Parallel Compressor Reservoir Charging System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for supplying compressed air to central tire inflation systems in vehicles, such as buses and trucks, face challenges in meeting demand within acceptable time frames, leading to the need for large air reservoirs that are space-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A charging system that simultaneously supplies dry compressed air from both a compressor and a reservoir, with the compressor and reservoir arranged in parallel, allowing for fluid communication and controlled flow to meet demand by switching between sources based on pressure conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If air reservoirs are used to supply compressed air to meet large demands, then the demand can be satisfied, but the reservoirs must have large sizes which consume valuable space in buses and trucks
Solution Approach 1:
The air storage system is segmented into multiple smaller reservoirs (first air reservoir and second air reservoir) rather than using a single large reservoir. This segmentation allows the system to achieve the required total compressed air supply capacity while reducing the volume of any single reservoir component and allowing more flexible spatial arrangement within the vehicle constraints.
2Volume of moving object
If compressors are used to supply compressed air, then the space requirement is reduced, but the compressors are incapable of meeting large demands within an acceptable time period
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functions of multiple air reservoirs (first air reservoir and second air reservoir) with compressor capability. The reservoirs store compressed air for immediate discharge while the compressor provides continuous refilling, creating a hybrid system that achieves both high supply rate (from reservoir discharge) and sustained operation (from compressor refilling).
Solution Approach 2:
The air reservoirs are pre-charged with compressed air before it is needed for tire inflation. This preliminary storage of compressed air allows the system to meet sudden large demands immediately from the reservoirs without waiting for the compressor to generate the air, thus achieving high productivity when demanded.
3Device complexity
If a single source supplies compressed air, then the system is simpler, but it cannot meet both space constraints and demand requirements simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is designed with multi-functionality to handle different operating conditions. The first and second air reservoirs can operate independently or simultaneously, and the compressor can refill either or both reservoirs. This universal design allows the system to adapt to various demand scenarios while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized components and control logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A charging system used for supplying compressed air to a destination includes a compressor for generating the compressed air and a reservoir capable of being alternately discharged and recharged with the compressed air. A supply line fluidly connects the compressor, the reservoir, and the destination. A control valve positioned along the supply line is used in controlling flow of the compressed air from the charging system to the destination. A first branch line and a second branch line are positioned between the reservoir and the supply line. A check valve is positioned along the first branch line that when opened allows the compressed air to flow out of the reservoir into the supply line and when closed prohibits the compressed air from flowing into or out of the reservoir. A pressure protection valve is positioned along the second branch that opens to allow the compressed air to flow into the reservoir when the pressure in the supply line is above a threshold pressure.