Method and device for controlling voltage of catenary supplying electric power to rolling stocks

Abstract

The present invention concerns a method and a device for controlling the voltage of a catenary supplying electric power to rolling stocks. The first rolling stock: detects a traction command or a regeneration command of a second rolling stock in the neighborhood of first rolling stock, increases the electric power supplied by the first rolling stock to means for heating, ventilation and air conditioning when a regeneration command of the second rolling stock is detected, decreases the electric power supplied by the first rolling stock to the means for heating, ventilation and air conditioning when a traction command of the second rolling stock is detected.

Claims

1. Method for controlling the voltage of a catenary supplying electric power to rolling stocks, characterized in that the method comprises the steps executed by a first rolling stock of: detecting a traction command or a regeneration command of a second rolling stock in the neighborhood of first rolling stock, increasing the electric power supplied by the first rolling stock to means for heating, ventilation and air conditioning when a regeneration command of the second rolling stock is detected, decreasing the electric power supplied by the first rolling stock to the means for heating, ventilation and air conditioning when a traction command of the second rolling stock is detected.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric power supplied by the first rolling stock to means for heating, ventilation and air conditioning is increased to a first power value higher than a second power value which is supplied by the first rolling stock to means for heating, ventilation and air conditioning prior the detecting of the regeneration command.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the electric power supplied by the first rolling stock to means for heating, ventilation and air conditioning is decreased to a third power value lower than the second power value.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the first, second and third power values are determined from an average power value and a power value which is supplied by the first rolling stock to means for heating, ventilation and air conditioning prior the detecting of the traction or the regeneration command.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the first power value is the minimum power level which can be consumed by means for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning if the estimated average power level is higher than a target power level, or is determined as the maximum power level which can be consumed by means for Heating, ventilation and Air conditioning if the estimated average power level is lower than the target power level.

6. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the second power value is the maximum power level which can be consumed by means for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

7. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the third power value is the minimum power level which can be consumed by means for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of detecting a traction command or a regeneration command further comprises steps of monitoring the voltage on the catenary, detecting a traction command when the monitored voltage is lower than a first threshold, detecting a regeneration command when the monitored voltage is upper than a second threshold.

9. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the detecting of the traction command or the regeneration command is performed by receiving a message from a dispatcher.

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the method comprises further step of transferring a message to the dispatcher if the traction command or the regeneration command of the second rolling stock is detected.

11. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method comprises further step of transferring a message to the dispatcher if the traction command or the regeneration command of the second rolling stock is detected.

12. Device for controlling the voltage of a catenary supplying electric power to rolling stocks, characterized in that the device is included in a first rolling stock and comprises: a processor to execute a program; and a memory to store the program which, when executed by the processor, performs processes of, detecting a traction command or a regeneration command of a second rolling stock in the neighborhood of first rolling stock, means for increasing the electric power supplied by the first rolling stock to means for heating, ventilation and air conditioning when a regeneration command of the second rolling stock is detected, decreasing the electric power supplied by the first rolling stock to the means for heating, ventilation and air conditioning when a traction command of the second rolling stock is detected.

Description

(1) The characteristics of the invention will emerge more clearly from a reading of the following description of example embodiments, the said description being produced with reference to the accompanying drawings, among which:

(2) FIG. 1 represents a rolling stock in a system in which the present invention is implemented;

(3) FIG. 2 is a diagram representing the architecture of a dispatcher in which the present invention, according to a second mode of realization, is implemented;

(4) FIG. 3 discloses an algorithm executed by a rolling stock and neighbouring rolling stocks according to a first and second modes of realization of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 discloses an algorithm executed by a rolling stock according to the second mode of realization of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 discloses an algorithm executed by a dispatcher according to the second mode of realization of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 6 discloses a first example of a curve for determining the electric power to be provided to HVAC according to voltage catenary;

(8) FIG. 7 discloses a second example of a curve for determining the electric power to be provided to HVAC according to voltage catenary.

(9) FIG. 1 represents a rolling stock in a system in which the present invention is implemented.

(10) In FIG. 1, a rolling stock 10 is shown. The rolling stock 10 has a pantograph 15 which links the rolling stock 10 to a catenary 20.

(11) According to the second mode of realization of the present invention, the system comprises a dispatcher 40.

(12) The rolling stock 10 comprises a device for controlling the voltage of a catenary supplying electric power to rolling stocks. The device for controlling the voltage of the catenary supplying electric power to rolling stocks has, for example, an architecture based on components connected together by a communication bus 101 and a processor 100 controlled by the programs as disclosed in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6.

(13) The communication bus 101 links the processor 100 to a read only memory ROM 102, a random access memory RAM 103, a communication interface 105, electric power conversion means 106, the HVAC system 108 and according to different modes of realization of the present invention, a communication interface 105, catenary voltage sensing means 107 and traction command sensing means 109.

(14) The memory 103 contains registers intended to receive variables and the instructions of the programs related to the algorithms as disclosed in FIGS. 3 and 4.

(15) The read only memory 102 contains instructions of the programs related to the algorithms as disclosed in FIGS. 3 and 4, which are transferred, when the device for controlling the voltage of a catenary supplying electric power to rolling stocks is powered on, to the random access memory 103.

(16) The device for controlling the voltage of the catenary supplying electric power to rolling stocks comprises, according to the second mode of realization of the present invention, a communication interface 105. For example, the communication interface 105 is a wireless interface or a communication interface enabling communication through the electric power network.

(17) The device for controlling the voltage of the catenary supplying electric power to rolling stocks comprises, according to the first mode of realization of the present invention, catenary voltage sensing means 107 which may detect voltage variations of the catenary 20, traction command sensing means 109 which may sense modification of traction commands.

(18) Any and all steps of the algorithms described hereafter with regard to FIGS. 3 and 4 may be implemented in software by execution of a set of instructions or program by a programmable computing machine, such as a PC (Personal Computer), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or a microcontroller; or else implemented in hardware by a machine or a dedicated component, such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit).

(19) In other words, the device for controlling the voltage of the catenary supplying electric power to rolling stocks includes circuitry, or a device including circuitry, causing the device for controlling the voltage of a catenary supplying electric power to rolling stocks to perform the steps of the algorithms described hereafter with regard to FIGS. 3 and 4.

(20) According to the invention, the device for controlling the voltage of the catenary supplying electric power to rolling stocks comprises: means for detecting a traction command or a regeneration command of a second rolling stock in the neighborhood of first rolling stock, means for increasing the electric power supplied by the first rolling stock to means for heating, ventilation and air conditioning when a regeneration command of the second rolling stock is detected, means for decreasing the electric power supplied by the first rolling stock to the means for heating, ventilation and air conditioning when a traction command of the second rolling stock is detected.

(21) FIG. 2 is a diagram representing the architecture of a dispatcher in which the present invention, according to a second mode of realization, is implemented.

(22) The dispatcher 40 has, for example, an architecture based on components connected together by a bus 201 and a processor 200 controlled by the program as disclosed in FIG. 5.

(23) The bus 201 links the processor 200 to a read only memory ROM 202, a random access memory RAM 203 and a communication interface 205.

(24) The memory 203 contains registers intended to receive variables and the instructions of the program related to the algorithm as disclosed in FIG. 5.

(25) The processor 200 controls the operation of the communication interface 205.

(26) The read only memory 202 contains instructions of the program related to the algorithm as disclosed in FIG. 5, which are transferred, when the dispatcher 40 is powered on, to the random access memory 203.

(27) The dispatcher 40 is connected to a communication network through the communication interface 205. For example, the communication interface 205 is a wireless interface or a communication interface enabling communication through the electric power network.

(28) Through the network interface 205, the dispatcher 40 may transfer messages and/or receive messages to/from rolling stocks.

(29) Any and all steps of the algorithm described hereafter with regard to FIG. 5 may be implemented in software by execution of a set of instructions or program by a programmable computing machine, such as a PC (Personal Computer), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or a microcontroller; or else implemented in hardware by a machine or a dedicated component, such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit).

(30) In other words, the dispatcher 40 includes circuitry, or a device including circuitry, causing the dispatcher 40 to perform the steps of the algorithms described hereafter with regard to FIG. 5.

(31) FIG. 3 discloses an algorithm executed by a rolling stock and neighbouring rolling stocks according to first and second modes of realization of the present invention.

(32) More precisely, the present algorithm is executed by the processor 100.

(33) At step S300, the processor 100 starts the present algorithm.

(34) At next step S301, the processor 100 gets the target power P.sub.HVAC.sub._.sub.Target to be provided to the HVAC system. As example, the target power P.sub.HVAC.sub._.sub.Target was determined by the HVAC system 108 to meet a comfort temperature level inside the rolling stock 10.

(35) At next step S302, the processor 100 gets power values P.sub.1, P.sub.2 and P.sub.3. The first power value P.sub.1 corresponds to a medium power, the second power value P.sub.2 corresponds to a high power and the third power value P.sub.3 corresponds to a low power. For example, the power value P1 is the target power P.sub.HVAC.sub._.sub.Target, P.sub.2 is the maximum rated power of HVAC system, P.sub.3 is the power level required to guarantee correct ventilation inside the rolling stock 10.

(36) At next step S303, the processor 100 checks if a neighbour rolling stock is in traction or in regeneration mode.

(37) According to a first mode of realization of the invention, the processor 100 determines that a neighbour rolling stock is in traction when pantograph voltage sensed by sensing means 107 is below a first voltage value V.sub.1. When a neighbour rolling stock accelerates, the electric power needed by the motor drive of the neighbour rolling stock increases, causing a decrease of catenary voltage on catenary due to ohmic losses in the catenary.

(38) According to the first mode of realization of the invention, the processor 100 determines that a neighbour rolling stock is in regeneration when pantograph voltage sensed by sensing means 107 is higher than a second voltage value V.sub.2. When a neighbour rolling stock accelerates, the electric power fed to the catenary by the motor drive of the neighbour rolling stock increases, causing an increase of catenary voltage due to ohmic losses in the catenary.

(39) According to a second mode of realization of the invention, the processor 100 determines that a neighbour rolling stock is in traction or in regeneration according to a message received by communication interface 105 from dispatcher 40.

(40) At next step S304, the processor 100 checks if a neighbour rolling stock is in traction mode.

(41) If a neighbour rolling stock is in traction mode, the processor 100 moves to step S308. Otherwise, the processor 100 moves to step S305.

(42) At step S305, the processor 100 checks if a neighbour rolling stock is in regeneration mode.

(43) If a neighbour rolling stock is in regeneration mode, the processor 100 moves to step S306. Otherwise, the processor 100 moves to step S307.

(44) At step S306, the processor 100 sets the power to be provided to the HVAC system 108 to the power value P.sub.3. After that, the processor 100 moves to step S309 according to a particular mode of realization or returns to step S303. At step S307, the processor 100 sets the power to be provided to the HVAC system 108 to the power value P.sub.1. After that, the processor 100 moves to step S309 according to a particular mode of realization or returns to step S303.

(45) At step S308, the processor 100 sets the power to be provided to the HVAC system 108 to the power value P.sub.2. After that, the processor 100 moves to step S309 according to a particular mode of realization or returns to step S303.

(46) At step S309, the processor 100 computes the average power provided to the HVAC system.

(47) The average power P.sub.HVAC.sub._.sub.Average is determined by averaging the power to be provided to the HVAC system 108 determined at steps S306, S307, S309 on a sliding window having a duration of few tens seconds. At the same step, the processor 100 checks if the average power P.sub.HVAC.sub._.sub.Average is lower than the target power P.sub.HVAC.sub._.sub.Target.

(48) If the average power P.sub.HVAC.sub._.sub.Average is lower than the target power P.sub.HVAC.sub._.sub.Target, the processor 100 sets the value P.sub.1 to the value of P.sub.3. If the average power P.sub.HVAC.sub._.sub.Average is not lower than the target power P.sub.HVAC.sub._.sub.Target, the processor 100 sets the value P.sub.1 to the value of P.sub.2.

(49) After that, the processor 100 moves to step S310 and shifts the sliding window of a time duration equal to t. t is typically set to few hundreds of milliseconds.

(50) After that, the processor 100 returns to step S303.

(51) FIG. 4 discloses an algorithm executed by a rolling stock according to the second mode of realization of the present invention.

(52) More precisely, the present algorithm is executed by the processor 100.

(53) At step S400, the processor 100 starts the present algorithm.

(54) At next step S401, the processor 100 detects if a traction or regeneration command is requested for the rolling stock.

(55) If a traction or a regeneration command is requested for the rolling stock, the processor 100 moves to step S402, else it returns to step S401.

(56) The traction or regeneration command may be detected through the catenary voltage sensing means 107 or through the traction command sensing means 109.

(57) At next step S402, the processor 100 sends a message to dispatcher 40, via the communication interface 105, indicating that a traction or a regeneration command is detected for the rolling stock or for a neighbouring rolling stock. Then the processor 100 returns to step S401.

(58) FIG. 5 discloses an algorithm executed by a dispatcher according to the second mode of realization of the present invention.

(59) More precisely, the present algorithm is executed by the processor 200.

(60) At step S500, the processor 200 checks if a message indicating that a traction or a regeneration command, detected for a rolling stock, is received from the communication interface 205.

(61) If a message indicating that a traction or a regeneration command, detected for rolling stock, is received from the communication interface 205, the processor 200 moves to step S501. Otherwise, the processor 200 returns to step S500.

(62) At step S501, the processor 200 determines the rolling stocks which are neighbour to the rolling stock which sent the received message.

(63) As example, the dispatcher stores in RAM 203 the running profiles of all rolling stock, indicating positions of all rolling stock over time. At the time of receiving the message at step S500, the position of the emitting rolling stock is determined from the running profile, and compared with position of other rolling stocks.

(64) As a first implementation, rolling stocks are determined to be neighbour when they are supplied by the same catenary sub-segment located between two substations.

(65) As a second implementation, rolling stocks are determined to be neighbour when the distance between rolling stocks is lower than a threshold.

(66) At next step S502, the processor 200 commands the transfer of a message to each rolling determined as neighbour to the rolling stock which sent the received message notifying the rolling stocks that an acceleration or a deceleration, i.e. a traction or a regeneration is being performed by a rolling stock.

(67) After that, the processor 200 returns to step S500.

(68) FIG. 6 discloses a first example of a curve for determining the electric power to be provided to HVAC system according to voltage catenary.

(69) The voltage monitored on catenary is on the horizontal axis and the power to be provided to the HVAC system 108 is on the vertical axis.

(70) If the voltage monitored on catenary is lower than a voltage V.sub.1 which is for example equal to 90% of the nominal voltage provided by the catenary, the power provided to the HVAC system 108 is equal to the value P.sub.3.

(71) If the voltage monitored on catenary is upper than the voltage V.sub.1 and lower than a voltage V.sub.2 which is for example equal to 110% of the nominal voltage provided by the catenary, the power provided to the HVAC system 108 is equal to the value P.sub.1.

(72) If the voltage monitored on catenary is upper than the voltage V.sub.2, the power provided to the HVAC is equal to the value P.sub.2.

(73) FIG. 7 discloses a second example of a curve for determining the electric power to be provided to HVAC system according to voltage catenary.

(74) The voltage monitored on catenary is on the horizontal axis and the power to be provided to the HVAC system 108 is on the vertical axis.

(75) If the voltage monitored on catenary is lower than a voltage V.sub.1 which is for example equal to 90% of the nominal voltage provided by the catenary, the power provided to the HVAC system 108 is equal to the value P.sub.3.

(76) If the voltage monitored on catenary is upper than the voltage V.sub.1 and lower than a voltage V.sub.2 which is for example equal to 110% of the nominal voltage provided by the catenary, the power provided to the HVAC system 108 is equal to the value P.sub.3 or P.sub.1 according to the comparison result of P.sub.HVAC.sub._.sub.Average and P.sub.HVAC.sub._.sub.Target performed at step S309.

(77) If the voltage monitored on catenary is upper than the voltage V.sub.2 the power provided to the HVAC is equal to the value P.sub.2.

(78) Naturally, many modifications can be made to the embodiments of the invention described above without departing from the scope of the present invention.