NL2010803A - SYSTEM FOR MONITORING THE OPERATING FUNCTIONS OF MOVING COMPONENTS OF A RAILWAY. - Google Patents

Description

System for monitoring the operating functions of moving components of a railroad.

The invention relates to monitoring the correct functioning of a component, such as a switch, of a railroad for passenger and freight transport, such as a train or metro line. The system is intended as a tool for guaranteeing the safety and availability of train traffic, by timely detecting a failing component or the threatening failure of a component.

EP2441643, NL1012336 and EP1258412 are examples from the prior art. For example, NL1012336 discloses monitoring the motor current of an alternator. NL1012336 also proposes registering the ambient temperature and the wheel load of a passing train.

The purpose of this invention is to further improve the monitoring system. The invention is intended in particular for monitoring the operating functions of a level crossing (intersection of road and rail traffic) and a switch. The application is also possible for other components that are mechanically moved, such as a rail bridge.

The output of the system can be a signal for calling a service engineer or making a change in the train control to make the track in question inaccessible to train traffic or to impose a speed limit.

To this end, the system is preferably adapted to monitor the coherence in operational functioning between an actuator (the mechanical or motor element that drives the movement of the component, for example an electric motor, for example belonging to a switch counter or level counter) and associated galvanic relays, for example a so-called B relay, such as one or more of control relays, control relays, track repeat relays (TPR) and track relays (the TR or the so-called B2-Vane relay is a commonly used track relay, the track relay indicates whether a train is located in the relevant track section).

Switching failures are, for example: a piece of ballast between tongue and stop rail, as a result of which a switch does not reach its end position; corroded or frozen contact fingers, as a result of which a switch cannot be controlled or cannot be controlled; expired adjustment, as a result of which a switch does not reach its final position; defective B relay, as a result of which a switch cannot be controlled or cannot come into control (that is, does not reach the controlled end position).

In order to be able to identify such points of failure, it is proposed to record and monitor one or more of the following parameters: motor current per point counter; control per (group of) linked points, points or points counter; end position check per switch; section occupation (TR and / or TPR); outside temperature.

In order to be able to identify a failure of the level crossing, it is proposed to register and monitor one or more of the following parameters: motor current (DC) per level counter (the number of level counters varies from 2 to about 10 pieces); bubble current (DC) of the level crossing bubbles (per channel 2 to 4 bubble currents are measured simultaneously); lamp currents (AC or DC) of the pole and tree lamps, for example if they are not equipped with LED (per channel 2 to 8 lamp currents are measured); lamp currents (AC or DC) from the AG and / or PAG posts, for example if they are not equipped with LED (per channel 2 to 4 lamp currents are measured); battery voltage (DC) of the 12V power supply; B relays for voltage monitoring (POR and / or LG / POPR); B-relay announcements (EAR / WAR or NAR / SAR); B relay level crossing (XGNR, TER, TEPR, FXAR and / or XR); 0-6 ° contacts (0 ° means a horizontal tree) in the level counters, if available; inside temperature and outside temperature of the relay box.

When the component is equipped with an electric motor or equivalent actuator for driving a part of the component, such as is the case with a switch or level crossing, the system preferably comprises a current sensor (galvanic current or another current such as hydraulic current) which outputs a current measurement signal in dependence on the motor current of the electric motor.

The system preferably comprises a data or signal processing unit (such as a CPU) and optionally a memory.

The system preferably contains relay sensors with which the system can determine whether a relay (in particular so-called B-relay or control relay or control relay) is high (energized) or low (not energized). From the current measurement signal, for example, the system determines a current characteristic, or a derived parameter, such as an average; maximum; RMS; minimum.

From one or more of current measurement signal; current characteristic; time lapse (for example, from the occurrence of a certain event, for example, going from (up) high to (down) low (or vice versa) of a relay or starting the electric motor); be high (energized) or low (not energized) of a relay; the system derives an output, for example an error message, for example a maintenance indication or adjusts a signal along the railway or gives a warning signal.

The memory may contain a reference value which, for example, compares the system with the current value and, with a difference value greater than a predetermined value, the system gives the error message.

A component such as a switch, for example a high-speed switch, can be equipped with various actuators, such as switch levers which are operated in conjunction and are arranged, for example, along the length of the tongue to ensure the desired curvature of the tongue during passage of a train. A level crossing can be equipped with several synchronously operated level counters. The system may be arranged to be sensitive to the signals from such a group of synchronously operated actuators, for example the signals from the actuators and the signals from the associated relays.

Preferably, the system is connected to exactly or at least one, two, three, four or more galvanic relays associated with a component to evaluate the data from this group of relays.

For a level crossing, the system is, for example, connected to the announcement relay and / or the XR relay.

The system is preferably equipped with a timer to determine a time course, for example from the moment of occurrence of a certain event and / or up to the moment of occurrence of another certain event.

EXAMPLES

For the following figures, in the graph on the horizontal axis the time lapse and on the vertical axis for the analog signal the value of the motor current (indicated by Mstr) is plotted.

Figure 1 shows the system registration of a correct level crossing cycle.

The lower part of Fig. 1 shows the digital signals associated with the positions of the four B relays R1 to R4 in time and the upper part the analog current values of the level counters (level bars). At the beginning of the cycle (starting at time 0 seconds) it can be seen that the digital signals of the relays R1 - R4 go from high (1) to low (0), which means that a train has driven into the announcement. The result is the lowering of the level crossing trees. The level crossing trees largely fall on their own weight and are only slightly restrained, hence the relatively small current. After some time (middle section graph) the train will be past the level crossing and the digital positions will go from low to high. The motor current when rising is relatively large compared to the falling. When the level crossing trees are in the end position, the entire circuit is at rest again. The system of the invention stores the characteristic of Fig. 1, or a reference derived therefrom, in the memory and in each case compares the current measurement data therewith and gives a notification if the actual measurement data deviate too much from the comparison.

Figure 2 shows the system registration of a correct turn of a switch with one switch counter.

The graph of Fig. 2 shows in the lower part the digital signals associated with the positions of the B relays that are responsible for controlling and controlling a switch. We see two relays (WLR and WRR) for the control and two relays for the control (WPLR and WPRR). At the time '0' it can be seen that relay WPLR is high (1) and relay WPRR is low (0). This means that the switch is in the left end position, hence the L in the name of the relay.

At the far left in the graph of Fig. 2 it can just be seen that relay WRR goes from low (off or not energized) to high (on or energized), which means that the switch receives a right control. The result is that current starts to flow (see upper part of the graph) and the switch starts moving / turning around. As a result of this movement, it comes from the left end position, which can be seen from the WPLR relay that goes from high to low shortly after the start of the steam curve. After a few seconds, the switch is completely over and it enters the right-hand end position, which can be seen from the WPRR relay then going from low to high. The control via relay WRR will now go from high to low, after which the switch in the right end position is turned to rest. The relay of the track occupation (indicated by Spbz in the figure) is also included (continuous low). The system of the invention will give a message when in the course of time one or more of the current measurement value (upper part of the graph) and the high or low of the relays WLR, WRR, WPLR and WPRR deviate too much from those shown in FIG. 2. specified, time-dependent values for these parameters.

Figure 3 shows the system registration of a correct turn of a switch with two switch counters.

FIG. 3 has strong similarities to FIG. 2 looking at the control relays (WLR and WRR) and control relays (WPLR and WPRR). However, the graph of Fig. 3 shows a switch rotation of a switch with two switch counters. Both adjusters have the same control, but each has its own set of control relays. The 1 for the first set means that this is about the switch points and the 2 here is the switch point. Each adjuster has its own motor, which means that two current curves can be seen in the graph. The graph shows a left-hand drive, after which the current starts to flow and the switch tongues come from the right end position and after a few seconds reach the left end position. After the switch tongues, the current will run through the motor of the tip and come from the right end position and the left end position after 3 seconds.

Figure 4 shows the system registration of a correct turn of a switch with seven switch counters. StuLi and StuRe mean control left (EBP) and control right (EBP) respectively.

Figure 4 graphically shows a switch turnout of a switch with seven switch adjusters. The lower part again shows the digital signals corresponding to the positions of the B relay responsible for control and monitoring. The seven switch counters have the same control (see relay with control), but each has its own set of control relays (upper 14 digital lines). Where the switch associated with Figure 3 only had 1 motor for the switch tongues and 1 motor for the tip piece, here there are four for the tongues and three for the tip piece.

The graph of Fig. 4 shows that a control takes place after which current flows through all four motors of the switch counters of the switch tongues (synchronous operation). The upper part of the graph shows these current curves (curves are superimposed because the motors run simultaneously). The four sets of control relays show a change of position, because all L relays get low and R get high after a few seconds. Sometime after the start of the changeover point running, the three motors of the tip piece start running and the last three sets of control relays (these are associated with the three tip piece motors) also change position. The switch is now at rest in the left end position.

The invention thus relates, for example, to a system adapted to monitor the operating function of a component, such as a switch, of a passenger and freight railroad, which switch is provided with an actuator, such as an electric motor, for changing over the switch, which switch system comprises a current sensor which outputs a current measurement signal which is dependent on the current supplied to the actuator, for example motor current from the electric motor; and a processing unit which is adapted to process the current measuring signal for the purpose of monitoring the operating function of the switch. The system includes a relay sensor which outputs a relay signal with which the system can determine the position (i.e., energized or not energized) of a galvanic component relay (e.g., changeover relay) associated with the component involved in controlling or controlling the operation of the switch, wherein the processing unit is adapted to process the relay signal. And the system is adapted to monitor the relationship between the electric motor and the above-mentioned galvanic changeover relay from the current measurement signal and the relay signal, in order to derive the changeover operation from that.

This system can furthermore comprise one or more of the following: is adapted to derive from the current measuring signal and the relay signal whether or not the component comes to its end position; is adapted to derive an error message from the current measurement signal and the relay signal; is adapted to take into account, during monitoring, the passage of time from the occurrence of a specific event which is: starting the electric motor or switching the component relay between high and low, for which the system is equipped with a timer; is equipped with a memory containing a reference value which compares the system with a current measurement signal, relay signal and, if applicable, time course, current value based and, if a difference value exceeds a predetermined value, the system gives the error message; is connected to a minimum of two relay sensors, each of which is associated with a respective galvanic alternating relay that is part of the control or monitoring of the operation of the component, and the system applies the relay signals of these minimum two relay sensors in the monitoring; the galvanic change relay associated with the control or control of the switch, the relay sensor of which is connected to the monitoring system, is one of: control relays, control relays and track relays.

The invention also relates to a method for monitoring the operating function of a component, such as a switch, of a railroad for passenger and freight transport, which switch is provided with an actuator, such as an electric motor, for converting the switch using a current sensor which outputs a current measurement signal which is dependent on the current supplied to the actuator, for example motor current from the electric motor; and a processing unit which is adapted to process the current measuring signal for the purpose of monitoring the operating function of the switch. The method also uses a relay sensor that outputs a relay signal that makes it possible to determine the position (i.e., energized or not energized) of a galvanic component relay (e.g., a.c. relay) associated with the component involved in driving or controlling the operation of the switch, wherein the processing unit processes the relay signal. And the method monitors from the current measuring signal and the relay signal the coherence in operating operation between the electric motor and the said galvanic changeover relay, to derive therefrom the operating operation of the changeover.

Claims (8)

A system adapted to monitor the operating function of a switch of a passenger transport railway, which switch is provided with an electric motor for changing over the switch, which system comprises a current sensor which outputs a current measurement signal which is dependent on the motor current of the electric motor; and a processing unit which is adapted to process the current measuring signal for the purpose of monitoring the operating function of the switch, characterized in that the system comprises a relay sensor which outputs a relay signal with which the system assumes the position (i.e., energized or not) energized) can detect a galvanic switch relay associated with the switch which is involved in controlling or controlling the switch operation, the processing unit being adapted to process the relay signal; and the system is adapted to monitor the coherence in operating operation between the electric motor and said galvanic changeover relay from the current measurement signal and the relay signal, in order to derive therefrom the operation operation of the changeover. A system according to claim 1, adapted to derive from the current measurement signal and the relay signal whether or not the switch comes to its end position. 3. System as claimed in claim 1 or 2, adapted to derive an error message from the current measurement signal and the relay signal. 4. System as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the system is arranged for taking into account during the monitoring the passage of time from the occurrence of a specific event which is: starting the electric motor or switching between high and low changeover relay, for which the system is equipped with a timer. A system according to any one of claims 1-4, equipped with a memory containing a reference value which the system compares with a current measurement signal, relay signal and, if applicable, time course, current value based on the parameters and, with a difference value greater than a predetermined value, the system gives the error message. A system according to any one of claims 1-5, which is connected to at least two relay sensors, each of which is associated with a respective galvanic switch relay which are connected to the control or control of the operation of the switch, and the system controls the relay signals of this minimum uses two relay sensors in monitoring. A system according to any one of claims 1-6, and the galvanic switch relay associated with the control or control of the switch, the relay sensor of which is connected to the monitoring system, is one of: control relays, control relays and track relays. A system according to claim 6, which is connected to three relay sensors, namely the relay sensors of the control relay, the control relay and the track relay which are associated with the switch to be monitored by the system, and the system applies the relay signals of these three relay sensors in security.