EP2127991B1 - Locomotive - Google Patents

Abstract

The locomotive (15) has a distribution unit (18) guiding a cooling agent (12) cooled by a cooling aggregate (16c). The distribution unit is coupled with the cooling aggregate. The distribution unit is extended in to control stands (2a, 2b) and a machine room (3) so that the machine room and the stands are cooled by the distribution unit. The distribution unit has a channel shaped line system (11) that comprises openings (13a, 13c, 13d, 13e) for delivering the cooling agent, where the opening leads in to the machine room. The aggregate comprises an evaporator and a compressor.

Description

The invention relates to a locomotive with at least one driver's cab, a machine room, at least one refrigeration unit and distribution means, which are set up for guiding a refrigerant flow cooled by the refrigeration unit, the distribution means being coupled to the refrigeration unit.

Such a locomotive is in the DE 28 31 343 C2 disclosed. The pit locomotive described there has a driver's cab and a hermetically sealed engine room. For cooling the drive components arranged in the machine room, a cooling unit is provided which comprises an evaporator arranged in the machine room and a compressor arranged outside the machine room and a condenser, wherein the machine room air is circulated by means of a fan in the machine room. The recirculated air is passed through the evaporator with a cooling of the air in the wake. However, the aforementioned cooling device is used exclusively for cooling the engine room. To cool the cab, an additional cooling unit is required. Cooling the engine room with a refrigeration unit is an exception.

Usually, the cooling of the engine room by means of atmospheric air, which is blown by means of powerful fan against the areas to be cooled. However, in the case of high outside temperatures effective cooling of the engine room is not possible by means of this cooling device.

The DE 33 14 039 A1 relates to a ventilation system for an electric locomotive. The ventilation system disclosed therein has an air treatment plant arranged in the engine room for separating the dust. The air conditioning system has a fan that sucks air from the outside atmosphere through a protective grid. The sucked air stream is then filtered and blown into a central aisle of the engine room, in which a negative pressure is created in this way. Dust-sensitive auxiliary equipment and devices, such as control devices, switching devices, auxiliary equipment, converters and the like, are arranged in sealed sections of the machine compartment. Appropriate air inlets allow the pre-cleaned air to reach the components to be cooled. The pre-treated air also enters the cabs where the locomotive's air conditioning systems are located.

The CH 284 249 also describes a ventilation and filtration system of a diesel-electric locomotive. Here, the air sucked in from the outside atmosphere is split into two different partial flows in order to avoid soiling of sensitive components.

The invention has for its object to provide a locomotive of the type mentioned above, which in addition to effective cooling of the engine room and the cooling of the cab allows and is particularly cost.

The object is achieved in that the distribution means extend both in each cab and in the engine room, so that via the distribution means cooling of the engine room and at least one cab is possible.

The invention enables the cooling of several functional spaces of the locomotive with a single cooling device. For this purpose, the cooled by at least one cooling unit refrigerant flow is distributed by the distribution means to the individual rooms. Depending on requirements, individual rooms can be excluded from the supply of cold. If, for example, a cooling of the driver's cab is not necessary due to the low outside temperature, the flow of refrigerant within the scope of the invention is guided by means of the distribution means exclusively to the machine room. The distribution of the refrigerant flow is flexibly adapted to the respective situation. A cooling device for the exclusive cooling of the engine room can be saved, since the already existing for cooling the cab air conditioners can be used to generate the refrigerant flow. This reduces the cost of such a locomotive according to the invention. The invention is also based on the finding that in locomotives which are equipped only with a ventilation system in the engine room, the cooling performance, especially at high outside temperatures, may not be sufficient and may lead to high temperatures in the engine room. However, these high temperatures increase the failure rate of the engine room arranged electrical and electronic components. With an increase of the temperature in the engine room of 10 degrees Kelvin it comes as a rule even to the doubling of the failure rate. According to the invention, the engine room and thus the components of the electronics or electrics arranged therein are cooled, for example contactors, relays or circuit boards, control and regulation units. An increase in the failure rate is avoided by the inventive intensive cooling. Thus, the operating costs are lowered according to the invention at low additional costs for the cooling of the engine room.

According to an expedient embodiment, the refrigerant carrier is gaseous.

According to this expedient embodiment of the invention commercially available ventilation systems can be used for cooling and gas flow generation. The airflow generated by the commercial air conditioner, for example, can be introduced by cost-effective distribution means such as control and deflection systems in the functional spaces to be cooled. In particular, the air flow can be brought by Leit- and deflection systems via the distribution means directly into the functional spaces, such as cab or engine room, and moreover to individual components to be cooled, such as switches, circuit boards or control units.

Air is the preferred refrigerant carrier.

According to a further expedient embodiment of the invention, the distribution means comprise a channel-shaped line system.

In the channel-shaped, for example tubular, conduit system, fans may be arranged in the case of a gaseous refrigerant flow or, in the case of a liquid refrigerant flow, pumps which impose a flow direction on the refrigerant. The cooling unit may comprise a heat exchanger which is linked to the distribution means in such a way that the refrigerant flow guided in the distribution means comes into thermal contact with the heat exchanger. As usual, the refrigeration unit also comprises an evaporator, a compressor and a condenser. In this case, the evaporator extracts a heat flowing through the heat exchanger by evaporation heat, which is dissipated by compressing and condensing the steam in the region of the condenser to the outside environment of the locomotive. The locomotive according to the invention may have a plurality of such cooling units, which are coupled to the distribution means.

According to an expedient further development, the channel-shaped line system branches off in a suitable manner. For example, the conduit system may comprise main conduits which extend to and into the individual functional spaces. Within the functional spaces, branch lines depart from the main lines, which extend, for example, towards the components to be cooled. In this way it is possible to introduce the coolant flow to components to be cooled.

It may also be considered advantageous that the channel-shaped conduit system for discharging the refrigerant flow has openings which open into the engine room.

According to one embodiment, the openings in the channel-shaped line system are arranged such that the respective emerging refrigerant flow is directed to a component to be cooled in the engine room. This allows a safe cooling of the components. The channel-shaped line system can be arranged inside the machine room, for example, on the ceiling. This is a particularly space-saving arrangement.

According to a further embodiment, outlet nozzles can be arranged in the openings, which imprint a suitable direction on the refrigerant flow emerging into the machine room.

According to an expedient embodiment of the invention, the channel-shaped line system branches within the machine room.

By means of the branch of the channel-shaped line system, the refrigerant flow can be distributed in a suitable manner in the engine room. The channel-shaped line system can, for example, branch such that the coolant stream exits the line system evenly distributed over the machine room.

As has already been explained above, it is also advantageous if the line system comprises branches which extend from the line system to cooling components.

The refrigerant flow guided along the branches can be conducted directly into and / or into the components to be cooled and / or into cooling lines extending inside the components. Cooling components of the engine room are, for example, coolers, control units such as drive controls, control and regulating units of the converter or controller, components of the train protection, drive components such as converters and actuators and other electrical and electronic components such as circuit boards, switches, contactors or the like. The components to be cooled are arranged for example in cabinets, which are made of sheet metal, for example. In such cabinets, for example, at least one branch opens, so that the flow of refrigerant into the cabinet is feasible. In the cabinet outlet openings for discharging the refrigerant flow from the cabinet are provided in the engine room.

It may also be considered advantageous that the distribution means comprise switching means arranged to divert the flow of refrigerant.

For example, the switching means can cause a bypassing of the refrigerant flow in the region of a cooling unit, so that the operative connection of the cooling unit and the operative connection between the cooling unit and the refrigerant flow are interrupted, for example, to replace a defective cooling unit. However, the switching means can also be provided that the cooled by a cooling unit refrigerant flow is distributed depending on the switching position of the switching means to different rooms to be cooled. The switching means are suitably controllable, so that the driver can transfer the switching means to a desired position, for example, by operating a lever, switch or push button on his driver's cab.

According to a preferred embodiment, the switching means comprise check valves and / or flow flaps.

For example, the flow flaps may close or release openings in the channeled conduit system. A closure of such an opening can be provided, for example, when the refrigeration flow cooled by a refrigeration unit is not intended to enter the channel-shaped piping system for further distribution in the locomotive, but should enter directly into the space in which the refrigeration unit is arranged. In the form of a blocking valve switching means may be electrically controllable shut-off valves. This has the already mentioned above advantage that by means of suitable control signals from a central location several check valves can be operated simultaneously.

According to a preferred embodiment, an air conditioner comprises the refrigeration unit.

The air conditioner is arranged, for example in the cab and, if the cab is occupied, for air conditioning of the room air in the cab. Such air conditioners in the cab are used as standard and are therefore already present in the locomotive.

According to an expedient embodiment, two driver's cabs are each provided with an air conditioning unit, wherein the distribution means extend at least between the air conditioning units.

This embodiment is based on the idea that locomotives with two arranged on the end faces of the locomotive cabs generally have two separate air conditioning units, which are each arranged in the cab. Depending on the direction of travel, the air conditioner is the unoccupied Driver's cab provided according to the invention for cooling the machine room. For this purpose, the provided by the air conditioner of the unoccupied cab cooled air is performed with suitable switching means position from the air conditioner on the distribution means to the engine room, where the cooled air can enter through opening in the distribution means in the engine room. At the same time, the air conditioner of the occupied driver's cab is used exclusively for conditioning the occupied driver's cab. For this purpose, the coupling between the air conditioner of the occupied driver's cab and a part of the distribution means running in the direction of the engine room is prevented by the switching means. By switching means selected for this purpose, cooled air is passed from the cooling unit via possibly also disposed within the air conditioner distribution means to an outlet opening of the air conditioner out and enters directly or via further distribution means led into the occupied driver's cab. According to the invention thus the entire locomotive and the engine room is air conditioned by means of the already existing air conditioners of the cabs. This reduces the initial cost of the locomotive according to the invention. In addition, powerful fans in the engine room can be dispensed with.

Advantageously, a central air conditioner is provided which comprises at least one cooling unit.

• Figur 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Lokomotive in einer Seitenansicht, und
• Figur 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Lokomotive in einer Seitenansicht zeigt.

The central air conditioner can be arranged for example in the engine room. With the help of the distribution means and the corresponding position of the switching means of the refrigerant flow can thus be performed in the occupied cab. The arranged according to the prior art in the small cab air conditioning units can thus be omitted. Further expedient embodiments and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the figure of the drawing, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same effect components and wherein

• FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the locomotive according to the invention in a side view, and
• FIG. 2 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the locomotive according to the invention in a side view shows.

The FIG. 1 The locomotive 1 has at its two end faces in each case a driver's cab 2a, 2b and between the two driver's cabs 2a, 2b a machine room 3, in which components 5, 6 and cabinets 4 to be cooled , 7 are arranged with components to be cooled. The components to be cooled include the electrics such as contactors, relays and electronics such as circuit boards and control units of the engine room. With the electrical and electronic components to be cooled are referred to in the context of this invention, all heat-sensitive electrical and electronic components and devices that are equipped with no adequate own cooling. In each of the two driver's cabs 2a, 2b a commercial air conditioner 8a, 8b with a cooling unit 16a, 16b housed. The commercially available air conditioners 8a, 8b have, in addition to a cooling unit 16a, 16b, a heating unit (not shown) and are equipped to provide cooled and / or heated air. In the in FIG. 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the locomotive 1 travels in a direction of travel 9, so that the driver's cab 2b is occupied by a driver. The air conditioner 8b is therefore used to generate a pleasant indoor climate in the cab 2b. Switching means 17 provide for a decoupling between the air conditioner 8b and a channel-shaped line system 11 by a flap 17 shutting off access to the channel-shaped line system 11 and the refrigerant flow 10 via distribution means 18 which differs from the Cooling unit 16b extend to an opening 13g and at least partially extend within the air conditioner 8b, is guided in the cab 2b. As distribution means 11, 18, 19 are referred to within the scope of this invention, where appropriate, components 18 within a commercial air conditioner.

The air conditioner 8a of the unoccupied cab 2a is used in the case shown for cooling the engine room 3. For this purpose, a cooling unit 16a of the air conditioner 8a cools a refrigerant flow 12, which is deflected by means of the switching means, not shown, in the channel-shaped line system 11. The channel-shaped line system 11 has openings 13 a, 13 c, 13 d, 13 e, through which the refrigerant flow 12 enters the engine room 3. The refrigerant flow is here a cooled air flow 12. The openings 13a, 13c, 13d, 13e are arranged in such a way that the refrigerant flow 12 specifically impinges on components 4, 6 to be cooled and thus ensures reliable cooling of these components 4, 6. To better meet the components to be cooled, nozzles may be arranged in the openings 13a, 13c, 13d, 13e, which direct the exiting refrigerant flow 12 in a suitable direction. The effect will be in another embodiment achieved by the guided in the channel-shaped conduit system 11 refrigerant flow 12 is acted upon by an overpressure, so that it exits under pressure from the openings 13 a, 13 c, 13 d, 13 e in the engine room 3. Further, the channel-shaped conduit system 11 branches 19, which leads the refrigerant flow 12 directly into the cabinets 4, 7, wherein the cabinets 4,7 are equipped with outlet openings 13b, 13f. The refrigerant flow 12 is also acted upon by an overpressure. As a result, a particularly secure cooling of components made in sheet metal cabinets 4, 7 is ensured.

The locomotive is in the embodiment shown a diesel-electric locomotive. A figuratively not shown diesel engine is additionally cooled by its own and different from the device according to the invention cooling device.

When changing the direction of travel of the locomotive 1 (only partially shown 17), the air conditioner 8a, 8b of the respective unoccupied cab connected to the channel-shaped line system 11 by switching means of switching, so that always a supply of the engine room 3 is ensured with cooling air. By distributing the refrigerant flow 10, 12 provided by the air conditioners 8a, 8b, more rooms can be air-conditioned with fewer refrigeration units, thereby reducing the initial cost of the locomotive 1 and ensuring effective cooling.

The FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the locomotive according to the invention 15. The locomotive 15 differs from the locomotive 1 according to FIG. 1 in that the locomotive 15 has a central air conditioner 14. The central air conditioner 14 is arranged in the engine room 3. Air conditioners in the driver's cabs 2a, 2b have thus become superfluous. The central air conditioner 14 comprises at least one cooling unit 16 c, which is coupled to the channel-shaped line system 11, 19 and the distribution means 18. The channel-shaped conduit system 11 extends T-shaped through the engine room 3 and into the two driver's cabs 2a, 2b. One of the at least one cooling unit 16c cooled refrigerant flow 12 is guided in the channel-shaped conduit system 11, wherein the refrigerant flow 12 for cooling the engine room 3 partially from the openings 13 a, 13 c, 13 d, 13 e in the engine room 3 and via the branches 19 in with to Cooling components filled cabinets 4, 7 emerges. The T-shaped extending line system 11 also has at each end of the T-bar a switching means (not shown) on which, depending on the switching position closes the driver's cab 2a, 2b towards end 13h, 13i of the conduit system 11 closes or releases. The central air conditioner 14 saves the previously available in the art redundant air conditioners of a locomotive and thereby enables a cost in the acquisition cost locomotive 15 with effective cooling of the engine room 3 and the two cabs 2a, 2b.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

first embodiment of the erf. Locomotive

2a, 2b

cab

3

engine room

4

Drive component

5

Drive component

6

Drive component

7

Drive component

8a, 8b

air conditioning

9

direction of travel

10

gaseous refrigerant flow

11

channel-shaped conduit system, which is comprised by the distribution means

12

Refrigerant flow

13a - 13i

openings

14

central air conditioner

15

second embodiment of the erf. locomotive 16a-16c cooling unit

17

flow flap

18

another distribution agent

19

Branches of the line system 11

Claims (12)

1. Locomotive (1, 15) having at least one driver's cab (2a, 2b), a machine room (3), at least one cooling assembly (16a, 16b, 16c) and distribution means (18, 11, 19) which are configured for conducting a coolant stream (10, 12) which is cooled by the cooling assembly (16a, 16b, 16c), wherein the distribution means (18, 11, 19) are coupled to the cooling assembly (16a, 16b, 16c),
   characterized in that the distribution means (18, 11, 19) extend both in each driver's cab (2a, 2b) and in the machine room (3) so that cooling of the machine room (3) and of at least one driver's cab (2a, 2b) is made possible using the distribution means (18, 11, 19).
2. Locomotive (1, 15) according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that the coolant stream (10, 12) is gaseous.
3. Locomotive (1, 15) according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that the distribution means (18, 11, 19) include a line system (11) in the form of ducts.
4. Locomotive (1, 15) according to Claim 3,
   characterized in that
   the line system (11) in the form of ducts has openings (13a, 13c, 13d, 13e) for outputting the coolant stream (10, 12), which openings (13a, 13c, 13d, 13e) open in the machine room (3).
5. Locomotive (1, 15) according to Claim 3 or 4,
   characterized in that the line system (11) in the form of ducts branches within the machine room (3).
6. Locomotive (1, 15) according to one of Claims 3 to 5,
   characterized in that the line system (11) includes branches (19) which extend from the line system (11) as far as components (4, 7) to be cooled.
7. Locomotive (1, 15) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the distribution means (18, 11, 19) include switching means which are configured to deflect the coolant stream (10, 12).
8. Locomotive (1, 15) according to Claim 7,
   characterized in that the switching means include stop valves and/or flow flaps (17).
9. Locomotive (1, 15) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the cooling assembly (16a, 16b, 16c) has a vaporizer, a compressor and a condenser.
10. Locomotive (1, 15) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that an air conditioning system (8a, 8b, 14) includes the cooling assembly (16a, 16b, 16c).
11. Locomotive (1) according to Claim 10,
    characterized in that two air conditioning systems (8a, 8b) are provided, wherein the distribution means (11, 19) extend at least between the air conditioning systems (8a, 8b).
12. Locomotive (15) according to Claim 10,
    characterized by
    a central air conditioning system (14) which includes at least one cooling assembly (16c).

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