Compressed Air Valve Segmentation for Rail Drive Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Compressed air systems, particularly in rail-borne vehicles, experience energy wastage due to periodic excess pressure in current collector drives caused by external vibrations, leading to unnecessary compressed air loss through the drive controller.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a pneumatically actuated valve to separate the drive system from the drive controller during periods of reduced operation, such as when the vehicle is parked, and utilizing an auxiliary controller with a bypass to maintain pressure and reduce air loss, thereby minimizing the need for continuous compressor operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the drive controller continuously controls the drive to compensate for pressure fluctuations, then the drive maintains proper operation, but compressed air is continuously lost through the drive controller

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive operation stabilityVSAvoidcompressed air loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the control function by introducing a separate pressure control valve that operates independently from the drive controller. This valve monitors pressure fluctuations and compensates them directly at the drive, while the drive controller focuses solely on drive position control. This segmentation eliminates the need for the drive controller to continuously adjust pressure, thereby preventing compressed air loss while maintaining reliable drive operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A pressure control valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the compressed air supply and the drive. This intermediary automatically compensates for pressure fluctuations caused by external vibrations, preventing these fluctuations from reaching the drive controller and eliminating the need for continuous control adjustments that would otherwise consume compressed air.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the compressor continuously supplies compressed air to maintain pressure, then the system maintains adequate pressure levels, but energy is continuously consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure maintenanceVSAvoidcompressor energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from continuous compressor operation to periodic operation. The pressure control valve handles continuous pressure stabilization, allowing the compressor to operate periodically only when additional compressed air is needed to refill the system, rather than running continuously to maintain pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure control valve provides self-service pressure regulation by automatically compensating for pressure fluctuations without requiring continuous compressor intervention. The system becomes self-regulating at the pressure control level, reducing the energy burden on the compressor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Stress or pressure

If the drive controller responds to excess pressure by releasing compressed air, then pressure is regulated, but compressed air is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure regulationVSAvoidcompressed air loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure control valve performs preliminary pressure regulation by compensating for pressure fluctuations before they reach the drive controller. This preliminary action prevents excess pressure from developing in the first place, eliminating the need for the drive controller to release compressed air for pressure regulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts potentially harmful pressure fluctuations into a beneficial automatic control function. The pressure control valve uses the pressure fluctuations themselves as a signal to activate and compensate, turning what would be a harmful condition requiring air release into a beneficial automatic regulation that prevents the harmful condition from occurring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution significantly reduces compressed air loss and energy consumption by allowing the system to maintain pressure without continuous compressor operation, ensuring efficient energy use and uninterrupted contact with the current collector line.

Implementation Method 1

the drive system comprises a valve that is provided so as to pneumatically separate the drive controller from the drive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic separation:

Implementation Method 2

a compressed air reservoir, a compressed air line system and a drive system that is connected on the inlet side to the compressed air reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressed air storage:

Implementation Method 3

Compressed air is often supplied by means of an electrically operated compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS10266057B2Compressed-air system

Publication Date: 2019.04.23 SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH

AI summary

A compressed air system contains a compressed air reservoir, a compressed air line system and a drive system connected on an inlet side to the compressed air reservoir by way of the compressed air line system. The drive system has a drive and a drive controller, the drive system has a valve provided so as to pneumatically separate the drive controller from the drive.