A control method and system for a locomotive auxiliary compressor

Abstract

A control method and system of a locomotive auxiliary compressor, comprising S1, when receiving a pantograph raising instruction, judging whether an auxiliary compressor pressure switch guide communication signal is received; if not, raising the pantograph; if yes, entering S2; S2, judging whether a total air cylinder pressure value is lower than a first set pressure value; if yes, starting the auxiliary compressor and entering S3; if not, entering S4; S3, after the auxiliary compressor is started for a preset time length, judging whether an auxiliary compressor starting request signal is received; if yes, entering S4; if not, stopping the auxiliary compressor and raising the pantograph; S4, judging whether an auxiliary air cylinder pressure value is lower than the first set pressure value; if yes, judging that the auxiliary compressor pressure switch is faulty and prohibiting the pantograph from being raised; if not, shielding a compressor starting signal and raising the pantograph. The application can solve the problem that the auxiliary compressor cannot be started or cannot be stopped after being started when the auxiliary compressor control pressure switch setting value drifts or is faulty.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of rail transit technology, specifically to a control method and system for a locomotive auxiliary compressor. Background Technology

[0002] The locomotive's main air reservoir is supplied with compressed air by the main compressor for use in the locomotive's braking, electrical, and other equipment. The locomotive is also equipped with an auxiliary compressor, which can be started via a 110V power supply to provide air to the auxiliary air reservoir, ensuring sufficient air pressure for the pantograph to rise. The main and auxiliary air reservoirs are connected by a one-way shut-off valve, meaning air from the main air reservoir can enter the auxiliary air reservoir, but air from the auxiliary air reservoir cannot enter the main air reservoir. The pressure in the main air reservoir is detected by a pressure sensor and transmitted to the locomotive network, facilitating locomotive control via the braking and network systems. The air circuit control principle diagram is shown below. Figure 1 As shown.

[0003] After an electric locomotive enters the depot, if it remains parked for an extended period, the main air reservoir may leak, causing a drop in air pressure. However, sufficient air pressure is required for the locomotive's pantograph to raise. If the locomotive remains in the depot for too long, the pressure in the main air reservoir may fall below the pressure required for pantograph raising, preventing the pantograph from raising. Therefore, an auxiliary compressor can be activated to supply air to the auxiliary air reservoir, ensuring sufficient air for successful pantograph raising. The auxiliary compressor uses a pressure switch to detect if the pressure meets the raising conditions. If the pressure switch detects a pressure below 480 kPa, it activates the auxiliary compressor to supply air to the auxiliary air reservoir, ensuring the necessary air pressure for pantograph raising. If the pressure switch detects a pressure above 650 kPa, the auxiliary compressor stops operating. However, due to the possibility of pressure switch setting drift, there are technical issues such as insufficient auxiliary air reservoir pressure preventing the auxiliary compressor from starting, thus preventing the pantograph from raising, or the auxiliary compressor continuously pumping air. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a control method and system for a locomotive auxiliary compressor to solve the technical problems in the prior art where insufficient pressure in the auxiliary air cylinder prevents the auxiliary compressor from starting, the pantograph from rising, or the auxiliary compressor from continuously pumping air due to pressure switch setting value drift.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution.

[0006] On the one hand, a control method for a locomotive auxiliary compressor is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0007] S1. Upon receiving the pantograph raising command, determine whether an auxiliary compressor pressure switch activation signal has been received; if not, raise the pantograph; if yes, proceed to S2:

[0008] S2. Determine if the main air cylinder pressure is lower than the first set pressure value; if yes, start the auxiliary compressor and proceed to S3; if no, proceed to S4.

[0009] S3. After the auxiliary compressor has been running for a preset time, determine whether an auxiliary compressor start-up request signal has been received; if yes, proceed to S4; if no, the auxiliary compressor stops working and the bow is raised.

[0010] S4. Determine if the auxiliary air cylinder pressure value is lower than the first set pressure value; if yes, determine if the auxiliary compressor pressure switch is faulty and prohibit the raising of the pantograph; if no, block the compressor start signal and raise the pantograph.

[0011] The above method uses the pressure switch status and the main air cylinder pressure to make a comprehensive judgment to determine whether the auxiliary compressor needs to be started. This solves the problem that the auxiliary compressor cannot start or does not stop after starting when the auxiliary compressor control pressure switch setting value drifts or malfunctions, which causes the locomotive to be unable to raise the pantograph normally.

[0012] In some embodiments, after the bow is successfully raised, the following steps are also included:

[0013] S5. Determine whether an auxiliary compressor pressure switch on signal is received; if not, continue monitoring whether an auxiliary compressor pressure switch on signal is received; if yes, proceed to step S6.

[0014] S6. Determine if the main air cylinder pressure is lower than the second set pressure value; if yes, determine if the main compressor is faulty, start the auxiliary compressor until the main air cylinder pressure is greater than the third set pressure value; if no, determine if the auxiliary compressor pressure switch is faulty, and disable the auxiliary compressor start signal.

[0015] The third set pressure value is greater than the second set pressure value, and the second set pressure value is greater than the first set pressure value.

[0016] In some embodiments, in step S6, when a lowering command is received, the auxiliary compressor stops working.

[0017] In another aspect, a control system for a locomotive auxiliary compressor is provided, including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program to implement the steps of the above method.

[0018] In another aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program / instructions thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the above-described method.

[0019] In another aspect, a computer program product is provided, including a computer program / instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the above-described method.

[0020] This invention has at least the following technical effects or advantages:

[0021] 1. Without modifying existing hardware, this invention uses the pressure switch status and the main air cylinder pressure to determine whether the auxiliary compressor needs to be started, thus solving the problem that the auxiliary compressor cannot start or does not stop after starting, which causes the locomotive to be unable to raise the pantograph normally when the auxiliary compressor control pressure switch setting value drifts or malfunctions.

[0022] 2. This invention proposes the maximum operating time of the auxiliary compressor based on the capacity of the auxiliary air cylinder, and stops the auxiliary compressor when it reaches the maximum operating time to avoid the compressor running continuously.

[0023] 3. This invention can also achieve precise location of pressure switch faults; Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the existing locomotive air supply system;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the control method of the locomotive auxiliary compressor (during pantograph raising) in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the control method of the locomotive auxiliary compressor (after pantograph raising) in one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To better understand the above technical solutions, the following will provide a detailed explanation of the technical solutions in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0028] Example 1

[0029] See Figure 2 and Figure 3 A control method for a locomotive auxiliary compressor includes the following steps:

[0030] S1. Upon receiving the pantograph raising command, determine whether an auxiliary compressor pressure switch activation signal has been received; if not, raise the pantograph; if yes, proceed to S2:

[0031] S2. Determine if the main air cylinder pressure is lower than the first set pressure value; if yes, start the auxiliary compressor and proceed to S3; if no, proceed to S4.

[0032] S3. After the auxiliary compressor has been running for a preset time, determine whether an auxiliary compressor start-up request signal has been received; if yes, proceed to S4; if no, the auxiliary compressor stops working and the bow is raised.

[0033] S4. Determine if the auxiliary air cylinder pressure is lower than the first set pressure value; if yes, determine if the auxiliary compressor pressure switch is faulty and prohibit raising the pantograph; if no, block the compressor start signal and raise the pantograph.

[0034] S5. Determine whether an auxiliary compressor pressure switch on signal is received; if not, continue monitoring whether an auxiliary compressor pressure switch on signal is received; if yes, proceed to step S6.

[0035] S6. Determine if the main air cylinder pressure is lower than the second set pressure value; if yes, determine if the main compressor is faulty, start the auxiliary compressor until the main air cylinder pressure is greater than the third set pressure value; if no, determine if the auxiliary compressor pressure switch is faulty, and disable the auxiliary compressor start signal.

[0036] The third pressure setting can be set to 900 kPa, the second pressure setting can be set to 700 kPa, the first pressure setting can be set to 480 kPa, and the preset duration can be set to ten minutes.

[0037] It should be noted that the determination of whether the auxiliary air cylinder pressure value is lower than the first set pressure value in step S4 can be made by the driver. For example, when the pop-up window on the driver's cab displays "Is the auxiliary air cylinder pressure greater than 480 kPa?", the driver can confirm whether the auxiliary air cylinder pressure is greater than 480 kPa by using a mechanical pressure gauge used to detect the auxiliary air cylinder pressure value.

[0038] Preferably, in step S6, when a lowering command is received, the auxiliary compressor stops working.

[0039] Numerous specific details are set forth in the specification provided herein. However, it will be understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this specification.

[0040] Similarly, it should be understood that, in order to streamline this disclosure and aid in understanding one or more of the various aspects of the invention, in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof. However, this method of disclosure should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as reflected in the claims, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into that detailed description, wherein each claim itself is a separate embodiment of the invention.

[0041] Those skilled in the art will understand that the modules, units, or groups of devices in the examples disclosed herein can be arranged in the device as described in this embodiment, or alternatively, can be located in one or more devices different from the device in this example. The modules in the foregoing examples can be combined into a single module or, in addition, can be divided into multiple sub-modules.

[0042] Those skilled in the art will understand that modules in the device of the embodiments can be adaptively changed and placed in one or more devices different from that embodiment. Modules, units, or groups in the embodiments can be combined into a single module, unit, or group, and further, they can be divided into multiple sub-modules, sub-units, or sub-groups. Except where at least some of such features and / or processes or units are mutually exclusive, any combination can be used to combine all features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) and all processes or units of any method or device so disclosed. Unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by an alternative feature that serves the same, equivalent, or similar purpose.

[0043] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that although some embodiments described herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not others, combinations of features from different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention and form different embodiments.

[0044] Furthermore, some of the embodiments described herein are methods or combinations of method elements that can be implemented by a processor of a computer system or by other means of performing the functions. Therefore, a processor having the necessary instructions for implementing the methods or method elements forms means for implementing the methods or method elements. Furthermore, the elements described herein in the apparatus embodiments are examples of means for implementing the functions performed by elements for the purposes of carrying out the invention.

[0045] The various techniques described herein can be implemented in combination with hardware or software, or a combination thereof. Thus, the methods and apparatus of the present invention, or certain aspects or portions thereof, can take the form of program code (i.e., instructions) embedded in a tangible medium, such as a floppy disk, CD-ROM, hard disk, or any other machine-readable storage medium, wherein when the program is loaded into and executed by a machine such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the present invention.

[0046] When the program code is executed on a programmable computer, the computing device generally includes a processor, a processor-readable storage medium (including volatile and non-volatile memory and / or storage elements), at least one input device, and at least one output device. The memory is configured to store program code; the processor is configured to execute the method of the present invention according to instructions in the program code stored in the memory.

[0047] By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media include computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media stores information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media generally embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in the form of modulated data signals such as carrier waves or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information delivery medium. Any combination of the above is also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0048] As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the use of ordinal numbers such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., to describe ordinary objects merely indicates different instances of similar objects and is not intended to imply that the objects being described must have a given order in time, space, ordering, or any other manner.

[0049] Although the invention has been described with reference to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand from the foregoing description that other embodiments are conceivable within the scope of the invention described herein. Furthermore, it should be noted that the language used in this specification has been chosen primarily for readability and instructional purposes, and not for the purpose of interpreting or limiting the subject matter of the invention. Therefore, many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims. The disclosure of the invention is illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0050] Finally, it should be noted that this invention does not explain in detail the common knowledge recognized by those skilled in the art. The above description is only a specific embodiment of this invention and is not intended to limit this invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this invention should be included within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A control method for a locomotive auxiliary compressor, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: S1. Upon receiving the pantograph raising command, determine whether an auxiliary compressor pressure switch activation signal has been received; if not, raise the pantograph; if yes, proceed to S2: S2. Determine if the main air cylinder pressure is lower than the first set pressure value; if yes, start the auxiliary compressor and proceed to S3; if no, proceed to S4. S3. After the auxiliary compressor has been running for a preset time, determine whether an auxiliary compressor start-up request signal has been received; if yes, proceed to S4; if no, the auxiliary compressor stops working and the bow is raised. S4. Determine if the auxiliary air cylinder pressure is lower than the first set pressure value; if yes, determine if the auxiliary compressor pressure switch is faulty and prohibit raising the pantograph; if no, block the compressor start signal and raise the pantograph. After successfully raising the bow, the following steps are also included: S5. Determine whether an auxiliary compressor pressure switch on signal is received; if not, continue monitoring whether an auxiliary compressor pressure switch on signal is received; if yes, proceed to step S6. S6. Determine if the main air cylinder pressure is lower than the second set pressure value; if yes, determine if the main compressor is faulty, start the auxiliary compressor until the main air cylinder pressure is greater than the third set pressure value; if no, determine if the auxiliary compressor pressure switch is faulty, and disable the auxiliary compressor start signal. The third set pressure value is greater than the second set pressure value, and the second set pressure value is greater than the first set pressure value.

2. The control method for the locomotive auxiliary compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S6, when a lowering command is received, the auxiliary compressor stops working.

3. A control system for a locomotive auxiliary compressor, comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory, characterized in that, The processor executes the computer program to implement the steps of the method of claim 1 or 2.

4. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program / instructions stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program / instructions are executed by the processor, they implement the steps of the method described in claim 1 or 2.

5. A computer program product, comprising a computer program / instructions, characterized in that, When the computer program / instructions are executed by the processor, they implement the steps of the method described in claim 1 or 2.

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