LOCAL OPERATION SYSTEM

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to provide a system for operating a marshalling yard in a more efficient and time saving way, by avoiding unnecessary procedures of preparation, usually done manually by mechanical means only, and turn it into an advanced technological facility.

Claims

1. A remote control and monitoring system that electronically monitors the switch points of railway tracks in marshaling yards, working areas and maintenance areas, tangential to the interlocking system, comprising: a central computer operating the system via secured digital transmission; and a power supply system, cables, programmed controllers, relays, electric motors for change of switch points directions and other electronic devices, wherein the central computer performs the preparation of route into or out of marshaling yards based on the indications received from the laser scanners and cameras screens; and laser scanners located parallel to the tracks in predefined locations so that laser scanners' beams cover the whole controlled area overlapping each other at switch points; and digital video cameras installed along the tracks to and from marshaling yard in different zones; and an automatically operated Led direction light element installed between tracks for visual indication to the driver along the route, wherein the direction light element provides the driver visual indication of track locking position and route direction.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the cameras screens enable visual checks of cameras and laser scanners verifying that switch points are clear of any obstacle, movable object or human factor.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the cameras screens provide indications of intention of movable objects to enter or exit of movable objects from the interlocking system.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein if any of the scanner indicates in use position, the system offers a bypass mechanism in which it may enable preparation of the route only for a limited time by-passing the laser scanner alert.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein central computer performs the locking of route, so that switch points at control area are fixed and switch position may not be changed.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein when route is locked the direction light between tracks alight along the route indicating the position of the route and pointing out the direction of the trip to the train driver.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein when a movable object gets into or out of a marshaling yard all routes leading to movable object route show blocked route (red indication), all switch points on route to the track on which movable object is moving, are unmovable unless in emergency.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan of the system FIG. 2 shows a live control screen of the operation system.

[0017] FIG. 3 shows the direction light element installed between tracks for visual indication to the driver along the route.

[0018] FIG. 4 shows an illustration of laser scanners and its beams installed alongside the tracks.

[0019] FIG. 5 shows an illustration of a movable object entering a laser scanner beam stage 1.

[0020] FIG. 6 shows an illustration of a movable object entering a laser scanner beam stage 2.

[0021] FIG. 7 shows an illustration of a movable object entering a laser scanner beam stage 3.

[0022] FIG. 8 shows an illustration of a movable object leaving the laser scanner beam.

[0023] FIG. 9 is an image of control center.

[0024] FIG. 10 is an image of a direction light element to be installed between tracks along the route for visual indication to the locomotive driver.

[0025] FIG. 11 is an illustration of direction light element for route Indicators installed on tracks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The new system is a remote control and monitoring system that electronically operates the switch points, monitors it and enables control of marshaling yards by coverage of laser scanners, high resolution digital video cameras, automatically operated Led direction light element installed between tracks for visual indication to the driver along the route, cables and secured digital transmission.

[0027] As may be seen in the schematic plan of the system (FIG. 1), Operator 303 is operating the system from local control station 300. Several high definition digital cameras are installed along the tracks to and from marshaling yard in different zones enabling operator 303 the visual observation via camera displays 301 of all the switch points 207, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0028] A main computer 304 operates the system and may be located anywhere. The system's components are connected by digital transmission that may control operations from unlimited locations.

[0029] The main local operation system comprises, a power supply system, programmed controllers, relays, motors and various electronic devices.

[0030] As may be seen in FIG. 4, Laser scanners 200 are installed parallel to tracks 201 in predefined locations so that laser scanner beams 204 covers the whole control area overlapping each other in switch points 207.

[0031] Direction light element 206 (shown in FIG. 10) are installed between tracks 201 providing a visual indication to the driver of locking position of the track and a safe route direction, (FIG. 3) (also showing in FIG. 11).

[0032] As may be seen in FIG. 2 (and FIG. 9) central computer screen 302 is monitored by operator 303. When operator receives a request to let a locomotive or other train vehicle into or out of a marshaling yard 205 (FIG. 2), he performs a visual check of the camera displays (FIG. 9) ensuring that switch points 207 (FIG. 4) are clear of other movable object, human factor or any other obstacle and performs a visual check on main computer screen ensuring that all switch points 207 (FIG. 4) monitored by laser scanners (200) show clear position. Operator also gets from the central computer (203) indications of intention of movable objects, (a locomotive or other train vehicle) 205 to enter or exit from the nationwide main interlocking system.

[0033] When all laser scanners within control area are showing clear, route may be prepared in the usual manner. Meaning, planning the schedule routes of the trains. If at least one scanner indicates in use position, the system enables the preparation of the route in emergency only and for no longer than 30 seconds. Preparation of the route in these instances means, re-routing train traffic to alternative routes.

[0034] Main computer 304 performs the preparation of trip route.

[0035] Main computer 304 performs the locking of route. Once the route is locked, switch points 207 at control area are not movable.

[0036] When the route is locked visual route indicators 206 are alight along the route trip, indicating to the driver that route is locked for him and pointing out to him the direction of the trip.

[0037] The driver gets confirmation to move via radio/acoustic communications.

[0038] When operator ensures via cameras display 301 and main computer screen 302 that the entire movable object had exited switch points 207 zone, operator releases the route and the system returns to start point.

[0039] FIG. 2 demonstrates a live situation where movable object 205 gets into a marshaling yard via track 103 advancing through points 099, 098 & 095 to maintenance area 800. The green light indication on main computer screen shows the clear route and the moving of movable object 205 on route from track 103-101. When movable object 205 leaves maintenance area 800 toward track 105 all routes leading to movable object 205's route (points 080,081,082, etc) show red indication, meaning that all switch points on route to track 105 are unmovable unless in emergency.