Improving the stability of tonal track circuits under fluctuations of ballast resistance

Authors

  • K. V. Honcharov Dep. «Automation, Telemechanics and Communications», Dnipropetrovsk National University of Railway Transport named after Academician V. Lazaryan, Lazaryan St., 2, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, 49010, tel. +38 (056) 373 15 04, e-mail goncharov_k@inbox.ru,

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15802/stp2013/19674

Keywords:

tonal track circuits, quadripoles, ballast resistance, wave impedance, track generators

Abstract

Purpose.The purpose of investigation is the development of method for improving the stability of tonal track circuits that takes into account the actual insulation resistance (ballast resistance) of rail line.Methodology. To achieve the research purpose it was proposed to automatically determine the insulation resistance of rail line, and depending on this value to adjust the output voltage of track generator. Ballast resistance is determined by the value of input resistance the rail line, which at high frequencies practically is equal to the wave impedance. To implement the proposed method it is necessary to connect to the track circuit additional high-frequency generators, high-frequency filters, unit for finding the ballast resistance and adjusting the output voltage of track generator. Findings. As a result of research it was found that at low values (less than 2 Ohms*km) the change of ballast resistance causes significant change of voltage at the track receiver input, which may cause malfunction of the track circuit. Increasing the length of rail line leads to the reducing of its input resistance, raising the measuring frequency causes increasing the input resistance. In both cases, the input resistance tends to the value of the wave impedance. The measuring frequency should be chosen taking into account the length of rail line and the upper limit of ballast resistance, the value 5 Ohms*km can be taken as that limit. At higher values of ballast resistance its changes insignificantly influence the input voltage of track receiver. In this case, the adaptive adjustment of voltage at the track generator output is not performed. Originality. The method for measuring the insulation resistance of rail line has been improved that allows one to determine the ballast resistance automatically. The dependence between measuring frequency, length of rail line and ballast resistance have been determined. Practical value. The proposed method allows one to improve the reliability of tonal track circuits, to provide their stable operation under fluctuations of ballast resistance due to determination of the actual insulation resistance of rail line and the adaptation of track circuits to the actual conditions of their operation.

Author Biography

K. V. Honcharov, Dep. «Automation, Telemechanics and Communications», Dnipropetrovsk National University of Railway Transport named after Academician V. Lazaryan, Lazaryan St., 2, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, 49010, tel. +38 (056) 373 15 04, e-mail goncharov_k@inbox.ru

К. В. Гончаров

References

Аrkatov V.S., Bazhenov A.I., Kotlyarenko N.F. Relsovyye tsepi magistralnykh zheleznych dorog [Track circuits of mainline railways]. Мoscow, Тransport Publ., 1992. 384 p.

Babayev M.M., Sayapina I.A. Povysheniye pomekhozashchishchennosti tonalnykh relsovykh tsepey [Im-proving the interference immunity of tonal track circuits]. Zbirnyk naukovykh prats Donetskoho instytutu zaliznychnoho transportu [Bulletin of Donetsk Institute of Railway Transport], 2012, issue 32, pp. 100-105.

Honcharov K.V. Issledovaniye perekhodnykh protsessov v tonalnykh relsovykh tsepyakh [Investigation of transient processes in tonal track circuits]. Nauka ta progres transportu. Visnyk Dnipropetrovskoho natsionalnoho universytetu zaliznychnoho transportu imeni akademika V. Lazariana − Science and Transport Progress. Bulletin of Dnipropetrovsk National University of Railway Transport named after Academician V. Lazaryan, 2013, no. 4 (46), pp. 7-17.

Honcharov K.V. Metody zashchity tonalnykh relsovykh tsepey ot vliyaniya impulsnykh pomekh [Methods of protection of tonal track circuits from influence of pulse interferences]. Visnyk Dnipropetrovskoho natsionalnoho universytetu zaliznychnoho transportu imeni akademika V. Lazariana [Bulletin of Dnipropetrovsk National University of Railway Transport named after Academician V. Lazaryan], 2011, issue 38, pp. 188-193.

Kravtsov Yu. A., Nesterov V.L., Lekuta G.F. Sistemy zheleznodorozhnoy avtomatiki i telemekhaniki [Systems of railway automation and telemechanics]. Мoscow, Transport Publ., 1992. 400 p.

Кulik P.D., Udovikov O.O., Basov V.I. Praktychnyi posibnyk z tekhnichnoho utrymannia apparatury tonalnykh reykovykh kil [Practical guide to technical facility retention of tonal track circuits]. Kyiv, Mintranszviazku Ukrainy Publ., 2006. 236 p.

Lisenkov V.M., Vanshin A.Ye., Katkov M.V. Metody povysheniya bezopasnosti funktsionirovaniya relsovykh tsepey [Methods to improve the functional safety of track circuits]. Avtomatika, svyaz, informatika – Automation, communication, informatics, 2010, no. 4, pp. 8-10.

Babaiev M.M., Koshevyy S.V., Sotnyk V.O., Romanchuk V.B., Ananieva O.M., Saiapina I.O. Relsove kolo [Track circuit]. Patent UA, no. a2011 10949, 2011.

Tarasov Ye.M., Levchenko A.S., Kurov M.B., Mitrokhin Yu.V., Tarasova Ye.V., Volik V.G. Relsovaya tsep [Track circuit]. Patent RU, no. 2005 100125/11, 2005.

Romantsev I.O. Sposib pidvyshhennia zavadostiykosti reykovoho kola [Method to improve the interference immunity of track circuit]. Patent UA, no. u2012 06516, 2012.

Serdyuk T.N., Zavgorodniy A.V., Gavrilyuk V.I. Izmereniye elektromagnitnykh pomekh v obratnoy tyagovoy seti [Measurement of electromagnetic interference in the return traction network]. Visnyk Dniprope-trovskoho natsionalnoho universytetu zaliznychnoho transportu imeni akademika V. Lazariana [Bulletin of Dnipropetrovsk National University of Railway Transport named after Academician V. Lazaryan], 2009, issue 29. pp. 134-139.

Fedorov N.Ye. Sovremennyye sistemy avtoblokirovki s tonalnymi relsovymi tsepyami [Modern automatic block systems with tonal track circuits]. Samara, SamGAPS, 2004. 132 p.

Gavrilyuk V., Zavgorodnij A., Myrgorodska A. Computer simulation of electromagnetic interference from railway electric power system harmonic. Archives of Transport System Telematics, 2009, vol. 2, issue 1, pp. 33-37.

Gavrilyuk V., Zavgorodnij A. Statistical analysis of electromagnetic interference between AC traction current and track circuits. Archives of Transport System Telematics, 2010, vol. 3, issue 4, pp. 14-18.

Nock O.S. Railway Signalling: a treatise on the recent practice of British Railways. London, A&C Black Publishers Ltd Publ., 1982. 312 p.

Theeg G., Vlasenko S. Railway Signalling and Interlocking. International Compendium. Hamburg, Eurail-press Publ., 2009. 448 p.

Published

2013-12-25

How to Cite

Honcharov, K. V. (2013). Improving the stability of tonal track circuits under fluctuations of ballast resistance. Science and Transport Progress, (6(48), 23–31. https://doi.org/10.15802/stp2013/19674

Issue

Section

AUTOMATED AND TELEMATIC SYSTEMS ON TRANSPORT