of the module about orthogonal axes. More preferably the adjustment of the attachment means allows rotation of the module about orthogonal axes which are perpendicular to the central axis of the main beam of the light source in the module.

The present invention also provides a rail signal module for use in a modularly constructed signal unit according to the present invention.

The present invention also provides methods of installing a rail signal unit with a modular construction, of replacing signal modules within a modular signal unit, and for inspecting or cleaning a rail signal unit with a modular construction.

The rail signal unit may be a colour light signal.

Similarly, the rail signal modules may be colour light signal modules.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a signal module which has one or more adjustable attachment means, thereby allowing the alignment of the signal module to be adjusted relative to the frame on which the module is to be mounted. Other features of this aspect may be as described above in relation to each module used in the signal unit(s).

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying figures, in which: Figures 1 to 3 show different views of a CLS unit of

the prior art, and have already been discussed;

Figure 4 is a side view of a CLS unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a detail view of a single CLS as used in an embodiment of the present invention; 1() Figure 6 is a detailed view of the top attachment of a CLS as used in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6a is a view along the line A in Figure 6; Figure 7 is a detailed view of the bottom attachment of a CLS as used in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the top attachment shown in Figure 6; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the bottom attachment shown in Figure 7; 2() Figure 10 shows how a CLS according to an embodiment of the present invention is adjustable about one axis; and Figure 11 shows how a CLS according to an embodiment of the present invention is adjustable about a second axis.

Figure 4 is a side view of a rail CLS unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The CLS unit 1 has a frame 100 and three signal modules 200, 300 and 400. Attached to the front of the frame 15 are a backboard 15, and three cowls 21, 31 and 41, which are substantially the same as the identical components on the

JO prior art signal unit shown in Figures 1 to 3.

A number of bars 101 form mounting points as part of the frame 100 and run perpendicular to the plane of the Figure. Each signal module 200, 300 and 400 has an upper attachment means 201, 301 and 401 respectively, in the l5 form of a pivoted hook for engagement with one of said bars 101. Each module 200, 300, 400 also has a baseplate 202, 302 and 402 respectively, which has a recess for engagement with a second one of said bars 101.

Signal modules 200 and 400 are shown in operational positions. Signal module 300 is shown in a maintenance or cleaning position in which the upper attachment means 301 has been disconnected and the module pivoted about the lower attachment means 302. In this position the front of the module 300, and in particular the (A 1 1 translucent cover 32 are easily accessible and visible from a position behind the CLS unit 1 (to the right in Figure 4). This allows the front of the module 300, and in particular the cover 32 to be cleaned without the need to reach around the backboard 15, and without any obstruction by the cowl 31.

Figure 5 shows a signal module 400 as used in the above embodiment of the invention being mounted or removed from the frame 100 of a CLS unit.

ID The frame 100 is composed of two vertical support members 103 and 104 between which run a number of bars 101 and 102 (generally labelled as 101 in Figure 4).

To mount the signal module 400 on the frame 100, recess 403 is first engaged with lower bar 102. This places module 400 in the maintenance or cleaning position, and it can now pivot about the axis of lower bar 102. Securing means (not shown) can be used to secure the module 400 to the lower bar 102.

The module 400 is then rotated about lower bar 102 so that its long side 404 runs substantially parallel to support member 104. Upper bar 101 is then engaged by the pivoted hook 401. The pivoted hook is then secured in a closed position by securing means (not shown), and the /\ signal module 400 is properly mounted on the frame 100 of the CLS unit.

To remove the signal module 400, the above process is reversed.

The mounting points and attachment means shown in the embodiments of Figures 4 and 5 are generally located at the top and bottom of each signal module. However, the present invention also relates to signal units and signal modules in which the mounting points and corresponding attachment means are located in other positions, for example on either side of the signal module.

Figure 6 shows an example of the upper attachment means 401 of a signal module 400 as used in embodiments of the present invention. The attachment means 401 is shown with the module in an operational position attached to a mounting bar 101 and secured by a padlock 430.

Attachment means 401 is formed separately from the body 405 of signal module 400 and attached to the body 405 by a fixing means such as a screw or bolt 418, which engages with a corresponding bore 419 on the body 405.

The attachment means 401 includes a base 414 on which an arm 413 is mounted and can pivot relative to by To virtue of mounting pin 411. Arm 413 has a hooked portion 412 at the end distal from mounting pin ill.

In the operational position as shown, the hooked portion 412 retains a mounting bar lOl between itself, the main portion of the arm 413, base 414 and the body 405 of signal module 400. If the size of the mounting bar is known, and is constant for all signal units in which the module 400 is to be used, then the various components are preferably manufactured such that there is little or no freedom of movement for the signal module 400 relative to the mounting bar lOl in the operational position.

Base 414 also supports securing means for securing arm 413 such as a staple or in this case a projection 422 in which an aperture 421 is formed. A padlock (shown in relief as 430) can pass through the staple or aperture when arm 413 is in a lowered position thereby securing it in that position. Arm 413 may have one or more openings 423 through which such securing means may pass.

The fixing means such as screw or bolt 418 may be mounted in a slot 420 in the base 414 of the attachment means 401. This may allow adjustment of the position of the attachment means 401 relative to the signal module body 405. Figure 6a shows the fixing means in detail as observed along line A in Figure 6.

Preferably arm 413 has one or more openings (424 in Figure 8) through which fixing means 418 can be accessed whilst the arm is in the secured position.

Such adjustment may be made during testing, for example on a test rig to align the light output from the light source in the signal module 400 in a known direction so that when the module is mounted as part of a JO signal unit, no further alignment is necessary.

Alternatively such adjustment may be made by the engineer at the time of installation in the signal unit to ensure correct alignment of the module with the track.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view from above the top attachment means 401 shown in Figure 6. The attachment means 401 is shown in its open position and therefore fixing means 418 and the slots 420 which allow adjustment of the alignment of the signal are visible. When the attachment means 401 is in its secured position, fixing means 418 are accessible through openings 420 in arm 413.

Figure 7 shows a close up view of an example of the lower attachment means 402 of a signal module 400 as used in embodiments of the present invention. Signal module 400 is shown attached to a mounting bar 102.

Lower attachment means comprises a base plate 451 which is attached to the body 405 by first fixing means 455, such as a screw or bolt, which engages with body 405. First fixing means 455 is preferably approximately centrally located on the base of body 405. Adjustable fixing means 458, which may also be screws or bolts, pass through slots (457 in Figure 9) in the base plate 451 and engage with corresponding bores 459 in the body 405.

One end of the base plate is adapted to engage with a mounting bar 102. In the embodiment shown this is achieved by two substantially parallel flanges 453 and 454 which extend substantially perpendicularly from the base plate 451.

In the embodiment shown, the signal module 400 is not secured to the mounting bar 102, but is free to rotate about the axis of that bar. However, when a further attachment means at the top of the module 400 (such as that shown in Figure 6) is secured, the two attachment means act together to prevent the module 400 from being removed from the CLS unit, or its alignment being changed.

Therefore it is preferable that flanges 453 and 454 are created such that when a mounting bar 102 is engaged, the module 400 can rotate about the mounting bar, but

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there is little or no freedom of movement of the module perpendicular to the flanges (i.e. in the plane of the base plate 451) . Figure 9 shows a perspective view of bottom fastening means 402. The slots 457 are preferably curved as shown, such that they form arcs of a circle centred on the first fixing means 455 located in the centre of the base plate 451. Adjustment of the fixing means 458 thereby allows the alignment of the signal module 400 to be adjusted about an axis passing through the first fixing means 455.

In combination, the first attachment means 401 and the second attachment means 402 allow the alignment of signal module 400 to be adjusted about two substantially perpendicular axes 471 and 472, as shown in Figures lO and ll. There is generally no need for adjustment about the third orthogonal axis 473 (which is substantially perpendicular to the front of the module) since this is generally parallel to the axis of the main beam from the light source, and so does not significantly affect alignment of the module 400.

Figures lo and ll show attachment means such as those described in relation to Figures 6 to 9 allow a signal module 400 to be aligned. By locating each adjustable fastening means 418, 458 at a significant distance from the axis of rotation of the module about which it secures rotation, the maximum possible amount of angular adjustment is available for a small amount of lateral adjustment.

The above embodiments are intended to be examples of the present invention and variants and modifications of those embodiments, such as would be readily apparent to the skilled person, are envisaged and may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The following paragraphs define further aspects of the present invention: 1. A rail signal unit having a frame, the frame having a plurality of mounting points, and a plurality of light sources, wherein the light sources are contained in separate modules and each module has an attachment means, and can be independently releasably mounted on the frame by engagement of its respective attachment means with at least one of the mounting points.

2. A signal unit according to paragraph 1 each module contains a single light source.

3. A signal unit according to paragraph 1 or paragraph 2 wherein each module has two attachment means each for mounting on the frame at a respective different mounting point.

4. A signal unit according to paragraph 3 wherein each module has a translucent cover on the front of the module through which the light source is visible. (A

5. A signal unit according to paragraph 4 wherein a first of said attachment means can be released and the module rotated about an axis passing through the mounting point engaged with the second of said attachment means, S thereby allowing access to the front of said module from the rear of the signal.

6. A signal unit according to paragraph 5 wherein said first attachment means is located at the top of each signal module, and said second attachment means is located at the bottom of each signal.

7. A signal unit according to paragraph 6 wherein the frame includes side support members and the mounting IS points are bars located between the side support members.

8. A signal unit according to paragraph 7 wherein the second attachment means includes a groove running along the base of the module, the groove being adapted to receive one of said bars.

9. A signal unit according to paragraph 7 or paragraph 8 wherein the first attachment means includes a pivoted hook.

10. A signal unit according to paragraph 9 wherein the first attachment means can be moved between a first position in which it engages with a mounting point, and a second position in which it does not engage a mounting point, and further including securing means for securing the first attachment means in said first position.

11. A signal unit according to any one of the preceding paragraphs wherein at least one of said attachment means is adjustably mounted on each module, thereby allowing the module to be aligned relative to the frame.

12. A signal unit according to paragraph 11 further including one or more fixing means which pass through a slot in said attachment means and engage with the body of the module, such that said slot allows the attachment means to be secured to the module by said fixing means in a plurality of positions.

13. A signal unit according to paragraph 12 wherein said fixing means are screws or bolts and engage with a corresponding bore in the body of the module. So

14. A signal unit according to any one of paragraphs 11 to 13 wherein the module is substantially cuboid and has a front face having a translucent cover through which the light source is visible; two sides; a rear face; a top S and a bottom, further wherein the adjustably mounted attachment means can be adjusted towards the front of the module or towards the rear of the module, thereby allowing the module to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the sides.

15. A signal unit according to any one of paragraphs 11 to 13 wherein the module is substantially cuboid and has a front face having a translucent cover through which the light source is visible; two sides; a rear face; a top l5 and a bottom, further wherein the adjustable mounting of the attachment means allows the module to rotate relative to the attachment means about an axis perpendicular to the top and bottom.

16. A signal unit according to paragraph 15 wherein a second attachment means is adjustably mounted, and can be adjusted towards the front of the module or towards the rear of the module, thereby allowing the module to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the sides. /

17. A rail signal unit according to paragraph 16 wherein the signal is a colour light signal.

18. A signal unit according to any one of the preceding paragraphs wherein the light sources include a plurality of LEDs.

19. A signal module including a light source and attachment means, as described in, and for use in a signal unit according to, any one of the preceding claims.

20. A method of installing a rail colour light signal unit according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 18 including the steps of: locating the frame of the signal unit in a predetermined position relative to the track to which the unit relates; mounting a plurality of signal modules on mounting points on the frame, each module having at least one light source; and fixing said modules to the frame using the one or more attachment means. (A

21. A method according to claim 20 further including the steps of: aligning a signal module with the track to which the signal relates by movement of the attachment means relative to the module body thereby causing the module to rotate relative to the frame.

22. A method according to paragraph 21 wherein said step lO of aligning includes rotating the module about two orthogonal axes.

23. A method according to paragraph 22 wherein said two orthogonal axes are orthogonal to the axis of the main beam of the light source.

24. A method of cleaning a rail colour light signal unit according to paragraph 5, or any paragraph dependent on claim 5, including the steps of: releasing a first attachment means of a module of the signal unit; rotating the module about the mounting point engaged with a second attachment means; cleaning the front of the module; rotating the module back into position about the mounting point engaged with the second attachment means: and fixing the module in place using the first attachment means.

25. A rail colour light signal unit substantially as herein described, with reference to, or as illustrated in Figures 4 to 11. 1()

26. A signal module substantially as herein described, with reference to, or as illustrated in Figures 4 to 11.

27. A method of installing a rail colour light signal unit substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 4 to 11.

28. A method of cleaning a rail colour light signal unit substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 4 to 11. \

Claims

1. A rail signal unit having a frame, the frame having a plurality of mounting points, and a plurality of light sources, the light sources being contained in separate modules, each module having two attachment means each for mounting on the frame at respective different mounting points, wherein each module can be independently releasably mounted on the frame by engagement of its respective attachment means with at least one of the mounting points, and at least one of said attachment means is adjustably mounted on each module, thereby allowing the module to be aligned relative to the frame.

2. A signal unit according to claim 1 further including one or more fixing means which pass through a slot in said attachment means and engage with the body of the module, such that said slot allows the attachment means to be secured to the module by said fixing means in a plurality of positions.

3. A signal unit according to claim 2 wherein said fixing means are screws or bolts and engage with a corresponding bore in the body of the module.

4. A signal unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the module is substantially cuboid and has a front face having a translucent cover through which the light source is visible; two sides; a rear face; a top and a bottom, further wherein the adjustably mounted attachment means can be adjusted towards the front of the module or towards the rear of the module, thereby allowing the module to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the sides. 1()

5. A signal unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the module is substantially cuboid and has a front face having a translucent cover through which the light source is visible; two sides; a rear face; a top and a bottom, further wherein the adjustable mounting of the attachment means allows the module to rotate relative to the attachment means about an axis perpendicular to the top and bottom.

6. A signal unit according to claim 5 wherein a second attachment means is adjustably mounted, and can be adjusted towards the front of the module or towards the rear of the module, thereby allowing the module to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the sides.

7. A rail signal unit according to claim 6 wherein the signal is a colour light signal.

8. A signal unit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each module contains a single light source.

9. A signal unit according to claim 8 wherein each module has a translucent cover on the front of the module through which the light source is visible.

10. A signal unit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the light sources include a plurality of LEDs.

11. A signal module including a light source and attachment means, as described in, and for use in a signal unit according to, any one of the preceding claims.

12. A method of installing a rail colour light signal unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11 including the steps of: r \, locating the frame of the signal unit in a predetermined position relative to the track to which the unit relates; mounting a plurality of signal modules on mounting points on the frame, each module having at least one light source; fixing said modules to the frame using the two attachment means; and aligning a signal module with the track to which the signal relates by movement of the attachment means relative to the module body thereby causing the module to rotate relative to the frame.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein said step of aligning includes rotating the module about two orthogonal axes.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein said two orthogonal axes are orthogonal to the axis of the main beam of the light source.

15. A rail colour light signal unit substantially as herein described, with reference to, or as illustrated in Figures 4 to 11. r

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16. A signal module substantially as herein described, with reference to, or as illustrated in Fiqures 4 to 11.

17. A method of installing a rail colour light signal unit substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 4 to 11.