Patent Application
20230278597
The present approach relates to a pneumatic sand conveying device for a sanding system of a rail vehicle, to a sanding system having a pneumatic sand conveying device, and to a method for operating a pneumatic sand conveying device.
In rail vehicles, sanding systems are used to deliver sand onto the rail in front of the wheel rolling over it or directly into the wheel rail gap in order to increase the coefficient of friction between the wheel and the rail. For this purpose, sand is drawn from a sand storage container, ideally at its lowest point, by sand conveying devices, or sand metering and conveying devices, and appropriately metered and conveyed further. The distance between this lowest point and the outlet of the sand conveying device has a direct influence on the volume of the sand storage container and should accordingly be as small as possible.
Against this background, disclosed embodiments provide an improved pneumatic sand conveying device for a sanding system of a rail vehicle, an improved sanding system with a pneumatic sand conveying device, and a method for operating an improved pneumatic sand conveying device.
Exemplary embodiments of the approach presented here are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the figures. Specifically:
In the following description of favorable exemplary embodiments of the present approach, identical or similar reference signs are used for the elements illustrated in the various figures and having a similar effect, while repeated description of these elements is avoided.
Disclosed embodiments provide an improved pneumatic sand conveying device for a sanding system of a rail vehicle, an improved sanding system with a pneumatic sand conveying device, and a method for operating an improved pneumatic sand conveying device.
Technical utility can be achieved with the approach presented are, in particular, that a particularly compact sand conveying device is produced, in which a distance between a position of a sand inlet, at which sand is drawn from a sand storage container during operation of the sand conveying device, and a position of a sand outlet of the sand conveying device is particularly small and, as a result, it is possible, for example, to use a larger sand storage container, which can also be referred to as a sand box.
A pneumatic sand conveying device for a sanding system of a rail vehicle is presented, wherein the sand conveying device has the following features: an obstacle device, which is fluidically coupled to a sand inlet for receiving sand from a sand storage container, wherein the obstacle device is configured to form an obstacle between the sand inlet and a mixing device fluidically coupled to the obstacle device. Moreover, the sand conveying device has the mixing device for receiving and forwarding sand from the obstacle device by compressed air, and an outlet device, fluidically coupled to the mixing device, for dispensing the sand from the sand conveying device through a sand outlet, wherein the obstacle device, the mixing device and the outlet device are arranged in a horizontal plane when the sand conveying device is in a state of readiness for operation.
In particular, the horizontal arrangement has the technical utility that the sand conveying device can have a very compact design and the height difference between the sand inlet of the sand conveying device and the sand outlet is substantially smaller than is possible in the case of an arrangement vertically one below the other in the state of readiness for operation. When fitted to a rail vehicle with the largest possible sand storage container, it is accordingly possible to maintain the greatest possible distance from the rails. The sand conveying device can also be designed for conveying some other free-flowing material that differs from sand.
According to a disclosed embodiment, the obstacle device, the mixing device and the outlet device can be arranged within a common housing. For example, these devices or parts of the devices can also be incorporated directly into the housing, thereby making it possible to achieve a one-piece and additionally or alternatively cuboidal shape of the sand conveying device. This has the technical utility that the sand conveying device can be designed to be as compact as possible.
According to a further embodiment, a maximum height of the sand conveying device can be smaller than a maximum depth and additionally or alternatively a maximum width of the sand conveying device. For example, the obstacle device, the mixing device and the outlet device can be arranged side-by-side on a horizontal plane in the state of readiness for operation, as a result of which the width and additionally or alternatively the depth of the sand conveying device is greater than the height. The position at which the sand conveying device obtains the sand should ideally correspond to the lowest point of the sand storage container to enable the sand supply to be fully utilized. Accordingly, the volume of the sand storage container can be the larger, the lower the lowest point of the sand storage container, with otherwise the same dimensions. On the other hand, the position of the sand outlet of the sand conveying device should not be too low since otherwise the height difference between this sand outlet of the sand conveying device and a sand hose or pipe outlet located close to the rail is too small for optimum and reliable sand application. In the embodiment described here, the distance between the sand inlet and the sand outlet of the sand conveying device can advantageously be kept to a minimum
According to a further embodiment, the diameter of the sand outlet can substantially coincide with a maximum height of the sand conveying device. Thus, the height of the sand conveying device can be determined exclusively by the diameter of the sand outlet and a sand hose or pipe connected there, thereby advantageously enabling the height of the sand conveying device to be made very small and the sand conveying device as a whole to be made very compact. In the context of the approach presented here, the expression “substantially” can, in particular, denote a deviation in the case of length data of up to +/−20%.
According to a further embodiment, the sand inlet and the sand outlet can be arranged substantially perpendicular to one another. In a state of readiness for operation, the sand inlet can be arranged, for example, on the main surface of the sand conveying device in order to receive the sand from the lowest point of the sand storage container arranged thereabove. The sand outlet can be arranged, for example, on one side of the sand conveying device. Such an arrangement has the technical utility that the previously described distance between the sand inlet and the sand outlet can be minimized In the context of the approach presented here, the expression “substantially” can, in particular, encompass a deviation in the case of angle data of up to +/−20°.
According to a further embodiment, the obstacle device can comprise a labyrinth unit arranged toward the mixing device and having a leaf and a step, wherein the labyrinth unit can be configured to prevent the sand from running out of the obstacle device into the mixing device. For example, the obstacle device can have a recess milled into the housing, wherein the step can be formed toward the side of the mixing device. The leaf can project slightly offset toward this step, thus ensuring that an angular gap or channel remains open. Advantageously, the labyrinth unit arranged in this way can prevent sand from the obstacle device entering the mixing device independently, it being possible at the same time to ensure that the sand can be sucked into the mixing device, which can also be referred to as a mixing chamber, for example by reduced pressure.
According to a further embodiment, the obstacle device can have a threaded drain plug for draining the sand from the obstacle device. The threaded drain plug can be arranged, for example, on the side of the obstacle device opposite the sand inlet and additionally or alternatively terminate flush with the housing of the sand conveying device in the closed state. Advantageously, the threaded drain plug can be opened when the sand is to be drained completely from the obstacle device, e.g. for servicing purposes.
According to a further embodiment, the sand conveying device can have a throttle, which is arranged between a sanding compressed-air connection for providing the compressed air and the mixing device, wherein the throttle is designed to throttle the compressed air. For example, the throttle can be used if the supplied compressed air is to be reduced to a certain extent or if a flow velocity of the compressed air is to be lowered. This has the technical utility that the discharge of the sand can be metered as accurately as possible by a possibly throttled compressed air supply.
According to a further embodiment, the outlet device can have a hose connection piece, which is arranged at the sand outlet and is arranged axially with respect to a nozzle, arranged in the mixing device, for supplying compressed air, in particular wherein the hose connection piece can be tapered in its interior and additionally or alternatively configured as a Laval nozzle and additionally or alternatively can comprise a Laval nozzle. For example, the compressed air can flow through the nozzle from the sanding compressed-air connection and optionally through a throttle. The nozzle can produce a reduced pressure in the mixing device in conjunction with the hose connection piece, which is configured, for example, as a Laval nozzle. This reduced pressure can suck sand through the labyrinth unit from the obstacle device, into which the sand can have previously passed from the sand storage container by gravity. In the mixing device, the sand can mix with the air from the nozzle and can be accelerated in the direction of the sand outlet and conveyed further through the hose connection piece and a connected sand hose. In this case, the configuration of the hose connection piece as a Laval nozzle or the integration of a Laval nozzle is particularly advantageous in order to produce the required reduced pressure.
According to a further embodiment, the sand conveying device can comprise a blowout compressed-air connection for providing blowout compressed air for blowing out the mixing device, wherein the blowout compressed-air connection can be arranged substantially perpendicular to the hose connection piece and the nozzle.
For example, the blowout compressed air can be applied to the blowout compressed-air connection, which can also be referred to as the compressed-air connection for blowout. The air flow can divide in the direction of the outlet device and in the direction of the obstacle device. That is to say that part of the air can flow through the hose connection piece and, for example, a connected sand hose and blow out the sand still present in this region. Advantageously, easy cleaning of the hose connection piece and a connected sand hose is possible in this way.
At the same time, a further part of the air can flow via the labyrinth unit into the sand storage container, for example, and thus loosen or fluidize the sand present in the obstacle device and in the vicinity of the sand conveying device. At the same time as blowout compressed air is applied to the blowout compressed-air connection, compressed air can optionally also be applied to the sanding compressed-air connection. This has the technical utility that no sand grains can get into the nozzle and thus cannot clog it either. Furthermore, the distribution of the air flow in favor of the air flow through the hose connection piece can be influenced in this way. This can be advantageous in the case of long sand hoses, which present a higher air resistance.
According to a further embodiment, the sand conveying device can have a heating element, arranged on the sanding compressed-air connection and additionally or alternatively on the blowout compressed-air connection, for heating the supplied compressed air and additionally or alternatively blowout compressed air. Thus, the air can be heated and the sand can be heated and dried by the warm air. This has the technical utility that the sand can be protected from penetrating moisture and additionally or alternatively cold, for example in the winter months.
According to a further embodiment, the sand conveying device can comprise a compensating air duct for compensating reduced pressure arising in the mixing device, in particular wherein the compensating air duct is fluidically coupled to the obstacle device via a second labyrinth unit. The compensating air duct can also be referred to as an entrained air duct and can be arranged on one side of the obstacle device, for example. Via a second labyrinth unit, which, as in the case of the labyrinth unit described above, can comprise a step and a leaf, the compensating air duct can connect a compensating air inlet, which can also be referred to as an entrained air inlet, to the obstacle device. Advantageously, this second labyrinth unit can prevent sand from entering the environment via the compensating air duct, it being possible at the same time to allow air (entrained air) to flow from the compensating air inlet to the compensating air duct. In this case, the compensating air duct can be configured in such a way that it can be closed, for example, in order advantageously to allow pressure compensation in the obstacle device if this is required. In addition or as an alternative, an unwanted reduced pressure in the obstacle device can also be compensated for by additional air flowing in from the sand storage container and additionally from the environment via, for example, entrained air openings in the sand storage container.
In addition, a sanding system with a variant of the above-described pneumatic sand conveying device and a sand storage container for storing sand is presented, in particular wherein a main surface of the sand conveying device can be coupled or can be configured in such a way that it can be coupled to the sand storage container. In this case, the main surface of the sand conveying device can be sealed off from the sand storage container, for example by a suitable seal, in order to prevent unwanted penetration of air. By such a combination, the technical utility described above can be optimally implemented.
In addition, a method for operating a variant of a previously described pneumatic sand conveying device is presented, wherein the method has the following operation of feeding compressed air into the mixing device of the sand conveying device in order to cause sand to be ejected from the outlet device of the sand conveying device. Alternatively or in addition, in the operation of feeding, compressed air can be fed into the obstacle device of the sand conveying device in order to cause sand to be blown out of the obstacle device, mixing device and outlet device of the sand conveying device. Alternatively or in addition, in the operation of feeding, feeding of compressed air into the mixing device of the sand conveying device with simultaneous feeding of compressed air into the obstacle device of the sand conveying device can also take place in order to cause sand to be ejected from the outlet device of the sand conveying device with increased conveying air. This method can be implemented, for example, in software or hardware or in a hybrid form of software and hardware, for example in a control unit.
In this exemplary embodiment, a main surface 204 of the housing 120 comprises a seal 205 for sealing the sand conveying device 100 with respect to the sand storage container.
According to this exemplary embodiment, the main surface 204 of the housing 120 is the largest surface area compared to other surfaces of the housing 120. In this case, the main surface 204 is shown partially open to allow a detailed illustration of the components arranged thereunder. Using mounting holes 207, the main surface 204 and with it the entire sand conveying device 100 can be coupled to the sand storage container.
In this exemplary embodiment, the obstacle device 105 is configured as a recess in the housing 120 and, according to one exemplary embodiment, is milled into the housing 120. According to this exemplary embodiment, by way of example, a threaded drain plug 210 is arranged in the lower region of the obstacle device 105, providing the possibility of draining sand for servicing purposes. Arranged on a side of the obstacle device 105 which is arranged substantially centrally in the sand conveying device 100 are a step 215 projecting from a bottom of the housing 120 and a leaf 220 projecting slightly offset and in the opposite direction. In the arrangement shown here, the step 215 and the leaf 220 form a labyrinth unit 225. When there is sand in the obstacle device 105, for example, the labyrinth unit 225 can prevent unintentional onward flow of the sand into the mixing device 110. At the same time, however, it is possible to actively suck the sand, for example by reduced pressure, through an opening between the step 215 and the leaf 220.
According to this exemplary embodiment, the mixing device 110 arranged next to the obstacle device 105 comprises a nozzle 230, by which compressed air can be introduced into the mixing device 110. According to different exemplary embodiments, the mixing device 110 is drilled or milled into the housing 120, for example, like the obstacle device 105, wherein the nozzle 230 is arranged axially with respect to the mixing device 110. With this system comprising mixing device 110 and nozzle 230, sand can be sucked out of the sand storage container via the obstacle device 105 by reduced pressure, appropriately metered and conveyed further through the outlet device 115.
In this exemplary embodiment, the outlet device 115 comprises a hose connection piece 235 which is arranged at the sand outlet 203 and is aligned axially with respect to the nozzle 230. According to this exemplary embodiment, the hose connection piece 235 is tapered, for example, in the interior or else designed as a Laval nozzle, thus enabling a suction effect of the nozzle 230 to be intensified. According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, a Laval nozzle is installed as a separate part in a cavity of the hose connection piece 235.
According to this exemplary embodiment, the sand conveying device 100 shown here advantageously implements a compact sand metering and conveying device with a horizontal sand outlet 203.
When required, the throttle 400 can reduce the pressure at the sanding compressed-air connection 410 and thus achieve a desired lower suction power and corresponding sand metering. As an additional supplement to the sand conveying device 100, the blowout compressed-air connection 405, which can also be referred to as the compressed-air connection for blowout, is arranged on the mixing device 110 in this exemplary embodiment, wherein the blowout compressed-air connection 405 is arranged perpendicular to the nozzle 230 according to this exemplary embodiment. Blowout compressed air can be applied to the blowout compressed-air connection 405, by which compressed air, for example for cleaning purposes, sand can be blown out of the sand conveying device 100. In addition, a heating element 415 is arranged on the blowout compressed-air connection 405 to enable the blowout compressed air to be heated and thus the sand and/or the sand conveying device 100 to be dried and/or the sand conveying device 100 and the sand to be protected from icing.
The air flow can be divided, for example, in the direction of the outlet device 115 and in the direction of the obstacle device 105, allowing part of the blowout compressed air to flow through the hose connection piece 235 and blow out the sand still present in this region. Another part of the blowout compressed air can flow via the obstacle device 105 and the sand inlet 200 into the sand storage container and loosen the sand present in the obstacle device 105. If the air is additionally heated by the heating element 415, the sand can also be heated and dried by the warm blowout compressed air.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2020 122 640.3 | Aug 2020 | DE | national |
This patent application is a U.S. National Phase of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2021/073867 filed Aug. 30, 2021, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2020 122 640.3, the disclosure of which being incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/073867 | 8/30/2022 | WO |
