GB2533940A

GB2533940A - Monitor

Info

Publication number: GB2533940A
Application number: GB1500187.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barnett Andrew
Original assignee: BARNBROOK SYSTEMS Ltd
Current assignee: BARNBROOK SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority date: 2015-01-07
Filing date: 2015-01-07
Publication date: 2016-07-13

Abstract

A monitor (M1, M2, M3) for use with an apparatus comprises at least one of a relay and a pressure transducer and a first sensor to detect operational events of the apparatus and a second sensor to sense prevailing environmental conditions proximal to the apparatus. The monitor further comprises an interface to allow sensed operational event data and prevailing environmental data to be outputted from the monitor. The monitor is preferably for use in monitoring brake relay systems (R1, R2, R3) on trains which have electro-pneumatic brake rams (H1, H2, H3). A transducer may measure the pressure of gas caused by the ram. A monitor or a network of a plurality of monitors allows rail network operators to monitor and log actuation events so as to estimate when components need repairing or replacing.

Description

MONITOR

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a monitor.

Background

In the field of rail transportation, a cab car comprises relays to allow the driver in the car to control the actuation of the brake system. Each cab car can comprise multiple relays. For a train operator having many cab cars operating over a rail network it nccds to be able to determine when the relays nccd to be serviced or replaced. An operator can predict a likely point in time when such intervention should occur, however this is likely to be based purely on time of service and so may not be particularly accurate method. In a worst case scenario, a relay may fail prior to the scheduled intervention, potentially causing delays whilst the relay is replaced.

We have realised that it would be beneficial to provide a monitor, and associated infrastructure, to be able to monitor the operation of such components and subsystems which have a high actuation frequency, and which at some point will need to be serviced or replaced to ensure continuity of operation. Such a monitor enables us to take pre-emptive action prior to the occurrence of a fail or malfunction

Summary

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a monitor for use with a host apparatus, which comprises at least one of a relay switch and a pressure transducer, and the monitor comprising a first sensor to detect operational events of the host apparatus and the monitor further comprising a second sensor to sense prevailing environmental conditions proximal to the host apparatus, and the monitor further comprising an interface to allow sensed operational event data and prevailing environmental conditions data to be output externally of the device, and the monitor arranged to output an identifier of the host apparatus with the data output.

Broadly, a monitor of one embodiment of the invention is arranged to gather and record data such as the number of actuations, peak value positive and negative, internal temperature (of the host apparatus), which may be date and time stamped.

The interface may comprise a transmitter arranged to transmit the data over an air interface.

The interface may be arranged to transmit the data over a communications network, remotely of the device.

The monitor may be arranged to sense temperature proximal of the host apparatus.

The second sensor may be arranged to sense contact impacts (for example, by way of an accidental collision of an object with the host apparatus) on the host apparatus, which may include the magnitude of the impact events.

The monitoring device may be arranged to determine a time or date of occurrence of a sensed operational event, and/or a time or date of occurrence of the detected environmental conditions.

The monitor may be arranged to determine a duration of an operational event.

The monitor may comprise an input arranged to receive a signal indicative of a sensed pressure from a pressure transducer.

The monitor may be arranged to output a maximum pressure attained during an operational event.

The identifier may comprise a serial number or serial code associated with the host apparatus.

The monitor may comprise one or more features in the detailed description below and/or in the Figures.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a monitor network comprising a plurality of monitors and further comprising a hub node, the monitor arranged to transmit data to the hub node and the hub node arranged to transmit data over a communications network.

The hub node and the monitors preferably communicate over a local area network link.

The communications network may comprise a telecommunications network.

The network may comprise a server which receives the data from the hub node and processes the data against stored criteria to determine whether an alert signal is output.

The network may comprise one or more features described in the detailed description below and/or shown in the Figures.

Another aspect of the invention may be viewed as a method of monitoring the operation of control system assets, such as relays, of railway vehicles.

Brief Description of the drawings

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a train braking system installed with operational monitoring devices, and Figure 2 is a communications network

Detailed Description

What is described is a monitor with particular application, although not exclusively, to the monitoring of relays and transducers installed on trains used in electro-pneumatic brake systems. As will be seen below, by using the monitor to log usage/actuation events, allows users to predict or estimate the lifespan end point of such components pre-emptively, and to be able to replace or repair such components prior to a fail.

With such pre-emptive action, the users are able to reduce costs (especially time costs) due to failed components. In the field of rail transportation, fines can be imposed on train operators due to late running of train services, with the magnitude of the fine proportional to the length of the delay.

Known railway cars use relays for control of brake systems. In a brake system, each car or carriage of a multi-unit train would usually have its own brake sub-system. The brakes are operated by the train driver from the cab from a manual control operated by the driver at the driver's desk. The driver controls are connected to the brake system by way of one or more relays switches, positioned between the controls and the brakes. The relay connects to a power circuit which causes actuation of the brakes in each unit. The power circuit comprises a pneumatic ram which forces air through hoses to actuate each of the brakes, with the rams being controlled by servo-motors, which are in turn controlled from a connection to the relays.

The relays are usually provided in the driver's cab, in a cabinet or the like in the cab, to allow access to the relays by maintenance personnel.

Reference is made to Figure 1 which shows a train 50 (shown in Figure 2) which comprises a plurality of brake relays 121, R2 and R3, which are connected to a plurality of respective servo-operated pneumatic rams H1, H2 and H3 A monitor device MI. M2 etc is provided connected to each relay. This may be realised as a retro-fit, or by way of incorporation at the time of manufacture of the relay. The monitor device is connected to electrical contacts of each relay such that electrical characteristics (such as current or voltage) can be sensed during the switching operation of the relay. Changes in those electrical characteristics occur during ON (in which the relay is activated) and OFF (in which the relay is in an unactivated state). In one form, each monitor may be arranged to determine the change of state and determine when the relay is ON and OFF, and then send that data to the server 20. For a greater depth of data, the monitor may be arranged to record sensed changes in the electrical characteristics, and to then relay that data to the server 20. This data could include data which is indicative of the change over time of the magnitude of current/voltage signal of that relay (which is then available for subsequent data analytics processing).

The pneumatic rams of the clectro-pneumatic braking system, incorporate, or may be adapted to incorporate, a transducer which measures the pressure in the gas caused by actuation of the ram. Each monitor receives data signals of changes in sensed pressure during a brake actuation event, which are then transmitted to the server 20. The transducer may measure maximum pressure and/or minimum pressure Each monitor transmits, either over a hard-wired, or more conveniently a wireless connection (such as Bluetooth II), to an onboard server unit 20 by way of a local area network link. The server 20 is configured to receive the signals from each of the monitor devices, which includes packetised transmissions containing an identifier which is indicative of the respective monitor/relay which transmitted the data and the data of the operational event. The server 20 stores the data in an internal memory, and suitably configures the received data for transmission to remotely located storage and processing capability via a network cloud 100.

Transmission of the data to the cloud 100 may be by way of a dedicated communications network, or by way of a public telecommunications network. On reaching the cloud 100, the data may be logged and stored by way of data processor/storage resource therein and then forwarded to a data processor 30. The data processor 30 is configured to process the received data to identify to patterns of data which could be indicative that action should be taken to replace, repair or check the component concerned. For example, the data processor 30 may store data indicative of recommended lifetime, such as a predetermined number of actuations at which it is recommended to replace a component, such as a relay. The data processor 30 stores a log of the number of actuations for each relay. It will be appreciated that a large number of relays may be monitored concurrently, being operative across a rail network. As a particular relay approaches a recommended lifetime limit, the identity of the relay in question can be conveyed to a train operator, who can then arrange for a technician to perform the service operation. Either within the data processor 30, or otherwise, a database or look-up is provided which associates a relay or transducer with a car unit. Alternatively, the server 20 may at the time of transmitting the data, add an identifier which is indicative of the car unit on which the server 20 is installed.

Advantageously, the precise identity of the relay can be provided to the technician, and so it is a quick and straightforward procedure to locate the particular relay, by matching the information provided to the technician with the serial number displayed on the housing of the relay. Such a servicing procedure can be performed conveniently during a period in which the train is not in operation and avoiding any unnecessary redundant time.

Each monitor comprises a data processor to control the process of data capture, and then onward transmission to the server 20. Advantageously, the data processor may be programmable so as to allow a user to assign a respective identifier and may also allow a user to determine how the device is configured to process event and environmental data, for example by selecting from a suite of pre-programmed options.

Being able to provide data indicative of prevailing environmental conditions in the vicinity of the relay or transducer provides valuable information in determining the cause of a problem that has happened, or being able to identify a problem which has a likelihood of occurring in relation to the monitored componcnt. Maintenance can bc scheduled. The monitor may include a sensor to determine impacts to which the host apparatus is subjected. In that regard, the monitor may include an accelerometer.

A significant advantage to the use of monitor device is that downtime of trains is significantly reduced. By allowing 'before the event' pre-emptive action to be taken before a fail occurs, potential stoppages can be avoided. Other embodiments of thc invention could include monitoring of other types of switches, and those need not necessarily relate to rail transportation, and could be applied to other areas transportation asset management.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A monitor for use with a host apparatus, which comprises at least one of a relay and a pressure transducer, and the monitor comprising a first sensor to detect operational events of the host apparatus and the monitor further comprising a second sensor to sense prevailing environmental conditions proximal to the host apparatus, and the monitor further comprising an interface to allow sensed operational event data and prevailing environmental conditions data to be output externally of the monitor, and the monitor arranged to output an identifier of the host apparatus with the data output.
2 A monitor as claimed in claim 1 in which the interface comprises a transmitter arranged to transmit the data over an air interface.3 A monitoring device as claimed in claim I or claim 2 in which the interface is arranged to transmit the data over a communications network, remotely of thc device.
3. A monitor as claimed in any preceding claim in which the second sensor is arranged to sense temperature proximal of the host apparatus.
4 A monitor as claimed in any preceding claim in which the second sensor arranged to sense impacts on the host apparatus.
5. A monitoring device as claimed in any preceding claim which is arranged to determine a time or date of occurrence of a sensed operational event, and/or a time or date of occurrence of the detected environmental conditions.
6. A monitor as claimed in any preceding claim which is arranged to determine a duration of an operational event.
7. A monitor as claimed in any preceding claim which comprises an input arranged to receive a signal indicative of a sensed pressure from a pressure transducer.
8. A monitor as claimed in any preceding claim in which the monitor arranged to output a maximum pressure attained during an operational event.
9. A monitor as claimed in any preceding claim in which the identifier comprises a serial number or serial code associated with the host apparatus
10. A monitor network comprising a plurality of monitors as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, and further comprising a hub node, the monitor arranged to transmit data to the hub node and the hub node arranged to transmit data over a communications network.
11. A network as claimed in claim 9 in which the hub node and the monitors communicate over a local area network link.
12. A network as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 in which said communications network comprises a telecommunications network.
13. A network as claim in any of claims 10, 11 or 12 which comprises a server which receives the data from the hub node and processes the data against stored criteria to determine whether an alert signal is output.