Rail Vehicle Compressor Gas Bearing Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail vehicles face difficulties in easily and energy-efficiently removing compressors from their housing for maintenance or repair purposes, as existing removal devices often require stable rollers and rails, which can be cumbersome and energy-intensive.
Innovation Solution
The use of a gas plain bearing that exerts a lifting force on the compressor when pressurized, allowing for horizontal movement without the need for rollers or rails, and utilizing a pressurizable cavity and gas connection to facilitate the compressor's removal, supported by a gas cushion for ease of handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional rollers and rails are used for compressor extraction, then the compressor can be moved horizontally, but the device becomes complex and energy-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies gas slide bearings (pneumatic elements) to support the compressor and enable its horizontal movement. Instead of using mechanical rollers and rails, the invention uses pressurized gas to create a cushion that reduces friction and allows the compressor to be easily extracted from the housing. This pneumatic approach simplifies the extraction device structure while improving ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If traditional rollers and rails are used for compressor extraction, then the compressor can be moved horizontally, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses gas slide bearings that operate with minimal energy input. The pressurized gas creates a lifting and sliding effect that requires significantly less force compared to overcoming the friction of traditional roller-rail systems. This pneumatic mechanism reduces the energy consumption associated with compressor extraction while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If gas slide bearing is used to lift compressor, then removal effort is reduced, but the system requires additional pressurization infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The gas slide bearing system is designed to utilize the rail vehicle's existing compressed air reservoir, eliminating the need for a separate pressurization infrastructure. The compressor can be lifted and moved using the vehicle's own compressed air supply, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding additional complexity. This self-service approach allows the system to leverage existing resources rather than requiring new infrastructure.
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
Enables simple and energy-saving removal of compressors, reducing the effort required to move heavy compressors (up to 400 kg) by leveraging a gas plain bearing that lifts the compressor, allowing for easier horizontal movement and maintenance access.
Implementation Method 1
the gas slide bearing lifts the compressor by forming a horizontal gap between the compressor and a lower support element of the gas slide bearing, and the compressor in the lifted state is supported by a gas cushion, in particular an air cushion, generated by the gas slide bearing
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates, inter alia, to a rail vehicle (10) having at least one compressor (30, 31) which is located in a housing (20) and is suitable for generating compressed air (D) for the rail vehicle (10), a removal device being provided which makes it possible for the compressor (30, 31) to move horizontally or at least approximately horizontally - completely or at least with regard to a portion of the compressor (30, 31) - out of the housing (20). According to the invention, the removal device is formed by a gas-lubricated bearing (40) or also comprises at least one such bearing which, when pressure is applied, exerts a lifting force on the compressor (30, 31), in particular lifts the compressor (30, 31), and enables or at least facilitates a horizontal movement of the compressor (30, 31).