Method and device for detecting and transmitting signals along a track rail

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for detecting and transmitting signals along a track rail (2), having the steps of: detecting at least one measurement signal on the track rail (2) by means of a linear sensor device (13), supplying the linear sensor device (13) with at least one railway operating signal, routing the at least one measurement signal and the at least one railway operating signal along the track rail (2) by means of the linear sensor device (13), and reading the at least one measurement signal and the at least one railway operating signal from the linear sensor device (13). The invention further relates to a device (1) for detecting and transmitting signals along the track rail (2).

Description

[0001] Method and device for detecting and transmitting signals along a railway track

[0002] The content of the German patent application DE 102025 101 326.8 is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The invention relates to a method for detecting and transmitting signals along a railway track. The invention further relates to a device for detecting and transmitting signals along a railway track.

[0004] US Patent 2008 / 0019701 A1 discloses a device for locally monitoring the load on a track using fiber optic sensors. This device, which is positioned at a specific location on the track, serves to count vehicle axles, vehicle speed, and vehicle weight. Such a device has a limited range of functions and is complex to manufacture and maintain.

[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved method for detecting and transmitting signals along a track rail, which is in particular particularly economical and reliable in operation and has an extended range of functions.

[0006] This problem is solved by a method with the features of claim 1. It has been found that a method for detecting and transmitting signals along a track rail is particularly precise and efficient and has an extended range of functions if measurement signals are detected on the track rail by means of a linear sensor device and at least one railway operating signal is additionally fed into the linear sensor device. The at least one measurement signal and the at least one railway operating signal can be guided or transmitted along the track rail by means of the linear sensor device. The transmitted signals can be read out of the linear sensor device together and / or separately. Because at least one railway operating signal is fed into the linear sensor device and transmitted by means of it, the range of functions of the linear sensor device is extended.a device specifically designed for this purpose increases efficiency. Additional measures or devices for transmitting railway operating signals can be avoided. The increased functionality also improves cost-effectiveness. The transmission of at least one measurement signal and the railway operating signal via the linear sensor device is precise and, particularly due to the arrangement of the linear sensor device on the track, especially on the rail, i.e., in an area with particularly controllable environmental conditions, reliable and safe.

[0007] To transmit the signals, in particular the at least one measurement signal and the at least one railway operating signal, the linear sensor device preferably extends along the track, in particular the track rail, and especially substantially parallel to it. The linear sensor device can be attached to the track, in particular to the track rail, and especially be attached at least partially by contact and / or by bonding and / or friction and / or form-fitting. To detect the at least one measurement signal, the linear sensor device has at least one sensor. The at least one sensor is preferably arranged on the track rail, and especially attached, in particular by bonding, and / or by friction, and especially by clamping.

[0008] The at least one sensor can be a strain sensor and / or a temperature sensor. Preferably, the at least one sensor is configured to detect strain, in particular longitudinal strain and / or transverse strain and / or shear strain, and / or temperature of the track rail.

[0009] The linear sensor device preferably comprises several sensors, in particular at least 10, in particular at least 20, in particular at least 50, in particular at least 100, in particular at least 500, in particular at least 1,000, and / or a maximum of 10,000, in particular a maximum of 5,000, in particular a maximum of 3,000, of the sensors. This ensures particularly comprehensive monitoring of the track.

[0010] Preferably, the linear sensor device may be further developed with at least one of the features described in PCT / EP2024 / 070372, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0011] The linear sensor device has at least one signal line for transmitting the at least one measurement signal and the at least one railway operating signal. The at least one signal line can comprise at least one fiber optic signal line, in particular at least one optical fiber, and / or at least one electrical signal line, in particular at least one electrical conductor. The linear sensor device can have at least 2, in particular at least 4, in particular at least 6, and / or a maximum of 50, in particular a maximum of 20, in particular a maximum of 10, signal lines.

[0012] The multiple signal lines, in particular all signal lines of the linear sensor device, can be arranged in the same enclosure, especially an insulating sheath. The linear sensor device can comprise a bundle of signal lines, in particular optical and / or electrical signal lines. This gives the linear sensor device an extended range of functions and makes it particularly economical to integrate into the rail transport system, especially for installation on the track rail.

[0013] Preferably, the at least one sensor can be formed by means of the at least one signal line. The at least one signal line can extend through the at least one sensor. For example, an electrical signal line can extend through an electrical sensor, in particular a film sensor or a strain gauge, and especially through the measuring resistance provided therein. Alternatively, at least one measurement signal and / or the at least one operating signal can be routed separately from the at least one sensor, in particular in parallel to the at least one sensor. For this purpose, the linear sensor arrangement can have at least one signal line separate from the at least one sensor.

[0014] The term "at least one railway operating signal" refers to a signal separate from the at least one measuring signal. The railway operating signal is preferably a signal used for the intended operation of the railway system, and in particular, a signal that is absolutely necessary.

[0015] The input of the at least one railway operating signal can take place at one or more positions along the track or the linear sensor device, in particular at one end of the linear sensor device. Input refers to the supply of the railway operating signal to the linear sensor device, in particular by means of a transmitter.

[0016] The transmission of the at least one measurement signal and the at least one railway operating signal can be carried out optically and / or electrically by means of the linear sensor device. Between the input and output positions of the railway operating signal, the railway operating signal is preferably transmitted via a signal transmission path of the linear sensor device, in particular along, and especially parallel to, the track or rail.

[0017] The measurement signal can be transmitted via the linear sensor device over a partial transmission path that is shorter than the signal transmission path between the at least one sensor and the readout position.

[0018] The reading of the at least one measurement signal and the at least one railway operating signal can be carried out using at least one receiving device. A single or more, in particular separate, receiving devices can be provided for reading the at least one measurement signal and the at least one railway operating signal. The linear sensor device and the track grid can overlap each other in a top view.

[0019] The linear sensor device can be attached, at least in sections, to the track grid, in particular to the track rail and / or to the track sleepers and / or to the rail fastening.

[0020] According to one aspect, at least one measurement signal and / or the railway operating signal can be amplified between the input and the readout and / or during routing by means of the linear sensor device. This allows the signal transmission to take place over a particularly long signal transmission path.

[0021] The reading of the at least one measurement signal and / or the at least one railway operating signal and / or the feeding in of the at least one railway operating signal can be carried out completely or in part or at one or more positions along the signal control line.

[0022] According to one aspect, the at least one measurement signal can be acquired by means of at least one fiber optic strain sensor, in particular a fiber Bragg grating sensor, of the linear sensor device. The linear sensor device can consist exclusively of fiber optic strain sensors or additionally of electrical strain sensors. The at least one measurement signal and / or the at least one railway operating signal can be transmitted through the at least one sensor, in particular through the measuring fiber that forms the at least one sensor, or separately, in particular in parallel to the at least one sensor. Preferably, the at least one railway operating signal is transmitted via a different signal line of the linear sensor device than the at least one measurement signal. In principle, the at least one measurement signal and the at least one railway operating signal can be transmitted via the same signal line and / or via separate signal lines.Combined transmission reduces the equipment requirements. Separate transmission increases transmission flexibility.

[0023] According to another aspect, the acquisition of at least one measurement signal can include the detection of strain and / or temperature of the track rail. Based on the strain and / or temperature, the longitudinal force or stress of the track rail and / or the condition of the track, in particular the track rail and / or the ballast bed, and / or rail vehicle information, in particular vehicle weight and / or number of axles and / or vehicle completeness information and / or vehicle speed, can be determined.

[0024] Preferably, the at least one measurement signal is used to control the rail transport system, in particular at least one rail vehicle and / or at least one track infrastructure element.

[0025] A controllable track infrastructure element can be, for example, a switch, a track signal, a balise and / or a barrier.

[0026] According to a further aspect, the at least one measurement signal and / or the at least one railway operating signal can be transmitted as optical signals via the linear sensor device. For this purpose, the linear sensor device can have at least one signal line designed as an optical fiber. Preferably, the linear sensor device is designed to transmit exclusively optical signals.

[0027] According to a further aspect, the at least one measurement signal and / or the at least one railway operating signal can be routed via a signal control line along the track of at least 100 m, in particular at least 500 m, in particular at least 1 km, in particular at least 5 km, in particular at least 10 km, and / or a maximum of 50 km, in particular a maximum of 20 km. Preferably, the at least one signal line, in particular all signal lines, of the linear sensor device are designed to be uninterrupted or continuous and / or single-piece across the signal control line.

[0028] The at least one railway operating signal may include, and in particular consist of, control data for controlling the railway system and / or monitoring data for monitoring the railway system.

[0029] According to one aspect, the rail transport system can be controlled by means of at least one railway operating signal. In particular, rail traffic and / or a track construction measure and / or a track infrastructure element, in particular a track signal and / or a balise and / or a switch, in particular a switch setting, and / or a level crossing, in particular a barrier, and / or a rail vehicle, in particular a transport vehicle and / or a track construction vehicle, in particular a track tamping machine and / or a lifting and aligning unit and / or a dynamic track stabilizer, can be controlled by means of at least one railway operating signal. The rail transport system can also be controlled by means of at least one measurement signal.

[0030] According to one aspect, at least one railway operating state of the rail transport system, in particular of a railway infrastructure element and / or a rail vehicle, is monitored using at least one railway operating signal. For this purpose, monitoring data can be read from the linear sensor device, in particular from the railway operating signal.Preferably, at least one state of a track infrastructure element, in particular a track signal state and / or a switch setting and / or a balise signal and / or a level crossing signal and / or a barrier position, and / or of a rail vehicle, in particular a driving and / or operating state and / or a vehicle type and / or a vehicle weight and / or a vehicle position and / or a vehicle speed and / or a vehicle acceleration and / or a vehicle energy consumption and / or a vehicle axle number and / or a vehicle car number and / or fault information, in particular regarding technical defects or malfunctions, and / or vehicle completeness information, and / or a track construction measure, for example the intensity of a track bed compaction measure and / or a track stabilization measure, is monitored using the at least one railway operating signal.

[0031] Preferably, the railway system is controlled according to a control standard for a train control system, in particular according to the European Train Control System (ETCS). The control data can be useful, and in particular, mandatory. The at least one railway operating signal can be based, at least partially, on the at least one measurement signal. For example, the position and / or speed of a rail vehicle can be determined using the at least one measurement signal. The corresponding information about the vehicle status can be fed into the at least one linear sensor device as a railway operating signal.

[0032] According to one aspect, communication data, in particular voice communication data, especially between a train driver, especially a locomotive driver, and a control center, and / or digital data, especially for network formation, can be transmitted using the linear sensor device. The communication data can include, and in particular consist of, rail traffic-related communication data and / or general communication data, especially unrelated to rail traffic, and / or mobile communication data and / or fixed-line data and / or satellite network data. The additional functionality increases the efficiency of the process. Additional electrical or optical lines, separate from the linear sensor device, can thus be avoided.

[0033] According to one aspect, a functional test signal can be transmitted via the linear sensor device. The functional test signal can be a regular and / or irregular signal and / or a heartbeat signal. The functional test signal can be transmitted via a separate signal line, in particular one used exclusively for the functional test signal, and / or via a signal line used for the measurement signal and / or the railway operating signal, and / or via only a fraction of the signal lines or via all signal lines of the linear sensor device. The functional test signal is preferably transmitted with a frequency of at least 1 / day, in particular at least 1 / hour, in particular at least 1 / minute, in particular at least 1 / second, and / or a maximum of 1,000 / second, in particular a maximum of 10 / second, in particular a maximum of 1 / second.The integrity of the device, especially the linear sensor device, can be monitored using the functional test signal, particularly by means of the receiving device.

[0034] The at least one measurement signal and / or the railway operating signal and / or the communication data and / or the functional test signal, in particular all of the signals, can be modulated and / or encrypted before being sent and / or transmitted. This allows for particularly secure signal transmission, especially interference-resistant and / or tamper-proof.

[0035] According to one aspect, the at least one measurement signal and the at least one operating signal are transmitted at least partially, and in particular completely, bidirectionally, i.e., in both directions along the linear signaling device, and / or unidirectionally. Transmission in the respective direction can take place via separate signal lines and / or via at least one common signal line.

[0036] A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device for detecting and transmitting signals along a track rail, which is particularly precise and economical in operation and has an extended range of functions. This object is achieved by a device for detecting and transmitting signals along a track rail, comprising a linear sensor device for detecting at least one measurement signal on the track rail and for transmitting the signal along the track rail, a transmitter device for feeding at least one railway operating signal into the linear sensor device, and a receiver device for reading the at least one measurement signal and the at least one railway operating signal from the linear sensor device. The advantages of the device preferably correspond to the advantages of the method described above.Preferably, the device is further developed with at least one of the features described above in connection with the method.

[0037] The device may have one or more sensor devices and / or receiving devices.

[0038] The at least one transmitting device and / or receiving device can feed in or read out the at least one measurement signal and / or the at least one railway operating signal at the same position and / or at the same time or at different positions and / or at different times.

[0039] The at least one transmitting device and / or receiving device may have at least one signal converter for converting between different types of signals, in particular between optical and electrical signals.

[0040] The at least one transmitting and / or receiving device can each be designed as a combined transmitting and receiving device for sending and receiving the signals and / or for forwarding, in particular amplifying, the at least one measurement signal and / or the at least one railway operating signal.

[0041] Preferably, the device comprises at least one coupling device for exchanging communication data between the device, in particular the linear sensor device, and a mobile network and / or a fixed-line network and / or a satellite network. This further increases the functionality of the device.

[0042] According to one aspect, the linear sensor device for detecting the at least one measurement signal can have at least one fiber optic sensor, in particular a strain sensor, in particular a fiber Bragg grating sensor.

[0043] According to one aspect, the linear sensor device can have at least one optical fiber for transmitting the at least one measurement signal and / or the at least one railway operating signal as an optical signal. The linear sensor device can have several signal lines, in particular optical and / or electrical, and in particular exclusively optical, signal lines, which are preferably, and in particular at least predominantly, arranged in a common enclosure, in particular an insulating sheath, along a signal path. The number of signal lines can be within the range described above for the method.

[0044] According to another aspect, the linear sensor device for transmitting the at least one measurement signal and / or the at least one railway operating signal can be configured over a signal control section of at least 100 m. The length of the signal control section can be within the range described above for the method.

[0045] Further features, details, and advantages will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the figures. These show:

[0046] Fig. 1 A schematic representation of a railway transport system with a device for detecting and transmitting signals along a track rail, comprising a linear sensor device, a transmitter device and a receiver device, wherein a track construction vehicle is arranged on the track, or

[0047] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the rail transport system in Fig. 1, with a transport vehicle arranged on the track.

[0048] Figures 1 and 2 describe an embodiment of a device 1 for detecting and transmitting signals along a track rail 2.

[0049] The device 1 is integrated into a rail transport system 3. The rail transport system 3 comprises a rail network with several track sections 4. Each track section 4 has a track grid 5 with track sleepers 6 and rails 2 arranged on it. The track grid 5 rests on a track bed 7 designed as a ballast bed. Alternatively, the track bed 7 can be a solid, ballastless bed. The track section 4 can include an overhead line 8 for supplying rail vehicles 9 with electrical energy. The rail vehicles 9 can alternatively have their own energy supply, for example, fuel. The respective rail vehicle 9 can be a transport vehicle 9A or a work vehicle 9B, in particular a track construction vehicle, a maintenance vehicle, and / or a measuring vehicle. The respective rail vehicle 9 comprises a bogie 10 with track wheels 11 on several axles 12.

[0050] The device 1 comprises a linear sensor arrangement 13 with at least one sensor 14, in particular a plurality of sensors 14, on at least one signal line 15. The at least one sensor 14 can, for example, be configured as a strain sensor and / or as a temperature sensor. Preferably, the at least one sensor 14 is configured to detect a condition, in particular a strain and / or a temperature, of the track rail 2.

[0051] The at least one sensor 14, in particular all sensors 14, can be designed as fiber optic sensors 14, in particular as fiber Bragg grating sensors, and / or as electrical sensors, in particular as foil sensors.

[0052] Preferably, the at least one sensor 14 forms a section of the signal line 15. In other words, the signal line 15 can run through the sensor 14 or be configured on the sensor 14 such that it influences the at least one transmitted signal depending on the measured quantity. A fiber optic sensor, in particular a fiber Bragg grating sensor, influences, for example, the frequency-dependent conductivity or reflection of the optical signal line 15. An electrical sensor influences the electrical conductivity of the electrical signal line 15.

[0053] Alternatively, the signal line 15 can be designed independently or separately from the at least one sensor, in particular running parallel to or being connected to the at least one sensor 14.

[0054] The linear sensor device 13 can comprise a plurality of sensors 14, in particular at least 10, in particular at least 20, in particular at least 100, in particular at least 500, in particular at least 1,000, and / or a maximum of 10,000, in particular a maximum of 5,000, in particular a maximum of 3,000, of the sensors 14.

[0055] The linear sensor device 13 can comprise at least one optical signal line 15, in particular at least one optical fiber, and / or at least one electrical signal line 15. The linear sensor device 13 can have at least 2, in particular at least 4, in particular at least 6, and / or a maximum of 50, in particular a maximum of 20, in particular a maximum of 10, of the signal lines 15.

[0056] The device 1 comprises a transmitter 16 for feeding at least one railway operating signal into the linear sensor device 13 and a receiver 17 for reading the at least one measurement signal and the at least one railway operating signal from the linear sensor device 13. The transmitter 16 and the receiver 17 are connected to the linear sensor device 13 by means of signal transmission, in particular by contact. The linear sensor device 13, in particular the at least one signal line 15, extends between the transmitter 16 and the receiver 17 over a signal transmission line L of, for example, 5 km.

[0057] The at least one measurement signal is generated at the at least one sensor 14 and is transmitted or transmitted between the sensor 14 and the receiving device 17 by means of the at least one signal line 15 of the linear sensor device 13.

[0058] The at least one railway operating signal is fed into the at least one signal line 15 of the linear sensor device 13 by means of the transmitter 16 and transmitted between the transmitter 16 and the receiver 17 by means of this signal line 15. At the receiver 17, the at least one railway operating signal is read from the linear sensor device 13, in particular from the at least one signal line 15. The at least one railway operating signal can be transmitted over the entire signal control path L between the transmitter 16 and the receiver 17. Preferably, the at least one measurement signal is transmitted only section by section between the transmitter 16 and the receiver 17, in particular over a partial control path 1 that is shorter than the signal control path L.

[0059] The partial control section 1 is shown in Fig. 1 as an example for one of the sensors 14. The length of the respective partial control section 1 preferably results from the distance between the respective sensor 14 and the receiving device 17 along the linear sensor device 13. The at least one measurement signal, in particular several measurement signals, and / or the at least one railway operating signal, in particular several railway operating signals, can be transmitted via the same, in particular a single, signal line 15 and / or via several, in particular separate, signal lines 15 of the linear sensor device 13. In particular, measurement signals and railway operating signals can be transmitted via separate or different signal lines 15 or combined, i.e., via the same signal line 15. Combined transmission reduces the signal line requirements. Separate transmission increases measurement and transmission flexibility.

[0060] The at least one sensor 14 can be attached to the track rail 2, in particular for determining a longitudinal strain and / or a transverse strain and / or a shear strain and / or a temperature of the track rail 2.

[0061] The transmitting device 16 and / or the receiving device 17 can be configured for inputting or reading optical and / or electrical signals, in particular measurement or railway operating signals. For inputting or reading the at least one measurement signal and the at least one railway operating signal from the same and / or separate signal lines 15, the transmitting device 16 or the receiving device 17 can be connected and / or configured accordingly with the linear sensor device 13 in a signal-conducting manner.

[0062] The transmitting device 16 and / or the receiving device 17 can each comprise a processor 16.1, 17.1 for processing digital data and / or a data storage device 16.2, 17.2 for storing digital data and / or a communication unit 16.3, 17.3 for transmitting data, in particular digital data. The respective communication unit 16.3, 17.3 preferably includes a radio unit for wireless data transmission.

[0063] The device 1, in particular the transmitting device 16 and / or the receiving device 17, can be in signal communication 23, in particular via wireless signal communication, with a central computing unit 18, in particular a control center 19, of the rail transport system 3 and / or with the rail vehicle 9, in particular the transport vehicle 9A and / or the work vehicle 9B. For this purpose, the respective rail vehicle 9 and / or the central computing unit 18 can have corresponding communication units 9.3, 18.3, in particular radio communication units.

[0064] The multiple signal lines 15, in particular the optical fibers and / or the electrical signal lines, can be connected to each other to form the linear sensor device 13, in particular by means of a material bond, in particular by means of a carrier material, in particular an insulating material, in particular be embedded in it and / or encased by it and / or bonded together by it.

[0065] The linear sensor device 13 can be attached to the track rails 2, in particular clamped and / or glued, especially in the area of ​​the track sleepers 6 and / or a rail fastening 20.

[0066] The transmitting device 16 and / or the receiving device 17 may have at least one signal converter for converting between optical and electrical signals, in particular the measuring and / or railway operating signals.

[0067] The device 1 can have one or more linear sensor devices 13, in particular a single linear sensor device 13 on one of the track rails 2 or two linear sensor devices 13, one of which is arranged on each of the track rails 2. The transmitting device 16 and / or the receiving device 17 can be in signal communication with one or more of the linear sensor devices 13, in particular with all linear sensor devices 13 of a track section.

[0068] The transport vehicle 9A can be a freight or passenger train. The work vehicle 9B can be a measuring vehicle or a track construction vehicle, in particular for constructing and / or maintaining the track, especially with a tamping unit and / or a lifting and aligning unit and / or a dynamic track stabilizer.

[0069] The respective rail vehicle 9 can be in signal communication with the device 1, in particular the transmitter 16 and / or the receiver 17 and / or the central processing unit 18, especially via the device 1. The device 1 can have several linear sensor devices 13, in particular connected in series. Preferably, a transmitter 16 and / or a receiver 17 is arranged between each pair of adjacent linear sensor devices 13 connected in series. The signal path L preferably extends over the entire length of the interconnected linear sensor devices 13, in particular the several sensor devices 13 connected in series.

[0070] In general, and in particular regardless of the specific embodiment, the transmitting and / or receiving devices 16, 17, which are arranged in particular between two adjacent linear sensor devices 13, can be designed as a combined transmitting and receiving device 16, 17 and / or be designed to forward, in particular to amplify, the at least one measurement signal and / or the at least one railway operating signal.

[0071] Preferably, the transmitting device 16 and / or the receiving device 17 are configured to feed a functional test signal, in particular a heartbeat signal, into the linear sensor device 13 or to read it out from it.

[0072] The railway operating signal is preferably a signal required for the operation of the railway traffic system 3, in particular a control signal, especially for controlling a track signal 21 and / or a balise 22 and / or a switch, especially a switch position and / or the rail vehicle 9 and / or a monitoring signal, especially with information on a track signal state and / or a switch position and / or a vehicle state.

[0073] The vehicle status and / or operating status can generally include the position, speed, acceleration, vehicle type, weight, engine type, energy consumption, number of cars, error information, in particular regarding technical defects or malfunctions, and / or train completeness information.

[0074] Preferably, communication data, in particular for voice communication, especially as part of the railway operating signal or as a separate signal, is transmitted via the linear sensor device 13.

[0075] The operating principle of the method or device 1 for detecting and transmitting signals along a track rail 2 is as follows:

[0076] The device 1 is arranged on the rail transport system 3. In particular, the sensors 14 are attached to the track rail 2. The linear sensor array 13 extends along the signal control section L on the track rail 2.

[0077] The transmitting device 16 is connected to the respective rail vehicle 9 via the wireless signal connection 23. The receiving device 17 is connected to the central processing unit 18 via the wireless or wired signal connection 24.

[0078] The sensors 14 detect measurement signals that correlate with the strain, in particular the longitudinal strain, and / or the temperature of the track rail 2. The measurement signals are transmitted from the respective sensor 14 to the receiving device 17 by means of the linear sensor device 13, in particular the at least one signal line 15, and read out by the receiving device 17. A signal based on the respective measurement signal can be transmitted to the central processing unit 18 via the signal connection 24.

[0079] The transmitter 16 receives information about the vehicle status, in particular its vehicle type, speed, number of cars and / or completeness, via signal connection 23, in particular from the rail vehicle 9. The transmitter 16 feeds this information as a railway operating signal into the linear sensor device 13, in particular into the at least one signal line 15.

[0080] The linear sensor device 13 transmits the railway operating signal between the transmitting device 16 and the receiving device 17. The receiving device 16 reads the railway operating signal from the linear sensor device 13. Preferably, the receiving device 16 transmits the railway operating signal, in particular via the signal connection 24, to the central processing unit 18 of the control center 19.

[0081] The railway operating signal can be used to control the rail traffic system 3. For this purpose, the central processing unit 18 can determine control commands, in particular taking into account the measurement signals and the railway operating signals. The control commands can be transmitted to the receiving device 17 via the signal line 24.

[0082] Preferably, and particularly regardless of the specific embodiment, the transmitting device 16 and / or the receiving device 17 are designed as combined transmitting and receiving devices for feeding railway operating signals into the linear sensor device 13 and for reading measurement and / or railway operating signals from the linear sensor device 13. Thus, measurement and / or railway operating signals can be transmitted in any direction, particularly bidirectionally, along the linear sensor device 13. In particular, control commands and status information can be transmitted, especially in opposite directions.

[0083] The control commands can be configured to control at least one rail vehicle 9 and / or the track infrastructure, in particular the track signal 21 and / or balise 22 and / or the switch. Corresponding track infrastructure elements 21, 22 can be connected to the device 1 via a signal connection 25, in particular a wired one. The control commands for controlling at least one rail vehicle 9 can include commands for a traffic vehicle 9A, in particular for controlling rail traffic, and / or for a work vehicle 9B, in particular for controlling track construction work.

[0084] The control commands can, for example, include a speed setting for the rail vehicle 9. Corresponding control commands, transmitted via the linear sensor device 13 between the transmitter 16 and the receiver 17, can be transmitted to the rail vehicle 9 via the signal connection 23. The rail vehicle 9 can then implement the speed change according to the control command.

[0085] The transmitting device 16 and / or the receiving device 17 can generally, and in particular regardless of the specific embodiment, be configured to evaluate the measurement signals, especially to determine the vehicle position and / or vehicle speed and / or vehicle completeness and / or vehicle weight and / or track condition, in particular track integrity and / or track alignment. The measurement signals can be used to control the rail traffic system 3, whereby control commands based on the measurement signals can be generated, in particular directly by means of the respective transmitting and / or receiving device 16, 17 and / or by means of the central processing unit 18.

[0086] The railway operating signal preferably includes at least one signal that can be used, and in particular is mandatory, for operating the railway traffic system 3 in accordance with a control standard or a train control system, in particular in accordance with the ETCS standard (European Train Control System).

[0087] The device 1 can transmit communication data, in particular voice communication data, especially via the linear sensor device 13. The communication data can be transmitted between a rail vehicle 9 and the control center 19 and / or between at least two rail vehicles 9, 9A, 9B and / or between two control centers 19. Alternatively or additionally, the communication data can be digital data, in particular for the formation of a network, especially communication data of a public communication network, for example a mobile network and / or a fixed network and / or a satellite network. In particular, if the linear sensor device 13 is configured with at least one optical fiber, high-bandwidth data transmission can be ensured. The injection or...Reading out the corresponding communication data can be carried out using the at least one, in particular combined, transmitting and / or receiving device 16, 17. Preferably, a functional test signal, in particular a heartbeat signal, is transmitted by means of the linear sensor device 13. The clock rate of a corresponding functional test signal is preferably at least 1 / day, in particular at least 1 / h, in particular at least 1 / s, and / or a maximum of 1 / ms, in particular a maximum of 10 / s.

[0088] The at least one measurement signal and / or the railway operating signal and / or the communication data and / or the function test signal are preferably modulated and / or encrypted before being sent or transmitted.

[0089] The method or device 1 ensures the monitoring and control of the railway traffic system 3 thereby formed in a particularly precise, efficient, and reliable manner. The acquisition of the at least one measurement signal by means of the linear sensor device 13 provides a broad information base on the basis of which the railway traffic system 3 can be operated, and in particular controlled, with particular precision and reliability. Because track operating signals are also transmitted via the linear sensor device 13 in addition to the measurement signals, the signal transmission capacity of the linear sensor device 13 is utilized particularly extensively. Additional signal lines along the track, in particular additional copper lines, and the associated material, manufacturing, and maintenance costs can be avoided. The device 1 or device 1 13 ensures that the railway traffic system 3 can be operated, in particular controlled, with particular precision and reliability.A rail traffic system 3 trained in this way is therefore particularly economical in its manufacture and operation. The transmission of additional communication data, in particular voice communication data and / or mobile communication data and / or fixed-line data and / or the functional test signal, further increases the efficiency and reliability of the device 1. The method or device 1 ensures the detection and transmission of signals along a track rail 2 in a particularly economical, precise and reliable manner.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for detecting and transmitting signals along a track rail (2), comprising the steps: 1.1 Acquiring at least one measurement signal on the track rail (2) by means of a fiber optic deformation sensor (14), namely a fiber Bragg grating sensor, a linear sensor device (13), which is attached at least section by section to the track rail (2) and / or to a track sleeper (6) and / or to a rail fastening (20), 1.2 Feeding at least one railway operating signal into the linear sensor device (13), 1.3 Guiding the at least one measurement signal and the at least one railway operating signal by means of the linear sensor device (13) along the track rail (2) and 1.4 Reading out the at least one measurement signal and the at least one railway operating signal from the linear sensor device (13).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the linear sensor device (13) for detecting the at least one measurement signal is attached to the track rail (2).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the detection of the at least one measurement signal includes the detection of an elongation of the track rail (2).

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one measurement signal and / or the at least one railway operating signal are transmitted as optical signals by means of the linear sensor device (13).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one measuring signal and / or the at least one railway operating signal are routed via a signal control section (L) along the track rail (2) of at least 1 km.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by controlling the railway traffic system (3) by means of the at least one railway operating signal.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized by controlling a track signal (21) and / or a balise (22) and / or a switch and / or a rail vehicle (9) by means of the at least one railway operating signal.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by monitoring at least one railway operating state of the rail transport system (3) using the at least one railway operating signal.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized by monitoring at least one track signal state and / or a switch position and / or a vehicle state based on the at least one railway operating signal.

10. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by transmitting communication data, in particular voice communication data, by means of the linear sensor device (13).

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by routing a functional test signal by means of the linear sensor device (13).

12. Device (1) for detecting and transmitting signals along a track rail (2), comprising 12.1 a linear sensor device (13) for detecting at least one measurement signal on the track rail (2) and for transmitting the signal along the track rail (2), 12.1.1 which is attached at least section by section to the track rail (2) and / or to a track sleeper (6) and / or to a rail fastening (20), and 12.1.2 which has at least one fiber optic strain sensor (14), namely a fiber Bragg grating sensor, for detecting the at least one measurement signal, 12.2 a transmitting device (16) for feeding at least one railway operating signal into the linear sensor device (13) and 12.3 a receiving device (17) for reading the at least one measurement signal and the at least one railway operating signal from the linear sensor device (13).

13. Device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the linear sensor device (13) for detecting the at least one measurement signal is attached to the track rail (2).

14. Device (1) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the linear sensor device (13) has at least one optical fiber for transmitting the at least one measurement signal and / or the at least one railway operating signal as optical signals.

15. Device (1) according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the linear sensor device (13) is designed to guide the at least one measurement signal and / or the at least one railway operating signal over a signal control section (L) of at least 100 m.

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