Pilot-Operated Non-Return Valve for Compressed Air Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressed air supply installations for pneumatic systems, particularly in vehicles, face challenges in achieving quick and flexible venting while ensuring effective dryer regeneration, often resulting in inefficient energy loss and complex designs.
Innovation Solution
A compressed air supply installation with a pneumatically pilot-operated non-return valve that allows for rapid venting and flexible operation, decoupling the air dryer from the pneumatic installation to prevent unnecessary air flow and reduce energy loss, featuring a simple design with a single pilot-operated non-return valve for both filling and venting processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional compressed air supply installation is used for quick venting, then venting speed is improved, but energy loss increases and dryer regeneration becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically controllable isolating valve that can switch between open and closed states based on operational requirements. During quick venting operations, the valve opens to allow rapid air discharge, while during regeneration phases, it closes to prevent energy loss and maintain pressure for effective dryer regeneration. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction between venting speed and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolating valve acts as an intermediary element between the compressed air supply installation and the pneumatic installation. It mediates the air flow by selectively connecting or disconnecting the dryer from the venting path, enabling quick venting when open while preventing unnecessary air flow through the dryer during venting, thus reducing energy loss without compromising venting performance.
2Device complexity
If the air dryer is continuously connected to the pneumatic installation, then air handling is simplified, but unnecessary air flow occurs and energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air flow path by introducing an isolating valve that divides the connection between the compressed air supply installation and the pneumatic installation. This segmentation allows independent control of air flow to the dryer versus air flow to the pneumatic installation, preventing unnecessary air flow through the dryer while maintaining simple air handling through automated valve control based on operational state.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complex valve arrangement is used for both filling and venting, then operational flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The isolating valve serves multiple functions: it acts as a non-return valve during normal operation, provides quick closure during venting operations, and enables isolation of the dryer during regeneration. This multi-functionality achieves operational flexibility without requiring separate specialized valves for each function, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
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 solution enables efficient and flexible operation, reducing energy loss during venting and regeneration, while maintaining effective air handling and acoustic performance, thus improving the reliability and efficiency of the compressed air supply system.
Implementation Method 1
An air dryer has a desiccant, generally in the form of a granular fill, through which the compressed air can flow, allowing the granular fill to take up moisture contained in the compressed air by adsorption.
Implementation Method 2
a first pneumatic connection between the compressed air feed and the compressed air port, which connection has an air dryer and a non-return valve
Data Source
AI summary
A compressed air supply installation for operating a pneumatic installation, especially an air suspension installation of a vehicle, includes a compressed air supply unit, a compressed air port towards the pneumatic installation, a venting port towards the surroundings, a first pneumatic connection between the compressed air supply and the compressed air port, the first pneumatic connection having an air drier and a shut-off valve, and a second pneumatic connection between the compressed air port and the venting port. The shut-off valve is a pneumatically pilot-controlled check valve.