Remote Grounding Device for Railway Overhead Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current short-circuit lances for deactivating overhead railway lines pose safety risks as they often require installation in unsafe environments and lack status information, leading to inefficiencies and increased working time for maintenance workers.
Innovation Solution
A device with a first and second electrical conductor for connecting to the overhead line and earth/return line, a switch for remote activation/deactivation, and communication means for wireless control over a public telecommunication network, ensuring safe and flexible deactivation of the overhead line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a short-circuit lance is used to deactivate the overhead line, then the overhead line can be earthed or short-circuited, but the work must be performed in an unsafe environment before the overhead line is de-energised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary de-energisation of the overhead line through remote control before the maintenance worker needs to approach or install the short-circuit lance. The control centre sends a command to deactivate the overhead line, ensuring it is safe before any physical intervention occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of installing and operating a short-circuit lance is replaced with an automated electrical control system. The control centre remotely activates the switching device to earth or short-circuit the overhead line through electrical conductors, eliminating the need for workers to physically handle the lance in unsafe conditions.
2Reliability
If a short-circuit lance is used, then the overhead line can be short-circuited, but it provides little or no information about the status of the short circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the switching device communicates the status of the short circuit back to the control centre. The control centre can determine whether the overhead line is successfully earthed or short-circuited, providing real-time information about the operational state without requiring manual verification.
3Reliability
If a short-circuit lance is used, then the overhead line can be de-energised, but the net working time is reduced due to safety procedures and status verification
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary de-energisation and short-circuiting remotely before the maintenance worker begins work. This eliminates the time workers would spend installing and verifying the short-circuit lance manually, allowing them to start work immediately in a known-safe environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual processes of installing, testing, and verifying the short-circuit lance are replaced with automated remote control operations. The control centre可以快速 de-energise and short-circuit the overhead line, and the feedback system immediately confirms the status, significantly reducing the time required compared to manual procedures.
4Productivity
If the overhead line remains live after deactivation, then trains can enter the section, but railway workers are at risk from electrified components
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automated electrical switching devices controlled from the control centre to reliably earth or short-circuit the overhead line, ensuring it cannot inadvertently re-energise. This replaces manual verification methods and provides definitive confirmation that the overhead line is de-energised and safe for workers.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism provides real-time confirmation to the control centre that the overhead line has been successfully earthed or short-circuited. This ensures that workers can proceed with confidence that the overhead line remains de-energised throughout their work, eliminating the risk from electrified components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device allows for remote and secure deactivation of the overhead line, reducing safety risks and increasing net working time by enabling wireless control and monitoring, thus improving the efficiency and safety of maintenance operations.
Implementation Method 1
communication means, which are configured for wireless communication with a remote communication device, for receiving a control signal from the remote communication device
Implementation Method 2
a first electrical conductor, which is configured for connecting electrically to the overhead line; a second electrical conductor, which is configured for connecting electrically to earth and/or a return line
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for grounding an overhead line of a segment of rail track. According to one aspect of the invention, the device comprises a first electrical conductor, which is configured for connecting electrically to the overhead line of the segment of rail track, a second electrical conductor, which is configured for connecting electrically to ground and/or a return line of the segment of rail track, a switch, which is configured to enable and disable a connection between the first and second electrical conductors, control means, which are configured to activate and deactivate the switch; and communication means, which are configured for wireless communication with a remote communication device, for receiving a control signal from the remote communication device and for accordingly actuating the control means for activating and deactivating the switch, or for blocking the switch, wherein the communication means are configured for communication over a public telecommunication network.