13-07-2012, 03:36 PM
Intelligent Train Engines
Intelligent Train Engines.pdf (Size: 106.42 KB / Downloads: 87)
Introduction:
We know that the railway network of India is the biggest in south Asia and perhaps the
most complicated in all over the world. There are so many different types of trains local, fast,
super fast, passenger, goods.. etc. and their so many multiple routs. Although the time table is
perfect it is not at all possible to maintain it. And that’s why the train accidents are becoming
more and more usual. So why not we add a kind of intelligence to the train engines itself so that
it tries to avoid accidents.
The idea is whenever any engine observes a red signal on its track it will start decreasing
its speed gradually and stops automatically at some distance from the signal pole. After then
when it gets green signal the driver can manually start the train and go on. In the mean time
when train has not stopped yet and a red signal becomes green then it crosses the signal pole
with low speed and then driver can slowly increase the speed.
So now before the driver observes the red signal the engine itself observes it and
automatically starts decreasing speed and then stops. The driver can feel relax in driving
because he doesn’t have to take care about red signal. Even if he forgets to take any action on
red signal then also we can avoid accidents by the implementation of this idea.
General description:
What we have to do is we have to attach a transmitter with signal pole which will start
transmitting signals only when the red light is on. If there is green light no transmission. The
engine has a receiver which catches these transmitted signals and takes desire actions.
Both the transmitter and receiver are of RF type with minimum range of 2 Km. so that
train can get enough time to decrease its speed and stop before the signal pole with minimum
swapping distance of 100-200 mt.
Here in our project we have used IR transmitter and receiver instead of RF for demo
purpose. But same idea can be easily implemented with RF also with a little more cost.
Lets first discuss the demonstration model.
Demonstration Model:
The train engine runs on 24V DC motor so that we can easily vary its speed by varying
applied voltage. The switching voltage is applied in step of 18 V, 15 V, 12 V and 9 V (min
speed). The 230 VAC is step-down to 24 VAC by 12-0-12, 2 Ampere step down transformer.
As shown in figure this 24 VAC line runs parallel with track at the top of the train. Movable
tapping are taken from this line and fed to the internal circuit of engine. These tapping slides as
the train runs on the track and give continuous supply to circuit. The IR sensor is placed at the
top of the engine, senses the signals transmitted by IR transmitter attached to signal pole. Train
track is straight and 20 ft long. Signal pole is placed at the end of track and train starts from
farther end.
The project is divided in two parts 1) transmitter 2) receiver
The transmitter is housed in signal pole and it is activated only when red light is ON.
The receiver is housed in engine which senses the IR signals and takes suitable action.
Signal Pole IR Transmitter:-
The figure shows the schematic diagram of IR transmitter.
The heart of the circuit is IC555. The main component of the circuit is only IC555.
Connections:
Both ICs are connected in astable mode. The frequency of U2 is 0.5 Hz and U1 is 38 KHz.
This is decided by RC components connected with it. The output of U2 is connected with reset
pin (4) of U1. Thus the output of U2 controls the operation of U1 means it will switch on or off
the output of U1. The output of U1 is fed to two IR LEDs through Darlington pair made up of
Q1, Q2 and R5. The 9V DC battery is connected with circuit through SPDT switch SW1 as
shown.
Operation:
As shown in figure when SW1 is in position as shown the transmitter is On and also the red
LED is also ON. When switch changes its position the red LED and transmitter is off and only
green LED will on. When the circuit is energized U2 will start generating high pulse at every 1
sec. as this pulse is fed to reset pin of U1 it will generate 38 KHz square wave and give it to IR
leds. IR leds will generate IR beam of 38 KHz for the same time. Thus after every one second the
IR beam of 38 KHz is generated for one second only. This cycle repeats till the red light is on.