Fluid-pressure and analogous brake systems – Automatic
Patent
1998-05-11
2000-03-28
Schwartz, Chris
Fluid-pressure and analogous brake systems
Automatic
303 542, B60T 1704
Patent
active
060421975
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an air-drying system, in particular for pneumatic brake systems of rail vehicles, which comprises at least two air-drying chambers interconnected with one another via a regeneration line, whereby normally, in a reversibly switchable manner, one of the chambers is used for air drying and the respective other chamber is used for regeneration of the air-drying agent contained in the chambers.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Such air-drying systems are known in the state of the art, and are, for example, distributed by the company Knorr-Bremse. FIG. 2 shows such a prior art-drying system. According to FIG. 2, a cold generating adsorption dryer in a two-chambered embodiment is operated in a two-phase manner, i.e. one drying phase and one regeneration phase are carried out in parallel or simultaneously with one another. While the main airstream is dried in one chamber, for example the right chamber 1R, chamber ) the drying agent in the other chamber 1L is regenerated. As the air flows through the drying agent or adsorbate 37R in the right chamber 1R, the water contained in the air is extracted therefrom to such an extent that the relative humidity of the main airstream upon exiting the right chamber is less than or equal to 35%.
A portion of the dried air is branched off from the main air-stream, expanded through a regeneration line 41 with a regeneration nozzle or orifice 47, arranged therein and blown through the saturated drying agent 37L of the second chamber 1L before being finally exhausted into the atmosphere. The moisture that has been adsorbed into the drying agent 37L in the left chamber 1L during the prior drying phase is now extracted from the drying agent 37L by the extremely dry air passing therethrough. From time to time the functional operating cycle is switched between the two chambers as needed.
In pneumatic systems of rail vehicles, two compressors are often used for long trains and high air consumption in order to reduce the system filling time. In such a case when two compressors are employed for filling, one of the compressors is switched off upon reaching a predetermined system pressure. The normal functional operation is then taken over and carried out by one compressor alone. For cost reasons, the air-stream of both compressors is directed through a single air dryer. In order to prevent an over-saturation of the air-drying system, the regeneration orifice is therefore designed and dimensioned for providing a proper regeneration airflow for the operation of two compressors. In other words basically the regeneration orifice is over-dimensioned for normal operation with one compressor. This results in an excessive air and energy consumption during normal operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, the invention aims to overcome or avoid the disadvantages of the prior art, and to achieve additional advantages, as apparent from the present description.
The above objects have been achieved in an air drying system and method according to the invention, including first and second air drying chambers respectively containing an air drying adsorbate, a first regeneration air line interconnecting the first and second air drying chambers for allowing a first air flow therebetween, and a second regeneration air line including a valve mechanism interconnecting the first and second air drying chambers, wherein the valve mechanism can be switched on and off for selectively allowing a second air flow between the first and second chambers through the second regeneration air line.
In comparison to the above mentioned state of the art, according to the invention at least one further regeneration line, which may be switched on and off as necessary, is connected between the two chambers. The two regeneration lines which preferably provided with respective regeneration orifices, preferably together comprise a cross-sectional area that corresponds to the cross-sectional area of the single typical orifice that is used in the conventional system. By provi
REFERENCES:
patent: 5662727 (1997-09-01), Castle et al.
patent: 5901459 (1999-05-01), Tipp et al.
patent: 5901464 (1999-05-01), Kazakis
Fiebiger Viktor
Zoerner Wilfried
Fasse W. F.
Fasse W. G.
Knorr-Bremse Systeme Fuer Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH
Schwartz Chris
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