U.S. patent application number 13/178761 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-10 for filtration system and method for engine air intake.
Invention is credited to Suresh Rama Reddy Govindappa, Lamar K. Ledbetter.
Application Number | 20130008308 13/178761 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46466961 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130008308 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Govindappa; Suresh Rama Reddy ;
et al. |
January 10, 2013 |
FILTRATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENGINE AIR INTAKE
Abstract
There is provided a method of filtration for a rail vehicle or
other off-highway powered system. The method includes determining a
filter load of a primary filtration system to an air intake of an
engine. The method also includes determining that the filter load
exceeds a specified threshold. Additionally, the method includes
de-activating the primary filtration system. The method further
includes activating a secondary filtration system to the
engine.
Inventors: |
Govindappa; Suresh Rama Reddy;
(Fairview, PA) ; Ledbetter; Lamar K.; (Erie,
PA) |
Family ID: |
46466961 |
Appl. No.: |
13/178761 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
95/20 ; 95/19;
96/426 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02M 35/0215 20130101;
F02M 35/02475 20130101; F02M 35/082 20130101; F02M 35/09 20130101;
B61C 3/00 20130101; F02M 35/164 20130101; B61C 9/38 20130101; F02M
35/086 20130101; B01D 46/0079 20130101; B01D 2279/60 20130101; B01D
46/002 20130101; B01D 46/0023 20130101; B01D 46/0058 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
95/20 ; 95/19;
96/426 |
International
Class: |
B01D 46/46 20060101
B01D046/46 |
Claims
1. A method of filtration, comprising: determining a filter load of
a primary filtration system to an air intake of an engine of an
off-highway powered system; determining that the filter load
exceeds a specified threshold; de-activating the primary filtration
system; and activating a secondary filtration system to the air
intake of the engine.
2. The method of claim 1, comprising exhausting solid particles
from the primary filtration system while the primary filtration
system is de-activated.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein exhausting the solid particles
from the primary filtration system comprises activating a blower
that removes the solid particles from the off-highway powered
system.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein exhausting the solid particles
from the primary filtration system comprises activating a
compressed air system that removes the solid particles from the
primary filtration system.
5. The method of claim 2, comprising exhausting solid particles
from a traction motor filtration system.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein exhausting the solid particles
from the traction motor filtration system occurs simultaneously
with exhausting the solid particles from the primary filtration
system.
7. The method of claim 1, comprising: re-setting the primary
filtration system; activating the primary filtration system; and
de-activating the secondary filtration system.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the filter load comprises a
pressure differential across the primary filtration system.
9. A filtration system comprising: a primary filtration system
configured to filter solid particles from an intake air flow to an
engine during a primary mode; a secondary filtration system
configured to filter the solid particles from the intake air flow
during a secondary mode; two or more sync doors configured to
alternate the filtration system between the primary mode and the
secondary mode; and a blower configured to remove solid particles
from the primary filtration system during the secondary mode.
10. The filtration system of claim 9, comprising a traction motor
filtration system configured to filter solid particles from one or
more traction motors of a rail vehicle, wherein the blower is
configured to remove solid particles from the traction motor
filtration system.
11. The filtration system of claim 9, wherein the air flow is
directed to the primary filtration system during the primary mode,
and the air flow is directed to the secondary filtration system
during the secondary mode.
12. The filtration system of claim 9, comprising an exhaust passage
door configured to allow solid particles to pass from the primary
filtration system to the blower, wherein the exhaust passage door
cooperates with the two or more sync doors to channel solid
particles to the blower during the secondary mode.
13. The filtration system of claim 12, wherein the blower is
configured to provide a suction force that manipulates the exhaust
passage door to allow solid particles to pass from the primary
filtration system to the blower.
14. The filtration system of claim 9, comprising: a spin filter
configured to filter solid particles from the air flow before the
air flow reaches the primary filtration system, wherein the spin
filter is also configured to filter the solid particles from the
air flow before the air flow reaches the secondary filtration
system; and an exhaust blower configured to remove solid particles
from the spin filter.
15. A tangible, machine-readable medium that stores
machine-readable instructions executable by a processor to perform
filtration for an off-highway powered system, the
tangible-machine-readable medium comprising: machine-readable
instructions that, when executed by the processor, determine a
filter load of a primary filtration system to an air intake of an
engine of the off-highway powered system; machine-readable
instructions that, when executed by the processor, determine that
the filter load exceeds a specified threshold; machine-readable
instructions that, when executed by the processor, de-activate the
primary filtration system; and machine-readable instructions that,
when executed by the processor, activate a secondary filtration
system to the engine.
16. The tangible, machine-readable medium of claim 15, comprising
machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor,
exhaust solid particles from the primary filtration system.
17. The tangible, machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the
machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor,
exhaust the solid particles from the primary filtration system
comprise machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the
processor activate a blower that removes the solid particles from
the primary filtration system.
18. The tangible, machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the
machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor,
exhaust the solid particles from the primary filtration system
comprise machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the
processor activate a compressed air system that removes the solid
particles from the primary filtration system.
19. The tangible, machine-readable medium of claim 16, comprising
machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor,
exhaust solid particles from a traction motor filtration
system.
20. The tangible, machine-readable medium of claim 19, wherein
exhausting the solid particles from the traction motor filtration
system occurs simultaneously with exhausting the solid particles
from the primary filtration system.
21. The tangible, machine-readable medium of claim 15, comprising
machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor:
re-set the primary filtration system; activate the primary
filtration system; and de-activate the secondary filtration
system.
22. A sand filtration system for a rail vehicle, comprising: a
primary filtration system; a secondary filtration system, wherein
the primary filtration system and the secondary filtration system
are in parallel fluid communication with an air intake passage and
configured to filter sand from intake air traveling through the air
intake passage, the air intake passage providing the intake air to
an engine for combustion; two or more sync doors moveable to a
first position and to a different, second position; a sand blower
configured to remove sand from the primary filtration system; and a
controller operably connected to the sync doors and the sand
blower, the controller configured to control the sync doors and the
sand blower in a primary mode and in a different, secondary mode,
wherein, in the primary mode the controller controls the sync doors
to the first position; in the first position, the sync doors route
the intake air to travel through the primary filtration system and
not the secondary filtration system; wherein, in the secondary
mode, the controller controls the sync doors to the second
position, wherein, in the second position, the sync doors route the
intake air to travel through the secondary filtration system and
not the primary filtration system; and wherein, in the secondary
mode, but not the primary mode, the controller controls the sand
blower to remove the sand from the primary filtration system.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate generally to a
system and method for filtering sand and/or other solid particles
from an engine air intake. Moreover, such exemplary embodiments may
relate to improving the air quality for engines operating in desert
conditions.
[0002] A locomotive is powered along rails by a locomotive truck,
which includes the motor and wheels. The locomotive truck is
typically electrically powered, with the electric power being
supplied by an onboard engine. The onboard engine includes an air
intake system. Other powered systems may also include engines with
air intake systems.
[0003] An air intake is typically engineered and tuned to provide
efficiency and power. An air intake system typically increases the
velocity of the air until it travels into a combustion chamber,
while minimizing turbulence and restriction of flow.
[0004] Deserts and other dusty environments provide challenges for
air intake systems. The amount of sand that is typical in a desert
environment may greatly restrict the flow of air into the engine.
Accordingly, an improved technique for air intake in a desert
environment may be desirable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0005] Briefly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
invention, there is provided a method of filtration for a rail
vehicle or other off-highway powered system. The method includes
determining a filter load of a primary filtration system to an air
intake of an engine. The method also includes determining that the
filter load exceeds a specified threshold. Additionally, the method
includes de-activating the primary filtration system. The method
further includes activating a secondary filtration system to the
engine.
[0006] Another exemplary embodiment relates to a filtration system.
The filtration system includes a primary filtration system, a
secondary filtration system, two or more sync doors, and a blower.
The primary filtration system may be configured to filter solid
particles from an intake air flow to an engine during a primary
mode. The secondary filtration system may be configured to filter
the solid particles from the intake air flow during a secondary
mode.
[0007] The sync doors may be configured to alternate the filtration
system between the primary mode and the secondary mode. The blower
may be configured to remove solid particles from the primary
filtration system during the secondary mode.
[0008] A tangible, machine-readable medium according to an
exemplary embodiment of the invention stores machine-readable
instructions executable by a processor to machine-readable
instructions that, when executed by the processor, determine a
filter load of a primary filtration system to an air intake of an
engine.
[0009] The tangible, machine-readable medium may also include
machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor,
determine that the filter load exceeds a specified threshold. The
tangible, machine-readable medium may also include machine-readable
instructions that, when executed by the processor, de-activate the
primary filtration system. Additionally, the tangible,
machine-readable medium may also include machine-readable
instructions that, when executed by the processor, activate a
secondary filtration system to the locomotive engine.
DRAWINGS
[0010] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of
embodiments of the invention will become better understood when the
following detailed description is read with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts
throughout the drawings, wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a rail vehicle (e.g.,
locomotive) according to an exemplary embodiment of the
invention;
[0012] FIG. 1B is a block diagram of an air intake system,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a filtration system, according
to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a filtration system, according
to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram showing a method of
filtration, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
and
[0016] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a tangible, machine-readable
medium that stores code adapted to perform filtration according to
an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods
for filtering sand, dust, and/or other solid particles from intake
air and/or cooling air to be supplied to an engine or motor. Some
embodiments are described herein with respect to locomotives and
other rail vehicles. However, other embodiments are applicable to
off-highway powered systems generally. An off-highway powered
system is a system that includes an engine(s) and/or motor(s) for
power generation, which is not for use on roads designated for
primary use by automobiles. Examples include trains and other rail
vehicles, marine vessels, 100+ ton mining haul trucks, and other
heaving mining or construction equipment, stationary generator
sets, and the like.
[0018] Further, some embodiments of the invention are described
herein with respect to sand filtration. According to one aspect,
"sand" refers to solid rock and/or mineral particles at or greater
than 0.0625 mm in diameter, e.g., in a range of 0.0625 mm to 2 mm
diameter. It should be noted that other embodiments may be
additionally or alternatively applicable to dust, defined as solid
particles less than 0.0625 mm in diameter, e.g., in a range of less
than 0.0625 mm and greater than 0.01 mm.
[0019] FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a diesel-electric locomotive
100 that may employ a filtration system according to an exemplary
embodiment of the invention. A plurality of traction motors, not
visible in FIG. 1, are located behind drive wheels 103 and coupled
in a driving relationship to axles. The locomotive may also include
an air intake 102.
[0020] FIG. 1B is a block diagram of the air intake 102, according
to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The air intake 102 may
include a V-screen with spin filters 104 and a primary filtration
system such as baggie filters 106. The air flow is represented by
the arrow 108. As shown, air first passes through the V-screen and
spin filters 104 before passing through the baggie filters 106.
[0021] FIGS. 2A-2B are block diagrams of a filtration system 200,
according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The
filtration system 200 may operate in two modes: a primary
filtration mode, and a secondary filtration mode. FIG. 2A shows the
primary filtration mode. FIG. 2B shows the secondary filtration
mode. The filtration system 200 may be described in four segments:
an initial filtration, primary filtration, secondary filtration,
and exhaust.
[0022] The filtration system 200 includes a V-screen 202, spin
filters 204, and an exhaust blower 214. The V-screen 202 and spin
filters 204 may provide initial screening of solid particles, e.g.,
sand, from the air flow 208. The exhaust blower 214 may exhaust
sand from the spin filters 204.
[0023] The filtration system 200 may also include a primary
filtration system 206, compressed air nozzles 212, a blower 216, a
secondary filtration system 220, and sync doors 210. According to
an aspect of the invention, in the context of referring to two or
more doors, sync doors 210 may be arranged or otherwise configured
so their positioning can be synchronized or coordinated for
achieving a particular function. After passing through V-screen 202
and spin filters 204, the air flow 208 may pass through the primary
filtration system 206. The primary filtration system 206 may
include air filters, such as baggie filters. The compressed air
nozzles 212 may deliver compressed air for blowing sand out of the
baggie filters. The sync doors 210 may be used to alternate the air
flow 208 between the primary filtration system 206 and the
secondary filtration system 220. The secondary filtration system
220 may include air filters, such as canister or baggie
filters.
[0024] The filtration system 200 may also include a traction motor
filtration system 218. The traction motor filtration system 218 may
remove sand from the traction motors. The blower 216 may remove the
sand accumulated by the primary filtration system 206 and the
traction motor filtration system 218. In an exemplary embodiment,
the suction created by the blowing may open the exhaust passage
doors 222, allowing for the flow of sand to the blower 216.
[0025] In one embodiment, the filtration system 200 may be used in
extreme dust environments by extending primary mode of filtration
for secondary subsystems. In such an embodiment, the blower 216 may
be alternated to eliminate sand in both subsystems. In extreme dust
environments, the secondary bypass may be used in times of extreme
dust.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram showing a method 300 of
filtration, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
The method is referred to by the reference number 300. The method
300 is described with reference to FIGS. 2A-2B, described
above.
[0027] The method 300 begins at block 302, where a filter load may
be determined. The filter load may be a load on the primary
filtration system 206, such as, a pressure differential across the
primary filtration system 206. The filter load may correlate
inversely to an amount of solid particles clogging the primary
filtration system 206. Filter load may be determined using various
methods, including optical sensors, electromagnetic radiation-based
sensors, etc.
[0028] At block 304, it may be determined that the filter load
exceeds a specified threshold. The specified threshold may indicate
that the pressure differential is too great to efficiently filter
sand or other particles using the primary filtration system
206.
[0029] Accordingly, at block 306 the primary filtration system 206
may be deactivated. Additionally, at block 308 the secondary
filtration system 220 may be activated. In an exemplary embodiment,
the sync doors may be move from the positions shown in FIG. 2A to
the positions shown in FIG. 2B. This may alternate the air flow 208
from the primary filtration system 206 to the secondary filtration
system 220.
[0030] Advantageously, air flow to the turbo may continue through
the secondary filtration system 220 while the solid particles are
removed from the primary filtration system 206. Accordingly, at
block 310, the solid particles accumulated by the primary
filtration system 206 may be exhausted from the filtration system
200. In an exemplary embodiment, the blower 216 may be activated.
The suction created by the blower 216 may change exhaust passage
doors 222 from the positions shown in FIG. 2A to the positions
shown in FIG. 2B.
[0031] Additionally, compressed air may be delivered through the
compressed air nozzles 212 to remove solid particles from the
primary filtration system 206. The removed particles may also be
exhausted by the blower 216.
[0032] Once the particles are exhausted by the blower 216, at block
312, the primary filtration system 206 may be reset. The blower 216
may also be de-activated.
[0033] Additionally, at block 314, the primary filtration system
206 may be activated. At block 316, the secondary filtration system
220 may be de-activated. In an exemplary embodiment of the
invention, the sync doors 210 may be moved from the positions shown
in FIG. 2B to the positions shown in FIG. 2A.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a tangible, machine-readable
medium that stores code adapted to perform filtration according to
an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Performing filtration may
include expunging trapped solid particles from a filter system. The
tangible, machine-readable medium is generally referred to by the
reference number 400.
[0035] The tangible, machine-readable medium 400 may correspond to
any typical storage device that stores computer-implemented
instructions, such as programming code or the like. For example,
the storage device may include a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk
drive, e.g., to read from or write to a removable magnetic disk,
and an optical disk drive, e.g., for reading a CD-ROM disk or to
read from or write to other optical media.
[0036] The storage device may be connected to a system bus by a
storage device interface, such as a hard disk drive interface, a
magnetic disk drive interface and an optical drive interface.
[0037] Although the description of computer-readable media above
refers to a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk and a CD-ROM disk,
it should be appreciated that other types of media that are
readable by a computer system and that are suitable to the desired
end purpose may be used, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory
cards, digital video disks, Bernoulli cartridges, and the like.
[0038] When read and executed by a processor 402 via a
communication path 404, the instructions stored on the tangible,
machine-readable medium 400 are adapted to cause the processor 402
to perform filtration according to an exemplary embodiment of the
invention, as described herein.
[0039] A region 406 of the tangible, machine-readable medium 400
stores machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the
processor 402, determine a filter load for a primary filtration
system.
[0040] A region 408 of the tangible, machine-readable medium 400
stores machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the
processor 402, determine that the filter load exceeds a specified
threshold.
[0041] A region 410 of the tangible, machine-readable medium 400
stores machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the
processor 402, de-activate the primary filtration system.
[0042] A region 412 of the tangible, machine-readable medium 400
stores machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the
processor 402, activate a secondary filtration system.
[0043] In an embodiment, a sand filtration system for a rail
vehicle (e.g., locomotive) includes a primary filtration system, a
secondary filtration system, two or more sync doors, a sand blower,
and a controller. The primary filtration system and the secondary
filtration system are in parallel fluid communication with an air
intake passage and are each configured to filter sand from intake
air traveling through the air intake passage. (The air intake
passage provides the intake air to an engine of the rail vehicle
for combustion.) The two or more sync doors are moveable to a first
position and to a different, second position, e.g., each sync door
includes a door member and a motor unit for moving the door member.
The sand blower is configured to remove sand from the primary
filtration system. The controller is operably connected (e.g.,
directly or indirectly electrically connected) to the sync doors
and to the sand blower. The controller is configured to control the
sync doors and the sand blower in a primary mode and in a
different, secondary mode. In the primary mode, the controller
controls the sync doors to the first position; in the first
position, the sync doors route the intake air to travel through the
primary filtration system and not the secondary filtration system.
In the secondary mode, the controller controls the sync doors to
the second position; in the second position, the sync doors route
the intake air to travel through the secondary filtration system
and not the primary filtration system. Additionally, in the
secondary mode (but not the primary mode), the controller controls
the sand blower to remove sand from the primary filtration
system.
[0044] In another embodiment, the controller is configured to:
de-activate the primary filtration system in the secondary mode of
operation; de-activate the secondary filtration system in the
primary mode of operation; and/or when transitioning from the
secondary mode to the primary mode of operation, re-set the primary
filtration system and re-activate the primary filtration
system.
[0045] In another embodiment, the air intake passage includes first
and second distinct, parallel sub-passages. The primary filtration
system is disposed in the first sub-passage. The secondary
filtration system is disposed in the second sub-passage. The system
includes first and second sync doors. The first sync door is
movable between blocking an entrance (upstream end) to the second
sub-passage (first position) and blocking an entrance (upstream
end) to the first sub-passage (second position). The second sync
door is moveable between blocking an exit of the first sub-passage
(second position) and not blocking the exit of the first
sub-passage (first position).
[0046] In another embodiment, when the second sync door is in the
second position, a sand blower passage is exposed (open), allowing
for the expulsion of sand from the system. When the second sync
door is in the first position, it blocks the sand blower passage.
In another embodiment, the sand blower passage is selectively
blocked using a third sync door controllable by the controller.
[0047] Another embodiment relates to a method of sand filtration.
The method includes determining a filter load of a primary
filtration system of an air intake of an engine of an off-highway
powered system. The method further includes determining that the
filter load exceeds a specified threshold. The method further
includes de-activating the primary filtration system (e.g., upon
determining that the filter load exceeds the specified threshold).
The method further includes activating a secondary filtration
system to the air intake of the engine. Sand may be exhausted from
the primary filtration system while the primary filtration system
is de-activated.
[0048] Another embodiment relates to a sand filtration system. The
system includes a primary filtration system configured to filter
sand from an intake air flow to an engine during a primary mode.
The system further includes a secondary filtration system
configured to filter sand from the intake air flow during a
secondary mode. The system further includes two or more sync doors
configured to alternate the filtration system between the primary
mode and the secondary mode. The system further includes a sand
blower configured to remove sand from the primary filtration system
during the secondary mode.
[0049] It is to be understood that the above description is
intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the
above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in
combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be
made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings
of the invention without departing from its scope. While the
dimensions, values, and types of materials described herein are
intended to illustrate embodiments of the invention, they are by no
means limiting and are exemplary in nature. Other embodiments may
be apparent upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the
invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the
appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which
such claims are entitled.
[0050] In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in which"
are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms
"comprising" and "wherein." Moreover, in the following claims, the
terms "first," "second," "third," "upper," "lower," "bottom,"
"top," "up," "down," etc. are used merely as labels, and are not
intended to impose numerical or positional requirements on their
objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not
written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be
interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, sixth paragraph, unless
and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase "means
for" followed by a statement of function void of further
structure.
[0051] As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular
and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not
excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion
is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment"
of the invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding
the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the
recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the
contrary, embodiments "comprising," "including," or "having" an
element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may
include additional such elements not having that property.
[0052] Since certain changes may be made in the above-described
system and method, without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention herein involved, it is intended that all of the
subject matter of the above description or shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted merely as examples
illustrating the inventive concept herein and shall not be
construed as limiting the invention.
* * * * *