Monitoring the integrity of a train assembly

Abstract

The safety device 1 has a universal unit 3 that is designed as a wagon with universal coupling means 5 and is coupled to the rear railway vehicle 104 of a train assembly 101. The universal unit 3 has a measuring unit 9 that is provided with position measuring means and / or speed measuring means. The safety device 1 further has a second measuring unit 11 that is present in the power vehicle 103 of the train assembly 101. This second measuring unit 11 is also provided with position measuring means and / or speed measuring means. Furthermore, the safety device 1 has a monitoring unit 7 that is present in the infrastructure outside the train assembly 101. This monitoring unit 7 is equipped with a receiver and an associated monitoring module. From the data received from measuring units 9 and 11, monitoring unit 7 determines the integrity of the train assembly 101. If a difference in measured speed is detected between both measuring units 9 and 11, the monitoring unit 7 will intervene.

Description

[0001] Safety device for monitoring the integrity of a train assembly

[0002] DESCRIPTION:

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to a Safety device for monitoring the integrity of a train assembly, which train assembly comprises a number of railway vehicles, present one behind the other and coupled together, which railway vehicles can be driven over a railway, consisting of a number of one or more of the following railway vehicles: a power vehicle, a freight railway vehicle equipped with a closed or open loading space for goods, which loading space occupies most of the available space of the railway vehicle in question, a passenger railway vehicle equipped with a space for passengers, which passenger space occupies the majority of the available space of the railway vehicle in question, a work railway vehicle equipped with equipment for work on the railway, and a museum railway vehicle, which safety device comprises: a monitoring unit that is equipped with a receiver and a monitoring module linked to it that monitors the integrity of the train assembly, as well as two measuring units, each equipped with measuring means for measuring the position and / or speed and with transmitting means that are connected to the measuring means for sending measurement data from the measuring means to the receiver of the monitoring unit.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] A safety device according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from EP 3 904 178 Al. In this known safety device, the measuring units are present in the leading and last railway vehicle of the train assembly. Summary of the invention

[0007] An object of the invention is to provide a safety device of the type described in the introduction for which no or minimal adjustments to the train assembly are required. To this end, the safety device according to the invention is characterized in that it further comprises at least one universal unit, which universal unit comprises an auxiliary railway vehicle that is not a power vehicle, freight railway vehicle, passenger railway vehicle, work railway vehicle and museum railway vehicle and which universal unit equipped with universal coupling means for coupling with any train assembly, whereby one of the measuring units is part of the universal unit.

[0008] By using this safety device in trains, train integrity can be monitored and the infrastructure (meaning facilities for train transport that are present outside the train assemblies) no longer need to be tasked with detecting train assemblies, as the safety device can take care of this itself. The monitoring unit can be placed in the infrastructure (which is not part of the invention) outside the train assembly if the power vehicle of the train assembly that is to be equipped with the safety device does not already have a suitable monitoring unit. If the power vehicle of the train assembly that is to be equipped with the safety device already has a monitoring unit and a measuring unit, then only the universal unit needs to be connected to the train assembly and the measuring unit present therein communicates (wirelessly) with the monitoring device.

[0009] It is noted that a safety device that can be used in a train assembly and that does not impose any requirements on the infrastructure per se is known, for example from DE 10 2004 057 545 Al. However, this known safety device requires adjustments in the train assembly (including requirements regarding the method of installation) and cannot directly be connected to every existing train assembly.

[0010] If the power vehicle is, for example, the front (or rear) railway vehicle and already has equipment (monitoring unit and measuring unit) for the safety system, only a universal unit with a measuring unit is required that must be connected behind (or in front of) the train assembly. The measuring unit present in the universal unit will communicate the measured position and speed, preferably via a wireless connection such as GSM-R, to the monitoring unit in the power vehicle.

[0011] If the power vehicle does not already have suitable equipment (monitoring unit and measuring unit) for the safety system, two universal units, one in front of and one behind the train assembly, are connected to the train assembly. The measuring units present in the universal units will then communicate the measuring data about the position and / or speed to the monitoring unit that is placed in the infrastructure or in a railway vehicle of the train assembly or that is part of one of the universal units, so that no adjustments to the train assembly are necessary.

[0012] The invention also relates to a combination of the train assembly and the safety device.

[0013] The monitoring unit can be present in the infrastructure outside the train assembly and can be wirelessly in connection with both measuring units, whereby the measuring units are each present in a universal module, or the monitoring unit can be present in a universal unit or in a railway vehicle, preferably the power vehicle, of the train assembly, whereby one of the measuring units is also present in that railway vehicle and is directly connected to the monitoring unit and the other measuring unit is equipped with the transmitting means and is present in the universal unit and is linked to the train assembly.

[0014] The invention further relates to a railway system comprising a first number of train assemblies, each of which comprises a number of railway vehicles, present one behind the other and coupled to each other, which railway vehicles can be driven over a railway, consisting of a number of one or more of the following railway vehicles: a power vehicle, a freight railway vehicle equipped with a closed or open loading space for goods, which loading space occupies most of the available space of the railway vehicle in question, a passenger railway vehicle equipped with a space for passengers that occupies the majority of the available space of the railway vehicle in question, a work railway vehicle equipped with equipment for work on the railway, and a museum railway vehicle, which railway system is equipped with a security system that comprises: at least one monitoring unit equipped with a receiver and an associated monitoring module that monitors the integrity of one or more of the train assemblies, as well as a number of measuring units, each provided with measuring means for measuring the position and / or speed and with transmitting means, which are connected to the measuring means, for sending measuring data from the measuring means to the receiver of the monitoring unit,

[0015] As far as the railway system is concerned, the invention is characterized in that it comprises a second number of universal units, which universal units each comprise an auxiliary railway vehicle that is not a power vehicle, freight railway vehicle, passenger railway vehicle, work railway vehicle and museum railway vehicle and which universal units are each provided with universal coupling means for coupling with each of the train assemblies, where each universal unit is provided with one of the measuring units, and where the second number is smaller than the first number.

[0016] The railway system preferably also has measuring equipment for carrying out measurements on the infrastructure. This allows, among other things, components present in the infrastructure to be checked.

[0017] The rails can be short-circuited via a wheel axle and the wheels on it. This allows the presence of a train assembly on a railway route to be determined using equipment in the infrastructure. In certain situations it may be desirable for the proper functioning of the safety device according to the invention that the rails are not short- circuited by a wheel axle. To this end, the safety device according to the invention is preferably provided with equipment with which the electrical connection between the wheels present on an axle can be interrupted so as not to short-circuit the railway current.

[0018] The railway system also has equipment for making a wireless connection with a balise reader present in the power vehicle and with other components present in the power vehicle. This also allows the functionality of the safety device to be expanded.

[0019] Brief description of the drawings

[0020] The invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments of the safety device according to the invention shown in the drawings. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the safety device according to the invention with the monitoring unit in the infrastructure;

[0022] Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the safety device according to the invention with the monitoring unit in the power vehicle; Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the safety device according to the invention with two universal units and the monitoring unit in the infrastructure; and

[0023] Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the safety device according to the invention with two universal units and the monitoring unit in one of the universal units.

[0024] Detailed description of the drawings

[0025] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the safety device 1 according to the invention coupled to and present in a train assembly 101. The train assembly 101 has a number of railway vehicles 103-105, present one behind the other and coupled to each other, which can travel on a railway 111, the front of which is a power vehicle 103. The safety device 1 has a universal unit 3 that is designed as a wagon with universal coupling means 5 and is coupled to the rear railway vehicle 104.

[0026] The universal unit 3 has a measuring unit 9 that is provided with position measuring means and / or speed measuring means. The safety device 1 further has a second measuring unit 11 that is present in the power vehicle 103. This second measuring unit 11 is also provided with position measuring means and / or speed measuring means. Furthermore, the safety device 1 has a monitoring unit 7 that is present in the infrastructure outside the train assembly 101. This monitoring unit 7 is equipped with a receiver and a monitoring module linked to it that monitors the integrity of the train assembly.

[0027] The two measuring units 9 and 11 are each further provided with transmitting means, which are coupled to the position measuring means and / or the speed measuring means, for sending the measuring data from the position measuring means and / or the speed measuring means to the receiver of the monitoring unit 7. From data received from measuring units 9 and 11, the monitoring unit 7 determines the integrity of the train assembly 101. If a difference in measured speed is detected between both measuring units 9 and 11 and / or if the distance between the measured positions of measuring units 9 and 11 is greater than may be expected based on the length of the railway vehicles present in between, then railway vehicles in the train assembly 101 must have become separated from each other and the monitoring unit 7 will intervene, for example bringing the train assembly to a standstill.

[0028] Instead of in the infrastructure outside the train assembly 101, the monitoring unit can also be present in the train assembly, for example in the power vehicle. Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the safety device 21 according to the invention, in which the monitoring unit 7 is present in the power vehicle 103 of the train assembly 101. The second measuring unit 11 is directly connected to the monitoring unit 7 and the other measuring unit 9 is in contact with the monitoring unit 7 via a wireless connection, directly or via a transmission tower or satellite 201.

[0029] If the power vehicle is not equipped with a measuring unit, a universal unit designed as a wagon can be coupled to the train assembly both in front of and behind the train assembly. This is shown in figure 3 in a third embodiment of the safety device 31 according to the invention. Two universal units 3 equipped with measuring units 9 are coupled to the front and rear railway vehicles 103 and 104. In this embodiment, the monitoring unit 7 is present in the infrastructure outside the train assembly 101, so that no provisions need to be made to the train assembly and the safety device 31 can be universally applied to any train assembly.

[0030] It is also possible for the monitoring unit 7 to form part of one of the universal units 3. This is shown in Figure 4 in a fourth embodiment of the safety device 41 according to the invention. The universal units 3 can also be in contact with each other via a transmission tower or satellite or be connected wirelessly directly as shown schematically.

[0031] The safety device may also be equipped with measuring equipment for carrying out measurements on the infrastructure and equipment with which the electrical connection between the wheels on an axle can be interrupted so as not to short-circuit the railway current. The safety device can furthermore be equipped with equipment for making a wireless connection with a balise reader present in the power vehicle and with other components present in the power vehicle.

[0032] Although the invention has been explained in the foregoing with reference to the drawings, it must be noted that the invention is by no means limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings. The invention also extends to all embodiments deviating from the embodiments shown in the drawings within the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Safety device for monitoring the integrity of a train assembly (101), which train assembly (101) comprises a number of railway vehicles (103-105), present one behind the other and coupled together, which railway vehicles (103-105) can be driven over a railway (111), consisting of a number of one or more of the following railway vehicles: a power vehicle (103), a freight railway vehicle equipped with a closed or open loading space for goods, which loading space occupies most of the available space of the railway vehicle in question, a passenger railway vehicle equipped with a space for passengers, which passenger space occupies the majority of the available space of the railway vehicle in question, a work railway vehicle equipped with equipment for work on the railway, and a museum railway vehicle, which safety device comprises: a monitoring unit (7) that is equipped with a receiver and a monitoring module linked to it that monitors the integrity of the train assembly, as well as two measuring units (9, 11), each equipped with measuring means for measuring the position and / or speed and with transmitting means that are connected to the measuring means for sending measurement data from the measuring means to the receiver of the monitoring unit (7), characterized in that the safety device (1; 21; 31) further comprises at least one universal unit (3), which universal unit (3) comprises an auxiliary railway vehicle that is not a power vehicle, freight railway vehicle, passenger railway vehicle, work railway vehicle and museum railway vehicle and which universal unit (3) is equipped with universal coupling means (5) for coupling with any train assembly, whereby one of the measuring units (9) is part of the universal unit (3).

2. Combination of a train assembly (101) and a safety device (1; 21; 31), which train assembly consists of a number of one or more of the following railway vehicles: a power vehicle (103),a freight railway vehicle equipped with a closed or open loading space for goods, which loading space occupies most of the available space of the railway vehicle in question, a passenger railway vehicle equipped with a space for passengers, which passenger space occupies the majority of the available space of the railway vehicle in question, a work railway vehicle equipped with equipment for work on the railway, and a museum railway vehicle, which safety device comprises: a monitoring unit (7) that is equipped with a receiver and a monitoring module linked to it that monitors the integrity of the train assembly, as well as two measuring units (9, 11), each equipped with measuring means for measuring the position and / or speed and with transmitting means that are connected to the measuring means for sending measurement data from the measuring means to the receiver of the monitoring unit (7), characterized in that the safety device (1; 21; 31) further comprises at least one universal unit (3), which universal unit (3) comprises an auxiliary railway vehicle (3) that is not a power vehicle, freight railway vehicle, passenger railway vehicle, work railway vehicle and museum railway vehicle and which universal unit (3) is provided with universal coupling means (5) for coupling with any train assembly, wherein one of the measuring units (9) is part of the universal unit (3).

3. Combination of a train assembly and a safety device according to claim 2, characterized in that the monitoring unit (7) is connected to one of the measuring units, wherein the other measuring unit comprises the transmitting means.

4. Railway system comprising a first number of train assemblies (101), each comprising a number of railway vehicles (103-105) present one behind the other and coupled to each other, capable of traveling on a railway (111), consisting of a number of one or more of the following railway vehicles : a power vehicle (103), a freight railway vehicle equipped with a closed or open loading space for goods, which occupies most of the available space of the railway vehicle in question, a passenger railway vehicle equipped with a space for passengers that occupies the majority of the available space of the railway vehicle in question,a work railway vehicle equipped with equipment for work on the railway, and a museum railway vehicle, which railway system is equipped with a security system that comprises: at least one monitoring unit (7) equipped with a receiver and a monitoring module linked to it that monitors the integrity of one or more of the train assemblies, as well as a number of measuring units (9, 11), each provided with measuring means for measuring the position and / or speed and with transmitting means connected to the measuring means for sending measuring data from the measuring means to the receiver of the monitoring unit (7), characterized in that the railway system comprises a second number of universal units (3), which universal units (3) each comprise an auxiliary railway vehicle (3) that is not a power vehicle, freight railway vehicle, passenger railway vehicle, work railway vehicle and museum railway vehicle and which universal units (3) each are provided with universal coupling means (5) for coupling with each of the train assemblies, wherein each universal unit (3) is provided with one of the measuring units (9), and wherein the second number is smaller than the first number.

5. Railway system according to claim 4, characterized in that the safety device further comprises measuring equipment for carrying out measurements on the infrastructure.

6. Railway system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the safety device further comprises equipment with which the electrical connection between the wheels present on an axle can be interrupted so as not to short-circuit the railway current.

7. Railway system according to claim 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that the safety device further comprises equipment for making a wireless connection with a balise reader present in the power vehicle and with other components present in the power vehicle.

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