Arrangement for cooling a component

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for cooling a component which, in a locomotive, is arranged in an underfloor region between bogies of the locomotive. The component (UFK) to be cooled is arranged in an underfloor region (UFB) between two bogies (DGST) of the locomotive (LOK). As a constituent part of the locomotive (LOK), a cooling tower (KT) has a fan (LU). The cooling tower (KT) is connected on the inlet side to a side region or roof region (DB) of the locomotive (LOK) and on the outlet side to the underfloor region (UFB) of the locomotive (LOK) such that air (UL) is drawn in from the surroundings of the locomotive (LOK) via the respective region (DB), is conducted through the cooling tower (KT) with the aid of the fan (LU) for cooling purposes and passes back into the surroundings via the underfloor region (UFB). A device (LAMG) for controlling the air direction is arranged at the outlet of the cooling tower (KT), which device can be switched between a first and a second setting. In the first setting, the air (UL) conducted through the cooling tower (KT) is specifically conducted past the component (UFK) in order to pass into the surroundings. In the second setting, the air (UL) conducted through the cooling tower (KT) is specifically directed onto the component (UFK) in order to cool said component and then to pass into the surroundings.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Arrangement for cooling a component

[0003] The invention relates to an arrangement for cooling a component which is located in an underfloor area between the bogies of a locomotive.

[0004] Introduction and State of the Art

[0005] In locomotives, due to the available and generally very limited space, components of the locomotive are also arranged in the underfloor area between the bogies of the locomotive.

[0006] These components, located in the underfloor area, are exposed to extreme temperatures, particularly during the operational use of the locomotive in countries with hot climatic conditions.

[0007] The high track bed temperatures increase the already high operating temperatures of the components (e.g. compressor, air dryer, batteries, etc.) and can massively impair their function and life cycle.

[0008] In locomotives, ambient air is drawn in from an upper side area or roof section of the locomotive using fans and used to cool components in the engine room and traction motors located in the bogie. The heated air is then released into the underfloor area of ​​the locomotive, further exacerbating the problem described above.

[0009] Task

[0010] The object of the invention described below is therefore to provide an arrangement for cooling components located in the underfloor area between the bogies of a locomotive. This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0011] Description of the invention

[0012] The invention relates to an arrangement for cooling a component which is located in an underfloor area between two bogies of a locomotive.

[0013] A cooling tower, as a component of the locomotive, includes a fan. The cooling tower is connected at the inlet to a side or roof area of ​​the locomotive and at the outlet to the underfloor area of ​​the locomotive, so that air is drawn from the locomotive's surroundings via the respective area, passed through the cooling tower by the fan for cooling purposes, and then returned to the surroundings via the underfloor area.

[0014] At the outlet of the cooling tower, a device for controlling the air direction is arranged, which can be switched between a first and a second setting.

[0015] In the first setting, the air directed through the cooling tower is specifically guided past the component in order to escape into the environment.

[0016] In the second setting, the air directed through the cooling tower is specifically aimed at the component to cool it, and then subsequently released into the environment.

[0017] In a further advantageous design, the cooling tower is a power converter cooling tower that incorporates an air-coolant heat exchanger. A power converter of the locomotive is thermally coupled to the cooling tower's fan via this heat exchanger. This allows the power converter to be cooled by the air circulated through the power converter cooling tower.

[0018] In a preferred further development, the airflow control device is switched to the first setting when the power converter is operating at full load. It is switched to the second setting when the power converter is operating at partial load or not at all.

[0019] In an advantageous further development, the first setting is implemented in such a way that heat exchange between the air and the component is largely prevented. The second setting is implemented in such a way that heat exchange between the air and the component is maximized.

[0020] In an advantageous further development, the cooling tower is located in an engine room of the locomotive.

[0021] In an advantageous further development, the device for controlling the air direction is a louvered grille whose louvers are adjustable in their position and / or orientation in order to direct the air from the cooling tower in a targeted manner depending on the setting and in relation to the component.

[0022] In an advantageous further development, the slats are connected to a servo motor, a pneumatic cylinder or an actuator to adjust the position and / or orientation of the slats.

[0023] Advantages:

[0024] The present invention enables the cooling of components in the underfloor area without the need for an additional fan.

[0025] The present invention uses a fan provided in the power converter cooling tower to improve the cooling of the components in the underfloor area.

[0026] The present invention reduces performance losses and increases the service life of underfloor components.

[0027] The present invention reduces or avoids elevated temperatures of the components in the underfloor area.

[0028] Character description:

[0029] The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of a drawing.

[0030] This shows:

[0031] FIG 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the invention,

[0032] FIG 2 with reference to FIG 1 details of the underfloor area of ​​the locomotive,

[0033] FIG 3 with reference to FIG 1 and FIG 2 shows an exemplary embodiment for air control, and

[0034] FIGS. 4 and 5, with reference to FIG. 3, show an air control system. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the invention, while FIG. 2, with reference to FIG. 1, shows details of the underfloor area of ​​the locomotive.

[0035] A locomotive LOK has an engine room MR in which at least one converter cooling tower KT is located.

[0036] The converter cooling tower KT includes a heat exchanger WT, which is thermally coupled to a converter SR of the locomotive LOK, and a fan LÜ.

[0037] The converter cooling tower KT is connected on the inlet side to a roof area DB of the locomotive LOK.

[0038] The converter cooling tower KT is connected on the output side to an underfloor area UFB of the locomotive LOK, the underfloor area being located between bogies DGST of the locomotive LOK.

[0039] With the help of the fan LÜ, ambient air UL of the locomotive LOK is directed from the roof area DB into the converter cooling tower KT.

[0040] The air UL then reaches the heat exchanger WT and is used via the heat exchanger WT to cool the power converter SR.

[0041] The air (UL) is then returned to the environment via the underfloor area (UFB).

[0042] The heat exchanger WT is preferably designed as an air-coolant heat exchanger, whereby heat from the power converter SR is absorbed with the help of the coolant and transferred to the air UL for dissipation.

[0043] In the underfloor area UFB, components UFK are arranged between the bogies DGST of the locomotive LOK, which are to be cooled as described below.

[0044] When the power converter SR is operated at full load, the air UL heated via the heat exchanger WT is directed past the components UFK, as described below, and thus returns to the environment. Preferably, this bypassing occurs in such a way that interaction or heat exchange between the air UL and the components UFK is avoided.

[0045] If the power converter SR is operated in partial load mode or not at all, then the air UL is directed specifically towards the components UFK, as described below, in order to cool them and subsequently to be released back into the environment.

[0046] Preferably, the air UL is directed towards the components UFK in such a way that the interaction or heat exchange of the air UL with the components UFK is maximized.

[0047] This allows the converter cooling tower KT to be used in predetermined or unused phases of the converter SR for additional cooling of the components UFK in the underfloor area UFB.

[0048] The described airflow direction control is based on temperature measurements from temperature sensors. Based on the ambient temperature in the roof area (DB), the underfloor area (UFB), and / or at the components (UFK), the air (UL) that is returned to the environment via the underfloor area (UFB) is either directed specifically towards the components (UFK) of the underfloor area (UFB) or directed specifically around them.

[0049] FIG 3 shows, with reference to FIG 1 and FIG 2, an exemplary embodiment for the corresponding control of the direction of the air UL.

[0050] In the outlet area of ​​the power converter cooling tower KT, a controllable lamellar grid LAMG is arranged, through which the air UL can be guided in a targeted direction.

[0051] For this purpose, the LAMG louvered grille has louvers that can be adjusted in their position and / or orientation so that the air UL from the power converter cooling tower KT is either directed specifically onto the components UFK or directed specifically past them.

[0052] The louvers can be adjusted actively, preferably via a servo motor, pneumatic cylinder, etc., connected to the louvers to change their orientation or position accordingly. Alternatively, the louvers can be controlled passively, preferably via temperature-controlled bimetallic actuators connected to the louvers to change their orientation or position accordingly.

[0053] FIG 4 and FIG 5 show, with reference to FIG 3, a control of the lamellae of the lamellar grid LAMG.

[0054] The louvered grid LAMG shows, as an example, a number of parallel louvers LAM, each of which is rotatably mounted around a pivot point DP.

[0055] The pivot point DP is located at each lamella U\M between a first end of the lamella LAM and a second end of the lamella LAM.

[0056] An actuator STM is connected as part of an actuator system AKT via a linkage GES to the first end of all lamellae LAM.

[0057] FIG 4 shows the actuator STM in a first representation with a movement BEW of the linkage GES caused by the actuator STM and directed to the left from the viewer's point of view.

[0058] The lamellae LAM are rotated or aligned into a first position via the linkage GES so that, from the viewer's point of view, the vertically downward guided air UL is directed to the right over the lamellae LAM - for example, to be guided past the components UFK without interaction.

[0059] FIG 5 shows the actuator STM in a second representation with a movement BEW of the linkage GES caused by the actuator STM and directed to the right from the viewer's point of view.

[0060] The GES linkage rotates or aligns the LAM louvers into a second position so that, from the viewer's perspective, the vertically downward directed air UL is steered to the left over the LAM louvers - for example, to specifically target the UFK components for cooling.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Arrangement for cooling a component (UFK), - with a locomotive (LOK) in which a component to be cooled (UFK) is arranged in an underfloor area (UFB) between two bogies (DGST) of the locomotive (LOK), - with a cooling tower (KT) which, as part of the locomotive (LOK), has a fan (LÜ), - in which the cooling tower (KT) is connected on the inlet side to a side or roof area (DB) of the locomotive (LOK) and on the outlet side to the underfloor area (UFB) of the locomotive (LOK), - so that air (UL) is extracted from the area around the locomotive (LOK) via the respective area (DB), guided through the cooling tower (KT) for cooling purposes with the help of the fan (LÜ) and returned to the environment via the underfloor area (UFB), - in which a device for controlling the air direction (LAMG) is arranged at the outlet of the cooling tower (CT), which is switchable between a first and a second setting, - so that in the first setting the air (UL) directed through the cooling tower (CT) is specifically guided past the component (UFK) to reach the environment, and - so that in the second setting the air (UL) directed through the cooling tower (KT) is specifically directed at the component (UFK) to cool it and then to enter the environment.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the cooling tower (KT) is configured as a power converter cooling tower (KT) The air-coolant heat exchanger (WT) includes a power converter (SR) of the locomotive (LOK) thermally coupled to the fan (LÜ) to achieve cooling of the power converter (SR) by the air (UL) which is directed through the power converter cooling tower (KT).

3. Arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the device for controlling the air direction - is switched to the first setting when the power converter (SR) is operated at full load, and - is switched to the second setting when the power converter (SR) is operating at partial load or not at all.

4. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the first setting is implemented in such a way that heat exchange between the air (UL) and the component (UFK) is largely prevented, and - the second setting is implemented in such a way that heat exchange between the air (UL) and the component (UFK) is maximized.

5. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling tower (KT) is in a The engine room (MR) of the locomotive (LOK) is arranged.

6. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device for controlling the air direction (LAMG) is a louvered grille (LAMG) whose louvers (LAM) are adjustable in their position and / or orientation in order to selectively direct the air (UL) from the cooling tower (KT) according to the setting.

7. Arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the louvers (LAM) are connected to an actuator motor, with a pneumatic cylinders or connected to an actuator to adjust the position and / or alignment of the lamellae (LAM).

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