Interlocking for a railway system

Details Interlocking for a railway system Interlocking for a railway system

2000-03-17

2001-10-23

Nguyen, Tan (Department: 3661)

Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location

Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication

Railway vehicle

C701S117000, C246S131000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06308117

ABSTRACT:

The present invention relates to an interlocking for a railway system.
According to the present invention, there is provided an interlocking for a railway system, comprising first, control computing means which commands route settings in the system and second, protection computing means coupled with the first computing means and which allows commands from the first computing means to be brought into effect or otherwise in dependence on the state of the railway system.
The interlocking may include interface means, which interfaces with trackside equipment of the system, and a communication path between the interface means and the first and second computing means.
Preferably, the first and second computing means have different designs to reduce the risk of common mode failures.
Preferably, the second computing means receives information concerning the state off the railway system and information concerning commands from the first computing means and only allows a command from the first computing means to be brought into effect if the current state of the railway system is such that it would be safe in do so. In this case, if a command is not allowed to be brought into effect, the second computing means preferably causes the railway system to be put into a safe or more restrictive state. The second computing means could monitor commands from the first computing means and issue a complementary command to allow a command from the first computing means to be brought into effect if it is safe to do so. Alternatively, the second computing means could monitor commands from the first computing means and if such a command (which could be in two complementary versions) is not to be brought into effect, the second computing means issues a negating command for that purpose.
There may be at least one further such fist computing means, the or each further such first computing means being coupled with a respective such second computing means and means for switching operation from one of the first and second computing means arrangements to the other or another of the first and second computing means arrangements.


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