Counter-Pressure Flow Device for Rail Sanding Pipes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pneumatic sand conveying devices for rail vehicles lack effective control over back pressure, leading to inefficient sand conveyance and requiring specialized blow-out devices for emptying sanding pipes.

Innovation Solution

A flow device with a controllable counter-pressure system, comprising a conveying channel and a counter-pressure device that generates back pressure by blowing air against or perpendicular to the sand conveying direction, allowing for adjustable sand mass flow and easy pipe emptying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If back pressure is not controlled in pneumatic sand conveying devices, then the device structure remains simple, but sand conveyance efficiency is poor and specialized blow-out devices are required for emptying

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesand conveyance efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The counter-pressure device serves multiple functions: it controls back pressure during normal sand conveyance operation and enables emptying of the sanding pipe by reversing the pressure gradient. This eliminates the need for separate blow-out devices while maintaining结构简单性.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own compressed air supply to generate counter-pressure for emptying the sanding pipe, rather than requiring external blow-out devices. The compressed air connection serves both normal operation and emptying functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Quantity of substance

If back pressure is controlled by varying conveying air mass flow, then sand mass flow can be adjusted, but conveying speed varies and control precision is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesand mass flowVSAvoidconveying speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The control function is segmented into two independent components: conveying air mass flow controls sand mass flow, while counter-pressure controls conveying speed. This separation allows independent adjustment of each parameter without affecting the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the control parameter for sand mass flow from conveying air mass flow to back pressure. By controlling back pressure independently, the system can adjust sand mass flow while maintaining constant conveying speed, improving control precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If specialized blow-out devices are used for emptying sanding pipes, then emptying function is achieved, but device complexity and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe emptying operationVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The counter-pressure device performs both normal sand conveyance and pipe emptying functions. By reversing the pressure gradient through the same device, the system eliminates specialized blow-out devices while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system inverts the pressure gradient by generating counter-pressure to empty the sanding pipe. Instead of using external blow-out devices, the compressed air connection generates pressure in the opposite direction to push sand back to the storage container.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 precise control of sand mass flow and efficient emptying of sanding pipes without specialized blow-out devices, maintaining conveying speed and reducing operational complexity.

Implementation Method 1

The controllable counter-pressure device is arranged and/or shaped to move counter to or, according to an alternative exemplary embodiment, perpendicularly to the conveying direction 215 of the sand 210 conveyed in the conveying channel device 200

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow:

Implementation Method 2

The controllable counter-pressure device can have at least one first nozzle unit 280, which is arranged between the injection device 275 and the delivery channel device 200

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJet flow: Jet

Data Source

PatentEP3691950B1Flow device and method for controlling and/or adjusting a counter pressure in a pneumatic sand-conveying device for a rail vehicle, and sand-conveying device having a flow device
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 KNORR BREMSE SYST FUR SCHIENENFAHRZEUGE GMBH
  • EP3691950B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3691950B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3691950B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A flow device (110) for controlling and/or adjusting a counter pressure (115) in a pneumatic sand-conveying device (105) for a rail vehicle has at least one conveying channel device (200) and a controllable counter pressure device (205). The conveying channel device (200) is formed to convey sand (210). The controllable counter pressure device (205) is coupled to the conveying channel device (200), and arranged and/or formed to generate the counter pressure (115) against and/or perpendicular to a conveying direction (215) of the sand (210) conveyed in the conveying channel device (200), or against and/or perpendicular to an intended conveying direction (215) of the sand (210) that can be conveyed in the conveying channel device (200).