RU2813221C1 - Microprocessor fire alarm and fire fighting system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: fire alarm and fire extinguishing control systems for mainline locomotives.

SUBSTANCE: microprocessor fire alarm and fire extinguishing system for traction rolling stock consists of a fire extinguishing control unit (FECU), a fire alarm control device (FACD), combined fire detectors, thermal fire detectors, sound fire alarms, light fire alarms, remote controls installed on left and right outer sides of each section of the locomotive, pressure alarms, reed sensors for controlling door openings, fire extinguishing units, backup power supply, recording devices. The system units are connected to each other via a wired communication line using the RS-485 interface designed to transmit information between the control unit and control panel. The number of FECUs and FACDs depends on the number of locomotive sections. The control panel is connected via the RS-485 interface to the microprocessor control system of the locomotive and is connected to service devices for maintenance, data reading and reprogramming.

EFFECT: increased reliability of fire extinguishing devices in automatic and manual control modes.

4 cl, 1 dwg

Description

The invention relates to automatic fire alarm and fire extinguishing control systems, adapted for use in railway transport, mainly for mainline locomotives.

The system is designed to automatically detect a fire on a locomotive based on the factors of rising temperature and the presence of smoke, as well as to extinguish a fire in manual (remote) mode (if there is a locomotive crew on the locomotive) and in automatic mode (during standstill).

The microprocessor fire alarm and fire extinguishing system (hereinafter referred to as MPSP) includes thermal and combined (smoke/heat) detectors that control fire-hazardous parameters of the protected environment (engine room, vestibule, cabin), executive fire extinguishing means (gas/aerosol type modules), one device fire control and receiving unit (FPKP) and fire extinguishing control unit (FCU), connected to each other via a digital communication line RS-485, fire alarms sound and light, door position control sensors, remote start panels, also includes control of the battery charge level backup batteries.

Each monitoring and control unit is designed with the ability to independently make a decision on launching executive fire extinguishing means, regardless of the control unit. The system additionally contains an RS-485 interface for transmitting information to the MPSU locomotive control system.

The system can operate in three modes: “MANUAL”, “MANUAL WITH DELAY” and “AUTOMATIC” and, in addition to the functions of fire control and fire extinguishing, has a security function in standstill mode.

Various security, fire alarm and automatic fire extinguishing systems for traction rolling stock are known from the prior art, for example, those disclosed in RF patents No. 2584852, No. 2681412, No. 2711830.

Fire alarm and automatic fire extinguishing system for traction rolling stock (RU No. 2584852 C9), containing in each section of the locomotive control, indication and control units, combined through a switching unit into a single system with fire detectors, sound and light annunciators, executive fire extinguishing means, backup power supply, remote control panels and locomotive communication devices. The known system is designed to operate in manual operating mode, automatic operating mode and manual with delayed operating mode. It is equipped with a radio communication adapter, designed to notify the depot duty officer about the detection of a fire situation or unauthorized intervention in the system via a radio channel using a train radio station indicating the locomotive number in automatic mode without the participation of the driver. Executive fire extinguishing means are made in the form of fire extinguishing aerosol generators and gas fire extinguishing modules equipped with thermal starters. Thermal starters are included in an additional fire alarm loop with the ability to protect the system from false alarms in automatic mode. Remote controls are located on the outer surface of the locomotives.

The known fire alarm and automatic fire extinguishing system for a locomotive (RU 2681412 C1) is intended for use on a locomotive of traction rolling stock containing at least two sections, each of the sections being equipped with a fire alarm and automatic fire extinguishing system. Each section is equipped with an indication and control unit, a section control unit, a backup power unit, a remote start device, manual, heat and smoke detectors, sound and light alarms, as well as extinguishing agent generators. One of the sections contains a fire state recording device and a radio station control unit. The indication and control units of each section are connected to each other, as well as to the fire state recording device and the radio station control unit. Remote start devices, detectors and sirens and extinguishing agent generators of each section are connected to the indication and control unit to form a ring local digital network.

The modular automatic fire alarm and fire extinguishing system for special railway rolling stock (SPS) (RU No. 2711830 C1) contains: a central control and indication unit (CBUI), a fire state recording device, a backup power supply unit, and a radio station control unit. In this case, each section of the ATP contains: two remote start devices, the first local control unit (LCU) with devices connected to it, including: at least one thermal fire sensor and/or at least one smoke fire sensor, at least one door opening/closing sensor, at least one manual call point, at least one fire warning light and/or at least one fire sounder and at least one autonomous fire extinguishing actuator. In this case, the first LUB is configured to carry out the following actions in the area of its operation: determining the event of a fire hazardous situation and/or fire, notifying about the occurrence of the specified event, determining the state of opening/closing doors, launching autonomous fire extinguishing actuators, receiving notification from the central fire control center about bringing into the action of at least one of the devices connected to the first LUB and the transmission to the central control unit of information about the state of the devices connected to the LUB and the occurrence of a fire hazard and/or fire. The central control unit is configured to receive information from the first LUB, store it in the fire state recording device and transmit it to a remote server of an external control point.

The above systems have a number of disadvantages and omissions, namely:

1. Backup power supply unit - a separate module that takes up additional space when equipping the locomotive, as well as additional wires (cables) in the system;

2. There is no possibility of monitoring and controlling fire extinguishing in any section of the locomotive from any of the control units connected to each other via an intersectional communication line;

3. There is no possibility of forcing the system to start, including when you are in another cabin of the locomotive;

4. Lack of automatic initialization via the intersectional communication line during shunting operations, during docking/undocking of locomotives when operating in CME mode.

The prototype of the present invention is a security, fire alarm and automatic fire extinguishing system for traction rolling stock (RU 2610391 C2), which includes control, indication and control units located in each section of the locomotive, remote control units, combined through a switching unit into a single system with heat and smoke detectors, sound and light alarms, executive fire extinguishing means with thermal starters, backup power supply, locomotive communication devices, and a radio communication adapter. The system also includes door status sensors, a system for monitoring the battery charge level of the backup power supply unit, a motion parameters recorder adapter and a data transmission network adapter to the server of a unified system for monitoring the operation of locomotive on-board systems in real time. The logical block contains the function of automatically turning off the technological equipment of the locomotive before starting the fire extinguishing means by lowering the pantograph and turning off the fans when used in electric locomotives, or breaking the draft collection circuits and stopping the diesel engine when used in diesel locomotives before starting the fire extinguishing systems.

However, this system also has a number of disadvantages, which include:

1. Backup power supply unit - a separate module that takes up additional space when equipping the locomotive, as well as additional wires (cables) in the system;

2. Lack of automatic initialization via the intersectional communication line during shunting operations, during docking/undocking of locomotives when operating in CME mode.

3. There is no function to return the system state and transfer it to standby mode in the event of false alarms of detectors.

The proposed microprocessor-based fire alarm and fire extinguishing system on traction rolling stock has the greatest functional technical solution compared to the prototype.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to expand the arsenal of automatic fire alarm and fire extinguishing control systems in mobile vehicles and its elements, ensuring the highest possible reliability of fire extinguishing means in automatic and manual control modes of fire extinguishing devices, as well as ergonomics when located on the protected object (locomotive).

The technical result is to ensure stable operation even in the most extreme conditions, as well as in the event of partial damage to interunit connections, the ability to analyze the causes of a fire, reduce the likelihood of false alarms, as well as inform the operator about a possible fire and system malfunctions.

To solve problems and ensure technical results, a microprocessor-based fire alarm and fire extinguishing system for traction rolling stock is proposed, which includes sensors (detectors) that monitor fire-hazardous parameters of the protected environment, executive fire extinguishing means, a control unit, a fire control and receiving device PPKP, and a control unit BUP, connected to each other via RS-485 communication line. In this case, each control panel control unit is configured to communicate with other control panels via digital communication lines using the RS-485 interface.

The system is designed to operate in both automatic and manual control modes.

The number of monitoring and control units corresponds to the number of sections in the locomotive.

To enable operation in manual mode, the system is equipped with two remote (manual) launch panels for fire extinguishing agents. Remote start panels for fire extinguishing means are installed preferably on the left and right outer sides of each section of the locomotive.

The system is designed to operate from both the main and backup power sources.

The fire extinguishing control unit BUP consists of a housing in which a central processor module is located, connected to an input-output control panel for exchanging information with the control panel, an indication module, a keyboard module, and a piezo speaker.

The fire control and receiving device (FPKP) is made in a separate metal case, which contains: the main control board containing two central processor modules (two microcontrollers); backup power supply in the form of 2 series-connected batteries of 12 V each; non-volatile memory module for recording, storing and reading information; RS-485 interface for connecting the locomotive control system, as well as for service devices for servicing and reading data, reprogramming via the RS-485 communication line; power supply voltage converter DC/DC 110/24 V, relays for switching discrete signals, 3 pieces; external connector for connecting a train radio station for the purpose of transmitting information via a radio channel to the control panel; external connector for connecting the PSU; external connectors for intersectional connection of MPSPs to each other via a system of many units (SME); external barrier-type connectors (2-wire) for connecting sensors (detectors, both thermal and combined), sound sirens, light sirens, main power supply, remote start panels (devices), circuit breaker, gas/aerosol fire extinguishing modules, door position sensors, pressure control sensors in fire extinguishing modules.

The proposed system is designed for continuous operation, both in standby mode for monitoring the state of the situation, and in the mode of automatic or manual control of fire extinguishing means, while the system is able to determine and warn about the likelihood of a “fire hazardous situation”.

In fig. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a microprocessor fire alarm and fire extinguishing system with the following symbols:

FUP - fire extinguishing control unit;

IPK - combined fire detector;

IPT - thermal fire detector;

MPSU - microprocessor control system;

OPZ - sound fire alarm;

OPS - light fire alarm;

Remote control - remote control;

PPKP - fire control and receiving device;

RVS - high-frequency stationary radio station;

SD - pressure alarm;

UPT - fire extinguishing installation;

UR - registration device;

BRP - backup power supply unit.

MPSP contains detectors that monitor fire hazardous parameters of the protected environment on the principles of fire detection by factors (heat, flame) and visible combustion products (smoke), analogue detectors, smoke, heat and combined. Executive fire extinguishing means (fire extinguishing modules), fire extinguishing control unit (FCU), fire control and receiving device (FPKP), the number of which corresponds to the number of sections of the locomotive. The system is designed to monitor the tightness of protected compartments, while reed switch sensors are connected to the control panel to notify the operator about the opening of the doors.

Each control panel monitors the status of all connected detector loops, monitors the condition of fire extinguishing devices (modules, pressure vessels), and also continuously monitors the condition of remote start control loops. The control panel is capable of receiving and functionally analyzing signals about the situation in protected compartments, monitoring and diagnosing the state of connected system components, and is also designed to independently make a decision on launching fire extinguishing executive means, regardless of the control unit, and issuing commands to launch fire extinguishing executive means. Each control panel is designed with the ability to record, store and read information about events into non-volatile memory.

Essentially, the PPKP is a multifunctional device with the ability to easily adapt to new requirements and the ability to expand functions to meet customer requirements.

Each PCU is designed to display on the front panel and provide the operator (locomotive or maintenance crew) with all information received from the system components, identifying the types of events, the place of their occurrence, indicating the protected compartments, with subsequent recording of information about events in non-volatile memory, light and sound notification operator about an emergency situation, as well as managing the process of launching executive fire extinguishing means. The PCU consists of a housing in which a central processor module is located, connected to the control panel and an input-output connector for exchanging information via the RS-485 communication line with the control panel, an indication module, a keyboard module, and a piezo speaker. For communication with external devices (computers, service devices) and for information exchange with the control panel, the PCU block provides an input-output module that uses a wired RS-485 communication interface, providing data exchange and communication with the system's control panel.

The main blocks of the system are connected to each other via a wired communication line using the RS-485 interface, designed to transmit information between the control unit and control panel. The intersectional communication line is also made on the basis of the RS-485 interface (shielded twisted pair) and is designed to transfer information between the control panels of all sections (the maximum number of connected sections is 4). The RS-485 interface is characterized by a protocol that provides real-time data transmission and error correction, with high noise immunity.

The proposed system automatically monitors the health of digital communication lines using the RS-485 interface for loss of communication, the health of communication lines of executive fire extinguishing equipment for open circuits and short circuits, and the serviceability of the fire alarm loop for open circuits and short circuits. The system automatically detects new PCB and FACP blocks when they are connected to an intersectional communication line using the RS-485 interface, loads the block configuration with this information displayed on the front panels of all connected PCB blocks. For correct operation of the system, the addresses of all blocks in the RS-485 communication line must be unique. The system is a recoverable, maintainable, multifunctional, reusable system.

Power to the system units is supplied from the on-board network through a voltage converter connected to the control panel unit.

In addition, the proposed system can be connected via an uninterruptible power supply to the main and backup power sources.

The system blocks (PPKP, PCU) are designed with self-diagnosis capabilities, the results of which are recorded in the non-volatile memory of the UR recording device, physically located in the PCCP, and are displayed on the front panel of the PCU, which allows timely identification and elimination of faults.

The system works as follows.

After turning on the power and completing the self-diagnosis tests, the system enters the “Manual Delayed” mode, which is automatically set by the configuration. The system has a choice of operation in the following modes:

1) Manual with delay;

2) Manual mode;

3) Automatic mode.

The “AUTOMATIC” mode is used in the absence of a locomotive crew when the locomotive is in a state of standstill.

In automatic mode, if a fire occurs in any protected zone, a signal indicating that the threshold air temperature in this zone has been exceeded is detected by detectors, and the signal from the detectors is sent to the control panel. The latter transmits a signal to the control unit, the locomotive control system and the train radio station, and begins the countdown to launch the fire extinguishing modules. The control panel saves the fire message into the non-volatile memory of the control unit. A fire message is transmitted via a radio station to the dispatcher's and/or duty officer's console. If at least two fire detectors are triggered in the protected zone, and the air temperature in the extinguishing zone continues to be recorded above the threshold value, and no messages or additional commands are received from the control unit to change the operating mode, then the control panel independently issues a command to start the fire extinguishing modules in the control zone.

In the “Manual Mode” mode, the decision to extinguish the fire is made by the operator upon receiving information from the control unit.

In the “Manual with delay” mode, the system allows the operator to stop the fire extinguishing equipment launch countdown and manually launch it. It is also possible to switch from automatic to manual mode or vice versa.

The proposed microprocessor-based fire alarm and fire extinguishing system for rolling stock is one of the most reliable systems of this type; it ensures stable operation even in the most extreme conditions, as well as in the event of partial damage to interunit connections. The system is reliable and flexible. The system provides the ability to analyze the causes of a fire, reduces the likelihood of false alarms, and ensures that the operator is informed about a possible fire or malfunction. There is also the possibility of forced start of fire extinguishing devices.

Claims (4)

1. Microprocessor-based fire alarm and fire extinguishing system for traction rolling stock, consisting of a fire extinguishing control unit (FCU), fire alarm control device (FPKP), combined fire detectors (IPK), thermal fire detectors (IPT), sound fire alarms (OPZ) ), fire light annunciators (OPS), right and left remote control panels (RCP), installed on the left and right outer sides of each section of the locomotive, pressure alarms (SD), reed sensors for monitoring door openings, fire extinguishing installations (FES), backup unit power supply (BRT), registration device (RD), while the system blocks are connected to each other via a wired communication line using the RS-485 interface, designed to transmit information between the control unit and the control panel, the number of which depends on the number of sections of the locomotive, in addition, the control panel via the RS-485 interface it is connected to the microprocessor control system (MPCS) of the locomotive and is connected to service devices for maintenance, data reading and reprogramming. 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the backup power supply unit (BRT) in the form of 2 series-connected 12 V batteries is located in the control panel. 3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the control panel has external connectors for intersectional connection for automatic initialization via an intersectional communication line via a system of many units (CME) of locomotives with each other during shunting operations and docking/undocking. 4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that if the detectors are falsely triggered, the system returns to standby mode when the “RESET” button on the front panel of the PCB is pressed.

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