Text A. Read and translate the text using a dictionary if necessary.

Inductive Control System

For use on busy lines various safety devices are additionally available. One of these is the inductive train control. Each signal on a section of line equipped with this system has a device which activates the brakes of a passing train. The locomotive is provided with ”a transmitter” which has an iron-core coil and a condenser. This oscillating circuit is tuned to 2000 cycles/sec and is supplied with current from a high-frequency generator to which the coil of an electromagnet for a relay is connected. The high-frequency generator is driven by an electric motor or a small steam turbine which also drives a 24-volt direct-current dynamo. A second relay and two pilot lamps are connected to this dynamo. When the system is in operation, the high-frequency generator supplies current to the oscillating circuit of the locomotive and to the high-frequency relay, so that the armature of the latter is attracted by the electromagnet and allows current to flow through the 24-volt direct-current relay. When thus energized, the relay interrupts a flow of current to the actuating electromagnet of a valve.

The signal beside the railway track is also equipped with an oscillating circuit tuned to 2000 cycles/sec. When the signal is at “safe”, its oscillating circuit is short-circuited and has no effect on the passing locomotive. However, if the signal is at “stop” and the train nevertheless fails to stop, the oscillating circuit of the signal will resonate in tune with that of the passing locomotive and withdraw so much energy from the latter circuit that the armature of the high-frequency relay is no longer sufficiently strongly attracted by the electromagnet and is therefore released. This in turn cuts off supply of current to the 24-volt relay, which then likewise releases its armature. This completes the electric circuit to the electromagnet that controls the monitoring valve. When this happens, the monitoring valve causes the brakes to be applied and the driving motor of the locomotive to be switched. At the same time, the pilot lamp “a” goes out and the lamp “b” lights up.

 

Ex. 9. Consult text A and finish the following definitions:

1. A device that transmits is called …

2. A device for accumulating electric charge, usually consisting of two conducting surfaces separated by a dielectric is called …

3. An electrical conductor wound (to wind – наматывать) into the form of a spiral, sometimes with a soft iron core, to provide inductance or a magnetic field is called …

4. An automatic device that controls the setting of a valve, switch, etc., by means of an electric motor, solenoid, or pneumatic mechanism is called …

5. Any device that converts one form of energy into another form is called …

6. A soft iron or steel bar placed across the poles of a permanent magnet to close the magnetic circuit when it is not in use is called …

7. A machine in which the kinetic energy of a moving fluid (water, steam, air, or combustion products of a fuel) is converted into mechanical energy by causing a bladed rotor to rotate is called …

 

Ex. 10. Answer the questions to the text:

1. What is the inductive train control system used for? 2. What does an oscillating circuit consist of? 3. What device supplies current to the oscillating circuit? 4. Where is the signal with the same oscillating circuit situated? 5. When does the oscillating circuit of the signal have no effect on the passing locomotive? 6. When will the oscillating circuit of the signal resonate in tune with that of the passing locomotive? 7. What device causes the brakes to be applied?

 

Ex. 11. Translate the following text from Russian into English. Do it in written form.

Индукционная система автоматического управления торможением Indusi I60R гарантирует безопасное движение поездов. Она включает в себя путевое оборудование и бортовое оборудование. Путевое оборудование состоит из путевого индуктора (track magnet); бортовое оборудование содержит бортовой прибор, магнит и генератор, систему управления и дисплей.

В определенных местах, например у сигналов или перед участками с ограничением скорости движения, оборудование Indusi I60R передает информацию с рельсового пути в кабину машиниста. Одно из многих преимуществ данного оборудования заключается в том, что оно надежно при любых климатических условиях.

 

Ex. 12. Copy the following words. One word in line doesn’t belong to the group. Cross out the odd word and explain your choice.

1) a train, a plane, an automobile, a rail car.

2) steam, diesel, electric, air.

3) a second, an hour, a mile, a minute.

4) current, voltage, time, resistance.

5) relay, transistor, diode, photo.

6) turbine, motor, generator, electron.

7) a railway, a highway, a runway, a road.

 

Text B. Scan the text and write down all the unknown words. Read the text trying to guess the meaning of the unknown words. Retell the text in Russian.

 

A bullet train twisted down the track on autopilot after its driver left the cockpit (cab) to find his hat. The train, which can reach 167 mph, ran very-very slowly along on autopilot at 13-18 mph for about five minutes while its controls were unattended. Company rules at the Central Japan Railway require drivers to always wear their hats, but the driver “left the driver's seat to look for his hat after he realized he wasn't wearing it,” a spokesman said. Isn't there any sort of rule about leaving the cockpit while the train is running? There is now: “We have notified all drivers that they should continue driving until they reach a station, after which they should report that they have misplaced his or her hat.” (Reuters).How reassuring for the passengers to learn that the drivers needed to be told that.

 

Text С. Scan the text and write down all the unknown words. Read the text trying to guess the meaning of the unknown words. Retell the text in Russian.

 

Children's Railway

For students of the children's railway school in Kratovo, in addition to math, history and literature the timetable this year also includes instruction on how to operate the fully working kids-sized train line, which runs from the school to the nearby village of Otdykh. The line is fully functioning complete with ticket offices, signals and three working stations: Pionerskaya, Shkolnaya and Yunost.

The children are responsible for all aspects of the train's operations: "Controllers, conductors, drivers, switchmen, inspectors, cashiers these roles are all undertaken by the children," comments Svetlana Kovalenko, Press Officer for the Moscow Railroad. "Children study here for five years between the ages of 11 and 16. They have the opportunity to follow a variety of specialized subjects alongside the traditional curriculum. They are also introduced to responsibilities of work and they begin to understand how a railroad is run.

"Attendance at the school is free of charge and we believe that it provides a valuable service to the children, many of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds. Lots of our students go on to follow higher or further education; this year around 50 of our students went on to study in higher educational institutions."

 

Lesson SEVEN

 

Ex. 1. Practice the reading of the following words and phrases:

characterized, maintenance, requirement, scaleable, interface, barrier, simultaneously, diagnostic, diagnosis, failures, guarantee, evaluation, trial, fault, extensive, irregularity;

federal railways authorities, double-track line, multiple-track layout, flashing light, audible alarm, manual switching device, dual-channel automation system, fibre-optic cable, identical function.

 

Ex. 2. These are the key words to Lesson 7. You are to copy them and memorize their meanings.

Word-box:

level crossing protection system – ограждение переезда светофорами; trial operation – опытная эксплуатация; layout – схема, план; a flashing light - мигающий сигнал; a controller – оператор; а LED (light-emitting diode) display – светодиодный дисплей; GSM – глобальная система мобильной связи (стандарт сотовой связи в Европе); a barrier – шлагбаум, a barrier drive – привод шлагбаума.

Ex 3. Copy the following words and memorize their meanings:

the authorities – власти, руководство;

to evaluate – определять, оценивать,

(an) evaluation – определение, оценка.

to integrate – составлять целое, объединять;

simultaneous(ly) – одновременный(но), синхронный(но).

 

Read and translate the following sentences into Russian:

1. Our neighbours have never really integrated into local community. 2. If you see anything suspicious, inform the airport authorities. 3. The school inspectors evaluate the quality of teaching. 4. They both spoke simultaneously, that’s why I wasn’t able to understand a word. 5. The administration’s first task is to integrate the welfare system with the tax system. 6. The authorities are trying to prevent illegal immigrants from remaining in the country. 7. The military authorities would not allow us to film any damaged buildings. 8. The audio-visual method uses sound and pictures simultaneously. 9. We provide simultaneous translations for French-speaking delegates. 10. We ask all ex-trainees to provide us with an evaluation of the courses they took. 11. You should integrate newcomers into the group. 12. We conducted a thorough evaluation of the system. 13. He uses five criteria for evaluating manufacturing firms. 14. These programs can be integrated with your existing software. 15. They developed an integrated website that customers can use to buy products from any company. 16. A small microchip that contains a large number of electrical connections and performs the same function as a larger circuit made from separate parts is called an integrated circuit. 17. A dangerous situation can be caused by only simultaneous errors of the train control system and the train driver.

Ex. 4. The word monitor can be either noun or verb. Fill in the blanks using the correct forms of the word and translate the sentences:

1. A screen that shows information from a computer is called a …. 2. This is a simpler system that requires fewer engineers to … it. 3. The situation is being closely …. 4. Flight boarding times are displayed on the overhead …. 5. Look! We’ve bought a flat-screen…. 6. The software enables companies to … employees' Internet use. 7. Visual display unit (VDU) means a …. 8. A network monitoring system … the network for problems caused by overloaded or crashed servers, network connections or other devices. 9. Video broadcast … produce accurate images. 10. Computer terminals … traffic conditions using information supplied by signaling centers. 11. Electronic interlockings … interconnection between signals, points and vehicles. 12. Usually, automated subways also include surveillance systems, such as closed-circuit TV, to allow people to … trains' movement ahead and safety from a control room.

 

Ex. 5. Match the words in line A with their synonyms in line B:

A: a design; to execute; to approve; to consist; to provide; a layout; to connect; to integrate; to evaluate; a failure; to store; irregularity; to transmit, to pass; a status; to ensure;

B: to guarantee; a project; abnormality; a scheme; to perform; to confirm; to link; a state; to transfer; to keep; to include; an error; to combine; to supply; to assess.

Ex. 6. Match line A with line B and translate the terms’ definitions:

A	B
1) a controller	a) an electrical circuit linking one device, especially a computer, with another
2) an interface	b) the part of a computer that performs logical and arithmetical operations on the data as specified in the instructions
3) a central processing unit (CPU)	c) an arrangement of signal apparatus that prevents conflicting movements through an arrangement of tracks such as crossings
4) a display	d) the equipment concerned with controlling the operation of an electrical device
5) an interlocking	e) a device capable of representing information visually

Ex. 7. Use the Passive Voice instead of the Active Voice and translate the sentences into Russian:

1. We use this room only on special occasions. 2. Someone switched on a light and opened the door. 3. Why didn’t they mend the roof before it fell in? 4. No one can do anything unless someone gives us more information. 5. They rang the church bells as a warning. 6. They make these artificial flowers of silk. 7. He can offer me the job.
8. Lightning struck the old tree. 9. Did the idea interest you? 10. You can change the trains when you go there. 11. The introducing of ATC systems has increased traffic capacity of railroads. 12. An automatic train stop system may include a device by means of which the automatic application of the brakes can be forestalled. 13. The on-board equipment must provide high reliability and safety level. 14. Train control systems use four different ways to transmit the signaling information. 15. The highly integrated train control systems of the future use mobile communication technologies such as GSM. 16. Some train control systems give only warnings and have no automatic brake interference at all. 17. The driverless system joins all the airport's terminals, parking garages and the new Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station. 18. Wireless link connects traffic control system and a vehicle. 19. The system monitors vehicle movements continuously and in accordance with fail-safe signaling principles.

Ex. 8. Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first one. Use the prepositions: for, to, with, in, between.

Model: What caused the explosion? → What was the cause of the explosion?

1. We’re trying to solve the problem. We’re trying to find a solution ….

2. She gets on well with her brother. She has a good relationship ….

3. Prices have gone up a lot. There has been a big increase ….

4. I don’t know how to answer your question. I can’t think of an answer ….

5. I don’t think that a new road is necessary. I don’t think there is any need ….

6. The number of people without jobs fell last month. Last month there was a fall ….

7. Nobody wants to buy shoes like these any more. There is no demand ….

8. In what way is your job different from mine? What is the difference …?

9. Train Control Systems support the driver to operate the train. Train Control Systems provide support to the driver….