Particle metering device with spiral conveying chamber

Abstract

The invention relates to a particle metering device (21). The particle metering device (21) has a metering unit (3) and a conveying device (4). The metering unit (3) comprises a throttle nozzle (3.4) for adjusting the air consumption, a swirl nozzle (3.6), an annular compressed-air channel (3.7), swirl channels (3.3) for swirling up the particles (P), and a swirl chamber (3.1). Part of the particle metering device (21) is also a conveying device (4) having a spiral conveying chamber (4.1), in order to detain particles (P) in the particle metering device (21), and having a conveying nozzle (4.2). The invention also relates to a particle dispensing system (20). The invention furthermore relates to a rail vehicle (190). The invention additionally relates to a method for dispensing particles.

Description

[0001] 202416423 1 Description Particle Metering Device with Spiral Conveying Chamber The invention relates to a particle metering device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a particle discharge system with such a particle metering device. The invention also relates to a rail vehicle. The invention also relates to a method for particle discharge. The operation of rail vehicles is subject to very different environmental conditions, which strongly influence the traction and braking characteristics of a rail vehicle. In particular, rail vehicles suffer on wet and leaf-covered rails because they can no longer transfer their full power to the rail. To improve traction or braking performance under unfavorable conditions, spreading material is distributed on the rails in front of the wheels of a rail vehicle. For this purpose, so-called sand systems, also called sand spreaders or particle discharge systems, are used, whichParticle discharge systems are mounted externally on rail vehicles. A rail vehicle particle discharge system transports particles from a storage container, also called a sandbox or particle storage unit, by gravity or compressed air, through a particle metering device, also called a particle metering unit, to a wheel-rail gap between a wheel of the rail vehicle and a rail traveled by the rail vehicle. The conveyed particles are applied to the rails to increase friction between the wheel and the rail. To create a kind of particle jet, the particles are blown onto the rail with compressed air. However, when operating a particle discharge system, it should be ensured that the spreading material does not fall downwards onto the wheel-rail gap by gravity alone without activation, but only when compressed air is switched on. In particular, the spreading material should also not fall solely due to external factors.the vibrations caused should fall onto the rail. On the other hand, due to operating costs and the space required for compressed air tanks, the compressed air consumption during operation of the particle discharge system should not be too high. 202416423 2 Due to the platform strategy of many manufacturers, the installation space for particle discharge systems is limited. The particle discharge system must also not protrude too far into the spreading agent container, as this affects the spreading agent volume, the dead volume, and the effort required to integrate a continuous level sensor. Since a particle discharge system should be mountable on as many different types of rail vehicles as possible, the following functions should be modular: - the orientation of the spreading agent outlet, - the positioning of the compressed air connections, cable connections, and grounding connections, - the size of the discharge hose, - the adjustment of the spreading agent quantity, - the adjustment of theSpreading agent discharge force, - the interface to the spreading agent container. To ensure that the spreading agent does not flow downwards to the wheel-rail gap on its own without actuation, the following solutions are conventionally used: - a closing mechanism: The opening of the spreading agent container is mechanically closed and opened electrically or pneumatically after actuation, - resistance is created for the spreading agent, for example by a labyrinth or a detour for the spreading agent, - an incline is built into the spreading agent path so that the spreading agent must first overcome an incline in an ascending channel. The objective is therefore to specify a particle conveying device, a particle discharge system, and a corresponding particle discharge method that solve at least some of the aforementioned problems. This objective is achieved by a particle conveying device according to claim 1, a particle discharge system according toClaims 13, a rail vehicle according to claim 14, and a method for particle discharge according to claim 15 are solved. The particle metering device according to the invention is preferably part of a particle discharge system according to the invention. With the particle metering device, particles are metered and conveyed from a particle storage device of the particle discharge system. Such a particle metering device 202416423 3, as will be explained in detail later, has a device for metering and transporting the particles, preferably a so-called swirl chamber and conveying chamber, with which the particles are metered and further transported to a position in the particle metering device where they are discharged onto a relevant rail by means of the aforementioned airflow. The metering unit has a throttle nozzle for adjusting the air consumption from a compressed air device of the particle discharge system.The particle dosing unit consists of compressed air supplied to the unit, a swirling nozzle for generating overpressure, an annular compressed air channel, multiple swirling channels for swirling the particles from all sides, and a swirling chamber for channeling the particles. Advantageously, the particles falling through the dosing unit can be swirled and loosened from several sides, thus improving their dynamics. The swirling nozzle serves to fill the annular compressed air channel. The particle dosing unit also includes a conveying system with a mixing chamber and a conveying nozzle for generating a vacuum and blowing the particles towards a wheel-rail gap. The conveying system also comprises an ascending spiral conveying chamber for transporting the particles from the swirling chamber of the dosing unit to the mixing chamber at a pressure differential resulting from the overpressure and vacuum. The lowerThe end of the rising spiral conveying chamber, i.e., the area at the level of the conveying nozzle, is also called the mixing chamber. Here, sand and air are mixed. The air supplied to the throttle nozzle is distributed between the agitation nozzle and the conveying nozzle, depending on the pressure setting and cross-section of the respective nozzles. As already mentioned, the metering unit comprises an annular compressed air channel and multiple agitation channels for agitating and channeling the particles in the agitation chamber. The air supplied by the agitation nozzle enters the annular compressed air channel and is distributed throughout the agitation channels. The air from the agitation channels loosens and agitates the particles in the agitation chamber. Thanks to the special nozzle arrangement and the multiple agitation channels, a certain pressure difference is created between the agitation chamber and the mixing chamber.This pressure differential, the agitation of the particles, and the inclined, spiral geometry of the conveying chamber allow the particles to be transported by the particle metering unit in a very compact and efficient manner with low air consumption, all the way to the wheel-rail gap. An incline means that the transport path of the particles rises, at least for part of the way, thus slowing down the particles. The particle discharge rate depends on the pressure differential between the agitation chamber and the mixing chamber or conveying chamber. This pressure differential is adjusted by selecting the appropriate nozzle cross-section. Alternatives for adjusting the particle discharge rate include: - installing a pressure reducer before or within the particle metering unit and setting it according to the desired pressure, - modifying the cross-section of a particle inlet opening at the entrance of the particle metering unit, - changing the cross-sectionThe spiral conveying chamber is designed differently. For this purpose, the particle dosing device according to the invention has a conveying device with which a particle-air flow is generated by directing the airflow onto the particles received from the swirl chamber, which is directed onto the rails in front of a wheel of the rail vehicle. To limit the dynamics of the particle movement and to convey the particles from the swirl chamber of the dosing unit to the mixing chamber with a pressure difference resulting from the overpressure and underpressure, the conveying device comprises an ascending and spiral conveying chamber and a conveying nozzle. The spiral conveying chamber has the decisive advantage that the retention of the particles is achieved by an arrangement that is very space-saving compared to conventional solutions, so that the overall system can also be used effectively in confined spaces. In order to enter the mixing chamber, particles mustFirst, the particles overcome a very tight and rising curve. This rising, spiral arrangement also ensures that the particles do not fall onto the wheel-rail gap solely by gravity. The particle discharge 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 particle discharge system is positioned and oriented such that the particles emitted by the particle discharge system are applied to the rail to be traveled on in front of a wheel of the rail vehicle in order to increase the friction between wheel and rail and thus increase the traction and braking force of the rail vehicle. The particle discharge system according to the invention has a particle storage device according to the invention, also referred to as a spreading agent container, for storing particles to be discharged. Furthermore, the system comprisesThe particle discharge system according to the invention comprises a compressed air device. Such a compressed air device generates an airflow with a predefined air pressure. The compressed air device preferably includes a compressed air generation unit, particularly preferably a compressor, with which an airflow with an air pressure whose strength depends on the power of the compressed air generation unit is generated. The particle discharge system according to the invention also includes a particle metering device according to the invention. The particle discharge system according to the invention shares the advantages of the particle metering device according to the invention. The rail vehicle according to the invention has the particle metering device according to the invention and preferably also the particle discharge system according to the invention. The particle discharge system according to the invention is preferably arranged on the car body of the rail vehicle and positioned such that discharged particles are carried in front of a wheel of theThe rail vehicle encounters a busy rail. The rail vehicle according to the invention shares the advantages of the particle discharge system and the particle metering device according to the invention. In the particle discharge method according to the invention, the particles to be discharged are supplied from a particle storage device to a particle metering device, preferably a particle metering device according to the invention. Furthermore, the air consumption is adjusted by a throttle nozzle of the particle metering device, which is connected to a compressed air system. The air supplied by the throttle nozzle is distributed into a swirling nozzle and a conveying nozzle of the particle metering device. The particles to be discharged are swirled up by the swirling nozzle of the particle metering device, by an annular compressed air channel, and by a plurality of swirling channels of the particle metering device, and aOverpressure is generated. A vacuum is created by means of the conveying nozzle. The particles to be discharged are conveyed and metered through a swirl chamber of the particle metering device and a spiral conveying chamber of the particle metering device towards a mixing chamber of the particle metering device, thanks to the pressure difference between the swirl nozzle and the conveying nozzle generated by the overpressure and vacuum. Finally, the particles are blown out through the conveying nozzle towards a wheel-rail gap. The method according to the invention shares the advantages of the particle metering device according to the invention. The dependent claims and the following description each contain particularly advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention. In addition, within the scope of the invention, the various features of different embodiments and claims can also be combined to form new embodiments. In one variant of theIn the particle dosing device according to the invention, the agitation channels have an angle between 30° and 60° relative to the horizontal. This angle has proven particularly advantageous for achieving optimal particle agitation. This angle ensures that the particles do not enter the annular compressed air channel and that the agitation nozzle does not become clogged. The number, diameter, and angle of the agitation channels are important for optimal flow of the particles to be discharged. Particularly preferred are three to nine agitation channels, each with a diameter of 2 mm to 10 mm and the aforementioned angle of 30° to 60° relative to the horizontal. Due to the advantageous arrangement of nozzles and agitation channels, a certain pressure differential is generated. This allows particles to be conveyed through the spiral conveying chamber in a very compact and efficient geometry with minimal force.Air consumption is transported. 202416423 7 The conveying chamber of the particle dosing device according to the invention preferably comprises polyurethane. Polyurethane is resistant and robust. Furthermore, as a casting resin, it is also suitable for generating complex shapes, in particular the spiral shape of the conveying chamber. Alternatively, the spiral conveying chamber can be made of stainless steel. It is preferably manufactured using a 3D printing process or an investment casting process. In one embodiment of the particle dosing device according to the invention, the agitation chamber comprises an opening, i.e., a particle inlet opening with a partial upper pressure-relieving filling plate, which is tongue-shaped. The special geometry prevents blockages at the opening of the spiral conveying chamber. The tongue-shaped design protects the particle inlet opening of the agitation chamber and thus also the spiralThe conveying chamber is protected from the pressure of the spreading agent, which is forced by gravity towards the particle inlet opening. The cross-section of this particle inlet opening is preferably chosen to be large enough to ensure a maximum particle flow rate. Preferably, the upper pressure-relieving filling plate is removable, in particular screwable, so that access to the annular pressure chamber or compressed air channel is permitted for maintenance purposes. Preferably, the metering unit and the conveying device of the particle metering device according to the invention are of a modular design. Advantageously, due to the modularity, individual components can be more easily replaced, maintained, or repaired without opening the compressed air circuit. The compressed air circuit thus remains clean. In a particularly simple embodiment of the particle metering device according to the invention, the metering unit and the conveying device are designed asParts of the particle dosing device are integrated and formed as a single unit. A one-piece design is particularly easy and inexpensive to produce, as the total number of components is reduced compared to a modular design. To allow access to the mixing chamber and spiral conveying chamber for maintenance, this variant includes a removable maintenance cover on its underside, i.e., at the lower end of the mixing chamber. In a preferred embodiment of the particle discharge system and the particle dosing device according to the invention, emptying the particle reservoir of the particle discharge system is possible without opening the compressed air circuit: - in the two-piece variant of the particle dosing device, emptying is possible by removing the conveying unit, 202416423 8 - in the one-piece variant of the particle dosing device, emptying is possible by removing the maintenance cover.This enables the two-part version of the particle dosing device to detach the conveying unit from the dosing unit. In one version of the particle dosing device according to the invention, the conveying unit has a heater for heating compressed air supplied by a compressed air system. Advantageously, the heating ensures the flowability of the particles to be discharged even at low temperatures, particularly in freezing conditions. Preferably, the particle dosing device according to the invention has a communicating air line system for supplying compressed air from the throttle nozzle to the agitation nozzle and the conveying nozzle. Advantageously, the air supplied via the throttle nozzle can be distributed for agitation and conveying. Targeted distribution is preferably achieved by one or more regulating units. In one version of the particle discharge system according to the invention, the compressed air system is configured toCompressed air is supplied directly to the metering unit of the particle metering device according to the invention. Advantageously, the conveying unit, including the spiral-shaped conveying chamber and conveying nozzle, where blockages most frequently occur, can be disassembled without opening the entire system or the compressed air circuit. In one embodiment of the particle metering device according to the invention, this unit has at least one regulating unit, preferably a throttle control, for adjusting the airflow of at least one of the nozzles. By turning the throttle control in or out, the passage for a nozzle can be widened or narrowed for an airflow, thereby controlling the intensity of the airflow. Instead of a throttle control, the regulating unit can also comprise a proportional valve, which allows more or less air to pass through depending on a control signal. In one embodiment of the particle metering device according to the invention...The conveying nozzle has a plurality of through-holes. In this variant, the conveying nozzle also has a filter effect. This ensures that the particles entering the air path between the throttle nozzle and the conveying nozzle in the opposite direction through the conveying nozzle are smaller than the 202416423 9 holes of the swirl nozzle and the throttle nozzle. Clogging by the particles is thus prevented. Advantageously, the overall system can be designed with a reduced number of components, since no additional separate filters are required. Preferably, the metering unit of the particle metering device according to the invention has a communicating air line system for supplying compressed air from the throttle nozzle to the swirl nozzle and the conveying nozzle. Advantageously, the communicating air line system can be used to distribute or meter the compressed air between the swirl nozzle and the conveying nozzle. In aIn a variant of the particle discharge system and / or the particle dosing device according to the invention, the particle dosing device comprises at least one regulating unit, preferably a throttle regulator, of the following type: - a throttle regulator for regulating the compressed air supplied to the particle dosing device, - a throttle regulator for regulating the distribution of the compressed air between the agitation nozzle and the conveying nozzle. Advantageously, the compressed air supplied to the overall system can be regulated. This is particularly advantageous when compressed air from a common compressed air supply is delivered to several particle discharge systems or several particle dosing devices via lines of different lengths. The throttle regulator for regulating the compressed air supplied to the particle dosing device thus allows the different air pressures present at the various particle discharge systems or particle dosing devices to be controlled.The air distribution between the conveying nozzle and the agitation nozzle can be controlled with the throttle regulator for regulating the distribution of compressed air between the agitation nozzle and the conveying nozzle. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures and exemplary embodiments. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a conventional particle discharge system of a rail vehicle. Figure 2 shows a perspective sectional view of a particle metering device according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 shows a perspective sectional view of a particle metering device according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 shows a perspective sectional view of a particle metering device according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 shows a perspective sectional view of a particle metering device according to an embodiment of the invention.6 a perspective top view of a particle dosing device according to an embodiment of the invention, FIG 7 a perspective sectional view of a particle dosing device according to an embodiment of the invention with the particle flow shown, FIG 8 a perspective external view of a particle dosing device of a particle discharge system according to an embodiment of the invention, FIG 9 a perspective sectional view of a particle dosing device of a particle discharge system with a heating cartridge as a heating device according to an embodiment of the invention, FIG 10 a perspective view of a particle dosing device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, FIG 11 a sectional view from above of the particle dosing device shown in FIG 10, FIG 12 a side sectional view of the particle dosing device shown in FIG 10 and FIG 11, FIG 13 a side sectional view of the particle dosing device shown in FIG 10and FIG. 11, particle metering device with a throttle control designed to regulate a throttle nozzle, 202416423 11 FIG. 14, a perspective sectional view of a modular particle metering device with a throttle control designed to regulate a conveying nozzle, FIG. 15, a conveying nozzle through which an airflow flows into a spiral conveying chamber, FIG. 16, a particle storage device through which spreading material falls in the form of a column of spreading material towards a particle inlet opening, FIG. 17, a particle metering device in which the path of the conveyed and blown-out particles is shown by arrows, FIG. 18, a flow diagram illustrating a method for particle discharge according to an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 19, a schematic representation of a rail vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 1, a schematic representation of a conventionalThe particle discharge system 10 of a rail vehicle (not shown) is shown. The particle discharge system 10 comprises a particle storage device 1, which can be designed, for example, as a sandbox for storing sand as particles to be spread. The particle storage device 1 is shown in the upper part of FIG. 1. Part of the particle discharge system 10 is also a compressed air device 2, with which, for example, a compressor is used to generate compressed air or an airflow, which is required to create a particle-air mixture together with the particles from the particle storage device 1. This mixture is directed as a particle-air stream onto a rail to be traveled by a rail vehicle. In addition to the particle storage device 1 and the compressed air device 2, the particle discharge system 10 also comprises a particle metering device 8 (dashed outline). To generate this particle-air stream, theThe particle discharge system 10, or particle dosing device 8, comprises a dosing unit 3, which is shown in the center of FIG. 1. This dosing unit 3 transports and doses the particles stored in the particle storage device 1 to a conveying device 4, which is also part of the particle dosing device 8 of the particle discharge system 10 and is shown at the bottom of FIG. 1 (202416423 12). The dosing unit 3 includes a swirling chamber 3.1, through which the particles stored in the particle storage device 1 move towards the conveying device 4 under the influence of gravity. The metering unit 3 also includes a particle inlet opening 3.2.1, which is arranged between the particle storage device 1 and the agitation chamber 3.1 of the metering unit 3, in order to allow the particles stored in the particle storage device 1 to fall into the agitation chamber 3.1 as needed. A compressed air device 2The generated airflow (shown on the right in the image) is also supplied to the conveying device 4 (see below in the image) via a compressed air line 5. A solenoid valve 6 is used to disconnect the compressed air line 5 from the conveying device 4 or to release the compressed air to the conveying device 4. The aforementioned conveying device 4 includes a conveying nozzle 4.2, which concentrates and channels the compressed air supplied via the compressed air line 5. A mixing chamber 9 is also part of the particle conveying device 8. This mixing chamber connects the lower area of ​​the swirling chamber 3.1 with a mixing area of ​​a particle feeder 11, which is also part of the particle conveying device 8. When particles fall into this mixing area via the mixing chamber 9, they are carried by the airflow exiting the conveying nozzle 4.2 in the direction of the arrow, i.e., to the left in FIG. 1, out of a particle feeder 11, which forms the outlet from the spreading device 4, in the direction ofThe particle is blown into the wheel-rail gap to rest on a rail (not shown) and thus improve the traction of the rail vehicle. 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 located in the rail vehicle, with the compressed air line 5 transporting the compressed air generated in the compressed air device 2 to the conveying device 4 of the particle discharge system 10. The conveying device 4 is rigidly connected to the particle storage device 1 via the metering unit 3 and is positioned suspended in front of a wheelset to apply the particle-air mixture in the wheel-rail gap of the front wheel of the wheelset. FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of a particle metering device 21 according to an embodiment of the invention.Particle dosing device 21 comprises a dosing unit 3 (shown in the upper section of FIG. 2) and a conveying device 4 (shown in the lower section of FIG. 2). An upper pressure-relieving filling plate 3.2 is arranged on the dosing unit 3, which includes a particle inlet opening 3.2.1 through which spreading material or particles P can be transported from a particle storage device (not shown) to the dosing unit 3. The dosing unit 3 has a swirling chamber 3.1 with a plurality of swirling channels 3.3. The swirling channels 3.3 serve to loosen the spreading material or particles P, to control their transport speed, and to influence their density so that they can be more easily discharged from the conveying device 4. Turbulence contributes to a reduction in the gravity-induced falling velocity of the spreading agent or particles P.The conveying device 4 comprises an ascending and spiral conveying chamber 4.1, which lengthens the transport path of the spreading agent or particles P and generates additional mechanical flow resistance for the particles P, thus reducing the gravity-induced flow of the particles P to a suitable level. The particle metering device 21 also has a plurality of nozzles 3.4, 3.6, 4.2 with different functions, which are illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 also shows a sectional view of a particle metering device 21 according to an embodiment of the invention, in which a different section plane than in FIG. 2 has been selected, so that a plurality of nozzles 3.4, 3.6, 4.2 used in the particle metering device are now visible. The metering unit 3 of the particle metering device 21 comprises a throttle nozzle 3.4 shown on the left in the figure. The throttle nozzle 3.4 can be used to control the airflow L available to the overall system.The throttle nozzle 3.4 is connected to a piping system of the metering unit 3. The metering unit 3 also includes a swirling nozzle 3.6, which is arranged facing the upper pressure-relieving filling plate 3.2 and blows a portion of the air supplied by the throttle nozzle 3.4 into an annular compressed air channel 3.7 and from there through the swirling channels 3.3 already shown in FIG. 2, in order to loosen and swirl the particles conveyed by the metering unit 3. The conveying device 4 also has a nozzle in the form of a conveying nozzle 4.2. The conveying nozzle 4.2 serves to apply the spreading agent introduced into the spiral conveying chamber 4.1 to the wheel-rail gap. FIG. 4 shows a perspective sectional view of a particle metering device 21 according to an embodiment of the invention. The air L supplied by the compressed air line 5 (shown in the upper center of the image) is supplied to both the swirling nozzle 3.6 andalso supplied to the conveying nozzle 4.2. In FIG. 4, both the airflow L flowing through the agitation channels 3.3 and the airflow 202416423 14 L directed through the conveying nozzle 4.2, which blows onto the spreading agent located in the spiral conveying chamber 4.1 and transfers it to the particle feed device 11, are indicated by arrows. FIG. 5 shows a perspective sectional view of a particle metering device 21 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 5, the upper pressure-relieving filling plate 3.2 is already mounted on the metering unit 3. The compressed air line 5 and the annular compressed air channel 3.7, from which the compressed air is directed into the agitation channels 3.3, are also visible. Further details include the upper pressure-relieving filling plate 3.2 and the agitation chamber 3.1, through which the particles are conveyed to the spiral-shaped conveying chamber 4.1. Figure 5 also shows the lower right side.Figure 5 shows a conveying nozzle 4.2 as part of the conveying device 4, which blows air into a mixing chamber 9. Figure 5 also shows a particle feed device 11 at the bottom left, with which particles are blown towards a wheel-rail gap (not shown) by the air blown into the mixing chamber 9. Figure 6 shows a perspective top view of a metering unit 3. The pressure-relieving filling plate 3.2 mounted on the metering unit 3 has a tongue-shaped projection 3.2.2 extending beyond the particle inlet opening 3.2.1, which has a crescent-shaped geometry. This crescent-shaped geometry of the tongue-shaped projection 3.2.2 or the tongue-shaped geometry of the pressure-relieving filling plate 3.2 in the area of ​​the particle inlet opening 3.2.1 redirects and channels the flow of the spreading agent or the particles P so that the flow of the particles passes through the swirl chamber 3.1 as desired.through to the conveying chamber 4 (see FIG. 7). This effect is illustrated in FIG. 7. The particles P striking the tongue-shaped projection 3.2.2 of the pressure-relieving filling plate 3.2 are redirected so that the particle flow arrives laterally or obliquely in the opening of the conveying chamber 4.1. This ensures that the pressure from the spreading agent column (dependent on the height of the particle storage device, shown with the vertical arrows) does not affect the continuity of the flow. Turbulence is achieved by the turbulence channels 3.3 shown in FIG. 7. The spreading agent flowing through the spiral conveying chamber 4.1 is further slowed and swirled and finally blown out by means of the conveying nozzle (not shown in FIG. 7). FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective external view of a particle metering device 21 according to an embodiment of the invention. It shows the spreading agent flow or the flowFigure 15 illustrates the passage of particles P through the particle inlet opening 3.2.1 of the pressure-relieving filling plate 3.2 of the metering unit 3 of the particle metering device 21 with an arrow. Figure 8 also shows the previously mentioned tongue-shaped projection 3.2.2 protruding above the particle inlet opening 3.2.1. Figure 9 shows a perspective sectional view of a particle metering device 21 according to an embodiment of the invention. The particle metering device 21 shown in Figure 9, or the metering unit 3 encompassed by the particle metering device 21, has a heating cartridge 3.8 with which the compressed air L supplied via a separate and optional compressed air line 5 is heated before it flows on to the particle storage device 1. Heating the compressed air L is intended to prevent the spreading agent from solidifying due to low temperatures. FIG 10 shows a perspective view of a particle dosing device 21An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown. Unlike the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 9, the metering unit and the conveying device are integrated into a single body. This simplifies the design, but also makes it less modular, so maintenance, modification, and repair are somewhat more complex. Manufacturing, however, is simplified in this variant. FIG. 11 shows a top-down sectional view of the particle metering device 21 shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 11 also shows a throttle control 3.5, which regulates the air path to the throttle nozzle 3.4. FIG. 12 illustrates a side sectional view of the particle metering device 21 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. As can be seen in FIG. 12, the agitation chamber 3.1 and the conveying chamber 4.1 are formed in one piece. Furthermore, FIG 12 clearly shows how the air L flows to the swirling nozzle.The particle is distributed between the conveying chamber 4.1 (top right in the image) and the conveying nozzle 4.2 (bottom right in the image). The conveying chamber 4.1 is closed at the bottom by a maintenance cover 22. The maintenance cover 22 can be removed for maintenance. The particle dosing device 21 is covered at the top by a pressure-relieving filling plate 3.2. The swirling channels 3.3 of the swirling chamber 3.1 can also be seen in FIG. 12. FIG. 13 shows a section of a particle dosing device 21 with a throttle control 3.5 for a throttle nozzle 3.4, which serves to regulate the airflow for the conveying nozzle 4.2 and also the swirling nozzle 3.6. In FIG. 13, both directions R are also shown with a double arrow, in which the throttle control 3.5 can be moved to regulate the cross-section of the supply line for the throttle nozzle 3.4 and thus vary the amount of air entering the throttle nozzle 3.4. FIG. 14 shows a perspective sectional view of aThe modular particle dosing device 21, as already shown in FIGS. 2 to 9, is shown. The feature shown in FIG. 14 relates to a throttle control 4.3, which can regulate the amount of air passing through the conveying nozzle 4.2 by turning it in or out. In FIG. 14, both directions R are also shown with a double arrow, in which the throttle control 4.3 can be moved to regulate the cross-section of the supply line for the conveying nozzle 4.2 and thus vary the amount of air entering the conveying nozzle. FIG. 15 shows a conveying nozzle 4.2 through which an airflow enters a spiral conveying chamber 4.1 (see FIG. 14). The conveying nozzle 4.2 has a plurality of flow channels through which compressed air flows into the spiral conveying chamber 4.1. FIG. 16 illustrates a particle storage device 1 through which spreading agent falls in the form of a column of spreading agent 23 towards a particle inlet opening 3.2.1.FIG. 16 also shows the path of the conveyed and blown-out particles with arrows and illustrates dead zones TZ into which no particles fall. FIG. 17 illustrates a particle metering device 21. The particles initially fall through a particle inlet opening 3.2.1 into a metering unit 3 and, in particular, into a vortex chamber 3.1, are vortexed via the vortex channels 3.3, and transported via the spiral-shaped conveying chamber 4.1 into the mixing chamber 9. There, they are blown by the conveying nozzle 4.2 towards the particle feed device 11. FIG. 18 shows a flow diagram 1800, which illustrates a method for particle discharge according to an embodiment of the invention. In step 18.I, particles P to be discharged are stored in a particle storage device 1 and fed to a particle metering device 21. In step 18.II, the air consumption is reduced by a throttle nozzle 3.4 of theThe particle dosing device 21, which is connected to a compressed air device 2, is set. 202416423 17 In step 18.III, the air L is distributed between a swirling nozzle 3.6 and a conveying nozzle 4.2 of the particle dosing device 21. In step 18.IV, the swirling nozzle 3.6 is activated. This fills the annular compressed air channel 3.7 and activates the swirling channels 3.3 of the particle dosing device 21. In this way, a slight overpressure ÜB is also generated in the particle storage device 1, and the particles P in the swirling chamber 3.1 are loosened and swirled on all sides. In step 18.V, the conveying nozzle 4.2 is activated. This generates a vacuum UN in a spiral conveying chamber 4.1 and a mixing chamber 9 of the particle dosing device 21. Steps 18.IV and 18.V are carried out simultaneously or in parallel to each other after step 18.III. In step 18.VI, the particles P are moved by means of aThe pressure differential ΔD transports and meters the particles P from the swirling chamber 3.1 through the rising turns of the spiral conveying chamber 4.1 and into the mixing chamber 9. In step 18.VII, the particles P to be discharged are then applied by an airflow L from the conveying nozzle 4.2 from the mixing chamber 9 via a particle feed device 11 onto a wheel-rail gap or a rail SC being traveled on. FIG. 19 illustrates a rail vehicle 190 according to an embodiment of the invention. The rail vehicle 190 comprises a particle discharge system 20 with the particle metering device 21 shown in FIGS. 2 to 9. The particle discharge system 20 discharges spreading material through a sand hose S onto a rail SC being traveled on by the rail vehicle 190. Finally, it should be noted again that the methods and devices described above are merely preferred embodiments of the invention and that theThe invention can be varied by a person skilled in the art without leaving 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 202416423 18 "a" or "an" does not preclude the possibility that the features in question may also be present multiple times. Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons of male, female, or other gender identities are included.

[0002] 202416423 19 Reference List 1 Particle Storage Device 2 Compressed Air Device 3 Metering Unit 3.1 Swirl Chamber 3.2 Pressure-Relieving Filling Plate 3.2.1 Particle Inlet Opening / Sand Inlet Opening 3.2.2 Tongue-Shaped Projection 3.3 Swirl Channels 3.4 Throttle Nozzle 3.5 Throttle Regulator for Throttle Nozzle 3.6 Swirl Nozzle 3.7 Annular Compressed Air Channel 3.8 Heating Cartridge / Heater 4 Conveying Device 4.1 Spiral Conveying Chamber 4.2 Conveying Nozzle 4.3 Throttle regulator, which can regulate the amount of air passed through the conveying nozzle by turning it in or out 5 Compressed air line 6 Solenoid valve 8 Conventional particle dosing device 9 Mixing chamber 10 Conventional particle discharge system 11 Particle feed device 20 Particle discharge system 21 Particle dosing device according to an embodiment of the invention 22 Maintenance cover 23 Spreading agent column 190 Rail vehicle 1800 Flow diagram L Airflow / Compressed air / Air P Particles R Direction S Sand hose SC Rail TZ Dead zone 202416423 20 ÜB Overpressure UN Underpressure ΔD Pressure difference.

Claims

202416423 21 Claims 1. Particle metering device (21), comprising: - a metering unit (3), which includes: - a throttle nozzle (3.4) for adjusting the air consumption of the compressed air (L) supplied to the particle metering device, - a swirl nozzle (3.6) for generating overpressure (ÜB), - an annular compressed air channel (3.7) and - a plurality of swirl channels (3.3) for swirling the particles (P) from all sides, - a swirl chamber (3.1) for channeling the particles (P), - a conveying device (4), which includes - a mixing chamber (9), - a conveying nozzle (4.2) for generating underpressure (UN) and for blowing the particles (P) out of the mixing chamber (9) in the direction of a wheel-rail gap, - an ascending spiral conveying chamber (4.1) for conveying the particles (P) from the swirl chamber (3.1) the metering unit (3) towards the mixing chamber (9) with a pressure difference (ΔD) resulting from the overpressure (ÜB) and the underpressure (UN). 2.

1. Particle dosing device according to claim 1, wherein the agitation channels (33) have an angle of 30° to 60° relative to the horizontal.

2. Particle dosing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spiral conveying chamber (41) comprises polyurethane.

3. Particle dosing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the agitation chamber (3.1) is covered by a pressure-relieving filling plate (3.2) with a tongue-shaped projection (3.2.2).

4. Particle dosing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dosing unit (3) and the conveying device (4) are modular in design.

5. Particle dosing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dosing unit (3) and the conveying device (4) are integrated and formed as a single piece. 202416423 22 7. Particle metering device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a heater (3.8) for heating the compressed air (L) supplied to the particle metering device and for drying particles (P) stored in the particle metering device.

8. Particle metering device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the metering unit (3) comprises a communicating air line system for supplying compressed air (L) from the throttle nozzle (3.4) to the agitation nozzle (3.6) and the conveying nozzle (4.2).

9. Particle metering device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one regulating unit for adjusting an airflow of at least one of the nozzles (3.4, 3.6, 4.2).

10. Particle metering device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one regulating unit comprises a throttle regulator (3.5, 4.3). 11.Particle metering device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising one of the following regulating units: - a throttle control (3.5) for regulating the compressed air (L) supplied to the particle metering device (21), - a throttle control (4.3) for regulating the distribution of the compressed air (L) between the agitation nozzle (3.6) and the conveying nozzle (4.2).

12. Particle metering device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying nozzle (4.2) has a plurality of through-holes.

13. Particle discharge system (20), comprising: - a particle metering device (21) according to one of the preceding claims, - a particle storage device (1) for storing particles (P) to be discharged, - a compressed air device (2) for supplying compressed air (L) to the particle metering device (21).

14. Rail vehicle (160) comprising a particle metering device (21) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 12. 15.Method for particle removal comprising the steps: 202416423 23 - Feeding particles (P) to be discharged from a particle storage device (1) to a particle metering device (21), preferably according to one of claims 1 to 12, - Adjusting the air consumption by means of a throttle nozzle (3.4) of the particle metering device (21), which is connected to a compressed air device (2), - Distributing the compressed air (L) between a swirling nozzle (3.6) and a conveying nozzle (4.2) of the particle metering device (21), - Swirling the particles (P) to be discharged and generating overpressure (OP) through the swirling nozzle (3.6), through an annular compressed air channel (3.7) and through a plurality of swirling channels (3.3) of the particle metering device (21), - Generating underpressure (OP) through the conveying nozzle 4.2, - Conveying the particles (P) to be discharged through a swirling chamber (3.1) and a spiral conveying chamber (4.1) the particle metering device to a mixing chamber (9) of the particle metering device (21) with a pressure difference (ΔD) resulting from the overpressure (ÜB) and the underpressure (UN), - blowing the particles (P) out of the mixing chamber (9) with the conveying nozzle (4.2) in the direction of a wheel-rail gap.

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