EP2501442B1 - Firefighting system for a rail vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The subject matter relates to a fire fighting system, in particular for a rail vehicle with a supply line for supplying at least one extinguishing nozzle with extinguishing fluid, wherein at least one area valve is arranged between the extinguishing nozzle and the supply line. Moreover, the subject matter relates to a rail vehicle comprising a fire fighting system and a method of operating a fire fighting system.

In rail transport, it is a constant concern to improve the safety of the rail vehicles used. A major security risk is the risk of fire in a rail vehicle. On the one hand, materials that are fire-resistant or at least flame-retardant are used in modern rail vehicles to avoid fires. As a result, the risk of fire, however, can be reduced if necessary, since, for example, combustible objects can pass through passengers in the rail vehicles and so continues to be a high fire hazard.

To address this problem, it is known in the art to install extinguishing nozzle assemblies in rail vehicles. For example, the DE 10 2007 004 051 A1 and the EP 1 757 330 A1 Such fire fighting systems for rail vehicles. The firefighting systems may include an extinguishant reservoir, a piping system, Extinguishing agent application means, such as extinguishing nozzles, and a pressure generating means comprise. In case of fire, the fire fighting system is activated and extinguishing agents, such as water, is preferably applied under a high pressure of 80 to 200 bar.

Furthermore, it has been shown that a rail vehicle can have various risk sections, such as the passenger compartment, toilet area, luggage area, engine compartment, etc. These individual sections of a rail vehicle can be divided into corresponding areas by a plurality of area valves, so that only in the event of fire Area in which the fire was detected, a quenching fluid / extinguishing medium is applied. Through a targeted application of the extinguishing fluid, the amount of extinguishing fluid discharged is reduced, so that the quantities of extinguishing fluid to be transported can be optimized in a corresponding manner. This in turn weight and space savings advantages can be achieved.

According to the prior art, solenoid valves are predominantly used as range valves. But it is also the use of electrically operated range valves known. These range valves typically have an input and an output.

In the prior art, the control of the area valves designed difficult and is particularly associated with a lot of effort. As a rule, each individual area valve must be connected to a central control unit via several separate lines in order to provide the respective Control range valve from the central control unit. For example, it is necessary for electrically operated range valves and solenoid valves that a separate cable must be supplied for the two valve positions to be detected, wherein an electrical resistance is integrated.

From the WO 2006/100221 A1 For example, a solenoid valve is known which can be remotely controlled. For this purpose, the valve has an adjusting means in the form of an adjusting lever, which is controlled by a central control unit.

The DE 10 2005 018235 A1 relates to an arrangement and a method for selective fire fighting in a locomotive, wherein the locomotive has a plurality of operating devices for the operation of the locomotive and / or for the operation of wagons, wherein the operating devices are distributed over different areas in the locomotive. The arrangement has at least one extinguishant supply with extinguishing agent and an extinguishing agent distribution system. The extinguishing agent distribution system is designed to guide the extinguishing agent in the various areas of the locomotive, so that a locally selective fire fighting in individual and / or more of the areas is possible. There are provided fire detectors, which are each arranged in one of the areas. Furthermore, an air guiding system is provided, are guided by the air flows in the locomotive such that in each provided with a fire detector area a fire can be determined by at least one of the fire detectors selectively for this area.

The Where 2004/082768 A1 shows a sprinkler system for rail vehicles with at least one liquid container, which is connected via a pressure medium line with a pressure medium container in connection and pressurizable, and with a number of thermally triggered sprinkler nozzles which communicate with the liquid container via a liquid line, wherein in the pressure medium line between Pressure medium container and liquid container an electromechanical, controlled by a fire alarm system alarm valve is connected, which is closed in normal operation, but open in case of alarm, so set in case of alarm, the liquid container (FBH) and the liquid line to the sprinkler nozzles under pressure.

The problem with this prior art, however, is that a plurality of cables are to be laid. Thus, in addition to the actuating means repository switch, maintenance switch and an auxiliary drive are provided, which must be remotely controlled via separate lines of the central control unit.

It is associated with a high installation effort for remote maintenance and remote control of the fire fighting system according to the prior art.

From the disadvantages described above, the object is to provide a fire-fighting system for rail vehicles available, which allows remote control of the area valves in a simple manner and with a low installation cost.

This object is achieved in one aspect by a fire fighting system, in particular for a Rail vehicle, with a supply line for supplying at least one extinguishing nozzle with extinguishing fluid, wherein at least one area valve between the extinguishing nozzle and the Supply line is arranged, achieved in that the range valve comprises a signal processing means for controlling an actuating means of the range valve, wherein the signal processing means via a data communication network with a central control unit is electrically connected.

It has been recognized that in a simple manner, a range valve may be controlled by a central control unit, which may be located in the cab of the rail vehicle or at suitable control points in the rail vehicle, for example, if the range valve comprises suitable signal processing means for controlling the actuating means. As an adjusting means, a suitable means, for example, a setting lever, an electric motor or the like may be used, so that the blocking means of the range valve can be set by the adjusting means.

The signal processing means may be integrated in the area valve or may also be arranged on the area valve via a suitable interface or the like. The signal processing means may be designed such that it can set at least the valve position via the adjusting means, that is, for example, can cause an opening and closing of the range valve.

The signal processing means also has the advantage that it can be easily connected to a data communication network. A data communication network is usually already for other electrical equipment of the rail vehicle, such as for an air conditioner, communication equipment and the like, in Rail vehicle installed. A complex additional wiring of the area valves with a central control unit via a variety of additional cables can therefore be omitted. It is only necessary to connect the signal processing means to the data communication network. However, it is also possible to use a separate wiring for a fire detection system and a control system according to the subject matter for the sake of redundancy.

For energy supply, the signal processing means may have its own energy supply, such as a suitable energy store or the like, and / or be coupled to the energy supply network of the rail vehicle. A user may then communicate via a central control unit and the data communication network preferably directly with the corresponding area valve.

The present fire fighting system for a rail vehicle easily enables secure communication with at least one range valve. It should be understood that according to other variants of the present invention, the fire fighting system may also include two or more divisional valves as well as two or more extinguishing nozzles.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the range valve is an electrically operated range valve. An electrically operated range valve has as an adjusting means an electric motor, which can be operated for example via the signal processing means. With the electric motor, the desired valve position can be adjusted. The usage an electrically operated range valve allows a particularly simple control of the range valve.

In order to enable a simple electrical connection of the signal processing means to the data communication network, it is proposed according to a further advantageous embodiment that the signal processing means can be connected to the data communication network via a data interface.

The signal processing means comprises a processor such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP) or the like. Suitable signal processing means may be provided depending on the complexity of the range valve or the control of the range valve actuator. In a further preferred embodiment, the signal processing means may have an IP address. As a result, a simple addressing of the signal processing means or of the signal processing means having area valve is possible. In particular, known protocols can be used for communication between the central control unit and the signal processing means of a range valve. Especially with a variety of area valves such addressing is possible in a simple manner. In addition, the data communication network may advantageously be formed as a token ring. Daisy chain network access is also possible. In addition, Ethernet network access may be possible.

According to another advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the range valve for operating at least one extinguishing nozzle in a predeterminable first region of the rail vehicle is formed independently of at least one further extinguishing nozzle in a second predeterminable region of the rail vehicle. Different risk areas can be specified in a rail vehicle. Upon detection of a fire in one of these areas can then be applied independently of the other area extinguishing fluid. For example, a first area may be the passenger area and a second area the toilet area of a rail vehicle. In principle, the rail vehicle can be divided into any number of areas. A third area of risk would be, for example, a luggage compartment, engine compartment or the like. Due to the possibility of independent activation of the respective areas in which a fire has been detected, the amount of extinguishing fluid required for firefighting can be reduced so that weight and space savings can be achieved. Suitable detectors can be used to detect the fire.

In order to reduce the number of required area valves, according to another preferred embodiment, the area valve may comprise at least one inlet opening, a first outlet opening and a second outlet opening. By means of an embodiment of the area valve having at least two outlet openings, two area regions can be supplied with extinguishing fluid independently of one another with one area valve. For this For example, the area valve may have a corresponding blocking means which can be actuated by the adjusting means. Another range valve is not required in contrast to the prior art. This brings a significant space and weight savings with it. For example, extinguishing nozzles in a first region of the rail vehicle can be supplied with extinguishing fluid from the supply line via the inlet opening and the first outlet opening, while extinguishing nozzles of a second area of the rail vehicle can be supplied with extinguishing fluid from the supply line via the inlet opening and the second outlet opening.

It is understood that only one exit opening, both exit openings or no exit opening can be opened. Further, it should be understood that the range valve may also include three or more exit ports for independently providing extinguishing fluid to a third area and other portions of the rail vehicle. In particular, in the case of two or more output ports, the actuator of the range valve can be effectively controlled by the signal processing means. Furthermore, the installation effort is still low because despite multiple output ports only a connection of the signal processing means to the data communication network for control and maintenance of the area valve is required.

According to a further embodiment, the signal processing means may comprise detection means for detecting the state of the area valve. The acquired status data may then be provided by the signal processing means preferably be transmitted directly via the data communication network to the central control unit. Depending on this state data, the area valve or the adjusting means can be controlled in a simple manner with high precision. The detection of the status data can be done for example at periodic times. It is also possible for a user to request the data via the central control unit.

In principle, all data relating to the range valve can be detected by the detection means. According to a further embodiment, the detection means may be provided for detecting the operating mode of the range valve and / or the range valve positions and / or a range valve fault. For example, the detection means may detect whether the range valve is in a maintenance mode, sleep mode, or operation mode. In the maintenance mode, for example, various tests can be made from the central control unit to test the functionality of the range valve. For this purpose, for example, the various range valve positions, such as an opened first outlet opening, an opened second outlet opening, an opened first and second outlet opening, etc., can be set first. Then, suitable sensors can detect whether the respectively set valve position has actually been reached. In the event of a malfunction of the range valve, such as a malfunction, it can be detected directly by the signal processing means, transmitted to the control unit and displayed there. Thereupon, a user may take appropriate steps to eliminate the interference respectively. To capture this data, the detection means may comprise suitable sensors.

It is understood that according to other variants of the present invention further, the area valve related data can be detected. Thus, it is conceivable to detect the ambient temperature, the range valve temperature, the flow rate through the range valve and the like by means of suitable sensors. In addition to easy maintenance, a simple control of the area valve can be made possible in case of fire.

Furthermore, according to a further exemplary embodiment, the fire fighting system can have a pressure generating device, wherein the pressure generating device can be coupled to a compressed air supply of the rail vehicle. With the pressure generating device, a desired static pressure and / or operating pressure can be generated. Thus, the extinguishing fluid through the extinguishing nozzles with a high pressure, for example 80 to 200 bar, are applied. By coupling the pressure generating device with the compressed air supply of the rail vehicle can be dispensed with additional pressure generating units.

The above object is achieved according to a further aspect by a rail vehicle comprising the fire fighting system described above. For example, the fire fighting system can be used in a high-speed train, a tram, a subway, etc.

The above object is achieved according to a still further aspect by a method for operating a Fire fighting system, in particular of the above-described fire fighting system, achieved in that a arranged between a supply line and at least one extinguishing nozzle area valve comprising a signal processing means for controlling an actuating means of the area valve via a data communication network is controlled by a central control unit. In particular, the range valve can be controlled by the central control unit directly via the arranged signal processing means. In a simple way, the fire fighting system, in particular the range valves of the fire fighting system can be operated.

The article will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings showing an exemplary embodiments. In the drawing shows the only one FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a fire fighting system.

Fig. 1 shows a fire fighting system 2 with an extinguishing agent reservoir 24, a pressure generator 26, a supply line 4, area valves 8, area lines 18 and extinguishing nozzles 6. Here, the pressure generator 26 may preferably be coupled to the compressed air supply of the rail vehicle (not shown).

Furthermore, it can be seen that a central control unit 14 and a data communication network 12 are provided. The central control unit 14 may include a suitable processor, input and output means, etc. The data communication network 12 may preferably be designed as a token ring, which is indicated by the dashed line becomes. It is understood, however, that other embodiments of the data communication network 12 are possible.

The fire-fighting system can preferably be used in rail vehicles, wherein preferably a data communication network is already installed in the rail vehicle. Here, the rail vehicle can be divided into different risk areas 16.1, 16.2 and 16.3. For example, the first area 16.1 may be the passenger area, the second area 16.2 may be the toilet area, and the third area 16.3 may be a luggage area. It is understood that more or even only two areas can be provided.

The supply of the first region 16.1 with extinguishing fluid from the extinguishing fluid reservoir 24 via the supply line 4 can take place via a first range valve 8.1. Preferably, the first area valve 8.1 is an electrically operated valve 8.1 with an adjusting means 9 in the form of an electric motor 9 for setting the blocking means (not shown).

The electric motor 9 can be operated via signal processing means 10.1. The signal processing means may be integrated in the area valve 8.1 or arranged thereon. The area valve 8.1 further has an inlet opening 20 and an outlet opening 22.

In the first area 16.1, a plurality of extinguishing nozzles 6.1 can be arranged, which can communicate via a range line 18.1 with the outlet opening 22 of the area valve 8.1. For reasons of clarity was omitted the presentation of fire detection devices for detecting a fire in the first area.

The supply of extinguishing nozzles 6.2 in the second area 16.2 of the rail vehicle with extinguishing fluid and the supply of extinguishing nozzles 6.3 in the third area 16.3 of the rail vehicle with extinguishing fluid via a second area valve 8.2. Preferably, this range valve 8.2 as well as the first area valve 8.1 is designed as an electrically operated area valve 8.2 with signal processing means 10.2 for controlling an electric motor 9.

In comparison to the range valve 8.1, however, the range valve 8.2 has a first outlet opening 22.1 and a second outlet opening 22.2. Thus, the extinguishing nozzles 6.2 of the second area 16.2 can be supplied with extinguishing fluid via the first outlet opening 22.1 of the area valve 8.2, while the extinguishing nozzles 6.3 of the third area 16.3 can be supplied with extinguishing fluid via the second outlet opening 22.2 of the area valve 8.2.

In addition, the Fig. 1 it can be seen that the signal processing means 10.1 and 10.2 are connected to the central control unit 14 via the data communication network 12. For this purpose, the signal processing means 10.1 and 10.2 may have suitable data interfaces.

As previously stated, the signal processing means 10 may be integrated in the area valves 8. It is likewise possible for the signal processing means 10 to be connected to the area valves 8 via a suitable interface or the like are arranged. The arrangement of the signal processing means 10, which may comprise a suitable processor, at the area valves 8 enables simple control of the respective area valve 8 or the corresponding actuating means 9 via the central control unit 14.

In addition, the signal processing means 10 may comprise detection means, such as suitable sensors, for detecting status data of the area valve 8. For example, the operation mode of the area valve 8, a malfunction of the area valve 8, the area valve position, the temperature of the area valve 8, the flow rate of the area valve 8, and similar state parameters concerning the respective area valve 8 may be detected.

Furthermore, the signal processing means 10 may be connected to fire detection devices in order to detect a fire and / or to transmit the corresponding data to the central control unit 14. It is understood that alternatively and additionally further fire detectors can be provided.

If, in a first area 16.1, a fire is detected via suitable fire detectors, the fire fighting system 2 in the first area 16.1 is preferably activated automatically. For example, the outlet opening 22 of the area valve 8.1 is opened, so that extinguishing fluid can preferably escape via the extinguishing nozzles 6.1 under high pressure. For this purpose, the signal processing means 10.1 control the adjusting means 9 accordingly, so that the Locking means is placed in the valve opening position. It is understood that in addition to the area valves 8 more valve devices may be provided in the line system.

The change of the state of the area valve 8.1 can transmit the signal processing means 10. 1 directly to the central control unit 14. A user of the central control unit 14, such as the driver, may, if appropriate, cause suitable further steps, such as braking the train.

In the event that a fire is detected in the third area 16.3, the second outlet opening 22.2 of the area valve 8.2 can be opened by the signal processing means 10.2 by means of the adjusting means 9 and the blocking means, while the first outlet opening 22.1 of the area valve 8.2 remains closed. Here, too, the signal processing means 10.2 can subsequently transmit the changed status data to the central control unit 14.

With only one area valve, it is possible in a simple manner to supply at least two different areas independently with extinguishing fluid.

In addition to the simple control of the area valves 8 in the event of fire, the present fire-fighting system 2 also allows easy central maintenance of the area valves 8. A user can centrally perform various tests via the central control unit 14 in order to check the functionality of the individual area valves 8. So the individual valve positions, such as opened first outlet opening, opened second outlet opening, etc., can over the central control unit 14 can be set. By means of the detection means of the signal processing means 10 it can then be detected whether the desired valve position has actually been reached. A manual check of each individual area valve 8 is not required.

Claims (12)

1. Fire fighting system (2), in particular for a railway vehicle, with

   - a supply line (4) for supplying at least one extinguishing nozzle (6.1, 6.2, 6.3) with extinguishing fluid,

   - wherein at least one section valve (8.1, 8.2) is arranged between the extinguishing nozzle (6.1, 6.2, 6.3) and the supply line (4),

   characterised in that

   - the section valve (8.1, 8.2) comprises a signal processing means (10.1, 10.2) for controlling an adjustment means (9) of the section valve (8.1, 8.2), wherein the signal processing means (10.1, 10.2) is electrically connectable via a data communication network (12) to a central control unit (14) and wherein the signal processing means (10.1, 10.2) includes a processor.
2. Fire fighting system (2) according to claim 1, characterised in that the section valve (8.1, 8.2) is an electrically operated section valve (8.1, 8.2).
3. Fire fighting system (2) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the signal processing means (10.1, 10.2) can be connected via a data interface to the data communication network (12).
4. Fire fighting system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the signal processing means (10.1, 10.2) comprises an IP address.
5. Fire fighting system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the data communication network (12) is formed as a token ring.
6. Fire fighting system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the section valve (8.1, 8.2) is designed to operate at least one extinguishing nozzle (6.1) in a predeterminable first section (16.1) of the railway vehicle independently of at least one further extinguishing nozzle (6.2) in at least one second predeterminable section (16.2) of the railway vehicle.
7. Fire fighting system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the section valve (8.2) comprises at least one inlet opening (20), a first outlet opening (20.1) and at least one second outlet opening (20.2).
8. Fire fighting system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the signal processing means (10.1, 10.2) comprises data collecting means for recording the state of the section valve (8.1, 8.2).
9. Fire fighting system (2) according to claim 8, characterised in that the data collecting means is provided for determining the operating mode of the section valve (8.1, 8.2) and/or the section valve position and/or a section valve malfunction.
10. Fire fighting system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the fire fighting system (2) comprises a pressure generation device (26), wherein the pressure generation device (26) can be coupled to a compressed air supply of the railway vehicle.
11. Railway vehicle comprising the fire fighting system according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10.
12. Method for operating a fire fighting system, in particular according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that a section valve (8.1, 8.2) arranged between a supply line (4) and at least one extinguishing nozzle (6.1, 6.2, 6.3) and comprising a signal processing means (10.1, 10.2) with a processor for controlling an adjustment means (9) of the section valve (8.1, 8.2), is controlled via a data communication network (12) from a central control unit (14).

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