DE102013210595A1 - Rail vehicle with a steam power process and use of a steam power process in a rail vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a rail vehicle (1, 1a) with at least one steam generator (6) which is designed to evaporate a thermodynamic working medium (8) into steam using a primary energy source (11), and with at least one steam engine (5) which is used for Conversion of energy of the steam into a traction torque driving the rail vehicle (1, 1a) is designed, the steam generator (6), the steam engine (5) and a condenser (12) for performing a closed steam power process in a closed steam power circuit (13) with one another are connected. The invention also relates to the use of a steam power process in a rail vehicle (1, 1a).

Description

The invention relates to a rail vehicle with the above-conceptual features according to claim 1 and a use of a steam power process in a rail vehicle.

Railway vehicles used on non-electrified lines must carry the energy required for operation on board. This happens in the form of chemically bound energy as fuel or in the form of electrical charge in a battery. This primary energy stored on board is converted in one or more stages into traction and resulting kinetic energy of the entire vehicle, which constitutes the movement of the vehicle on the railway.

If the primary energy stored on the vehicle is in chemical form, a thermodynamic force process is required in order to convert it into mechanical energy. The first and oldest type of power process used in the railway sector is the steam power process. In this, water is introduced into a boiler in a steam generator as a working medium and brought under combustion of wood, coal or oil as a primary energy source to a temperature above its boiling point. The energy level reached there is then used in a cylinder as an expander for the targeted performance of mechanical work or for traction. The steam is discharged from the cylinder into the environment after the work has been done. The principle of the steam power process for rail vehicles has been developed in many ways over many decades before it has been superseded by other competing principles.

DE 10 2006 043 518 A describes a vehicle - especially a rail vehicle - having at least one steam generator designed to vaporize a thermodynamic working medium to steam using a primary energy source, and at least one steam engine adapted to convert energy of the steam to a traction torque. However, this mechanical energy is used to drive a generator that provides power for purposes other than drive, not driving the vehicle.

US 5,121,607 A generally describes an energy recovery system for a wheeled vehicle having an internal combustion engine, wherein exhaust heat of the internal combustion engine is reclaimed using a Rankine cycle. In addition, braking energy is recovered by compressing and expanding a working medium of the Rankine cycle.

Initiatives are well known among US research institutions that rely on a "steam-electric" principle.

Tightening exhaust emissions regulations make it necessary to look for alternative or improved drive concepts for rail vehicles.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a rail vehicle with an energy-saving drive system.

The solution according to the invention is characterized by the features of claims 1 and 10. Advantageous embodiments are given in the subclaims.

A preferred embodiment is accordingly a rail vehicle with at least one steam generator, which is designed using a primary energy source for evaporating a thermodynamic working medium to steam, and with at least one steam engine, which is designed to convert energy of the steam into a traction torque driving the rail vehicle the steam generator, the steam engine and a condenser for carrying out a closed steam power process are connected together in a closed steam power cycle.

It is thus envisaged to use a closed system in which the working medium can circulate instead of an open system in which the steam or the working medium leaving the steam engine is discharged into the surroundings of the rail vehicle. This allows saving working medium, since no water is discharged into the environment, which would otherwise be constantly refilled. This also makes it possible to save energy, since the working medium in the steam generator energy is supplied and not fully used in the steam engine this energy is not discharged together with the working fluid in the environment, but is left in the steam cycle. In the steam generator therefore only one in the steam engine and optionally extracted in the condenser differential energy is supplied again.

A development of the rail vehicle is that the primary energy source consists of a primary energy source of non-fossil occurrence. The primary energy source is formed, in particular, from a non-fossil fuel or fuel carried in the rail vehicle. In the fuel or can it may be purely wood pellets, oil or hydrogen, for example, which are provided as natural raw materials or provided synthetically or using, for example, solar or wind energy.

A refinement of the rail vehicle is that the primary energy source consists of gas from fossil or non-fossil occurrence, in particular from synthesis processes. The gas may be stored in compressed or liquid state on the steam-powered rail vehicle or on a railcar carried by it in the train.

Yet another development is that the primary energy source is located on the rail vehicle or on a separate rail vehicle, which is carried along in the train in particular adjacent.

It is also a development of the rail vehicle that the working medium used in the steam power process for vaporizing or condensing based on water, water or consists of a water other vaporizable and condensable medium. The working medium for vaporizing or condensing used in the power process is thus not necessarily based in its composition on water or exclusively water, but may also consist entirely or proportionately of another suitable medium.

A further development is that the rail vehicle is designed as a locomotive with at least two bogies. A particular design of such a vehicle is a locomotive with two or more identical or different bogies, which is also referred to as a bogie vehicle.

Another development is that the rail vehicle is a locomotive, in which all wheels or wheelsets are assigned to a common chassis frame, as can be realized, for example, as a rigid frame vehicle.

It is also a development that the rail vehicle is designed such that by means of the traction torque all wheels or wheelsets of the rail vehicle can be driven simultaneously.

Yet another development of the rail vehicle is that the closed steam power process is used as at least temporarily sole drive principle in the rail vehicle, the rail vehicle associated with the steam engine one or more piston engine systems for generating the traction torque necessary for locomotion and one or more continuously rotating mechanical transmission elements, in particular propeller shafts which are coupled or can be coupled to driven wheelsets or wheels, in particular single wheels, wherein the mechanical traction torque is particularly translatable or convertible on its transmission while maintaining its mechanical nature.

A further preferred embodiment is a use of a steam power process in a rail vehicle, wherein in the closed steam power process by means of a primary energy source, a thermodynamic working medium is evaporated and the traction torque driving the rail vehicle is generated with the thermodynamic working medium, wherein the thermodynamic working fluid condenses and in a closed steam power process is returned to the steam generator for evaporation.

A further development is that a primary energy source from non-fossil occurrence is used as the primary energy source.

Yet another development is that water is used at least proportionally as the working medium used for vaporizing or condensing in the steam power process and / or as the working medium used for vaporizing or condensing in the steam power process a vaporizable and condensable medium different from water is used.

In particular, it is possible to use one or more closed steam power processes taking place on the vehicle as the sole drive principle in a rail vehicle, wherein the traction torque required for locomotion is generated, for example, in one or more piston engine systems as a steam engine and via one or more propeller shafts or other continuously rotating mechanical propulsion Transmission elements is passed to the driven wheelsets or single wheels. On its transmission path, this mechanical traction torque can still be translated or converted while maintaining its mechanical nature by means of a transmission. The thermodynamic working medium consists of or is preferably based essentially on water.

Such developments allow, in view of the increasingly stringent exhaust emission requirements, the steam power principle using today's technological possibilities with surprisingly simple means to develop further, which can lead to a renaissance in the field of railways.

In particular, it is possible to access today's technical possibilities that are foreign to one another, such as today's technical possibilities in the field of boiler construction, materials that can be used in the meantime, in particular newly developed materials, new knowledge of combustion technology and newly developed possibilities in the field of control or regulation Combination with a closed cycle process. In such a steam cycle, the working medium, usually water or water-based, may be recondensed to the liquid state after the working phase before it undergoes the cycle again. The closed principle of the steam power process has the advantage that operation of the vehicle does not basically mean the loss of working medium, but that this is possibly only from time to time in the case of technically unavoidable leakage refills. Such a technical solution on a railway vehicle is also distinguished by the fact that the working machine can represent a multi-cylinder or multi-cylinder piston engine system, which emits its resulting mechanical torque in, for example, continuous, non-pulsating or weakly pulsating form to a modern railway chassis. The transmission of this mechanical drive torque to the chassis can be done easily via drive shafts, for example, cardan shafts. The environmental idea contributes to such a steam power drive account that takes place in the steam generator combustion temporally and thermally improved, in particular optimally executed so efficient and low emissions and if possible can be accomplished even with unconventional fuels. The fuels are preferably provided liquid or gaseous.

The solution according to the invention is explained below with reference to figures. The following is shown in detail:

1 shows in a schematic simplified representation of the basic structure of a rail vehicle with drive for locomotion of the rail vehicle, which is based on a steam cycle; and

2 shows components of a modified such rail vehicle according to a further embodiment.

1 schematically shows contours of a rail vehicle 1 that with wheels 3 along rails 2 is movable. To drive the wheels 3 indicates the rail vehicle 1 a steam engine 5 on, which with transmission elements 4 with one or more of the wheels 3 or wheelsets is connected. One from the steam engine 5 provided traction force is thus for locomotion of the rail vehicle 1 on at least one of the wheels 3 transfer.

To supply the steam engine 5 with steam is the steam engine 5 via a pipe with a steam generator 6 connected. The steam generator 6 includes a container 7 in which there is a working medium 8th located. The working medium 8th is according to an exemplary embodiment, water (H ₂ O). By means of a burner 9 becomes a primary energy source 11 burned and with the heat of combustion the working medium 8th transferred from the liquid to the gaseous state of matter.

At the primary energy source 11 in particular, it is a fuel derived from non-fossil sources. The fuel is in a container 10 for the primary energy source 11 with the rail vehicle 1 entrained and over a line to the burner 9 fed.

After doing work by that as steam in the steam engine 5 guided working medium 8th becomes the working medium 8th via a line in a cooler or condenser 12 guided. In the condenser 12 is the possibly still completely gaseous working medium 8th again transferred to the liquid state and another line into the container 6 for the working medium 8th directed. The capacitor 12 For example, it may be formed as a condensation cooling system, which is the working medium 8th cooled by means of, for example, wind and / or ambient temperature.

The working medium 8th thus circulates in a closed steam cycle 13 ,

By way of example, the rail vehicle is concerned 1 to a locomotive, in which by means of the traction torque all wheelsets or wheels 3 be driven simultaneously. The wheelsets or wheels 3 are exemplary in a common chassis frame 14 arranged.

2 shows a rail vehicle 1a in which more and partly opposite 1 modified components are shown. As far as the same reference numerals are used, these designate the same or equivalent components and functions as in the rail vehicle 1 according to 1 ,

The exemplary rail vehicle 1a has two bogies in its chassis frame 16 , in each of which several wheels 3 or wheelsets are stored.

In addition, the rail vehicle 1a several steam engines 5 on, with each of the steam engines 5 to drive the wheels 3 a the respective steam engine 5 assigned bogies 16 serves. Each of the steam engines 5 is a separate steam cycle 13 assigned.

Each of the steam cycles 13 accordingly includes a steam engine 5 , a capacitor 12 and a steam generator 6 , A combustion air suction device 15 supplies the steam generator 6 or their burner with from outside the rail vehicle 1a supplied air. In addition, the capacitors have 12 Air inlet ducts, which ambient air for cooling the medium 8th from outside the rail vehicle 1a respectively.

According to a modified embodiment, for example, only a single wheel of a bogie or chassis frame can be driven.

In particular, the individual aspects and components of the various described embodiments can also be interchanged and / or combined with one another in order to create further embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1a

 track vehicle

2

 rail

3

 wheel

4

 Transmission elements, in particular transmission

5

 steam engine

6

 steam generator

7

 Container for working medium

8th

 working medium

9

 burner

10

 Container for primary energy source

11

 Primary energy source

12

 capacitor

13

 closed steam cycle

14

 chassis frame

15

 Combustion air intake device

16

 bogie

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102006043518 A [0004]
• US 5121607 A [0005]

Claims (12)

Rail vehicle ( 1 . 1a ) with at least one steam generator ( 6 ) using a primary energy source ( 11 ) for vaporizing a thermodynamic working medium ( 8th ) is designed to steam, and with at least one steam engine ( 5 ), which converts energy from the steam into a rail vehicle ( 1 . 1a ) driving traction torque is designed, characterized in that the steam generator ( 6 ), the steam engine ( 5 ) and a capacitor ( 12 ) for carrying out a closed steam power process in a closed steam cycle ( 13 ) are interconnected. Rail vehicle ( 1 . 1a ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the primary energy source ( 11 ) consists of a non-fossil primary energy source, the primary energy source ( 11 ) in particular from a rail vehicle ( 1 . 1a ) entrained fuel from non-fossil occurrence is formed. Rail vehicle ( 1 . 1a ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the primary energy source ( 11 ) consists of gas from fossil or non-fossil deposits, wherein the gas is stored in particular in compressed form or in the liquid state of matter. Rail vehicle ( 1 . 1a ) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the primary energy source ( 11 ) on the rail vehicle ( 1 , 1a) or on a separate rail vehicle, which is carried along in the train in particular adjacent. Rail vehicle ( 1 . 1a ) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the working medium used in the steam power process for vaporizing or condensing ( 8th ) based on water, water or consists of a water other vaporizable and condensable medium. Rail vehicle ( 1 . 1a ) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the rail vehicle ( 1 . 1a ) as a locomotive with at least two bogies ( 16 ) is trained. Rail vehicle ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rail vehicle ( 1 ) is a locomotive where all wheels ( 3 ) or wheelsets in a common chassis frame ( 14 ) assigned. Rail vehicle ( 1 . 1a ) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the rail vehicle ( 1 . 1a ) is designed such that by means of the traction torque all wheels ( 3 ) or wheelsets of the rail vehicle ( 1 . 1a ) are drivable simultaneously. Rail vehicle ( 1 . 1a ) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the closed steam power process as at least temporarily sole drive principle in the rail vehicle ( 1 . 1a ), the rail vehicle ( 1 . 1a ) the steam engine ( 5 ) associated with one or more piston engine systems for generating the traction torque necessary for a locomotion and one or more continuously rotating mechanical transmission elements ( 4 ), in particular propeller shafts, to driven wheelsets or wheels ( 3 ), in particular single wheels are coupled or coupled, wherein the mechanical traction torque is particularly translatable or convertible on its transmission while maintaining its mechanical nature. Use of a steam power process in a rail vehicle ( 1 . 1a ), wherein in the closed steam power process by means of a primary energy source ( 11 ) a thermodynamic working medium ( 8th ) is evaporated and with the thermodynamic working medium ( 8th ) the rail vehicle ( 1 . 1a ) driving traction torque is generated, characterized in that the thermodynamic working medium ( 8th ) is condensed and recycled in a closed steam power process for evaporation. Use according to claim 10, characterized in that as the primary energy source ( 11 ) a primary energy source from non-fossil occurrence is used. Use according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that as the working medium used in the steam power process for evaporating or condensing ( 8th ) Water is used at least proportionally and / or as the working medium used in the steam power process for vaporizing or condensing ( 8th ) a different water is used evaporable and condensable medium.

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