Switch Heater Control via Heat Network Model
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switch heater control systems fail to maintain uniform temperatures across switch segments, leading to freezing or excessive energy consumption due to temperature deficits and excesses, especially in extreme weather conditions, resulting in operational inefficiencies and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and control device that utilize a heat network model to calculate optimal specific power distribution across switch segments, adjusting heating based on real-time temperature readings and weather conditions, ensuring uniform heating of functionally relevant points by forming heat networks with heat generation, transfer, and storage elements, and dynamically adjusting power ratios to maintain minimum switch temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional two-point control with hysteresis is used to switch the heater on and off based on a single temperature sensor, then the control system is simple to implement, but significant temperature differences occur between different parts of the switch, leading to freezing at some locations and excessive energy consumption at others
Solution Approach 1:
The switch is divided into multiple segments (stock rail, switch rail, slide chair plates) with separate temperature monitoring and control for each segment. This allows independent temperature management of different components, ensuring uniform heating across all parts and preventing freezing at any location while optimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Different temperature setpoints and control parameters are applied to different segments of the switch based on their specific thermal characteristics and functional requirements. The stock rail, switch rail, and slide chair plates each have tailored heating control to achieve optimal temperature distribution throughout the entire switch assembly.
2Speed
If the heater is switched on at 100% specific power when heating is required, then rapid heating is achieved, but power peaks occur between zero and maximum values causing energy inefficiency and temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The heater power is dynamically adjusted based on real-time temperature measurements from multiple sensors distributed across the switch. Instead of fixed 100% power switching, the system continuously modulates power delivery to maintain optimal temperatures, eliminating power peaks and reducing energy waste while achieving rapid and stable heating.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature feedback from multiple sensors on different switch segments is continuously monitored and used to adjust heater power in real-time. This closed-loop control prevents overshooting and oscillations, maintaining efficient power consumption while achieving rapid heating response.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single temperature sensor is placed on the stock rail foot, then the sensor location is fixed and simple to install, but it cannot accurately represent the temperatures of other switch components during operation
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple temperature sensors are installed on different segments of the switch (stock rail, switch rail, slide chair plates) to independently monitor the temperature of each component. This segmented measurement approach accurately captures the temperature distribution across all critical areas, enabling precise control of each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature measurement is localized to each specific component of the switch with dedicated sensors positioned on the stock rail, switch rail, and slide chair plates. This ensures accurate temperature data for each component, reflecting their actual thermal states during operation and enabling component-specific control strategies.
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
This approach ensures consistent heating of switch segments, preventing freezing and optimizing energy use, thereby enhancing operational safety and efficiency during winter conditions while reducing energy consumption and maintenance efforts.
Implementation Method 1
heating devices with a specific output of, for example, 330 W per meter of rail are installed on the fixed stock rails of the switch
Implementation Method 2
Heat transfer to the switch rails and slide plates of the turnout occurs by conduction or radiation from the location of the stock rails equipped with a heating device
Implementation Method 3
Heat transfer to the switch rails and slide plates of the turnout occurs by conduction or radiation from the location of the stock rails equipped with a heating device
Data Source
Figure 0
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for the open-loop/closed-loop control of a points heating system (1), which comprises at least one heating device (14) positioned at at least one set of points (3), at least one points temperature sensor (28) on the at least one set of points (3), at least one power distributer having at least one heat outlet for each set of points (3) and at least one control device for open-loop/closed-loop control of the temperature of the points. In particular, a heat grid (26, 27) for the at least one points segment is formed for the left-hand side (5) and/or for the right-hand side (6) of the at least one set of points (3), which comprises heat generating elements, heat transmitting elements and heat reservoirs (32). At least the first node (K) of each of the sections of the at least one points segment is associated with at least one evaluation point (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43).