Fire Fighting System for a Railway Vehicle
The present invention relates to a fire fighting system, in
particular for a railway vehicle with a supply line for
supplying at least one extinguishing nozzle with
extinguishing fluid, wherein at least one section valve is
arranged between the extinguishing nozzle and the supply
line. In addition the invention relates to a railway vehicle
containing a fire fighting system and a method for operating
a fire fighting system.
In railway traffic a constant concern is to improve the
safety of the railway vehicles that are employed. A
significant safety risk in this connection is the danger of
fire in a railway vehicle. In order to avoid fires, in modern
railway vehicles on the one hand materials are used that are
fire resistant or at least poorly flammable. The danger of
fire can however at best only be reduced in this way, since
for example passengers can bring combustible articles onto
the railway vehicles, and there is therefore a high risk of
fire.
In order to deal with this problem, it is known from the
prior art to install extinguishing nozzle arrangements in
railway vehicles. For example, DE 10 2007 004 051 A1 and EP 1
757 330 A1 describe such fire fighting systems for railway
vehicles. The fire fighting systems can include an
extinguishing agent storage container, a pipeline system,
extinguishing agent application means, such as for example
extinguishing nozzles, and a pressure generation device. In
the event of a fire the fire fighting system is activated and
extinguishing agent, such as water, is applied preferably
under a high pressure of 80 to 200 bar.
It has furthermore been shown that a railway vehicle can
include various risk sections, such as for example the
passenger compartment, toilet compartment, luggage area,
engine compartment, etc. These individual sections of a
railway vehicle can be subdivided by a plurality of section
valves into corresponding sections, so that in the event of a
fire an extinguishing fluid or extinguishing medium is
applied only in the section in which the fire was detected.
By means of a targeted application of the extinguishing fluid
the amount of extinguishing fluid used can be reduced, so
that the amounts of extinguishing fluid that have to be
transported can be correspondingly optimised. In this way
advantages can also be achieved as regards savings in weight
and space.
According to the prior art magnetic valves are predominantly
used as section valves. The use of electrically operated
section valves is however also known. These section valves as
a rule have one input and one output.
In the prior art the control of the section valves proves to
be difficult and is associated in particular with a large
effort and expenditure. As a rule each individual section
valve has to be connected via a plurality of separate lines
to a central control unit in order to be able to control the
respective section valve from the central control unit. For
example, with electrically operated section valves and
magnetic valves a separate cable has to be laid for the two
valve positions to be covered, and an electrical resistance
is also integrated.
From WO 2006/100221 A1 a magnetic valve is known for example
that can be controlled remotely. For this purpose the valve
comprises an adjustment means in the form of an adjusting
lever that is controlled through a central control unit.
The problem with this prior art however is that a large
number of cables have to be laid. Thus, in addition to the
adjustment means, limit switches, maintenance switches and an
auxiliary drive also have to be provided, which in each case
have to be remotely controlled from the central control unit
via separate lines. A large installation effort and
expenditure is thus associated with a remote maintenance and
remote control of the fire fighting system according to the
prior art.
From the aforedescribed disadvantages the object therefore
arises of providing a fire fighting system for railway
vehicles that allows a remote control of the section valves
in a simple manner and with a low installation effort and
expenditure.
This object is achieved according to one aspect by a fire
fighting system, in particular for a railway vehicle, with a
supply line for supplying at least one extinguishing nozzle
with extinguishing fluid, wherein at least one section valve
is arranged between the extinguishing nozzle and the supply
line, in that the section valve comprises a signal processing
means for controlling an adjustment means of the section
valve, wherein the signal processing means can be
electrically connected via a data communication network to a
central control unit.
It had been recognised that a section valve can be controlled
in a simple manner from a central control unit that may be
located for example in the driver's cabin of the railway
vehicle or at suitable checkpoints in the railway vehicle, if
the section valve comprises a suitable signal processing
means for controlling the adjustment means. As adjustment
means a suitable means can be used, for example an adjusting
lever, an electric motor or the like, so that the locking
means of the section valve can be adjusted by the adjustment
means.
The signal processing means can be integrated in the section
valve or can also be arranged on the section valve via a
suitable interface or the like. The signal processing means
can be designed so that it can adjust via the adjustment
means at least the valve position, and can therefore effect
for example an opening and closing of the section valve.
The signal processing means also provides the advantage that
it can be connected in a simple manner to a data
communication network. A data communication network is as a
rule already installed in the railway vehicle for other
electrical equipment of the railway vehicle, such as for
example an air conditioning unit, communication devices and
the like. A complicated additional cable connection of the
section valves to a central control unit via a large number
of additional cables can therefore be avoided. It is simply
necessary to connect the signal processing unit to the data
communication network. It is however also possible according
to the invention to use, for reasons of redundancy, a
separate cabling arrangement for a fire alarm system and a
control system.
As regards the energy supply, the signal processing means can
have its own energy supply, such as a suitable energy storage
device or the like, and/or can be coupled to the energy
supply network of the railway vehicle. A user can then
communicate via a central control unit and the data
communication network preferably directly with the
corresponding section valve.
The present fire fighting system for a railway vehicle allows
in a simple manner a secure communication with at least one
section valve. It is understood that, according to other
variants of the present invention, the fire fighting system
can also include two or more section valves as well as two or
more extinguishing nozzles.
According to an advantageous embodiment it is proposed that
the section valve is an electrically operated section valve.
An electrically operated section valve comprises an electric
motor as adjustment means, which can be operated for example
via the signal processing means. The desired valve position
can be adjusted with the electric motor. The use of an
electrically operated section valve permits a particularly
simple control of the section valve.
In order to provide a simple electrical connection of the
signal processing means to the data communication network,
according to a further advantageous exemplary embodiment it
is proposed that the signal processing means can be connected
via a data interface to the data communication network.
Moreover, the signal processing means can preferably include
a processor, such as for example a microprocessor, a digital
signal processor (DSP) or the like. A suitable signal
processing means can be implemented, depending on the
complexity of the section valve and the control of the
adjustment means of the section valve.
In a further preferred exemplary embodiment the signal
processing means can provide an IP address. Thus a simple
addressing of the signal processing means and of the section
valve respectively comprising the signal processing means is
possible in this way. In particular known protocols can be
employed for the communication between the central control
unit and the signal processing means of a section valve. Such
an addressing is possible in a simple manner specifically
where there are a plurality of section valves.
Moreover the data communication network can preferably be
formed as a token ring. A daisy chain network access is also
possible. An Ethernet network access may furthermore be
possible.
According to another advantageous exemplary embodiment it is
proposed that the section valve for operating at least one
extinguishing nozzle in a predeterminable first section of
the railway vehicle is formed independently of at least one
further extinguishing nozzle in a second predeterminable
section of the railway vehicle. Different risk sections in a
railway vehicle can be predetermined. If a fire is detected
in one of these sections extinguishing fluid can then be
applied independently of the other sections. For example, a
first section may be the passenger compartment and a second
section may be the toilet compartment of a railway vehicle.
In principle the railway vehicle can be subdivided into any
arbitrary number of sections. A third risk section would for
example be a luggage area, engine compartment or the like.
Due to the possibility of an independent control of the
respective section in which a fire has been detected, the
amount of extinguishing fluid required to control the fire
can be reduced, so that savings in weight and space can be
made. Suitable detectors can be employed to detect the fire.
In order to reduce the number of required section valves,
according to a further preferred exemplary embodiment the
section valve can comprise at least one inlet opening, a
first outlet opening and a second outlet opening. By
designing the section valve with at least two outlet
openings, two different sections can be supplied
independently of one another with extinguishing fluid using
one section valve. For this purpose the section valve can
comprise a corresponding locking means that can be actuated
by the adjustment means. A further section valve is not
necessary, in contrast to the prior art. This brings a
significant saving as regards space and weight. For example,
extinguishing nozzles in a first section of the railway
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 section of
the railway 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 outlet opening, both outlet
openings or no outlet opening may be open. It is furthermore
understood that the section valve can also comprise three or
more outlet openings, in order to supply a third section and
further sections of the railway vehicle independently of one
another with extinguishing fluid. In particular, with two or
more outlet openings the adjustment means of the section
valve can be effectively controlled by the signal processing
means. Furthermore, the installation effort and expenditure
is also less, since despite a plurality of outlet openings
only one connection of the signal processing means to the
data communication network is necessary for a control and
maintenance of the section valve.
According to a further exemplary embodiment the signal
processing means can comprise data collecting means for
determining the state of the section valve. The collected
state data can then preferably be transmitted directly from
the signal processing means via the data communication
network to the central control unit. Depending on these state
data the section valve and the adjustment means respectively
can then be controlled with a high degree of precision in a
simple manner. The collection of the state data can be
carried out for example at periodic intervals. Also, it is
possible for a user to access the data via the central
control unit.
In principle all the data relating to the section valve can
be recorded by the collecting means. According to a further
exemplary embodiment the collecting means can be provided
determining the operating mode of the section valve and/or
the section valve positions and/or a section valve
malfunction. For example, the collecting means can detect
whether the section valve is in a maintenance mode, rest mode
or operating mode. In the maintenance mode various tests can
for example be carried out from the central control unit in
order to test the functional capability of the section valve.
For this purpose the various section valve positions, such as
an open first outlet opening, an open second outlet opening,
an open first and second outlet opening, etc., can for
example be adjusted first of all. Suitable sensors can then
detect whether the respectively adjusted valve position has
actually been attained. If there is a malfunction of the
section valve, such as for example a functional defect, then
this can be detected immediately by the signal processing
means and the information can be transmitted to the control
unit and displayed there. Furthermore suitable steps can be
taken by a user in order to rectify the malfunction. The data
collecting means can include suitable sensors for recording
these data.
It is understood that, according to other variants of the
present invention, further data relating to the section valve
can be collected. Thus, it is conceivable to record the
ambient temperature, the section valve temperature, the flow
rate through the section valve and the like, by means of
suitable sensors. In addition to a simple maintenance
possibility, in the event of a fire a simple control of the
section valve can also be carried out.
Furthermore, the fire fighting system can according to a
further exemplary embodiment comprise a pressure generation
device, the said pressure generation device being able to be
coupled to a compressed air supply of the railway vehicle. A
desired rest pressure and/or operating pressure can be
generated with the pressure generation device. Thus, the
extinguishing fluid can be applied via the extinguishing
nozzles at a high pressure, for example 80 to 200 bar. Due to
a coupling of the pressure generation device to the
compressed air supply of the railway vehicle, additional
pressure generation units can be dispensed with.
The object mentioned above is achieved according to a further
aspect by a railway vehicle comprising the aforedescribed
fire fighting system. For example, the fire fighting system
can be used in a high-speed train, a tram, an underground
train, etc.
The object mentioned above is achieved according to a still
further aspect by a method for operating a fire fighting
system, in particular the fire fighting system described
hereinbefore, in that a section valve arranged between a
supply line and at least one extinguishing nozzle and
comprising a signal processing means for controlling an
adjustment means of the section valve, is controlled via a
data communication network from a central control unit. In
particular the section valve can be controlled through the
central control unit directly via the arranged signal
processing means. The fire fighting system, in particular the
section valves of the fire fighting system, can be operated
in a simple manner.
The invention is described in more detail hereinafter with
the aid of a drawing showing exemplary embodiments. In the
drawing the single Fig. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment
of a fire fighting system.
Fig. 1 shows a fire fighting system 2 with an extinguishing
means storage container 24, a pressure generation device 26,
a supply line 4, section valves 8, section lines 18 and
extinguishing nozzles 6. In this connection the pressure
generation device 26 can preferably be coupled to the
compressed air supply of the railway vehicle (not shown).
It can furthermore be seen that a central control unit 14 and
a data communication network 12 are provided. The central
control unit 14 can comprise a suitable processor, input and
output means, etc. The data communication network 12 can
preferably be formed as a token ring, which is indicated by
the dotted line. It is understood however that other
configurations of the data communication network 12 are also
possible.
The fire fighting system can preferably be used in the
railway vehicle, wherein a data communication network is
already preferably installed in the railway vehicle. In this
connection the railway vehicle can be subdivided into
different risk sections 16.1, 16.2 and 16.3. For example, the
first section 16.1 can be the passenger compartment, the
second section 16.2 can be the toilet compartment and the
third section 16.3 can be a luggage area. It is understood
that also more than or only two sections can be provided.
The supply of the first section 16.1 with extinguishing fluid
from the extinguishing fluid storage container 24 via the
supply line 4 can take place via a first section valve 8.1.
Preferably the first section valve 8.1 is an electrically
operated valve 8.1 with an adjustment means 9 in the form of
an electric motor 9 for adjusting the locking means (not
shown).
The electric motor 9 can in this connection be operated via
signal processing means 10.1. The signal processing means can
be integrated in the section valve 8.1 or can be arranged on
the latter. The section valve 8.1 furthermore comprises an
inlet opening 20 and an outlet opening 22.
In the first section 16.1 a plurality of extinguishing
nozzles 6.1 can be arranged that can communicate via a
section line 18.1 with the outlet opening 22 of the section
valve 8.1. For reasons of clarity the representation of fire
detection devices for detecting a fire in the first section
was omitted.
The supply of the extinguishing nozzles 6.2 in the second
section 16.2 of the railway vehicle with extinguishing fluid
and the supply of the extinguishing nozzles 6.3 in the third
section 16.3 of the railway vehicle with extinguishing fluid
is implemented via a second section valve 8.2. Preferably
this section valve 8.2, like the first section valve 8.1, is
designed as an electrically operated section valve 8.2 with
signal processing means 10.2 for controlling an electric
motor 9.
Compared to the section valve 8.1, the section valve 8.2 has
however a first outlet opening 22.1 and a second outlet
opening 22.2. Thus, the extinguishing nozzles 6.2 of the
second section 16.2 can be supplied with extinguishing fluid
via the first outlet opening 22.1 of the section valve 8.2,
while the extinguishing nozzles 6.3 of the third section 16.3
can be supplied with extinguishing fluid via the second
outlet opening 22.2 of the section valve 8.2.
Furthermore it can be seen from Fig. 1 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 can
include suitable data interfaces.
As has already been stated hereinbefore, the signal
processing means 10 can be integrated into the section valves
8. Similarly, it is possible for the signal processing means
10 to be arranged via a suitable interface or the like on the
section valves 8. Due to the arrangement of the signal
processing means 10, which may preferably include a suitable
processor, at the section valves 8 a simple control of the
respective section valve 8 and of the corresponding
adjustment means 9 respectively is made possible via the
central control unit 14.
In addition the signal processing means 10 may comprise data
collecting means, such as for example suitable sensors, in
order to collect state data of the section valve 8. For
example, the operating mode of the section valve 8, a
malfunction of the section valve 8, the section valve
position, the temperature of the section valve 8, the flow
rate through the section valve 8 and similar state parameters
relating to the respective section valve 8, can be recorded.
Furthermore the signal processing means 10 can be connected
to fire detection devices in order to be able to detect a
fire and/or transmit the corresponding data to the central
control unit 14. It is understood that, alternatively and
additionly, further fire detectors can be provided.
If a fire is now detected by suitable fire detectors in a
first section 16.1, then the fire fighting system 2 in the
first section 16.1 is preferably automatically activated. For
example, the outlet opening 22 of the section valve 8.1 is
opened, so that extinguishing fluid can flow out, preferably
under high pressure, through the extinguishing nozzles 6.1.
For this purpose the signal processing means 10.1 can
appropriately trigger the adjustment means 9, so that the
locking means are adjusted to the valve opening position. It
is understood that, apart from the section valves 8, further
valve devices can be provided in the line system.
The signal processing means 10.1 can transmit the change in
the state of the section valve 8.1 directly to the central
control unit 14. A user of the central control unit 14, such
as for example the train driver, can if necessary take
further suitable action, such as operating the braking system
of the railway vehicle.
In the case where a fire is detected in the third section
16.3, the second outlet opening 22.2 of the section valve 8.2
can be opened by the signal processing means 10.2 by means of
the adjustment means 9 and the locking means, while the first
outlet opening 22.1 of the section valve 8.2 remains closed.
In this case too the signal processing means 10.2 can then
transmit the altered state data to the central control unit
14.
With simply one section valve it is possible in a simple
manner to supply at least two different sections with
extinguishing fluid independently of one another.
Apart from the simple control of the section valves 8 in the
event of a fire, the present fire fighting system 2 also
allows a simple central maintenance of the section valves 8.
A user can carry out various tests centrally from the central
control unit 14 in order to check the functionality of the
individual section valves 8. Thus, the individual valve
positions, such as open first outlet opening, open second
outlet opening, etc., can be adjusted via the central control
unit 14. It can then be detected via the data collecting
means of the signal processing means 10 whether the desired
valve position has also actually been attained. A manual
check of each individual section valve 8 is not necessary.

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) can be
electrically connected 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 11,
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).

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a fire fighting system, in particular
for a railway vehicle, with a supply line for supplying at
least one extinguishing nozzle with extinguishing fluid,
wherein at least one section valve is arranged between the
extinguishing nozzle and the supply line, wherein the section
valve includes a signal processing means for controlling an
adjustment means of the section valve, wherein the signal
processing means can be electrically connected via a data
communication network to a central control unit.