Vehicle Pneumatic Venting With Reduced-Pressure Compressor Bleed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic systems in vehicles, particularly large vehicles like trucks and buses, experience significant noise and acoustic nuisance during the venting of compressed air due to the release of air at high pressures, which is not effectively mitigated by current noise reduction solutions that often require complex modifications to the air pressure management system.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where the air compressor operates at a reduced speed after reaching the cut-out pressure, allowing compressed air to leak through the compressor without a non-return valve, and the exhaust port is opened to release air at a reduced pressure, reducing noise without modifying the air pressure management system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If compressed air is released at cut-out pressure through the exhaust port, then the pneumatic circuit is quickly vented, but high noise and acoustic nuisance are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The air compressor operates at reduced speed before the exhaust port opens, preliminarily reducing the pressure in the discharge line from cut-out pressure to a lower level. This preliminary pressure reduction ensures that when the exhaust port opens, the noise is significantly reduced while venting still occurs efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure parameter dynamically by operating the air compressor at variable reduced speeds (first reduced speed, then second reduced speed) before venting. This parameter change transforms the high-pressure release into a low-pressure release, directly addressing the noise problem while maintaining acceptable venting performance
2Object-affected harmful factors
If restrictors or silencers are used to reduce noise, then acoustic nuisance is reduced, but the air pressure management system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The air compressor itself serves the dual function of both pressurizing the pneumatic circuit and reducing its own discharge pressure through variable speed operation. The control unit leverages the compressor's inherent variable speed capability to perform noise reduction without requiring external restrictors or silencers, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding additional components
Solution Approach 2:
The air compressor is made multi-functional by using its variable speed capability not only for normal operation but also for pressure reduction during venting. This universal approach allows one component (the air compressor) to perform multiple functions (pressurization and pressure reduction), eliminating the need for separate noise reduction devices
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the air compressor operates at reduced speed before venting, then noise is reduced, but the overall venting process takes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The venting process is divided into periodic phases with different compressor speeds: first operating at a first reduced speed to lower pressure from cut-out level, then switching to a second reduced speed to further reduce pressure, and finally opening the exhaust port. This periodic action with varying speeds optimizes both noise reduction and time efficiency
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 approach effectively lowers the acoustic level of noise generated during venting by releasing compressed air at a reduced pressure, simplifying the process and avoiding the need for complex system modifications, making it a more efficient and straightforward noise reduction method.
Implementation Method 1
the air compressor not being airtight so that in the absence of non-return valve in the discharge line between the air compressor and the air pressure management system, a leakage of compressed air occurs through the air compressor
Data Source
AI summary
Method for venting a pneumatic system of a vehicle, pneumatic system and vehicle Method for venting a pneumatic system (1) of a vehicle, the pneumatic system (1) comprising an air compressor (4), a pneumatic circuit (2), an air pressure management system (6) in communication with the air compressor (4) and the pneumatic circuit (2), and a control unit, the method comprising: —while pressure in the pneumatic circuit (1) is less than a cut-out pressure, supplying the pneumatic circuit (2) with compressed air from the air compressor (4) operated at an operating speed through the air pressure management system (6), —once pressure in the pneumatic circuit (2) reaches the cut-out pressure, lowering pressure in the pneumatic circuit (2) to a target pressure, the air compressor (4) being operated at at least one deflating speed lower than the operating speed, the deflating speed being non null, —after pressure in the pneumatic circuit (2) has reached the cut-out pressure, releasing compressed air in the air pressure management system (6) to the outside environment.