Device for capturing liquid particles in gaseous flow

Abstract

A device (50) for capturing liquid particles in a gaseous flow that may carry moisture includes a body (52) delimiting a cavity (54) that defines a main vertical flow path of a gaseous air flow between an inlet port (56) and an outlet port (58) in an operational configuration of the device (50). The cavity (54) comprises a vertical inner separation partition (64) delimiting a settling chamber (66) for settling of the liquid particles along the main path and a liquid collection chamber (68) comprising a negative pressure region, the partition (64) comprising an aperture (70), the aperture is provided at the bottom of the partition plate (64) and is adapted to draw liquid from the settling chamber (66) to the collecting chamber (68) via a negative pressure effect in the region.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for capturing liquid particles contained in a gaseous flow. It has more particular but not exclusive application to a system for recovering brake dust particles, in particular brake dust particles emitted during the braking action of an air-drawing motor vehicle.

[0002] The field of application of the invention relates more particularly, but not exclusively, to the recovery of brake dust generated during the braking action of a vehicle, whether a road vehicle (eg: car, heavy goods vehicle, motorcycle) or a rail vehicle (train, tram, subway).

[0003] Usually, the braking of road or rail vehicles, and in particular of motor vehicles, is performed by friction brake systems, like for example "disc brakes". A disc brake comprises a disc which rotates about an axle fixed to the hub of the vehicle wheel, and brake pads which are provided with a lining made of friction material and are mounted on both sides of the disc by means of brake calipers.

[0004] During a braking action, a brake pad, which is movable relative to a caliper, bears against a disc, which rotates with the vehicle wheel, so as to apply a braking torque to the disc and brake by converting kinetic energy into heat.

[0005] However, for each braking action, in addition to releasing heat, the friction of the brake pads also causes wear of the friction material of the lining, as well as wear of the metal disc or drum. This wear caused by abrasion can lead to a large emission of particles. Since the brakes of motor vehicles are usually not completely enclosed, these brake dust particles are then directly dispersed into the surrounding environment.

[0006] In addition to polluting the immediate environment around the wheels and especially the rims, these particles are particularly harmful to human health. In fact, these particles can be nanoparticles or microparticles, the finest of which are generally considered to be particularly harmful to personal health, increasing the risk of respiratory diseases, allergic diseases and cardiovascular diseases.

[0007] In order to reduce the pollution caused by brake dust particles, it is known from the prior art to provide particle extraction and filtering systems in the vicinity of the brake system.

[0008] Such a filtering system comprises in particular a filtering device provided with a housing delimiting a collecting body and housing, for example, a filter cartridge, connectable to an inlet for a dirty air flow near the pad and to an outlet for a purified air flow, for example connected to a suction fan that draws in air. This air circulation then takes place between the inlet and the outlet and across the filter cartridge.

[0009] Depending on meteorological conditions, the dirty air flow drawn into a filter system of this type may be laden with more or less water droplets, which are then carried along the interior of the filter device.

[0010] However, soaking the filter element with liquid can significantly reduce the filtration and capture efficiency of the element and may eventually cause the element to tear under the combined effects of the weight of the liquid and the pressure of the air drawn through the element.

[0011] In order to remove liquid particles or droplets from the sucked air flow, a device is known from the prior art, in particular from the applicant's patent application number FR2101230, which comprises a cyclonic structure located upstream of the filter cartridge, wherein large dust particles and water droplets are collected from the dirty air flow by centrifugal action during the passage of the air flow through the cyclonic structure before passing through the filter cartridge.

[0012] However, while this has proven to be very effective in capturing water, the fact remains that such cyclonic structures are extremely bulky and add greatly to the complexity of the filtration device. Summary of the invention

[0013] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by providing another solution for eliminating liquid droplets, which avoids the incorporation of additional bulky elements while producing effective results.

[0014] To this end, the present invention relates to a device for capturing liquid particles in a gaseous flow, comprising a body delimiting a cavity, which in the operating configuration of the device defines a main vertical flow path of the gaseous air flow between an inlet port and an outlet port, characterized in that the cavity comprises a vertical internal separation baffle, which delimits a sedimentation chamber for liquid particles to settle along the main path and a liquid collection chamber comprising a negative pressure area, the baffle comprising a hole, which is arranged at the bottom of the baffle and is adapted to draw liquid from the sedimentation chamber to the collection chamber via the negative pressure in the area.

[0015] The invention thus allows collecting moisture from a gaseous flow by a simple and compact solution.By means of the arrangement defined in the invention, the holes in the partition separating the collecting chamber and the settling chamber allow filling of the collecting chamber via negative pressure in the region of the collecting chamber.

[0016] The apparatus of the present invention may further include one or more of the following features.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the partition comprises an opening for generating negative pressure in said area, said opening being arranged at the top of the partition.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sedimentation chamber is underpressured, said underpressure propagating through said opening to the collecting chamber so as to generate said underpressure in said region.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the settling chamber comprises a profile configured to generate a head loss along the main flow path of the gaseous flow, thereby generating a negative pressure in the settling chamber.

[0020] In a manner known per se, the head loss during the flow of a fluid or gaseous stream leads to a pressure drop due to the resistance that the fluid or gaseous stream may encounter during its flow.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the opening is located along the main flow path of the gaseous air flow and is configured to narrow the cross-sectional area of ​​the gaseous air flow flowing along the main path or change the direction of the main path to generate negative pressure in said area.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the opening is arranged at the top and is vertically spaced a certain distance from the suction hole.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the outlet port opens into the interior of the collecting chamber, the main path passes through the partition via an opening provided at the top of the partition and then reaches the outlet port via the collecting chamber.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mouth of the inlet port is oriented vertically to allow the collected liquid to drain away, the liquid being able to flow through the inlet port due to gravity.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, since the circulation of flow through the device is generated by intermittently pumping the flow through the outlet port of the device, liquid is able to flow when pumping of the flow through the inlet port is stopped.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the main path comprises at least one change of direction.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the path comprises a generally "S" shaped portion formed by two consecutive bends of different orientations.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the suction aperture has a substantially oblong shape, wherein its longitudinal direction is substantially horizontal.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the partition comprises a wall of generally annular shape surrounding a substantially vertically oriented main axis, or comprises a wall of generally planar shape.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a connection end piece for connecting it to a pipe system for the circulation of the gaseous flow.

[0031] The present invention also relates to a system for recovering brake particles, which comprises a downstream device for filtering and collecting brake particles, the downstream device comprising an inlet port for a dirty air flow and an exhaust port for a purified air flow, the exhaust port being intended to be connected to an air flow suction component so that the air flow circulates between the two ports inside the device by means of suction during operation, characterized in that the inlet port is connected to the outlet port of an upstream device for capturing liquid particles according to any of the preceding claims, so that the dirty air flow flows through the device for capturing liquid particles before it enters the inlet port of the downstream filtering and collecting device.

[0032] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a motor vehicle incorporating a brake particle pollution control system according to the present invention;

[0034] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 A pollution control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the environment around the wheels of a motor vehicle;

[0035] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 Demonstrating the first embodiment Figure 2 A perspective view of a capture device of a pollution control system;

[0036] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 exhibit Figure 3 A perspective cross-sectional view of a device;

[0037] [ Figure 5 ] Figure 5 A pollution control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the environment around the wheels of a motor vehicle;

[0038] [ Figure 6 ] Figure 6 exhibit Figure 5 A perspective cross-sectional view of a device.

[0039] [ Figure 7 ] Figure 7 Display during the braking phase Figure 4 A perspective cross-sectional view of a device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] exist Figure 1In the figure, a motor vehicle comprising a pollution control system of the invention based on the suction and collection of brake dust particles is presented. This system is indicated by the general reference numeral 10, and the motor vehicle is indicated by the general reference numeral 100. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vehicle 100 is a motor vehicle, in the illustrated case a light vehicle. Of course, the invention can be applied to other vehicles, such as heavy goods vehicles, rail vehicles or other vehicles.

[0041] In a general but non-limiting manner, the vehicle 100 includes four wheels 102 and a braking system 110 having the function of slowing down the vehicle and keeping it stationary, in particular, for a relatively short period of time. The braking system 110 is configured to apply a braking torque to at least two of the wheels 102 of the vehicle 100 and preferably to all four wheels 102 of the vehicle. Conventionally, the wheels 102 can be driven to rotate by a powertrain, such as a heat engine or an electric motor (not shown) or any other type of propulsion.

[0042] For this purpose, the braking system 110 preferably comprises four brake arrangements 112 associated with each of the wheels 102, and a unit for managing these brake arrangements ( Figure 1 Only two brake arrangements 112 are shown in FIG. 1 ). A user of the vehicle 100 can therefore control the brake system 110 and thus the brake arrangements 112 of the brake system 110 by means of a control unit 120 of the vehicle 100 .

[0043] This type of brake arrangement 112 is Figure 2 Preferably, the arrangement 112 is of the disc brake type. Figure 2 A brake arrangement 112 mounted on one of the wheels 102 of the vehicle 100 is illustrated.

[0044] Each brake arrangement 112 comprises, in a non-limiting manner, a rotor disc 114 which rotates about a main axis and integrally with its associated wheel 102. This main axis is generally intended to be fixed to the hub 106 of the wheel 102 of the vehicle 100.

[0045] In addition, the brake arrangement 112 includes a caliper bracket 116, which is arranged across the outer edge of the disc 114 and rotates integrally with a fixed part of the chassis (not shown) of the vehicle 100. The brake arrangement 112 further includes two brake pads (at Figure 2 (not directly visible in the figure), the two brake pads have a lining made of friction material and are each mounted on either side of the disc 114 by means of a caliper bracket 116.

[0046] These brake pads are mounted so as to be movable, for example under the action of hydraulic cylinders (not shown), and are intended to clamp the rotor disc 114 in order to brake it until it stops by converting kinetic energy into heat energy. The brake lining is usually made of friction material and releases particles generated by abrasion caused by friction against the disc 114. During braking, the friction between the brake lining and the disc 114 generates dust, which may contain fine particles that are harmful to human health.

[0047] To recover brake dust particles, the recovery and collection system 10 is intended to suck and collect dust particles generated during braking action of the motor vehicle 100 , specifically friction braking by the brake arrangement 112 of the vehicle 100 as described above.

[0048] In the illustrated example, system 10 includes at least one pollution control device 12 (in Figure 2 1 and includes as many pollution control devices 12 as there are brake arrangements 112. By way of example, the system 10 includes four pollution control devices 12 to equip the four brake arrangements 112 of the vehicle 100.

[0049] By convention, in this application, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” are defined relative to the direction in which the gaseous flow circulates in the illustrated example, ie, from the brake pads to the filter device 12 .

[0050] The device 12 has the function of recovering and collecting dust and brake particles originating, for example, from one of the braking arrangements of a motor vehicle. Conventionally, the device 12 is generally in the form of a housing provided with an inlet port 14 for a dirty air flow and an outlet port 16 for a purified air flow, and delimiting a body for collecting dust particles.

[0051] For this purpose, the device 12 comprises a housing body which houses at least one separation element ( Figure 2 14 and 16). In the example described, the separation means comprises, for example, a filter element. In addition, preferably, such a housing is sized to be accommodated in a space surrounding a wheel 102 of a motor vehicle 100, for example, around a strut of a suspension system.

[0052] In addition, as in Figure 2 , the housing of the device 12 can be connected to one of the disc brake arrangements 112 via a suction channel 28 (e.g. formed by hoses 28A, 28B). Preferably, the suction channel 28A, 28B includes one end located in the immediate vicinity of the area where brake dust may be generated. The other end preferably opens into the interior of the collecting body of the device 12.

[0053] In order to effectively circulate the air inside the device 12, suction means for sucking the purified air flow, such as, for example, a centrifugal pump, are arranged downstream of the device 12. In the described example, the outlet port 16 of the filter device 12 is intended to be connected to the suction means for sucking the air flow, so that the air flow circulates through the filter element between the inlet port 14 and the outlet port 16 via the suction action.

[0054] According to the invention, the system 10 further comprises a capture device 50 for capturing liquid particles in the dirty air flow that may carry moisture. In practice, the dirty air flow is captured at the wheels 102 of the motor vehicle 100, which are often splashed, especially during wet weather. These liquid particles can be water, but also oil.

[0055] In such Figure 2 In this first embodiment of the invention shown in , a capture device 50 for capturing liquid particles is installed on a branch of the suction channel 28 upstream of the filtering device 12. By way of example, the pollution control system 10 comprises two capture devices 50A and 50B, each of which is mounted on each of the hoses 28A and 28B. In the remainder of the description, only one of the two capture devices will be described using the general reference numeral 50.

[0056] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 Detailed description of a first embodiment of a capture device 50 is provided in FIG. As shown in these figures, the device 50 includes a body 52 defining a cavity 54 and an inlet port 56 and an outlet port 58 for air flow. Figure 2 , the device 50 is connected to the circulation loop of the suction system 10 upstream of the particle filter device 12 .

[0057] In the example illustrated, the exterior of the body 52 of the capture device 50 is generally in the form of a housing. In the present case, the housing 52 has a peripheral wall 52P of generally cylindrical shape around the main axis X and is provided with a lower 52I end face and an upper 52S end face.

[0058] By convention, in this application, the terms “inner” and “outer”, “lower” and “upper”, and “inner” and “outer” are defined radially relative to the main axis of the capture device 50.

[0059] The housing 52 is, for example, in two parts 52A and 52B that can be assembled together by various releasable or non-releasable assembly methods that will not be described in further detail. For example, each part 52A or 52B includes a corresponding peripheral lower 53A attachment flange and a peripheral upper 53B attachment flange, so that the two parts 52A, 52B can be assembled, for example, by means of conventional fastening screws or any other assembly means.

[0060] Furthermore, the housing 52 is provided with an inlet end piece 60 and an outlet end piece 62 delimiting respectively the inlet port 56 and the outlet port 58. Both ports, the inlet port 56 and the outlet port 58, open into the interior of the cavity 54.

[0061] According to the invention, in the operational configuration of the device 50, the inlet port 56 and the outlet port 58 open into the lower 54A portion and the upper 54B portion of the cavity 54, respectively, so as to define a main vertical flow path of the gaseous air flow between the inlet port 56 and the outlet port 58 in the operational configuration of the device 50. In the illustrated example, this vertical direction substantially coincides with the direction of the main axis X of the device 50 in the operational configuration of the device 50.

[0062] According to the invention, the cavity 54 comprises a vertical internal separation partition 64 which delimits a first chamber 66 for allowing the liquid particles in the gaseous flow to settle and a second chamber 68 for recovering or collecting the liquid particles captured in the first chamber 66 into which the inlet port 56 opens.

[0063] The partition 64 is preferably formed by a generally planar wall delimiting in vertical direction two chambers 66 and 68. In a variant not illustrated in the drawings, the partition 64 may, in the operating configuration of the device 50, be annular in shape around an axis of rotation which is also oriented vertically.

[0064] More specifically, the settling chamber 66 extends along the main flow path of the gaseous stream. Figure 7 Seen in FIG: Liquid particles are schematically represented in the settling chamber 66 .

[0065] In addition, in particular, the collection chamber 68 for collecting liquid particles includes a negative pressure area. In particular, the inner partition 64 includes a hole 70, which is formed at the bottom of the partition 64 and is arranged to suck liquid from the sedimentation chamber 66 toward the collection chamber 68 by means of the effect generated by the negative pressure in the area.

[0066] For example, the suction hole 70 is preferably arranged at the lowest point of the partition 64. For example, the partition 64 has a recess in the lower edge delimiting the hole 70, said hole being in the form of a groove delimited by the partition 64 and the bottom of the cavity 54. Figure 7 In FIG. 6 , it can be seen in particular that the recovery chamber 68 is filled with liquid in the region communicating with the hole 70. More generally, and preferably, the hole 70 is in the form of an oblong opening extending in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0067] Preferably, the partition 64 further includes an opening 72 for generating negative pressure in the negative pressure region of the collection chamber 68 , the opening being arranged at the top of the partition 64 .

[0068] For example, the settling chamber 66 includes a negative pressure that propagates to the collection chamber 68 via the opening 72 to generate the negative pressure in the region 70. For example, the settling chamber 66 may include a profile (not shown) configured to generate a single head loss along the main flow path of the gaseous flow to generate a negative pressure in the settling chamber 66.

[0069] In the example illustrated in the drawings, the openings 72 are located along the main flow path of the gaseous air flow and are arranged to change the direction of the main path, which has the effect of generating a head loss. The effect of this head loss is to establish a negative pressure in the region in the collection chamber 68.

[0070] Alternatively, the openings 72 may narrow the cross-sectional area of ​​the gaseous flow along the main path, which also has the effect of generating a head loss and thus causing a negative pressure to build up in said region in the collection chamber 68 .

[0071] Preferably, the outlet port 62 opens to the interior of the collection chamber 68 in the upper portion 54B of the cavity 54, and an intermediate opening 72 for the gaseous flow to travel along the flow path is provided at the top of the partition 64. In the illustrated example, the outlet port 62 is provided in the upper end wall 52S of the body 52. ​​However, alternatively, the outlet port 62 may extend laterally through the peripheral wall 52P of the housing 52.

[0072] Preferably, the mouth of the inlet port 60 is oriented vertically so as to allow drainage of collected liquid, which can flow through the inlet port 60 due to gravity. In the example illustrated in the drawings, the inlet port 60 is provided in the bottom wall 52I of the body 52 of the device 50, so that the inlet port 60 also forms a drainage port for liquid, which can then passively flow through the inlet port 60 due to gravity.

[0073] Specifically, in the case of using a capture device 50 to capture the liquid in the brake particle recovery system 10, the circulation of the gaseous flow through the device 50 is generated by intermittently sucking the flow leaving the capture device 50. In fact, outside the braking phase, the suction fan that sucks the gaseous flow is stopped, so that the fluid circulation is interrupted inside the capture device 50.

[0074] The intermittent circulation of the gaseous flow inside the device 50 allows the liquid stored by the collection chamber 68 to be periodically emptied through the inlet port 60, which also forms a discharge port for the liquid, which can flow passively due to gravity when the flow suction stops (i.e., outside the braking phase).

[0075] The capture chamber 66 is in communication with the outlet port 58 of the capture device 50. Preferably, the outlet port 58 opens into the interior of the collection chamber 66, and a middle opening 72 is provided at the top of the partition 64, vertically at a distance from the suction hole 70. The opening 72 in the upper portion of the partition 64 allows the cleaned air to pass through to be released to the outside via the outlet port 58.

[0076] In the present case, the settling chamber 66 forms a volume that accommodates the impact and turbulence of the gaseous flow passing therethrough, thereby inducing coalescence of liquid particles by means of impacts on the walls of the chamber 66 , which settle at the bottom of the capture chamber 66 due to gravity.

[0077] For example, if Figure 4 As described in , the main path includes at least one change of direction, for example forming at least one bend. Preferably, the main path includes a substantially vertical portion downstream and an angled portion upstream. The angled portion has, for example, a general "S" shape in the form of two consecutive bends with opposite orientations relative to each other.

[0078] As shown in the illustrated example, the flow path passes through the partition 64 via the opening 72 provided at the top of the partition 64, thereby forming a first bend, and then reaches the outlet port 58 via the collection chamber 66, thereby forming a second bend with an opposite orientation. Alternatively, the mouth of the outlet port 58 can extend laterally through the peripheral wall 52P of the housing body 52 of the capture device 50, so that the flow path includes only one bend.

[0079] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A capture device 50 according to a second embodiment is shown. In this second embodiment, elements similar to those of the first embodiment have the same reference numerals.

[0080] In this second embodiment, if Figure 5 As can be seen in the figure, the downstream device 12 for filtering and collecting and the upstream device 50 for capturing are formed as a single piece in the common housing body 80, and the common housing body respectively includes a main downstream compartment 82 for collecting and filtering and a secondary upstream compartment 84 for capturing liquid particles, and the two devices 50 and 12 are connected to each other via their air inlet port and outlet port respectively.

[0081] exist Figure 6 In the embodiment, the secondary compartment 84 forms an extension of the main compartment 82 for housing the means for capturing liquid particles 50. Advantageously, such an arrangement facilitates the manufacturing and production operations of such products, for example by injection molding in a single mold with a parting line.

[0082] like Figure 6 As illustrated in , the housing body 80 has a generally tubular shape, for example cylindrical about a main axis X. The housing 80 is in two parts 80A and 80B, for example, which can be assembled together by various releasable or non-releasable assembly methods which will not be described in further detail.

[0083] Furthermore, the housing body 80 comprises an inlet port 88 for a dirty air flow which carries dust and liquid particles and which is collected from the current environment around the brake pad 118, for example by means of a hose 28. The housing body 80 further comprises an outlet port 92 for discharging the cleaned air flow, cleaned of droplets, after it has passed through the two devices 12 and 50. As can be seen in Figure 5 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the outlet of the exhaust port 92 is connected to the suction fan 96 via an elbow.

[0084] The inlet port 88 opens into the interior of the secondary compartment 84 in the illustrated example. For this purpose, the housing 80 further comprises a connector end piece 86 which is intended to be connected to the inlet port 88 and to one or two hoses 28 which open into the interior of the secondary compartment 84. Figure 5 The vicinity of the brake arrangement 116 schematically shown in FIG.

[0085] The device 12 housed in the main compartment 82 comprises a filter cartridge 92 configured to filter air in a radial direction. To this end, the cartridge 92 comprises an elongated filter peripheral wall 92P extending longitudinally along the axis X and having a generally annular shape surrounding a central hollow interior space 94. The interior space 94 thus defines an interior passage for exhausting the air after it has been filtered in the cartridge 92 across the filter wall 92P.

[0086] The peripheral wall 92P of the filter element 92 is formed by, for example, an annular filter medium and includes two support plates, a lower portion 92A and an upper portion 92B, between which the filter medium extends axially and longitudinally. In the illustrated example, the peripheral wall 92P further includes an inner annular perforated partition plate, which rigidly connects the two support plates 92A, 92B and circumferentially delimits an internal passage for filtering the air afterwards. This filter medium is made of a filter material, such as an accordion folded in the manner of a microporous, molded or bellows. The filter element 92 therefore preferably has a generally rotating shape around the axis X. Alternatively, the peripheral wall 92P may not contain this inner partition plate, and the filter medium may be made of a material that is sufficiently rigid to allow the two support plates 92A, 92B to be rigidly held.

[0087] Preferably, the upper flange 92B defines an opening for discharging air filtered through the filter medium, the opening being in communication with the internal passage of the filter element 92. In addition, the body 80 further comprises a port 90 for discharging a purified air flow, the port leading to the interior of the main compartment 82 and being in communication with the internal passage of the filter element 92, for example.

[0088] Preferably, the filter element 92 is intended to be mounted so as to be suspended inside the upper part 80B of the housing 80. For example, the upper part 80B is internally provided with an internal fluid channel section in the extension of its discharge opening, from which the filter element 92 is suspended. For example, the upper support flange is provided with a fastening member around its opening, which is configured to be sealingly engaged around the channel section. The fastening member may include any type of fastening, such as snap fastening, force fit, bayonet fit, welding, etc.

[0089] As can be seen from the figure, the main downstream compartment 82 for collection and filtration and the upstream compartment 84 for capturing liquid particles are connected to each other via the inlet port of the device 12 and the outlet port of the device 50, respectively. Figure 6 As illustrated in , the inlet port and the outlet port are merged into a common port 83. It can be seen, for example, that the common port 83 opens transversely to the interior of the two compartments 82 and 84.

[0090] Now refer to Figures 1 to 7 Main aspects of an apparatus for capturing liquid particles in a gaseous flow according to a first and a second embodiment are described.

[0091] During a first step, the user of the vehicle 10 actuates the brakes of the vehicle 10. During this braking action, brake dust particles associated with the abrasion of the brake linings are released. When the brakes are actuated, the braking system 10 simultaneously controls the activation of the suction fan located downstream of the pollution control device 12.

[0092] The dirty air flow, which may carry liquid particles, is then sucked in by suction through the hose 28 and first enters the capture device 50. It then enters the settling chamber 66, where the dirty air flow releases its liquid particles which settle due to gravity to the bottom of the chamber 66. Due to the negative pressure effect, the settled liquid particles are then sucked into the collection chamber 68 through the suction holes 70 ( Figure 7 ).

[0093] Thus, the dirty air stream, which has been cleaned of micro-droplets, continues on to exit capture device 50 and arrive at pollution control device 12. Some of its dust particles are cleaned during the journey inside device 12 by means of one or more separation components through which it passes. Thus, the purified dirty air stream exits through the exhaust port of pollution control device 12.

[0094] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Other embodiments apparent to a person skilled in the art may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device (50) for capturing liquid particles in a gaseous flow, comprising a body (52) delimiting a cavity (54) which, in an operating configuration of the device (50), defines a main vertical flow path of the gaseous air flow between an inlet port (56) and an outlet port (58), characterized in that The cavity (54) includes a vertical internal separation partition (64), which defines a sedimentation chamber (66) for the liquid particles to settle along the main path and a liquid collection chamber (68) including a negative pressure area, and the partition (64) includes a hole (70), which is arranged at the bottom of the partition (64) and is adapted to draw liquid from the sedimentation chamber (66) to the collection chamber (68) via the negative pressure in the area.

2. The device (50) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The partition (64) comprises an opening (72) for generating negative pressure in the area, the opening being arranged at the top of the partition (64).

3. The device (50) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The settling chamber (66) comprises a negative pressure which propagates through the opening (72) to the collection chamber (68) to create a negative pressure in the region.

4. Device (50) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The settling chamber (66) includes a profile configured to generate a head loss along the primary flow path of the gaseous flow, thereby generating a negative pressure in the settling chamber (66).

5. The device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The opening (72) is located along the main flow path of the gaseous air flow and is configured to narrow the cross-sectional area of ​​the gaseous air flow flowing along the main path or change the direction of the main path to generate negative pressure in the area.

6. The device (50) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that The opening (72) is arranged at the top and is vertically spaced a certain distance from the suction hole (70).

7. The device (50) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that When the outlet port (58) opens into the interior of the collection chamber (66), the main path passes through the partition (64) via the opening (72) provided at the top of the partition (64), and then reaches the outlet port (58) via the collection chamber (66).

8. The device (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The mouth of the inlet port (56) is oriented vertically to allow drainage of collected liquid, which is able to flow through the inlet port (56) due to gravity.

9. Device (50) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that Since the circulation of the flow through the device (50) is produced by intermittently pumping the flow through the outlet port (58) of the device (50), the liquid is able to flow when pumping the flow through the inlet port (56) is stopped.

10. The device (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The main path includes at least one change of direction.

11. The device (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The path includes a generally "S" shaped portion formed by two consecutive bends in different orientations.

12. The device (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The suction hole (70) has a generally oblong shape, wherein its longitudinal direction is generally horizontal.

13. The device (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The partition (64) comprises a wall of generally annular shape surrounding a substantially vertically oriented main axis, or comprises a wall of generally planar shape.

14. The device (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a connection end piece (60, 62) for connecting it to a pipe system for said circulation of a gaseous flow.

15. A system (10) for recovering brake particles, comprising a downstream device (12) for filtering and collecting brake particles, said downstream device comprising an intake port for a dirty air flow and an exhaust port for a purified air flow, said exhaust port being intended to be connected to an air flow suction member so as to cause said air flow to circulate between the two parts inside said device (12) during operation by means of suction, characterised in that The air inlet port is connected to the outlet port of an upstream device (50) for capturing liquid particles according to any of the preceding claims, so that the dirty air flow flows through the device (50) before it enters the air inlet port of the downstream filtering and collecting device (12).

16. System (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The downstream device (12) for filtering and collecting and the upstream device (50) for capturing are formed as a single piece in a common housing body (80), respectively comprising a main downstream compartment (82) for collecting and filtering and an upstream compartment (84) for capturing liquid particles, the downstream device and the upstream device being connected to each other via their inlet port and their outlet port, respectively.

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