Modular particle-dispensing system

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular particle-dispensing system (20). The modular particle-dispensing system (20) comprises a particle reservoir (1), a compressed-air device (2), a particle-conveying device (23) and a depositing device (24). The particle-conveying device (23) comprises at least two individually connectable, parallel compressed-air ducts (23a, 23b) which connect the compressed-air device (2) to the depositing device (24). The compressed-air ducts (23a, 23b) are used to adjust a flow behavior of an air flow which dispenses the particles from the particle reservoir (1). The invention also relates to a rail vehicle (60). The invention additionally relates to a method for dispensing particles.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Modular particle removal system

[0003] The invention relates to a modular particle removal system. Furthermore, the invention relates to a rail vehicle with such a modular particle removal system. The invention also relates to a method for particle removal.

[0004] The operation of rail vehicles is subject to highly diverse environmental conditions, which significantly influence the traction and braking characteristics of a rail vehicle. To improve traction or braking performance under adverse conditions, sand is distributed on the track in front of the wheels of a rail vehicle. For this purpose, so-called sand systems, also called sand spreaders or particle removal systems, are used, which are mounted on the outside of rail vehicles.

[0005] A rail vehicle's particle removal system uses gravity or compressed air to transport particles from a storage container, also called a sand pit or particle storage facility, through a particle conveyor shaft, also called a sand drop pipe, to a wheel-rail gap between a wheel of the rail vehicle and a rail on which the rail vehicle travels. The transported particles fall onto the rails to increase friction between the wheel and rail. To create a type of particle jet, the particles are blown onto the rail by a fan with air.

[0006] When implementing multiple air consumption levels, an additional compressed air control unit with external compressed air control and several different pressure-reducing valves is conventionally used, which controls different pressure levels. The arrangement is quite complex due to the large number of different pressure-reducing valves. Therefore, the task is to specify a particle removal system and a corresponding particle removal process with several different air consumption levels that are less complex to implement and more easily scalable than is the case with conventional particle removal systems.

[0007] This object is achieved by a modular particle discharge system according to patent claim 1, a rail vehicle according to patent claim 14 and a method for particle discharge according to patent claim 15.

[0008] The modular particle removal system according to the invention, preferably for a rail vehicle, is preferably mounted on a rail vehicle, preferably on a car body of a rail vehicle. The modular particle removal system is positioned and aligned such that the particles emitted by the modular particle removal system fall onto the rail to be traveled on in front of a wheel of the rail vehicle in order to increase the friction between the wheel and the rail and thus increase the traction and braking force of the rail vehicle.

[0009] The modular particle discharge system according to the invention has a particle storage device for storing particles to be discharged. Furthermore, the modular particle discharge system according to the invention comprises a compressed air device. Such a compressed air device generates an air flow with a predefined air pressure. The compressed air device comprises a compressed air generation unit, preferably a blower, with which an air flow is generated with an air pressure whose strength depends on the output of the compressed air generation unit.

[0010] The modular particle discharge system according to the invention also comprises a particle conveyor. Particles are conveyed from the particle storage device of the modular particle discharge system by means of the particle conveyor. Such a particle conveyor has, as explained in more detail later, a device for transporting the particles, preferably a so-called particle conveyor shaft, with which the particles are transported further to a position in the modular particle discharge system, where they are discharged onto a respective rail with the aid of the aforementioned air flow.

[0011] For this purpose, the modular particle discharge system according to the invention has a scattering device with which a particle-air flow is generated by directing the air flow onto the particles received from the particle conveying device, which is directed onto the rails in front of a wheel of the rail vehicle.

[0012] The particle conveying device now has at least two individually switchable, parallel compressed air channels which connect the compressed air device to the scattering device in order to adjust the flow behavior of the air stream discharging the particles from the particle storage device.

[0013] The idea underlying the modular particle discharge system according to the invention is to vary the flow behavior of the air flow discharging the particles from the particle storage device and thus the force exerted by the air flow on the particles to be scattered or discharged, not by selecting the strength of an air pressure applied to a blower or generated by a blower, but by selectively switching on one or more individually switchable compressed air channels through which the air from the blower of the compressed air device of the modular particle discharge system is forced.

[0014] Since the adjustment of the flow characteristics of the air stream used to apply the particles to the rails preferably takes place in the particle conveyor, a separate compressed air supply to the spreading device via separate and exposed compressed air lines or compressed air hoses is not necessary. The spreading device can therefore be easily removed from the particle conveyor, since no compressed air hoses need to be separated from the spreading device during disassembly. Any components contained in the spreading device, especially nozzles, can therefore be easily replaced.

[0015] By using at least two parallel compressed air channels in the particle conveying device, different air consumption levels can be achieved without having to integrate an additional compressed air control unit or additional solenoid valves. This means that the installation space required for the implementation of different air consumption levels is reduced. In addition, the different air consumption levels can be achieved using standard pneumatic components. By using standard pneumatic components, the resource expenditure for the implementation of different air consumption levels is reduced compared to the conventional approach with an additional compressed air control unit. By implementing different air consumption levels internally, this arrangement is more robust and / orBetter protected against external harmful influences. Internal routing of the compressed air ducts thus replaces an external compressed air control system.

[0016] With the particle discharge system according to the invention, a total of three air consumption levels can be realized by alternatively using the first compressed air channel or the second compressed air channel and additionally by simultaneously using both compressed air channels. In general, a particle conveying device with n at least partially different parallel compressed air channels can achieve a maximum of N = 2 n - l realize different air consumption levels, where n is a natural number (maximum number N of air consumption levels: N = = 2 n - l ) . The maximum will be is sufficient if all of the compressed air ducts arranged in parallel result in different flow characteristics for the compressed air generated by the compressed air device. For example, as will be explained later, the individual compressed air ducts have different geometric properties for this purpose, such as different cross-sections or different cross-sectional areas. It should be expressly mentioned at this point that the particle removal system according to the invention is not limited to two parallel compressed air ducts, but the number of parallel compressed air ducts is selected depending on the existing requirement profile. More than two compressed air ducts are recommended for finer variation of the air consumption levels.

[0017] By using different pressure levels or air consumption levels, the discharge force of the particle-air jet generated by the particle discharge system can be adjusted to different values. Different air consumption levels are set to save compressed air if necessary, since the generation of compressed air requires energy and therefore incurs costs.

[0018] The rail vehicle according to the invention has the modular particle removal system according to the invention. The modular particle removal system according to the invention is preferably arranged on the car body of the rail vehicle and positioned such that removed particles strike a traveled rail in front of a wheel of the rail vehicle. The rail vehicle according to the invention shares the advantages of the modular particle removal system according to the invention.

[0019] In the method according to the invention for particle removal, an air flow with a defined air pressure is first generated in a compressed air device. As already mentioned, the air flow can be generated with a blower. Furthermore, a flow behavior, for example an air flow strength, of the air flow is set in a particle conveying device with at least two individually switchable parallel compressed air ducts by selecting at least one of the parallel compressed air ducts for the passage of the air flow. In parallel, particles are conveyed from a particle storage device, preferably through a particle conveying duct of the particle conveying device, to the scattering device.

[0020] Finally, the particles are discharged from the scattering device, preferably by blowing the particles through the air stream, which is preferably supplied from a common compressed air line and / or nozzle arranged downstream of the parallel compressed air ducts. The method for particle discharge according to the invention shares the advantages of the modular particle discharge system according to the invention.

[0021] The dependent claims and the following description each contain particularly advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention. Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, the various features of different embodiments and claims can also be combined to form new embodiments.

[0022] Preferably, the at least two individually switchable parallel compressed air channels of the particle conveying device of the modular particle discharge system are integrated into the particle conveying device. Advantageously, the feed function, i.e. the function of supplying air and particles to the scattering device, is concentrated on a single module or a single component, resulting in a particularly simple modular design of the modular particle discharge system. For example, the scattering device can be separated from the modular particle discharge system in a particularly simple manner by severing its connection solely to the particle conveying device. Additional feed lines or the like do not have to be dismantled, since all interfaces of the scattering unit exist solely with the particle conveying device.By integrating the compressed air ducts into the particle conveying system, the compressed air ducts are also particularly well protected against external mechanical influences compared to freely running compressed air lines, as are often used conventionally.

[0023] The particle conveying device particularly preferably has a particle conveying shaft which runs through the particle conveying device between the particle storage device and the scattering device. At the same time, the individually switchable parallel compressed air channels preferably run parallel to the particle conveying shaft. The particle conveying shaft is designed to transport the particles stored in the particle storage device to the scattering device and there bring them into the effective range of the air flowing from at least one of the parallel compressed air channels in order to generate the aforementioned particle-air flow through the collision of the particles and the air flow. Such a particle conveying shaft can, for example, be operated simply by using gravity, with the particles falling or being transported towards the scattering device in the direction of gravity.

[0024] Preferably, the particle conveyor shaft runs centrally through the particle conveyor device, and the individually switchable parallel compressed air channels are arranged peripherally to the particle conveyor shaft. A central arrangement of the particle conveyor shaft enables a central arrangement of the scattering device below the particle conveyor device, whereby the particles transported to the scattering device by gravity can be brought into direct contact with the air flow flowing out of the compressed air channels. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the modular particle discharge system according to the invention, the flow behavior of the air flow comprises one of the following physical quantities:

[0025] - the volume flow of the air flow,

[0026] - the flow velocity of the air stream,

[0027] - a loss of pressure in the air flow within the compressed air ducts.

[0028] The volume flow indicates the amount of air flowing out per unit of time. The higher the volume flow, the more particles can be removed from the spreading device per unit of time.

[0029] The flow velocity of the air stream determines the speed of the particle-air stream.

[0030] The pressure loss of the airflow within the compressed air ducts affects the total airflow pressure available in the spreading device for the particle-air flow. This parameter also influences the dynamic pressure and thus the flow velocity and volume flow of the airflow in the spreading device.

[0031] To modify the flow behavior of the air stream, the at least two individually switchable parallel compressed air channels of the particle conveying device of the modular particle discharge system according to the invention preferably have a different, preferably location-dependent, flow cross-section. The flow cross-section influences the aforementioned relevant variables, in particular the flow velocity, but also the pressure loss and the volume flow achievable through a respective compressed air channel.

[0032] Likewise, the at least two individually switchable parallel compressed air channels of the particle conveying device of the modular particle discharge system according to the invention each preferably have an outlet to the scattering device with a different flow cross-section. Depending on the cross-sectional area of ​​an outlet of a compressed air channel, the dynamic pressure and thus the exit velocity of the air stream exiting the compressed air channel can be controlled.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the modular particle discharge system according to the invention, the at least two individually switchable parallel compressed air ducts have different flow resistances. The flow resistance of an individual compressed air duct can be used to adjust a pressure drop in the compressed air duct in question. For example, the flow resistance can be influenced by a specific surface condition of the inside of the compressed air duct or by a shape and / or dimensioning of the compressed air duct. As already mentioned, the pressure drop affects the total pressure of the air flow available in the scattering device for the particle-air flow. This variable also influences the dynamic pressure and thus the flow velocity and volume flow.

[0034] Preferably, the parallel compressed air ducts of the modular particle removal system according to the invention each comprise a flow element with a predetermined flow area in order to define a flow cross-section and thus, at a predetermined air pressure, an individual air quantity or volume flow for a respective compressed air duct. Preferably, a respective flow element is arranged at the outlet of the respective compressed air duct. This influences the exit behavior of an air flow from the compressed air ducts. Since the exiting air flow is used to generate a particle-air flow, a particularly strong effect is achieved by positioning the flow elements at the end of the compressed air ducts.

[0035] Particularly preferably, the flow element comprises a nozzle.

[0036] The amount of air flowing through the nozzle per unit of time can be influenced by the cross-section of the nozzle opening. If the nozzle is designed as a confuser, i.e. it narrows towards the end, the flow velocity of the air or the dynamic pressure increases, but this reduces the static pressure. Conversely, the air flowing through a diffuser, which widens towards its end, is slowed down, thus reducing the dynamic pressure and increasing the static pressure. For the reasons stated in the previous paragraph, a nozzle is particularly effective when used at the outlet of the compressed air ducts.

[0037] The modular particle discharge system according to the invention preferably has a housing which encloses the particle conveying device. The housing serves in particular to protect the compressed air ducts from external mechanical influences and to mount the scattering device on the housing. Advantageously, in the modular particle discharge system according to the invention, the compressed air ducts are integrated into the particle conveying device. The individual components, i.e. the particle storage device, the particle conveying device and the scattering device, can therefore be designed as separate, easily combinable block-like units. The particle discharge system according to the invention can thus largely be constructed in the form of several modules.A first module comprises the particle storage device. A second module, formed by the housing, comprises the particle conveying device with at least two parallel compressed air channels with different flow cross-sections for adjusting the air flow rate. The third module consists of the scattering device. The modular design allows for easy replacement of individual components or adaptation to individual and specific requirements.

[0038] The scattering device of the modular particle discharge system according to the invention preferably has a mixing unit arranged downstream of the parallel compressed air channels for generating a particle-air stream. The mixing unit comprises a three-dimensional area, also referred to as a conveying chamber, in which the air stream from at least one of the parallel compressed air channels meets the particles from the particle conveying shaft of the particle conveying device, thus generating the particle-air stream, which is then directed onto a rail to be traveled on.

[0039] Particularly preferably, the scattering device comprises a particle feed device downstream of the mixing unit for discharging the particles. The particle feed device is tubular and allows the particle-air flow to be directed in a desired direction.

[0040] Most preferably, the mixing unit of the scattering device of the modular particle discharge system according to the invention is designed as a common mixing unit for the two or at least two parallel compressed air channels. Advantageously, only one common mixing area needs to be formed for the at least two parallel compressed air channels. For this purpose, the at least two compressed air channels or their continuation are brought together in the scattering unit, so that the air flow can be used to discharge the particles fed in via the particle conveyor shaft regardless of the selection of the currently used compressed air channel in the scattering unit or the mixing unit encompassed by the scattering unit.

[0041] In one embodiment of the modular particle discharge system according to the invention, the scattering device is designed to be rotatable relative to a vertical axis. Preferably, the scattering device is designed to be rotatable by 90°. Advantageously, the particle flow generated by the modular particle conveyor system can be directed in different directions depending on the orientation of the scattering device. In this context, the "vertical axis" is understood to mean the axis of the modular particle discharge system according to the invention in the vertical direction when arranged as intended. The "vertical axis" can also be regarded as the longitudinal axis of the modular particle discharge system.

[0042] In a further embodiment of the modular particle discharge system according to the invention, the scattering device comprises an annular collecting channel which is open “upwards”, i.e. in the direction of the compressed air channels of the particle conveying device, and thus has an open connection to the two compressed air channels regardless of the orientation of the scattering device. Furthermore, the annular collecting channel comprises an outlet “downwards”, i.e. towards the other functional units of the scattering device, in particular towards the mixing unit of the scattering device. In other words, the collecting channel is preferably formed on the upper side, i.e. on the side of the scattering device facing the particle conveying device, and forms the interface or boundary surface between the scattering device and the particle conveying device.The ring shape of the collecting channel is such that when the spreading device rotates about its longitudinal axis or about its vertical axis, the connection between the spreading device and the outlets of the compressed air channels is always maintained, thus ensuring that compressed air can always flow to the spreading device, regardless of its orientation. In addition, the ring shape allows a particle conveyor shaft to be formed for feeding particles from the particle storage device, for example a sand reservoir, to the spreading device. This shaft can be arranged centrally to the ring-shaped collecting channel. The particle conveyor shaft penetrates a plane spanned by the ring-shaped collecting channel and ends at the level of the mixing unit of the spreading device.There, the particles conveyed via the shaft are blown out of the particle feed device of the spreading device by the compressed air conveyed via the collecting channel.

[0043] Particularly preferably, the scattering device of the modular particle discharge system according to the invention has a common compressed air channel downstream of the annular collecting channel with at least one nozzle for bundling the air flow flowing out of the annular collecting channel.

[0044] This nozzle is used to channel and concentrate the compressed air jet to direct it onto the sand or particles being fed in. This nozzle is preferably positioned at the end between the outlet of the annular collection channel and the mixing unit.

[0045] Particularly preferably, the nozzle of the scattering device is oriented horizontally. If the direction of the particle feed device is also horizontal, the air flow exiting the nozzle already runs in the direction of the particle-air flow to be discharged, so that no deflection of the particle-air flow is necessary for discharge from the scattering device. Losses, for example, a reduction in the laminarity or flow velocity of the particle-air flow due to a deflection of the particle-air flow, are advantageously avoided.

[0046] In order to divert the air, which usually flows vertically from the particle conveying device towards the scattering device, into a horizontal direction, the scattering device preferably comprises a deflection channel as a common compressed air channel, which enables the desired change of direction.

[0047] Preferably, this deflection channel can also comprise a second nozzle which, in contrast to the nozzle already mentioned at the outlet to the mixing unit, is preferably oriented not in the horizontal direction but in the vertical direction.

[0048] In one embodiment of the modular particle discharge system, the shape and flow cross-section of the nozzle of the scattering device at the outlet to the mixing unit are designed depending on the particle type used. The nozzle can advantageously be adapted to individual requirements. For example, coarser particle types may require wider flow cross-sections, while finer particle types may benefit from narrower flow cross-sections.

[0049] Preferably, the nozzle at the outlet to the mixing unit of the scattering device is configured to channel and / or concentrate a particle jet. Advantageously, the generated air jet can be concentrated on an area in which particles are retained and oriented in a direction in which a rail to be impacted is located.

[0050] The particle removal system according to the invention preferably has pressure reducing valves on the parallel compressed air ducts or in the area of ​​the compressed air device for each of the two compressed air ducts. The pressure reducing valves can be used to adjust the air pressure applied to the compressed air ducts. The pressure reducing valves can provide an additional adjustment mechanism for the strength of the air flow generated by the particle removal system. By setting a desired air pressure in combination with the different cross-sections of the compressed air ducts, a selection can be made from a multitude of different modes or stages of different air flow intensities, also called air consumption levels.

[0051] If the compressed air system is equipped with a pressure-reducing valve for each of the at least two compressed air channels, this also enables selective control of one of the compressed air channels or a predetermined subset of the existing parallel compressed air channels. Advantageously, a variety of compressed air systems with different pressure, flow, or velocity values ​​of the air flow can be realized.

[0052] In addition, the compressed air device of the particle discharge system according to the invention can also have a check valve which prevents air or a particle-air mixture from being blown back from the compressed air ducts in the direction of the compressed air device.

[0053] It can also be very advantageous to control only individual compressed air channels to achieve different air consumption levels in order to avoid turbulence, which can occur when several compressed air channels are controlled simultaneously.

[0054] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures using exemplary embodiments. They show:

[0055] FIG 1 is a schematic representation of a conventional particle discharge system of a rail vehicle,

[0056] FIG 2 is a schematic side sectional view of a modular particle discharge system according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0057] FIG 3 is a schematic front view of the arrangement shown in FIG 2,

[0058] FIG 4 is a schematic perspective view of the arrangement shown in FIG 2 and FIG 3,

[0059] FIG 5 is a schematic representation of a modular particle discharge system according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0060] FIG 6 a rail vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0061] FIG. 7 shows a flow chart illustrating a method for particle removal according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a conventional particle removal system 10 of a rail vehicle (not shown). The particle removal system 10 comprises a particle storage device 1, which can be designed, for example, as a sandbox for storing sand as particles to be scattered. The particle storage device 1 is shown in the upper part of FIG. 1.

[0062] Part of the particle removal system 10 is also a compressed air device 2, with which, for example with the aid of a blower, compressed air or an air stream is generated, which is required to produce a particle-air mixture together with the particles of the particle storage device 1, which is directed in the form of a particle-air stream onto a rail on which a rail vehicle is to travel.

[0063] To generate this particle-air flow, the particle discharge system 10 comprises a particle conveyor 3, which is shown in the center of FIG. 1. With this particle conveyor 3, the particles stored in the particle storage device 1 are transported to a scattering device 4, which is also part of the particle discharge system 10 and is shown at the bottom of the image in FIG. 1. The particle conveyor 3 comprises a particle conveyor chute 3b, through which the particles stored in the particle storage device 1 move towards the scattering device 4, following gravity.The particle conveying device 3 also comprises a dosing unit 3a, which is arranged between the particle storage device 1 and the particle conveying shaft 3b of the particle conveying device 3, and also has a type of valve function in order to allow the particles stored in the particle storage device 1 to fall into the particle conveying shaft 3b when required.

[0064] An air flow generated by the compressed air device 2 (shown on the right in the figure) is also fed to the spreading device 4 via a compressed air line 5. A solenoid valve 6 is used to separate the compressed air line 5 from the spreading device 4 or to release the compressed air for the spreading device 4.

[0065] The already mentioned spreading device 4 comprises a mixing unit 8 (outlined in dashed lines) which has a nozzle 7 which bundles and channels the compressed air supplied via the compressed air line 5. Part of the mixing unit 8 is also a feed device 9 which connects the lower region of the particle conveyor shaft 3b with a mixing region of the mixing unit 8. If particles fall into this mixing region via the feed device 9, they are blown by the air flow emerging from the nozzle 7 in the direction of the arrow, i.e. to the left in FIG. 1, out of a particle feed device 11 which forms the outlet from the spreading device 4, in the direction of a wheel-rail gap in order to come to rest on a rail (not shown) and in this way improve the traction of the rail vehicle.

[0066] The particle discharge system 10 is usually attached directly to the car body of the rail vehicle (not shown). In particular, the particle storage device 1 is mounted on the car body. The compressed air device 2 is often arranged in the rail vehicle, with the compressed air line 5 transporting the compressed air generated in the compressed air device 2 to the scattering device 4 of the particle discharge system 10. The scattering device 4 is firmly connected to the particle storage device 1 via the particle conveyor device 3 and is positioned hanging in front of a wheelset in order to apply the particle-air mixture in the wheel-rail gap of the front wheel of the wheelset.

[0067] FIG. 2 shows a schematic side sectional view of a modular particle discharge system 20 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Analogous to the conventional particle discharge system 10 already shown in FIG. 1, the modular particle discharge system 20 comprises a particle storage device 1, a compressed air device 2, a particle conveying device 23 with a metering unit 3a, which is arranged between the particle storage device 1 and a particle conveying shaft 3b, which is also part of the particle conveying device 23, and a compressed air line 5 from the compressed air device 2 to respective compressed air connections 21a, 21b of the particle conveying device 23.

[0068] The mentioned particle conveying device 23 and the mentioned scattering device 24 differ considerably in their construction from the particle conveying device 3 and the scattering device 4 of the conventional particle discharge system 10.

[0069] Unlike the particle conveying device 3 shown in FIG. 1, the particle conveying device 23 comprises a first compressed air connection 21a and a second compressed air connection 21b (see FIG. 3), the latter being concealed in the side view of FIG. 2 and therefore not visible. The two compressed air connections 21a, 21b have a rectangular geometry with regard to the course of their central longitudinal axis. This geometry can be seen particularly in the perspective view in FIG. 4.

[0070] The particle conveying device 23 further comprises a first compressed air channel 23a and a second compressed air channel 23b parallel thereto (see FIG. 3). The first compressed air channel 23a is connected to the first compressed air connection 21a and the second compressed air channel 23b is connected to the second compressed air connection 21b. The two compressed air channels 23a, 23b run vertically through the particle conveying device 23 and open into an annular collecting channel 26, which, however, is already part of the scattering device 24 to be described later. The particle conveying device 23 is accommodated in a housing G, which is fixedly attached to a rail vehicle (not shown) via the particle storage device 1. The housing G is shown as a cuboid outline in FIG. 2. The already mentioned scattering device 24 is also part of the modular particle discharge system 20.The scattering device 24 is arranged below the front section of the housing G of the particle conveying device 23 and is mounted on the housing G so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis. The scattering device 24 comprises the also already mentioned annular collecting channel 26. The annular collecting channel 26 is open to the outlets 23c, 23d (see FIG. 3) of the two compressed air channels 23a, 23b and itself has an outlet 26a to a compressed air channel, in this embodiment a deflection channel 25, which is also part of the scattering device 4. The deflection channel 25 comprises a nozzle 7 which is oriented in the horizontal direction. The nozzle 7 opens into a mixing area or a mixing unit 8 (marked with dashed lines), which also forms the inlet area for the particles to be scattered, and channels and concentrates the air flow brought about via the deflection channel 25, so that it is directed onto the particles to be scattered.Also part of the scattering device 24 is a feed device 9, which feeds the particles falling through the particle conveyor shaft 3b of the particle conveyor device 23 to the mixing unit 8. Also part of the scattering device 24 is a particle feed device 11, which directs the particle-air stream (not shown) generated by the air stream from the nozzle 7 onto a track or a gap between the wheel and the rail. The scattering device 24 can be rotated about a vertical axis in order to change the scattering direction 24 of the particles to be scattered. Due to the annular arrangement of the collecting channel 26, it remains in connection with the outlets 23c, 23d of the two compressed air channels 23a, 23b regardless of the orientation of the scattering device 24, so that in any position of the scattering device 24, air can flow through the particle conveying device 23 to the scattering device 24 and a particle-air flow can be maintained.

[0071] FIG. 3 shows a schematic front view of the section of a modular particle discharge system 20 according to the invention shown in FIG. 2. The modular particle discharge system 20 comprises the units already mentioned in connection with FIG. 2: a compressed air device 2, a particle conveying device 23, and a scattering device 24. Part of the particle conveying device 23 are the first and second compressed air connections 21a, 21b already shown in FIG. 2. The particle conveying device 23 also includes the two parallel compressed air channels 23a, 23b.

[0072] Also part of the particle discharge system 20 is the scattering device 24, already shown in FIG 2 and depicted in the image below, which comprises the annular collecting duct 26, also shown in FIG 2, as well as the deflection duct 25 with the nozzle 7 and the particle feed device 11, through which a particle-air jet is directed onto a rail. The lower ends or outlets 23c, 23d of the two parallel compressed air ducts 23a, 23b contact the annular collecting duct 6. The lower outlet 26a of the collecting duct 26 redirects the air jet to the aforementioned deflection duct 25 in the scattering device 24. The deflection duct 25 initially runs vertically and guides the air jet downwards to the height of the nozzle 7, which can be seen in the center of the scattering device 24 in FIG 3. At this height position, the deflection channel 25 bends vertically in the horizontal direction and runs up to the nozzle 7 .The nozzle 7 is open towards the previously mentioned mixing unit 8 (see FIG. 2) at the lower end of the particle conveyor shaft 3b or its continuation, the feed device 9. In the particle conveyor shaft 3b, which runs vertically and centrally through the particle conveyor device 23 and the scattering device 24, particles, or in particular sand, are held which are blown or are blown from the nozzle 7 and leave or leave the scattering device 24 through the particle feed device 11 outlined with a hexagon.

[0073] FIG 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the

[0074] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the modular particle discharge system 20 according to the invention. Only the particle conveying device and the scattering device of the modular particle discharge system 20 are shown in FIG. 4.

[0075] In FIG. 4, the annular shape of the collecting channel 26 can be seen in particular. Furthermore, the angled shape of one of the two compressed air connections 21a, 21b can be seen in the foreground. A compressed air line 5 (not shown in FIG. 4, see FIG. 2, FIG. 3) is connected to each of the compressed air connections 21a, 21b, which in turn are connected to the compressed air device 2 (not shown in FIG. 4, see FIG. 2, FIG. 3).

[0076] Further components which have already been described in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3 are the first and second compressed air channels 23a, 23b, the particle conveyor shaft 3b and the first and second outlets 23c, 23d of the first and second compressed air channels 23a, 23b of the particle conveyor device 23 and, as components of the scattering device 24, the outlet 26a of the annular collecting channel 26, the deflection channel 25, the nozzle 7 at the outlet of the deflection channel 25 and the particle feed device 11 as the outlet of the scattering device 24.

[0077] FIG. 5 shows a front view of a modular particle removal system 20 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 5, in the upper section of the image, parts of the compressed air device 2 are shown in detail. The compressed air device 2 comprises a compressed air generator 2a, for example a blower, which generates an air stream. The air stream is passed through a filter 19, in this exemplary embodiment a high-pressure filter. Particles that may have been sucked in by the blower are filtered out by the filter 19 in order to prevent damage or wear to the downstream components of the compressed air device 2 and the downstream particle conveying device 23. A check valve 18 is connected to the filter 19.The check valve 18 is connected to a first and a second 3 / 2-way valve 17a, 17b, which are connected upstream of two separate air paths, each of which opens into the first and second compressed air connection 21a, 21b of the particle conveying device 23. The check valve 18 prevents air or a particle-air mixture from flowing back to the filter 19 and the blower. The two 3 / 2-way valves 17a, 17b enable individual activation or use of one of the two air paths, which are formed by the two compressed air lines 5 and the downstream compressed air ducts 23a, 23b (not shown in FIG. 5, see FIG. 4), or activation of both air paths together. In addition, the scattering device 24 can also be seen in the lowest section of the image with the particle feed device 11.

[0078] FIG. 6 illustrates a rail vehicle 60 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The rail vehicle 60 includes the modular particle discharge system 20 shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4. The modular particle discharge system 20 discharges sand S onto a rail SC traveled by the rail vehicle 60.

[0079] FIG 7 shows a flow chart 700 which illustrates a method for particle removal according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0080] In step 7.1, an air flow with a defined air pressure is generated in a compressed air device 2 of a modular particle discharge system 20.

[0081] Furthermore, in step 7.II the flow behavior of the air flow in a particle conveyor device 23 of the modular particle discharge system 20 is determined. For this purpose the particle conveyor device 23 has two individually switchable parallel compressed air channels 23a, 23b whose flow resistance and / or cross-section are designed differently. The flow behavior of the air flow is determined by selecting one of the two parallel compressed air channels 23a, 23b for a passage of the air flow to a scattering device 24 of the modular particle discharge system 20. In step 7.III particles, for example sand S, are conveyed from a particle storage device 1 of the modular particle discharge system 20 through the particle conveyor device 23 to the scattering device 24.

[0082] Finally, the conveyed particles or sand S are discharged from the spreading device 24 by the air flow.

[0083] Finally, it is pointed out once again that the methods and devices described above are merely preferred embodiments of the invention and that the invention can be varied by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, insofar as it is defined by the claims. For the sake of completeness, it is also pointed out that the use of the indefinite articles "a" or "an" does not exclude the possibility that the features in question may be present multiple times. Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identities are also included.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Modular particle discharge system (20) comprising: - a particle storage device (1) for storing particles to be discharged, - a compressed air device (2), - a particle conveying device (23), - a scattering device (24), wherein the particle conveying device (23) has at least two individually switchable parallel compressed air channels (23a, 23b) which connect the compressed air device (2) to the scattering device (24) for adjusting a flow behavior of an air stream discharging the particles of the particle storage device (1).

2. Modular particle discharge system according to claim 1, wherein the at least two individually switchable parallel compressed air channels (23a, 23b) are integrated into the particle conveying device (23).

3. Modular particle discharge system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the particle conveying device (23) has a particle conveying shaft (3b) which runs between the particle storage device (1) and the scattering device (24) through the particle conveying device (23), and the individually switchable parallel compressed air channels (23a, 23b) run parallel to the particle conveying shaft (3b).

4. Modular particle discharge system according to claim 3, wherein the particle conveyor shaft (3b) runs centrally through the particle conveyor device (23) and the individually switchable parallel compressed air channels (23a, 23b) are arranged peripherally to the particle conveyor shaft (3b).

5. Modular particle removal system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow behavior of the air flow comprises one of the following physical quantities: - the volume flow of the air flow, - the flow velocity of the air stream, - a pressure loss of the air flow within the compressed air ducts (23a, 23b).

6. Modular particle discharge system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two individually switchable parallel compressed air channels (23a, 23b) have a different, preferably location-dependent, flow cross-section.

7. Modular particle discharge system according to claim 6, wherein the two individually switchable parallel compressed air channels (23a, 23b) each have an outlet (23c, 23d) to the scattering device (24) with a different flow cross-section.

8. Modular particle discharge system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two individually switchable parallel compressed air channels (23a, 23b) have a different flow resistance.

9. Modular particle discharge system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two individually switchable parallel compressed air channels (23a, 23b) each comprise a flow element with a predetermined flow cross-section.

10. The modular particle discharge system of claim 9, wherein the flow element comprises a nozzle.

11. Modular particle discharge system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the scattering device (24) is designed to be rotatable relative to a vertical axis of the particle conveying device (23).

12. Modular particle discharge system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the scattering device (24) comprises a annular collecting channel (26) which is open towards a respective outlet (23c, 23d) of the compressed air channels (23a, 23b) and has an outlet (26a) towards a mixing unit (8) of the spreading device (24).

13. Modular particle discharge system according to claim 12, wherein the scattering device (24) comprises a compressed air channel (25) downstream of the annular collecting channel (26) with at least one nozzle (7) for bundling the air flow flowing out of the annular collecting channel (26).

14. Rail vehicle (60) comprising a modular particle discharge system (20) according to one of the preceding claims.

15. A method for particle removal, comprising the steps of: - generating an air flow with a defined air pressure in a compressed air device (2) of a modular particle discharge system (20), - Adjusting a flow behavior of the air flow in a particle conveyor device (23) of the modular particle discharge system (20) with at least two individually switchable parallel compressed air ducts (23a, 23b) by selecting at least one of the parallel compressed air ducts (23a, 23b) for a passage of the air flow to a scattering device (24) of the modular particle discharge system (20), - conveying particles from a particle storage device (1) of the modular particle discharge system (20) through the particle conveying device (23) to the scattering device (24), - Discharge of the conveyed particles by the air flow out of the spreading device (24).

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