Rail Wheel-Rail Nozzle Mixing for Precise Friction Dosing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems for dispensing friction-optimizing mixtures of lubricants and grits between rail wheels and rails face inefficiencies due to aerodynamic deflections and separation of components, leading to suboptimal friction management and potential clogging.

Innovation Solution

A device with separate conveying devices for lubricants and grits that merge into a common discharge nozzle, utilizing compressed air to enhance discharge energy and mixing only at the point of application, preventing separation and allowing for optimal dosing based on real-time conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If lubricant and grit are conveyed separately through separate conveying devices, then component separation is prevented and dosing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying system is divided into two separate conveying devices: one for lubricant and one for grit. Each device independently conveys its respective component to the discharge nozzle, preventing mixing during transport and ensuring precise dosing control for each component separately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Two separate conveying devices merge at the common discharge nozzle where lubricant and grit are combined just before application. This merging point allows precise control of each component's dosage while achieving the desired mixture at the point of application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Power

If compressed air is used to enhance discharge energy, then discharge effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge energyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Compressed air is introduced through a dedicated air line to the discharge nozzle to provide pneumatic energy to the discharged mixture. This enhances the discharge effectiveness and ensures proper distribution of the friction-optimizing mixture into the gap between rail and wheel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

Ensures reliable, trouble-free dispensing of friction-optimizing mixtures, maintaining component integrity and optimizing friction coefficients between rail wheels and rails, reducing wear and noise while minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

at least one conveying device for conveying the at least one lubricant and at least one conveying device for conveying the at least one grit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic conveying: Gas Lift

Implementation Method 2

an additional compressed air line is provided, which opens into the common discharge nozzle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air expansion: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3707049B1Device and method for dispensing a friction-coefficient-optimizing mixture
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 NOWE
  • EP3707049B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3707049B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) and to a method for dispensing a friction-coefficient-optimizing mixture (2), of at least one lubricant (3) and at least one grit (4), into the gap (5) between a rail wheel (6) of a rail vehicle (7) and a rail (8), the device comprising: a reservoir (9) for the lubricant (3); at least one reservoir (10) for the one grit (4); a metering unit (11) for metering the lubricant (3); a metering unit (12) for metering the grit (4); a delivery apparatus (13) for delivering the lubricant (3); a delivery apparatus (14) for delivering the grit (4); and a common dispensing nozzle (15). According to the invention, the delivery apparatus (13) for delivering the lubricant (3) and the delivery apparatus (14) for delivering the grit (4) are separate from each other and end in the common dispensing nozzle (15), the friction-coefficient-optimizing mixture (2) therefore not being formed until the dispensing, and an additional compressed air line (25) is provided, which ends in the common dispensing nozzle (15).