Device for activation and monitoring of a light-signal system for railway traffic

Abstract

A method for operating the signal installation of a railroad trackage block, whereby at least one first local control unit and one second local control unit are dedicated to the signal installation. Each local control unit is capable of transmitting at least one control signal so that the signal installation is operated in a first functional mode when at least one control unit transmits the said minimum of one control signal, the signal installation is operated in a second functional mode when the first and the second control units transmit a control signal independent of each other, and the signal installation is operated in the first functional mode when the control signal of the first control unit and that of the second control unit are mutually inconsistent (malfunction). The method and the associated device advantageously permit the safe operation of the signal installation of a railroad block.

1 . A method for operating a signal installation of a rail-road trackage block, whereby at least one first local control unit and one second local control unit are dedicated to said signal installation, each local control unit being capable of transmitting at least one control signal, characterized in that 
 the signal installation is operated in a first functional mode when at least one control unit transmits the control signal for the safe-state traffic signal (e.g. stop mode),    the signal installation is operated in a second functional mode when, in mutually independent fashion, the first control unit and the second control unit transmit the said minimum of one control signal (go mode), and    the signal installation is operated in the first functional mode when the control signal of the first control unit and that of the second control unit are mutually inconsistent (malfunction)    
   
   
       2 . The method as in  claim 1 , whereby the control signals of the first control unit and the second control unit are compared in at least one of the control units.  
   
   
       3 . The method as in  claim 2 , whereby said comparison of the control signals is performed over a preselectable time span.  
   
   
       4 . The method as in  claim 1  or  2 , whereby a central signal controller transmits a single- or dual-channel control command to the control units.  
   
   
       5 . The method as in  claim 4 , whereby, based on said control command, the control units determine a setpoint functional mode and transmit a corresponding control signal.  
   
   
       6 . The method as in  claim 5 , whereby each control unit monitors whether the signal installation is operating in the setpoint functional mode and transmits a control signal that can be assigned to the monitored functional mode of the signal installation.  
   
   
       7 . The method as in  claim 4 , whereby the central signal controller communicates with the first control unit and the second control unit via at least one of the following means: 
 a) Electromagnetic radiation;    b) Light;    c) Bus systems (e.g. RS485, TCP/IP);    d) Supply-voltage modulation.    
   
   
       8 . The method as in  claim 1  or  2 , whereby each control unit compares the control signal of at least one other control unit with its own control signal.  
   
   
       9 . The method as in  claim 1  or  2 , whereby troubleshooting is performed on at least part of the signal installation and/or on the control units.  
   
   
       10 . The method as in  claim 1  or  2 , whereby a second control signal is assigned to the second functional mode and the signal installation is again operated in the second functional mode when, in mutually independent fashion, the first control unit and the second control unit transmit said second control signal.  
   
   
       11 . The device for operating a signal installation of a railroad trackage block, encompassing at least one first local control unit and one second local control unit, each control unit being capable of transmitting at least one control signal, characterized in that each control unit comprises means for monitoring the functional mode of the signal installation, means for comparing the detected functional mode with a control signal of another control unit, as well as means for transmitting the functional mode detected in the form of a control signal, each control unit being so designed as to permit the operation of the signal installation in a first functional mode when at least one control unit transmits a first control signal while also permitting the operation of the signal installation in that first functional mode when the control signals of the first control unit and of the second control unit are mutually inconsistent.  
   
   
       12 . The device as in  claim 11 , in which the control units are designed to permit the operation of the signal installation in a second functional mode when, in mutually independent fashion, the first control unit and the second control unit transmit the said minimum of one control signal.  
   
   
       13 . The device as in  claim 11 , in which the control units are designed to permit the operation of the signal installation in a second functional mode when, in mutually independent fashion, the first control unit and the second control unit transmit a second control signal.  
   
   
       14 . The device as in one of the  claims 11  to  13 , equipped with at least one communication interface for maintaining a connection to a central signal processor.  
   
   
       15 . The device as in  claim 14 , in which the communication interface ( 9 ) permits data transmission via at least one of the following means: 
 a) Electromagnetic radiation;    b) Light;    c) Bus systems (e.g. RS485, TCP/IP);    d) Supply-voltage modulation.    
   
   
       16 . The device as in one of the  claims 11  to  13 , in which at least one of the control units ( 3 ,  4 ) is so designed as to permit the troubleshooting of at least part of the signal installation ( 2 ) and/or of the device ( 1 ).  
   
   
       17 . The device as in one of the  claims 11  to  13 , in which the local control units ( 3 ,  4 ) are electrically separated from each other.  
   
   
       18 . The device as in  claim 14 , in which the communication interface ( 9 ) is electrically and/or optically separated from the local control units ( 3 ,  4 ).  
   
   
       19 . The device as in one of the  claims 11  to  13 , in which the device ( 1 ) is provided with a housing that constitutes an electromagnetic shield at least around parts of the device.  
   
   
       20 . A system for the activation and monitoring of a railroad-traffic signal installation, with a central signal controller and with transmission lines connecting to the signal installation for the activation and deactivation as well as the monitoring of the signals, characterized in that, 
 provided in close proximity to the signal installation is a local light-signal operating device comprising two local control units, each of which is connected via at least one transmission line to the central signal processor, to the signal installation at the other end as well as to means serving to monitor the functional mode, in a manner whereby each control unit, independent of the respective other control unit, can perform the activation, deactivation and monitoring of the signal installation, and that both control units are mutually interconnected and programmed in a manner whereby each control unit monitors the status of the respective other control unit and switches the signal installation into the first functional mode if within a predefined time span after each switching operation the signal status of the other control unit is not identical to its own signal status.