De-icing system, overhead line system comprising a de-icing system, and method for de-icing an overhead line system

Abstract

The invention relates to a de-icing system (1), an overhead line system (2) comprising such a de-icing system (1), and a method for de-icing, or for use in connection with the de-icing, of all types of overhead lines in transport infrastructure for all types of at least partially electrically driven vehicles, whether rail-bound or non-rail-bound, for example all types of electric rail vehicles, trains, trams, electric lorries, electric buses, etc. The application or use of the invention results in optimised operation, significantly reduces outages of routes or route sections, and reduces wear on both the vehicles and the infrastructure. In addition, a correspondingly energy-efficient operation with minimal energy expenditure is possible, for example immediately before vehicles travel over the relevant routes or route sections of the corresponding transport infrastructure.

Description

[0001] 202303850

[0002] 1

[0003] Description

[0004] De-icing system, overhead line system with de-icing system and method for de-icing an overhead line system

[0005] Icy overhead lines or sections thereof for traffic control systems, whether for partially or fully electrically powered rail-bound or non-rail-bound vehicles such as electric trains or electric trucks, or inadequate de-icing of the affected overhead lines or sections, can cause significant damage with corresponding consequences. Besides the failure of overhead line sections and the corresponding track sections, the formation of numerous arcs and abrasive processes due to the rougher surface lead to increased wear and tear on both the pantographs of the vehicles involved, such as all types of electric trains and corresponding electrically powered road vehicles like electric trucks and buses, as well as on the overhead lines themselves.

[0006] Various solutions exist for de-icing overhead lines or affected sections thereof. These include de-icing using electric current, typically via short-circuiting or heating wires, as well as chemical de-icing, where the overhead lines or affected sections are sprayed with de-icing solutions. Currently, electric de-icing systems are generally used below certain temperatures for a defined period, determined manually. However, these systems usually require manual switching on and off, making them inflexible and cumbersome to use.Furthermore, the simultaneous operation of pantographs on overhead line sections that are short-circuited in this respect is inherently impossible, so that vehicles cannot be supplied with energy via the overhead line during the de-icing of the corresponding overhead line sections.

[0007] Chemical de-icing requires special de-icing systems as additional attachments on the vehicles, for example, systems with nozzle strips or de-icing bars with rollers, etc. Consequently, de-icing the frozen overhead line sections necessitates corresponding runs of vehicles equipped with these de-icing systems on the affected sections of track.

[0008] In both cases, normal ferry operations are not possible during de-icing. Due to the lack of flexibility of known de-icing solutions, their 202303850 is particularly problematic.

[0009] 2

[0010] The application is very inaccurate with regard to the required time and / or duration of deployment, which means that the duration of the resulting operational restrictions or failures is hardly or only very imprecisely predictable and is usually significantly longer than necessary.

[0011] The invention is based on the objective of providing a de-icing system and an overhead line system with a de-icing system, as well as a method for de-icing such an overhead line system, with which automatic de-icing can be realized.

[0012] The problem is solved by the features of independent claim 1 and the dependent claims. Further developments and embodiments of the invention are found in the features of the dependent claims.

[0013] The de-icing system according to the invention for de-icing at least one section of a contact wire of an overhead line system with electric current comprises at least one sensor device, a control device, and a de-icing device, wherein the sensor device comprises at least one first and / or at least one second sensor, wherein the at least one first sensor determines data of the overhead line system and the at least one second sensor determines data of the environment of the overhead line system, and wherein the sensor device transmits the data determined by the sensors to the control device by means of at least one data connection, and wherein the control device comprises at least one control unit and a data model, wherein the data model comprises at least data about the previous de-icing behavior of the de-icing system, and wherein the control deviceThe data determined by the sensor device and transmitted to the control device is evaluated using the data model, and, depending on the result of the evaluation, the de-icing device of the de-icing system is automatically controlled by the control unit to de-ice at least one section of the at least one contact wire of the overhead line system.

[0014] The solution according to the invention has the advantage that, by means of a sensor device comprising various different sensors, different data or values ​​can be automatically, continuously, and, if necessary, permanently determined or measured at the desired locations of the de-icing system according to the invention on the respective overhead contact line systems. This data is thus available for a comprehensive, also automatic, evaluation of whether, for example, de-icing of the relevant sections of one or more contact wires of an overhead contact line system is necessary at a specific time. Depending on the requirements, the sensor system can consist of a multitude of different sensors. 202303850

[0015] Three of these sensors measure current values ​​or properties of the overhead contact line system itself, such as contact wire temperature, the height of one or more contact wires, contact wire lift, contact wire vibrations, and / or performance data, especially energy data, etc., from relevant substations of the overhead contact line system, etc., which change accordingly, particularly when vehicles approach. Such measurements can be taken directly on-site, for example, directly at the contact wire, etc., but also, where possible, without contact. Additional sensors can also measure current values ​​or properties of the environment surrounding the overhead contact line system, such as ambient temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind direction, wind speed, time of day, lighting conditions, solar radiation, and optical detection of approaching vehicles, etc.This means measuring or surveying the actual conditions in the immediate or surrounding area of ​​the overhead line system on site. These measurements can also be carried out without contact, insofar as this is generally possible.

[0016] The data or measured values ​​collected in this way can be transmitted directly, wirelessly or via a wired connection, to a control unit of the de-icing system in essentially real-time, and automatically evaluated by the control unit. According to the invention, the control unit, which is designed as a control system, has a data model that contains or stores data about the de-icing system's past or previous de-icing behavior. According to the invention, the historical data serves as comparison or reference values, which, combined with stored, meaningful, or prioritized conditions, form the data model. Based on this data model, the input data transmitted, measured, or recorded by the sensors of the sensor system, as described above, is evaluated.Input parameters relating to the current state of the overhead contact line system and / or its surroundings. The result is a determination of whether de-icing of the relevant sections of the contact wire is necessary, and, if de-icing is necessary, a prediction or forecast for optimal de-icing control is determined or generated according to the invention, specifying, for example, when, for how long, how intensively, etc., de-icing should take place.

[0017] De-icing is required based on the evaluation of current input variables or data using the data model, for example, under certain weather conditions such as low temperatures, high humidity, specific wind and fog levels, etc., in combination with approaching vehicles detected, for example, through communication with the vehicle, optical camera detection, energy measurement in the substation, contact wire temperature, vibration of or within the rails, etc. All possible and meaningful combinations are conceivable here.

[0018] 4 and are included accordingly or can be represented in the data model and are thus available for evaluation.

[0019] Based on the result of the aforementioned evaluation, the control unit of the control device then automatically controls or regulates the de-icing device of the de-icing system, whereby the relevant sections of the contact wire or contact wires of the overhead line system are de-iced accordingly.

[0020] This enables sustainable and automated de-icing of one or more sections of a contact wire of an overhead line system based on a data model. The inventive system or de-icing system can be used for de-icing all types of overhead lines for traffic control systems and for all types of at least partially electrically powered, rail-bound or non-rail-bound vehicles, e.g., all possible electric rail vehicles, trains, trams, electric trucks, electric buses, etc.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control device has at least one further data connection by means of which the control device receives further data and uses the further data together with the data determined and forwarded by the sensor device for evaluation by means of the data model, wherein the control device receives the further data independently of the sensor device.

[0022] Particularly preferred are additional data such as timetables and / or weather forecasts regarding temperature and / or precipitation and / or wind force and / or wind direction and / or sun intensity and / or humidity.

[0023] In this way, the use and integration of further data, particularly from a variety of external sources, such as the internet, etc., is enabled. This includes, for example, forecasts of near-future weather developments, scheduled occupancy and traffic patterns on affected track sections, etc., into the respective analysis using the data model. The reception of this additional data can be wireless or wired. This allows, in addition to the data on the current condition of the overhead line system and / or its surroundings, which essentially reflect the current situation, further aspects to be advantageously incorporated into the forecast for optimal de-icing control, thereby making these forecasts even more accurate and efficient.

[0024] Thus, the current actual condition at the relevant overhead line system on site, for example with regard to temperature and / or precipitation and / or wind speed and / or wind direction and / or solar intensity and / or humidity, can be weighted accordingly with regard to a possible, rapid change of these conditions in the near future.

[0025] 5. This can lead to a different, and potentially better, forecast for the specific current situation. For example, a forecast based solely on the current state of the area surrounding the overhead contact line and / or the overhead contact line itself might conclude that no de-icing measures are necessary. However, by incorporating relevant external data, such as weather forecasts (e.g., expectations of black ice in the immediate future), the forecast would initiate preventative measures, such as pre-heating the relevant section of the contact wire. This would allow for timely intervention to anticipate weather changes, preventing icing situations and thus avoiding costly operational disruptions.On the other hand, to de-icing as cost-effectively as possible, additional external information, such as current electricity prices and the resulting adjusted switching thresholds, etc., could be taken into account. This would allow for the corresponding duty cycles for de-icing to be adjusted or aligned accordingly, thus shifting them to the most cost-effective periods in terms of electricity consumption. Naturally, any sensible combination of such factors is possible and included here.

[0026] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the control device is configured such that it adds the respective evaluation result, along with its associated data, to the data model for future evaluations. In this way, the database of stored data in the data model, on which the automatic evaluation, particularly of future evaluations, is based, grows larger after each evaluation. This automatically makes the results of future evaluations, and thus the predictions or forecasts based thereon for optimal de-icing control, increasingly precise. Consequently, the relevant sections of a contact wire or contact wires of the respective overhead line system can be de-iced early and only for as long as necessary, resulting in minimal disruption to operation and enabling particularly cost-effective operation.

[0027] According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the control device is configured in such a way as to use the data model improved by means of machine learning methods for future evaluation of the data determined and transmitted to the control device.

[0028] In this way, the data model itself can be further developed and consequently improved, independently of and in addition to the current or stored data, so that even better forecasts and predictions can be made or created in the future. 202303850

[0029] 6. This allows the entire system, consisting of the de-icing system in conjunction with the respective overhead line system, to be further optimized, particularly with regard to energy consumption, operational optimization, wear minimization, etc. This can be further enhanced by linking multiple data models from different systems.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the de-icing system has at least one heating wire which is connected to the at least one contact wire of the overhead contact line system, wherein the heating wire can be heated by means of an electric current through the de-icing device. Particularly preferably, the control device is configured such that, depending on the result of the evaluation using the data model, the control device automatically controls the heating of the heating wire of the de-icing system by means of the de-icing device.

[0031] By simply installing a heating wire on a contact wire, it can, when current flows, heat or de-ice the connected contact wire or the relevant section of the contact wire as needed. This ensures the automatic implementation of the evaluation results and the resulting forecasts, thus enabling the de-icing of relevant sections of a contact wire or contact wires of the respective overhead line system to be carried out easily.

[0032] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the de-icing device of the de-icing system is configured to generate a short-circuit current in at least one section of the at least one contact wire of the overhead line system.

[0033] According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the control device is arranged such that, depending on the result of the evaluation using the data model, the control device automatically controls the generation of the short-circuit current by the de-icing device in at least one section of the at least one contact wire of the overhead line system.

[0034] Alternatively, a contact wire can also be heated or de-iced as required by generating a corresponding short-circuit current. In this way, the automatic implementation of the evaluation results and the resulting forecasts is also easily ensured, thus enabling the de-icing of relevant sections of a contact wire or contact wires of the respective overhead line system to be implemented simply.

[0035] In addition, all possible and sensible alternatives for heating or de-icing a contact wire are of course also included.

[0036] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the control device is configured such that the control device determines the switch-on and / or switch-off time 202303850

[0037] 7 of the de-icing device for automatically controlling the de-icing of at least one section of at least one contact wire of the overhead line system.

[0038] According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the control device is arranged such that the control device automatically controls the duration for de-icing the at least one section of the at least one contact wire of an overhead line system between the switching-on time and the switching-off time of the de-icing device.

[0039] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the control device is arranged such that the control device automatically controls the magnitude of the short-circuit current or the magnitude of the heating current of the heating wire of the de-icing system for de-icing the at least one section of the at least one contact wire of the overhead line system by means of the de-icing device.

[0040] In this way, the de-icing unit of the de-icing system can be controlled and regulated very effectively. In particular, the control unit automatically controls and regulates parameters such as current, duty cycle, and switch-on / switch-off times. This allows, for example, the de-icing unit to be switched on at the optimal time, switched off as early as possible to optimize the duty cycle, and / or, based on current, minute-by-minute electricity prices, an optimal cost-benefit utilization of the de-icing unit and thus of the de-icing system can be achieved.

[0041] In particular, by controlling the current intensity via the control unit of the control device, any desired current profile can be achieved, especially the most suitable one for the given situation, for example, a ramped current profile, as well as the necessary maximum current intensity, etc. This minimizes disruptions to the operation of the traffic control system and enables particularly cost-effective operation of the de-icing system.

[0042] Another aspect of the present invention relates to an overhead line system with at least one de-icing system according to one of claims 1 to 12.

[0043] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for de-icing at least one section of at least one contact wire of an overhead line system according to claim 14, comprising the following steps:

[0044] Acquisition of data from the overhead contact line system using at least one first sensor and / or of data from the environment of the overhead contact line system using at least one second sensor of the sensor device of the de-icing system, 202303850

[0045] 8

[0046] Transmission of the data determined by the sensors to the control unit of the de-icing system via the sensor device using at least one data connection,

[0047] Evaluation of the data determined by the sensor device and transmitted to the control device using the data model of the control device, wherein the data model contains at least data about the previous de-icing behavior of the de-icing system,

[0048] Automatic control of the de-icing device of the de-icing system depending on the result of the evaluation of the control device.

[0049] In this way, sections of one or more contact wires of overhead line systems of any kind can advantageously be de-iced very simply and effectively automatically by the de-icing device of the de-icing system according to the invention.

[0050] According to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, further data are received from the control device by means of at least one further data connection and the further data are used together with the data determined and forwarded by the sensor device for evaluation with the data model, wherein the further data are received independently of the sensor device.

[0051] According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the respective result of the evaluation, along with the associated data, is added to the data model of the control device for future evaluations.

[0052] According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the data model of the control device is improved using machine learning methods and used for future evaluation of the data determined and transmitted to the control device.

[0053] The previously described features of the invention and, in particular, its advantages are transferable analogously to both the aforementioned method and the aforementioned overhead line system and therefore also apply to these.

[0054] In summary, the inventive method and / or the inventive de-icing system can be used for de-icing all types of overhead lines for traffic control systems for all types of at least partially electrically powered, rail-bound or non-rail-bound vehicles, e.g., all possible electric rail vehicles, trains, trams, electric trucks, electric buses, etc., 202303850

[0055] 9. The use of the invention leads to optimized operation, significantly reduces the failure of routes or route sections, and reduces wear and tear on vehicles and infrastructure.

[0056] Furthermore, a corresponding, energy-saving operation with minimal energy input is possible, for example, immediately before traveling on corresponding routes or sections of the relevant traffic engineering facilities.

[0057] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. These show:

[0058] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation illustrating a de-icing system according to an embodiment of the invention and

[0059] Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for de-icing at least one section of a contact wire of an overhead line system according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0060] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a de-icing system 1 according to the invention. The de-icing system 1 is provided for de-icing one or more sections of a contact wire or several contact wires of an overhead line system 2.

[0061] The de-icing system 1 consists of a sensor device 3, a control device 5 and a de-icing device 7.

[0062] The sensor device 3 comprises a multitude of different sensors that automatically, continuously, and, if required, permanently determine or measure various data or values ​​at the desired location(s) of the de-icing system 1 according to the invention on the overhead contact line system 2. In the embodiment according to Figure 1, there is a multitude of sensors assigned to a first group of sensors 11 of the sensor device 3, each of which measures or determines current values ​​or properties of the overhead contact line system 2 itself, such as the contact wire temperature, the height of one or more contact wires, contact wire lift, contact wire vibrations, and / or performance data, in particular energy data, etc., from relevant substations of the overhead contact line system 2, etc., by means of corresponding wired or wireless sensor connections, symbolized here by the sensor connection 23. These are, in particular, values ​​or properties of the overhead contact line system 2.Data that change accordingly when vehicles approach, etc. A second group of sensors 9 of the sensor device 3 is assigned a large number of further sensors, each of which provides current values ​​or properties of the environment 19 of the overhead line system 2, such as ambient temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind direction, wind speed, time of day, lighting conditions, solar radiation, optical 202303850.

[0063] 10

[0064] Detection of approaching vehicles, etc., i.e., the actual conditions in the immediate vicinity of the overhead line system 2, are measured or determined on-site using appropriate wired or wireless sensor connections, symbolized here by sensor connection 21. All measurements can be taken directly or, where possible, without contact. The values ​​or data automatically measured or determined by the individual sensors from groups 9 and 11 are transmitted or forwarded from the sensor device 3 directly to the control device 5 for automatic evaluation via one or more data connections, symbolized here by data connection 25, either wired or wirelessly.

[0065] In addition to the measurement data transmitted by sensor unit 3 via data connection 25, the control unit 5 also has access to further data and information 13 from a variety of external sources, such as the internet, etc., which the control unit 5 can retrieve or request via corresponding data connections, symbolized here by data connection 24, and which are also available for evaluation. Such external data 13 can include, for example, forecasts of weather developments in the near future, in particular weather forecasts for temperature and / or precipitation and / or wind speed and / or wind direction and / or solar intensity and / or humidity, etc., and / or relevant timetables of the respective traffic system, from which, for example, the capacity utilization or traffic volume of affected route sections can be derived, etc.This allows, in addition to the data on the current state of the overhead line system 2 and / or the environment 19 of the overhead line system 2, which essentially reflect the current reality on site, further aspects to be advantageously included in the evaluation by the control unit 5, resulting in a more complete picture and thus an improved evaluation result.

[0066] The control unit 5 itself comprises an evaluation unit with a data model 17 and a control unit 15, which are connected to each other via the data connection 27. Evaluation by the control unit 5 is carried out using the data model 17. The data model 17 contains, in particular, data about the previous de-icing behavior of the de-icing system 1, or has stored this data. According to the invention, the data relating to the past serve as comparison or reference values, which, combined with stored, meaningful, or prioritized conditions, form the data model 17. Based on the data model 17, an evaluation is carried out, taking into account all relevant data that are available to the evaluation unit 17 or the control unit 5 at the respective evaluation time. This includes, in addition to the measured values ​​transmitted by the sensors 9, 11 of the sensor device 3,determined input data or input variables for the current state of 202303850.

[0067] The overhead line system 2 and / or the surrounding area 19 of the overhead line system 2 also receive further data 13. As a result of such an evaluation, it can be determined, for example, whether de-icing of the relevant sections of the contact wire of the overhead line system 2 is necessary. If de-icing is necessary, the evaluation unit 17, according to the invention, directly determines or generates a corresponding prediction or forecast for optimal de-icing control, for example, when, for how long, how intensively de-icing should take place, which is transmitted or forwarded to the control unit 15 via the data connection 27 and subsequently initiated or implemented accordingly.

[0068] Thus, the need for de-icing arises from the evaluation of the current input variables or input data using data model 17, for example, under corresponding weather conditions such as low temperatures, high humidity, etc., in combination with vehicles approaching the relevant track sections, which are detected, for example, through communication with the vehicle, optically by camera detection, through energy measurement(s) in the substation, or based on the contact wire temperature or vibration(s) of or in the rails, etc. By additionally including external data 13 in the evaluation, the current actual state of the overhead line system 2 and / or its surroundings 19 can be determined on site, for example, with regard to temperature and / or precipitation and / or wind speed and / or wind direction and / or solar intensity and / or humidity, etc.Regarding a possible rapid change in these conditions in the near future, these factors are weighted and taken into account accordingly, allowing for a better prediction or forecast for the respective current situation. For example, a forecast considering only the current state of the surroundings 19 of the overhead line system 2 and / or the overhead line system 2 itself might conclude that no de-icing measures are necessary. However, by including relevant external data 13, such as weather forecasts predicting black ice in the immediate future, the forecast or prediction would, for example, initiate preventative measures, such as pre-heating the relevant section of the contact wire, and consequently, take into account corresponding weather changes, etc.to anticipate icing situations or conditions in a timely manner, thus preventing costly operational disruptions from occurring in the first place. Conversely, to de-ic as cost-effectively as possible, incorporating additional external information 13, such as current electricity prices and, derived from this, adjusted switching thresholds, etc., could result in shifting the corresponding duty cycles of the de-icing system 1 to other, more cost-effective periods with regard to electricity consumption. A combination of all such questions and their 202303850.

[0069] The corresponding illustration in data model 17 is of course included without limitation in the scope of the invention.

[0070] The respective evaluation result, along with all associated data, is advantageously added to data model 17 of the evaluation unit of the control device 5 for future evaluations. Thus, the next evaluation, based on the next available data, is performed using this updated data model 17, which is then updated again with the current evaluation result and its associated data. In this way, the database of stored data on the previous de-icing behavior of the de-icing system 1 in data model 17, on which the respective automatic evaluation is based, automatically grows after each evaluation. This, in turn, makes the results of future evaluations, and thus in particular the predictions or forecasts for optimal de-icing control based on them, increasingly precise with each new evaluation.

[0071] If, as a result of the evaluation described above by the evaluation unit with the underlying data model 17, de-icing of the relevant section(s) of the contact wire of the overhead line system 2 is necessary, the control unit 15 of the control device 5 automatically controls or regulates the de-icing device 7 of the de-icing system 1 via the control connection 29, either wired or wirelessly, according to the result prediction or forecast generated by the evaluation unit 17 and transmitted via the data connection 27. This results in the relevant sections of the contact wire(s) of the overhead line system 2 being de-iced accordingly via the connection 31. For example, a heating wire is installed on the relevant sections of the contact wire of the overhead line system 2 to implement the de-icing process. This heating wire heats and de-ices the contact wire through the flow of current through it.Alternatively, this can also be achieved by generating a corresponding short-circuit current in the contact wire. To implement both variants, the de-icing device 7 is connected to the overhead contact line system 2 either wirelessly or via a wired connection, as symbolized by connection 31 in Figure 1.

[0072] The control unit 15 of the control device 5 automatically controls or regulates the parameters current, duty cycle, switch-on or switch-off time, etc., of the de-icing device 7 via the control connection 29, which are implemented or executed via the connection 31 to the overhead line system 2.

[0073] In this way, the de-icing device 7 can, for example, be switched on at the best possible time, switched off again as early as possible, thus optimizing the operating time, and / or, based on current, minute-by-minute electricity prices, an optimal cost-benefit utilization of the de-icing device 7 and thus of the de-icing system 1 can be implemented, etc. This will be 202303850

[0074] 13 is supplemented by the control of the current by the control unit 15 of the control device 5, which can realize any desired current profile, in particular the most suitable one for the respective situation, for example a ramp-shaped current profile, as well as the necessary maximum current, etc. Thus, impairments to or during the operation of the traffic system in question are minimized, and therefore particularly cost-effective operation of the de-icing system 1 according to the invention is enabled.

[0075] This enables sustainable and automated de-icing of one or more sections of a contact wire of the overhead line system 2 based on data model 17.

[0076] Figure 2 shows a flowchart 50 illustrating a method for de-icing at least one section of a contact wire of an overhead line system 2 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0077] The description of Figure 2 outlines the basic process flow using steps 52 to 68. Details and advantages of the individual process steps are explained analogously in the corresponding sections of the description of the embodiment of the de-icing system 1 according to the invention as shown in Figure 1. Explicit reference is made to Figure 1 and the description of Figure 1 at the relevant points.

[0078] In step 52, data or values ​​of the overhead line system 2 are determined using a large number of different sensors from the first group of sensors 11 of the sensor device 3 of the de-icing system 1.

[0079] In step 54, which can be carried out in parallel with step 52, data or values ​​of the environment 19 of the overhead line system 2 are determined by means of a large number of further, different, varying sensors from the second group of sensors 11 of the sensor device 3 of the de-icing system 1.

[0080] In step 58, the measurement data or measured values ​​determined by sensors 9 and 11 in steps 52 and 54 are transmitted wirelessly or wired to the control unit 5 of the de-icing system 1 by means of the sensor device 3 via one or more data connection(s) 25.

[0081] In step 56, which can be performed in parallel with steps 52, 54, and 58, further external data or information 13 is requested and received by the control unit 5 from a multitude of external sources via one or more separate data connections 24. 202303850

[0082] 14

[0083] In step 62, all relevant data available to control unit 5 at the respective evaluation time are evaluated using data model 17, which is part of the evaluation unit of control unit 5. Data model 17 contains, in particular, data about the previous de-icing behavior of the de-icing system 1. The relevant data evaluated by the evaluation unit using data model 17 includes both the input data or input variables transmitted by sensors 9 and 11 of sensor unit 3 to control unit 5 regarding the current state of the overhead line system 2 and its surroundings 19, as well as the other external data 13.

[0084] If the result of the evaluation in step 62 is that de-icing of the relevant sections of the contact wire of the overhead line system 2 is required, according to the invention the evaluation unit 17 directly generates a corresponding prediction or forecast for optimal de-icing control, for example when, how long, how intensely de-icing should take place, which is transmitted to the control unit 15 of the control device 5 via the data connection 27.

[0085] In step 64, the de-icing device 7 is automatically controlled or regulated by the control unit 15 of the control device 5 by means of the control connection 29, depending on the result of the evaluation of the evaluation unit with the data model 17 of the control device 5, i.e. according to the prediction or forecast for optimal de-icing control from step 62.

[0086] In step 66, which is advantageously performed in parallel with step 64, the respective result of the evaluation from step 62, along with all associated data, is added to the data model 17 of the evaluation unit of the control device 5 for future evaluations. The next evaluation according to step 62, using the next available data, is then performed with the updated data model 17. Following this, the data model 17 is updated again according to step 66 with the evaluation result, including the associated data. In this way, the base of stored data on the previous de-icing behavior of the de-icing system 1 in the data model 17, on which the respective automatic evaluation is based, automatically increases after each evaluation. This improves the results of future evaluations and, in particular, the predictions based on them.Forecasts for optimal de-icing control become increasingly precise with each new evaluation.

[0087] In step 68, one or more sections of the contact wire(s) of the overhead line system 2 are then adjusted according to the prediction or forecast to the optimal 202303850

[0088] 15

[0089] The de-icing control from step 62 de-iced the de-icing device 7 by means of connection 31.

[0090] In this way, one or more sections of one or more contact wires of overhead line systems of any kind can advantageously be de-iced very simply and effectively automatically by the de-icing device 7 of the de-icing system 1.

[0091] Furthermore, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and shown in Figures 1 and 2. Rather, all possible further meaningful embodiments of the invention are also fully encompassed.

[0092] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identities are included.

Claims

202303850 16 Patent claims 1. De-icing system (1) for de-icing at least one section of at least one contact wire of an overhead contact line system (2) with electric current, comprising at least one sensor device (3), a control device (5) and a de-icing device (7), wherein the sensor device (3) has at least one first (11) and / or at least one second (9) sensor, wherein the at least one first sensor (11) determines data of the overhead contact line system (2) and the at least one second sensor (9) determines data of the environment (19) of the overhead contact line system (2), and the sensor device (3) transmits the data determined by the sensors (9, 11) to the control device (5) by means of at least one data connection (25), and wherein the control device (5) has at least one control unit (15) and a data model (17), wherein the data model (17) contains at least data about the previous de-icing behavior of the de-icing system (1),and wherein the control device (5) evaluates the data determined by the sensor device (3) and transmitted to the control device (5) using the data model (17) and, depending on the result of the evaluation, automatically controls the de-icing device (7) of the de-icing system (1) for de-icing the at least one section of the at least one contact wire of the overhead line system (2) using the control unit (15).

2. De-icing system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device (5) has at least one further data connection (24) by means of which the control device (5) receives further data (13) and uses the further data (13) together with the data determined and forwarded by the sensor device (3) for evaluation by means of the data model (17), wherein the control device (5) receives the further data (13) independently of the sensor device (5).

3. De-icing system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the further data (13) include timetables and / or weather forecasts regarding temperature and / or precipitation and / or wind force and / or wind direction and / or solar intensity and / or humidity.

4. De-icing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, 202303850 17 characterized in that the control device (5) is configured such that the control device (5) adds the respective result of the evaluation with the respective associated data to the data model (17) for future evaluations.

5. De-icing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (5) is configured such that the control device (5) uses the data model (17) improved by means of machine learning methods for future evaluation of the data determined and transmitted to the control device (5).

6. De-icing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the de-icing system (1) has at least one heating wire which is connected to the at least one contact wire of the overhead line system (2), wherein the heating wire can be heated by means of an electric current through the de-icing device (7).

7. De-icing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (5) is configured such that the control device (5) automatically controls the heating of the heating wire of the de-icing system (1) by means of the de-icing device (7) depending on the result of the evaluation using the data model (17).

8. De-icing system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the de-icing device (7) of the de-icing system (1) is configured to generate a short-circuit current in at least one section of the at least one contact wire of the overhead line system (2).

9. De-icing system (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the control device (5) is configured such that the control device (5) generates the de-icing system depending on the result of the evaluation using the data model (17). 202303850 18 of the short-circuit current through the de-icing device (7) in which at least one section of the at least one contact wire of the overhead line system (2) is automatically controlled.

10. De-icing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (5) is configured such that the control device (5) automatically controls the switching on and / or switching off time of the de-icing device (7) for de-icing the at least one section of the at least one contact wire of the overhead line system (2).

11. De-icing system (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the control device (5) is configured such that the control device (5) automatically controls the duration for de-icing the at least one section of the at least one contact wire of the overhead line system (2) between the switching-on time and the switching-off time of the de-icing device (7).

12. De-icing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (5) is configured such that the control device (5) automatically controls the magnitude of the short-circuit current or the magnitude of the heating current of the heating wire of the de-icing system (1) for de-icing the at least one section of the at least one contact wire of the overhead line system (2) by means of the de-icing device (7).

13. Overhead line system (2) with at least one de-icing system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Method for de-icing at least one section of at least one contact wire of an overhead line system (2) according to claim 13 comprising the following steps: Determination of data (52) of the overhead line system (2) by means of the at least one first sensor (11) and / or determination of data (54) of data of the environment of the overhead line system (2) by means of the at least one second sensor (9) of the sensor device (3) of the de-icing system (1), 202303850 19 Transmission (58) of the data determined by the sensors (9, 11) by means of the sensor device (3) by means of at least one data connection (25) to the control device (5) of the de-icing system (1), - Evaluation (62) of the data determined by the sensor device (3) and transmitted to the control device (5) using the data model (17) of the control device (5), wherein the data model (17) contains at least data about the previous de-icing behavior of the de-icing system (1), - Automatic control (64) of the de-icing device (7) of the de-icing system (1) depending on the result of the evaluation (62) of the control device (5).

15. Method for de-icing at least one section of at least one contact wire of an overhead line system (2) according to claim 14, characterized in that further data (13) are received by the control device (5) by means of at least one further data connection (24) (56) and the further data (13) together with the data determined (52, 54) and forwarded (58) by the sensor device (3) are used for evaluation (62) with the data model (17), wherein the further data (13) are received independently of the sensor device (3) (56).

16. Method for de-icing at least one section of at least one contact wire of an overhead line system (2) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the respective result of the evaluation (62) with the respective associated data is added to the data model (17) of the control device (5) for future evaluations (62) (66).

17. Method for de-icing at least one section of at least one contact wire of an overhead line system (2) according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the data model (17) of the control device (5) is improved using machine learning methods and is used for future evaluation (62) of the determined (52, 54) and transmitted (56, 58) data to the control device (5).

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