Pneumatic Rail Connector Control for Mobile Machine Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power systems for mobile industrial machines, such as overhead electricity-conducting lines, are not practical for remote and uneven environments, leading to project delays and machine downtime due to alignment and coupling issues.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic control system for a mobile machine energy transfer system, comprising a compressor, an accumulator, and a pneumatic control valve, which controls the movement of connecting arms and extendable brushes to connect or disconnect the mobile machine from a conductive rail system using pressurized fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If overhead electricity-conducting lines are used to power mobile industrial machines, then electric power can be supplied to the machine, but the system becomes difficult to align and couple properly, leading to project delays and machine downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic actuators and fluid pressure systems to automatically position and couple the connecting arms with the conductive rails. Compressed air or hydraulic fluid is used to extend/retract arms and adjust their positions, eliminating the need for manual alignment and reducing coupling time and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates self-aligning features where the connecting arms automatically position themselves relative to the conductive rails through mechanical guidance structures and spring-loaded mechanisms. The system performs its own alignment function without requiring external intervention or complex control systems
2Reliability
If a control system is added to connect or disconnect the electrical delivery system to roadside electrical conductors, then the reliability of power transfer is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrical control systems with pneumatic or hydraulic control mechanisms. Fluid pressure is used to actuate connecting arms and contactors, providing reliable power transfer control through simple pressure-actuated valves and accumulators rather than complex electronic control circuits
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a fluid accumulator as an intermediary energy storage device between the power source and the control mechanisms. The accumulator stores pressurized fluid and provides consistent control pressure, mediating between the power system and the connecting mechanisms to ensure reliable operation
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 system enables efficient and reliable connection and disconnection of the mobile machine to the conductive rail system, minimizing downtime and project delays, while providing a nimble and responsive rail connector assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor configured to pressurize a fluid
Implementation Method 2
an accumulator configured to store the pressurized fluid from the compressor
Implementation Method 3
an pneumatic control valve for controlling movement of the plurality of connecting arms and movement of the plurality of extendable brushes
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid control system for controlling pressurized fluid within a mobile energy transfer system, the control system including a compressor configured to pressurize a fluid, an accumulator configured to store the pressurized fluid from the compressor, and a pneumatic control valve for controlling movement for a connecting arm assembly and movement of a plurality of extendable brushes. The fluid control system may include the use of an extension fluid pathway for extending the downstream components and a retraction fluid pathway for retracting the downstream components and regenerating pressure for the control system.