Air compressor testing system

Abstract

The application relates to an air compressor test system, comprising: an upstream pipeline having a first end for connecting to an air inlet of an air compressor and an opposite second end; the pressure regulating valve is provided with an outlet connected to the second end of the upstream pipeline and an inlet used for being communicated with an air source, and is used for setting the air inlet pressure of the air compressor; an intake pressure gauge; the downstream pipeline is provided with a first end used for being connected to an exhaust port of the air compressor and at least one second end opposite to the first end; the at least one air compressor exhaust performance test module is arranged between the first end and the second end of the downstream pipeline along the downstream pipeline; the air processing unit is located at the downstream of all the air compressor exhaust performance testing modules and the upstream of the second end of the downstream pipeline along the downstream pipeline, comprises a pneumatic feedback output port which is connected to a pneumatic feedback input port of the air compressor through a feedback pipeline, and is used for providing high-pressure gas for placing the air compressor in a no-load state; and at least one consumption module connected to the corresponding second end of the downstream pipeline.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of air compressor testing, and particularly relates to an air compressor testing system. Background Art

[0002] Commercial vehicles or heavy vehicles usually adopt a compressed air system, which can drive braking devices or other operating elements. The compressed air is provided by an on-vehicle air compressor. The air compressor can be selectively driven by an engine or an electric motor.

[0003] The working principle of an air compressor generally involves compressing the inhaled gas (such as air from the atmosphere), and discharging the gas with a certain displacement and pressure. The aforementioned vehicles usually require a large-displacement and high-pressure gas. During operation, if the atmosphere is relatively thin (such as in a high-altitude environment), it may affect the operation of the air compressor. During compression, the air injection volume of the air compressor may become insufficient, resulting in an extended working time of the air compressor or other problems. If the performance of the air compressor does not match special working conditions such as the above, it may affect the service life of the air compressor and the operation of downstream components. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] It is desired to provide an improved testing system that can more effectively simulate the dynamic operation of an air compressor under special working conditions to confirm different performance characteristics of the air compressor, which helps to support research and development as well as the analysis of after-sales quality problems. The special working conditions are particularly the atmospheric environment at high altitudes.

[0005] According to certain embodiments of the present utility model, the improvement can be achieved as follows: An air compressor test system includes: an upstream pipeline relative to the air compressor to be tested, the upstream pipeline having a first end for connecting to the air inlet of the air compressor and an opposite second end; a pressure regulating valve having an outlet connected to the second end of the upstream pipeline and an inlet for communicating with an air source, and for setting the intake pressure of the air compressor; an intake pressure gauge for measuring the air pressure in the upstream pipeline; a downstream pipeline relative to the air compressor to be tested, the downstream pipeline having a first end for connecting to the exhaust port of the air compressor and at least one opposite second end; at least one air compressor exhaust performance test module disposed along the downstream pipeline between the first end and the second end of the downstream pipeline; an air treatment unit located along the downstream pipeline downstream of all the air compressor exhaust performance test modules and upstream of the second end of the downstream pipeline, and including a pneumatic feedback output port for connecting to the pneumatic feedback input port of the air compressor through a feedback pipeline, for providing high-pressure gas to place the air compressor in an unloaded state; at least one consumption module connected to the corresponding second end of the downstream pipeline to simulate the consumption of the exhaust of the air compressor. Since the air compressor draws air at a restricted pressure, high-altitude working conditions can be simulated in the test environment, while the compressed gas is consumed downstream, and the operation of the air compressor is affected by the feedback of the air treatment unit, and the dynamic performance of the air compressor over a continuous period can be tested more realistically, improving the simulation effect.

[0006] According to certain embodiments of the present utility model, the air treatment unit is configured to provide pneumatic feedback through the pneumatic feedback output port when the pressure of the air processed by the air treatment unit is higher than a predetermined threshold, so as to drive the air compressor to an unloaded state.

[0007] According to certain embodiments of the present utility model, the air treatment unit includes a dryer.

[0008] According to certain embodiments of the present utility model, the air treatment unit includes a plurality of distribution ports for the processed air, at least one of the second ends of the downstream pipeline is a plurality of second ends, and the plurality of second ends correspond to the plurality of distribution ports.

[0009] According to certain embodiments of the present utility model, the air compressor exhaust performance test module includes a thermometer disposed in proximity to the first end of the downstream pipeline for measuring the temperature of the exhaust of the air compressor.

[0010] According to certain embodiments of the present utility model, the air compressor exhaust performance test module includes a flow meter for measuring the exhaust volume of the exhaust of the air compressor.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present utility model, the air compressor exhaust performance test module includes an oil filter for measuring the amount of oil leakage in the exhaust of the air compressor.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present utility model, the air compressor test system includes at least one air compressor mechanical performance test module and a motor for driving the air compressor. The air compressor mechanical performance test module includes a torque meter connected between the output shaft of the motor and the input shaft of the air compressor for measuring the driving torque of the air compressor.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present utility model, the consumption module includes a downstream gas storage container connected to the second end of the downstream pipeline and a safety valve and a drain valve connected in parallel downstream of the gas storage container, wherein the air consumption rate is set by the opening degree of the drain valve.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present utility model, the air compressor test system includes an air consumption pressure gauge for measuring the air consumption pressure downstream of the gas storage container.

[0015] The present utility model provides a test system for simulating high-altitude working conditions for an air compressor to assist in testing and analyzing multiple functional indicators of the air compressor. During the continuous test time, the air compressor to be tested is operated in a manner that closely fits the actual operation mode. In this regard, the presence of the pressure regulating valve upstream of the air compressor inlet helps to establish the suction negative pressure of the air compressor, and the use of the consumption module at the far downstream helps to establish the working load rate of the air compressor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an air compressor test system according to some embodiments of the present application, which shows a basic configuration.

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an air compressor test system according to some embodiments of the present application, which shows an exemplary configuration of the air compressor exhaust performance test module.

[0018] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an air compressor test system according to some embodiments of the present application, which shows an exemplary configuration of the air compressor mechanical performance test module.

[0019] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an air compressor test system according to some embodiments of the present application, which shows an exemplary configuration of the consumption module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The present utility model will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the present utility model are shown. However, the present utility model can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments depicted and described herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the present utility model to those skilled in the art. It will also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in any manner and / or combination to provide many additional embodiments.

[0021] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this disclosure have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this utility model belongs. The terms used in the above description are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0022] Now refer to Figure 1 , which shows a schematic diagram of an air compressor test system 1 according to some embodiments of the present application. The air compressor test system 1 may include an upstream pipeline 11 relative to the air compressor 5 to be tested. The upstream pipeline 11 may have a first end 111 and a second end 112. The first end 111 of the upstream pipeline 11 may be used to connect to the air inlet of the air compressor 5. The air compressor test system 1 may include a pressure regulating valve 12. The pressure regulating valve 12 may have an outlet and an inlet. The outlet of the pressure regulating valve 12 may be connected to the second end of the upstream pipeline 112. The inlet of the pressure regulating valve 12 may be used to communicate with an air source. The pressure regulating valve 12 may be used to set the intake pressure of the air compressor 5. The air compressor test system 1 may include an intake pressure gauge 13. The intake pressure gauge 13 may be used to measure the air pressure in the upstream pipeline 11. The air compressor test system 1 may include a downstream pipeline 14 relative to the air compressor 5 to be tested. The downstream pipeline 14 may have an opposite first end 141 and at least one second end 142. The first end 141 of the downstream pipeline 14 may be used to connect to the exhaust port of the air compressor 5. The air compressor test system 1 may include at least one air compressor exhaust performance test module 15. The air compressor exhaust performance test module 15 is disposed along the downstream pipeline 14 between the first end 141 and the second end 142 of the downstream pipeline 14. The air compressor test system 1 may include an air treatment unit 17. The air treatment unit 17 may be located along the downstream pipeline 14 downstream of all the air compressor exhaust performance test modules 15 and upstream of the second end 142 of the downstream pipeline 14. The air treatment unit 17 may include a pneumatic feedback output port 171 for connecting to the pneumatic feedback input port of the air compressor 5 through a feedback pipeline 170, for providing high-pressure gas to place the air compressor 5 in an unloaded state. The air compressor test system 1 may include at least one consumption module 16. The consumption module 16 may be connected to the corresponding second end 142 of the downstream pipeline 14 to simulate the consumption of the exhaust of the air compressor 5.

[0023] The air compressor 5 to be tested can be of a type selectively driven by an engine or an electric motor via an input shaft.

[0024] The pressure regulating valve 12 can be of a type having the ability to achieve a pressure difference between its inlet and outlet. The pressure regulating valve 12 can be operated passively or actively. The pressure regulating valve 12 can include a pressure reducing valve, etc. By setting the intake pressure, different altitudes can be simulated. Therefore, reducing the pressure can indicate a decrease in the air pressure output from the outlet of the pressure regulating valve 12 (supplied to the air compressor 5) compared to the air pressure input at the inlet of the pressure regulating valve 12 (from the air source). In other words, the pressure regulating valve 12 can output air with a predetermined degree of vacuum to the air compressor 5.

[0025] The air source can be the surrounding environment where the air compressor test system 1 is located. Accordingly, the inlet of the pressure regulating valve 12 can be directly exposed to the surrounding environment where the air compressor test system 1 is located. Alternatively, the inlet of the pressure regulating valve 12 can be connected to a pipeline connected and / or communicating with the air source.

[0026] To measure the air pressure in the upstream pipeline 11, the intake pressure gauge 13 can be between the first end 111 and the second end 112 of the upstream pipeline 11, closer to the first end 111 of the upstream pipeline 11.

[0027] The downstream pipeline 14 can have one or more second ends 142 to be connected to the corresponding one or more consumption modules 16.

[0028] One or more air compressor exhaust performance test modules 15 can be provided to measure physical parameters and / or chemical parameters related to the exhaust of the air compressor 5, such as its temperature, pressure, volume, flow rate, and / or water content, oil content, etc.

[0029] The air treatment unit 17 can perform feedback control on the air compressor 5 to be tested via a gas path through the pneumatic feedback output port 171 to drive the state transition of the air compressor 5. The provided high-pressure gas can be sourced from the gas compressed by the air compressor 5. For example, the airflow and / or aerodynamic force transmitted to the pneumatic feedback input port of the air compressor 5 through the pneumatic feedback output port 171 can drive a clutch and / or unloading type mechanism within the air compressor 5, causing the air compressor 5 to enter an idle state. Such feedback control can be seen in a vehicle braking system. By introducing it into the air compressor test system 1, the result can be to achieve a dynamic test of the air compressor 5 without overly increasing the operation burden of the air compressor test system 1. In other words, by using the setting of the air treatment unit 17, various stages of the switching between the working and non-working states of the air compressor 5 and the transitions therebetween can be provided for testing.

[0030] The air treatment unit 17 can be configured to provide pneumatic feedback through the pneumatic feedback output port 171 when the pressure of the air treated by the air treatment unit 17 is higher than a predetermined threshold, so as to drive the air compressor 5 to the no-load state. Thus, a responsive limit can be obtained for the increase in the downstream pressure of the air treatment unit 17, and the pneumatic feedback input port of the air compressor 5 can be acted upon only when needed. This brings the possibility of adjusting the predetermined threshold. This action can be achieved by a control valve with a bias, or alternatively the air treatment unit 17 can include electronic control components.

[0031] The air treatment unit 17 can include a dryer. Therefore, before performing the consumption simulation, the exhaust gas that usually contains condensed moisture can be dried by the dryer, such as by adsorption. The dryer can have a drying cylinder or other suitable form.

[0032] The air treatment unit 17 can include a plurality of distribution ports for the treated air. At least one second end 142 of the downstream pipeline 14 can be a plurality of second ends. The plurality of second ends 142 can correspond to the plurality of distribution ports. Thus, the consumption modules 16 connected to the corresponding second ends 142 can receive the treated air from the corresponding distribution ports independently of each other. For example, the plurality of distribution ports can be formed as an integral valve block including a plurality of valve ports. Regarding the air treatment unit 17, the plurality of distribution ports can be fluidically located after the dryer.

[0033] The consumption module 16 for simulating the exhaust gas consumption of the air compressor 5 can include one or more consumption components and possibly one or more auxiliary components. The consumption implemented by the consumption module 16 can include one or more of storage and / or excretion and / or work done. The consumption module 15 can at least partially imitate and / or reflect the consumption characteristics of the exhaust gas of the air compressor 5 in a vehicle using the air compressor 5.

[0034] Now refer to Figure 2 , which shows a schematic diagram of the air compressor test system 1 according to some embodiments of the present application. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 , the same components as those in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 are provided with the same reference numerals, and the description for the embodiment of Figure 1 can be referred to. Figure 2 The air compressor exhaust performance test module 15 shown can have a specific configuration required for testing.

[0035] The air compressor exhaust performance test module 15 may include a thermometer 153 located close to the first end 141 of the downstream pipeline 14. The thermometer 153 may be used to measure the temperature of the exhaust gas of the air compressor 5. Being close in position means that the thermometer 153 may be connected to the downstream pipeline 14 at a position in space closer to the first end 141 of the downstream pipeline 14 and the exhaust port of the air compressor 5 to which it is connected.

[0036] The air compressor exhaust performance test module 15 may include a flow meter 152. The flow meter 152 may be used to measure the exhaust volume of the exhaust gas of the air compressor 5.

[0037] The air compressor exhaust performance test module 15 may include an oil filter 151. The oil filter 151 may be used to measure the amount of oil blowby in the exhaust of the air compressor 5. Oil blowby may indicate that the air is undesirably entrained with oil (such as lubricating oil) due to passing through and being acted upon by the air compressor 5. The amount of oil blowby may be characterized by the increase in mass of the oil filter 151, and the mass of the oil filter 151 may be obtained by a weighing meter associated therewith. Along the downstream pipeline 14, the oil filter 151 may be located downstream of the flow meter 152.

[0038] As described above, when the air compressor 5 can experience the switching between working and non-working and the various stages of transition therebetween, the corresponding air compressor exhaust performance test module 15 can obtain the curve of the exhaust performance parameters (such as temperature, exhaust volume, and oil blowby) of the air compressor 5 changing with time.

[0039] Additionally, the air compressor testing system 1 may include at least one air compressor mechanical performance testing module (not shown in FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 2 One or more air compressor mechanical performance test modules may be configured to measure parameters related to the force of the air compressor 5, such as its torque, vibration, noise, etc.

[0040] Reference now Figure 3 , which shows a schematic diagram of an air compressor testing system 1 according to some embodiments of the present application. Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, Figure 1 and Figure 2 The same components in the embodiments shown are provided with the same reference numerals and can be referred to in conjunction with Figure 1 and Figure 2 Description of the implementation method. Figure 3 The illustrated air compressor mechanical performance test module 19 may have a specific configuration of interest. Figure 3 The air compressor test system 1 is shown as having Figure 2 The configuration of the air compressor exhaust performance test module 15 is shown, but the air compressor mechanical performance test module 19 can be used in combination with air compressor exhaust performance test modules 15 of different configurations.

[0041] An air compressor test system 1 may include a motor 18 for driving an air compressor 5. By selecting a motor with appropriate power capacity at a specific speed, the engine characteristics for driving the air compressor 5 in a vehicle using the air compressor 5 can be at least partially mimicked and / or reflected.

[0042] The air compressor mechanical property test module 19 may include a torque meter for connecting between the output shaft of the motor 18 and the input shaft of the air compressor 5. The torque meter can be used to measure the driving torque of the air compressor 5.

[0043] As described above, when the air compressor 5 can experience various stages of switching between working and non - working and the transitions therebetween, a curve of the mechanical property parameters (such as torque) of the air compressor 5 changing with time can be obtained via the corresponding air compressor mechanical property test module 19.

[0044] Now refer to Figure 4 , which shows a schematic diagram of the air compressor test system 1 according to some embodiments of the present application. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4 , the same components as those in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 are provided with the same reference numerals, and the description for the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 can be referred to. Figure 4 The shown consumption module 16 may have a specific configuration required for testing. Although Figure 4 the air compressor test system 1 is shown as having the configuration of the air compressor exhaust performance test module 15 shown in Figure 2 and the configuration of the air compressor mechanical property test module 19 shown in Figure 3 , the consumption module 16 can be used in combination with air compressor exhaust performance test modules 15 and / or air compressor mechanical property test modules 19 with different configurations.

[0045] The consumption module 16 may include a gas storage container 161 connected downstream of the second end 142 of the downstream pipeline 14 and a safety valve 162 and a drain valve 163 connected in parallel downstream of the gas storage container. By the opening degree of the drain valve 163, the air consumption rate can be set. By setting the air consumption rate, different duty cycles can be simulated, that is, the working time required for the air compressor 5 per unit time. However, the single - working time of the air compressor 5 can also be related to the feedback from the air treatment unit 17.

[0046] The gas storage container 161 may have the form of a gas storage cylinder or other appropriate forms. The gas storage container 161 may include a single gas storage container 161 or a plurality of cascaded gas storage containers 161.

[0047] The safety valve 162 can be used to establish the maximum pressure within the consumption module 16 and thus within the air compressor test system 1, preventing overloading. The outlet of the safety valve 162 can be directly exposed to the surrounding environment where the air compressor test system 1 is located.

[0048] The drain valve 163 can be of a type having the ability to effect flow regulation therethrough. The drain valve 163 can be either passive or actively operated. The drain valve 163 can include a proportional valve or the like. The outlet of the drain valve 163 can be directly exposed to the surrounding environment where the air compressor test system 1 is located.

[0049] The gas storage container 161, the safety valve 162, and the drain valve 163 can be realized by appropriate fluid fittings and / or fluid pipelines.

[0050] In addition, the air compressor test system 1 can include a gas consumption pressure gauge 164. The gas consumption pressure gauge 164 can be used to measure the gas consumption pressure downstream of the gas storage container 161.

[0051] In order to measure the gas consumption pressure downstream of the gas storage container 161, the gas consumption pressure gauge 164 can be connected to the fluid pipeline downstream of the gas storage container 161. As Figure 4 shown, the gas consumption pressure gauge 164 can be connected adjacent to the end of the fluid pipeline that is connected to the gas storage container 161. In cases not shown, the gas consumption pressure gauge 164 can be connected closer to the safety valve 162 or the drain valve 163, or connected at other appropriate positions in the fluid pipeline.

[0052] When multiple consumption modules 16 are used, one or more of them can include a gas storage container 161 downstream of the second end 142 of the downstream pipeline 14, and a safety valve 162 and a drain valve 163 in parallel downstream of the gas storage container. By adjusting the opening degree of the corresponding drain valve 163, the air consumption rate of the corresponding consumption module 16 can be set. The gas consumption pressure gauge 164 can be provided in the corresponding consumption module 16. The specifications of the gas storage containers 161 and the opening degrees of the drain valves 163 of different consumption modules 16 can be the same or different according to the test simulation requirements.

[0053] Note that in this text, the terms manometer, thermometer, flowmeter, weighing scale, torque meter are used. In addition to being gauges, they can be electronically operated. Therefore, they can also be referred to as corresponding sensors, which provide signals characterizing the corresponding measured values. They can be communicatively connected to an acquisition system, including but not limited to PLCs, host computers, etc. As used herein, the communicative connection can be any form of communication channel. In some embodiments, the communicative connection can involve a wired channel, such as a cable, optical fiber, network cable, etc. In some embodiments, the communicative connection can involve a wireless channel, such as a wireless communication connection based on WLAN or Bluetooth technology, etc. In addition, these communicative connections can be direct communicative connections or indirect communicative connections via an intermediate device. It should be understood that the information interaction methods executed within different communicative connections can be implemented as any information interaction methods known in the prior art. The so-called information interaction methods can include but are not limited to the sending, transmission, processing, etc. of signals of different specifications.

[0054] The above is an illustration of the present utility model and should not be construed as a limitation thereof. Although exemplary embodiments of the present utility model have been described, those skilled in the art will readily understand that many modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments without substantially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present utility model. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present utility model as defined by the appended claims. The present utility model is defined by the appended claims, including equivalent forms of the claims.

Claims

1. An air compressor testing system, characterized in that: include: An upstream pipeline relative to the air compressor to be tested, the upstream pipeline having a first end for connecting to an air inlet of the air compressor and an opposite second end; a pressure regulating valve having an outlet connected to the second end of the upstream pipeline and an inlet for communicating with an air source and for setting an intake pressure of the air compressor; an air intake pressure gauge, used to measure the air pressure in the upstream pipeline; Relative to a downstream pipeline of an air compressor to be tested, the downstream pipeline has a first end for connecting to an exhaust port of the air compressor and at least one opposite second end; at least one air compressor exhaust performance test module, the air compressor exhaust performance test module being disposed along the downstream pipeline between the first end and the second end of the downstream pipeline; an air handling unit, the air handling unit being located downstream of all the air compressor exhaust performance test modules along the downstream pipeline and upstream of the second end of the downstream pipeline, and comprising a pneumatic feedback output port for connecting to a pneumatic feedback input port of the air compressor through a feedback pipeline, for providing high-pressure gas for placing the air compressor in an unloaded state; At least one consumption module is connected to the corresponding second end of the downstream pipeline to simulate the consumption of the exhaust gas of the air compressor.

2. The air compressor testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air processing unit is configured to provide pneumatic feedback through the pneumatic feedback output port when the pressure of the air processed by the air processing unit is higher than a predetermined threshold, so as to drive the air compressor to a no-load state.

3. The air compressor testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air handling unit includes a dryer.

4. The air compressor testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air handling unit comprises a plurality of distribution ports for processed air, and the at least one second end of the downstream pipe is a plurality of second ends corresponding to the plurality of distribution ports.

5. The air compressor testing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The air compressor exhaust performance test module includes a thermometer located close to the first end of the downstream pipeline, which is used to measure the temperature of the exhaust gas of the air compressor.

6. The air compressor testing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The air compressor exhaust performance test module includes a flow meter for measuring the exhaust volume of the exhaust gas of the air compressor.

7. The air compressor testing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The air compressor exhaust performance test module includes an oil filter for measuring the amount of oil blowby in the exhaust of the air compressor.

8. The air compressor testing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The air compressor testing system includes at least one air compressor mechanical performance testing module and a motor for driving the air compressor. The air compressor mechanical performance testing module includes a torque meter connected between the output shaft of the motor and the input shaft of the air compressor to measure the driving torque of the air compressor.

9. The air compressor testing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The consumption module comprises an air storage container connected downstream of the second end of the downstream pipeline and a safety valve and a drain valve connected in parallel downstream of the air storage container, wherein the air consumption rate is set by the opening of the drain valve.

10. The air compressor testing system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The air compressor testing system comprises an air consumption pressure gauge for measuring the air consumption pressure downstream of the air storage container.

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