FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to An Interconnected water refilling
arrangement for railway vehicles and like transit and Methods thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has been seen that there are not many proposals in the past regarding
quick water refilling arrangements for railway vehicles or trains.
In the prior arts, the train rake comprise of normally 10 to 26 coaches each
with its separate water tanks to provide water and convenience to the
passengers. These tanks have refilling arrangements on each coach, such
that if any tank gets empty it is attended by the crew and is refilled with
water. However when multiple train tanks gets empty it becomes difficult to
refill all the vehicles at desired levels due to limited train stoppage schedules
and the limited ability of the watering station to refill them in timely and
efficient manner.
Description of Prior art
Prior art, Fig-1 shows an arrangement of water refilling of an existing railway
vehicles. An under slung water tank 5, is disposed at the bottom of the rail
vehicle and could be refilled with water through refill inlet 1, and refill inlet 2
from either side of the rail vehicle. The under slung tank 5, has an over flow
pipe 3, attached to the top of the tank to facilitate water filling. This
arrangement however doesn’t provide any means of quick refilling of the
water tanks and is just a general arrangement.
3
Prior art, Fig-2 shows another arrangement of water refilling of an existing
railway vehicle of different make having roof mounted water tank 6, and the
water is refilled from the bottom of the rail vehicle either through refill inlet 7,
or refill inlet 8, as per convenience. This arrangement however doesn’t
provide any means of quick refilling of these tanks.
Prior art, Fig-3 shows an arrangement for watering carriages from the
watering station en-route. It is proposed to use a booster pump 14, to build
flow in the watering flexible hoses 11, of the multiple refill points called the
hydrants. A report “Report on Standardisation of Enroute Carriage Watering
System.pdf ” from www.rdso.indianrailways.gov.in states as follows;
“At most of the places, the water tanks are common which not only meet the
requirement of carriage watering but also cater to the requirements of station
and colony. At these stations water flow in the hydrants was found to be
very poor. At Kanpur station, when all the hydrants are opened, the flow
rate in the last hydrant was found to be as low as 35 ltrs. per minute. Even at
Ambala station the flow rate in the last hydrant was around 45 ltrs. per
minute. At Jhansi station where dedicated water tanks and booster pumps of
25 hp are provided, 17 coach train was getting filled up even at the last
hydrant at the rate of 100 ltrs per minute. For 24 coach train the rate of filling
up dropped to about 80 ltrs. per minute in the last coach”.
This shows booster pumps 14, are not enough to provide quick
refilling of the rail vehicles where the stopping intervals are less. The booster
pump 14, also leads to un-necessary leakages in the pipe fittings thus
leading to leakages and contaminations from the environmental pollutants.
4
US2630078, Railroad train water supply system, provides a system in which
a large water storage tanks is provided with the locomotive, and its outlet is
connected to each coach through water lines. However such a system is not
feasible for current train lengths which would require big tanks for water
storage. There is another drawback with this approach, when the locomotive
supply the water to the train it has to be passed through common water
supply line which is difficult to maintain against leakages in mobile
applications.
RU2267422, Passenger car water filling system is a Russian patent which
teaches a method of providing water to passengers. Though this provides
means for flexible water distribution system but it doesn’t address the
problems of quick refilling of train water tanks.
RU2418702, Railway passenger car water supply system is a Russian patent
teaching a method to refill train water tanks. It however doesn’t mention
methods of quick refilling.
The problem to be addressed is by providing a dedicated pipeline of suitable
diameter in between rail vehicles such that the need of refilling each and
every rail vehicle is reduced to single or few inlets and there after connecting
this hose to high speed water suction electrical pump along with servicing a
common inlet pipeline for both sides of the rail vehicle, water detection
sensor at the refill points and at the overflow pipeline. The control electronics
onboard senses the attachment of flexible pipeline and water at the inlet
through suitable means, thereby automatically actuating the electrical water
pump and enabling the rail vehicle to assist water tank refill with higher rates
irrespective of the water pressure available at the watering station. The
5
individual refill inlet points are provided with audio visual alarm to alert the
attending crew when the tank gets refilled to a desired level and stop
chances of leakages or water wastage because of over flow. The tank inlet is
also provided with a solenoid valve to cutoff the water inlet in events of
negligence and save the plumbing from any leakages or over pressure.
The invention relates more particularly to submersible type electrical pumps
to refill the water as quickly as possible but not by way of limitation, to such
apparatus and method utilizing other electrical water pumps. The sensors
such as a capacitive, ultrasonic, vibratory type for water and hose detection
or other and similar types on different type of tanks used in mobile
applications could be effectively used.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore the object of the invention to interconnect the water tanks of
each rail vehicle of the rake through a dedicated pipeline of suitable diameter
to service water onboard train through selected refill points.
It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a water detection sensor
on this dedicated pipeline at each rail vehicle to sense the presence of water.
It is therefore the object of the invention to enable the placement of the
electrical water pump at the line feeding the water tank such that the
6
electrical water pump is able to source water from both sides of the rail
vehicle water refill inlet ports.
It is another object of the invention to provide an arrangement to refill the
train from both sides with electrical water pump. Each side water refill inlets
comprise of check valves to stop chances of water escaping from the other
side of the rail vehicle and providing convenience of simultaneous refilling
from both sides and channeling the water towards the electrical water pump.
It is another object of the invention to provide water detection sensor placed
conveniently at the water refill inlets to sense the presence of inlet water and
hose and thereby automatically turn on the electrical water pump in order to
service the tanks quickly.
A further object of the invention is to provide a water detection sensor located
conveniently at tank top end or the overflow pipeline to sense overflow and
shutdown the electrical water pump to prevent over flow or over pressure.
A further object of the invention is to provide an audio visual alarm beside the
water refill port such that an alarm could be raised in the events of overflow
or faulty apparatus.
A further object of the invention is to refill water in due time and compensate
the short stopping time of trains at watering stations.
A further object of the invention is to provide a push button along with audio
visual display beside the refill inlet point such that the pressing of the button
7
once could turn off the electrical water pump and successive pressing it
again could turn on the pump for a pre-determined run time intervals.
A further object of the invention is to provide this arrangement to rail vehicles
with under slung water tanks as well as for overhead water tanks without
deviating from the goal of the present invention.
A further object of the invention is to provide a water flow sensor at pump
inlet to sense the flow rate of water being fed and further adjust the electrical
water pump speed to make up for the refill time lag.
A further object of the invention is to provide plurality electrical water pumps
or water inlet ports on each coach to increase the water refill rate.
A further object of the invention is to combine the independent water tanks at
each ends of the rail vehicle and quickly refill both the tanks together.
A further object of the invention is to couple the dedicated pipeline through
suitable couplers at each end of the rail vehicle, along with gate valves at
each ends in order to isolate the train water tanks sections.
A further object of the invention is to couple the plurality dedicated pipeline of
varying diameters to meet the requirement of refill and rail vehicle space
constraints.
A further object of the invention is to sense the presence of the water in
plurality dedicated pipeline through water detection sensor and actuate the
onboard electrical water pump in timely on off manner to service each coach
in desired time.
8
A further object of the invention is to sense the water tank fill status with the
addition of an external vertical pipe of suitable material connected to the
tank through a small connection port and mounting plurality water detection
sensors along its length, such that tank refill level could be preset and
thereby turning on/off the pump and solenoid.
A further object of the invention is to mount the vertical pipe of suitable length
higher than the water tank has a vent at its top to enable its represent the
tank water level for the sensor. The said pipe could also be mounted with an
ultrasonic type sensor at its top or bottom ends to provide finer level readings
at audio visual display.
With the above and other objectives in view, as will hereinafter appear,
various embodiments of the present invention are described hereunder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an embodiment of the invention, An Interconnected water
refilling arrangement for railway vehicles and like transit and Methods
thereof, comprises; a dedicated plurality dedicated pipeline in between each
rail vehicle through suitable couplers, a plurality electrical water pumps
provided on each rail vehicle connecting suitably to dedicated pipeline and
water inlet refill points from both the sides of the rail vehicle; providing check
valves at both refill inlets to facilitate refilling from both the sides; an
appropriately placed sensor at refill inlet ports to detect the presence of the
hose and water at the inlet refill point, thereby automatically turning on the
electrical water pump enabling the quick and timely refilling of the rail vehicle
tank. The system also has water overflow detection sensor placed
9
appropriately at the top level of the tank and a solenoid valve appropriately
placed at the pump inlet to turn off the electrical water pump and /or solenoid
valve to cutoff the water supply in conditions of overflow, to avoid any
unnecessary pressure on the plumbing joints and thereby preventing
leakages. The plurality interconnected water hose also has another water
detection sensor to sense the water input and thereby actuating the onboard
electrical pump in timely manner.
According to another embodiment of the invention the water inlet detection
sensor on the refill inlet point detects the presence of the inlet hose and
water through appropriate electrical or mechanical means.
According to another embodiment of the invention an audio visual display is
provided beside the water inlet refill points to alert the crew against water
overflow or system working conditions.
According to another embodiment of the invention a push button is provided
beside the water inlet refill points such that pressing it again and again could
select the system operation modes for the crew. If pressed once it can stop
the refill water pump and if pressed again it can turn on the pump for a predetermined
time intervals and so on.
According to another embodiment of the invention electronics and control is
provided onboard to control the onboard electrical devices in efficient and
required manner.
10
According to another embodiment of the invention a water flow sensor at
pump inlet is provided to sense the flow rate of water being fed and further
adjust the electrical water pump speed to make up for the refill time lag.
According to another embodiment of the invention a plurality water inlet
points along with their respective check valves, water and hose detection
sensors and plurality electrical water pump could be used to enhance the
efficiency of the system.
According to another embodiment of the invention the independent water
tanks at each ends of the rail vehicle are suitably combined and serviced with
an electrical water pump to quickly refill both the tanks together.
According to another embodiment of the invention water tanks of each rail
vehicle of the rake are interconnected through a dedicated pipeline of
suitable diameter to service water onboard train through selected and limited
refill points.
According to another embodiment of the invention a water detection sensor
is provided on this dedicated pipeline at each coach to sense the presence of
water, thereby timely actuating the water pumps onboard.
According to another embodiment of the invention a suitable coupler is used
to couple the dedicated pipeline at each end of the rail vehicle, along with
gate valves at each ends in order to isolate the train water tanks sections and
meet with the desired refill inlet water flow and/or pressure requirements.
11
According to another embodiment of the invention a plurality dedicated
pipeline of varying diameters can be used to meet the requirement of refill
and rail vehicle space constraints.
According to another embodiment of the invention a water detection sensor
in plurality dedicated pipeline is used to sense the presence of the inlet water
through ground crew and actuate the onboard electrical water pump in timely
on off manner of different duty cycle to service each coach in desired time.
According to another embodiment of the invention is to provide the dedicated
pipeline with water inlet points on each rail vehicle at each side along with
end caps to close or open the selected points for refilling.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention the water tank fill
status could be adjusted with the addition of an external vertical pipe of
suitable material connected to the tank through a small connection port and
mounting plurality water detection sensors along its length, such that tank
refill level could be preset and thereby turning on/off the pump and solenoid.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention the vertical pipe of
suitable length higher than the water tank has a vent at its top to enable its
represent the tank water level for the sensor. The said pipe could also be
mounted with an ultrasonic type sensor at its top or bottom ends to provide
finer level readings at audio visual display.
12
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a detailed view of various components according to prior art
of each coach.
Figure 2 show a detailed view of various components according to prior art of
each coach of different make.
Figure 3 shows a detailed view of various components according to prior art
at station watering location.
Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the present invention as applicable to
make of coaches with under-slung water tanks.
Figure 5 shows a detailed view of the present invention as applicable to
make of coaches with roof mounted water tanks.
Figure 6 shows a detailed view of the present invention as applicable to
multiple rail vehicles of the rake.
For a better understanding of the embodiments of the invention and to show
how it may be performed, it will now be described in more detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention can be better understood by reading the following
detailed description of some of the embodiments, with reference made to the
accompanying drawings. It will be understood that a particular system
13
embodying the invention is shown by way of illustration only and not as a
limitation of invention. The principles and features of this invention may be
employed in various numerous embodiments without departing from the
scope of the invention. References are made to accompanying drawing in
which its novel feature and advantages will be apparent. Prior art is also
discussed to bring out the novel features of the present Invention.
As can be seen in Figure 1, prior art shows the elements of the existing rail
vehicles with under-slung water tank 5, at the bottom. This arrangement
however doesn’t have any means to facilitate quick refilling of the water
tanks.
As can be seen in Figure 2, it shows the elements of the prior art as placed
on the rail vehicles with roof mounted water tanks 6. This present
arrangement also doesn’t have any means to facilitate quick refilling of the
water tanks.
As can be seen in Figure 3, it shows an arrangement for watering carriages
from the watering stations. It is proposed to use a booster pump 14, to build
flow in the watering flexible hoses 11, of the multiple refill points called
hydrants. The scheme appears to be of less success. A report “Report on
Standardisation of Enroute Carriage Watering System.pdf” from
www.rdso.indianrailways.gov.in states as follows;
“At most of the places, the water tanks are common which not only meet the
requirement of carriage watering but also cater to the requirements of station
and colony. At these stations water flow in the hydrants was found to be
very poor. At Kanpur station, when all the hydrants are opened, the flow
rate in the last hydrant was found to be as low as 35 ltrs. per minute. Even at
14
Ambala station the flow rate in the last hydrant was around 45 ltrs. per
minute. At Jhansi station where dedicated water tanks and booster pumps of
25 hp are provided, 17 coach train was getting filled up even at the last
hydrant at the rate of 100 ltrs per minute. For 24 coach train the rate of filling
up dropped to about 80 ltrs. per minute in the last coach”.
This clearly shows booster pumps 14, are not efficient enough to
provide quick refilling of the rail vehicles where the stopping time intervals
are limited. The booster pump 14, also leads to un-necessary hydraulic
pressure in the pipe fittings thus leading to leakages and possible
contaminations from the environmental pollutants. Therefore this scheme
appears to be less successful. The present invention is capable of filling each
rail vehicle water tanks with multifold flow rates as compared to those
provided by the booster pump 14, of watering stations.
As can be seen in Figure 4, it shows the various elements of the present
invention the block diagram quick fill system 30, comprises of the devices as
interfaced to the under slung water tank 5, of the rail vehicle. The plurality
water refill inlet 1, and water refill inlet 2, are located at each sides of the rail
vehicle are disposed with check valve 17, and check valve 18, respectively
in-order to channelize the inlet water toward the electrical water pump 16,
and finally to the under slung water tank 5. The plurality water refill inlet 1,
and water refill inlet 2, is provided with appropriate sensor 19, and sensor 20,
to detect the presence of the hose and the water when a connection is made
by the refill crew. The sensor 19, and sensor 20, provides feedback of
detection to control electronics which in response makes decision to turn on
the electrical water pump 16, to facilitate quick suction of water and timely
refilling of the said plurality tanks. A sensor 15, appropriately placed at the
top end of the under-slung water tank 5, or at overflow pipe 3, senses the
15
water refilled top level such that the electrical water pump 16, could be
switched off to reduce any un-necessary over pressure to the tank and the
plumbing. The present Invention also incorporates a solenoid valve 29, at the
inlet of the under-slung water tank 5, such that when it gets full the line is
disconnected by turning on the solenoid valve 29, and further reducing any
overpressure applied to the water tank. The control electronics 23, comprise
of a microcontroller and associated circuits to make decisions enabling the
proper working of the system. The audio visual display 22, is provided to alert
the water refilling crew about electrical water pump 16, working status and
about tank water refill status or other system relevant parameters. The quick
fill system 30, further incorporates a weather proof push button 21, which
detects the number of times it has been pressed by the refill crew to initiate
different commands. If its pressed once it stops the onboard electrical water
pump 16, if its pressed again it turn on the pump for a predetermined time
interval and if pressed again for the third count and further it can activate
different timings or commands related to the system. The system could be
programmed for any number of push counts to activate different device
working states. The system is provided with a suitable water flow rate
detector (31) to detect the flow rate of the applied external water source .It is
capable of adjusting the electrical water pump (16) speed based on this flow
rate and estimate time lag by the onboard control electronics (23) and then
drives the pump to a matching speed in-order to make up for the time lag.
The water tank (5) fill status could be adjusted with the addition of an
external vertical pipe (51) of suitable material connected to the tank through
a small connection port (52) and mounting plurality water detection sensors
(15) along its length such that tank refill level could be preset and thereby
turning off the pump (16) and solenoid (29). The vertical pipe (51) of suitable
length higher than the tank (5) has a vent at its top to enable its represent the
16
tank water level for the sensor. The vertical pipe (51) could also be mounted
with an ultrasonic type sensor at its top or bottom ends to provide finer level
readings at audio visual display (22). The dedicated pipeline(39) runs at each
ends (47) & (48) of the rail vehicle along its length to provide pipeline
connection to successive rail vehicle through flexible hose (46) and a flange
mount (42) to form an onboard dedicated pipeline. The said hose also
comprise of gate valves (45) at each ends of the rail vehicle to isolate the
connections if needed into different inlet feed points. The dedicated
pipeline(39) also comprise of inlets (43) and (44) on the both sides of each
rail vehicle along with check valves (50) at each sides to restrict the outward
flow of water. The dedicated pipeline(39) has a water detection sensor (40)
located at port which feeds the electrical pump (16) and also at the inlet such
that the system could sense the presence of inlet water applied by the
ground crew and automatically turn on the said pump for pre-determined time
interval, duty cycling or till the presence of water at the inlet.
As can be seen in Figure 5, it shows the integration of the quick fill system
30, with other make of rail vehicle where water tanks are disposed just under
the roof of the rail vehicle body, these are mentioned as roof mounted water
tanks 6. The quick fill system 30, could be interfaced to these tanks in similar
manner as mentioned for under slung water 5 of figure 1, with all the
mentioned features being common to both. The roof mounted water tanks 6,
and roof mounted water tank 32, are located independently at the two ends
of the rail vehicle over the toilets these are refilled from the bottom through
their respective water feed inlet 36, and water feed inlet 35, or through water
feed inlet 24, and water feed inlet 34, from the either side of the rail vehicle of
the prior art. When refilled from the one side the other side of the said inlet
works as water over flow and vice versa. The quick refill system 30, could be
17
connected to the two independent roof mounted water tanks 6, and roof
mounted water tanks 32, as independently or as a single system to refill both
tanks together. If quick fill system 30, is interfaced as a single system any
one side pipe lines of the water inlet say water feed 36, and water feed 35,
are connected together with their independent solenoid valves, 37 and 38
respectively with the electrical water pump 16. The other ends of the ports
refill inlet 24, and refill inlet 34, are left open for over flow to facilitate the said
tank refilling. The over flow ports namely over flow 24, and over flow 34, are
disposed with their respective water detection sensors 27, and water sensor
33, to sense water overflow or tank full state and thereby turn off the solenoid
valve 37, or solenoid valve 38, depending which tanks gets full earlier and
finally turn off the electrical pump 16, and /or water supply with optional
solenoid valve 29. This arrangement enables refilling both the sides from one
location efficiently. The dedicated pipeline (39) and water level sensor
vertical pipe (51) as discussed in figure 4, applies similarly to arrangement
shown for figure 5, without deviating away from the goal of the invention.
As can be seen in Figure 6, it shows the arrangement of integration of the
present invention on entire train rake. The dedicated pipeline(39) runs at
each ends (47) & (48) of the rail vehicle (41) along its length to provide
pipeline connection to successive rail vehicle through flexible hose (46) and a
flange mount (42) to form an onboard dedicated pipeline. The said hose also
comprise of gate valves (45) at each ends of the rail vehicle to isolate the
connections if needed to form different inlet feed points. The dedicated
pipeline (39) also comprise of inlets (43) and (44) on the both sides of each
rail vehicle (41) along with check valves (50) at each sides to restrict the
outward flow of water. The dedicated pipeline (39) connects to quick fill
system (30) via pipeline (28) to service the onboard water tanks.

I Claim:
1. An Interconnected water refilling arrangement for railway vehicles and
like transit and Methods thereof, comprising:
A plurality dedicated pipeline (39) duly connected between rail
vehicles (41) of the rake to connect all the water tanks of the entire train rake
together and electrical water pump (16) connecting the inlet of plurality water
refill inlet (1) and inlet (2) from both sides of the rail vehicle, channeling the
water feed towards plurality under-slung water tank (5) or towards plurality
roof mounted water tank (6) , along with refill ports (43) and (44) to service
the entire rake from single and/or plurality inlets such that the tanks could be
serviced and refilled with water at faster refilling rates and from selected
location.
a check valve (17) and check valve (18) at water refill inlet (1) and
inlet (2) to channelize input water towards electrical pump (16) and stop it’s
escape from other side along with refill ports (43) and (44) and their
respective check valves (50) to prevent undesirable escape of water from
other side of said inlet port of dedicated pipeline (39).
the said refill inlet (1) and refill inlet (2) and/or refill ports (43) and
(44) further comprise of sensors, water sensor (19), (20) and water sensor
(40) placed at a convenient location in order to detect the presence of water
and hose attached by the refill crew through electrical and/or mechanical
means; wherein
19
the said sensors provides feedback to the control electronics (23)
which in-turn switch on the electrical water pump (16); thereby
assisting refilling of the said water tanks in quick and timely manner
providing comfort to passengers and crew; and
A water sensor (15) located at the top end of the said water tank or
at convenient location at the over flow pipe (3) to detect the tank full condition
and a solenoid valve (29) to disconnect water inlet and turn off the electrical
water pump(16); thereby
Providing protection to the said rail vehicle plurality water tanks and
plumbing against over pressure; and
An audio visual display (22) provided to alert the refill crew regarding
the status of water level inside the said tank and working of the electrical
water pump (16) inside each coach.
2. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
quick fill system (30) could be interface to any type of water tanks of
rail vehicles or like vehicles.
3. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
water refill inlet (1) or water refill inlet (2) could be plurality of water
inlet ports along with their dedicated said check valves and said water
sensor.
20
4. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
system is provided with a push button (21) at any of the said water
refill inlet ports. The said push button activates different refill mode
and timings for different number of pressing operations along with
controlling the electrical water pump (16) watering speed or its
rotations per minute or simply switching off the electrical water pump
(16).
5. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
push button (21) if pressed once it de-activates the electrical water
pump (16), if pressed again it turn on the pump for a defined time
interval and yet if its pressed again and again it changes the timing
interval along with status indication in visual form.
6. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein rail
vehicles which has independent roof mounted water tanks (6) at each
ends of the vehicle could be provided with a single quick refill system
(30) by suitably connecting the two ends together and feeding it with
electrical water pump (16) at convenient location further saving time
and effort required refilling the said tanks individually.
7. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
control electronics (23) is capable of selecting different motor speeds
and discharge rates in terms of liter per minutes of the electrical water
pump (16) to match the train stopping time schedules.
21
8. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
electrical water pump (16) is provided with flow detector, when
external water connection is applied by the crew it estimates refill rate
by the onboard control electronics (23) and then drives the pump to a
matching speed in-order to make up for the time lag.
9. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
water tanks of each rail vehicle (41) of the rake are interconnected
through a dedicated plurality dedicated pipeline (39) of suitable
diameter to service water onboard train through refill points (43) and
(44) in order to service the entire rake from single and/or selected inlet
ports keeping the rest of the inlet ports (43) and (44) of other rail
vehicles (41) of the rake in closed condition.
10. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
water detection sensor (40) is provided on this dedicated pipeline at
each coach to sense the presence of water, thereby timely actuating
the water pumps onboard with preset varying duty cycle and/or with
time lag actuation after water detection.
11. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein
suitable couplers (42) are used to couple the dedicated pipeline(39) at
each end of the rail vehicle (47) and (48), along with gate valves (45)
at each ends in order to isolate the train water tanks sections to meet
the desired refill inlet water flow and/or pressure requirements and
select plurality inlet refill ports (43) and/or (44) of desired number such
that the rake could be serviced from a selected location keeping the
22
rest of the inlet ports (43) and/or (44) on other rail vehicles (41) of the
same rake in closed condition.
12. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a
plurality dedicated pipeline (39) of varying diameters along with their
couplers can be used in parallel in each rail vehicle (41) to meet the
requirement of refill and plumbing space constraints on the rail vehicle
(41).
13. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
water detection sensor (40) in plurality dedicated pipeline is used to
sense the presence of the inlet water fed by the ground crew and
actuate the onboard electrical water pump in timely switching on/off
manner and/or different duty cycle to service each coach in desired
time.
14. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
dedicated pipeline(39) is provided with water inlet points (43) and (44)
on each rail vehicle (41) at each side along with check valves (50) end
caps (46) to close or open the selected points for refilling.
15. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
water tank (5) fill status could be adjusted with the addition of an
external vertical pipe (51) of suitable material connected to the tank
through a small connection port (52) and mounting plurality water
23
detection sensors (15) along its length, such that tank refill level could
be preset and thereby turning on/off the pump (16) and solenoid (29).
16. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the vertical pipe (51) of suitable length higher than the tank (5) has a
vent at its top to enable its represent the tank water level for the
sensor. The said pipe could also be mounted with an ultrasonic type
sensor at its top or bottom ends to provide finer level readings at audio
visual display (22).
17. An Interconnected water refilling arrangement for railway vehicles and
like transit and Methods thereof, substantially as herein described and
illustrated in the figure 4, figure 5, and figure 6 of the accompanied
drawings.