Abstract
A sensor arrangement for a railway system is provided. The sensor arrangement may include a plurality of sensors, each sensor having a coil. The sensors may be arranged in a two-dimensional arrangement, each sensor may have a sensing range within which the respective sensor is configured to detect movement of electrically conductive material, and for each position along a sensing distance within the two-dimensional arrangement, the sensor arrangement may include at least two sensors of the plurality of sensors whose sensing range extends over the respective position.
Claims
1. A sensor arrangement for a railway system, the sensor arrangement comprising: a plurality of sensors, each sensor comprising a coil, wherein: the plurality of sensors are arranged in a two-dimensional arrangement; each sensor has a sensing range within which the respective sensor is configured to detect movement of electrically conductive material; and for each position along a sensing distance within the two-dimensional arrangement, the sensor arrangement comprises at least two sensors of the plurality of sensors whose sensing range extends over the respective position.
2. The sensor arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises at least one first evaluation channel and at least one second evaluation channel, and wherein some sensors of the plurality of sensors are connected with the first evaluation channel, and other sensors of the plurality of sensors are connected with the second evaluation channel.
3. The sensor arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the some sensors connected with the first evaluation channel and the other sensors connected with the second evaluation channel are arranged alternatingly along the sensing distance.
4. The sensor arrangement according to claim 2, wherein for each position along the sensing distance within the two-dimensional arrangement, the sensor arrangement comprises at least two sensors that are connected with the first evaluation channel and whose sensing range extends over the respective position.
5. The sensor arrangement according to claim 2 4, wherein for each position along the sensing distance within the two-dimensional arrangement, the sensor arrangement comprises at least two sensors that are connected with the second evaluation channel and whose sensing range extends over the respective position.
6. The sensor arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the two-dimensional arrangement comprises at least one first row of sensors and at least one second row of sensors.
7. The sensor arrangement according to claim 6, wherein at least one sensor of the first row has a first sensing range along the sensing distance, and at least one sensor of the second row has a second sensing range along the sensing distance, and wherein the first sensing range and the second sensing range partially overlap.
8. The sensor arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises an evaluation unit that is configured to receive signals detected by the plurality of sensors.
9. The sensor arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to determine a spatial position of moving electrically conductive material along the sensing distance from the signals received from the plurality of sensors.
10. The sensor arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to differentiate between at least two different spatial positions of the electrically conductive material along the sensing distance.
11. The sensor arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the evaluation unit comprises an output, and the evaluation unit is configured to provide the determined spatial position at the output.
12. The sensor arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to determine a spatial position of at least a segment of a movable railway element of the railway system along the sensing distance, and wherein the movable railway element comprises electrically conductive material.
13. The sensor arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises a rail claw that is connectable to a rail of the railway system.
14. The sensor arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of sensors are mechanically connected with the rail claw.
15. The sensor arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to be arranged spaced apart from a movable railway element of the railway system.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] The following description of figures may further illustrate and explain example embodiments. Components that are functionally identical or have an identical effect are denoted by identical references. Identical or effectively identical components might be described only with respect to the figures where they occur first. Their description is not necessarily repeated in successive figures.
[0039] FIG. 1 shows a top view on an example embodiment of the sensor arrangement.
[0040] FIG. 2 shows a top view on another example embodiment of the sensor arrangement.
[0041] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view on another example embodiment of the sensor arrangement.
[0042] FIG. 4 shows a top view on a railway system.
[0043] FIG. 5 shows a top view on an example embodiment of the sensor arrangement.
[0044] FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate an example embodiment of the sensor arrangement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] FIG. 1 shows a top view on an example embodiment of a sensor arrangement 20 for a railway system 21. The sensor arrangement 20 comprises a plurality of sensors and each sensor 24 comprises a coil. The sensors 24 are arranged in a two-dimensional arrangement. Each sensor 24 is schematically drawn with approximately the shape of a square in the top view. However, the sensors 24 can also have a different shape. Each sensor 24 has a sensing range SR within which the respective sensor 24 is configured to detect movement of electrically conductive material. For two of the sensors 24 the respective sensing range SR is drawn with dashed lines as an example. The respective sensor 24 is arranged in the center of the sensing range SR. The sensing range SR of these sensors 24 and of the other sensors 24 can also have a different shape and extension than shown in FIG. 1.
[0046] For each position along a sensing distance SD within the two-dimensional arrangement the sensor arrangement 20 comprises at least two sensors 24 of the plurality of sensors 24 whose sensing range SR extends over the respective position. The sensing distance SD is drawn as a dotted line in FIG. 1. This sensing distance SD is only an example and the sensing distance SD can also be arranged at another position and can have another shape. The sensing ranges SR of the two sensors 24 for which the sensing range SR is shown in FIG. 1 overlap along the sensing distance SD. This is also possible for the other sensors 24 so that for each position along the sensing distance SD the sensor arrangement 20 comprises at least two sensors 24 whose sensing range SR extends over the respective position.
[0047] The two-dimensional arrangement comprises a first row 28 of sensors 24, a second row 29 of sensors 24 and a third row 33 of sensors 24. Each row 28, 29, 33 extends parallel to the sensing distance SD. Within each row 28, 29, 33 the sensors 24 are equally spaced to each other. At least one sensor 24 of the first row 28 has a first sensing range SR1 along the sensing distance SD and at least one sensor 24 of the second row 29 has a second sensing range SR2 along the sensing distance SD, wherein the first sensing range SR1 and the second sensing range SR2 partially overlap. This is shown for the two sensors in FIG. 1 for which the sensing range SR is depicted. It is possible also for other sensors 24 that their sensing ranges SR partially overlap.
[0048] FIG. 2 shows a top view on another example embodiment of the sensor arrangement 20. The two-dimensional arrangement has the same setup as shown in FIG. 1. In comparison to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, here the sensor arrangement 20 comprises a first evaluation channel and a second evaluation channel. Some of the sensors 24 of the plurality of sensors 24 are connected with the first evaluation channel and other sensors 24 of the plurality of sensors 24 are connected with the second evaluation channel. The sensors that are connected with the first evaluation channel are remarked with a 1 in FIG. 2 and the sensors 24 that are connected with the second evaluation channel are remarked with a 2 in FIG. 2. The sensors 24 connected with the first evaluation channel and the sensors 24 connected with the second evaluation channel are arranged alternatingly along the sensing distance SD. This means, for each row the sensors 24 connected with the first evaluation channel and the sensors 24 connected with the second evaluation channel are arranged alternatingly along the sensing distance SD.
[0049] For each position along the sensing distance SD within the two-dimensional arrangement the sensor arrangement 20 comprises at least two sensors 24 that are connected with the first evaluation channel and whose sensing range SR extends over the respective position. As an example, the sensing ranges SR of two sensors 24 connected with the first evaluation channel are marked in FIG. 2 with dashed lines in the same way as in FIG. 1. For each position along the sensing distance SD within the two-dimensional arrangement the sensor arrangement 20 comprises at least two sensors 24 that are connected with the second evaluation channel and whose sensing range SR extends over the respective position. As an example, the sensing ranges SR of two sensors 24 connected with the second evaluation channel are marked in FIG. 2 with dashed lines in the same way as in FIG. 1.
[0050] In FIG. 3, a perspective view on another exemplary embodiment of the sensor arrangement 20 is shown. In comparison to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the sensor arrangement 20 further comprises an evaluation unit 35 that is configured to receive signals detected by the sensors 24. The evaluation unit 35 is connected with the sensors 24. The evaluation unit 35 is configured to determine the spatial position of moving electrically conductive material along the sensing distance SD from signals received from the sensors 24. Furthermore, the evaluation unit 35 is configured to differentiate between at least two different spatial positions of the electrically conductive material along the sensing distance SD. The evaluation unit 35 comprises an output 30 and the evaluation unit 35 is configured to provide the measured spatial position at the output 30. Moreover, the evaluation unit 35 is configured to determine the spatial position of at least a segment 34 of a movable railway element 25 of the railway system 21 along the sensing distance SD, and wherein the movable railway element 25 comprises electrically conductive material. The determination of the spatial position of the segment 34 is described with FIGS. 6 to 8.
[0051] FIG. 4 shows a top view on the railway system 21 which is a railway switch. The railway switch comprises a movable railway element 25. In FIG. 4, a front part 38 of the movable railway element 25 is not in direct contact with a rail 23 of the railway switch. The rail 23 is a stock rail. The movable railway element 25 is arranged spaced apart from the rail 23. In this arrangement rail vehicles can move from the left to the top right position in FIG. 4 or the other way around. In another state the movable railway element 25 can be in direct contact with the rail 23 at a contact position 27. In this arrangement a rail vehicle can move from the left to the bottom right position in FIG. 4 or the other way around. For a safe railway traffic it is necessary to monitor the position of the movable railway element 25.
[0052] FIG. 5 shows an example embodiment of the sensor arrangement 20 mounted to a rail 23 of the railway system 21. The sensor arrangement 20 comprises a rail claw 22 that is connected to the rail 23 of the railway system 21. FIG. 5 shows a top view on the rail 23. The rail claw 22 is arranged below the rail 23. Thus, only parts of the rail claw 22 are visible in FIG. 5. The sensors 24 are mechanically connected with the rail claw 22. Adjacent to the rail 23 a movable railway element 25 of the railway system 21 is arranged. The sensors 24 are arranged below the movable railway element 25. Therefore, the sensors 24 are not visible in FIG. 5.
[0053] FIG. 6 shows a side view on an example embodiment of the sensor arrangement 20. In addition, a cross section through a rail 23 of the railway system 21 and a movable railway element 25 are shown. The rail claw 22 of the sensor arrangement 20 is arranged below the rail 23 and fixed to the rail 23 with two clamp parts 31. The different parts of the rail claw 22 are connected with each other by screws 32. The sensors 24 are arranged adjacent to the rail claw 22 and mechanically connected with the rail claw 22. In FIG. 6 the two-dimensional arrangement of the sensors 24 is schematically drawn as a rectangle. Above the sensors 24 and adjacent to the rail 23, the movable railway element 25 is arranged. The sensors 24 are arranged spaced apart from the movable railway element 25. This means, the sensors 24 and the movable railway element 25 are not in mechanical contact. The movable railway element 25 is configured to be moved along a lateral direction x. The lateral direction x is indicated by an arrow. In FIG. 6 a situation is shown, where the movable railway element 25 is not in direct contact with the rail 23. The movable railway element 25 is positioned spaced apart from the rail 23.
[0054] FIG. 7 shows the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6 and the movable railway element 25 in another state. The movable railway element 25 is in direct contact with the rail 23. In a calibration step the spatial position measured by the sensor arrangement 20 for this situation can be saved. This measured spatial position can be employed as a reference value for the furthest position in one direction that the movable railway element 25 can reach. This measured spatial position is also the reference value for the closed position of the movable railway element 25. This means, if this spatial position is measured for the movable railway element 25, the movable railway element 25 is in direct contact with the rail 23. Therefore, a rail vehicle can safely pass the railway switch. The other spatial positions that are measured by the sensor arrangement 20 can be given with respect to this reference value. Thus, it can be measured how far the movable railway element 25 is arranged from the closed position. This information can be employed for deciding if it is safe for a rail vehicle to pass the railway switch.
[0055] In FIG. 7, a first edge 36 of the movable railway element 25 is arranged above the sensors 24 and a second edge 37 of the movable railway element 25 is not arranged above the sensors 24. The second edge 37 is the edge which is arranged close to the rail 23. The first edge 36 is arranged opposite to the second edge 37. In this configuration the second edge 37 is outside of the sensing ranges SR of all the sensors 24. As an example, the sensing ranges SR of two sensors 24 of the sensor arrangement 20 are drawn in FIG. 7. These two sensors 24 are arranged at opposite edges of the two-dimensional arrangement. As the second edge 37 is arranged outside of the sensing ranges SR, in this arrangement the sensor arrangement 20 cannot detect the second edge 37. However, the first edge 36 is still arranged above the sensors 24 and within the sensing ranges SR of at least some of the sensors 24. Thus, in this arrangement the sensor arrangement 20 can detect the movement of the first edge 36 of the movable railway element 25. As the movable railway element 25 always has the same size the position of the second edge 37 can be derived from the position of the first edge 36.
[0056] If the movable railway element 25 or one edge 36, 37 of the movable railway element 25 enters the sensing range SR of a sensor 24, the coil of that sensor 24 is partially damped and a sensor signal, as for example a current, is induced in the coil. Thus, this movement of the movable railway element 25 can be detected. Once the movable railway element 25 extends over the whole sensing range SR of a sensor 24, the coil of that sensor 24 is fully damped and a further movement of the movable railway element 25 does not change the sensor signal, as for example the current, in the coil. This means, in this situation a further movement of the movable railway element 25 cannot be detected by that sensor 24. A further movement of the movable railway element 25 can only be detected once the movable railway element 25 does not extend over the whole sensing range SR of the sensor 24 anymore. It is also possible that a movement of the movable railway element 25 is in this situation detected by another sensor 24 for which the movable railway element 25 does not extend over the whole sensing range SR.
[0057] It is possible to employ the coils that are fully damped for a calibration or a compensation. The coils can have a drift that can depend on time and/or temperature. For a fully damped coil the measured sensor signal should not change for that time that the coil is fully damped. Therefore, the change in the sensor signal during the fully damped state is caused by drift. By measuring the change in the sensor signal during the fully damped state the amount of drift can be determined. The determined amount of drift can be employed for the other coils in order to correct the sensor signals measured for these coils.
[0058] FIG. 8 shows the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6 and the movable railway element 25 in another state. The movable railway element 25 is in its position where it is arranged at the maximum possible distance from the rail 23. Also the measured spatial position of this arrangement can be saved in a calibration step as a further reference value. The further reference value can be employed in the same way as the reference value for providing the spatial position of the movable railway element 25.
[0059] In the configuration of FIG. 8 the first edge 36 of the movable railway element 25 is outside of the sensing ranges SR of all the sensors 24. In FIG. 8 two sensing ranges SR of the sensors 24 of the sensor arrangement 20 are drawn as examples. However, the second edge 37 of the movable railway element 25 is arranged within the sensing range SR of at least one of the sensors 24. Thus, the movement of the movable railway element 25 can be detected by the sensor arrangement 20.
[0060] This patent application claims priority from European patent application 21203955.6, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0061] 20 sensor arrangement [0062] 21 railway system [0063] 22 rail claw [0064] 23 rail [0065] 24 sensor [0066] 25 movable railway element [0067] 26 tongue rail [0068] 27 contact position [0069] 28 first row [0070] 29 second row [0071] 30 output [0072] 31 clamp part [0073] 32 screw [0074] 33 third row [0075] 34 segment [0076] 35 evaluation unit [0077] 36 first edge [0078] 37 second edge [0079] 38 front part [0080] SD sensing distance [0081] SR sensing range [0082] SR1 first sensing range [0083] SR2 second sensing range [0084] x lateral direction
