METHOD FOR DEWATERING AN OPERATING SUBSTANCE, DEWATERING DEVICE AND OPERATING-SUBSTANCE SUPPLY DEVICE

Abstract

A method for dewatering an operating substance, more particularly a fuel, preferably during the operation of a vehicle, more particularly a rail vehicle, includes conveying an operating substance from an operating substance tank. Water present on or in the fuel is first collected in a water container, and water is conveyed, in chronological order, from the water container back to the operating substance tank, then to an exhaust system and/or from the operating substance tank to the exhaust gas system. A dewatering device for an operating substance, more particularly a fuel for a vehicle, more particularly a rail vehicle, includes a water container, in which water present on or in the fuel is collected. The dewatering device has a dewatering conduit or line which runs from the water container to an operating-substance tank of the vehicle and/or to an exhaust-gas system of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for dewatering a fuel during operation of a rail vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: conveying fuel as an operating substance out of an operating substance tank; separating water present in the operating substance into a water container; conveying the water back into the operating substance tank when the water container is substantially filled; and conveying the water out of the water container into an exhaust gas system when an exhaust gas volumetric flow is at least sufficient and when the water container is substantially filled, evaporating the water conveyed into the exhaust gas system in a hot exhaust gas flow and discharging the hot exhaust gas flow into a local surrounding area.

2. The dewatering method according to claim 1, which further comprises: using a water conveying device located substantially at a bottom of the water container to convey the water into the operating substance tank; and using the water conveying device to convey the water into the exhaust gas system.

3. The dewatering method according to claim 1, which further comprises at least one of: discharging the water out of at least one of the operating substance tank or the water container; or conveying the operating substance out of the operating substance tank substantially at a height of a level of the operating substance in the operating substance tank.

4. The dewatering method according to claim 1, which further comprises temporally discharging water present in an operating substance supply device of an engine before filling or starting up the engine.

5. The dewatering method according to claim 1, which further comprises: conveying the operating substance toward an internal combustion engine; using a water conveying device configured as a dewatering pump to convey the water out of the water container; and operating the water conveying device in a manner controlled by a sensor signal, in an adjustable time-controlled manner or permanently.

6. A dewatering device for dewatering a fuel during operation of a rail vehicle, the dewatering device comprising: an operating substance tank for receiving fuel as an operating substance to be conveyed out of said operating substance tank; a water container for separating water present in the operating substance; an exhaust gas system for evaporating water conveyed into said exhaust gas system in a hot exhaust gas flow and discharging the hot exhaust gas flow into a local surrounding area; a dewatering line leading from said water container to said operating substance tank and to said exhaust gas system; said dewatering line being configured to convey the water back into said operating substance tank when said water container is substantially filled; and said dewatering line being configured to convey the water out of said water container into said exhaust gas system when an exhaust gas volumetric flow is at least sufficient and when said water container is substantially filled.

7. The dewatering device according to claim 6, which further comprises a water conveying device, said dewatering line including a feed line leading to said water conveying device, a return line leading from said water conveying device to said operating substance tank and a forward feed line leading from said water conveying device to said exhaust gas system.

8. The dewatering device according to claim 6, wherein at least one of said water container, said operating substance tank, said dewatering line or said water conveying device has a water removal point.

9. The dewatering device according to claim 7, wherein: the operating substance is discharged from said operating substance tank; said water container is part of an operating substance filter; and at least one of said feed line, said return line or said forward feed line has an actuating device.

10. The dewatering device according to claim 6, which further comprises: an operating substance intake float configured to float on the operating substance in said operating substance tank; and an operating substance hose disposed in said operating substance tank; said operating substance intake float and said operating substance hose being configured to convey the operating substance out of said operating substance tank.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of an operating substance supply device according to the invention and a first embodiment of a dewatering device according to the invention for a vehicle,

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the dewatering device according to the invention for the vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, and

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the dewatering device according to the invention for the vehicle, in particular the rail vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The invention is described in greater detail in the following text on the basis of exemplary embodiments of one embodiment of one variant of an operating substance supply device 0 (cf. FIG. 1) and of three embodiments of one variant (cf. FIGS. 1 to 3) of a dewatering device 10 for a rail vehicle. The invention is not restricted, however, to a variant of this type and/or the exemplary embodiments which are described in the following text, but rather is of more fundamental nature, with the result that it can be applied to all dewatering devices within the context of the invention.

[0027] A dewatering device according to the invention can thus be applied to all internal combustion engines, in particular diesel engines. This relates, for example, to engines of power generators, trucks, military vehicles, rail vehicles, ships, etc. Furthermore, the invention can be applied to all areas which have to expect contaminated diesel fuels, such as in mining, on construction sites, etc. Relevant manufacturers are, for example, engine manufacturers; engine suppliers, for example filter manufacturers; commercial vehicle manufacturers; manufacturers of power generators; manufacturers of marine engines, etc.

[0028] The drawing shows only those sections which are necessary for an understanding of the invention. Although the invention is described and illustrated in greater detail by way of preferred exemplary embodiments, the invention is not restricted by way of the disclosed exemplary embodiments. Other variations can be derived herefrom without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0029] FIG. 1 shows the operating substance supply device 0 according to the invention, preferably configured as a fuel supply device 0, the supply device 0 having at least one operating substance tank 20, in particular a fuel tank 20, preferably with an inner protective coating or an inner phosphating treatment. A height 22 or level 22 of an operating substance 2, in particular a fuel 2, is marked by way of a triangle 22 in FIG. 1. Air 3 is usually situated above this. The fuel 2 can be removed from the fuel tank 20 by means of a fuel intake float 210 (operating substance intake float 210) which can float on the fuel 2, and can be conveyed away from the intake float 210, in particular, through a preferably at least partially flexible fuel hose 212 (operating substance hose 212). Here, the fuel hose 212 is preferably connected fluid-mechanically to the intake float 210.

[0030] A fluid-mechanical further contact connection of the fuel hose 212 can take place at a connector which preferably lies on the inside in the fuel tank 20, or the fuel hose 212 is guided to the outside and is further contact-connected fluid-mechanically on the fuel tank 20 or another apparatus, such as a fuel filter 40 (operating substance filter 40). Here, the fuel hose 212 can lead to a fuel line 300 (operating substance line 300) which connects the fuel intake float 210 fluid-mechanically to the fuel filter 40. Furthermore, the supply device 0 can have a fuel conveying device (operating substance conveying device) downstream of the fuel intake float 210, in particular downstream of the fuel hose 212.

[0031] Furthermore, apart from connectors, etc., the supply device 0 can comprise the fuel filter 40, preferably a fuel prefilter 40 (operating substance prefilter 40) and/or a fuel main filter (operating substance main filter) and a fuel line 500 (operating substance line 500) from the fuel filter 40 to an internal combustion engine 60, in particular a diesel engine 60, of the rail vehicle. One advantage of said arrangement lies in the fact that the fuel 2 in the fuel tank 20 can be sucked into the fuel filter 40 via the intake float 210 on a surface or in a surface region of the fuel 2, as a result of which merely a small water quantity is separated in the fuel filter 40 (see below) in comparison with a lower intake region (prior art).

[0032] In one preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention or the system according to the invention (drive, in particular diesel drive, rail vehicle, motor vehicle, etc.), water 1 which is separated in a water container 410 is guided back into a fuel tank 20 (FIG. 1). Furthermore, in one preferred embodiment, water 1 which is separated in the water container 410 can be conveyed further into an exhaust gas system 80, where it is evaporated in a flow of a hot exhaust gas 4, preferably in an exhaust gas silencer 80, and water vapor which is produced is discharged into a local surrounding area (FIG. 2). Furthermore, in one preferred embodiment, water 1 which is separated in the water container 410 can be guided back into the fuel tank 20 again, and separated water 1 (from the fuel tank 20 or the water container 410) can be conveyed into the exhaust gas system 80 (FIG. 3).

[0033] FIGS. 1 to 3 in each case show an embodiment of the dewatering device 10 of a fuel 2 (operating substance 2) of the rail vehicle or of its fuel supply device 0. Here, the dewatering device 10 comprises substantially a dewatering line 100 which leads from a water container 410 to a fuel tank 20 (operating substance tank 20) and/or from the water container 410 to an exhaust gas system 80, in particular an exhaust gas silencer 80. The dewatering line 100 can have a water removal point 120, optionally with a dewatering actuating means (for example, a dewatering valve, a drain cock, manually or electromechanically actuable).

[0034] For conveying water 1 which is separated in the water container 410, the dewatering device 10 or the dewatering line 100 has a water conveying device 110, in particular a dewatering pump 110. The water container 410 can be a part or a section of a fuel filter 40 (operating substance filter 40), preferably of a fuel prefilter 40 (operating substance prefilter 40). The water conveying device 110 can have a water removal point (not shown), optionally with a dewatering actuating means (for example, a dewatering valve, a drain cock, manually or electromechanically actuable). Furthermore, the fuel tank 20 and/or the water container 410 can have a water removal point 220, 420, optionally in each case with a dewatering actuating means (for example, a dewatering valve, a drain cock, manually or electromechanically actuable).

[0035] Depending on a position of one or a plurality of actuating means, preferably one or a plurality of electrically actuable and/or manually operable valves, in the dewatering device 10 or the dewatering line 100, water 1 which is separated in the water container 410 can be conveyed back to/into the fuel tank 20 and/or forward to/into the exhaust gas system 80. Here, furthermore, depending on a position of the relevant actuating means, the fuel tank 20 can be brought into fluid-mechanical contact with the exhaust gas system 80. The following embodiments can of course also be applied to an operating substance 2 instead of the fuel 2.

[0036] In addition to the fuel supply device 0, FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment of the dewatering device 10. Here, the dewatering line 100 comprises a feed line 101 and merely a return line 102. The feed line 101 leads from the water container 410 to the water conveying device 110/into the return line 102. The return line 102 leads from the feed line 101, from the water conveying device 110 back to/into the fuel tank 20. Here, the feed line (101) can be configured as a section of the return line 102, or vice versa. The water container 410 and/or the feed line 101 (preferably) have/has a water removal point 120, 420.

[0037] The water container 410 preferably has a water container sensor 430 or water container detector 430 which outputs a sensor signal S1 in a manner which is dependent on a height or level of water 1 in the water container 410. In the simplest case, the water container sensor 430 is a threshold value sensor. Via a sensor signal S1 (for example: “water container full” (water container 410 which is filled sufficiently or substantially with water 1)), the preferably maintenance-free dewatering pump 110 conveys water 1 out of the water container 410 at the bottom downward directly into the fuel tank 20. Deposited silt is swirled up in the fuel 2 in the fuel tank 20 as a result of a return of the water 1 into the fuel tank 20 at the bottom, and can be separated later in the fuel prefilter 40.

[0038] A valve (not shown), for example a check valve, in the return line 102 can avoid an undesired return of water 1 out of the fuel tank 20 into the water container 410. During discharging, said valve can be bypassed by way of the dewatering actuating means of the water removal point 120/220/420. In addition to a sensor signal actuation, the dewatering pump 110 can also operate in an adjustably time-controlled or permanent manner. A fuel 2 which is possibly entrained in all three cases does not lead to a failure. The water 1 can be discharged at the fuel tank 20 (water removal point 220) and/or at the fuel prefilter 40 (water removal point 120, 420).

[0039] An operator or traction unit driver of the rail vehicle can continue a journey safely and without an interruption until an upcoming fuel stop. Engine damage or even complete engine failure is avoided safely. Before filling of the rail vehicle, water 1 should be discharged at the fuel prefilter 40. The end criteria of this operation remain identical for the operator or traction unit driver. Should no water 1 be discharged, a filling quantity of fuel 2 and therefore merely a range of the rail vehicle are decreased.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows the second embodiment of the dewatering device 10. Here, the dewatering line 100 comprises a feed line 101 and merely a forward feed line 103. The feed line 101 leads from the water container 410 to the water conveying device 110/into the forward feed line 103. The forward feed line 103 leads from the feed line 101/from the water conveying device 110 forward to/into the exhaust gas system 80, in particular to/into the exhaust gas silencer 80. Here, the feed line (101) can be configured as a section of the forward feed line 103, or vice versa. The water container 410 (preferably) and/or the feed line 101 have/has a water removal point 120, 420.

[0041] Here, as is also the case in FIG. 1, the water container sensor 430 or water container detector 430 can be provided in an analogous manner. Furthermore, the exhaust gas system 80 or the exhaust gas silencer 80 has a volumetric flow sensor 830 or volumetric flow detector 830. Here, the volumetric flow sensor 830 detects at least one volumetric flow threshold value in at least one section of the exhaust gas system 80 or the exhaust gas silencer 80, and generates a sensor signal S2.

[0042] Via a sensor signal S1 (for example, “water container full” (water container 410 which is filled sufficiently or substantially with water 1)) and the sensor signal S2 (for example, “volumetric flow reached”), the dewatering pump 110 conveys water 1 at the bottom out of the water container 410, preferably assisted by way of a vacuum pump (opening of the forward feed line 103 on/in the exhaust gas system 80 or the exhaust gas silencer 80), into the exhaust gas system 80 or the exhaust gas silencer 80. Possibly present diesel particulates are burned in the exhaust gas silencer 80. The operator or traction unit driver no longer has to discharge water 1 manually from the fuel prefilter 40 during operation of the rail vehicle. The rail vehicle is dewatered automatically during operation. Engine damage or even complete engine failure is avoided safely.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows the third embodiment of the dewatering device 10 which is a combination of the first and the second embodiment. That is to say, in addition to the feed line 101, the dewatering line 100 has both the return line 102 and the forward feed line 103. Here, an actuating means 106, in particular a valve 106, is preferably provided on/in the dewatering line 100, preferably between the feed line 101, the return line 102 and the forward feed line 103. The path (water container 410 to the fuel tank 20, water container 410 to the exhaust gas system 80, or fuel tank 20 to the exhaust gas system 80) which the separated water 1 is to take can be set by means of the valve 106. Furthermore, in exemplary embodiments, a volumetric flow through the return line 102 or the forward feed line 103 can be set by means of the valve 106. Here, the water conveying device 110 is preferably coupled fluid-mechanically into/onto the feed line 101.

[0044] Via a sensor signal S1 (for example, “water container full” (water container 410 which is filled sufficiently or substantially with water 1)), the preferably maintenance-free dewatering pump 110 conveys water 1 at the bottom out of the water container 410 downward directly into the fuel tank 20. A valve in the return line 102 prevents the undesired return of the water into the fuel prefilter 40. During discharging, said valve can be bypassed by way of the dewatering actuating means of the water removal point 120/220/420. The dewatering pump 110 can operate in a sensor-controlled, adjustably time-controlled or else permanent manner. Entrained fuel 2 does not lead to a failure.

[0045] In addition, via the valve 106 (in the case of a currentless valve 106, a line 101/102 to the fuel tank 20 is preferably open or all lines 101, 102, 103 are sealed with respect to one another), a conveying path can be switched over to the exhaust gas system 80 or the exhaust gas silencer 80 if a sensor signal S2 (for example, “volumetric flow reached”) is present. Water 1 can preferably be discharged both at the fuel tank 20 and at the fuel prefilter 40. An operator or traction unit driver of the rail vehicle can continue a journey safely and without an interruption before an upcoming fuel stop, and can park the vehicle with a running engine at idling speed. The rail vehicle removes the water from the fuel 2 during the journey. Engine damage or even complete engine failure is avoided safely.