|
(11) | EP 1 159 181 B1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
|
|
| (54) |
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DECREASING BRAKING NOISE LEVEL VERFAHREN UND VORRICHTUNG ZUR VERRINGERUNG DES GERÄUSCHPEGELS BEIM BREMSEN PROCEDE ET DISPOSITIF PERMETTANT DE REDUIRE LE NIVEAU DE BRUIT LORS D'UN FREINAGE |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). |
Field of the invention
[0001] This invention relates to a method of and a device for decreasing braking noise level when a surface of a retarder mounted adjacent a rail engages a surface of a rail-borne vehicle to retard movement of the vehicle along a track.
Description of the problem
[0002] Operation of a retarder to effect deceleration of a rail-borne vehicle is usually accompanied by noise due to friction resulting from the surface of the retarder engaging the surface of the vehicle. A technical problem which requires resolution is to decrease the level of the noise without severely affecting braking performance.
State of the art
[0003] US-A-3,838,646 discloses a device for decreasing braking noise level when a surface of a retarder mounted adjacent a rail engages a surface of a rail-borne vehicle to retard movement of the vehicle along a track comprising signal generating means for generating signals indicative of presence of the vehicle on the track, spray means for spraying a fluid to lubricate the engaged surfaces and control means for controlling operation of the spray means. The device includes a sump for collecting excess fluid and a pumping system for returning the excess fluid to a mixing and storage tank.
[0004] US-A-4,088,078 discloses a device for decreasing braking noise level comprising means for urging a solid lubricant against one of the surfaces to lubricate the engaged surfaces.
Summary of the invention
[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of decreasing braking noise level when a surface of a retarder mounted adjacent a rail engages a surface of a rail-borne vehicle to retard movement of the vehicle along a track characterised in that the method includes the step of applying only a sufficient amount of fluid to lubricate the engaged surfaces such that the fluid is removed by friction between the engaged surfaces.
[0006] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for decreasing braking noise level when a surface of a retarder mounted adjacent a rail engages a surface of a rail-borne vehicle to retard movement of the vehicle along a track comprising means for generating signals indicative of presence of the vehicle on the track, spray means for spraying fluid to lubricate the engaged surfaces and control means for controlling operation of the spray means characterised in that the control means is adapted to operate so that only a sufficient amount of fluid is applied to the engaged surfaces to lubricate the engaged surfaces such that the fluid is removed by friction between the engaged surfaces.
[0007] Such stripping-off of fluid applied to the engaged surfaces prevents build up of fluid, which could result in decrease of braking performance, while ensuring decrease in the level of noise.
[0008] The present invention is further explained with the help of embodiments as described below and with reference to the accompanying drawings whereby the drawings form part of this patent application. In the drawings:
- Figure 1
- shows the position of proximity sensor(s) or switch(es) and controlled-volume (metering) pump along a rail whereby the figure shows the direction of wheel travel (A), controlled-volume pumps (1a through 1f), proximity sensors or switches (6a through 6f), and controlling unit (5);
- Figure 2
- shows a delivery system for controlled-volume pump or pumping device (1) for a section of said braking surface (7) whereby the figure shows a controlled-volume pump, mixing distributor (2), mixing distributor (3), nozzle or plurality thereof (4), controlling unit (5), proximity sensor or switch(6);
- Figure 3
- shows a cross section of said rail and rail brake with nozzle or plurality thereof whereby the figure shows schematics of a controlled-volume pump or pumping device (1), mixing distributor (2), mixing distributor (3), nozzles connected in pairs (4), braking surfaces (7), wheel (8), rail.
[0009] Controlled-volume pumps or pumping devices are shown in the figures under reference number 1 and a consecutive letter whereby they do not differ significantly among themselves. Further, their distributing system is shown in Figure 2 as a distributing system that applies to any of them, from 1 a through 1f. Similar description is used for proximity sensors or switches (6) described in the figures with reference number 6 (denoting the fact that this is a proximity sensor or switch) and letter denoting that the so described proximity sensor or switch corresponds to a particular controlled-volume pump or pumping device. By way of example, proximity sensor or switch 6a and controlled-volume pump or pumping device 1a correspond to each other, proximity sensor or switch 6b and controlled-volume pump or pumping device 1b correspond to each other, etc.
[0010] In a particular embodiment of this invention a method comprises the following phases:
- during wheel approach (usually when the velocity of the wheel exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity) said rail brake engages and the braking surface (7) engages the side of the wheel (8);
- the wheel (8) engages (i.e. switches on) proximity sensor or switch (6) by means of physical contact or sensing of proximity;
- the proximity sensor or switch (6) turns on a controlled-volume pump or pumping device which pumps a mixture of air and medium (fluid in this embodiment) to the mixing distributors (2) and (3);
- mixing distributors (2, 3) distribute said mixture of air and medium among nozzles (4);
- nozzles (4) apply the mixture of air and medium onto the braking surfaces (7).
[0011] The nozzles (4) are positioned in such a fashion in this embodiment that the resonances among the braking surfaces (7) or particular braking surface (7) and the wheel (8) are dampened or forestalled by means of asymmetrically positioning of the nozzles (4) with regard to the axis as defined by the rail. The control unit (5) controls the timing of medium application (i.e. spraying) or gap between the consecutive applications. In this embodiment the nozzles (4) alternate, however, an embodiment with only one nozzle (4) is also possible.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment the proximity sensors or switches (8) sense the wheel (8) only if the brake is activated and then enable the application of medium onto the braking surface (7) which is positioned before incoming wheel (8). Figure 1 shows the activation of controlled-volume pump or pumping device (1a) which applies medium onto the braking surface (7) before the wheel (8) reaches the position of the nozzles (4), said nozzles (4) being connected to the controlled-volume pump or pumping device (1a). In such a way predetermined applications of layers of medium can be achieved in dynamic fashion, said layers of medium to be stripped off by the wheel (8) during friction between the braking surface (7) and the side of the wheel (8). This stripping-off prevents piling of medium on a single spot which could result in decrease of brake performance.
[0013] The control unit (5) is given parameters needed for reliable operation of the brake (7), such as the velocity of the wheel, etc. If the velocity of the wheel (8) exceeds a predetermined value the control unit (5) blocks the operation of the brake.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the method for decreasing the noise of braking comprises application of the mixture of fluid using the pump or pumping device (1) onto the section of the braking surface (7) as determined by engaged proximity sensor or switch (6) and asymmetrically positioned nozzles (4) whereby the amount of the fluid is essentially equally distributed among the nozzles (4) belonging to the same distribution system using mixing distributors (2,3).
[0015] The device according to this invention uses the method according to this invention as described above and comprises at least one controlled-volume pump or pumping device (1), at least one mixing distributor (2,3), at least one nozzle (4).
[0016] The device according to this invention can be controlled via the controlling unit (5). In addition, the method and the device can form the ejected medium in a long, narrow jet to be formed by said nozzle (4) or a plurality thereof whereby the word narrow describes the jet not significantly widened or jet still to be considered in stable form (i.e. a jet which has not yet broken).
1. A method of decreasing braking noise level when a surface of a retarder mounted adjacent
a rail engages a surface of a rail-borne vehicle to retard movement of the vehicle
along a track, characterised by method including the step of measuring and applying only a sufficient amount of fluid
to lubricate the engaged surfaces such that the fluid is removed by friction between
the engaged surfaces, said fluid being comprised primarily of air and liquid.
2. A method, according to claim 1, including the steps of: detecting the presence of
the vehicle on the track and generating a signal indicative thereof; employing spraying
to apply said fluid; and coupling said signal to cause the spraying of a metered amount
of fluid.
3. A method, according to claim 2, wherein said step of detecting the presence of the
vehicle includes the step of detecting the vehicle at each of a plurality of positions
along the track, and where said step of coupling said signal includes the step of
coupling a separate signal for each respective position along said track, each respective
separate coupled signal being operative to cause the spraying of a metered amount
of fluid onto the track in the vicinity of the respective one of the plurality of
positions along the track.
4. A method, according to claim 3, including the step of spraying on opposite sides of
the track.
5. A method, according to claim 4, including the step of spraying from positions which
are arranged asymmetrically of an axis extending longitudinally of the track.
6. A method, according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said plurality of positions
along the track comprises six positions.
7. A method, according to any one of claims 2 to 6, including the steps of: detecting
the velocity of the vehicle along the track; and inhibiting spraying if the velocity
of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined velocity.
8. A method, according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein said step of spraying involves
spraying the fluid in the form of a rectilinear jet.
9. A device for carrying out the method of claim 1 for decreasing braking noise level
when a surface of the retarder mounted adjacent a rail engages a surface (8) of a
rail-borne vehicle to retard movement of the vehicle along a track, said device comprising:
signal generating means (6) for generating signals indicative of presence of the vehicle
on the track, spray means (4) for spraying fluid to lubricate the engaged surfaces
(7,8), and control means (5) for controlling operation of the spray means (4), said
device being characterised by said control means (5) comprising metering means for metering the amount of fluid
to be provided to said spray means, said control means being adapted to operate so
that only a sufficient amount of fluid is applied to the engaged surfaces (7,8) to
lubricate the engaged surfaces (7,8) and for the fluid to be removed by friction between
the engaged surfaces, and said fluid being comprised primarily of air and liquid.
10. A device according to claim 9 characterised in that there is provided a plurality of signal generating means (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f)
and a plurality of spray means (4) and in that the control means (5) is adapted to control each spray means (4) in response to signals
received from a corresponding one of the signal generating means (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d,
6e, 6f).
11. A device according to claim 10 characterised in that the spray means (4) are arranged on opposite sides of the track.
12. A device according to claim 11 characterised in that the spray means (4) are arranged asymmetrically of an axis extending longitudinally
of the track.
13. A device according to any one of claims 11 to 12 characterised in that there are provided six signal generating means (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f) each being
connected to a corresponding one of six pumping devices (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f).
14. A device according to any one of claims 10 to 13 characterised in that the control means (5) is adapted to prevent operation of the device if the velocity
of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity.
15. A device according to any one of claims 10 to 14 characterised in that fluid sprayed from each spray means (4) is in the form of a rectilinear jet.
1. Verfahren zur Verringerung des Bremsgeräuschpegels, wenn die Oberfläche eines an eine
Schiene angrenzenden Verzögerers in eine Oberfläche eines Schienenfahrzeugs eingreift,
um das Schienenfahrzeug entlang der Fahrbahn abzubremsen, gekennzeichnet durch die Verfahrensschritte des Abmessens und Applizierens von lediglich einer ausreichenden
Menge eines Fluids, um die eingreifenden Oberflächen zu schmieren, so dass das in
erster Linie aus Luft und Flüssigkeit bestehende Fluid aufgrund der Reibung zwischen
den eingreifenden Oberflächen beseitigt wird.
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, das die folgenden Schritte umfasst: Erkennen des Vorhandenseins
eines Fahrzeugs auf der Fahrbahn sowie Erzeugung eines darauf hinweisenden Signals;
Anwenden eines Sprühens zum Applizieren des Fluids; und Koppeln des Signals, um das
Sprühen einer dosierten Fluidmenge zu bewirken.
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, bei dem der Schritt des Erkennens des Fahrzeugs das Erkennen
des Fahrzeugs an jeder von einer Vielzahl von Positionen auf der Fahrbahn und der
Schritt des Koppelns des Signals das Koppeln eines separaten Signals für jede einzelne
Position entlang der Fahrbahn umfasst, wobei jedes einzelne gekoppelte Signal das
Sprühen einer dosierten Fluidmenge auf die Fahrbahn in der Nähe der einzelnen von
der Vielzahl der Positionen entlang der Fahrbahn bewirkt.
4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3, das den Schritt des Sprühens von gegenüberliegende Seiten
der Fahrbahn umfasst.
5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 4, das den Schritt des Sprühens aus Positionen, die asymmetrisch
zu einer sich längs der Fahrbahn erstreckenden Achse angeordnet sind, umfasst.
6. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Vielzahl der Positionen entlang der Fahrbahn sechs Positionen umfasst.
7. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 6, das die folgenden Schritte umfasst:
Bestimmen der Geschwindigkeit des Fahrzeugs auf der Fahrbahn und Unterdrücken des Sprühens, wenn die Fahrzeuggeschwindigkeit größer als eine vorgegebene Geschwindigkeit ist.
8. Verfahren nach den Ansprüchen 2 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schritt des Sprühens das Sprühen des Fluids in Form eines geradlinigen Strahls
beinhaltet.
9. Vorrichtung zur Ausführung des Verfahrens nach Anspruch 1 zur Verringerung des Geräuschpegels
beim Bremsen, wenn die Oberfläche eines an eine Schiene angrenzenden Verzögerers zum
Bremsen eines Schienenfahrzeugs auf einer Fahrbahn in die Oberfläche (8) des Fahrzeugs
eingreift, mit:
Mitteln (6) zur Erzeugung eines Signals zur Anzeige, das sich ein Fahrzeug auf der Fahrbahn befindet; Mitteln zum Sprühen (4) von Fluid, um die eingreifenden Oberflächen (7, 8) zu schmieren; sowie Mitteln (5) zum Steuern der Sprühmittel (4);
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Kontrollmittel (5) Mittel zum Dosieren der den Sprühmitteln bereitzustellenden Fluidmenge aufweisen, wobei die Kontrollmittel ausgebildet sind um so zu arbeiten, dass lediglich eine ausreichende Fluidmenge auf die eingreifenden Oberflächen (7, 8) zu deren Schmierung appliziert wird und Fluid aufgrund der Reibung zwischen den eingreifenden Oberflächen beseitigt wird, und dass das Fluid in erster Linie aus Luft und Flüssigkeit besteht.10. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Vielzahl von Signal erzeugenden Mitteln (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f) und eine Vielzahl
von Sprühmitteln (4) bereitgestellt wird, und dass die Steuerungsmittel (5) so ausgebildet
sind, dass sie jedes der Sprühmittel (4) in Abhängigkeit von Signalen steuern, die
sie von den korrespondierenden Signalerzeugungsmitteln (6a, 6b, 6c ,6d ,6e ,6f) empfangen.
11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich die Sprühmittel (4) auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten der Fahrbahn befinden.
12. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Sprühmittel (4) asymmetrisch zu einer sich längs der Fahrbahn erstreckenden Achse
angeordnet sind.
13. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 11 oder 12, gekennzeichnet durch sechs Signalerzeugungsmittel (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f), die jeweils mit einer korrespondierenden
von sechs Pumpvorrichtungen (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f) verbunden sind.
14. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 10 bis 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Kontrollmittel (5) so ausgebildet sind, dass sie den Betrieb der Vorrichtung
unterbinden, wenn die Fahrzeuggeschwindigkeit größer als eine vorgegebene Höchstgeschwindigkeit
ist.
15. Vorrichtung nach den Ansprüchen 10 bis 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das aus den Sprühmitteln (4) gesprühte Fluid in der Form eines geradlinigen Strahls
ist.
1. Procédé destiné à réduire le niveau de bruit lors d'un freinage lorsqu'une surface
d'un ralentisseur monté de manière adjacente à un rail vient en prise avec une surface
d'un véhicule sur rails afin de ralentir le déplacement du véhicule le long d'une
voie, caractérisé en ce que ledit procédé comprend l'étape consistant à ne doser et à n'appliquer qu'une quantité
suffisante de fluide pour lubrifier les surfaces en prise de telle sorte que le fluide
soit éliminé par le frottement entre les surfaces en prise, ledit fluide se composant
principalement d'air et de liquide.
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, comprenant les étapes consistant à détecter la présence
du véhicule sur la voie et générer un signal indiquant cette présence ; utiliser la
pulvérisation pour appliquer ledit fluide ; et coupler ledit signal pour entraîner
la pulvérisation d'une quantité dosée de fluide.
3. Procédé selon la revendication 2, dans lequel ladite étape consistant à détecter la
présence du véhicule comprend l'étape consistant à détecter le véhicule à chaque position
parmi une pluralité de positions le long de la voie, et dans lequel ladite étape consistant
à coupler ledit signal comprend l'étape consistant à coupler un signal séparé pour
chaque position respective le long de ladite voie, chaque signal couplé séparé respectif
servant à entraîner la pulvérisation d'une quantité dosée de fluide sur la voie au
voisinage de la position respective parmi la pluralité de positions le long de la
voie.
4. Procédé selon la revendication 3, comprenant l'étape consistant à procéder à la pulvérisation
sur les côtés opposés de la voie.
5. Procéder selon la revendication 4, comprenant l'étape consistant à procéder à la pulvérisation
à partir de positions qui sont agencées de manière asymétrique par rapport à un axe
s'étendant de manière longitudinale par rapport à la voie.
6. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 5, dans lequel ladite pluralité
de positions le long de la voie comprend six positions.
7. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 6, comprenant les étapes consistant
à : détecter la vitesse du véhicule le long de la voie ; et empêcher la pulvérisation
si la vitesse du véhicule dépasse une vitesse prédéterminée.
8. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 7, dans lequel ladite étape
consistant à pulvériser implique la pulvérisation du fluide sous la forme d'un jet
rectiligne.
9. Dispositif destiné à mettre en oeuvre le procédé selon la revendication 1 destiné
à réduire le niveau de bruit lors d'un freinage lorsqu'une surface d'un ralentisseur
monté de manière adjacente à un rail vient en prise avec une surface (8) d'un véhicule
sur rails pour ralentir le déplacement du véhicule le long d'une voie, ledit dispositif
comprenant : un moyen (6) de génération de signal destiné à générer des signaux indiquant
la présence du véhicule sur la voie, un moyen (4) de pulvérisation destiné à pulvériser
du fluide pour lubrifier les surfaces (7, 8) en prise, et un moyen (5) de commande
destiné à commander le fonctionnement du moyen (4) de pulvérisation, ledit dispositif
étant caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen (5) de commande comprend un moyen de dosage destiné à doser la quantité
de fluide devant être fournie audit moyen de pulvérisation, ledit moyen de commande
étant adapté pour fonctionner de telle sorte que seule une quantité suffisante de
fluide soit appliquée sur les surfaces (7, 8) en prise pour lubrifier les surfaces
(7, 8) en prise et pour que le fluide soit éliminé par le frottement entre les surfaces
en prise, et ledit fluide se composant principalement d'air et de liquide.
10. Dispositif selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte une pluralité de moyens (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f) de génération de signal
et une pluralité de moyens (4) de pulvérisation, et en ce que le moyen (5) de commande est adapté pour commander chaque moyen (4) de pulvérisation
en réponse aux signaux reçus d'un moyen de génération de signal correspondant parmi
la pluralité de moyens (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f) de génération de signal.
11. Dispositif selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que les moyens (4) de pulvérisation sont agencés sur les côtés opposés de la voie.
12. Dispositif selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que les moyens (4) de pulvérisation sont agencés de manière asymétrique par rapport à
un axe qui s'étend de manière longitudinale par rapport à la voie.
13. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 11 à 12, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte six moyens (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f) de génération de signal, chacun étant
connecté à un dispositif de pompage correspondant parmi les six dispositifs de pompage
(1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e , 1f).
14. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 10 à 13, caractérisé en ce que le moyen (5) de commande est adapté pour empêcher le fonctionnement du dispositif
si la vitesse du véhicule dépasse une vitesse seuil prédéterminée.
15. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 10 à 14, caractérisé en ce que le fluide pulvérisé depuis chaque moyen (4) de pulvérisation se présente sous la
forme d'un jet rectiligne.