System for testing a railway traction block

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11243242-B2
Application number	US-201816209751-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 4, 2018
Priority date	Dec 5, 2017
Publication date	Feb 8, 2022
Grant date	Feb 8, 2022

Abstract

A system for testing a traction block, such as a railway traction block, includes two zones that are physically separated from one another, an operational zone located in a container and divided into at least two parts. One part is a command part accessible by an operator during testing, and the other part is a high-voltage part inaccessible during testing. The system also includes a test zone located outside the container, and configured to receive the traction block to be tested. The test zone is able to be supplied with electricity during the test by the operational zone using dedicated connections.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for testing a traction block, comprising two zones that are physically
separated from one another:
an operational zone located in a container and divided into at least two parts:
a first command part accessible by an operator during testing,
a second high-voltage part completely inside the container and inaccessible during testing, said second high-voltage part comprising an operator access door,

a test zone, located outside the container, configured to receive the traction block to be tested, and said test zone comprising at least one operator access door,
the test zone being able to be supplied with electricity during the test by the operational zone using dedicated connections, the operator access door of the second high-voltage part completely inside the container and the at least one operator access door of the test zone being secured during testing.

2. The testing system according to claim 1 , wherein the second high-voltage part comprises at least one gate capable of supporting the fastening of high-voltage equipment comprising at least a plurality of separate supply voltage sources.

3. The testing system according to claim 1 , wherein the container comprises at least one system for regulating the temperature.

4. The testing system according to claim 1 , further comprising a device for protecting the test zone, comprising a plurality of partitions and/or a plurality of virtual safety barriers.

5. The testing system according to claim 1 , wherein the test zone comprises a portion of a traction block production line, the portion being capable of supporting the traction block.

6. The testing system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one operator access door of the test zone is secured during testing by locking.

7. A system for testing a traction block comprising two zones that are physically
separated from one another:
an operational zone located in a container and divided into at least two parts:
a first command part accessible by an operator during testing,
a second high-voltage part and inaccessible during testing,

a test zone, located outside the container, and configured to receive the traction block to be tested,
the test zone being able to be supplied with electricity during the test by the operational zone using dedicated connections,
wherein the first command part comprises a testing controller capable of testing the traction block according to at least four successive separate test phases comprising a dielectric test phase and the following voltage test phases:
low voltage,
auxiliary voltage, and
high voltage,

each test phase being associated with a voltage supply source of the separate test zone, each supply source delivering a high voltage being located in the second high-voltage part of the container.

8. The testing system according to claim 7 , wherein the testing controller is capable of triggering each test phase after detecting the closing of the door(s) of the test zone authorizing the activation of the associated voltage supply source, the closing of the operator access door of the test zone making it possible to release a first key necessary for the validation by the testing controller of the triggering of the voltage test phases.

9. The testing system according to claim 8 , wherein, to trigger the high-voltage test phase, the first key is necessary to unlock a second key supported by a first set of locks located in the first command part of the operational zone, the second key is necessary to unlock a first safety switch for activating the high-voltage supply source, the position change of which releases a third key for unlocking a fourth key supported by a second set of keys, the fourth key being connected to a fifth key for validating the command of the testing controller activating the high-voltage source located in the second high-voltage part that is inaccessible during testing.

10. The testing system according to claim 9 , wherein the first set of keys bears, on one of its locks, a sixth key free to use in the absence of the first key on the associated lock of the first set of locks,
and wherein the testing system comprises a third set of locks located on the electrical distribution cabinet of the second high-voltage part of the container comprising at least three doors, at least one of which allows access to an electrical cabinet, and two of which are interleaved, with different sizes and allowing access to the space of the high-voltage part of the container comprising the sources and/or voltage supply charges, said container comprising four locks, including:
a lock dedicated to the sixth key,
two other locks from the third set of locks being dedicated to a seventh and an eighth key able to be obtained respectively after actuating two voltage breakers in the inactive position of the distribution cabinet, and
a fourth lock in which a ninth key is inserted and able to be released only in the presence of the sixth, seventh and eighth keys, the ninth key being able to open the smallest of the two interleaved portions for accessing the space of the high-voltage part of the container comprising the voltage supply sources.

11. A system for testing a traction block comprising two zones that are physically
separated from one another:
an operational zone located in a container and divided into at least two parts:
a first command part accessible by an operator during testing,
a second high-voltage part and inaccessible during testing,

a test zone, located outside the container, and configured to receive the traction block to be tested,
the test zone being able to be supplied with electricity during the test by the operational zone using dedicated connections,
wherein the container comprises at least four separate operator access doors, the first command part comprising at least one door, the second high-voltage part of the container comprising at least three doors, at least one of which allows access to an electrical cabinet, and two of which are interleaved, with different sizes and allowing access to the space of the high-voltage part of the container comprising the sources and/or voltage supply charges, and wherein the test zone comprises at least one operator access door, at least one access door of the testing system being secured by a system of keys comprising a plurality of locks distributed over at least two separate pieces of test equipment of the testing system.

Assignees

• Alstom Transp Tech

Inventors

• Collongues Laurent

Classifications

• G01R31/58

  Testing of lines, cables or conductors (testing of electric windings G01R31/72) · CPC title

• B60L5/18

  using bow-type collectors in contact with trolley wire · CPC title

• G01M17/08

  Railway vehicles · CPC title

• G01R31/1227

  of components, parts or materials (G01R31/1209, G01R31/1218, G01R31/18 take precedence; circuits therefor G01R31/14; testing vessels of electrodes G01R31/16) · CPC title

• G01R31/62

  Testing of transformers · CPC title