CN-121986042-A - Bypass system of locomotive air dryer

Abstract

An air dryer bypass system that protects an air supply system including an air dryer from damage that may result if compressed air is allowed to flow through the air dryer when the air dryer fails to function properly due to a malfunction. The system has a valve having an inlet connected to a first main reservoir of the locomotive air supply system, a first outlet connected to an inlet of the locomotive air dryer, and a second outlet connected to a second main reservoir downstream of the air dryer outlet. A guide means for moving the valve between a first position in which the inlet is connected to the first outlet and a second position in which the inlet is connected to the second outlet. The valve is biased to the second position and a controller connected to the guide is programmed to move the valve to the first position when the air dryer is energized.

Inventors

• MICHAEL L. PARISIAN
• DEREK COLE
• Little Richard J. Matusiak

Assignees

• 纽约气闸有限公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20241004

Priority Date

20231005

Claims (15)

1. 1. An air dryer bypass system, comprising: A valve having an inlet configured to be connected to a first main reservoir of a locomotive air supply system, a first outlet configured to be connected to an inlet of a locomotive air dryer, and a second outlet configured to be connected to a second main reservoir downstream of the air dryer outlet, and a guide for moving the valve between a first position in which the inlet is connected to the first outlet and a second position in which the inlet is connected to the second outlet, wherein the valve is biased to the second position, and A controller is coupled to the guide and programmed to move the valve from the second position to the first position when the locomotive air dryer is energized.
2. 2. The air dryer bypass system of claim 1, further comprising a check valve located between the second outlet of the valve and the outlet of the locomotive air dryer.
3. 3. The air dryer bypass system of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to communicate with the electronic air brake system assembly to indicate whether the valve is in the first position or the second position.
4. 4. The air dryer bypass system of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to determine whether the locomotive air dryer is powered on.
5. 5. The air dryer bypass system of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to determine whether the locomotive air dryer is in a fault condition.
6. 6. The air dryer bypass system of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to determine whether the locomotive air dryer is capable of providing a sufficient amount of dry air flow to the second main air reservoir.
7. 7. The air dryer bypass system of claim 1, wherein the controller is separate from the locomotive air dryer.
8. 8. The air dryer bypass system of claim 1, wherein the controller is integrated into the locomotive air dryer.
9. 9. A method of protecting an air dryer comprising the steps of: Connecting a valve having an inlet to a first main reservoir of a locomotive air supply system; connecting a first outlet of the valve to an inlet of a locomotive air dryer; connecting the second outlet of the valve to a second main reservoir downstream of the outlet of the air dryer; The pilot valve switches between a first position wherein the inlet is connected to the first outlet and a second position wherein the inlet is connected to the second outlet, wherein the valve is biased in the second position when the locomotive air dryer is de-energized.
10. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising a check valve positioned between the second outlet of the valve and the outlet of the locomotive air dryer.
11. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein a controller associated with the valve is programmed to communicate with the electronic air brake system component to indicate whether the valve is in the first position or the second position.
12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the controller is programmed to determine whether the locomotive air dryer is powered on.
13. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the controller is programmed to determine whether the locomotive air dryer is in a fault condition.
14. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the controller is programmed to determine whether the locomotive air dryer is capable of providing a sufficient amount of dry air flow to the second main air reservoir.
15. 15. The method of claim 11 wherein the controller is separate from the locomotive air dryer.

Description

Bypass system of locomotive air dryer Technical Field The present disclosure relates to locomotive air dryers and, more particularly, to a method capable of protecting an air dryer from damage during a power outage or internal failure. Background A typical locomotive air supply system consists of a compressor and two primary air reservoirs MR1 and MR2 connected in series. An air dryer is typically installed between MR1 and MR2 to deliver dry air to MR 2. Railway-used air dryers are typically "pressure swing absorption" and are also known as twin tower desiccant air dryers. When the compressor is running and the air dryer is energized, the dryer circulates between the two desiccant columns to direct moist air into one column to remove water vapor and thereby obtain dry air, while a portion of the dry air is directed counter-currently into the other saturated column to remove accumulated moisture. However, if the air dryer is powered off or fails, but there is still airflow through, a significant amount of water and condensed water can accumulate within the dryer, which can flood the desiccant, permanently damaging the dryer. Flood, freezing or some form of blockage may also cause this to occur. Thus, there is a need in the art for a method of protecting an air dryer from excessive air flow when it is inoperable. Disclosure of Invention The present invention provides an air dryer bypass system that protects an air dryer from damage in the event of a power outage or other failure condition that would result in the air dryer being damaged if compressed air were allowed to flow through the air dryer. In one embodiment, the air dryer bypass system includes a valve coupled to a first main reservoir of the locomotive air supply system, a first outlet coupled to an inlet of the locomotive air dryer, and a second outlet coupled to a second main reservoir downstream of the air dryer outlet. The valve includes a guide for moving the valve between the first position and the second position. In the first position the inlet is connected to the first outlet and in the second position the inlet is connected to the second outlet. The valve is biased to the second position so that the valve normally bypasses the air dryer. A controller is connected to the guide device and is programmed to switch the valve from the second position to the first position when the locomotive air dryer is energized. The system also includes a check valve positioned between the second outlet of the valve and the outlet of the air dryer to prevent the bypass airflow from flowing back to the air dryer. The controller may be programmed to communicate with an electronic air brake system or subsystem (e.g., an electronic air brake) to indicate whether the valve is in the first position or the second position. The controller may be programmed to determine whether the air dryer is powered on, malfunctioning, or otherwise interfering with its proper operation, such as a blockage or freezing of a component. The controller may be programmed to determine whether the air dryer is in a fault condition that may be damaged by the passage of compressed air. The controller may be integrated inside the air dryer. The controller may also be independent of the air dryer. In another embodiment, the invention includes a method of protecting an air dryer comprising the steps of connecting a valve having an inlet to a first main reservoir of a locomotive air supply system, connecting a first outlet of the valve to the inlet of the locomotive air dryer, and then connecting a second outlet of the valve to a second main reservoir downstream of the air dryer outlet. The method further includes the step of guiding the valve between a first position wherein the inlet is connected to the first outlet and a second position wherein the inlet is connected to the second outlet, wherein the valve is biased to the second position when the controller detects that the locomotive air dryer is de-energized. Drawings The invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a locomotive air supply system for use with an air dryer bypass system according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an air dryer bypass system according to the present invention. Detailed Description Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like parts, there is shown in FIG. 1a locomotive air supply system 10 including an air compressor 12, an aftercooler 14, a first main air receiver MR1 and a second main air receiver MR2, and a dual tower desiccant air dryer 16, the dual tower desiccant air dryer 16 having an inlet for receiving compressed air from MR 1. The second main air reservoir MR2 is connected downstream of the air dryer 16 for receiving compressed, dried air and then delivering the compressed air to the brake system 18 of the trai