Effluent Processing Apparatus for Vehicle Air Brake Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle air brake charging systems suffer from the deposition of oil onto roadways due to the purging of oil droplets from air dryers, which contaminates the environment and requires ongoing research for effective cleaning solutions.
Innovation Solution
An effluent processing apparatus that includes a separator device to separate oil and water from the effluent mixture and a mesh screen to selectively allow only oil or water to pass through, with a sump to collect and retain the respective components, ensuring clean air is exhausted and water is drained, thereby preventing oil from being deposited on roadways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air dryer purges oil droplets from the compressor discharge air, then the air drying function is maintained, but oil is deposited onto roadways causing environmental contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes oil droplets from the purged air stream using a coalescing filter element and separator. The oil is separated from the air flow and collected in a reservoir, preventing it from being deposited on roadways while maintaining the air drying function of the purge cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary separation system between the purge valve and the atmosphere. This intermediary device (separator with coalescing filter) captures oil droplets that would otherwise be discharged directly, allowing clean air to be purged while trapping harmful oil components
2Manufacturing precision
If the separator device separates oil and water from effluent mixture, then clean air is provided, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines oil separation and water separation functions into a single integrated separator device. The coalescing filter element handles oil droplet coalescence and removal, while a hydrophobic membrane or microporous filter simultaneously manages water separation, eliminating the need for separate processing steps
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
The apparatus effectively separates oil and water from the effluent mixture, allowing only clean air to be exhausted, while retaining oil or water for proper disposal, thus preventing environmental contamination and enhancing the efficiency of air brake charging systems.
Implementation Method 1
a separator device arranged to receive an effluent mixture containing air, oil, and water to separate oil and water from the effluent mixture
Implementation Method 2
separate oil and water from the effluent mixture and thereby to provide clean air
Implementation Method 3
a member for selectively allowing either only oil or only water of the separated oil and water from the separator device to pass from a first side of the member through openings in the member to a second side of the member
Implementation Method 4
a mesh screen arranged to receive the separated oil and water from the separator device to allow the oil to flow through mesh openings in the mesh screen and to prevent the water from flowing through mesh openings in the mesh screen
Implementation Method 5
a sump arranged to (i) receive and retain the oil on the first side of the member if only water passes from the first side to the second side, and (ii) receive and retain the oil on the second side of the member if only oil passes from the first side to the second side
Data Source
AI summary
An effluent processing device includes an input port to receive an effluent mixture containing air, oil, and water. One or more baffles are positioned between the input port and at least one air outlet to deflect the effluent mixture to assist in separating the oil and the water from the air. A member positioned below the one or more baffles selectively allows only oil of the separated oil and water to pass from a first side of the member through openings in the member to a second side of the member. A sump is arranged to receive and retain the oil on the second side of the member as the oil passes from the first side to the second side. The effluent processing devices includes at least one air outlet through which air is exhausted to atmosphere.