RO134842A2 - System for removing ice/snow from railway switch tongues, using steam - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for removing ice/snow from railway switch tongues using steam, which is meant for maintenance of switch operability, irrespective of cold season weather conditions, such as frost or snow, providing for removal of ice or snow from the area swept by the tongues during the closing process. According to the invention, the system consists of an overheated water circuit (14 and 15), i.e. supply pipe and return pipe, respectively, supplied through a vasoflex (6) by an overheated water boiler (5) supplied, in its turn, from a demineralized water reservoir (1), by a supply pump (2), through a direction valve (3), the water being then recycled by a circulation pipe (4) which ensures the pressure and the optimal temperature to a buffer vessel (7), the overheated water entering the vessel through a normally open supply valve (8) controlled by an electromagnet (9) concomitantly with a normally closed purge valve (10) and returning through a direction valve (11), where, when required by the snow layer, temperature, rainfall and wind velocity conditions, the valve (8) is closed by actuating the electromagnet (9), concomitantly with the opening of the purge valve (10) and the closing of the direction valve (11) in order to prevent steam bubbles formation on the overheated water circuit, the purged water coming from the valve (10) passes through a three-way distributer (12) wherefrom it is distributed to some steam ejectors (13) mounted on the fixed rail of the switch, with a differential steam flow rate, i.e. higher flow rate towards the open tongue and a fourth of this flow rate towards the closed tongue, in order to melt the snow from the open tongue and of the possible ice to the closed tongue.

Description

134842 A ^

STATE OFFICE FOR INVENTIONS Șl

Patent application for InvenffeO _No. λ OoSB2

Date deoozit Q.Î? PÎL

Steam defrost / snow removal system, rail derailleur needles - Description

The system can be used in the railway field, in order to maintain the functionality of the track switches, regardless of the conditions in the cold season (frost, snow), ensuring the defrosting and snow removal of the interval swept by the needles in the closing process.

At present, the railway changer needles are equipped with electrical resistors, which fail to heat the needle sufficiently (heat dissipating in the environment), and the snow melts only by contact, which causes the formation of blocks. of compacted snow, when trying to close the needle, preventing its operation in real time.

To my knowledge, there is another Swiss system, more efficient in terms of energy consumption, based on the use of High Frequency Currents, which heat only a surface layer below the Imm of the needle body, but also melt the snow by contact and form the same snowballs, preventing the needle from closing in real time.

The patented system defrosts the closed shift needle and clears the open needle, using multiple steam jets, which melt and remove snow from the sweep space of the open needle, ensuring the optimal operation of the track changer and, consequently, the flow of rail traffic.

According to Plate 1, the system uses a superheated water boiler 5, through which circulates the demineralized water taken from the Tank 1, pumped by the supply pump 2 and when the necessary pressure is reached, recirculated by the recirculation pump 4, at which time the supply pump 2 stops, and the 3-way valve closes by isolating the supply circuit. The superheated water is stored in Vasoflex 6, from which it reaches the main flow pipe of circuit 14, and from there to each Buffer Vessel 7, respectively 2Plate 2 and the Ensemble from Plate 3, located in the vicinity of each track changer, according to Plate 2. The superheated water enters it through the Control Valve 8, respectively 1- Plate 3 and exits through the Valve 11, respectively 11 - Plate 3, reaching the Main Return Pipe 15 and back into the boiler 5, with the help of Pump 4. Circulation ensures that a constant temperature and pressure is maintained in Buffer Tank 7, the water being prepared for purging, when snow conditions, ambient temperature and wind speed combined with rain, make it necessary to clean the snow, or just defrost those attached to the way. When purged, the superheated water turns into preheated steam that melts and blows the snow from the space swept by the needle when closed.

η

To purge the superheated water, the Electromagnet 9 is supplied and opens the one-way valve, and simultaneously closes the one-way valve 8, isolating the flow circuit. The pressure drop also closes the one-way valve 11, and the volume of water in the buffer vessel is transformed into superheated steam and is purged through the three-way valve 12, which directs the steam flow mainly to the open needle, through the ejectors 13.

Plate 1, contains the principle scheme of the system, and Plate 2, the location of the novelty elements (Buffer vessel and steam distribution elements), and Plate 3, contains the constructive solution of the Buffer vessel, numbered with 7 in Plate 1 and respectively 2, in Plate 2.

Thus, in Plate 2, we have the location of the elements on the track changer, these being as follows:

1. - Electric needle actuator

2. - Buffer Vessel (numbered 7 in Plate 1 and represented in section in Plate 3)

3. - Electromagnet (numbered 9 in Plate 1 and 10 in Plate 3)

4. - Three-way valve (numbered 12 in Plate 1)

5. - Fixed railway track

6. -Aculînchis

7. -Aculdeschis

8. - Steam ejectors numbered 13 in plate 1)

The section in Plan R-R, on the H direction, represents the technical solution of the ejectors.

in Plate 3, we have the Constructive Solution of the Buffer Vessel, numbered with 7, in Plate 1 and with 2, in plate 2, having the following elements:

1. - Ordered valve (flow, numbered 8, in Plate 1)

2. - Lower body

3. - Pioneer valve flow and purge

4. - Tachet

5. - Upper body

6. - Ventilation pioneer

7. - Lower aerating body

8. - Upper aerating body

9. - Float

10. - Electromagnet (numbered with 3, in plate 2, respectively with 9, in Plate 1)

11. - Return valve (numbered 11 in plate 1)

12. - Purge valve (numbered 10, in Plate

Claims (3)

Claims for Steam Thawing / Snow Removing System 1. The steam defrosting / de-icing system of the interchange needles, characterized in that it uses a superheated water circuit, transformed into superheated steam and purged in the sweeping area of the interchange needles, melting the snow deposited at the open needle and defrosting the closed needle so that the track switch works even in winter, is made up according to Plate 1, of the superheated water circuit, (flow (14) and return (15)), fed by Vasoflex (6), by the Superheated Water Boiler (5), which in turn is supplied from the Tank (1) with demineralized water by the Supply Pump (2), through the Direction Valve (3), then recirculated by the Circulation Pump ( 4), ensuring an optimal pressure and temperature in the Buffer Tank (7), the superheated water entering it through the Flow Valve (8), normally open, controlled by the Electromagnet (9), simultaneously with the Purge Valve (10), normally closed, and making the return through the Valve of meaning (11). When the conditions of snow cover, temperature, precipitation and wind speed require it, by activating the Electromagnet (9), the Valve (8) closes, simultaneously with the Purge Valve (10) opens, And the Direction Valve (11) closes , avoiding the formation of steam bubbles on the superheated water circuit, and the water purged through the valve (10), passes through the three-way distributor (12), from where it is distributed to the steam ejectors (13), mounted on the fixed rail of the exchanger of the track, with a differentiated steam flow, respectively higher to the open needle and a quarter of it to the closed needle, causing the snow to melt between the open needle and any ice from the closed needle. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the assembly mounted on the track changer is according to Plate 2, consisting of the Buffer vessel (2), having the index (7) in Plate 2, detailed in Plate 3, Electromagnet (4) , with index (9), in Plate 2, the assembly being mounted in the vicinity of the electric actuator (1), the three-way distributor (4), with the index (12) in Plate 1, and the steam ejectors (8), with the index ( 13) in Plate 1, Section RR, detailing their construction. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, according to Plate 3, the buffer vessel with index (7) in Plate 1 and with index (2) in Plate 2 is composed according to section, of the flow valve (1) , with index (8) in Plate 1, Lower body (2), Plunger (3), Dowel (4), Upper body (5), Vent plunger (6). Lower vent (7), Upper vent (8), Float (9), Electromagnet (10), having index (9) in Plate 1, Direction valve (11), having index (11) in Plate 1 and valve purge (12), having the index (10), in Plate 2. The vessel is supplied from the Flow Circuit, with superheated water, through the Flow Valve (1), it is filled and the air is eliminated through the Upper Body of the aerator, because The plunger's cam (3) is retracted and releases the Plunger (4) and the Plunger (6), respectively, and the Float (9) closes the Aerator, when the water level is sufficient for its floatation and the action of the Plunger (6) upwards, closing the vent . When purging the superheated water, feeding the Electromagnet (10), the flow valve (1) is closed simultaneously with the opening of the purge valve (12), and the plunger cam (3) attacks the dowel (4), blocking the vent hole. The superheated water in the buffer vessel evaporates and discharges into the valve port (12), then into the circuit described above.