System and method for charging a starting air cylinder

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system and method for charging a starting air cylinder. The system includes: an air compressor; an actuating valve, the inlet of which is connected to the air compressor; a main air cylinder, the inlet of which is connected to the outlet of the actuating valve, and the outlet of the main air cylinder is connected to the starting air cylinder; a solenoid valve, the inlet of which is connected to the air compressor, the outlet of the solenoid valve is connected to the pre-control interface of the actuating valve through a pre-control pipeline, and the outlet of the solenoid valve is also connected to the starting air cylinder; the solenoid valve is provided with an exhaust hole; a pressure sensor configured to detect the pressure of the starting air cylinder; a controller configured to: obtain the detection value of the pressure sensor; when the detection value is less than a preset value, control the solenoid valve to open; when the detection value is greater than the preset value, control the solenoid valve to close. The present invention can shorten the starting time of the locomotive in the windless state and can ensure that relatively clean compressed air is provided to the starting air cylinder.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicles, and particularly relates to a system and method for charging a starting air cylinder. Background Art

[0002] The starting methods of locomotive diesel engines mainly include air starting and electric starting. Among them, air starting is a starting method that relies on compressed air to make the air starting motor rotate, and then drives the diesel engine to rotate. In order to use air starting, a locomotive needs to be equipped with a starting air cylinder to ensure sufficient and stable air source. Traditional diesel locomotives are limited by the capacity of the battery and require an auxiliary air source system including an auxiliary compressor to charge the starting air cylinder. However, with the emergence of locomotives equipped with power batteries, the locomotive already has the ability to use the power battery to meet the long-term operation of the main air compressor. Therefore, a new control method for charging the starting air cylinder of the locomotive is needed to exert the performance of the locomotive.

[0003] Figure 1 The schematic diagram of a system for charging a starting air cylinder in the prior art is shown. Figure 1 In the figure: 1 - main air compressor, 2 - hose, 3 - dryer, 4 - filter, 5 - minimum pressure valve, 6 - safety valve, 7 - main air reservoir, 8 - auxiliary compressor, 9 - unloading valve, 10 - check valve, 11 - pressure sensor, 12 - starting air cylinder.

[0004] As Figure 1 As shown, existing air-starting diesel locomotives are usually equipped with two sets of air source systems. One is the main air source system for supplying air to the whole locomotive, and the other is the auxiliary air source system dedicated to charging the starting air cylinder. The main air source system consists of components such as the main air compressor 1, dryer 3, and filter 4, and can output dry and clean compressed air. The auxiliary air source system consists of the auxiliary compressor 8, check valve 10, safety valve 6, pressure sensor 11, etc.

[0005] When the locomotive needs to start, the auxiliary compressor 8 starts to operate to charge the starting air cylinder 12, and stops operating when the pressure of the starting air cylinder 12 reaches the target value.

[0006] When the locomotive is running normally, part of the compressed air output by the main air reservoir 7 will enter the starting air cylinder 12. Because the airtightness of the starting air cylinder 12 is much better than that of the main air reservoir 7, after the locomotive stops running, the compressed air in the starting air cylinder 12 can be stored for a long time and left for the next start.

[0007] The above scheme will cause the following two problems when starting the locomotive in a windless state: first, it is necessary to use the auxiliary compressor 8 to charge the starting air cylinder 12 first.

[0008] 1. The starting waiting time is too long: Limited by the air supply capacity of the auxiliary compressor 8, it often takes more than 30 minutes for the starting air cylinder 12 to be filled with air to the target value.

[0009] 2. The cleanliness of the auxiliary air source is not high: Limited by the locomotive space and cost, it is difficult to install dryers and filters of the same level as the main air source for the auxiliary air source, and the cleanliness of the compressed air is not high. During long-term operation, it will affect the pneumatic equipment in the air starting system.

[0010] In addition, the patent application with the publication number CN113931775A provides a wind cylinder system for diesel engine starting, in which the auxiliary compressor becomes a backup of the main air compressor, the starting air cylinder becomes a backup of the main air cylinder, and at the initial stage of filling the main air cylinder, the compressed air of the starting air cylinder is used to quickly help the main air cylinder establish pressure. This solution still has similar problems in the above two aspects regarding the filling of the starting air cylinder. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The main object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for filling a starting air cylinder to solve at least one aspect of the above technical problems.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, a system for filling a starting air cylinder is proposed, including: an air compressor; a service valve, the inlet of the service valve is connected to the air compressor; a main air cylinder, the inlet of the main air cylinder is connected to the outlet of the service valve, and the outlet of the main air cylinder is connected to the starting air cylinder; a solenoid valve and a pre-control pipeline, the inlet of the solenoid valve is connected to the air compressor, the outlet of the solenoid valve is connected to the pre-control interface of the service valve through the pre-control pipeline, and the outlet of the solenoid valve is also connected to the starting air cylinder; wherein, when gas is introduced into the pre-control pipeline, the service valve closes; when no gas is introduced into the pre-control pipeline, the service valve opens; the solenoid valve is provided with an exhaust hole; a pressure sensor configured to detect the pressure of the starting air cylinder; a controller configured to: obtain the detection value of the pressure sensor; when the detection value is less than a preset value, control the solenoid valve to open; when the detection value is greater than the preset value, control the solenoid valve to close.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, another solenoid valve is used to replace the service valve, so that the another solenoid valve is connected between the air compressor and the main air cylinder, and the pre-control pipeline is cancelled; the controller is configured to: when the detection value is less than the preset value, control the solenoid valve to open and control the another solenoid valve to close; when the detection value is greater than the preset value, control the solenoid valve to close and control the another solenoid valve to open.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system further includes: a main pipeline and two branch pipelines. The main pipeline is connected between the air compressor and the two branch pipelines, and the actuating valve and the solenoid valve are respectively arranged in the two branch pipelines; the system further includes a dryer and a filter arranged in the main pipeline, and the dryer is arranged between the air compressor and the filter.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dryer is connected to the air compressor through a hose.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system further includes a minimum pressure valve arranged in the main pipeline.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system further includes a safety valve arranged in the main pipeline.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system further includes: a one-way check valve arranged between the main reservoir and the starting cylinder.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system further includes: a one-way check valve arranged between the solenoid valve and the starting cylinder.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for charging the starting cylinder is provided, including: obtaining a pressure detection value of the starting cylinder; when the pressure detection value is less than a preset value, causing the air compressor to charge the starting cylinder and not charge the main reservoir; when the pressure detection value is greater than the preset value, causing the air compressor to charge the main reservoir.

[0021] The step of causing the air compressor to charge the starting cylinder and not charge the main reservoir includes: controlling the solenoid valve located between the air compressor and the starting cylinder to open, so that the pipeline between the air compressor and the starting cylinder is communicated; and the opening of the solenoid valve allows gas to enter the pre-control pipeline between the solenoid valve and the actuating valve, thereby closing the actuating valve and disconnecting the pipeline between the air compressor and the main reservoir.

[0022] In the system and method for charging the starting air cylinder according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the detected value of the pressure sensor is less than the preset value, that is, when starting the locomotive in a state without air, the solenoid valve is controlled to open. At this time, gas is introduced into the pre-control pipeline, and the actuating valve is closed. Thus, the air compressor only charges the starting air cylinder, rather than charging the main air cylinder and the starting air cylinder together, and rapid charging of the starting air cylinder can be achieved. Moreover, the air compressor can be used as a part of the main air source system, and relevant dryers and filters are configured, so that the cleanliness of the compressed air supplied to the starting air cylinder is relatively high, which is beneficial to reducing the failure rate of the equipment in the air starting system and improving the service life. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0024] Figure 1 Schematic diagram showing a prior art system for charging a starting air cylinder;

[0025] Figure 2 Schematic diagram showing a system for charging a starting air cylinder according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0026] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer and more understandable, the following further details the embodiments of the present invention in combination with specific embodiments and with reference to the drawings.

[0027] Figure 2 Schematic diagram showing a system for charging a starting air cylinder according to an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 2 shown, the system includes: an air compressor 1; an actuating valve 7, the inlet of the actuating valve 7 is connected to the air compressor 1; a main air cylinder 8, the inlet of the main air cylinder 8 is connected to the outlet of the actuating valve 7, and the outlet of the main air cylinder 8 is connected to the starting air cylinder 12; a solenoid valve 9 and a pre-control pipeline, the inlet of the solenoid valve 9 is connected to the air compressor 1, the outlet of the solenoid valve 9 is connected to the pre-control interface of the actuating valve 7 through the pre-control pipeline, and the outlet of the solenoid valve 9 is also connected to the starting air cylinder 12; wherein, when gas is introduced into the pre-control pipeline, the actuating valve 7 is closed; when no gas is introduced into the pre-control pipeline, the actuating valve 7 is open; the solenoid valve 9 is provided with an exhaust hole; a pressure sensor 11 configured to detect the pressure of the starting air cylinder 12; a controller configured to: obtain the detected value of the pressure sensor 11; when the detected value is less than the preset value, control the solenoid valve 9 to open; when the detected value is greater than the preset value, control the solenoid valve 9 to close.

[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, compared with the prior art solution, the equipment of the auxiliary air source part is omitted, and a service valve 7 and a solenoid valve 9 are added to assist in realizing rapid charging of the starting air cylinder 12.

[0029] When the diesel engine needs to start, the locomotive detects the pressure of the starting air cylinder 12 through the pressure sensor 11, judges whether the pressure of the starting air cylinder 12 can reach the starting condition. If the starting condition is not reached, the main air compressor 1 starts to operate. At this time, the solenoid valve 9 is energized, opening the pipeline leading to the starting air cylinder 12. When the compressed air passes through the solenoid valve 9, a part of the compressed air will reach the pre-control interface of the service valve 7 through the pre-control pipeline, closing the service valve 12 and disconnecting the pipeline leading to the main air reservoir 8, so that the main air compressor 1 only charges the starting air cylinder 12.

[0030] When the pressure of the starting air cylinder 12 is charged to the rated pressure, the solenoid valve 9 is de-energized, disconnecting the passage. At the same time, the compressed air between the solenoid valve 9 and the check valve 10 is discharged through the exhaust hole on the solenoid valve 9, losing the compressed air in the pre-control pipeline, and the service valve passage is opened. When the locomotive is running, the compressed air is charged into the main air reservoir 8.

[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, by only using the main air source system to charge the starting air cylinder, rather than using the auxiliary air source system to charge the starting air cylinder as well, the cleanliness of the air used by the air starting system is improved. Through the combined use of the service valve and the solenoid valve, when starting the locomotive in a windless state, only the starting air cylinder is charged, rather than charging the main air reservoir and the starting air cylinder together, realizing rapid charging of the starting air cylinder.

[0032] In another embodiment, another solenoid valve is used to replace the service valve 7, so that the another solenoid valve is connected between the air compressor 1 and the main air reservoir 8, and the pre-control pipeline is cancelled; the controller is configured to: when the detected value is less than the preset value, control the solenoid valve 9 to open and control the another solenoid valve to close; when the detected value is greater than the preset value, control the solenoid valve 9 to close and control the another solenoid valve to open. It can also realize that when starting the locomotive in a windless state, only the starting air cylinder is charged and the main air reservoir is not charged.

[0033] The another solenoid valve can be a two-position two-way solenoid valve that is closed when energized and opened when de-energized, and the another solenoid valve and the solenoid valve 9 are energized and de-energized at the same time. In the embodiment using the another solenoid valve, there will be an additional set of control circuits, and the reliability is not as good as that of the service valve 7 controlled by the solenoid valve 9.

[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the system further includes a main pipeline and two branch pipelines. The main pipeline is connected between the air compressor 1 and the two branch pipelines. The function valve 7 and the solenoid valve 9 are respectively arranged in the two branch pipelines. The system further includes a dryer 3 and a filter 4 arranged in the main pipeline. The dryer 3 is arranged between the air compressor 1 and the filter 4.

[0035] The air compressor 1 serves as a gas source device for charging the starting cylinder 12 with air, providing compressed air for the entire system. The dryer 3 serves as a device for filtering moisture in the compressed air, reducing the water content in the compressed air. The filter 4 serves as a device for filtering oil and solid particles in the compressed air, reducing the content of oil and solid particles in the compressed air. The inlet of the filter 4 is connected to the outlet of the dryer 3 through a steel pipe.

[0036] In some embodiments, the dryer 3 is connected to the air compressor 1 through a hose 2. The hose 2 can play a role in isolating the vibration of the air compressor 1. One end of the hose 2 is connected to the outlet of the air compressor 1, and the other end is connected to the inlet of the dryer 3.

[0037] In some embodiments, the system further includes a minimum pressure valve 5 arranged in the main pipeline. The minimum pressure valve 5 can play a role in quickly establishing the air pressure in the pipeline. When the compressor starts, before the pipeline reaches the set pressure value, the minimum pressure valve 5 is in the closed state, and it will only open after reaching the set pressure value, ensuring the normal operation of the dryer 3 and the filter 4. The inlet of the minimum pressure valve 5 is connected to the outlet of the filter 4 through a steel pipe.

[0038] In some embodiments, the system further includes a safety valve 6 arranged in the main pipeline. The safety valve 6 can play a role in protecting the pipeline. When the pipeline pressure exceeds the set value, the safety valve detonates and quickly relieves the pressure. After the pipeline pressure drops to the safe value, the safety valve closes and no longer discharges compressed air. The safety valve is located at a node in the pipeline. Its inlet is connected to the outlet of the minimum pressure valve 5 through a steel pipe, and the outlet is connected to the function valve 7 and the solenoid valve 9 through steel pipes respectively. The function valve 7 and the solenoid valve 9 are in a parallel state.

[0039] The function valve 7 and the solenoid valve 9 act jointly. When the locomotive starts in a windless state, the pipeline to the main air cylinder 8 is closed, and the main air compressor 1 only charges the starting cylinder 12 with air. When the locomotive is running normally, the pipeline between the main air compressor 1 and the main air cylinder 8 is in the open state.

[0040] The function valve 7 can adopt a function valve controlled by a pilot pipeline. The function valve 7 is in the open state when there is no wind in the pilot pipeline, and it closes when there is wind in the pilot pipeline. The inlet of the function valve 7 is connected to the safety valve 6 through a steel pipe, and the outlet of the function valve 7 is connected to the main air cylinder 8 through a steel pipe.

[0041] The solenoid valve 9 adopts a solenoid valve with an exhaust function, which is opened when powered on and closed when powered off, and has an exhaust hole, capable of discharging the compressed air in the pre-control pipeline after the solenoid valve 9 is closed. The solenoid valve 9 is powered on when the locomotive starts and charges the air, opening the pipeline connecting the air compressor 1 directly to the starting air cylinder 12, and is powered off in other states. The inlet of the solenoid valve 9 is connected to the safety valve 6 through a pipeline, and the outlet of the solenoid valve 9 is connected to the pre-control interface of the actuating valve 7 through a pipeline.

[0042] In some embodiments, the system further includes: a one-way check valve 10 provided between the main air reservoir 8 and the starting air cylinder 12. In some embodiments, the system further includes: a one-way check valve 10 provided between the solenoid valve 9 and the starting air cylinder 12.

[0043] The one-way check valve 10 ensures the one-way flow of the compressed air in the pipeline and will not flow backward. There are two one-way check valves 10 in the system. One comes from the pipeline of the main air reservoir 8, its inlet is connected to the main air reservoir 8 through a steel pipe, and its outlet is connected to the safety valve 11 through a steel pipe. The other comes from the pipeline of the solenoid valve 9, its inlet is connected to the solenoid valve 9 through a steel pipe, and its outlet is connected to the pressure sensor 11 through a steel pipe. That is, the outlet of the solenoid valve 9 is respectively connected to the actuating valve 7 and the pressure reducing valve 10, and the actuating valve 7 and the pressure reducing valve 10 are in a parallel state.

[0044] The main air reservoir 8 serves as a device for storing the compressed air of the locomotive and also plays a role in stabilizing the pressure. The inlet of the main air reservoir 8 is connected to the actuating valve 7 through a steel pipe, one side of the outlet of the main air reservoir 8 is connected to the pressure reducing valve 10 through a steel pipe, and the other side leads to other air-using devices.

[0045] The pressure sensor 11 monitors the pressure of the starting air cylinder 12 and is a necessary device for the locomotive to judge whether the pressure of the starting air cylinder 12 can meet the starting requirements. Its inlet is respectively connected to the two one-way check valves 10 through steel pipes, and its outlet is connected to the starting air cylinder 12 through a steel pipe.

[0046] The starting air cylinder 12 serves as a device for storing the compressed air for the air starting system of the locomotive, its inlet is connected to the pressure sensor 11 through a steel pipe, and its outlet leads to the starting pipeline.

[0047] When the starting air cylinder 12 is being charged with compressed air, there are two flow directions of the compressed air. One is when the locomotive starts without wind, and the other is when the locomotive is running normally.

[0048] When the locomotive starts without wind, through the combined action of the actuating valve and the solenoid valve, the main air compressor only charges the starting air cylinder. At this time, the main flow direction of the compressed air is:

[0049] Main air compressor 1 → Hose 2 → Dryer 3 → Filter 4 → Minimum pressure valve 5 → Safety valve 6 → Solenoid valve 9 → One-way check valve 10 → Pressure sensor 11 → Starting air cylinder 12

[0050] When the locomotive is operating normally, the main direction of compressed air flow is as follows:

[0051] Main air compressor 1 → Hose 2 → Desiccator 3 → Filter 4 → Minimum pressure valve 5 → Safety valve 6 → Actuating valve 7 → Main air reservoir 8 → Check valve 10 → Pressure sensor 11 → Starting air reservoir 12

[0052] The present invention also provides a method for charging the starting air reservoir, including:

[0053] Obtaining the pressure detection value of the starting air reservoir;

[0054] When the pressure detection value is less than a preset value, the air compressor charges the starting air reservoir instead of the main air reservoir;

[0055] When the pressure detection value is greater than the preset value, the air compressor charges the main air reservoir.

[0056] In some embodiments, the step of making the air compressor charge the starting air reservoir instead of the main air reservoir includes:

[0057] Controlling the solenoid valve located between the air compressor and the starting air reservoir to open, so that the pipeline between the air compressor and the starting air reservoir is connected; and

[0058] The opening of the solenoid valve allows gas to enter the pre-control pipeline between the solenoid valve and the actuating valve, thereby closing the actuating valve and disconnecting the pipeline between the air compressor and the main air reservoir.

[0059] According to the above description, the system and method of the present invention can achieve the following technical effects:

[0060] 1. When the locomotive is in a windless state, the charging time of the starting air reservoir can be shortened from more than 40 minutes to within 5 minutes.

[0061] 2. The cleanliness of the compressed air in the air starting system is improved to the same level as other air-using equipment on the locomotive, greatly optimizing the working environment of the air starting system equipment.

[0062] 3. Reduce the space of the starting air reservoir charging equipment and lower the manufacturing cost. Compared with the newly added solenoid valve and actuating valve, the original auxiliary air source system equipment occupies more space and has a higher price.

[0063] Those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: the discussion of any of the above embodiments is only exemplary and is not intended to imply that the scope (including the claims) disclosed by the embodiments of the present invention is limited to these examples; under the concept of the embodiments of the present invention, the technical features in the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, and there are many other variations in different aspects of the embodiments of the present invention as described above, which are not provided in detail for the sake of brevity. Therefore, any omissions, modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the embodiments of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A system for charging the starting air cylinder, characterized in that, Comprising: An air compressor; An action valve, the inlet of which is connected to the air compressor; A main air reservoir, the inlet of which is connected to the outlet of the action valve, and the outlet of which is connected to the starting air reservoir; A solenoid valve and a pre-control pipeline, the inlet of the solenoid valve is connected to the air compressor, the outlet of the solenoid valve is connected to the pre-control interface of the action valve through the pre-control pipeline, and the outlet of the solenoid valve is also connected to the starting air reservoir; wherein, when gas is introduced into the pre-control pipeline, the action valve closes; when no gas is introduced into the pre-control pipeline, the action valve opens; the solenoid valve is provided with an exhaust hole; A pressure sensor configured to detect the pressure of the starting air reservoir; A controller configured to: Obtain the detection value of the pressure sensor; When the detection value is less than a preset value, control the solenoid valve to open; When the detection value is greater than the preset value, control the solenoid valve to close.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein Using another solenoid valve to replace the action valve, such that the another solenoid valve is connected between the air compressor and the main air reservoir, and canceling the pre-control pipeline; the controller is configured to: When the detection value is less than the preset value, control the solenoid valve to open and control the another solenoid valve to close; When the detection value is greater than the preset value, control the solenoid valve to close and control the another solenoid valve to open.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein Further comprising: A main pipeline and two branch pipelines, the main pipeline is connected between the air compressor and the two branch pipelines, and the action valve and the solenoid valve are respectively arranged in the two branch pipelines; The system further comprises a dryer and a filter arranged in the main pipeline, and the dryer is arranged between the air compressor and the filter.

4. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The dryer and the air compressor are connected by a hose.

5. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that, Further comprising a minimum pressure valve arranged in the main pipeline.

6. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that, Further comprising a safety valve arranged in the main pipeline.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein Further comprising: A one-way check valve arranged between the main air reservoir and the starting air reservoir.

8. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Further comprising: A one-way check valve arranged between the solenoid valve and the starting air reservoir.

9. A method for charging the starting air cylinder, characterized in that, The method is based on the system according to any one of claims 1-8, and comprises: Obtaining the pressure detection value of the starting air reservoir; When the pressure detection value is less than the preset value, causing the air compressor to charge the starting air reservoir instead of charging the main air reservoir; When the pressure detection value is greater than the preset value, causing the air compressor to charge the main air reservoir.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein The causing the air compressor to charge the starting air reservoir instead of charging the main air reservoir includes: Controlling the solenoid valve located between the air compressor and the starting air reservoir to open, such that the pipeline between the air compressor and the starting air reservoir is communicated; and The opening of the solenoid valve causes gas to be introduced into the pre-control pipeline between the solenoid valve and the action valve, thereby closing the action valve and disconnecting the pipeline between the air compressor and the main air reservoir.

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