Horizontal Pneumatic Sand Conveying Device for Rail Sanding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanding systems on rail vehicles face challenges in achieving a compact design for the sand conveying device, which affects the size of the sand storage container and the distance between the sand inlet and outlet, impacting the efficiency and reliability of sand application.

Innovation Solution

A horizontally arranged pneumatic sand conveying device with a hurdle device, mixing device, and outlet device, integrated within a common housing, minimizing the height difference between the sand inlet and outlet, and incorporating features like labyrinth units and Laval nozzles to enhance sand flow and prevent leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the sand conveying device is arranged vertically, then the height difference between sand inlet and outlet is larger, but the device complexity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearrangement simplicityVSAvoidheight difference between sand inlet and outlet
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a vertical arrangement to a horizontal arrangement of the sand conveying device components. The hurdle device, mixing device, and outlet device are positioned sequentially along the horizontal plane rather than stacked vertically, thereby reducing the height difference between sand inlet and outlet while maintaining functional complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of stationary object

If the distance between sand inlet and outlet is reduced, then the sand storage container volume can be increased, but the device layout becomes more constrained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesand storage container volumeVSAvoidlayout constraint
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By arranging the hurdle device, mixing device, and outlet device in a horizontal sequence rather than vertically stacked, the patent reduces the vertical space required, allowing the sand storage container to be positioned optimally and maximizing its volume while maintaining functional separation between components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Length of stationary object

If the sand conveying device is made compact, then the height difference is minimized, but the sand flow reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight difference between sand inlet and outletVSAvoidsand flow reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mixing device that uses compressed air to convey sand horizontally through the compact device. This pneumatic conveying mechanism ensures reliable sand flow through the compact horizontal arrangement by providing sufficient conveying force to move sand through the reduced distance between inlet and outlet

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 compact design allows for a larger sand storage container and optimal sand application, ensuring efficient sand distribution with minimal height difference and preventing clogging, while maintaining a compact form factor.

Implementation Method 1

the mixing device (110) for receiving and conveying sand from the hurdle device (105) by means of compressed air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic conveying: Two-Phase Flow

Implementation Method 2

In the mixing device, the sand can mix with the air from the nozzle and be accelerated toward the sand outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaval nozzle effect: De Laval Nozzle

Data Source

PatentEP4204272B1Pneumatic sand conveying device for a sanding system of a rail vehicle, sanding system, and method for operating a pneumatic sand conveying device
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 KNORR BREMSE GMBH
  • EP4204272B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4204272B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4204272B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pneumatic sand conveying device (100) for a sanding system (500) of a rail vehicle comprises an obstacle device (105) which is fluidically coupled to a sand input (200) for receiving sand from a sand storage container (505), the obstacle device (105) being shaped to form an obstacle between the sand input (200) and a mixing device (110) fluidically coupled to the obstacle device (105). In addition, the sand conveying device (100) has the mixing device (110) for receiving and forwarding sand from the obstacle device (105) by means of compressed air and a discharge device (115) fluidically coupled to the mixing device (110) to dispense the sand from the sand conveying device (100) through a sand outlet (203). The obstacle device (105), the mixing device (110) and the discharge device (115) are arranged in a horizontal plane when the sand conveying device (100) is in a state (140) ready for operation.