DETECTION SYSTEM FOR THE STATE OF TRAIN PANTOGRAPHS OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system which has the aim of permitting detection of the state of the pantographs of trains, and generating alarms when it detects defects in the pantograph, in such a way that said alarms are sent to a remote center via a communications network, thereby permitting the appropriate repair to be carried out when a defect or error is detected in a pantograph.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the state of the art, it is known that the locomotives of trains incorporate a pantograph for picking up current from an overhead line, for which the flange of the pantograph is continually in contact with the catenary of the overhead line, which leads to wear of the flange which can cause a malfunctioning. Moreover, the pantograph can suffer various kinds of damage which, if not detected in time, could cause major deterioration. There does not exist any system in the state of the art that is capable of detecting the state of the pantographs of train locomotives, and so they have to be checked by an operator in order to prevent malfunctioning.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In order to resolve and achieve the objectives mentioned above, the invention has developed a system that permits the detection to be carried out of the state of the pantographs of trains, for which it is characterized in that a catenary support is provided with a first video camera which captures the image of the passing train, for which said first video camera is connected to a control module which includes a train detector module, which is connected to a video recording module, such that the latter is activated when the passing of the train is detected in order to record on a hard drive the images captured by the first camera during the passing of the train, in such a way that this recording includes the pantograph to analyze of the train. Moreover, the video recording module is also connected to a pantograph search module, which is connected to a standard pantograph images storage module, which images have previously been stored, in such a way that the pantograph search module compares the images recorded by the first camera with the stored standard images of pantographs and, on the basis of that comparison, it detects the image of the pantograph of the recorded train and identifies the type of pantograph captured.

Moreover, the pantograph search module is connected to a pantograph images analysis module which is in turn connected to a storage module for activation thresholds of defect alarms for each standard pantograph, so that the pantograph images analysis module can analyze the detected image of the pantograph and it adds to it lines for marking the detected errors or defects depending on the established thresholds.

Provision has also been made for a storage module of the images with the marked pantograph errors, which is in turn connected to an alarms report generation module and to an email sending module, which are also connected to the pantograph search module, in such a way that data on the type of pantograph captured, the time that capture of the pantograph took place, the result of the analysis from the analysis module and the images with the marked errors, are all remotely sent.

This configuration has the great advantage that the system detects errors in the pantographs depending on the previously introduced standards, allowing them to be repaired before any further damage is caused.

In addition, the invention provides for the incorporation of a second video camera which captures just the image of the pantograph of the train captured by the first camera. The second video camera is also connected to the video recording module for recording on hard drive the images captured by the first and second cameras during the passing of the train, in such a way that the hard drive is also connected to a search module for the flange included in the pantograph captured by the second camera. The flange search module is connected to a standard flange images storage module in which are stored the different types of existing flange, and it is also connected to the pantographs search module, which informs it of the type of pantograph that is detected, so that the flange search module can make a comparison of the images recorded by the second camera with the characteristics defined by the standard flange images, and on the basis of that comparison to detect the image of the flange of the pantograph type captured during the period of time in which the pantograph has been captured by the first video camera. Moreover, the flange search module is connected to an flange images analysis module which is in turn connected to a storage module for activation thresholds of defect alarms for each standard flange, so that the flange images analysis module analyzes the detected image of the flange and it adds to it lines for marking the detected

errors depending on the established thresholds. Provision has also been made for a storage module of the images with the marked flange errors, which is in turn connected to an alarms report generation module and to an email sending module, in order to permit the remote sending of data on the type of flange captured, the time that capture took place, the result of the analysis from the flange images analysis module and the images with the marked errors.

Consequently, by means of using the first and second camera, an exhaustive analysis can be made of the configuration of the pantograph, with early detection of possible defects or errors contained in the pantograph, and acting on them as a result.

The system includes a network access node which is provided with a first communications transceiver with the control module for its management via a communications network, by means of which the different emails can be sent with the information, as mentioned earlier. In order to carry out the correct capture of the images, the first video camera has a focal length greater than that of the second video camera, so that the latter captures the pantograph in greater detail.

Regarding the train detector module, this can consist of a movement detector module, which is connected to the first camera such that it analyzes when there is movement in the image captured by the first camera and thereby detect the passing of the train. Moreover, the train detection module can consist of a presence detector module that is connected to at least one detection sensor for the passing of the train, which is secured to the catenary support, so that when the senor detects the passing of the train the presence detector is activated, which activates the video recorder module in order to record the images captured by the first and second cameras in the manner already mentioned.

The invention includes a sensor for carrying out activation of both the first and the second camera, such that the sensor is orientated forming an angle of 0° with the vertical in order to capture the pantograph in greater detail, but it is also possible for the sensor to be orientated forming an angle of 70°, so that a more distant image of the pantograph can be captured.

The system of the invention carries out the connections with the control module by means of optical fiber in order to reduce noise, so that the first and second camera are connected to the video recorder module by means of optical

fiber. The system therefore has to include video-fiber converters and fiber-video converters.

The same thing occurs with the sensor that is connected to the presence detector module by means of optical fiber, which requires the system to incorporate the corresponding TTL-fiber and fiber-TTL converters.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is also made for the incorporation of at least one infrared spotlight for illuminating and capturing the image of the train and pantograph, in which case the first and second camera include an infrared filter so that the detection of the pantograph and flange can be made as independent as possible of the light conditions, as can the analysis of the images of pantographs and flanges.

The system of the invention also provides for the video recorder module to be connected to a first and a second video camera provided in the catenary support of a second track in order to carry out the same functioning as described for the first track, in such a way that in this case it comprises a second transceiver located close to the catenary support of the second track, for connection to a laptop computer for adjustments and tests and for permitting communication to be had with the control module and with the communications network. In either of the cases, the cameras are located on a casing with a sunshade and heated with a thermostat in order to keep them perfectly protected and functioning within the tolerance margins. The control module is also included in a cupboard which likewise has a ventilation, heating and thermostat unit in order to keep it protected against bad weather conditions and within the tolerance margins.

Referring to the pantograph images analysis module, it can be pointed out that it is fitted with a noise elimination and edge extraction filter for the image, which is connected to a search submodule for part of the pantograph, which is in turn connected to a search submodule for the left-hand contact shoe of the pantograph and to a search submodule for the right -hand contact shoe of the pantograph, these latter being connected to a submodule for merging the results obtained by the search submodules for the left- and right-hand contact shoes, in such a way that the analysis of the contact shoes of the pantograph is carried out on the basis of the image captured by the first camera. The pantograph images analysis module comprises a submodule for

drawing on the image of the pantograph to show the marking lines of the detected errors depending on the established thresholds.

Regarding the flange images analysis module, it can be pointed out that this includes a noise elimination and edge extraction filter for the image, which is connected to a search submodule for all the horizontal lines of the contours of the flange and its support which is at the same time connected to a submodule for measuring the angle of inclination of the pantograph, to a submodule for measuring the width of the support plus the width of the flange, and a submodule for drawing on the image of the flange to show the marking lines of the detected errors depending on the established thresholds.

Obviously, the invention permits connection to be made to different first and second cameras located on a catenary support of any other track.

Below, in order to facilitate a better understanding of this descriptive specification and forming an integral part thereof, a series of figures is attached in which the object of the invention has been represented by way of illustration and non-limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1.- Shows a schematic representation of an example of embodiment of the system of the invention applied to two different tracks for the detection of the pantographs of trains that can circulate on each of them.

Figure 2.- Shows the wiring diagram of the control module represented in the previous figure.

Figure 3.- Shows the wiring diagram of the devices arranged on the catenary supports of each track. Figure 4.- Shows a functional block diagram of the configuration of the control module.

Figure 5,- Shows a functional block diagram of the configuration of the pantograph images analysis module included in the control module of the previous figure. Figure 6.- Shows a functional block diagram of the flange images analysis module included in the control module of figure 4.

Figure 7.- Shows a schematic representation of a pantograph and example of the lines that are added to the captured image for marking the detected errors depending on the established thresholds. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED FORM OF EMBODIMENT

Given below is a description of the invention based on the figures mentioned above.

The system of the invention provides that, fixed to a support 1 of a catenary 8 of a first track 2 and of a second track 3 are a first video camera 4, a second video camera 5, two infrared spotlights 6 (one on each side of the cameras 4 and 5) and a sensor 7.

The video cameras are protected by a casing 9 with sunshade and heated with thermostat (not represented). Located inside the casings 9 is a video-fiber converter 10 carrying out the connection of the first camera 4 and second camera 5 by means of optical fiber 11 with a control module 12, which is included in a cupboard 13 in which are to be found the corresponding fiber- video converter 14 for being able to process the images captured by the cameras 4 and 5, as will be described further below. The cupboard 13 is also provided with a ventilation, heating and thermostat unit so that the control module 12 can function within the established temperature margins, as with the first camera 4 and second camera 5.

The sensor 7 is likewise connected by optical fiber 11 to the control module 12, for which, as the sensor 7 provides a TTL triggering signal, it requires the incorporation of a TTL-fiber converter 15 which, for example, can be provided in a connection box 16 located on the support 1. As a consequence, the cupboard 13 has to include the corresponding fiber-TTL converter 17.

The connections of the sensors 7, of the first camera 4 and second camera 5 to the control module 12 are effected by means of a connections block 18 for picking up the different signals produced.

The feed for the different elements included in the cupboard 13 is effected by means of the power supply sources 18 and 18a, such that the source 18 feeds the fiber-video converters 14 and a first transceiver 19, whose functioning will be described further below, while the source 18a feeds the fiber- TTL converters 17.

Likewise, the connections box 16 includes the corresponding power supply sources 20 and 20a, such that the source 20 feeds the video-fiber converters 10 and the TTL-fiber converter 15, while the source 20a feeds the sensor 7. The infrared spotlights 6 are fed directly from the grid, which for example

can be done via a 220 volt power supply provided in the cupboard 13, such that the latter has to be connected to the connections box 16 by means of supply cables, in such a way that this supply is what is applied to the sources 20 and 20a. The system of the invention provides for connection to a communications network 21 in order to permit access to the control module 12 from a remote command center 22, for which it includes an access node 23 via which the connection of the communications network 21 to the control module 12 is effected. The access node 23 is included in a cupboard in which is housed a first transceiver 24 which carries out the communication with the control module 12 for its management from the remote command center 22 via the communications network 21.

In order to provide installations in which the support 1 for the catenary 8 is not close to the cupboard 13 that contains the control unit 12, as is the case of the second track 3, an auxiliary cupboard 25 is provided which includes a second transceiver 26 permitting connection to a laptop computer for adjustments and tests by means of which communication can be made with the control module 12 and with the remote command center 22 via the communications network 21. To achieve this, the second transceiver 26 is connected to the control module 12 via a switch 19 for permitting the said communications to be carried out.

The connections of the first transceiver 24 and second transceiver 26 with the switch 19 are also effected by means of optical fiber 11.

The lens 4a of the first video camera 4 has a greater focal length than that of the lens 5a of the second video camera 5, such that the first video camera 4 captures the image of the passing of a train when that train is detected by the sensor 7, for which the control module 12 comprises a train detector module 28 which is activated by the sensor 7, such that the train detector module 28 consists of a presence detector module which is connected to the sensor 7 which, when detecting the passing of the train, activates the presence sensor 28, which is in turn connected to a video recorder module 29 which records in a zone 31 of the hard drive 30 the images captured by the first camera 4 during the passing of the train when detected by the sensor 7. In this case the sensor is orientated forming an angle of 70° with the vertical in order to effect the correct capture of the train.

At this point it can be stated that the train detector module can also consist of a movement detector module 28 connected to the first camera 4, such that it analyzes the images captured by the first camera, detecting when there is movement in the image captured by the first camera and it detects the passing of the train in order to carry out its recording and storage in the zone 31 of the hard drive 30.

Moreover, the video recorder module 29 records the images captured by the second camera 5 in a zone 32 of the hard drive 30, in such a way that due to having a shorter focal length than the first camera 4, it records the images in greater detail.

The images recorded by the first camera 4 are applied to a pantograph search module 23 which is connected to a standard pantograph images storage module 24 in order to compare the images recorded by the first camera 4 with the standard pantograph images stored in the storage module 24, such that it detects the image of the pantograph 38 of the train recorded by the first camera and identifies the type of pantograph 38 captured, in such a way that the pantograph search module 33 is connected to a pantograph images analysis module 35 which receives the image of the pantograph detected in the module 33 and which includes a filter 36 which carries out the elimination of noise and extraction of the edges of the image, in order to send the treated image to a search submodule for the upper part of the pantograph 37 which captures its upper part and sends the image to a search submodule 39 for the left-hand contact shoe 40 of the pantograph 38. Moreover, the search submodule for the upper part of the pantograph 37 is connected to a search submodule 41 for the right-hand contact shoe 44 of the pantograph 38, in such a way that the search submodules 39 and 41 detect the image of the left-hand 40 and right-hand 44 contact shoes respectively.

Moreover, the submodules 39 and 41 are connected to a storage module for activation thresholds of defect alarms 45 for each standard pantograph 38 in such a way that the submodules 39 and 41 compare the images of the left-hand 40 and right-hand 44 contact shoes with the thresholds stored in the module 45 such that they generate the results of the comparison and generate alarms when the thresholds established in the module 45 are exceeded. The results and alarms of the submodules 39 and 41 are applied to a submodule for merging the results obtained 42 and are applied to an alarm reports generation

module 46 (figure 1) in order to generate alarm reports, which is in turn connected to a module for sending emails 48 in order to remotely send the data on the type of pantograph captured, the time that capture of the pantograph took place, the result of the analysis and the alarms. The modules 39 and 41 are also connected to a submodule 43 for drawing on the image of the captured pantograph the marking lines 60 of the errors that are detected depending on the established thresholds, which are stored in a storage module 47 for pantograph images with the marking lines of the detected errors, which are applied to the module 48 for sending that image with the lines via the network 21 , together with the data mentioned earlier.

In this way, the state of the left-hand and right-hand contact shoes 40 and 44 and of the pantograph 38 becomes remotely known.

Moreover, the image captured by the second camera 5 which has been stored in the zone 32 of the hard drive 30 is applied to a search module 50 for the flange 51 included in the pantograph 38, the search module 50 being connected to a storage module 52 for standard images of flanges 51 in order to compare the images captured by the second camera 5 with the characteristics defined by the standard flanges and to detect the image of the flange 51 of the type of pantograph 38 captured by the first video camera 4. The search module 50 is also connected to an flange images analysis module 53 which comprises a filter 54 for noise elimination and extraction of the edges of the captured image of the flange 51 , which is connected to a search submodule for all the horizontal lines of the contours 55 of the flange 51 and of its support, which is in turn connected to a submodule for measuring the angle of inclination of the pantograph 38, which is also connected to the storage module for activation thresholds of defect alarms 45 for comparing the detected inclination with that established by the thresholds and generating an alarm signal when the inclination exceeds the established threshold.

The submodule 55 is also connected to a submodule for measuring the width of the support plus the width of the flange 57, which recognizes the type of pantograph detected by the pantograph search module 33 and which generates an alarm signal for wear defects of the flange when the width of the flange is below certain margins established with respect to the type of pantograph 38 that has been detected. The submodule 55 is furthermore connected to a submodule for drawing

58 on the image of the captured flange the lines 60 for marking the errors that are detected depending on the established thresholds, with provision having been made for a storage module 59 of the images with the marking lines of the errors detected in the flanges depending on the established thresholds. All the stated information, as with the case for the images captured by the first camera 4, can be sent via the network 21 to a remote command center 22 in such a way that the state of the flanges of each of the detected pantographs can be known.

As with any other system, by permitting remote communication via the network 21 , the system of the invention is able to be configured according to the required needs, such as for example dumping the different data obtained during nighttime hours, configuring of parameters, alarms, resources, etc.