WO2020208565A1 - System for detecting the breakage of a rail in railway networks - Google Patents

System for detecting the breakage of a rail in railway networks Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020208565A1
WO2020208565A1 PCT/IB2020/053383 IB2020053383W WO2020208565A1 WO 2020208565 A1 WO2020208565 A1 WO 2020208565A1 IB 2020053383 W IB2020053383 W IB 2020053383W WO 2020208565 A1 WO2020208565 A1 WO 2020208565A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
track
section
fact
diagnostic
rails
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2020/053383
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Antonio Rizzo
Original Assignee
Ducati Energia S.P.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ducati Energia S.P.A. filed Critical Ducati Energia S.P.A.
Publication of WO2020208565A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020208565A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L1/00—Devices along the route controlled by interaction with the vehicle or vehicle train, e.g. pedals
    • B61L1/20—Safety arrangements for preventing or indicating malfunction of the device, e.g. by leakage current, by lightning
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L27/00—Central railway traffic control systems; Trackside control; Communication systems specially adapted therefor
    • B61L27/50—Trackside diagnosis or maintenance, e.g. software upgrades
    • B61L27/53—Trackside diagnosis or maintenance, e.g. software upgrades for trackside elements or systems, e.g. trackside supervision of trackside control system conditions

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system for detecting the breakage of a rail in railway networks.
  • CdB Track Circuits
  • the main function of a Track Circuit is to make available information about the occupancy status of a section of track to railway safety facilities (IS).
  • the Track Circuit is able to detect the soundness of the rail and, therefore, to report any detected breakage.
  • this document describes a control and signalling system for railway networks, comprising an electrical coupling operationally connected to the rails of a railway track for the electrical cutoff of the track into different sections, and a transmission unit operationally connected to the rails and configured to transmit on at least one section of the track a coded current determined according to railway signalling codes.
  • the electrical coupling comprises a short-circuit electrical connection between the rails and a coupling unit connected to the transmission unit and associated with the rails for the coded current transmission.
  • the system is able to detect the passage of the train using a receiver (typically a relay) powered by a transmitter, positioned at the opposite ends of the track section.
  • a receiver typically a relay
  • the passage of the first axle of the train causes a short circuit that causes the receiver to de-energize.
  • the breakage of the rail causes the power supply to the receiver (relay) to be cut off and the receiver to be switched off.
  • the main aim of the present invention is to devise a simple and effective system for detecting the breakage of a rail in railway networks that can be used as an alternative to known solutions and along the sections without Track Circuit.
  • Another object of the present invention is to devise a system for detecting the breakage of a rail in railway networks that allows detecting the soundness of a track section with performance at least equivalent to that of a Track Circuit.
  • Another object of the present invention is to devise a system for detecting the breakage of a rail in railway networks that allows detecting the soundness of a track section with a level of safety equal to that of a Track Circuit.
  • FIG. 1 is a general functional diagram of the system according to the invention.
  • reference numeral 1 globally indicates a system for detecting the breakage of a rail R in railway networks.
  • this system 1 is capable of effectively checking the soundness of the rails R of a section S of a track B without a conventional Track Circuit (CdB).
  • the system 1 comprises at least one pair of short-circuit connections 2 connected to the rails R of a railway track B .
  • the short-circuit connections 2 are arranged at a predefined distance to each other to delimit at least one section S of the track B.
  • the system 1 advantageously comprises at least one diagnostic unit 3 of the track B connected to the section S of the track B and configured to detect and signal a fault on the rails R along at least one stretch of the section S.
  • the diagnostic unit 3 is able to continuously check the soundness of the specific section S to which it is connected, detecting faults and breakages quickly and effectively.
  • the diagnostic unit 3 comprises at least one measuring device for measuring electrical parameters which is connected to the rails R of the specific section S of the track B and configured to measure specific electrical parameters of such section S.
  • the diagnostic unit 3 comprises at least one measuring device of the electrical resistance which is connected to the rails R of the specific section S of the track B and configured to measure an electrical resistance value of such section S.
  • the diagnostic unit 3 comprises means of comparison of the measured resistance value with at least a predefined threshold value.
  • the comparison means are configured to signal a failure along the section S in the event of the measured resistance value being greater than the predefined threshold value.
  • the comparison means are implemented by means of an appropriate control hardware/software.
  • the system 1 comprises at least one communication line 4 connected to the diagnostic unit 3.
  • the communication line 4 connects a plurality of diagnostic units 3 to each other.
  • the communication line 4 can be made via a fibre optic connection or a communication twisted pair.
  • system 1 conveniently comprises at least one data collection and management unit 5 operationally linked to the diagnostic units 3.
  • the data collection and management unit 5 is connected to the communication line 4 and collects data coming from each of the collection units
  • the comparison means configured to signal a failure along the section S can be implemented within the data collection and management unit 5.
  • the system 1 comprises at least one centralized diagnostic station 6 operationally connected to the data collection and management unit 5.
  • the centralized diagnostic station 6 can be connected to the data collection and management unit 5 via an Ethernet network 7.
  • the centralized diagnostic station 6 can be made up, generically, of any control system or equipment able to use the data coming from the diagnostic units 3 collected by the data collection and management unit 5.
  • system 1 conveniently comprises at least one remote power supply unit 8 connected to the communication line 4.
  • the diagnostic units 3 and the data collection and management unit 5 can be remotely powered.
  • the diagnostic units 3 may be powered locally or remotely.
  • the system is able to detect the breakage of a rail in rail networks in a simple and effective manner and can be used as an alternative to known solutions and along the sections without Track Circuit.
  • the system according to the invention allows detecting the soundness of a track section with performance and safety level at least equivalent to those of a Track Circuit.

Abstract

The system (1) for detecting the breakage of a rail in railway networks, comprises a pair of short-circuit connections (2) connected to the rails (R) of a railway track (B) and arranged at a predefined distance to each other to delimit at least one section (S) of said track (B), and a diagnostic unit (3) of the track (B) connected to the section (S) of the track (B) and configured to detect and signal a fault on the rails (R) along at least one stretch of the section (S).

Description

SYSTEM FOR DETECTING THE BREAKAGE OF A RAIL IN
RAILWAY NETWORKS
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a system for detecting the breakage of a rail in railway networks.
Background Art
With reference to rail traffic management (or rail traffic circulation) the use is known of different technologies to ensure certain safety conditions.
In particular, the use of so-called Track Circuits (CdB) is known, i.e. specific circuits installed on specific sections of a track and adapted to report the presence of trains (or even a single axle of a train) on a given section.
In actual facts, therefore, the main function of a Track Circuit is to make available information about the occupancy status of a section of track to railway safety facilities (IS).
In general, moreover, the Track Circuit is able to detect the soundness of the rail and, therefore, to report any detected breakage.
A specific solution of known type is described in the Italian patent application no. 102017000049498.
Specifically, this document describes a control and signalling system for railway networks, comprising an electrical coupling operationally connected to the rails of a railway track for the electrical cutoff of the track into different sections, and a transmission unit operationally connected to the rails and configured to transmit on at least one section of the track a coded current determined according to railway signalling codes.
In particular, the electrical coupling comprises a short-circuit electrical connection between the rails and a coupling unit connected to the transmission unit and associated with the rails for the coded current transmission.
The system is able to detect the passage of the train using a receiver (typically a relay) powered by a transmitter, positioned at the opposite ends of the track section. The passage of the first axle of the train causes a short circuit that causes the receiver to de-energize. In the same way, the breakage of the rail causes the power supply to the receiver (relay) to be cut off and the receiver to be switched off.
However, there is a need to introduce new solutions that are able to effectively diagnose track soundness and that, at the same time, are simple and easy to apply for all those sections of a track without Track Circuit.
Description of the Invention
The main aim of the present invention is to devise a simple and effective system for detecting the breakage of a rail in railway networks that can be used as an alternative to known solutions and along the sections without Track Circuit. Another object of the present invention is to devise a system for detecting the breakage of a rail in railway networks that allows detecting the soundness of a track section with performance at least equivalent to that of a Track Circuit. Another object of the present invention is to devise a system for detecting the breakage of a rail in railway networks that allows detecting the soundness of a track section with a level of safety equal to that of a Track Circuit.
The objects set out above are achieved by the present system for detecting the breakage of a rail in railway networks according to claim 1.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a system for detecting the breakage of a rail in railway networks, illustrated by way of an indicative, but not limiting example in the attached table of drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a general functional diagram of the system according to the invention.
Embodiments of the Invention
With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a system for detecting the breakage of a rail R in railway networks.
Specifically, this system 1 is capable of effectively checking the soundness of the rails R of a section S of a track B without a conventional Track Circuit (CdB). Advantageously, the system 1 comprises at least one pair of short-circuit connections 2 connected to the rails R of a railway track B .
As schematically shown in Figure 1 , the short-circuit connections 2 are arranged at a predefined distance to each other to delimit at least one section S of the track B.
In addition, the system 1 advantageously comprises at least one diagnostic unit 3 of the track B connected to the section S of the track B and configured to detect and signal a fault on the rails R along at least one stretch of the section S. In actual facts, therefore, the diagnostic unit 3 is able to continuously check the soundness of the specific section S to which it is connected, detecting faults and breakages quickly and effectively.
In particular, the diagnostic unit 3 comprises at least one measuring device for measuring electrical parameters which is connected to the rails R of the specific section S of the track B and configured to measure specific electrical parameters of such section S.
According to a preferred embodiment, the diagnostic unit 3 comprises at least one measuring device of the electrical resistance which is connected to the rails R of the specific section S of the track B and configured to measure an electrical resistance value of such section S.
In addition, the diagnostic unit 3 comprises means of comparison of the measured resistance value with at least a predefined threshold value. The comparison means are configured to signal a failure along the section S in the event of the measured resistance value being greater than the predefined threshold value.
The comparison means are implemented by means of an appropriate control hardware/software.
Conveniently, the system 1 comprises at least one communication line 4 connected to the diagnostic unit 3.
Specifically, the communication line 4 connects a plurality of diagnostic units 3 to each other.
For example, the communication line 4 can be made via a fibre optic connection or a communication twisted pair.
In addition, the system 1 conveniently comprises at least one data collection and management unit 5 operationally linked to the diagnostic units 3.
In particular, the data collection and management unit 5 is connected to the communication line 4 and collects data coming from each of the collection units
3.
Conveniently, according to a possible alternative embodiment, the comparison means configured to signal a failure along the section S can be implemented within the data collection and management unit 5.
If necessary, the system 1 comprises at least one centralized diagnostic station 6 operationally connected to the data collection and management unit 5.
For example, the centralized diagnostic station 6 can be connected to the data collection and management unit 5 via an Ethernet network 7.
The centralized diagnostic station 6 can be made up, generically, of any control system or equipment able to use the data coming from the diagnostic units 3 collected by the data collection and management unit 5.
In addition, the system 1 conveniently comprises at least one remote power supply unit 8 connected to the communication line 4. This way, the diagnostic units 3 and the data collection and management unit 5 can be remotely powered. Alternatively, the diagnostic units 3 may be powered locally or remotely.
It has, in practice, been found that the described invention achieves the intended objects.
In particular, it is emphasized that the system is able to detect the breakage of a rail in rail networks in a simple and effective manner and can be used as an alternative to known solutions and along the sections without Track Circuit.
In addition, the system according to the invention allows detecting the soundness of a track section with performance and safety level at least equivalent to those of a Track Circuit.

Claims

1) System (1) for detecting the breakage of a rail in railway networks, characterized by the fact that it comprises:
- at least one pair of short-circuit connections (2) connected to the rails (R) of a railway track (B), said short-circuit connections (2) being arranged at a predefined distance to each other to delimit at least one section (S) of said track (B);
- at least one diagnostic unit (3) of said track (B) connected to said section (S) of the track (B) and configured to detect and signal a fault on said rails (R) along at least one stretch of said section (S).
2) System (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said diagnostic unit (3) comprises at least one measuring device of electrical parameters which is connected to the rails (R) of said section (S) of the track (B) and configured to measure specific electrical parameters of said section (S). 3) System (1) according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that said diagnostic unit (3) comprises at least one measuring device of the electrical resistance which is connected to said section (S) of the track (B) and configured to measure an electrical resistance value of said section (S).
4) System (1) according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that said diagnostic unit (3) comprises means of comparison of said measured resistance value with at least a predefined threshold value, said comparison means being configured to signal a failure along said section (S) in the event of said measured resistance value being greater than said threshold value.
5) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one communication line (4) connected to said diagnostic unit (3).
6) System (1) according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that said communication line (4) connects a plurality of diagnostic units (3) to each other.
7) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one data collection and management unit (5) operationally linked to said at least one diagnostic unit (3). 8) System (1) according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that said data collection and management unit (5) is connected to said communication line (4).
9) System (1) according to one or more of claims 7 and 8, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one centralized diagnostic station (6) operationally connected to said data collection and management unit (5).
10) System (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one remote power supply unit (8) connected to said communication line (4).
PCT/IB2020/053383 2019-04-11 2020-04-09 System for detecting the breakage of a rail in railway networks WO2020208565A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102019000005578A IT201900005578A1 (en) 2019-04-11 2019-04-11 RAIL BREAKAGE DETECTION SYSTEM IN RAILWAY NETWORKS
IT102019000005578 2019-04-11

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WO2020208565A1 true WO2020208565A1 (en) 2020-10-15

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WO (1) WO2020208565A1 (en)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001076927A1 (en) * 2000-04-07 2001-10-18 Aea Technology Plc Broken rail detection
US20160075356A1 (en) * 2014-09-12 2016-03-17 Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation Broken Rail Detection System for Railway Systems

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT201700049498A1 (en) 2017-05-08 2018-11-08 Ducati Energia S P A CONTROL AND SIGNALING SYSTEM FOR RAILWAY NETWORKS

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001076927A1 (en) * 2000-04-07 2001-10-18 Aea Technology Plc Broken rail detection
US20160075356A1 (en) * 2014-09-12 2016-03-17 Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation Broken Rail Detection System for Railway Systems

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Publication number Publication date
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