Remote Isolation System for a Rail System

Abstract

A remote isolation system ( 700 ) for a rail system ( 200 ) comprising a rail system component ( 215 A) other than rail traffic energisable by an energy source ( 23 ) and a control system ( 205 ) for controlling operation of said rail system component ( 215 A) wherein said control system ( 205 ) enables isolation of said rail system component ( 215 A) from said energy source ( 23 ) to an isolated state when an isolation request for said rail system component ( 215 A) is authorised by the control system ( 205 ).

1 . A remote isolation system for a rail system comprising:
 a rail system component energisable by an energy source; and   a control system for controlling operation of said rail system component wherein said control system enables isolation of said rail system component from said energy source to an isolated state when an isolation request for said rail system component is authorised by the control system.   
     
     
         2 . A remote isolation system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said control system is configured to enable isolation of the rail system component following receipt of a permissible isolation request input to the control system by an operator. 
     
     
         3 . A remote isolation system as claimed in  claim 2  including at least one remote isolation station to enable communications with the control system to facilitate isolation on permissible request, said remote isolation station being provided with a control panel having input means to enable an operator to input an isolation request for authorisation by the control system; and an isolation switch for the rail system component. 
     
     
         4 . A remote isolation system as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said rail system includes a signal equipment room or signal boxes and a remote isolation station is located outside said signal equipment room. 
     
     
         5 . A remote isolation system as claimed in  claim 3  including at least one mobile remote isolation station. 
     
     
         6 . A remote isolation system as claimed in  claim 3  including a bypass or over-ride mode wherein said remote isolation system is deactivated and rendered temporarily inoperative to address an isolation system fault. 
     
     
         7 . A remote isolation system as claimed in  claim 4  including first circuit interrupter(s) which are in series connection with a primary stop/start switch for the rail system component, the first circuit interrupter(s) being controlled to the off or break state by said control system once isolation of the rail system component has been authorised by the control system. 
     
     
         8 . A remote isolation system as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said remote isolation system includes second circuit interrupter(s) in an energy supply line from the energy source to the rail system component, said second circuit interrupter(s) being under the control of the control system and placed in the off state once isolation is authorised by the control system. 
     
     
         9 . A remote isolation system as claimed in  claim 8  further comprising a voltage monitoring means to sense and monitor voltage downstream of the first and second circuit interrupter(s). 
     
     
         10 . A remote isolation system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein isolation includes bridging and automated isolation. 
     
     
         11 . A remote isolation system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said rail system component is selected from track switches and overhead aerials to provide power for trains and track supply. 
     
     
         12 . A remote isolation system as claimed in  claim 1  including track shorting devices to indicate traffic occupied status and provide notification that works are in progress on a section of isolated track. 
     
     
         13 . A remote isolation system as claimed in  claim 1  including automatic track derailers to derail rail traffic should it approach a section of isolated track. 
     
     
         14 . A remote isolation system as claimed in  claim 1  including securing means having sensors to continuously monitor and secure isolation system integrity and implement corrective action to address threats to isolation system integrity if detected. 
     
     
         15 . A remote isolation system as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said control panel is configured to only enable isolation system operation following operator identity verification using an operator identification device integrated with the control panel and remote isolation system. 
     
     
         16 . A remote isolation system as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said operator identity verification includes verification of operator identification data, such as isolation permit data enabling an operator to perform specific tasks and work in particular areas. 
     
     
         17 . A rail system comprising:
 a control system for controlling rail system operations;   a plurality of interconnected rail tracks and associated railway system components energisable by an energy source under control by the control system; and   an isolation system for isolating at least one said railway system component from said energy source when authorised by the control system wherein at least one rail track remains operational under the control of the control system during isolation of the rail system component by the isolation system.   
     
     
         18 . A rail system as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the control system enables the at least one rail track to remain operational dependent on certain permissives being met. 
     
     
         19 . A rail system as claimed in  claim 17  wherein a permissive relates to safety clearance and, in case of insufficient clearance, the control system places rail track(s) having insufficient clearance out of service.