The present invention relates generally to apparatus for highway-rail grade crossing warning systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved apparatus for such crossing warning systems that facilitates more efficient setup, calibration and troubleshooting of the warning systems.
It is common practice in highway-railroad grade crossing warning systems for control circuitry to consist of an arrangement of electromagnetic relays operating on 12 volts DC nominal, or electronic processor equivalent inputs and outputs (I/O) operating on the same voltage. The control circuitry, which flashes the lights and operates the gates if so equipped, receives its input from train detection circuit outputs. The control and train detection circuitry operate on closed circuit fail-safe design principles. An electrical interruption, (i.e., short, or open) in the circuitry results in activation of the warning devices, i.e., the flashing lights activate and the gates descend.
Current industry practice for designing highway-rail grade crossing applications using industry standard electronic train detection equipment, such as the Safetran Systems Corporation GCP 3000 Grade Crossing Predictor or the GE Transportation Systems Harmon Crossing Processor HXP-3, is to identify individually all of the parameter settings required by the electronic equipment at the crossing. These devices provide an output that signals solid-state electronic equipment, such as Safetran Systems Corporation SSCC-III crossing controller or vital signaling relays to provide appropriate warning to the road users, typically by means of flashing lights, barrier gates and bells. Electronic crossing controllers also require a set of programming parameters, which are currently specified individually. A solid-state recording device, such as the Safetran Systems Corporation SEAR-II or the GE Transportation Systems HAWK, will typically monitor the train detection and the crossing control functions. These recording devices also require a set of programming parameters, which are specified individually.
With all of the individual parameters for each of these systems, even simple crossings can have in excess of 100 parameters that need to be programmed before the system is operational. More complex crossings can have well in excess of 500 parameters. Parameters may include items such as the number of tracks at a specific crossing location, whether the controller operates in a uni-directional or bi-directional mode, whether the controller communicates with adjacent controllers as well as specific information for each approach and island circuit. This large number of parameters places a large burden on the crossing designer to make sure every parameter is correct. Similarly, a large burden is placed on the person programming the units in terms of the time required and making sure that each system is programmed correctly. Additionally, such systems typically undergo some form of repair and/or maintenance at a future time that will require some or all of the programming parameters to be reentered.
A general object of the present invention is to provide a simplified means of designing applications for a controller for a highway-rail grade crossing.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of application templates for programming each parameter of a controller for most highway-rail grade crossing configurations.
A further object of the present invention is to reduce programming time and increase programming accuracy by utilizing template default parameters.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide flexibility in programming of a controller as the field conditions change or evolve.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide quicker and more accurate technical support with template programming.
This invention is directed to a method of programming application logic in a controller for a highway-rail grade crossing warning system, the method including the steps of providing a set of templates, each template of the set of templates defining a track circuit application for a grade crossing with different characteristics from other templates in the set of templates, selecting a template from the set of templates that best corresponds to the track circuit application at the grade crossing or a remote location, the selected template defining a set of default programming parameters for programming of the controller, and inputting additional parameters into the controller that define other characteristics of the track circuit application. This method may include the step of providing a visual representation of a different track circuit application for each of the set of templates.
The method may also include one or more of the following additional steps of defining a portion of the set of templates to include a related set of track circuit applications, with all track circuits at the grade crossing; defining a portion of the set of templates to include a related set of track circuits, with the track circuits mixed between the grade crossing and remote locations, and with all remote locations communicating toward the subject grade crossing; defining a portion of the set of templates to include a related set of track circuits, with the track circuits mixed between the subject grade crossing and remote locations, and with all remote locations communicating in opposite directions; defining a portion of the set of templates to include at least one track circuit, with all track circuits being remote locations, and with all remote locations communicating in the same direction; and defining a portion of the set of templates to include at least one track circuit, with all track circuits being remote locations, and with all remote locations communicating in opposite directions.
The invention is further directed to a set of templates for programming of a controller for a highway-rail grade crossing warning system, wherein each of said set of templates includes a visual representation of a different track circuit application for a highway-rail grade crossing and each of said set of templates includes default programming parameters relating to the respective different track circuit. When one of the set of templates is selected, the selected template provides default programming parameters to the controller for a track circuit that corresponds to the selected template.
A portion of the set of templates may define a related set of track circuit applications, with all track circuits at the grade crossing; a related set of track circuits, with track circuit applications mixed between the grade crossing and remote locations, and with all remote locations communicating toward the subject grade crossing; a related set of track circuits, with track circuits mixed between the subject grade crossing and remote locations, and with remote locations communicating in opposite directions; at least one track circuit, with all track circuits being remote locations, and with all remote locations communicating in the same direction; and/or at least one track circuit, with all track circuits being remote locations, and with all remote locations communicating in opposite directions.
Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a method of designing application logic for a highway-rail grade crossing warning system including the steps of providing a set of templates, each template of the set of templates defining a different track circuit application for a grade crossing from other templates in the set of templates, providing a visual representation of the different track circuit associated with each of the set of templates, and selecting a template from the set of templates that best corresponds to the track circuit application at the grade crossing. The method of designing may include the additional steps of providing a set of default programming parameters corresponding to the selected template to a controller for programming of the warning system and inputting additional parameters into the controller that define other characteristics of the track circuit and controller application.
The invention, together with its objects and the advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the figures, and in which:
It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.
With reference to the drawing Figures,
In a conventional manner, at least that portion of railroad track 22 that intersects with the road 21 is included in an island circuit 24 that is monitored by controller 40. Similarly, those portions of track 22 that lie to the right and to the left of the island circuit 24 are included in an approach circuit are identified by reference numerals 27 and 26, respectively. Approach circuits 26 and 27 are also monitored by the controller 40. Traffic warning devices 30 and 31 are typically placed on both sides of track 22 and adjacent to road 21. These traffic warning devices are provided with flashing lamps 32 and 33, may be provided with gates 34 and 35 that may be lowered and audible devices, such as a bell (not shown) or the like, in a known manner. When a train is detected in the approach circuits 26 and 27 or in the island circuit 24, controller 40 activates the flashing lights 32 and 33 and the audible devices and causes the gates 34 and 35 of traffic warning devices 30 and 31 to be lowered.
With reference to
As shown in
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, sets of predefined templates are provided for easily selecting typical crossing designs, specifying exceptions to those typical designs, and then providing a minimum set of programming steps for the electronic equipment to be operational, together with a means to verify correct programming of the equipment. These sets of pre-defined crossing application designs or templates are shown in
The templates 60-132 in
The 21 sets of templates 1A-5A shown in
Each template may be applied to multiple track layouts, which gives rise to a number of template variants within each category. In addition, each template has a maximum of 6 track circuits. Any track circuit may be removed during design time while retaining the remainder of the track circuits in their original template configuration. This provides further template variations. The templates can also be applied in a reflective manner, such that any track circuit or combination of track circuits can be rotated around either the crossing or insulated joint.
In order to facilitate efficient template selection by the designer, the number of templates employed was kept to a minimum. With the ability to apply the same template to different track layouts, the capability to adjust the number of track circuits and the reflective capability of the templates, a very large set of applications can be accommodated with just a small number of sets of templates.
When the number of track circuits is adjusted from the template defaults, the system will automatically include or exclude the adjusted track circuit as part of the template rules, including island operation and all associated programming parameters.
The template definitions and template default values are held as part of a Module Configuration File (MCF). This file is processed by the controller 40 when a template is selected. This same MCF may be used by the Diagnostic Terminal (DT) for the controller 40 working in an offline mode, called the Office Configuration Editor. The Office Configuration Editor (OCE) tool runs under the Microsoft Windows operating system, and allows designers to select the appropriate templates without having to be connected in the field with a physical controller 40. This OCE tool also allows the designer to turn track circuits on or off, and to program in the exact order any of the available train detection, crossing control or recorder parameters. Once the designer has completed the design, the OCE tool may be used to generate a minimum program steps report. This report lists the changes or exceptions to the template defaults of the selected template. The report lists the MCF used, the template chosen and the exceptions, which provides complete information in order to program a controller 40, and is typically included as part of the site specific plans.
The controller 40 thus employs a method of programming called template programming. This method allows the user to select the desired template and then step through each programming screen in the order that entries appear in the minimum programs steps report. The user will enter values as determined by the minimum programs steps report, skipping screens that do not have an exception listed. This allows rapid entry of all of the programming parameters. Template programming provides a simplified set of programming steps that are limited to typically required programming options.
For example, the screens 140-142 in
Activating the template field 147 in
Once template programming has been completed, default values are entered for all programmable parameters. The user will enter new values for any parameters that differ from the default parameters predefined by the selected template. That is, the templates predefine or characterize the many parameters that would otherwise need to be manually entered into the controller 40. For example, in the screen 160 in
The controller 40 incorporates an extensive set of predefined logic functions, for example, AND 1 XR, Track 1 Prime UAX, etc. As part of the template selection and programming, the functions that are required for the application are selected. The names of these functions and whether they are associated with any physical input or output are automatically sent to the recorder 47, avoiding extra time for the recorder set up.
There are at least several key advantages to this the template programming of a highway-grade crossing. Design time is significantly reduced since many programming parameters are already established by the selected template. That is, the templates essentially abstract the crossing design to a higher-level. Designs of crossing applications become more standardized since all designers utilize the same sets of templates that also utilize the same template defaults. Programming time is reduced and accuracy is improved since the users program by exception, rather than by programming each individual parameter. As a result, a significantly smaller number of parameters are entered. The sets of templates allow designers to specify precisely what is required, while still allowing flexibility for field changes as conditions dictate or require. New templates may be easily established as crossing designs evolve. The minimum program steps reports are text files that can be easily compared or incorporated into CAD systems. A check number may be provided to compare the as-programmed field equipment with the designer site plans. Technical support will be quicker and more accurate, since users can quickly and accurately identify the programming parameters which are exceptions to the default programming parameters of the selected template.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broader aspects.