SE1651193A1

SE1651193A1 - A method of efficiently storing more air onboard vehicles

Info

Publication number: SE1651193A1
Application number: SE1651193A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Junesand Erik; Kettunen Kim; Olsson Carl-Otto; Skarp Johanna
Original assignee: Scania Cv Ab
Priority date: 2016-09-06
Filing date: 2016-09-06
Publication date: 2018-03-07
Also published as: DE102017008197A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement (12) for controlling pressurized gas in a vehicle (1), comprising a first compressor (14) for pressurizing gas to a first pressure, a power source (15) for driving the first compressor (14), a reservoir (18) for storing the pressurized gas, and at least one component (24 -30) for consuming the pressurized gas. A second compressor (16) is arranged downstream of the first compressor (14), wherein the second compressor (16) is adapted to increase the pressure of the gas to a second pressure. The invention also relates to a vehicle, which comprises such an arrangement (12). The invention also relates to a method for controlling pressurized gas in a vehicle (1)·

Description

A method of efficiently storing more air onboard vehicles A |\/IETHOD AND AN APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING PRESSURIZEDGAS IN A VEHICLE TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for controlling pressur-ized gas in a vehicle according to the appended claims. The invention also re-lates to a vehicle comprising such an arrangement according to the appended claims.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART Pneumatic systems in heavy vehicles typically comprise a compressor forpressurizing gas, such as air, and one or several reservoirs for storing thepressurized gas. From the reservoir the pressurized gas is supplied to differentcomponents for consuming the pressurized gas. lf the vehicle is a commercialheavy vehicle, the components may for example be pneumatic cylinders forthe braking system, pneumatic controlling elements in the gearbox, pneumaticpower elements for lowering and raising a chassis of the vehicle or bus specificcomponents such as pneumatic actuator for opening and closing a door in thebus.

Some of these components consume a large volume of pressurized gas.Therefore, large reservoirs or several small reservoirs are arranged in the vehi- cle, so that a large volume of pressurized gas always is available.

However, such large reservoirs or several small reservoirs have a large weightand take a large space in the vehicle. This results in increased fuel consump-tion of the vehicle and also in a decreased load capacity and storage space inthe vehicle.

The storage reservoirs used in for example buses, store compressed air at aspecific pressure which also is the operating pressure of the pneumatic com-ponents to which the stored compressed air is supplied. Such storage reser-voirs have a relatively large size. Thus, it is desirable to significantly reduce the size and weight of compressed air storage reservoirs.

Document WO2015173545A1 discloses a pressurized gas storage apparatusfor use as a gas source in a pneumatic device. The apparatus comprises a re-gion of adsorptive material that increases a storage volume of a pressurizedgas storage reservoir. The adsorptive material may for example be active car-bon.

However, in some applications it is not useful to arrange adsorptive material ina gas storage reservoir. Also, the weight of the gas storage reservoir increasesif filled or partly filled with an adsorptive material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Despite prior art there is a need to develop an arrangement, which can storean increased volume of gas in the vehicle without the need of upgrading com-ponents regarding an increased volume and pressure. There is also a need for effectively generating an increased volume of gas in the vehicle.

An object of the present invention is thus to achieve an arrangement which canstore an increased volume of gas in the vehicle without the need of upgrading components regarding an increased volume and pressure.

Another object of the invention is to achieve a method for effectively generat- ing an increased volume of gas in the vehicle.

The herein mentioned objects and other objects are achieved by an arrange-ment for controlling pressurized gas in a vehicle, a vehicle comprising such an arrangement and by means of a method for controlling pressurized gas in avehicle according to the independent claims.

Such an arrangement for controlling pressurized gas in a vehicle may com-prise a first compressor for pressurizing gas to a first pressure, a power sourcefor driving the first compressor, a reservoir for storing the pressurized gas, andat least one component for consuming the pressurized gas. A second com-pressor is arranged downstream of the first compressor, wherein the secondcompressor is adapted to increase the pressure of the gas to a second pres-sure. The second pressure is thus higher than the first pressure.

By means of such an arrangement a large volume of pressurized gas is alwaysavailable in the vehicle. Thus, a large volume of pressurized gas may be deliv-ered to components that consume a large volume of pressurized gas. Also, theweight and size of the reservoirs may be reduced, so that the fuel consumptionof the vehicle may be decreased and also the load capacity and the storage space in the vehicle may be increased.

According to an aspect of the invention the second compressor may be abooster regulator, which is driven by the first compressor. Such a booster regu- lator may be driven by the gas pressurized by the first compressor.

According to an aspect of the invention the power source may be a powertrainof the vehicle, and the first compressor may be driven by braking energy whenbraking the vehicle. When the first compressor is driven by braking energygenerated by the vehicle, the fuel consumption for driving the vehicle will bereduced. However, the powertrain may also provide power to the first compres-sor even if not braking the vehicle. Thus, an internal combustion engine or an-other type of engine in the powertrain may provide power to the first compres- SOI”.

According to an aspect of the invention the second compressor may be drivenby the power source. lnstead of using the first compressor for driving the sec-ond compressor it is also possible to use a separate power source, such as anelectrical motor to drive the second compressor. This may increase the flexibil-ity of the arrangement.

According to an aspect of the invention the power source may be a powertrainof the vehicle, and the first and second compressors may be so connected tothe powertrain that they are driven by braking energy when braking the vehi-cle. When both the first and second compressor are driven by braking energygenerated by the vehicle, the fuel consumption for driving the vehicle will bereduced. However, the powertrain may also provide power to both the first andsecond compressor even if not braking the vehicle. Thus, an internal combus-tion engine or another type of engine in the powertrain may provide power tothe first and second compressor.

According to an aspect of the invention a dryer element may be arrangeddownstream of the pressure reducer and upstream of the at least one compo-nent for consuming the pressurized gas. The dryer element will remove watervapour from the compressed and pressurized gas. Also, the dryer elementmay distribute the pressurized gas to a number of components which are ar- ranged for consuming the pressurized gas.

According to an aspect of the invention the dryer element may be arranged be-tween the first and second compressors. When arranging the dryer elementbetween the first and second compressors, the drying element may distributepressurized gas to some components which are arranged for consuming asmall volume of the pressurized gas. Other components, which consume alarge volume of pressurized gas, are connected to the arrangement down- stream the second compressor and after the reservoir.

According to an aspect of the invention at least one pressure reducer is ar-ranged downstream the second compressor for reducing the pressure of thegas from the second pressure to a third pressure. The third pressure may beadapted to the design of the components for consuming the pressurized gas.Therefore, there is no need to upgrade the components to withstand the higher second pressure.

A vehicle may comprise such an arrangement for contro||ing pressurized gas.Especially heavy vehicles, such as buses, have pneumatic cylinders for open-ing doors, pneumatic power elements for lowering and raising a chassis of thebus, pneumatic contro||ing elements in the gearbox, and pneumatic actuatorsfor adjusting seats in the vehicle. These components consume a large volumeof pressurized gas and therefore the arrangement according to the inventionmay deliver a large volume of pressurized gas, which is enough for drivingthese components.

According to an aspect of the invention a method for contro||ing pressurizedgas in a vehicle is provided.

The method comprises the steps of: a) increasing the pressure of the gas from the first pressure to a second pres-sure by a second compressor downstream of the first compressor; b) storing the gas at the second pressure in the reservoir; c) releasing the gas from the reservoir; d) reducing the pressure of the gas from the second pressure to a third pres-sure by a pressure reducer; and e) supplying the gas to the at least one component.

By the method a large volume of pressurized gas always is available in the ve-hicle. Thus, a large volume of pressurized gas may be delivered to compo-nents that consume a large volume of pressurized gas, without the need to up-grade the components to withstand the higher second pressure. The weightand size of the reservoirs may be reduced, so that the fuel consumption of the vehicle may be decreased and also the load capacity and the storage space inthe vehicle may be increased.

According to an aspect of the invention the second compressor may be abooster regulator, which in step a) is driven by the first compressor. Thebooster regulator may be driven by the gas pressurized by the first compres- SOI”.

According to an aspect of the invention the power source may be a powertrainof the vehicle, and the first compressor may be driven by braking energy whenbraking the vehicle. When the first compressor is driven by braking energygenerated by the vehicle, the fuel consumption for driving the vehicle will bereduced.

According to an aspect of the invention the second compressor in step a) maybe driven by the power source. lnstead of using the first compressor for drivingthe second compressor it is also possible to use a separate power source,such as an electrical motor to drive the second compressor. This may increasethe flexibility of the arrangement.

According to an aspect of the invention the power source may be a powertrainof the vehicle, and the first and second compressors may be driven by brakingenergy when braking the vehicle. When both the first and second compressorsare driven by braking energy generated by the vehicle, the fuel consumption for driving the vehicle will be reduced.

According to an aspect of the invention a dryer element may be arrangeddownstream of the pressure reducer and upstream of the at least one compo-nent for consuming the pressurized gas. The dryer element will remove watervapour from the compressed and pressurized gas. Also, the dryer elementmay distribute the pressurized gas to a number of components which are ar-ranged for consuming the pressurized gas.

Further objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will becomeapparent to one skilled in the art from the following details, and also by puttingthe invention into practice. Whereas the invention is described below, it shouldbe noted that it is not restricted to the specific details described. Specialistshaving access to the teachings herein will recognise further applications, modi-fications and incorporations within other fields, which are within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSBelow is a description of, as examples, preferred embodiments of the inventionwith reference to the enclosed drawings, in which: Figure 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle provided with an arrangement ac- cording to the invention, Figure 2 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of the arrangement ac- cording to the invention, Figure 3 schematically illustrates a second embodiment of the arrangement ac- cording to the invention, Figure 4 schematically illustrates a third embodiment of the arrangement ac- cording to the invention, Figure 5 schematically illustrates a booster regulator, and Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a method for controlling pressurized gas in a ve- hicle according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure i schemaiicaiiy shows a side view of a vehicie i provided iiviih an ar-rangement 12 for controlling pressurized gas in the vehicle 1. The vehicie 1aiso comprises a powertrain 2, which comprises an iriiçernai cembustieh engine4, a gearbox 6, and a prdpeiier shaft 1G connected to driving wheeis 8. The ve-hicle 1 may be a bus or another type of heavy vehicle. The vehicle 1 is pro-vided with a pneumatic cylinder 24 for a braking system 52 and pneumaticcontrolling elements 28 in the gearbox 6. Also, especially if the vehicie i is abus, ihe vehicie i may be previded vviih a pneumatic power element 26 forlowering and rising a chassis 56 and a pneumatic actuator 30 for opening and closing a door 62 in the vehicle 1.

Figure 2 sehematieaiiy shows a first embodiment of the arrangement 12 forcontrolling pressurized gas in the vehicle 1 according to the invention. The ar-rangement 12 comprises a first compressor 14 for pressurizing gas to a firstpressure. The pressurized gas may be air, but may also be another gas suita- ble to use in the vehicle 1.

The first compressor 14 is driven by a power source 15, which may be thepowertrain 2 of the vehicle 1. The power source 15 is schematically disclosedin fig. 2. A second compressor 16 is arranged downstream of the first compres-sor 14, wherein the second compressor 16 is adapted to increase the pressureof the gas to a second pressure. The second compressor 16 may be driven bythe power source 15 or may be driven by the first compressor 14. lf the secondcompressor 16 is driven by the first compressor 14, the second compressormay be a booster regulator 16. Such a booster regulator 16 is described in connection to fig. 5 below. As mentioned above, the power source 15 may bethe powertrain 2 of the vehicle 1. However, the power source 15 may also bean electric motor adapted for driving the first and second compressors 14, 16.

A bypass conduit 17 for pressurized gas is arranged to bypass the secondcompressor 16 if the pressure of the gas should not be increased to a secondpressure. A valve 19 is arranged to control the flow of pressurized gas from thefirst compressor 14 to the second compressor 16 or to a reservoir 18 for stor- ing the pressurized gas.

Both the first compressor 14 and the second compressor 16 may also bedriven by braking energy when braking the vehicle 1. lf the second compressor16 is driven by the first compressor 14, also the second compressor 16 is indi-rectly driven by braking energy when the first compressor 14 is driven by brak-ing energy when braking the vehicle 1. Thus, if the second power source 15 isthe powertrain 2, braking energy is delivered via the powertrain 2 to the firstand second compressors 14, 16 when braking the vehicle 1. However, asmentioned above, the powertrain 2 may also provide power to both the firstand second compressor 14, 16 even if not braking the vehicle 1. Thus, the in-ternal combustion engine 4 or another type of engine in the powertrain 2 may provide power to the first and second compressor 14, 16.

The pressurized gas is stored in the reservoir 18. According to the first embodi-ment the reservoir 18 is arranged downstream of the second compressor 16.The reservoir 18 is designed to withstand the second pressure and to have a size to contain a predetermined volume of pressurized gas.

Downstream of the reservoir 18 is a pressure reducer 20 arranged. The pres-sure reducer 20 may be arranged adjacent to the reservoir 18. The pressurereducer 20 reduces the pressure of the gas from the second pressure to a thirdpressure when the gas is released from the reservoir 18. The third pressure may be adapted to the design of the components for consuming the pressur-ized gas. Therefore, there is no need to upgrade the components to withstandthe higher second pressure. The third pressure may be lower than the second pressure.

The arrangement 12 according to the invention may comprise a dryer element22 for removing water vapour from compressed and pressurized gas. Thedryer element 22 also distributes and supplies the pressurized gas to compo-nents 24 - 30 for consuming the pressurized gas. These components 24 - 30are for example pneumatic cylinders 24 for the braking system 52 in the vehi-cle 1, pneumatic power elements 26 for lowering and rising a chassis 56 of thevehicle 1, pneumatic controlling elements 28 in the gearbox 6, and a pneu-matic actuator 30 for opening and closing a door 62 in the vehicle 1. Accordingto the first embodiment the dryer element 22 may be arranged downstream ofthe pressure reducer 20 and upstream of the components 24 - 30. Dependingon the pressure of the gas needed for controlling the components an additionalpressure reducer 32 may be arranged downstream of the drying element 22and upstream of the respective components 24 - 30.

Figure 3 schematically shows a second embodiment of the arrangement 12 forcontrolling pressurized gas in the vehicle 1 according to the invention. Accord-ing to the second embodiment the dryer element 22 for drying the pressurizedgas may be arranged downstream of the first compressor 14 and upstream oftwo reservoirs 18. Upstream of one of the reservoirs 18 and downstream of thedryer element 22 is a second compressor 16 arranged. Downstream of thesecond compressor 16 is a reservoir 18 arranged. Each reservoir 18 is pro-vided with a pressure reducer 20, which is arranged downstream of and adja-cent to the respective reservoir 18. Downstream of each pressure reducer 20are components 24, 25 for consuming the pressurized gas arranged. The com-ponents 24, 25 may be the pneumatic cylinders 24 (fig. 1) for the braking sys-tem 52 in the vehicle 1 and a component 25 which do not need a large volume 11 of pressurized gas. Since component 24 consumes a large volume of pressur-ized gas, this component 24 is provided with a second compressor 16 and areservoir 18 for delivery of a large volume of pressurized gas. Since compo-nent 25 consumes a small volume of pressurized gas, this component 25 isnot provided with a second compressor 16. lnstead, the first compressor 14 isconnected directly to the reservoir 18 via the dryer element 22. However, thearrangement 12 may also have other components 28, 30 which do not need alarge volume of pressurized gas. For this reason these components 28, 30may be connected directly to the dryer element 22 without having a secondcompressor 16 and a reservoir 18 arranged upstream the respective compo-nents 28, 30. Thus, the pressure and volume of pressurized gas generated bythe first compressor 16 is enough for activating the components 28, 30.

Figure 4 schematicaily shows a third embodiment of the arrangement 12 forcontrolling pressurized gas in the vehicle 1 according to the invention. Thethird embodiment is similar to the second embodiment, but includes a furthersecond compressor 16 and a further reservoir 18 arranged upstream of thedryer element 22. Also, a further pressure reducer 20 is arranged downstreamof and adjacent to the further reservoir 18. The arrangement 12 according tothe third embodiment delivers an increased volume of pressurized gas fromthe further second compressor 16 and a further reservoir 18 to the compo-nents 24 - 30. Thus, according to the third embodiment the reservoirs 18 maybe located at different locations at the vehicle 1.

Figure 5 schematically shows the booster regulator 16 mentioned in connec-tion to fig. 2 above. Such booster regulator 16 comprises a first chamber 34and a second chamber 36. A first piston 38 is arranged in the first chamber 34and a second piston 40 is arranged in the second chamber 36. The first andsecond pistons 38, 40 are connected by means of a common piston rod 42.The first piston 38 has a larger diameter and thus a larger area than the sec-ond piston 40. 12 Pressurized gas at a first pressure, which is generated by the first Compressor14 (fig. 2), is supplied to an inlet 44 of the booster regulator 16. The pressur-ized gas at the first pressure is supplied from the inlet 44 to the first and sec-ond chambers 34, 36 such that the first and second pistons 38, 40 are urged tomove axially in the chambers 34, 36. Due to the difference in area between thefirst and second pistons 38, 40 the pressure of the gas in the second chamber36 will increase to the second pressure. The pressurized gas at the secondpressure will be supplied to the reservoir 18 (fig. 2) from an outlet 46 at thesecond chamber 36. An exhaust outlet 48 at the first chamber 34 will make itpossible for the first piston to move axially in the first chamber 34. ln order toachieve a reciprocating movement of the first and second pistons 38, 40 thepressurized gas from the first compressor 14 is directed to both sides of thefirst and second pistons 38, 40 by means of the valves (not disclosed). Thebooster regulator 16 may be mounted in the vehicle 1 in such a way that itwithstands the environment in and around the vehicle 1. Thus, the booster reg- ulator 16 may be protected from water and vibrations.

Figure 6 shows a flowchart for a method for controlling pressurized gas in a ve-hicle 1 by means of an arrangement according to the embodiments configuredas described in Figures 2 - 5. The method comprises the steps of: a) increasing the pressure of the gas from the first pressure to a second pres-sure by a second compressor 16 downstream of the first compressor 14; b) storing the gas at the second pressure in the reservoir 18; c) releasing the gas from the reservoir 18; d) reducing the pressure of the gas from the second pressure to a third pres-sure by a pressure reducer 2; and e) supplying the gas to the at least one component 24 - 30.

The second compressor 16 may be a booster regulator, which in step a) is driven by the first compressor 14. 13 The power source 15 may be the powertrain 2 of the vehicle 1, and the first Compressor 14 may be driven by braking energy when braking the vehicle 1.

The second compressor 16 in step a) may be driven by the power source 15.

The power source 15 may be the powertrain 2 of the vehicle 1, and the firstand second compressors 14, 16 may be driven by braking energy when brak-ing the vehicle 1.

The dryer element 22 may be arranged downstream of the pressure reducer20 and upstream of the at least one component 24 - 30 for consuming the pressurized gas.

The dryer element 22 may be arranged between the first and second compres-sors 14, 16.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention is pro-vided for illustrative and descriptive purposes. lt is not intended to be exhaus-tive or to restrict the invention to the variants described. l\/lany modificationsand variations will obviously be apparent to one skilled in the art. The embodi-ments have been chosen and described in order best to explain the principlesof the invention and its practical applications and hence make it possible forspecialists to understand the invention for various embodiments and with thevarious modifications appropriate to the intended use.

Claims

14 CLAIIVIS

1. An arrangement for controlling pressurized gas in a vehicle (1), comprising afirst Compressor (14) for pressurizing gas to a first pressure, a power source (15) for driving the first compressor (14), a reservoir (18) forstoring the pressurized gas, and at least one component (24 -30) for consum-ing the pressurized gas, characterized in that a second compressor (16) is ar-ranged downstream of the first compressor (14), wherein the second compres- sor (16) is adapted to increase the pressure of the gas to a second pressure.

2. The arrangement according to c|aim 1, characterized in that the secondcompressor (16) is a booster regulator, which is driven by the first compressor(14).

3. The arrangement according to any of claims 1 - 2, characterized in that thepower source (15) is a powertrain (2) of the vehicle (1 ), and that the first com- pressor (14) is driven by braking energy when braking the vehicle (1).

4. The arrangement according to c|aim 1, characterized in that the secondcompressor (16) is driven by the power source (15).

5. The arrangement according to c|aim 4, characterized in that the powersource (15) is a powertrain (2) of the vehicle (1 ), and in that the first and sec-ond compressors (14, 16) are so connected to the powertrain (2) that they are driven by braking energy when braking the vehicle (1 ).

6. The arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterizedin that a dryer element (22) is arranged downstream of the pressure reducer(20) and upstream of the at least one component (24 - 30) for consuming the pressurized gas.

7. The arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the dryer ele-ment (22) is arranged between the first and second compressors (14, 16).

8. The arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterizedin that at least one pressure reducer (20, 32) is arranged downstream the sec-ond compressor (16), for reducing the pressure of the gas from the secondpressure to a third pressure.

9. A vehicle, characterized in that the vehicle (1) comprises an arrangement(12) according to any of the preceding claims.

10. A method for controlling pressurized gas in a vehicle (1), the vehicle (1) comprising: a first compressor (14) for pressurizing gas to a first pressure, a power source (15) for driving the first compressor (14), a reservoir (18) for storing the pressurized gas, and at least one component (24 - 30) for consuming the pressurized gas, the method comprises the steps of: a) increasing the pressure of the gas from the first pressure to a second pres-sure by a second compressor (16) downstream of the first compressor (14);b) storing the gas at the second pressure in the reservoir (18); c) releasing the gas from the reservoir (18); d) reducing the pressure of the gas from the second pressure to a third pres-sure by a pressure reducer (20); and e) supplying the gas to the at least one component (24 - 30).

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the second compressor (16) is a booster regulator, which in step a) is driven by the first compressor (14). 16

12. The method according to any of claims 10 - 11, wherein the power source(15) is a powertrain (2) of the vehicle (1 ), and wherein the first compressor (14) is driven by braking energy when braking the vehicle (1 ).

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the second compressor (16) in step a) is driven by the power source (15).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the power source (15) is apowertrain (2) of the vehicle (1 ), and wherein the first and second compressors(14, 16) are driven by braking energy when braking the vehicle (1).

15. The method according to any of claims 10 - 14, wherein a dryer element(22) is arranged downstream of the pressure reducer (20) and upstream of the at least one component (24 - 30) for consuming the pressurized gas.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the dryer element (22) is ar- ranged between the first and second compressors (14, 16).