Rail Vehicle Underbody Flexible Membrane for Ice Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rail vehicles with ballasted superstructures experience damage from flying ballast, particularly at high speeds, and existing solutions either fail to address infrastructure damage or are impractical for retrofitting existing vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A flexible membrane is installed transversely to the direction of travel, designed to prevent snow and ice accumulation by converting dynamic vibrations into wave-like movements that detach water droplets or ice crystals, combined with a hydrophobic coating and a deformable three-dimensional body for enhanced effectiveness and adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If deflector elements are used to shield the underfloor area, then protection against flying ballast is improved, but cavities are created where snow and ice can accumulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible membrane made of vibration-prone material that is tensioned across the deflector element. This membrane serves dual purposes: it maintains the ballast protection function while preventing snow and ice accumulation through vibration-induced shedding. The flexible film allows the structure to generate beneficial vibrations without compromising the deflector's protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic vibration through the flexible membrane to prevent static snow and ice accumulation. The membrane is designed to vibrate in response to aerodynamic forces and engine vibrations, creating dynamic motion that prevents ice buildup. This transforms a static protective structure into a dynamic system that actively prevents harmful accumulation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the underfloor area is enclosed to protect against flying ballast, then vehicle protection is improved, but infrastructure damage from flying ballast is not addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful aerodynamic forces and vibrations present during high-speed travel into beneficial effects. These same dynamic forces that could potentially cause problems are harnessed to vibrate the membrane, preventing ice accumulation and reducing the risk of flying ballast damaging infrastructure. The system uses the operational conditions themselves as the mechanism for prevention.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If existing vehicles are retrofitted with protective structures, then protection against flying ballast is improved, but the structures may violate ground clearance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin flexible membrane that can be tensioned across the deflector element without adding significant height. This flexible film provides the necessary protective function while maintaining compliance with ground clearance requirements, as it can be made sufficiently thin to avoid violating clearance limits while still being effective at preventing ice accumulation through vibration.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a rigid protective structure is used, then protection against flying ballast is improved, but ice accumulations cannot be effectively prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the rigid protective structure into a dynamic system by incorporating a flexible membrane that vibrates during vehicle operation. These vibrations prevent ice from adhering to the surface by continuously disrupting the formation and accumulation processes. The dynamic motion created by aerodynamic forces and engine vibrations serves to shed ice and snow, preventing harmful accumulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifically utilizes mechanical vibration of the flexible membrane to prevent ice accumulation. The membrane is designed to vibrate in response to aerodynamic forces and engine vibrations, creating mechanical oscillations that prevent ice from bonding to the surface. This vibration mechanism actively disrupts ice formation and promotes shedding of accumulated ice and snow.
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
Effectively prevents ice and snow accumulation, reducing the risk of flying ballast and infrastructure damage, while being lightweight and suitable for retrofitting existing vehicles, with the membrane's design optimizing snow and ice removal even at low speeds.
Implementation Method 1
due to its flexible design, air turbulence in the area of the underbody of the rail vehicle as well as vibrations from the operation of the rail vehicle in addition to dynamic oscillations while the rail vehicle is in motion stimulated. Due to the flexible design of the membrane, these dynamic vibrations are converted into wave-like movement patterns that cover the entire surface of the membrane.
Implementation Method 2
combined with a hydrophobic coating and a deformable three-dimensional body for enhanced effectiveness and adaptability
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a rail vehicle for a driving operation on track systems having a ballasted superstructure. The invention is to effectively prevent or at least significantly reduce an agglomeration of snow and ice in cavities of the vehicle underbody. To this end, the rail vehicle comprises at least one flexible membrane (5) in the region of the underbody, said membrane spanning over hollow spaces or supporting framework structures of the underbody of the rail vehicle that are open toward the track system.