State-based frost emptying for a rail vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for defrost-draining a liquid container for a rail vehicle and a rail vehicle equipped for carrying out the method, wherein the method comprises the following process steps: - Acquiring and storing measured values ​​of the temperature of a liquid in the at least one liquid container at predetermined time intervals over at least a predetermined period; a. Determining a future temperature profile of the liquid in the at least one liquid container, at least on the basis of the stored measured values ​​of the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container; b. Determining the point in time at which a predetermined limit temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container is reached, on the basis of the determined future temperature profile of the liquid in the at least one liquid container; c.Emptying the liquid from at least one liquid container if the determined time of reaching the specified limit temperature is before a specified upgrade time.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for frost-free emptying of a liquid container for a rail vehicle and to a rail vehicle equipped to carry out the method.

[0002] Passenger rail vehicles typically include fresh water tanks to supply sanitary facilities or galleys with drinking water. If the vehicle is stationary for an extended period in cold weather, there is a risk that the drinking water in the fresh water tanks will freeze. This can damage both the fresh water tanks themselves and other systems on the rail vehicle, such as water pipes or valves within them. Furthermore, the vehicle cannot be used because the fresh water systems are not operational and must first be heated.

[0003] This risk generally does not exist during vehicle operation, as the tanks are usually located in the heated interior, typically in the ceiling area above the sanitary cubicle or galley.

[0004] Accordingly, when rail vehicles are parked for extended periods without power supply at outside temperatures below zero, the fresh water and, if applicable, wastewater tanks, which are prone to freezing, are completely emptied. However, the fresh water must then be refilled before the vehicle can be put back into passenger service. Draining is usually carried out by personnel when temperatures are expected to be sufficiently low to allow freezing. Refilling the tanks is also time-consuming and labor-intensive.

[0005] Alternatively, the water in the tanks is constantly kept above a specified temperature limit, particularly by means of interior or tank heaters, to prevent freezing. However, this requires a power supply, especially for overhead line vehicles, which is difficult to implement when the vehicle is dismantled. Another option is to park the rail vehicles in heated depots. Both options involve high energy consumption.

[0006] A generic tank draining device for a fresh water tank of a rail vehicle is disclosed in WO 2014 / 056768 A1. A thermal switch is coupled to the fresh water, and when the temperature falls below a predetermined limit, for example, 2°C, a frost-free drain valve on a frost-free drain line is opened, thereby draining the fresh water tank. This eliminates the need for personnel to drain the tank. However, personnel are required for refilling. Furthermore, the temperature at which the water is drained must be sufficiently above freezing to reliably prevent freezing.

[0007] The published patent application DE 10 2008 032 651 A1 concerns a rail vehicle with a waste water tank that can be emptied on the vehicle side.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of proposing an improved method for frost emptying which is energy and time saving and requires less personnel.

[0009] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims 1 and 8. Further developments and embodiments of the invention are found in the features of the dependent patent claims.

[0010] A method according to the invention for frost-emptying a liquid container for a, in particular decommissioned, rail vehicle comprises the following method steps: Recording and storing measured values ​​of a temperature of a liquid in at least one liquid container at predetermined time intervals from one another at least over a predetermined period of time; a. Determining a future temperature profile of the liquid in at least one liquid container at least based on the stored measured values ​​of the temperature of the liquid in at least one liquid container; b. Determining a time at which a predetermined limit temperature is reached for at least the liquid in at least one liquid container based on the determined future temperature profile of the liquid in at least one liquid container; c. Emptying the liquid from at least one liquid container if at least the determined time at which the predetermined limit temperature is reached is before a predetermined upgrade time.

[0011] Measured values ​​of the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container are recorded at predetermined time intervals from one another at least over a predetermined period of time, in particular by means of a suitably designed temperature sensor arranged in or on the at least one liquid container.

[0012] The recorded measured values ​​are stored for further processing, in particular by a suitably designed control unit, for example in a memory of the control unit. The control unit is at least configured to determine a future temperature profile of the liquid in the at least one liquid container, at least primarily as a function of the stored measured values ​​of the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container. From the measured values ​​of the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container recorded and stored over the predetermined period of time, the future temperature profile of the liquid in the at least one liquid container is initially determined, in particular by means of the control unit. This is done, for example, by means of a regression analysis. Since this is a future temperature profile, it could also be referred to as a forecast based on known parameters.

[0013] Advantageously, the control unit is further configured to determine the future point in time at which a predetermined limit temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container is reached based on the determined future temperature profile of the liquid in the liquid container.

[0014] The predetermined limit temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container can be set significantly lower than a switching temperature for a prior art thermal switch and represents a very high probability of the liquid in the at least one liquid container freezing. The limit temperature is set, for example, at 0°C.

[0015] By comparing the determined time at which the predetermined limit temperature is reached with a predetermined upgrade time for the rail vehicle, it is determined, in particular by the control unit, whether the liquid has to be emptied from the at least one liquid container in order to avoid critical icing.

[0016] Furthermore, the control unit is configured to control the emptying of the at least one liquid container, in particular to control at least one frost-free emptying device for the at least one liquid container, if the determined time at which the predetermined limit temperature is reached is before a predetermined set-up time for the rail vehicle. Further criteria could be used to empty the liquid from the at least one liquid container, in particular by the at least one control unit (see below).

[0017] The specified upgrade time for the rail vehicle can be derived from a service plan for the rail vehicle and / or from a rail vehicle timetable. It can be stored during a decommissioning process, for example, by manual entry, particularly in the control unit.

[0018] Furthermore, the control unit can be configured to detect or determine the specified upgrade time of the de-equipped rail vehicle. For example, the control unit is configured to read in a timetable for the rail vehicle and to derive a upgrade time for the rail vehicle from the read-in timetable.

[0019] A rail vehicle according to the invention, in particular a rail vehicle for passenger transport, is configured to carry out the method according to the invention. For this purpose, it comprises the aforementioned means suitable for carrying out the respective method step: at least one liquid container, at least one temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container, at least one frost-removal device for the at least one liquid container, and at least one control unit.

[0020] The at least one liquid container is, in particular, a drinking water container in the rail vehicle, for supplying sanitary facilities or a galley with drinking water. However, it could equally well be a grey water or wastewater container.

[0021] The at least one frost discharge device for the at least one liquid container comprises in particular a frost discharge line connected to the at least one liquid container and a shut-off device, in particular a controllable valve, in the frost discharge line, in particular in the inlet or outlet of the frost discharge line.

[0022] The at least one temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container is arranged in or on the at least one liquid container and is configured to detect a plurality of measured values ​​of the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container, in particular at predetermined time intervals from one another.

[0023] The at least one temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container is connected, in particular, to the at least one control unit via signaling, for example, via a data bus. The at least one control unit is configured to receive and store the measured values ​​of the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container detected by the at least one temperature sensor over a predetermined period of time.

[0024] In addition, the at least one control unit is connected in terms of signaling to the at least one frost emptying device, in particular to the at least one shut-off element of the at least one frost emptying device, for example via a data bus connection, and is designed to control and / or regulate the at least one frost emptying device, i.e. in particular to control the opening and closing of the shut-off element, and thus to control the emptying of the liquid from the at least one liquid container by the at least one frost emptying device.

[0025] Furthermore, as already explained above, at least one control unit is set up to: Receiving and storing the measured values ​​of the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container over a predetermined period of time, as detected by the at least one temperature sensor; determining a future temperature profile of the liquid in the at least one liquid container based at least on the stored measured values ​​of the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container; determining a time at which a predetermined limit temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container is reached based on the determined future temperature profile of the liquid in the at least one liquid container; determining whether the determined time at which the predetermined limit temperature is reached is before a predetermined upgrade time;Controlling the emptying of the liquid from the at least one liquid container by the at least one frost emptying device if the determined time of reaching the predetermined limit temperature is before a predetermined set-up time.;

[0026] The control unit can be a central train control device or it can be designed as a commercially available computer on which a computer program product according to the invention is installed and executable in order to carry out at least the method steps mentioned.

[0027] A computer program product according to the invention comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by a suitable terminal, in this case in particular the control unit, cause the terminal to carry out the method according to the invention.

[0028] A provision device according to the invention for the computer program product according to the invention stores the computer program product and / or provides it. The provision device is, in particular, a data carrier on which the computer program product according to the invention is stored.

[0029] The rail vehicle is, in particular, in a dismantled state when the method is carried out. However, it could still be dismantled, and the method is carried out during the dismantling process. Advantageously, even in the dismantled state, the rail vehicle has a quantity of energy available to operate the at least one temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the liquid in the liquid container, as well as to operate the at least one control unit, for example, provided by an on-board battery.

[0030] In addition to the measured values ​​of the temperature of the liquid in at least one liquid container, further parameters can be taken into account when determining the future temperature profile of the liquid in at least one liquid container.

[0031] Thus, according to a first development of the invention, the future temperature profile of the liquid in the liquid container according to method step a. can be determined as a further function of a future temperature profile of an ambient and / or outside temperature.

[0032] The ambient temperature of the at least one liquid container is the temperature of the air or another medium in which the at least one liquid container is intended to be used and is thus arranged, for example a temperature in an interior or intermediate space of the rail vehicle, for example under a ceiling and above a ceiling of a sanitary compartment of the rail vehicle, in which intermediate space the at least one liquid container is arranged. An outside temperature, on the other hand, refers to the temperature of the air in which the dismantled rail vehicle is located. It can be measured in a, in particular immediate, environment of the rail vehicle or taken from a weather forecast for the position of the vehicle with an outdoor parking location.Accordingly, the future temperature profile of an ambient and / or outside temperature can be determined or specified, in particular on the basis of recorded and stored measured values ​​of the ambient and / or outside temperature, for example by onshore meteorological systems or by a model for predicting the temperature profile in a depot, provided the vehicle is parked in a depot.

[0033] The ambient and / or outside temperature are, in particular, independent of the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container. If the ambient and / or outside temperature rises or falls, this also affects the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container. Conversely, an increase or decrease in the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container only has a minor effect on the ambient and / or outside temperature and is therefore considered non-reactive and can be disregarded.

[0034] In a further development, an outside temperature of the rail vehicle is detected by means of at least one temperature sensor for detecting an outside temperature of the rail vehicle. The rail vehicle can accordingly comprise at least one ambient temperature sensor for detecting an ambient temperature of the at least one liquid container and / or at least one outside temperature sensor for detecting an outside temperature of the rail vehicle, wherein the at least one ambient and / or outside temperature sensor is connected to the at least one control unit by means of signals, and wherein the control unit can in turn be configured to Receiving and storing the measured values ​​of the ambient and / or outside temperature detected by the at least one ambient and / or outside temperature sensor over a predetermined period of time; determining a future temperature profile of the ambient and / or outside temperature at least based on the stored measured values ​​of the ambient and / or outside temperature; determining the future point in time at which a predetermined limit temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container is reached as a function of the determined future temperature profile of the liquid in the liquid container and as a function of the future temperature profile of an ambient and / or outside temperature.

[0035] The prediction of the further temperature progression can be carried out analogously to determining the future temperature progression of the liquid in at least one liquid container, for example by means of a regression analysis.

[0036] The outside temperature sensor is arranged, for example, on an exterior side of the rail vehicle, in particular on the outer skin of the rail vehicle. However, a stationary, land-based weather station in the vicinity of the rail vehicle can also have the at least one outside temperature sensor. A signal connection to the at least one control unit is then advantageously wireless, for example, via a radio link.

[0037] If the rail vehicle is parked in a depot, the at least one outside temperature sensor records the temperature in the depot. However, if the rail vehicle is located on a track, in particular a siding, in an open-air position, the at least one outside temperature sensor records the temperature in the open air.

[0038] The control unit can additionally or alternatively serve to receive and evaluate the future temperature profile of an ambient and / or outside temperature or other external data or parameters and can be suitably configured. For example, it is configured to receive and evaluate a weather forecast from meteorological systems and to derive the future temperature profile of an outside temperature from it.

[0039] The future temperature profile of the liquid in the at least one liquid container can be determined as a function of the recorded and stored measured values ​​for the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container and as a function of the future temperature profile of the ambient and / or outside temperature by correlating an initially provisionally determined future temperature profile of the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container and a future temperature profile of the ambient and / or outside temperature, wherein the initially provisionally determined future temperature profile of the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container is determined independently of the future temperature profile of the ambient and / or outside temperature.Similarly, the measured values ​​for the temperature of the liquid in at least one liquid container and the ambient and / or outside temperature recorded at the same times in a given time interval could be correlated with each other.

[0040] According to a further development, a liquid level in at least one liquid container is detected, in particular by means of at least one suitably designed level sensor arranged in or on the at least one liquid container. This sensor can, in turn, be connected via signaling to the at least one control unit, which is then configured to store the detected measured values ​​regarding the liquid level in the at least one liquid container over a predetermined period of time and / or to further process the detected measured values ​​regarding the liquid level in the at least one liquid container.

[0041] A further development provides that procedural step c. is preceded by: Determining an amount of energy available for heating the liquid in the at least one liquid container; wherein method step a. follows and method step c. is preceded by: determining a necessary amount of energy for heating the liquid in the at least one liquid container in order to always keep a temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container above the predetermined limit value until the predetermined upgrading time for the rail vehicle, in particular depending on the detected fill level of the liquid in the at least one liquid container and the future temperature profile of the liquid in the at least one liquid container determined according to method step a.; heating the liquid in the at least one liquid container in order to always keep a temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container above the predetermined limit value until the predetermined upgrading time, if the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container determined according to method step b.determined time at which the predetermined limit temperature is reached lies before the predetermined upgrading time for the rail vehicle and if the determined available energy quantity is greater than or equal to the determined necessary energy quantity;+ wherein method step c. then reads: emptying the liquid from the at least one liquid container if the time at which the predetermined limit temperature is reached determined according to method step b. lies before a predetermined upgrading time and if the determined available energy quantity is less than the determined necessary energy quantity. .

[0042] Accordingly, a heater for heating the liquid in the at least one liquid container can be provided, which heater is arranged in or on the at least one liquid container. The amount of energy required to heat the liquid in the at least one liquid container could also be referred to as the minimum amount of heat to be supplied in order to keep a temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container always above the predetermined limit value until the predetermined time of recharging of the rail vehicle. Warming up takes place in particular by supplying thermal energy, colloquially also referred to as heating. The amount of energy required to heat the liquid in the at least one liquid container can be determined as a function of the temperature or the temperature profile of the liquid in the at least one liquid container and as a further function of the fill level of the liquid in the at least one liquid container.In addition, further parameters such as the heat capacity of the liquid in at least one liquid container can be specified and / or assumed.

[0043] Whether the at least one liquid container is emptied does not depend exclusively on whether the determined time at which the predetermined limit temperature is reached lies before a predetermined recharging time, but according to this embodiment also on whether an available amount of energy, possibly including a corresponding reserve, is sufficient to heat the liquid in the at least one liquid container in order to keep a temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container always above the predetermined limit value until the predetermined recharging time of the rail vehicle. Only if both criteria are met will the at least one liquid container be emptied. An insufficient amount of energy available for heating can be due, for example, to an insufficient charge level of an on-board battery. If the required amount of energy is available, the liquid is heated accordingly.However, if the determined time at which the specified limit temperature is reached is after the specified upgrade time, further measures are obsolete, since there is no risk of critical icing.

[0044] Other parameters, such as the temperature of the liquid at critical points such as pipelines, can also be taken into account.According to a further development, further measured values ​​of a temperature of the liquid in at least one or in more pipes of the rail vehicle are recorded at predetermined time intervals from one another and stored for at least a predetermined period of time, and a time at which a predetermined limit temperature of the liquid in the at least one pipe is reached can be determined on the basis of the determined future temperature profile of the liquid in the at least one pipe, wherein the emptying of the liquid from the at least one liquid container and / or from the at least one pipe takes place in further dependence on the further measured values ​​of the temperature of the liquid in the at least one pipe and / or in further dependence on a determined temperature profile of the temperature of the liquid in the at least one pipe.The future temperature profile of the liquid in the at least one pipeline can also be determined as a function of a future temperature profile of the ambient and / or outside temperature. The control unit is connected to corresponding additional temperature sensors in the pipeline(s) for signaling purposes and is to receive and evaluate their signals accordingly, i.e., for example, to determine a temperature profile for one or for each temperature sensor and to consider this in the evaluation of the emptying process. The pipelines are connected to the at least one liquid container, but in particular to the at least one emptying device.

[0045] A heater for heating the fluid in the at least one pipeline can also be provided, which heater is arranged in or on the at least one pipeline, for example in the form of a pipe trace heater. Similarly, the amount of energy required to heat the fluid in the at least one pipeline can be determined in order to keep the temperature of the fluid in the at least one pipeline always above the predetermined limit value until the predetermined time of upgrading for the rail vehicle, and the fluid in the at least one pipeline can be heated in order to keep the temperature of the fluid in the at least one fluid container always above the predetermined limit value until the predetermined time of upgrading.If the determined time at which the specified limit temperature is reached is before the specified upgrade time for the rail vehicle and if the determined available energy quantity is greater than or equal to the determined required energy quantity, or the fluid in the at least one pipe is emptied, if the determined time at which the specified limit temperature is reached is before a specified upgrade time and if the determined available energy quantity is less than the determined required energy quantity. The fill level of the fluid in the at least one pipe can be used to determine the required energy quantity to heat the fluid in the at least one pipe so that its temperature is always kept above the specified limit value, or can also be detected using suitable sensors.

[0046] A further development involves limiting the amount of energy required to heat the fluid in at least one fluid container and / or in at least one pipeline. A maximum value could be specified for the amount of energy required to heat at least the fluid in at least one fluid container in order to keep the fluid temperature above the specified limit until the specified time for the rail vehicle to be heated. Thus, if the determined required amount of energy exceeds the specified maximum value, the fluid will still be drained. This prevents high energy consumption in vehicles parked for longer periods, even if they have "infinite" energy available, for example, because they are connected to an external power supply.

[0047] According to a further development, a generation and output of a message about the successful emptying of at least the liquid from the at least one liquid container follows method step c.

[0048] In particular, a message about the successful emptying of the liquid from the at least one liquid container and / or from the at least one pipeline is generated by the control unit and transmitted to a land-based, for example central, service control center for planning a filling of the at least one liquid container, where it can be processed accordingly.

[0049] The invention allows for numerous embodiments and has many advantages. For example, the probability that fluid will have to be drained is significantly reduced by the invention. The fluid is only drained when freezing is certain. In addition to saving fresh water and potentially preventing environmental contamination from drained gray or wastewater, this has the advantage that the vehicle can be put into operation immediately without first having to refill the drained fresh water. This considerably simplifies the operating process. Likewise, the energy required to heat the water - if technically provided for - is reduced, since heating only takes place when absolutely necessary. Therefore, the invention contributes to the economical operation of the vehicle by helping to save personnel, time, water, energy and thus costs.

[0050] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identities are included.

Claims

1. A method for frost-free emptying of a liquid container for a rail vehicle, wherein several measured values ​​of a temperature of a liquid in the liquid container are recorded at predetermined time intervals and stored for at least a predetermined period of time, characterized bythe following method steps: a. Determining a future temperature profile of the liquid in at least one liquid container at least based on the stored measured values ​​of the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container; b. Determining a time at which a predetermined limit temperature is reached by at least the liquid in the at least one liquid container based on the determined future temperature profile of the liquid in at least one liquid container; c. Emptying the liquid from at least the at least one liquid container if at least the determined time at which the predetermined limit temperature is reached is before a predetermined upgrade time for the rail vehicle.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in thatAccording to method step a, the future temperature profile of at least the liquid in the liquid container is determined as a function of a future temperature profile of an ambient and / or outside temperature.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the future temperature profile of the ambient and / or outside temperature is determined on the basis of recorded and stored measured values ​​of the ambient and / or outside temperature or is specified by onshore meteorological systems.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a fill level of the liquid in at least one liquid container is detected.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in thatmethod step c is preceded by: - ​​determining an available amount of energy for heating the liquid in the at least one liquid container; - determining a necessary amount of energy for heating the liquid in the at least one liquid container in order to always keep a temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container above the predetermined limit value until the predetermined upgrading time for the rail vehicle; - heating the liquid in the at least one liquid container in order to always keep a temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container above the predetermined limit value until the predetermined upgrading time, if the energy quantity required according to method step b.determined time at which the predetermined limit temperature is reached is before the predetermined upgrading time for the rail vehicle and if the determined available energy quantity is greater than or equal to the determined necessary energy quantity; wherein method step c. is: - emptying the liquid from the at least one liquid container if the time at which the predetermined limit temperature is reached is before a predetermined upgrading time and if the determined available energy quantity is less than the determined necessary energy quantity.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in thatfurther measured values ​​of a temperature of the liquid in at least one pipeline are recorded, wherein the emptying of the liquid from the at least one liquid container takes place in further dependence on the further measured values ​​of the temperature of the liquid in the at least one pipeline and / or in further dependence on a determined temperature profile of the temperature of the liquid in the at least one pipeline.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that method step c. is followed by: - ​​generating and outputting a message about the successful emptying of at least the liquid from the at least one liquid container.

8. A rail vehicle comprising at least one liquid container, at least one frost-removal device for the at least one liquid container, at least one temperature sensor in the at least one liquid container, at least one control unit which is signal-connected to the at least one temperature sensor in the at least one liquid container and to the at least one frost-removal device, wherein the at least one temperature sensor is configured to record measured values ​​of a temperature of a liquid in the at least one liquid container at predetermined time intervals from one another at least over a predetermined period of time, characterized in thatthe at least one control unit is configured to: - receive and store the measured values ​​of the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container detected by the at least one temperature sensor over a predetermined period of time; - determine a future temperature profile of the liquid in the at least one liquid container at least based on the stored measured values ​​of the temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container; - determine a time at which a predetermined limit temperature of the liquid in the at least one liquid container is reached based on the determined future temperature profile of the liquid in the at least one liquid container; - control the at least one frost emptying device to empty the liquid from the at least one liquid container if the determined time at which the predetermined limit temperature is reached is before a predetermined upgrade time.

9. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a suitable mobile terminal, cause the terminal to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 7.

10. Provision device for the computer program product according to claim 9, wherein the provision device stores and / or provides the computer program product.

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