Rail Vehicle Cooling System Outlet Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle cooling systems for rail vehicles face energy losses due to high flow resistance and inefficient cooling capacity distribution, particularly when operating at partial load states, leading to inadequate cooling of secondary components and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The system dynamically adjusts the flow cross-section of the main outlet based on load conditions, maximizing it in full-load states to minimize flow resistance and reducing it in partial load states to ensure sufficient cooling air reaches secondary components, using adjustable actuators and passive control mechanisms to optimize fan performance and reduce energy losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fan speed is increased to provide sufficient cooling air for secondary components, then the cooling capacity for secondary components is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the flow cross-section of the main outlet adjustable based on load conditions. The control unit varies the flow cross-section dynamically - maximizing it in full-load conditions and reducing it in partial-load conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize the distribution of cooling air between main and secondary components, ensuring sufficient cooling for secondary components while minimizing fan power consumption and energy losses.
2Reliability
If the flow cross-section of the main outlet is reduced to increase bypass airflow, then the cooling of secondary components is improved, but the flow resistance to exhaust airflow increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by dynamically adjusting the flow cross-section of the main outlet according to the load condition. In partial-load conditions, the flow cross-section is reduced to increase bypass airflow to secondary components, while in full-load conditions, it is maximized to minimize flow resistance. This dynamic control prevents excessive energy losses while ensuring adequate cooling of secondary components.
3Reliability
If the fan operates at higher speed to maintain cooling capacity, then the cooling performance is improved, but the back pressure effect from counter-flow of air is exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the flow cross-section of the main outlet variable based on load conditions and fan speed. When the fan operates at higher speeds, the flow cross-section is adjusted to account for back pressure effects from counter-flow of air. This dynamic adjustment maintains effective cooling performance while minimizing the adverse effects of back pressure and reducing energy losses.
4Loss of energy
If the flow cross-section of the main outlet is maximized in full-load condition, then the flow resistance is minimized, but the bypass airflow may be insufficient in partial-load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through dynamic adjustment of the flow cross-section of the main outlet. In full-load conditions, the flow cross-section is maximized to minimize flow resistance and energy losses. In partial-load conditions, the flow cross-section is reduced to ensure sufficient bypass airflow to secondary components. This dynamic control strategy ensures optimal performance across all operating conditions.
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 allows the vehicle cooling system to operate in the most energetically favorable partial load state, ensuring effective cooling of both main and secondary components while significantly reducing energy losses and fan output, thus minimizing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The vehicle cooling system includes a radiator through which cooling air flows for cooling at least one main component, to which at least one blower chamber with a blower is connected downstream
Implementation Method 2
the control device (15) allows a flow cross-section (Sa) of the main outlet (6a) to be varied
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle cooling system (1) for a rail vehicle. The vehicle cooling system (1) comprises a cooler (3) which can be flowed through by cooling air (2) and which serves for cooling at least one auxiliary component and which is adjoined, downstream, by at least one blower chamber (4a, 4b) with in each case one blower (5a, 5b). The at least one blower chamber (4a, 4b) has in each case one main outlet (6a, 6b) and one auxiliary outlet (9a, 9b) through which exit air (7) can flow out of the vehicle cooling system (1) and auxiliary component cooling air (10) can flow out to an auxiliary component (11) of the rail vehicle. The vehicle cooling system (1) furthermore has an exit-air channel (12) with an exit-air outlet (13) which feeds the auxiliary component cooling air (10) from the auxiliary outlet (9a, 9b) to the auxiliary component (11).A control device (15) of the vehicle cooling system (1) controls the cooling of the auxiliary component (11) with the auxiliary component cooling air (10).According to the invention, a flow cross section (Sa, Sb) of the main outlet (6a, 6b) can be varied by means of the control device (15), wherein the flow cross section (Sa, Sb) is maximized in a full-load state of the vehicle cooling system (1) and is reduced in any of the part-load states of the vehicle cooling system (1). The invention also relates to a method for controlling the vehicle cooling system (1).