Compressed Air Purge Valve Control for Ice Accumulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compressed air systems in vehicles face issues with matter accumulation, such as ice formation, leading to malfunctions and component strain, and existing heating methods are inefficient and strain components like the air compressor.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a purge valve that opens to vent air from the compressed air system between the air compressor and processing element when data indicates accumulation, maintaining the open state until pressure drops below a threshold, allowing the air compressor to operate efficiently and heat the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the air compressor is operated continuously to heat the compressed air system, then the system temperature increases and matter accumulation is reduced, but the air compressor experiences increased strain and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic heating cycles where the air compressor is activated intermittently rather than continuously. The control unit monitors temperature sensors and activates the compressor only when temperature thresholds are not met, creating periodic on/off cycles that achieve heating while reducing cumulative strain on the compressor components.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressed air system uses its own operational cycles to provide heating. During normal compression operations, the heat generated is utilized to warm the system components, eliminating the need for dedicated continuous heating operation and reducing compressor strain while maintaining effective temperature management.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the purge valve is opened to vent air and heat the system, then matter accumulation is removed and system temperature increases, but compressed air is lost and the air compressor must work harder to maintain pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical purge valve system with an electronically controlled heating element system. Instead of mechanically venting air through an open purge valve, electric heating elements are activated to heat the system components directly, eliminating compressed air loss while achieving the same thermal effect of preventing matter accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system monitors temperature parameters and dynamically adjusts heating element activation based on real-time temperature readings. This parameter-based control ensures heating is applied only when and where needed, preventing matter accumulation effectively while minimizing energy consumption and avoiding unnecessary compressed air venting.
3Stress or pressure
If the air pressure is maintained at high levels to ensure system operation, then pneumatic components have sufficient pressure, but ice formation and matter accumulation occur more readily in cold conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary heating action before cold weather operations or before pressure buildup that could lead to condensation. Temperature sensors detect cold conditions in advance, and heating elements are activated preemptively to warm system components, preventing ice formation and matter accumulation before they can occur during high-pressure operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously receives feedback from temperature and pressure sensors throughout the system. Based on this real-time feedback, the control unit dynamically adjusts both pressure regulation and heating element activation, maintaining optimal pressure levels while applying heat precisely where and when temperature thresholds indicate matter accumulation risk, thereby resolving the contradiction between pressure maintenance and ice prevention.
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
Efficient and reliable heating of the compressed air system components, preventing and removing matter, and allowing the use of sensitive air compressors like rotary compressors without damage, while maintaining system efficiency and reducing noise.
Implementation Method 1
an air compressor configured to compress air to an air pressure accumulator via an air processing element
Implementation Method 2
a purge valve controllable to an open state to vent air from the compressed air system at a location between the air compressor and the air processing element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A method (100) of operating a compressed air system (1) of a vehicle (2) is disclosed. The compressed air system (1) comprises a purge valve (55) controllable to an open state to vent air from the compressed air system (1) at a location between an air compressor (3) and an air processing element (5'). The method (100) comprises the step of controlling (110) the purge valve (55) to the open state if data is indicative of at least one of a preceding, an ongoing and an upcoming accumulation of matter in at least one component (3, 5, 5') of the compressed air system (1) and maintaining (112) the purge valve (55) in the open state until the air pressure in the compressed air system (1) declines below a threshold pressure. The present disclosure further relates to a computer program, a computer-readable medium (200), a control arrangement (21), a compressed air system (1), and a vehicle (2).