Pantograph Air Supply Sharing With Fuel Cell Oxygen Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail vehicles with pneumatically adjustable pantographs have separate pneumatic compressed air systems for lifting drives, leading to increased complexity and cost, and the integration of fuel cells requires efficient oxygen supply management.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle equipped with a controllable distribution device connected to a main air tank and a fuel cell, where compressed air is distributed based on the fuel cell's oxygen requirement, allowing shared use of a main compressor for both systems, with a control device adjusting the distribution to optimize air storage and usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate pneumatic compressed air systems are used for lifting drives and fuel cells, then each system can be independently controlled, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pneumatic compressed air systems for the lifting drive and fuel cell into a single integrated system. A main compressor supplies compressed air to a distribution device that allocates air to either the fuel cell or the lifting drive as needed. This merging reduces the number of separate systems while maintaining functional independence through the distribution device's switching capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The main compressor is designed as a universal component that serves multiple functions: it can supply compressed air to the fuel cell for oxygen provision, and simultaneously or alternatively supply compressed air to the lifting drive for pantograph adjustment. The distribution device enables this multi-functionality by routing compressed air to different destinations based on system requirements.
2Device complexity
If a single main compressor is used for both fuel cell and pantograph supply, then the number of components is reduced, but the control of oxygen supply and air storage becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution device acts as an intermediary component between the single main compressor and the two consumers (fuel cell and lifting drive). It receives compressed air from the main compressor and intelligently distributes it to the appropriate destination based on system needs, thereby simplifying the overall structure while managing the control complexity of serving multiple functions from one source.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control where the distribution device can switch between different operating modes: directing compressed air to the fuel cell when oxygen is needed, directing air to the main air tank when storage is needed, or directing air to the lifting drive when pantograph adjustment is required. This dynamic allocation optimizes the use of the single compressor while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
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 configuration reduces the number of components, lowers costs, and ensures efficient oxygen supply to both the fuel cell and pantograph, optimizing air storage and usage while minimizing component failure and weight, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one fuel cell, with the controllable distribution device being connected to the main air tank, the main compressor and the at least one fuel cell
Implementation Method 2
a main compressor and at least one fuel cell, with the controllable distribution device being connected to the main air tank, the main compressor
Implementation Method 3
with a main air tank in which air can be stored under pressure and for pneumatic pressurization of the pantograph
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates, inter alia, to a vehicle (10) with at least one pneumatically adjustable pantograph (20) for connection to a trackside power supply network (30), wherein the pantograph (20) is adjustable into an extended contact position, in which it can be in contact with the trackside power supply network (30), and a retracted disconnect position, in which it is separated from the trackside power supply network (30), and with a main air reservoir (60) in which air can be stored under pressure and which can be connected to the pantograph (20) for pneumatic pressurization.According to the invention, the vehicle (10) has a controllable distribution device (90) which is connected to the main air reservoir (60), a main compressor (100) and at least one fuel cell (120) of the vehicle (10) and which, depending on its operating position, can direct the compressed air supplied by the main compressor (100) to the fuel cell (120) or to the main air reservoir (60), and the vehicle (10) has a control device (80) connected to the controllable distribution device (90) which is designed in such a way that it adjusts the distribution device (90) depending on one or more specifications.