Railway turnout snow melting device and method based on phase change energy storage material
By combining phase change energy storage materials and traditional electric heating, combined with solar heat absorption coatings and intelligent control units, the problems of high energy consumption and complex maintenance of traditional railway turnout snow melting are solved, and energy-saving and efficient snow melting effects are achieved. It is suitable for various rail transit scenarios such as high-speed rail and subway.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510961232.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-13
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-26
AI Technical Summary
Traditional railway turnout snow melting methods have high energy consumption, single energy source and complex maintenance. The existing multi-source complementary snow melting technology still has room for improvement in energy utilization efficiency and system integration.
The railway turnout snow melting device combines phase change energy storage materials with traditional electric heating. It uses phase change materials to efficiently store and release heat in different environments, and combines solar heat-absorbing coatings and intelligent control units to achieve automated snow melting.
It achieves energy-saving and efficient snow melting effects, reduces energy consumption, reduces the number of equipment and maintenance complexity, improves snow melting efficiency and the economy and reliability of the system, and is suitable for a variety of rail transit scenarios.
Smart Images
Figure CN120700745A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of railway turnout snow melting, specifically a railway turnout snow melting device and method based on phase change energy storage materials. It utilizes a railway turnout snow melting system implementation method that combines phase change energy storage materials (PCM) with traditional electric heating, aiming to solve the problems of high energy consumption, single energy source and complex maintenance of traditional snow melting methods. Background Art
[0002] Railway switches are prone to snow and ice accumulation in winter, compromising train safety. Traditional snow-melting methods rely primarily on electric heating, which presents challenges such as high energy consumption, a single energy source, and complex maintenance.
[0003] In recent years, although multi-source complementary snowmelt technology (such as solar energy, geothermal energy, etc.) has made certain progress, there is still room for improvement in energy utilization efficiency and system integration.
[0004] Existing technical defects: Traditional snow melting energy is single and mainly relies on electric heating; High energy consumption and complex maintenance; Energy utilization and system integration are not high and need to be further improved. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The present invention proposes a railway turnout snow melting device and method based on phase change energy storage materials, so as to achieve efficient and energy-saving snow melting effects in different environments.
[0006] The technical solution of the present invention is: it relates to a railway turnout snow melting device based on phase change energy storage material, which is characterized by: including: a track tread and a track bottom base in the track structure, including a heat pipe, phase change material, a copper mesh, an extended heat pipe, and a track bottom base; the track bottom base supports the track tread; the track bottom base is designed with a honeycomb container, and the PCM module is installed in the honeycomb container of the track bottom base and at the rail waist position of the track bottom base.
[0007] The surface of the track tread is covered with a copper alloy layer, and the waist of the track structure is embedded with heat pipes.
[0008] The track tread adopts an aluminum shell with a thickness of 1mm and is treated with an anti-corrosion coating for external protection.
[0009] Diversion grooves are dug on both sides of the track at the bottom base of the track, and seepage holes are set at the bottom of the base.
[0010] The phase change material uses composite fatty acid with a latent heat value of 200kJ / kg, which is the core component of PCM.
[0011] There is a copper mesh inside the PCM module, and the mesh density of the copper mesh is 10×10mm.
[0012] The heat pipe is wrapped with a vacuum insulation layer and a waterproof and anti-corrosion coating, and the thickness of the vacuum insulation layer and the waterproof and anti-corrosion coating is 5mm.
[0013] The present invention relates to a railway turnout snow melting method based on phase change energy storage materials, which is characterized by comprising: a track tread and a track bottom base in a track structure; a phase change material is embedded in the track structure to ensure optimal surface heat conduction efficiency between the track tread and the track tread; an electric heating wire or a microwave heating device is installed near the waist of the track structure as an auxiliary heat source; and the working process is as follows: When the ambient temperature is ≥5°C, PCM absorbs heat and liquefies, storing thermal energy; When the temperature drops below 0°C, the PCM solidifies and releases heat, raising the rail surface temperature to 1-2°C through the heat-conducting layer; The melted snow water is discharged into the drainage ditch outside the track through the diversion trough.
[0014] In extreme low temperature conditions of -10℃, the auxiliary heat source is activated to quickly melt the snow on the track treads.
[0015] Furthermore, a solar heat-absorbing coating is integrated into the track base to enhance daytime heat collection efficiency. During the day or when ambient temperatures are high, the PCM absorbs heat from the switch surface and solar radiation, storing it as latent heat. At night or in colder temperatures, the PCM solidifies, releasing heat to maintain the switch surface temperature above freezing and prevent snow accumulation and ice formation. If the PCM's heat supply is insufficient, the control module activates the heating unit to replenish heat, ensuring the switch surface temperature remains within the required snow-melting range.
[0016] Temperature sensors and snow depth sensors are installed on the track structure and connected to the controller to ensure that it can accurately monitor the status of the turnout and automatically adjust the heating power.
[0017] The advantages of the present invention are: 1. Energy saving and high efficiency: The energy storage characteristics of phase change energy storage materials reduce dependence on traditional electric heating and significantly reduce energy consumption.
[0018] 2. Intelligent and convenient: The intelligent control unit can automatically adjust the snow melting power according to real-time meteorological data and track status to improve snow melting efficiency.
[0019] 3. Economical and reliable: System integration design reduces the number and complexity of equipment, and reduces construction and maintenance costs.
[0020] 4. Strong compatibility: suitable for various track scenarios such as high-speed rail, subway, tram, etc.
[0021] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments.
[0022] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the track cross-section structure; Figure 2 Schematic diagram of PCM module packaging details; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the thermal cycle principle of the system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] In the figure: 1. Track tread; 2. Heat pipe; 3. PCM module; 4. V-shaped guide groove; 5. Track bottom base; 6. Seepage hole; 7. Honeycomb container; 8. Aluminum shell; 9. Vacuum insulation layer; 10. Phase change material; 11. Copper mesh; 12. Extended heat pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] In order to further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the predetermined purpose, the specific implementation methods, structural features and effects of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. Example 1
[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the present invention designs a railway turnout snow melting device and method based on phase change energy storage materials, which is characterized by: including: a track tread 1 and a bottom base 5 in the track structure, including a heat pipe 2, a PCM module 3, a copper mesh 11, and an extended heat pipe 12; the bottom base 5 supports the track tread 1; the track bottom base 5 is designed with a honeycomb container 7, and the PCM module 3 is installed in the honeycomb container 7 of the track bottom base 5 and at the rail waist position of the track bottom base 5.
[0026] The surface of the track tread 1 is covered with a copper alloy layer, a heat pipe 2 is embedded in the waist of the track, V-shaped guide grooves 4 are provided on both sides of the track, and water seepage holes 6 are provided at the bottom 5 of the track base.
[0027] The PCM module 3 uses an aluminum shell with a thickness of 1mm and is treated with an anti-corrosion coating for external protection.
[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, the phase change material 10 uses a complex fatty acid with a latent heat value of 200 kJ / kg, which is a core component of PCM.
[0029] A copper mesh 11 is provided inside the PCM module 3 . The mesh density of the copper mesh 11 is 10×10 mm and the copper mesh 11 extends outwards, mainly for enhancing heat conduction.
[0030] The aluminum housing 8 is wrapped with a vacuum insulation layer 9 with a thickness of 5 mm, which is used to reduce the loss of the phase change temperature inside the PCM module 3 to the outside.
[0031] like Figure 3 As shown, the left side is the daytime heat absorption stage. When the ambient temperature is ≥5°C, the phase change material 10 begins to absorb heat from the sun and the surrounding environment, and the PCM changes from a solid state to a nearly liquid state. like Figure 3 The right side is the heat release stage at night or in cold weather. When the ambient temperature is ≤0°C, the phase change material 10 begins to release heat to the outside, and the PCM changes from liquid to solid.
[0032] Figure 3 The closed loop arrows in the middle represent the cycle between the "heat absorption" and "heat release" stages; The formula for calculating latent heat is: Q = m·L, where Q represents latent heat, that is, the amount of heat absorbed or released by a substance during a phase change, and the unit is joule (J); m represents the mass of the substance, and the unit is kilogram (Kg); L represents the latent heat of the phase change of the substance, and the unit is joule / kilogram (J / Kg); the above substance is a phase change material.
[0033] like Figure 2 As shown, the phase change energy storage module is embedded in the track structure to ensure optimal surface heat conduction efficiency between it and the track tread 1. Heat pipes 2 or electric heating strips are installed near the waist of the track structure as auxiliary heat sources to ensure rapid snow melting even under extremely low temperature conditions.
[0034] Temperature sensors and snow depth sensors are installed on the track structure and connected to the controller to ensure that it can accurately monitor the status of the turnout and automatically adjust the heating power.
[0035] In the track structure design of the present invention, a honeycomb container 7 is embedded in the track bottom base 5 and filled with complex fatty acids with a phase transition temperature of 2°C.
[0036] The track tread 1 is welded with a copper alloy heat-conducting layer with a thickness of 2mm and an anti-slip treatment on the surface.
[0037] The workflow of the embodiment of the present invention is: When the ambient temperature is ≥5°C, PCM absorbs heat and liquefies, storing thermal energy; When the temperature drops below 0°C, the PCM solidifies and releases heat, raising the rail surface temperature to 1-2°C through the heat-conducting layer; The melted snow water is discharged into the drainage ditch outside the track through the diversion trough.
[0038] The performance parameters of the embodiment of the present invention are: The integrated PCM capacity of a single meter track is 5kg, and the latent heat value is ≥200kJ / kg; Continuous snow melting capability: maintains no snow accumulation for 8 hours at -10℃ environment.
[0039] For elevated sections of urban rail transit, the embodiment of the present invention adopts a double-layer PCM structure: the upper layer has a phase transition temperature of 3°C (to cope with normal snowfall) and the lower layer has a phase transition temperature of -5°C (to cope with extreme cold waves).
[0040] Furthermore, a solar heat-absorbing coating is integrated into the base 5 at the bottom of the track to enhance the efficiency of heat collection during the day.
[0041] Its working principle is that during the day or when the ambient temperature is high, PCM absorbs heat from the switch surface and solar radiation and stores it as latent heat. At night or when the temperature is low, PCM solidifies and releases heat, maintaining the switch surface temperature above the freezing point to prevent snow accumulation and ice formation.
[0042] When the heat of the phase change material PCM is insufficient, the control module starts the heating unit to supplement the heat to ensure that the surface temperature of the switch is maintained in the temperature range required for snow melting.
[0043] The entire system of the present invention can be described using the following modules to fully understand the present invention: 1. Phase change energy storage module: The PCM module 3, encapsulated inside the track base or rail waist, uses organic or inorganic materials (such as paraffin, fatty acid salts, and graphene composite PCM) with a phase change temperature of 0-5°C. It is used to release heat to melt snow at low temperatures.
[0044] 2. Heating module: Electric heating strips or microwave heating devices serve as auxiliary heat sources to ensure rapid snow melting under extreme low temperature conditions.
[0045] 3. Intelligent control module: Equipped with temperature sensors, snow depth sensors and controllers, it monitors the switch status in real time and automatically adjusts the heating power.
[0046] 4. Thermal conductive structure: The track surface is covered with a high thermal conductivity metal layer (aluminum / copper alloy), and heat pipes or graphene thermal conductive films are embedded to enhance heat diffusion efficiency.
[0047] 5. Insulation and protection layer: The PCM is wrapped with a vacuum insulation layer to reduce heat loss, and the outer layer is provided with a waterproof and anti-corrosion coating.
[0048] 6. Drainage structure: diversion grooves and micro seepage holes are set on both sides of the track to accelerate drainage after snowmelt.
[0049] Integrated design: Integrating the phase change energy storage module with the heating module reduces the number and complexity of equipment and improves the reliability and economy of the system; intelligent control is that the intelligent control module uses sensors and controllers to achieve precise snow melting, thereby improving the automation level of the system.
[0050] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of implementation of the present invention. Any changes, replacements or improvements made to the structures and features described in the scope of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. A railway turnout snow melting device based on phase change energy storage material, characterized by: include: The track tread (1) and the track bottom base (5) in the track structure include a heat pipe (2), a PCM module (3), a V-shaped guide groove (4), a water seepage hole (6), a honeycomb container (7), an aluminum shell (8), a vacuum insulation layer (9), a phase change material (10), a copper mesh (11), and an extended heat pipe (12); the bottom base (5) supports the track tread (1); the track bottom base (5) is designed with a honeycomb container (7), and the PCM module (3) is installed in the honeycomb container (7) of the track bottom base (5) and at the rail waist position of the track bottom base (5).
2. The railway turnout snow melting device based on phase change energy storage material according to claim 1 is characterized by: The surface of the track tread (1) is covered with a copper alloy layer, and the heat pipe (2) is embedded in the waist of the track structure.
3. The railway turnout snow melting device based on phase change energy storage material according to claim 1 is characterized by: The PCM module (3) is made of an aluminum shell with a thickness of 1 mm and is treated with an anti-corrosion coating for outer protection.
4. The railway turnout snow melting device based on phase change energy storage material according to claim 1 is characterized by: Diversion grooves (4) are excavated on both sides of the track of the track bottom base (5), and a water seepage hole (6) is provided at the bottom of the base.
5. The railway turnout snow melting device based on phase change energy storage material according to claim 1 is characterized by: Phase change material (10) uses complex fatty acid with a latent heat value of 200 kJ / kg, which is the core component of PCM.
6. The railway turnout snow melting device based on phase change energy storage material according to claim 1, characterized in that: A copper mesh (11) is provided inside the PCM module (3), and the mesh density of the copper mesh (11) is 10×10 mm.
7. The railway turnout snow melting device based on phase change energy storage material according to claim 1 is characterized by: The aluminum shell (8) is wrapped with a vacuum insulation layer and a waterproof and anti-corrosion coating, and the thickness of the vacuum insulation layer and the waterproof and anti-corrosion coating is 5 mm.
8. A method for melting snow on railway switches based on phase change energy storage materials, characterized in that: include: The track tread (1) and the track bottom base (5) in the track structure are embedded with a PCM module (3) to ensure the best surface heat conduction efficiency between the PCM module and the track tread (1). A heat pipe (2) or an electric heating strip heating device is installed near the waist of the track structure as an auxiliary heat source. The working process is as follows: When the ambient temperature is ≥5°C, PCM absorbs heat and liquefies, storing thermal energy; When the temperature drops below 0°C, the PCM solidifies and releases heat, raising the rail surface temperature to 1-2°C through the heat-conducting layer; The melted snow water is discharged into the drainage ditch outside the track through the diversion trough; Under the extremely low temperature condition of -10°C, the auxiliary heat source heat pipe (2) is started to quickly melt the snow on the track tread (1).
9. The method for melting snow on railway turnouts based on phase change energy storage materials according to claim 8, characterized in that: Furthermore, a solar heat absorbing coating is integrated into the track bottom base (5) to enhance the daytime heat energy collection efficiency; Its working principle is that during the day or when the ambient temperature is high, PCM absorbs heat from the switch surface and solar radiation and stores it as latent heat. At night or when the temperature is low, PCM solidifies and releases heat, maintaining the switch surface temperature above the freezing point to prevent snow accumulation and ice formation. When the heat of the phase change material PCM is insufficient, the control module starts the heating unit to supplement heat to ensure that the switch surface temperature remains in the temperature range required for snow melting.