CA2218502A1 - Ac input cell for data acquisition circuits - Google Patents

Ac input cell for data acquisition circuits Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2218502A1
CA2218502A1 CA002218502A CA2218502A CA2218502A1 CA 2218502 A1 CA2218502 A1 CA 2218502A1 CA 002218502 A CA002218502 A CA 002218502A CA 2218502 A CA2218502 A CA 2218502A CA 2218502 A1 CA2218502 A1 CA 2218502A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
elements
input
lines
data acquisition
voltage
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002218502A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Henri Husson
Jean-Pierre Franckart
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Alstom Belgium SA
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2218502A1 publication Critical patent/CA2218502A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G08SIGNALLING
    • G08BSIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B29/00Checking or monitoring of signalling or alarm systems; Prevention or correction of operating errors, e.g. preventing unauthorised operation
    • G08B29/16Security signalling or alarm systems, e.g. redundant systems
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61RAILWAYS
    • B61LGUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L1/00Devices along the route controlled by interaction with the vehicle or vehicle train, e.g. pedals
    • B61L1/20Safety arrangements for preventing or indicating malfunction of the device, e.g. by leakage current, by lightning

Abstract

An AC input cell for data acquisition circuits, particularly in railway applications. The cell includes at least two lines (A and B) of identical elements, and each line includes at least one Zener diode (DZ1 or DZ2), an optocoupler (U1 or U2) including an LED, a diode (D2 or D4) and a resistor (R1 or R3), each of said elements being arranged in series.

Description

~ . CA 022l8~02 lss7-l0-l7 , f AC INPUT CELL INTENDED FOR DATA ACQUISITION CIRCUITS.

Subject of the invention.
The present invention relates essentially to an AC input cell intended for data acquisition circuits, more particularly in railway applications.
Technical background.
Currently, AC input cells intended for data acquisition circuits essentially consist of mechanical safety relays which are connected together by simple cabling.
Objects of the invention.
The present invention aims to provide a cell for AC inputs intended for data acquisition circuits, particularly in railway applications, which has at least equivalent behaviour in terms of safety to that of the prior art, while keeping inherent advantages of compactness, easier maintenance and fitting as well as greater longevity.
More particularly, the present invention aims to provide a cell in which misreading always errs on the side of safety.
The present invention also aims to detect malfunctions which may occur in the various constituent elements of the cell.
The present invention furthermore aims to minimize the influence of a variation in the characteristics of the components which are used, under the effect of an external factor such as a rise in temperature, for example.
Principle characteristics of the present invention.
The present invention relates to an AC input cell intended for data acquisition circuits, comprising at least one device for detecting a voltage greater than the reference for the positive half-cycle at the input voltage, and a device for detecting a voltage greater than the reference for the negative half-cycle of the input voltage.

CA 02218~02 1997-10-17 : l 2 Each of these detection devices comprises a Zener diode, an optocoupler comprising an emission LED, a diode and a resistor, these elements being arranged in series.
According to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elements constituting each of the two detection devices mentioned above are arranged on one branch, the two branches being arranged in parallel.
In this case, the elements constituting the detection device for the negative half-cycle are arranged in a configuration which is the opposite to that of the ones constituting the detection device for the positive half-cycle.
lS According to another embodiment, the two detection devices are arranged in series on a single branch. In this case, the elements constituting the detection device for the negative half-cycle are mounted in a configuration which is the opposite to that of those constituting the detection device for the positive half-cycle.
Particularly advantageously, a resistor is arranged in parallel on each of the optocouplers, so as to make it possible to limit the influence of the leakage current of the Zener diodes.
Brief description of the figures.
The present invention will be described in more detail with the aid of the following figures:
Figures 1 and 2 represent outline diagrams which show the essential elements constituting a device according to the present invention.
Figure 3 represents an embodiment of the device according to the present invention implemented by applying the principles described in figures 1 and 2.

CA 02218~02 1997-10-17 Description of some preferred embodiments of the invention.
In order to understand the principles underlying the design of the device according to the present invention, reference will be made essentially to Figures 1 and 2 which incorporate the principle characteristic elements.
The device according to the present invention, commonly referred to as an AC input cell for data acquisition circuits, as represented in Figure 1 is essentially composed of two branches, referred to as branches A and B, which respectively comprise a device ~or detecting a voltage higher than the reference for the positive half-cycle at the input voltage (branch A) and a device for detecting a voltage higher than the reference for the negative half-cycle of the input voltage (branch B).
In general, the voltage thresholding is carried out by measuring the time for which, during one half-cycle, the input voltage is greater than the reference voltage. If this time is greater than the predefined limit time, then the input voltage is considered as sufficient; otherwise, it is considered that there is not a sufficient voltage at the input.
The branches A and B comprise the same elements, but arranged in an opposite configuration.
The branch A, which constitutes the detection device for the positive half-cycle, comprises a Zener diode DZ1, an optocoupler U1, a diode D2 and a resistor R1, these elements being arranged in seriesi whereas the branch B which constitutes the detection device for the negative half-cycle comprises a Zener diode DZ2, an optocoupler U2, a diode D4 and a resistor R3, also arranged in series but in the opposite configuration.
According to a preferred embodiment, represented in Figure 2, it is conceivable for all the elements represented on the branches A and B in Figure 1 to be arranged on a single branch, the two series of elements - Zener diode DZ1, optocoupler U1 and Zener . CA 022l8~02 lss7-l0-l7 , DZ2, optocoupler U2 - being arranged in opposite configurations.
The main drawback of this configuration described in Figure 2 resides in the fact that the Zener diodes DZ1 and DZ2 may have a particularly large leakage current which increases with temperature.
Advantageously, in order to solve this problem, a resistor R7 or R13 is arranged in parallel on the LEDs of the optocouplers U1 and U2.
It is also conceivable for another element, having the same function, to be arranged in parallel with U1 or U2. However, a resistor seems to be the element with the most reliable and simplest design.
This device has the essential advantage of obtaining current thresholding.
Another advantage of this arrangement is a saving in volume and an increase in sa~ety.
Figure 3 describes a practical example of a device according to the present invention, using the principles described in Figure 2.
The device described in Figure 3 is a 110 volt - 50 hertz AC input cell, essentially comprising 3 functional units arranged in cascade.
The first unit (unit I) essentially makes it possible to limit overvoltages.
The second unit (unit II) guarantees consumption of the input power.
The third unit (unit III) performs the voltage thresholding of the cell, as well as the DC isolation between the input and the output processing lines.
The unit I consists of a varistore VR1, a resistor R5, diodes and spark gaps with a view to protecting the cell ~rom overvoltages, whereas the unlt II which ensures the minimal rated consumption (reactive power) consists of a "4 terminal" capacitor C4 coupling the input terminals of the cell to the unit III which itself provides the voltage thresholding.
The varistore VR1 clips the overvoltages occurring during differential discharges, while the CA 02218~02 1997-10-17 resistor R5 limits the amplitude of the current peaks in the "~ terminal" capacitor C4 during the discharges, as well as the dV/dt.
The "4 terminal" capacitor C4 should be designed so as to ensure minimal consumption for a given 50 hertz input voltage.
The device for detecting a voltage higher than the reference for the positive half-cycle of the input voltage, this device being located on branch A, essentially consists of the elements described in Figures 1 and 2: the Zener diode DZ1, the optocoupler U1, the diode D2 and the resistor R1, while the device for detecting a voltage higher than the reference for the negative half-cycle of the input voltage, which device is located on branch B, essentially consists of the same elements as the ones described in Figures 1 and 2: the Zener diode DZ2, the optocoupler U2, the diode D4 and the resistor R3.
Furthermore, a fuse F1 or F2 is present in each of the branches A or B.
The principle selection criterion for the two main optocouplers U1 and U2 is that of operating with the lowest possible LED current, in order to make it possible to dissipate the minimum amount of power in the series resistors R1 and R3. This also makes it possible to minimize the contribution of the characteristic of the emission LED in the value of the voltage threshold.
The conduction time of the optocouplers U1 and U2 is measured by sampling, 32 times at regular intervals of 20 milliseconds (therefore corresponding to a frequency of 50 hertz), the electrical level delivered to the output processing lines and by counting the number of samples for which there is a logic state "0".
The emission LED of U1 emits throughout the time when the input voltage is higher than the threshold voltage of the branch A. The emission of this LED of the optocoupler U1 entails earthing of the ~ ~ = ~
CA 02218~02 1997-10-17 resistors R2, R9 and R10 arranged in "pull up" on the optocoupler U1, thus leading to Ql being turned off and to the reading of a "0" logic level on the input of the multiplexer scanned by the processing line A (Ql emitter).
The emission LED of U2 emits throughout the time when the input voltage is higher than the threshold voltage of the branch B. The emission of this LED of the optocoupler U2 entails earthing of the resistors R4, R11 and R12 arranged in "pull up" on the optocoupler U2, thus leading to the reading of a "0"
logic level on the input of the multiplexer scanned by the processing line B (collector of the output transistor of U2).
There are two safety criteria guaranteed for 110 volt AC input cells:
- the detection threshold must not fall below a limit for a 50 hertz sinusoidal voltage;
- the power consumed under a 50 hertz sinusoidal voltage for an input in the logic state 1 cannot fall below a second limit value.
It should be noted that, apart from the 4 terminal capacitor, the components used to produce an AC input cell have no other intrinsic guarantee of safety. For this reason, safety needs to rely on the use of the redundancy and checking the coherence of the data provided to the processing lines.
In particular, processing line A scans the voltage on the emitter Ql, while line B is connected to the collector of the output transistor of the optocoupler U2. At the end of each scanning cycle, A
and B exchange, for mutual verification purposes, their own value for the number of samples taken when U1 or U2 were conducting.
The useful signals at the output of the cell are naturally presented on the collectors of the output optocouplers with a high output impedance level for the "1" electrical state and a low impedance level for the "0" electrical state. One precaution then consists in CA 02218~02 1997-10-17 using, just for the processing line A, a buffer stage with transistor inverting the level of the output impedances so that there is this time a low impedance level for the "1" electrical state and a high impedance level for the "0" electrical state.
This characteristic has the risk of producing an "OR" logic function (as regards the state of the inputs) for the two processing lines in the event of defects consisting in the occurrence of a short-circuit between the output signals of the various cells.
This buffer stage consists of the transistor Q1 and the resistor R6 which are placed in the processing line A.
By thus creating an asymmetry between the two lines, in the event of multiple parasitic conducting circuits occurring, possibly affecting the same cells for the two processing lines, the following behaviour is profited from: the equivalent of a wired OR function (at the electrical level) is produced on the cells of line A, while the equivalent of a wired AND (at the electrical level) is produced on the cells of line B.
This leads to a divergence between processing lines being detected as soon as the two cells affected by the parasitic conducting circuits are in different states.

Claims (5)

1. AC input cell intended for data acquisition circuits, particularly in railway applications, comprising at least two lines (A and B) of identical elements arranged the opposite way round on the two lines, each line comprising at least one Zener diode (DZ1 or DZ2), an optocoupler (U1 or U2) comprising an LED diode, a diode (D2 or D4) and a resistor (R1 or R3), each of these elements being arranged in series.
2. Cell according to Claim 1, characterized in that the two lines (A and B) are arranged in parallel, the elements of the first line being mounted in a configuration which is the opposite to that of the elements of the second line.
3. Cell according to Claim 1, characterized in that the two lines of elements (A and B) are placed in series, the elements of the first line being mounted in a configuration which is the opposite to that of the elements of the second line.
4. Cell according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a resistor (R7 or R13) is arranged in parallel on the LED diode of each of the optocouplers (U1 or U2).
5. Cell according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, on just one of the lines (A), it comprises a buffer stage with transistor (Q1 and R6) inverting the level of the output impedances.
CA002218502A 1995-04-19 1996-04-12 Ac input cell for data acquisition circuits Abandoned CA2218502A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP95870039.5 1995-04-19
EP95870039 1995-04-19

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2218502A1 true CA2218502A1 (en) 1996-10-24

Family

ID=8222128

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002218502A Abandoned CA2218502A1 (en) 1995-04-19 1996-04-12 Ac input cell for data acquisition circuits

Country Status (21)

Country Link
US (1) US6229349B1 (en)
EP (1) EP0822907B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH11504587A (en)
KR (1) KR100403087B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1182393A (en)
AP (1) AP820A (en)
AT (1) ATE189430T1 (en)
AU (1) AU713905B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2218502A1 (en)
CZ (1) CZ289720B6 (en)
DE (1) DE69606527T2 (en)
DK (1) DK0822907T3 (en)
EA (1) EA000206B1 (en)
ES (1) ES2143756T3 (en)
GR (1) GR3033056T3 (en)
HU (1) HUP9802642A3 (en)
OA (1) OA10527A (en)
PL (1) PL180737B1 (en)
PT (1) PT822907E (en)
SK (1) SK283834B6 (en)
WO (1) WO1996033086A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2763184B1 (en) * 1997-05-07 1999-07-23 Csee Transport VALIDATION DEVICE FOR DIGITAL MESSAGES, APPLICABLE IN PARTICULAR TO RAIL TRAFFIC REGULATION SYSTEMS
FR2798538B1 (en) * 1999-09-10 2001-12-14 Soprano INPUT LOGIC CIRCUIT WITHOUT THERMAL DISSIPATION AND VOLTAGE ADAPTABLE
DE10329655A1 (en) * 2003-07-01 2005-02-03 Infineon Technologies Ag Electronic component
US8032078B1 (en) * 2006-11-21 2011-10-04 Meteorcomm, Llc Wayside monitoring systems
US8674681B2 (en) * 2010-05-25 2014-03-18 Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. Voltage detection and measurement circuit

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4091292A (en) 1977-03-07 1978-05-23 General Signal Corporation Fail-safe monitor of d.c. voltage
FR2569916B1 (en) * 1984-09-03 1986-09-26 Charbonnages De France POWER CIRCUIT AND TRIGGERING DEVICE COMPRISING SAME
GB2166918B (en) 1984-11-13 1988-09-14 Westinghouse Brake & Signal A circuit arrangement for providing in a fail-safe manner an alternating output signal to a load
AUPM744794A0 (en) * 1994-08-15 1994-09-08 Garrick, Gilbert Alain Lindsay Smoke alarm system with standby battery and elv reactive primary power supply

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
HUP9802642A3 (en) 1999-08-30
SK141597A3 (en) 1998-06-03
DE69606527D1 (en) 2000-03-09
SK283834B6 (en) 2004-03-02
AP9701071A0 (en) 1997-10-31
EA199700237A1 (en) 1998-02-26
DE69606527T2 (en) 2000-08-17
PL180737B1 (en) 2001-03-30
ES2143756T3 (en) 2000-05-16
AP820A (en) 2000-04-20
US6229349B1 (en) 2001-05-08
AU5262696A (en) 1996-11-07
EA000206B1 (en) 1998-12-24
ATE189430T1 (en) 2000-02-15
OA10527A (en) 2002-04-29
AU713905B2 (en) 1999-12-16
EP0822907A1 (en) 1998-02-11
CN1182393A (en) 1998-05-20
PL323041A1 (en) 1998-03-02
GR3033056T3 (en) 2000-08-31
EP0822907B1 (en) 2000-02-02
KR100403087B1 (en) 2004-02-11
PT822907E (en) 2000-07-31
DK0822907T3 (en) 2000-07-24
CZ289720B6 (en) 2002-03-13
CZ322097A3 (en) 1998-01-14
KR19980703887A (en) 1998-12-05
WO1996033086A1 (en) 1996-10-24
JPH11504587A (en) 1999-04-27
HUP9802642A2 (en) 1999-03-29

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request
FZDE Discontinued