Sanding system for a rail vehicle

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a spreading agent system for a rail vehicle.

[0002] Rail vehicles generally suffer when the rails are wet or covered in leaves, as they have difficulty transferring or converting their full drive or traction power onto the rail.

[0003] To address this problem, spreading systems are known that contain a spreading agent (for example, quartz sand with a predetermined grain size) and introduce it into a wheel-rail gap as needed and possibly with compressed air assistance in order to increase traction on the rail.

[0004] It is important to introduce the spreading agent into the wheel-rail gap as homogeneously and sparingly as possible, in order to optimize the traction power transferred to the rail and to use a limited supply of spreading agent and a limited supply of compressed air in a time- and quantity-optimized manner.

[0005] Spreading systems that require small amounts of compressed air are easy to implement, but only allow for intermittent application of the spreading material. The spreading material is applied to the rail at specific points.

[0006] More complex spreading systems are also known that combine mechanical metering of the spreading agent with compressed air conveyance. These allow for a stepwise or stepless and speed-dependent application of the spreading agent onto the rail, but have the disadvantage of relatively high compressed air consumption.

[0007] Another disadvantage of such systems is that the spreading agent is applied in pulsed form. This results in a reduced transfer of traction power to the rail.

[0008] From the documents US 1360627 A, US 1781637 A, GB 328597 A and CN 107380176 A, installations are known that use a helix or screw to convey or transport sand from a container.

[0009] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a spreading agent system for a rail vehicle which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and at the same time allows an optimized or improved conversion of the traction power of the rail vehicle onto the rail.

[0010] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0011] The invention relates to a spreading agent system for a rail vehicle comprising a spreading agent container, a conveying device, and a feeding device. The spreading agent container holds a spreading agent and is connected to the conveying device, such that the spreading agent flows from the container into the conveying device. The conveying device is connected to the feeding device, such that the spreading agent flows from the conveying device into the feeding device. The feeding device is designed such that the spreading agent can be applied in a targeted manner to a wheel and / or rail area of ​​the rail vehicle.

[0012] According to the invention, the conveying device includes a driven screw conveyor rotating about a longitudinal axis, by which the spreading material is conveyed from the spreading material container into a conveying chamber. Compressed air can be introduced into the conveying chamber to transport the spreading material from the conveying chamber to the feeding device.

[0013] In an advantageous further development, the conveying device has an elongated screw chamber in which the conveying screw is arranged.

[0014] The screw chamber and / or the conveyor screw is preferably oriented horizontally or inclined upwards or downwards from the horizontal plane in order to transport the spreading material within the conveying device in an optimized manner.

[0015] According to the invention, the screw conveyor is connected to an electric motor that rotates or sets the screw conveyor in rotation.

[0016] According to the invention, the electric motor can be continuously controlled to control the rotational speed, preferably by varying the operating voltage or the operating current of the electric motor.

[0017] This allows the delivery rate of the spreading material to be adjusted for a given particle size of the spreading material by changing the rotation speed.

[0018] In an advantageous further development, the conveying chamber is arranged between the conveying device and the feeding device, is designed to be hollow and can be introduced into compressed air.

[0019] The spreading material, which is conveyed from an inlet zone of the conveying device through the entire screw chamber to an outlet zone of the conveying device, preferably falls vertically into the conveying chamber. At the lowest point of the conveying chamber, the introduced compressed air acts on the spreading material, which is then transported into the feeding device with the assistance of the compressed air.

[0020] In an advantageous further development, the conveying chamber is connected to a compressed air nozzle in a lateral area.

[0021] In an advantageous further training, the compressed air is controlled in such a way, that in an active conveying device the compressed air captures the spreading material falling into the conveying chamber and transports it to the feeding device, or that in an inactive conveying device the compressed air is introduced via the conveying chamber into the feeding device in order to clean or dry it.

[0022] This compressed air control reduces or prevents clumping of the spreading material in the feeding device or eliminates blockages or obstructions there.

[0023] For this purpose, compressed air is preferably blown into the feed device at fixed time intervals.

[0024] In a preferred further development, the screw conveyor is designed in such a way that the conveying device mechanically seals the system at the top during cleaning or drying.

[0025] In an advantageous further development, a transition from the conveying chamber to the feeding device is designed according to the Venturi principle, for example as a Venturi nozzle or as a Laval nozzle, in order to further accelerate the spreading agent-compressed air mixture.

[0026] In an advantageous further development, the screw chamber or the conveying device has an inspection opening at its lowest point for cleaning purposes.

[0027] This allows easier access to the entire system for cleaning purposes. Larger contaminants (e.g., cigarette butts, leaves, etc.) can be easily removed from the spreading material via the inspection opening without having to disassemble the system components.

[0028] The access panel also allows for the clean replacement of system components. In the present invention, the access panel enables the targeted and clean removal of the spreading material, e.g., into a bucket positioned below the access panel. In the resulting clean environment, system components can then be disassembled without the need for further complex protective measures on surrounding components.

[0029] This eliminates the problem that occurs with conventionally designed systems built according to the state of the art: defective components are removed when the grit hopper is full, causing the grit to run uncontrollably over adjacent system components. This further contaminates sealing surfaces and supply lines, requiring subsequent, costly cleaning.

[0030] In an advantageous further development, the feeding device is designed in such a way that the spreading agent is specifically introduced into a wheel-rail gap of the rail vehicle.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment, the spreading material container has a flange with a through-opening at its lowest point, which is connected to a funnel-shaped flange with a through-opening in the conveying device. These are shaped in such a way that the spreading material enters the conveying device or the screw chamber directly under the sole influence of gravity.

[0032] The spreading agent system according to the invention enables a uniform and economical application of the spreading agent.

[0033] The spreading agent system according to the invention is operated with extremely low compressed air consumption; the required amount of air is reduced to a functional minimum.

[0034] The spreading agent system according to the invention advantageously combines two functional principles: a first operating principle, which operates in a first section of the spreading system and in which spreading material is conveyed or transported via a mechanism, and a second operating principle, which operates in a second section of the spreading system and in which the spreading material is transported via simply constructed components using compressed air and ultimately applied to the rail.

[0035] By combining the two functional principles, a very precise application of spreading material is achieved while simultaneously using low resources (compressed air, spreading material).

[0036] The spreading agent system according to the invention reduces fine dust pollution in the environment. This is achieved by an individual, speed-dependent conveying of the spreading agent, which is adjusted via the rotational speed of the auger.

[0037] This reduces the consumption of spreading material for the benefit of the environment and saves the customer money.

[0038] In addition, previously necessary maintenance intervals for the spreading material system will be extended and necessary refills of the spreading material system with spreading material will be reduced.

[0039] The present invention is explained in more detail below by way of example with reference to a drawing. The drawing shows: FIG 1 shows an overview of the arrangement according to the invention, and FIG 2bis FIG 4 with reference to FIG 1 Details of the arrangement according to the invention.

[0040] FIG 1 shows the arrangement according to the invention in an overview.

[0041] The spreading agent system for a rail vehicle has a spreading agent container 1, a conveying device 2 and a feeding device 3.

[0042] The spreading agent container 1 contains a spreading agent SM and is connected to the conveying device 2, so that the spreading agent SM passes from the spreading agent container 1 into the conveying device 2.

[0043] The connection between the spreading material container 1 and the conveying device 2 is provided at the lowest point of the spreading material container 1.

[0044] The conveying device 2 is connected to the feeding device 3, so that the spreading agent SM passes from the conveying device 2 into the feeding device 3.

[0045] The feed device 3 is designed in such a way that the spreading agent SM can be introduced in a targeted manner into an area of ​​the wheel R and / or into an area of ​​the rail SCH or into a wheel-rail gap RSCHS of the rail vehicle.

[0046] FIG 2 and FIG 3 show details of the conveying device 2 and the feeding device 3.

[0047] The conveying device 2 includes a driven screw conveyor 2.5 rotating about a longitudinal axis, with which the spreading agent SM is transported from the spreading agent container 1 to the feeding device 3.

[0048] The conveying device 2 has an elongated screw chamber 2.2 in which the conveying screw 2.5 is arranged. Here, screw chamber 2.2 and the conveying screw 2.5 are horizontally aligned.

[0049] The screw conveyor 2.5 is connected to an electric motor 2.1, which rotates the screw conveyor 2.5 or sets it in rotation.

[0050] The electric motor 2.1 can be controlled to regulate the rotational speed, so that a delivery quantity of the spreading agent SM can be adjusted for a given grain size of the spreading agent SM by changing the rotational speed.

[0051] By gradually changing the electrical voltage or current, the electric motor 2.1 rotates slower or faster, so that the amount of spreading material SM to be conveyed can be adjusted very precisely.

[0052] The rotational speed of the 2.5 auger is therefore changed or adjusted depending on the particle size of the spreading material SM. This ensures a highly precise conveying rate.

[0053] Between the conveying device 2 and the feeding device 3 a hollow conveying chamber 2.4 is arranged, so that the spreading agent SM, which is conveyed from an inlet zone EZ of the conveying device 2 via the entire screw chamber 2.2 into an outlet zone AZ of the conveying device 2, falls vertically into the conveying chamber 2.4 and reaches a lowest point of the conveying chamber 2.4 there.

[0054] A compressed air supply 2.3 is provided at the conveying chamber 2.4. This compressed air supply can, for example, be designed as a compressed air hose to supply compressed air to the conveying chamber 2.4 via a controllable compressed air nozzle 2.6.

[0055] The spreading agent container 1 has a flange with a through-opening at its lowest point, which is connected to a flange with a through-opening on the conveying device 2. Together these form a funnel, so that spreading agent SM flows directly into the conveying device 2 or into the screw chamber 2.2 under the influence of gravity.

[0056] This allows the spreading agent SM to fall or enter the screw chamber 2.2 directly by gravity, i.e. without additional loosening elements, stirrers, etc.

[0057] Due to the chosen interface between spreading material container 1 and conveying device 2, bridging of the spreading material in this area is prevented.

[0058] The auger 2.5 further supports this effect by promoting the movement of the spreading agent SM in the lower interface area due to the (stirring) movement it performs.

[0059] With this arrangement, the spreading material is removed from the spreading material container 1 down to the last grain, thus preventing any old spreading material from remaining.

[0060] The conveying unit 2, or screw chamber 2.2, has an inspection opening WOE at its lowest point for cleaning purposes. This facilitates access to the entire system for cleaning. Larger contaminants (e.g., cigarette butts, leaves, etc.) of the spreading material SM can be easily removed via the inspection opening WOE without having to disassemble any system components.

[0061] FIG 4 shows details of the funding chamber 2.4.

[0062] The conveying chamber 2.4 is connected in a lateral area to a compressed air nozzle 2.6. This is controlled in such a way that that compressed air in an active conveying device 2 or in an active screw conveyor 2.5 captures the spreading agent SM falling into the conveying chamber 2.4 and transports it with the aid of compressed air into the feeding device 3, or that compressed air in an inactive conveying device 2 or inactive screw conveyor 2.5 is introduced via the conveying chamber 2.4 into the feeding device 3 in order to clean or dry it.

[0063] A transition from the conveying chamber 2.4 to the feeding device 3 is preferably designed as a Venturi nozzle VT or as a Laval nozzle, as shown here.

Claims

1. Grit system for a rail vehicle, having a grit container (1), having a conveying device (2), having a feeding device (3) and having an electric motor (2.1), - wherein the grit container (1) contains a grit (SM) and is connected to the conveying device (2) such that the grit (SM) passes from the grit container (1) into the conveying device (2), - wherein the conveying device (2) is connected to the feeding device (3) such that the grit (SM) passes from the conveying device (2) into the feeding device (3), - wherein the feeding device (3) is designed in such a way that the grit (SM) can be introduced in a targeted manner into a wheel region (R) and / or into a rail region (SCH) of a rail vehicle, - wherein the conveying device (2) comprises a driven conveying worm (2.5) which rotates about a longitudinal axis and by means of which the grit (SM) passes from the grit container (1) into a conveying chamber (2.4), - wherein the conveying worm (2.5) is connected for drive purposes to the electric motor (2.1) in order to set the conveying worm (2.5) in rotation, - wherein the electric motor (2.1) is configured as a steplessly speed-controlled drive, - wherein, to control the rotational speed of the conveying worm (2.5), the electric motor (2.1) is steplessly controlled via a controller of the grit system in such a way - that the rotational speed of the conveying worm (2.5) is changed depending on the grain size of the grit (SM) in order to discharge the grit uniformly and sparingly, - that, for a predetermined grain size of the grit (SM), a delivery amount of the grit (SM) is set by changing the rotational speed, - wherein compressed air can be introduced into the conveying chamber in order to transport the grit from the conveying chamber into the feeding device (3).

2. Grit system according to Claim 1, wherein the conveying device (2) has an elongate worm chamber (2.2) in which the conveying worm (2.5) is arranged, wherein the worm chamber (2.2) and / or the conveying worm (2.5) are or is oriented horizontally or with an upward or downward inclination from the horizontal plane.

3. Grit system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying chamber (2.4) is arranged with a hollow configuration between the conveying device (2) and the feeding device (3) such that the grit (SM), which is conveyed from an inlet zone of the conveying device (2) into an outlet zone of the conveying device (2) over the entire worm chamber (2.2), falls vertically into the conveying chamber (2.4).

4. Grit system according to Claim 3, wherein the conveying chamber (2.4) is connected to a compressed-air nozzle (2.6) which is preferably arranged in a lateral region of the conveying chamber (2.4).

5. Grit system according to Claim 4, wherein the compressed-air nozzle (2.6) is controlled in such a way - that, for an active conveying device (2), compressed air catches the grit (SM) falling into the conveying chamber (2.4) and transports it into the feeding device (3), or - that, for an inactive conveying device (2), compressed air is introduced via the conveying chamber (2.4) into the feeding device (3) in order to clean it or in order to dry it.

6. Grit system according to Claim 1, wherein a transition from the conveying chamber (2.4) to the feeding device (3) is configured as a Venturi nozzle (VT) or as a de Laval nozzle.

7. Grit system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying device (2) or the worm chamber (2.2) has preferably at its lowest point an inspection opening (WOE) for cleaning purposes and / or for emptying grit.

8. Grit system according to Claim 1, wherein the feeding device (3) is designed in such a way that the grit (SM) is introduced in a targeted manner into a wheel-rail gap (RSCHS) of the rail vehicle.

9. Grit system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the grit container (1) has at its lowest point a flange with through-opening that is connected to a flange with through-opening of the conveying device (2) and the latter are formed in such a way that the grit (SM) passes directly under the action of gravity into the conveying device (2) or into the worm chamber (2.2) .

Images