System and method for controlling a catenary sag

Abstract

Title: System and Method for Controlling Catenary Deflection The invention relates to a method for controlling catenary deflection (200) between a first fixed point (110) and a second fixed point (120), characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: - measuring a spacing distance (DE) between the first fixed point (110) and the second fixed point (120), - installing a measuring unit (300) incorporating an inclinometer (310); - recording an inclination value; - determining a deflection value from the inclination value and the spacing distance (DE), and - checking the conformity of the deflection value with respect to a predetermined threshold value. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: System and method for controlling a catenary boom

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of railway equipment.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates in particular to a system and a method for controlling a catenary boom.

[0003] In railway installations, catenaries are used to supply electric current to trains running on the railway tracks.

[0004] For this purpose, a catenary conventionally comprises at least two elements, namely a carrier cable and a contact wire on which a train pantograph is intended to rest. The contact wire is suspended from the carrier cable by means of pendulums.

[0005] The catenaries are conventionally positioned above the rails forming the railway track, at a determined height so that only the train's pantograph can be in contact with the contact wire.

[0006] The catenaries are supported by posts distributed along the railway track.

[0007] More precisely, the catenaries are supported by consoles secured to the posts and connected to the posts via console stays.

[0008] A catenary can then be divided into a plurality of sections, each section extending between a first fixed point and a second fixed point, the fixed points being formed by the posts.

[0009] Each section is intended to extend parallel to the railway track, that is to say to extend substantially horizontally when the railway track forms a horizontal plane.

[0010] Over time and under the effect of their weight, the sections take on a deflection which tends to deform them. More particularly, the sections sag towards the railway track, thus reducing the height which separates them from the rails.

[0011] This can in particular lead to a safety problem since the contact wire can come into contact with the moving train, the train being generally made from panels of conductive material, it then becomes dangerous for passengers who could touch it.

[0012] Furthermore, such an arrow can cause a power supply fault to the trains.

[0013] Indeed, with too great a deflection, the pantographs may no longer be supported on the contact wire, and therefore no longer ensure transmission between the catenary and the train machinery. This is notably due to the fact that the pantograph, which is at a defined usage height, then ends up above the contact wire and risks tearing off the catenary when it folds back to fit into a housing in the train.

[0014] The greatest deflection is generally measured at the center of the section, that is to say at an equal distance from the two fixed points.

[0015] It is therefore necessary to control the sag taken by the catenaries over time in order to carry out maintenance to correct the sag taken by the catenary.

[0016] For this, a target is generally hung on the catenary and a height measurement is taken between the target and the ground, i.e. a reference point such as the top of a rail.

[0017] Depending on the measured height, the maintenance action is triggered or not.

[0018] Such a measurement proves to be imprecise since different factors can harm the measurement.

[0019] First of all, the wind can move the catenary, making the target mobile, which does not make it easy to capture it with a measuring tool.

[0020] Then, the geometry of the rail, and in particular a roughness on the surface of the rail, can distort the measurement.

[0021] The maintenance action may then be triggered prematurely or, on the contrary, not be triggered when it should be.

[0022] Finally, the targets, which are permanently positioned on the catenary, are subject to weather conditions and can deteriorate over time. Therefore, their capture by the measuring tool can prove difficult, or even impossible, which reduces the quality of the measurement, or even prevents it.

[0023] The invention aims in particular to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0024] More specifically, the invention aims to propose a solution allowing a precise control of the deflection of a section of catenary.

[0025] The invention also aims to provide such a solution which allows monitoring and prediction of the deflection of a catenary over time.

[0026] The invention further aims to provide such a solution which is simple to implement.

[0027] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to the invention which has as its subject a method for controlling a deflection of a section of catenary extending between a first fixed point and a second fixed point, characterized in that the method comprises the steps consisting of: - measure a gap distance between the first fixed point and the second fixed point, - install a measuring box incorporating an inclinometer on said section of catenary; - record a value of inclination of said section of catenary, via the box of measure ; - determine a deflection value from the inclination value and the spread distance, and - check the conformity of the previously determined deflection value with respect to a predetermined threshold value.

[0028] The use of a measuring box makes it possible to overcome a majority of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0029] Indeed, although the wind can always move the catenary, the measurement can be carried out at different times, which does not require a stationary catenary. More specifically, it is not necessary for an operator to wait for the catenary to stop moving in order to take a measurement. The measurement can be carried out without the presence of an operator when the catenary is stationary. This therefore makes it possible to carry out operations to check the sag more quickly and independently of weather conditions.

[0030] Furthermore, the effect of weather conditions on the measuring box is limited.

[0031] This is explained in particular by the fact that it is not necessary to point the measuring box with a measuring tool to check the deflection.

[0032] Therefore, the arrow control can be carried out in all circumstances, or almost.

[0033] According to an advantageous aspect, the measuring box is positioned at an installation distance less than or equal to 1 m from one of the first fixed point and the second fixed point.

[0034] The installation distance allows for a reliable and precise measurement.

[0035] Indeed, by being at most 1 m from the first fixed point or the second fixed point, the measuring box is located on a portion of the section of the catenary, which retains a substantially rectilinear extension.

[0036] Thus, mechanical phenomena, in particular the elongation or bending of the catenary, do not impact, or only slightly, the measurements of the measuring box. In other words, the mechanical aspects to which the catenary is subjected have a negligible impact on the measurement, so that they are not taken into account.

[0037] According to another advantageous aspect, the method also comprises a step of predicting a deflection value at a determined instant, this prediction step being formed by a repetition of the steps consisting of recording an inclination value and determining a deflection value at a first instant prior to the determined instant and a second instant subsequent to the first instant and prior to the determined instant, then deducing from the deflection value at the first instant and from the deflection value at the second instant a law of evolution of the deflection value over time to predetermine a arrow value at the determined instant.

[0038] The prediction step makes it possible to plan maintenance operations before the deflection reaches the predetermined threshold value which would harm the proper operation of the railway installation.

[0039] From the measurements at the first instant and at the second instant, it is thus possible to predict the behavior of the sag of the catenary in order to anticipate a possible defect and to be able to correct it, that is to say to carry out a maintenance action, when the railway installation is not in use, for example at night.

[0040] In addition, this makes it possible to limit maintenance operations and to be able to add an action on the catenary, in particular to modify its tension, during an already planned maintenance operation.

[0041] According to another advantageous aspect, the step of determining a deflection value is carried out by means of a conversion tool, the conversion tool taking the form of an abacus comprising a first input listing a plurality of spacing distances, and a second input comprising a plurality of inclination values.

[0042] The conversion tool makes it easier to control the sag of the catenary.

[0043] In fact, the operator only has to note the value indicated by the measuring box to enter it into the control tool, manually or automatically, in order to obtain a usable deflection value.

[0044] The operator therefore does not have to carry out any calculations, which makes the control of the arrow more reliable, since calculation errors are thus avoided.

[0045] The invention also relates to a system for controlling a catenary sag, comprising a measuring box to be installed on a catenary and a control device, characterized in that the measuring box integrates an inclinometer providing catenary inclination data, and the control device includes: - a tool for converting said inclination data into a sag value, and - a tool for evaluating the conformity of the sag, integrating at least one predetermined sag threshold value.

[0046] Such a system can be used for controlling the deflection of catenary sections on railway installations already in service.

[0047] In fact, the measuring box can be installed on a catenary in service quickly and simply.

[0048] After configuration according to its installation location, the system is operational to allow the arrow to be controlled quickly thanks to the conversion tool and the evaluation tool.

[0049] According to an advantageous aspect, the conversion tool takes the form of an abacus comprising a first entry listing a plurality of spacing distances, and a second entry listing a plurality of tilt values.

[0050] Thanks to such a tool, the operator only has to read the value indicated by the measuring box to enter it into the abacus in order to know the desired deflection.

[0051] The operator thus does not have to calculate the deflection directly, which avoids calculation errors which could make an deflection acceptable when it is not.

[0052] According to another advantageous aspect, the control device also comprises a remote control unit integrating first communication means, and the measuring box integrates second communication means intended to establish a communication path with the first communication means to transmit the measurement data acquired by the inclinometer.

[0053] It is thus possible to control the boom from a remote control station without an operator being dispatched to the site.

[0054] This also makes it possible to follow the deflection taken by the catenary to identify a possible structural defect, for example a possible defect in the fixing of the catenary to a fixed point.

[0055] According to another advantageous aspect, the remote control unit also comprises a processing unit coupled to the first communication means and integrating a digital version of the conversion tool and the evaluation tool, the processing unit being configured to process inclinometer data transmitted via the communication channel and determine a value of the deflection of the catenary using the conversion tool, then compare said deflection value with respect to a predetermined threshold value and recorded in the processing unit via the evaluation tool.

[0056] The arrow control can then be carried out automatically, so that a daily consultation of the processing unit by an operator allows several installations to be checked quickly and remotely.

[0057] The processing unit can be consulted via a screen connected to the processing unit or by a portable electronic device that the operator possesses.

[0058] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given as illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended drawings described below.

[0059] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of a railway installation on which a control system according to the invention is used, according to a first embodiment.

[0060] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of a railway installation on which a control system according to the invention is used, according to a second embodiment.

[0061] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of a measuring box of the control system according to the invention.

[0062] Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate a railway installation 100. More specifically, Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a section of a railway installation 100.

[0063] The railway installation 100 comprises a first fixed point 110 and a second fixed point 120.

[0064] The first fixed point 110 and the second fixed point 120 are posts intended to allow the suspension of a catenary 200.

[0065] As illustrated by Figures 1 and 2, the first fixed point 110 and the second fixed point 120 are spaced apart from each other by a spacing distance DE.

[0066] The catenary 200 comprises a carrier cable 210 and a contact wire 220 on which a train pantograph is intended to rest. The contact between the pantograph and the contact wire 220 makes it possible to electrically power a train to ensure its movement.

[0067] The contact wire 220 is suspended from the carrier cable 210 by means of pendulums 230.

[0068] Figures 1 and 2 therefore illustrate a section of catenary 200 extending between the first fixed point 110 and the second fixed point 120.

[0069] The catenary 200, more specifically the contact wire 220, is intended to extend parallel to the rails 130 of the railway installation 100.

[0070] However, over time, the self-weight of the catenary 200 may tend to cause it to deform slightly and no longer be parallel to the rails 130.

[0071] More precisely, between the first fixed point 110 and the second fixed point 120, the catenary 200 may tend to sag in the direction of the rails 130. This is then referred to as the deflection of the catenary 200. In Figures 1 and 2, the deflection that the catenary 200 can take is represented schematically by an arrow F.

[0072] The catenary 200 then bends, and its distance from the rails 130 decreases.

[0073] More precisely, the center of the catenary section 200 located between the first point fixed point 110 and the second fixed point 120 approaches the rails 130 and the height between the catenary 200 and the rails 130 is reduced.

[0074] This can cause risks for the catenary 200 which can then be torn off by the passage of a train on the rails 130.

[0075] Furthermore, when the catenary 200 is too low, it can come into contact with the train and passengers may risk electrocution by touching the train.

[0076] To control the deflection of the catenary 200, and more particularly of the section between the first fixed point 110 and the second fixed point 120, a control system is used.

[0077] The control system notably comprises a measuring box 300 to be installed on the catenary 200 and a control device.

[0078] With reference to [Fig. 3], the measuring box 300 integrates an inclinometer 310 providing inclination data for the catenary 200.

[0079] As illustrated by Figures 1 and 2, the measuring box 300 is located at an installation distance DI less than or equal to 1 m from one of the first fixed point 110 and the second fixed point 120.

[0080] The control device includes, for its part: - a tool 320 for converting said inclination data into an arrow value, and - a tool 330 for evaluating the conformity of the arrow.

[0081] The conversion tool 320 is in the form of an abacus comprising a first input listing a plurality of spacing distances, and a second input listing a plurality of inclination values.

[0082] The evaluation tool 330 incorporates at least one predetermined deflection threshold value.

[0083] This predetermined deflection threshold value corresponds, for example, to a minimum height to be respected between the contact wire 220 and the rails 130 to allow a train to pass in complete safety, that is to say without risks for the train and its occupants, and without risks for the catenary 200.

[0084] According to a first embodiment illustrated by [Fig.l], the control device is of the manual type. In other words, the conversion tool 320 and the evaluation tool 330 are in the form of physical documents held by the control operators.

[0085] According to a second embodiment illustrated by [Fig.2], the control device also comprises a remote control unit 340 integrating first communication means 350.

[0086] The measuring box 300 integrates, for its part, second communication means 360 intended to establish a communication path with the first communication means 350.

[0087] The communication channel makes it possible in particular to transmit measurement data acquired by the inclinometer 310 to the remote control unit 340.

[0088] According to this second embodiment, the remote control unit 340 also comprises a processing unit 370.

[0089] The processing unit 370 is coupled to the first communication means 350.

[0090] Furthermore, the processing unit 370 integrates a digital version of the tool of 320 conversion and 330 assessment tool.

[0091] The processing unit 370 is configured to process data from the inclinometer 310 transmitted via the communication channel and determine a value of the deflection of the catenary 200 using the conversion tool 320, then compare said deflection value with respect to a predetermined threshold value recorded in the processing unit 370 via the evaluation tool 330.

[0092] In other words, unlike the first embodiment which is manual, this second embodiment is automatic or, at the very least, computerized.

[0093] Ad hoc warning means may be provided to alert operators of an excessively large arrow.

[0094] For example, the ad hoc warning means may take the form of sound and / or light devices, or notification sending devices.

[0095] The system which has just been described is notably used for the implementation of the method for controlling a deflection of a section of catenary 200, described below.

[0096] The control method comprises the steps of: - measure the spacing distance DE between the first fixed point 110 and the second fixed point 120, - install the measuring box 300, integrating the inclinometer 310 on said section of catenary 200; - record an inclination value of said catenary section 200, via the measuring box 300; - determine a deflection value from the inclination value and the spacing distance DE, and - check the conformity of the previously determined deflection value with respect to a predetermined threshold value.

[0097] The step of measuring the spacing distance DE can be carried out using any suitable tool, in particular using a rangefinder.

[0098] The step of installing the measuring box 300 is carried out such that the measuring box 300 is located at an installation distance DI less than or equal to 1 m from one of the first fixed point 110 and the second fixed point 120.

[0099] The installation of the measuring box 300 is carried out on the contact wire 220.

[0100] The installation of the measuring box 300 on the contact wire 220 is carried out in such a way so that the measuring box 300 does not cause any hindrance to the contact of the pantograph with the contact wire 220.

[0101] Generally speaking, it will be preferred that the measuring box 300, in its entirety, be located at an installation distance DI less than or equal to 1 m from one of the first fixed point 110 and the second fixed point 120.

[0102] The step of determining a deflection value is performed as follows.

[0103] After having noted the inclination value of the catenary section 200, an operator uses the conversion tool 320.

[0104] With reference to [Fig.3], the inclination value is illustrated by the angle A measured between a theoretical plane PT and a real plane PR.

[0105] The theoretical plane PT corresponds to a plane parallel to a rolling plane formed by the rails 130 and the real plane PR corresponds to an extension plane of the contact wire 220 of the catenary 200.

[0106] The inclinometer 310 thus makes it possible to measure the difference between the theoretical plane PT and the real plane PR in order to determine the deflection of the catenary 200.

[0107] Using the conversion tool, the operator enters the inclination value, obtained via the measuring box 300, into the chart to identify the deflection value based on the entry listing the spacing distances DE.

[0108] The step of checking compliance is carried out using the evaluation tool 330 in which the operator enters the previously determined deflection value.

[0109] The evaluation tool 330 identifies, for a plurality of spacing distances DE, a predetermined threshold value of deflection.

[0110] Depending on the spacing distance DE between the first fixed point 110 and the second fixed point 220, the deflection taken by the catenary 200 is then judged acceptable or not acceptable.

[0111] In the event of a deflection deemed unacceptable, the operator can trigger and / or program a maintenance action on the catenary 200.

[0112] This control method can in particular be used to anticipate and plan maintenance operations on the catenary 200.

[0113] For this, the method also comprises a step of predicting an arrow value at a determined instant TD.

[0114] This prediction step is formed by a repetition of the steps consisting of recording an inclination value and determining an arrow value at a first instant T1 prior to the determined instant TD and at a second instant T2 subsequent to the first instant T1 and prior to the determined instant TD.

[0115] Using the deflection values ​​determined for the first instant T1 and the second instant T2, a law of evolution of the deflection value over time can be deduced to predetermine a deflection value at the determined instant TD.

[0116] Although this prediction step only involves two times prior to the determined time TD, it would be entirely possible to use more than two times prior to the determined time TD, for the purposes of precision.

[0117] Indeed, by using for example six previous instants, therefore six arrows prior to the determined instant TD, it is possible to follow an evolution of the arrow to evaluate whether said evolution is regular or irregular.

[0118] In the case of an irregular evolution, for example accelerating over time, the programming of the maintenance of the catenary 200 can be accelerated.

[0119] According to the second embodiment, the measuring box 300 can integrate an accelerometer making it possible to detect whether the catenary is moving or fixed.

[0120] The movement information is then transmitted via the communication channel to the remote control unit 340 which can then choose whether or not to trigger a measurement by inclinometer 310.

[0121] In other words, the measurement of the inclination of the catenary 200 by the measuring box 300 is carried out when the catenary is stationary, otherwise an inaccurate or even false inclination value will be obtained.

[0122] Various factors can cause the catenary 200 to move, such as weather conditions, particularly wind, or the pantograph of a train coming into contact with the contact wire 220. In fact, when the pantograph comes to bear on the contact wire 200, it causes the catenary 200 to move slightly away from the rails 130.

[0123] The control system and the control method which have just been described make it possible to obtain a reliable and precise value of the deflection taken by a catenary 200.

[0124] Furthermore, the value of the deflection can be obtained quickly and, depending on the chosen embodiment, without the presence of an operator on site.

[0125] The control system and the control method which have just been described also make it possible to reduce the operating costs of the railway installation 100 since the maintenance of the catenaries can be anticipated so as to avoid their tearing in the event of excessive deflection.

[0126] In addition, since the presence of an operator to carry out the control of the deflection of the catenary 200 is not obligatory, the control of several railway installations 100 can be carried out remotely and simultaneously by a single operator, for the benefit of speed and cost.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for controlling a deflection of a catenary section (200) extending between a first fixed point (110) and a second fixed point (120), characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: - measuring a separation distance (DE) between the first fixed point (110) and the second fixed point (120), - installing a measuring box (300) integrating an inclinometer (310) on said catenary section (200); - recording an inclination value of said catenary section (200), via the measuring box (300); - determining a deflection value from the inclination value and the separation distance (DE), and - checking the conformity of the previously determined deflection value with respect to a predetermined threshold value.

2. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the measuring box (300) is positioned at an installation distance (DI) less than or equal to 1 m from one of the first fixed point (110) and the second fixed point (120).

3. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a step of predicting a deflection value at a determined instant (TD), this prediction step being formed by a repetition of the steps consisting of recording an inclination value and determining a deflection value at a first instant (Tl) prior to the determined instant (TD) and a second instant (T2) subsequent to the first instant (Tl) and prior to the determined instant (TD), then deducing from the deflection value at the first instant (Tl) and from the deflection value at the second instant (T2) a law of evolution of the deflection value over time to predetermine a deflection value at the determined instant (TD).

4. A method according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the step of determining a deflection value is performed by means of a conversion tool (320), the conversion tool (320) taking the form of an abacus comprising a first input listing a plurality of standoff distances (DE), and a second input comprising a plurality of inclination values.

5. System for controlling a catenary boom (200), comprising a measuring box (300) to be installed on a catenary (200) and a control device, characterized in that the measuring box (300) integrates an inclinometer (310) providing inclination data for the catenary (200), and the control device includes: - a tool (320) for converting said inclination data into a boom value, and - a tool (330) for evaluating the conformity of the boom, integrating at least one predetermined boom threshold value.

6. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the conversion tool (320) takes the form of an abacus comprising a first input listing a plurality of spacing distances (DE), and a second input listing a plurality of inclination values.

7. System according to one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the control device also comprises a remote control unit (340) integrating first communication means (350), and in that the measuring box (300) integrates second communication means (360) intended to establish a communication path with the first communication means (350) to transmit the measurement data acquired by the inclinometer (310).

8. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the remote control unit (340) also comprises a processing unit (370) coupled to the first communication means (350) and integrating a digital version of the conversion tool (320) and the evaluation tool (330), the processing unit (370) being configured to process data from the inclinometer (310) transmitted via the communication channel and determine a value of the deflection of the catenary (200) using the conversion tool (320), then compare said deflection value with respect to a predetermined threshold value and recorded in the processing unit (370) via the evaluation tool (330).

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