U.S. patent application number 16/397117 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-31 for method and arrangement for fault detection in a switch system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Siemens Aktiengesellshaft. Invention is credited to Stefan Boschert, Christoph Heinrich, Michael Schulze.
Application Number | 20190329807 16/397117 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62104121 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-31 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190329807 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boschert; Stefan ; et
al. |
October 31, 2019 |
METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR FAULT DETECTION IN A SWITCH SYSTEM
Abstract
For fault detection in a switch system including multiple
switches, for a respective switch its operating data are acquired
and transmitted to a central control. For a respective first switch
of the switch system, a deviation of an operating behavior of the
first switch from a set behavior is determined by the central
control on the basis of its operating data. If there is a
deviation, operating data of the first switch are compared with
operating data of other, second switches of the switch system and,
depending on that, a second switch with similar operating data is
selected.
Inventors: |
Boschert; Stefan;
(Neubiberg, DE) ; Heinrich; Christoph;
(Donauworth, DE) ; Schulze; Michael; (Berlin,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Siemens Aktiengesellshaft |
Munchen |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
62104121 |
Appl. No.: |
16/397117 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B61L 27/0083 20130101;
B61L 27/0088 20130101; B61L 23/04 20130101; B61L 5/062 20130101;
B61L 7/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B61L 23/04 20060101
B61L023/04; B61L 5/06 20060101 B61L005/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 30, 2018 |
EP |
18170074.1 |
Claims
1. A method for fault detection in a switch system that is
distributed over at least one track route and comprises multiple
switches, the method comprising: acquiring operating data of the
switch concerned for the switches of the switch system, and
transmitting the operating data to a central control; and b) for a
respective first switch of the switch system, determining a
deviation of an operating behavior of the first switch from a set
behavior by the central control on a basis of the operating data of
the first switch, if there is a deviation, comparing the operating
data of the first switch with operating data of other, second
switches of the switch system, depending on the results of the
comparison, selecting a second switch with similar operating data,
on the basis of the operating data of the selected second switch,
deriving a fault indication for the first switch, and outputting
the fault indication for the first switch.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating data
acquired for a respective switch are transmitted to the central
control by a transmitting device assigned to the respective
switch.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an indication of a
fault cause is sought in the operating data of the selected second
switch and, if such an indication is found, the indication found is
output as a fault indication for the first switch.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an indication of a
fault that has occurred is sought in the operating data of the
selected second switch and, if such indication is found, the
indication found is output as a fault forecast for the first
switch.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the operating data of a
respective switch comprise a variation over time of a current
consumption and/or a variation over time of a power consumption of
a switch operating mechanism of the respective switch.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating behavior
and/or the set behavior of the respective first switch is simulated
by means of a physical simulation model of the first switch on the
basis of the operating data of the first switch.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein multiple second
switches of which the operating data are similar to the operating
data of the first switch are selected, and the operating data of
the selected second switches are combined to derive the fault
indication.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when comparing
operating data of a respective first switch with operating data of
a respective second switch, a distance measure for a distance
between the respectively compared operating data is determined
and/or operating data patterns are determined by a pattern
recognition method and compared.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a knowledge graph of
which the nodes are respectively assigned to a switch of the switch
system is managed by the central control, and the operating data of
a respective switch are stored in assignment to a node assigned to
this switch.
10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein virtual operating
data for a multiplicity of virtual switches are generated by means
of a physical simulation model, and the virtual operating data are
used as operating data of the second switches.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein a number of virtual
switches is determined depending on a number and/or an age of the
switches of the switch system.
12. An arrangement for fault detection in a switch system that is
distributed over at least one track route, designed for carrying
out a method as claimed in claim 1.
13. A computer program product, comprising a computer readable
hardware storage device having computer readable program code
stored therein, said program code executable by a processor of a
computer system to implement a method as claimed in claim 1.
14. A computer-readable storage medium with a computer product as
claimed in claim 13.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to European application No.
18170074.1, having a filing date of Apr. 30, 2018 the entire
contents both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
[0002] The following relates to a method and arrangement for fault
detection in a switch system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] For track-bound modes of transport or means of transport,
switches are generally used for changing over from one track to
another. This is the case for example for rail-bound means of
transport such as railroads and streetcars and also for
switchbacks, trolley coaches or pneumatic mail systems.
[0004] The switches are central elements of the transport route,
which can greatly disrupt an operating sequence if there are
malfunctions. It is consequently desirable that malfunctions and
other faults in the switch system can be detected as precisely as
possible and preferably can be predicted. An identification of a
respective cause of a fault would likewise be very
advantageous.
[0005] It is known to monitor switches and their operating
mechanisms by means of assigned sensors and to signal a fault when
there are deviations in operating behavior from a set behavior.
However, predicting faults and/or determining their causes by means
of the known methodology involves a relatively great effort.
SUMMARY
[0006] An aspect relates to a method and an arrangement for fault
detection in a switch system that allow more detailed fault
indications and/or require less effort.
[0007] For fault detection in a switch system that is distributed
over at least one track route and comprises multiple switches,
operating data of the switch concerned are respectively acquired
for the switches of the switch system and transmitted to a central
control. The term switch system should be understood here as also
referring in particular to any desired group of multiple switches.
For a respective first switch of the switch system, [0008] a
deviation of an operating behavior of the first switch from a set
behavior is determined by the central control (CTL) on the basis of
the operating data of the first switch, [0009] if there is a
deviation, operating data of the first switch are compared with
operating data of other, second switches of the switch system,
[0010] depending on the results of the comparison, a second switch
with similar operating data is selected, [0011] on the basis of the
operating data of the selected second switch, a fault indication
for the first switch is derived, and [0012] the fault indication
for the first switch is output.
[0013] For carrying out the method according to the embodiment of
the invention, an arrangement for fault detection in a switch
system, a computer program product (non-transitory computer
readable storage medium having instructions, which when executed by
a processor, perform actions) and a computer-readable storage
medium are provided.
[0014] The method according to the embodiment of the invention and
the arrangement according to the embodiment of the invention can be
carried out or implemented in particular by means of one or more
processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs),
digital signal processors (DSPs, and or so-called "field
programmable gate arrays" (FPGAs).
[0015] The embodiment of the invention can advantageously use the
fact that switches arranged on the same track route are often
passed by the same vehicles, and are therefore subjected to similar
loading. By analogy with this, switches that are located in spatial
proximity are generally exposed to similar ambient conditions, in
particular similar weathering conditions. Behaviors, and in
particular malfunctional behaviors of switches of a switch system
are therefore often correlated with one another. Consequently, a
known behavior or malfunctional behavior of similar switches can in
many cases be used to detect or predict a behavior or malfunctional
behavior of a relatively similar, first switch and/or to identify a
probable fault cause. In particular, stored operating data of an
older switch can in many cases be used to derive accurate forecasts
of a future behavior of a relatively similar, more recent
switch.
[0016] By means of the embodiment of the invention, fault finding
and maintenance in a switch system can often be shortened
considerably and fault-specific countermeasures can be initiated at
an early time. The embodiment of the invention can be used in
particular for the monitoring, testing, commissioning, maintenance,
inspection, diagnosis, risk assessment and or control of a switch
system, in particular even during operation.
[0017] Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention
are specified in the dependent claims.
[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,
the operating data acquired for a respective switch are transmitted
to the central control by a transmitting device assigned to this
switch. The transmission may take place in a wire-bound or wireless
manner and/or by way of a data network, in particular the Internet.
The transmitting device assigned to a respective switch may be
arranged at the switch concerned or in a signal tower of the switch
system. Because of the switch-specific transmitting devices, in
many cases no service technician is required on site.
[0019] According to a further embodiment of the invention, an
indication of a fault cause may be sought in the operating data of
the selected second switch. If such an indication is found, the
indication found may be output as a fault indication for the first
switch. In cases where the selected second switch has similar
operating data to the first switch, a fault cause indicated in the
operating data of the selected second switch can often also be
assumed as the probable fault cause for the second switch.
[0020] Furthermore, an indication of a fault that has occurred may
be sought in the operating data of the selected second switch. If
such an indication is found, the indication found may be output as
a fault forecast for the first switch. In cases where the selected
second switch has similar operating data to the first switch, a
fault stored in the operating data of the selected second switch
may serve as a fault forecast for the first switch.
[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,
the operating data of a respective switch may comprise a variation
over time of a power consumption of a switch operating mechanism.
An increased current or power consumption may in this case suggest
a sluggishness of the switch concerned, which may be caused for
example by icing, by an obstacle or by an obstruction, for example
a stone.
[0022] According to a development of the embodiment of the
invention, the operating behavior and/or the set behavior of the
respective first switch may be simulated by means of a physical
simulation model of the first switch on the basis of the operating
data of the first switch. In particular, a switch operating
mechanism, a power transmission and/or a switch blade of the first
switch may be simulated by means of the physical simulation
model.
[0023] According to a further embodiment of the invention, multiple
second switches of which the operating data are similar to the
operating data of the first switch may be selected. The operating
data of the selected second switches may then be combined to derive
the fault indication, in order for example to interpolate or
extrapolate an operating parameter.
[0024] Furthermore, when comparing operating data of a respective
first switch with operating data of a respective second switch, a
distance measure for a distance between the respectively compared
operating data may be determined. Alternatively or in addition,
operating data patterns of the operating data to be compared may be
determined by a pattern recognition method and compared, and the
distance measure may be determined depending on the pattern
comparison. Depending on the distance measure determined, that
second switch of which the operating data have a smaller or
smallest distance from the operating data of the first switch may
be selected.
[0025] According to a particularly advantageous development of the
embodiment of the invention, a knowledge graph of which the nodes
are respectively assigned to a switch of the switch system may be
managed by the central control. Operating data of a respective
switch may then be stored in assignment to a node assigned to this
switch or be stored in this node. Preferably, along with the
operating data of the assigned switch acquired and transmitted at
the time, historical operating data and other indications about
this switch may preferably be collected as comprehensively as
possible in assignment to a node. A respective node can
consequently be understood as it were as a data twin of the
respectively assigned switch. Such a knowledge graph allows
operating data and other data originating from different sources,
such as for example sensor data, maintenance data, ambient data,
weather data or data concerning an installation location of a
respective switch, to be brought together centrally. The data
brought together may then be linked, correlated and evaluated in a
particularly diverse way.
[0026] According to a further advantageous development of the
embodiment of the invention, virtual operating data for a
multiplicity of virtual switches may be generated by means of a
physical simulation model. The virtual operating data may then be
used as operating data of the second switches. A number of the
virtual switches may be determined here depending on a number
and/or an age of the switches of the switch system. In particular,
the number of virtual switches may be increased in the case of
recent and/or small switch systems. By generating virtual fleet
data for the switch system, a volume of comparative data for
comparing with the operating data of the first switch can be
increased. This allows better fault detection, and generally
improves an application of data-driven evaluation methods, in
particular in the case of recent or small switch systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0027] Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with
reference to the following figures, wherein like designations
denote like members, wherein:
[0028] FIG. 1 shows a switch system controlled by a central control
and
[0029] FIG. 2 shows an arrangement according to embodiments of the
invention for fault detection in the switch system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a switch system WS of a track-bound means
of transport, for example a railroad, that is controlled by a
central control CTL. Alternatively or in addition, the switch
system WS may also be provided for other rail-bound means of
transport, such as for example streetcars and switchbacks, trolley
coaches, cable cars or pneumatic mail systems.
[0031] The switch system WS comprises a multiplicity of switches W,
which are arranged in spatial proximity to one another along track
routes ST1 and ST2 or in some other way. The track route ST1 here
comprises the tracks SP1 and SP2 and the track route ST2 comprises
the tracks SP3 and SP4.
[0032] Switches W arranged on the same track or track route are
often passed by the same vehicles one after the other, and are
consequently subjected to loading and wear in a similar way. In
addition, it can be assumed that switches W that are located in
spatial proximity to one another are exposed to similar ambient
conditions, in particular similar weathering influences.
Consequently, behaviors, and consequently malfunctions, of the
switches W concerned are often strongly correlated with one
another. As a consequence, a behavior or a malfunction of a first
switch can in many cases be detected, and in particular predicted,
more accurately by a known behavior of neighboring or similar
switches being evaluated. In particular, a fault cause can often be
identified in this way.
[0033] For monitoring the switches W, operating data BD of the
switches WR are continuously and switch-individually acquired by
sensors. In the present exemplary embodiment, the operating data BD
comprise in particular a variation over time of a current
consumption or power consumption of a respective switch operating
mechanism and an installation location of a respective switch W.
Many types of fault leave a characteristic signature in this
variation over time, on the basis of which the fault can be
detected and/or identified. Thus, an increased current consumption
of a switch operating mechanism often suggests a sluggishness of
the switch, for example as a result of icing, an obstacle and/or by
an obstruction, for example a trapped stone.
[0034] The variation over time of the current consumption or power
consumption of a switch operating mechanism may be acquired at the
switch W concerned or in a signal tower of the switch system
WS.
[0035] Alternatively or in addition, the operating data BD may
comprise in particular physical, technical-control,
technical-effect and/or type-dependent operating parameters,
property data, performance data, effect data, state data,
configuration data, system data, default values, control data,
sensor data, measured values, ambient data, weather data,
temperature data, monitoring data, forecast data, analysis data,
maintenance data, data concerning an operating time of the switch
and/or other data occurring during the operation of the switch or
relevant to the operation of the switch.
[0036] The operating data BD are transmitted to a central control
CTL of the switch system WS by transmitting devices of the switch
system WS in a wire-bound and/or wireless manner. The transmitting
devices are respectively assigned to a switch W and may be arranged
at the assigned switch W or in the signal tower of the switch
system WS.
[0037] The central control CTL may preferably be implemented as a
central computer in the signal tower of the switch system WS and/or
at least partially in a cloud. To control the switches W, the
central control CTL generates control data ST, preferably depending
on the operating data BD received, and transmits these control data
to the switch system WS.
[0038] FIG. 2 shows an arrangement according to the embodiment of
the invention for fault detection in a switch system in a schematic
representation. A first switch W1 of the switch system, for which a
fault indication is to be derived, and a multiplicity of other,
second switches W2 of the switch system, on the basis of which this
fault indication is derived, are represented. Switches D1 and D2
respectively have sensors, which continuously acquire operating
data BD1 for the switch W1 and operating data BD2 respectively for
the switches W2.
[0039] The switch W1 is assigned a transmitting device SE1, which
transmits the acquired operating data BD1 to a central control CTL
in a wire-bound and/or wireless manner. Correspondingly, the second
switches W2 are respectively assigned a transmitting device SE2,
which transmits the operating data BD2 of the respective switch W2
to the central control CTL in a wire-bound and/or wireless manner.
Because of the transmitting devices SE1 and SE2, no service
technician is required on site for the acquisition and evaluation
of the operating data BD1 and BD2.
[0040] The aforementioned switch system, the first switch W1, the
second switches W2, the operating data BD1 and BD2 and the central
control CTL may preferably be designed as described in connection
with FIG. 1.
[0041] The central control CTL has one or more processors PROC for
carrying out the method steps of the embodiment of the invention
and has one or more memories MEM coupled to the processor PROC for
storing the data to be processed by the central control CTL.
[0042] The central control CTL also has a simulation module SIM,
which serves for simulating on the basis of the transmitted
operating data of a switch a dynamic operating behavior of this
switch by means of a physical switch simulation model SM. The
simulation module may in particular simulate a switch operating
mechanism, a drive motor, a force transmission and/or a switch
blade of the switch. For this purpose, the operating data, here
BD1, of the switch to be simulated, here W1, are fed to the
simulation module SIM. The simulation is preferably carried out in
parallel with the operation of the switch, and advantageously in
real time.
[0043] In particular in the case of switch systems which comprise
only a few or relatively recent switches, it may be provided that
virtual operating data are generated for a multiplicity of virtual
switches by means of the simulation model SM or some other physical
switch simulation model. With these generated virtual operating
data, the operating data BD2 of the second switches W2 can be
supplemented, in order to increase a volume of comparative data
with which the operating data BD1 of the first switch W1 can be
compared. In this way, data-driven simulating and forecasting
methods can often be improved significantly. In this case, the
number of virtual switches may be determined depending on a number
of switches in the switch system and/or depending on an operating
age of these switches.
[0044] A knowledge graph KG, which is preferably implemented in a
cloud C, is managed by the central control CTL. Along with the
knowledge graph KG, components of the central control CTL may also
be transferred into the cloud C or implemented there.
[0045] The knowledge graph KG comprises as data structures a
multiplicity of nodes, which are interlinked by edges of the
knowledge graph KG. The nodes are respectively uniquely assigned to
a switch of the switch system or its switch operating mechanism,
for example on the basis of a serial number of the switch or of the
switch operating mechanism.
[0046] For all of the switches, here W1 and W2, of the switch
system, their operating data, here BD1 and BD2, are respectively
stored in the node assigned to the respective switch W1 or W2
and/or are assigned to it. A respective node of the knowledge graph
KG is intended to act as it were as a data twin of the assigned
switch.
[0047] In the present exemplary embodiment, in particular a
variation over time of the current or power consumption of the
switch operating mechanism of a respective switch and/or a force
consumption or a time taken for changing over a switch are acquired
as operating data and stored in the respectively assigned node.
Along with the operating data of the respective switch acquired and
transmitted at the time, in particular data concerning its
installation location, maintenance data, state data, ambient data,
data concerning the operating age or aging state, technical
parameters and/or historical operating data of the respective
switch are stored in the assigned node. The historical operating
data in this case preferably include indications about a load
history and or about malfunctions that have occurred of the switch
concerned and preferably indications about fault causes. With
otherwise similar operating data, the operating data of an older
switch or an older switch operating mechanism stored in the
knowledge graph KG can in many cases be used to derive accurate
forecasts of a future behavior of a more recent switch.
[0048] The edges of the knowledge graph KG respectively connect
nodes of the knowledge graph KG. An edge between two or more nodes
may preferably be assigned operating relationships between the
assigned switches. Such operating relationships between multiple
switches may in particular comprise their sequence on a track route
and/or some other neighborhood relationship or similarity
relationship.
[0049] The central control CTL also has a monitoring module MON for
determining a deviation of an operating behavior of a respective
switch, here W1, from a set behavior of the switch. For this
purpose, the operating data BD1 are transmitted to the monitoring
module MON. The operating behavior of the first switch W1 is
determined on the basis of the operating data BD1 and/or at least
partially simulated by the simulation module SIM. The set behavior
of the first switch W1 may be preset and/or at least partially
simulated by the simulation module SIM on the basis of the
operating data BD1. For the simulation of the operating behavior or
the set behavior, the monitoring module MON is coupled to the
simulation module SIM. The operating behavior and/or set behavior
may be respectively represented by a variation over time or a
signature of the current or power consumption of the switch
concerned or its switch operating mechanism and/or by a force
consumption or a time taken for changing over a switch or by other
behavioral patterns of the switch concerned.
[0050] The monitoring module MON may establish the deviation of the
operating behavior of the first switch W1 from the set behavior for
example by comparing the operating behavior with the set behavior,
determining a distance measure and checking whether the distance
measure lies outside a preset tolerance range or above a preset
threshold value.
[0051] If a deviation of the operating behavior of the first switch
W1 from its set behavior is established by the monitoring module
MON, the monitoring module MON instigates an inquiry of the
operating data BD2 of the second switches W2 and a comparison of
the operating data BD1 of the first switch W1 with the inquired
operating data BD2 of the second switches W2. The initiation of the
inquiry and the comparison is indicated in FIG. 2 by a dashed
arrow.
[0052] In the course of the comparison, operating data patterns or
signatures may be acquired by pattern recognition methods and
compared. In a respective comparison, a distance measure D for a
distance of the respectively compared operating data or operating
data patterns is in each case determined as the comparison result.
A respective distance measure D is in this case determined for a
respective distance between the operating data BD1 of the first
switch W1 and the operating data BD2 of a respective second switch
W2. The distance measures D may also be understood as similarity
measures.
[0053] In the present exemplary embodiment, distances or
similarities between operating data and/or operating data patterns
are determined in particular with regard to a current or power
consumption of a switch operating mechanism, an installation
location, an association with a track route, an operating age
and/or an aging state of a respective switch. For the calculation
of the distance measure D, an Euclidean or weighted distance
between operating data vectors or operating data sub-vectors may be
determined. In the case of a weighted distance, preferably
operating-data-specific or operating-data--type-specific weights
may be used. Alternatively or in addition, logical distances may
also be used for the calculation of the distance measure D. Thus,
in particular in the case of a highly branched track network, for
example before a station, conditional probabilities or correlations
for a train that travels over a first switch then also traveling
over a second switch may be calculated. Switches that are strongly
correlated in this respect can then be assigned a smaller distance
than correspondingly more weakly correlated switches.
[0054] The above comparisons serve the purpose of finding that or
those of the second switches W2 that is/are particularly similar to
the first switch W1, behave(s) particularly similarly to it and/or
has/have the same or similar signatures in the operating data. In
particular, those of the second switches W2 that have behaved
similarly to the first switch W1 in an earlier time period are
searched. On the basis of a known further behavior of the second
switches thus found, in many cases accurate forecasts of the
further behavior of the first switch W1 can be derived. In
addition, fault causes detected in the case of the second switches
can often be identified as the probable fault cause for the first
switch W1.
[0055] The comparisons or the similarity search are preferably
carried out on the knowledge graph KG in the cloud C.
[0056] The distance measures D are fed to a selection device SEL of
the central control CTL. In addition, the operating data BD2 of the
second switches W2 are also transmitted to the selection device
SEL. One or more second switches W2 of which the operating data BD2
have a smaller or a smallest distance D from the operating data BD1
of the first switch W1 are selected by the selection device SEL on
the basis of the distance measures D and the operating data BD2. As
a selection criterion, it may be checked here for example whether a
respective distance D is smaller than a preset threshold value or
smaller than all of the other distances D.
[0057] In the present exemplary embodiment, the distance measure D
is specifically calculated such that, with otherwise similar
operating data, preferably that or those switches W2 that lie on
the same track or track route as the first switch W1 and/or is/are
located in the spatial proximity of the first switch W1 is/are
selected. As already mentioned above, because of the similar
operating conditions, the behavior, and consequently the
malfunctions, of those second switches W2 are often strongly
correlated with the behavior and malfunctions of the first switch
W1.
[0058] The selection device SEL transmits operating data SBD2 of
the at least one second switch W2 that is selected, and is
consequently similar to the first switch W1, to a fault detection
module FDM. In cases where multiple similar second switches W2 are
selected, their operating data may for example be combined by means
of interpolation or extrapolation.
[0059] Furthermore, the operating data BD1 of the first switch W1
are transmitted to the fault detection module FDM. On the basis of
the operating data SBD2 of the at least one selected second switch
W2 and the operating data BD1 of the first switch W1, the fault
detection module FDM derives a fault indication FA1 for the first
switch W1. Here, the fault indication FA1 preferably comprises a
fault cause for a fault that has occurred and/or a fault forecast
for one or more faults to be expected. The fault indication FA1 is
output by the central control and can be used for the anticipatory
control of the switch system.
[0060] A fault cause for the first switch W1 may for example be
derived by the operating data SBD2 similar to the operating data
BD1 being searched through for a fault cause stored there and this
being output as the probable fault cause for the first switch W1.
In a similar way, the operating data SBD2 may be searched through
for faults that have occurred and faults that are found output as a
fault forecast for the first switch W1.
[0061] The embodiment of the invention described above easily
allows an efficient and detailed detection of faults and their
probable cause and a forecast of faults to be expected. In this
way, fault finding and maintenance of a switch system can in many
cases be shortened considerably and fault-specific countermeasures
can be initiated at an early time. In particular, on the basis of
the fault indication output, maintenance personnel can be informed
as to which fault-specific tool is required for maintenance.
Furthermore, the fault indications output may serve for estimating
a risk of failure, a still remaining operating time and/or a degree
of severity of a fault.
[0062] Although the present invention has been disclosed in the
form of preferred embodiments and variations thereon, it will be
understood that numerous additional modifications and variations
could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0063] For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use
of `a` or `an` throughout this application does not exclude a
plurality, and `comprising` does not exclude other steps or
elements.
* * * * *