FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to A rapid water refilling arrangement for railway vehicles and like transit and Methods thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has been seen that there are not many proposals in the past regarding rapid water refilling arrangements for railway vehicles or trains.
In the prior arts, the train rake comprise of normally 10 to 26 coaches each with its separate water tanks to provide water and convenience to the passengers. These tanks have manual refilling arrangements on each coach, such that if any tank gets empty it is attended by the crew and is refilled with water. However when multiple train tanks gets empty it becomes difficult to refill all the vehicles at desired levels due to limited train stoppage schedules and the limited ability of the watering station to refill them in timely and efficient manner.
Description of Prior art
Prior art, Fig-1 shows an arrangement for watering of the train carriages from the watering station en-route i.e. at watering stations. It comprise of a booster pump 1, to pump water in a 1~ 2km lengthy refilling pipeline 2, with flexible hoses 5, of the multiple refill points called the hydrants. The booster pump 1, is not enough to provide quick refilling of the rail vehicles where the stopping intervals are less. The booster pump 1, due to high pressure pumping also
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leads to un-necessary leakages in the pipe fittings thus leading to leakages and contaminations from the environmental pollutants.
RU2418702, Railway passenger car water supply system is a Russian patent teaching a method to refill train water tanks. It however doesn’t mention methods of quick refilling.
RU2267422, Passenger car water filling system is a Russian patent which teaches a method of providing water to passengers. Though this provides means for flexible water distribution system but it doesn’t address the problems of quick refilling of train water tanks.
US2630078, Railroad train water supply system, provides a system in which a large water storage tanks is provided with the locomotive, and its outlet is connected to each coach through water lines. However such a system is not feasible for current train lengths which would require big tanks for water storage. There is another drawback with this approach, when the locomotive supply the water to the train it has to be passed through common water supply line which is difficult to maintain against leakages in mobile applications.
The problem to be addressed is by providing a high power centrifugal electrical pump with plurality impellers and refilling the onboard water tanks of the rail vehicle as an independent circuit from the either side of the train’s inlet ports. The system also comprise of water detection sensors at both the inlets /refill points and at the tanks existing overflow pipeline. The control
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electronics onboard senses the attachment of flexible pipeline through proximity switch and water at the inlet through suitable sensing means such as a capacitive sensor, thereby automatically actuating the electrical water pump on the presence of the attached hose and /or water at the inlet port. The individual refill inlet points are provided with audio visual alarm to alert the attending crew when the tank gets refilled to a desired level, it also comprise of a pushbutton to select various modes in the form of timings, level required and automatic or bypass the system.
The invention relates more particularly to submersible type electrical pumps to refill the water as quickly as possible but not by way of limitation, to such apparatus and method utilizing other electrical water pumps. The sensors such as a capacitive, ultrasonic, vibratory type for water and hose detection or other and similar types on different type of tanks used in mobile applications could be effectively used.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore the object of the invention to enable the placement of the electrical water pump with plurality impellers on a common shaft of the motor such that the electrical water pump is able to source water from both sides of the rail vehicle water refill inlet ports as an independent water circuits.
It is another object of the invention to provide a centrifugal pump in which its electrical motor’s shaft comprise of plurality impellers on the either side of the shaft to boost water pressure in independent circuit.
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It is another object of the invention to provide plurality impellers of different size and /or capacity to match the flow rate and the plurality tanks with varying capacity.
It is another object of the invention to provide water detection sensor placed conveniently at the water refill inlets to sense the presence of inlet water and also the hose and thereby automatically turn on the electrical water pump in order to service the tanks quickly.
A further object of the invention is to provide a water detection sensor located conveniently at tank top end or the overflow pipeline to sense overflow and shutdown the electrical water pump to prevent over flow or over pressure.
A further object of the invention is to provide an audio visual indicator and alarm to inform the refill crew regarding the present status of the water level, internal electrical faults, mode of operation such as automatic or manual.
A further object of the invention is to provide a push button type mode selection switch, such that the successive pressing of the push button could enable the crew to select the desired modes of operation, such as, required refill set-point level, automatic start of the pump on water detection, turn on the pump for a pre-determined run time intervals, bypass and manual starting of the pump.
A further object of the invention is to provide this arrangement to rail vehicles with under slung water tanks as well as for overhead water tanks without deviating from the goal of the present invention.
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A further object of the invention is to provide plurality independent electrical water pumps of suitable horse power along with plurality water inlet ports having provisions to power the said pumps either from coach power supply or from the station’s power supply outlets available at the hydrants through flexible electrical wires thereby reducing coach load and increase the water refill rate.
A further object of the invention is to provide an external steel tubing parallel to the water tank with its top open and bottom connected to the bottom of the tank through flexible hose for level sensing. The tubing comprise of point water level sensor spaced at desired levels and /or an ultrasonic level sensor at its top or bottom to provide water level status and feedback for desired refill level requirement.
With the above and other objectives in view, as will hereinafter appear, various embodiments of the present invention are described hereunder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an embodiment of the invention, A rapid water refilling arrangement for railway vehicles and like transit and Methods thereof, comprises; an electrical water pump with plurality impellers on either side of the motors shaft disposed on each rail vehicle and connected suitably to the water inlet/ refill ports from both the sides of the rail vehicle and its onboard water tank; providing capacitive type or other suitable water and hose attachment, detection sensors at refill inlet ports to detect the presence of the hose and water at the inlet refill point, thereby automatically turning on the electrical water pump enabling the quick and timely refilling of the rail vehicle
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tank; an external plurality electrical power input ports on the rail vehicle adjacent the water inlet ports and also plurality electrical power output ports at the station’s watering line to enable the operation of the onboard pumps from external power source. The system also comprise of water overflow detection sensor placed at the over flow pipe line of the tank and an external steel tubing parallel to the water tank with its top open and bottom connected to the bottom of the tank through flexible hose for level sensing. The tubing comprise of point water level sensor spaced at desired levels and /or an ultrasonic level sensor at its top or bottom to provide water level status and feedback for desired refill level requirement. A display and alarm panel for the crew to adjust the pump operation settings and for the display of the water level inside the tank.
According to another embodiment of the invention an electrical centrifugal water pump with plurality impellers on a common shaft of the motor is disposed such that the electrical water pump is able to source water from both sides of the rail vehicle water refill inlet ports as an independent water circuits.
According to another embodiment of the invention the centrifugal pump’s electrical motor’s shaft comprise of plurality impellers on the either side of the shaft to boost water pressure in independent water circuit.
According to another embodiment of the invention the plurality impellers of the pump is disposed with different size and /or capacity to match the flow rate and the plurality tanks with varying capacity.
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According to yet another embodiment of the invention capacitive type water detection sensors along with limit switch are disposed at the water refill inlet ports to sense the presence of inlet water and also the hose and thereby automatically turn on the electrical water pump in order to service the tanks quickly.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention the water detection sensor is located conveniently at tank top end or the overflow pipeline to sense overflow, alarm the crew and shutdown the electrical water pump to prevent the water wastage.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention an audio visual indicator and alarm is disposed to inform the refill crew regarding the present status of the water level, internal electrical faults, mode of operation such as automatic or manual.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention a push button type mode selection switch is disposed, such that the successive pressing of the push button could enable the crew to select the desired modes of operation, such as, required refill set-point level, automatic start of the pump on water detection, turn on the pump for a pre-determined run time intervals on the detection of water, bypass and manual starting of the pump.
According to further embodiment of the invention the rapid water arrangement could be equally installed on the rail vehicles with under slung water tanks as well as for overhead water tanks, without deviating from the goal of the present invention.
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According to further embodiment of the invention a plurality independent electrical water pumps of suitable horse power is disposed along with plurality water inlet ports having provisions to power the said pumps either from coach power supply or from the station’s power supply outlets available at the hydrants through flexible electrical wires thereby reducing coach load and increase the water refill rate.
According to further embodiment of the invention the an external steel tubing parallel to the water tank is disposed with its top end open and bottom connected to the bottom of the tank through flexible hose for level sensing. The tubing comprise of point water level sensor spaced at desired levels and /or an ultrasonic level sensor at its top or bottom to provide water level status and feedback for desired refill level requirement. (mention teflon coating)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a detailed view of various components according to prior art for the watering of the railway vehicles enroute in the existing Railway watering station.
Figure 2 show a detailed view of various components of the present invention related to the onboard pump modification.
Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the present invention as applicable and installed on the under-slung water tanks of the railway vehicle.
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For a better understanding of the embodiments of the invention and to show how it may be performed, it will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention can be better understood by reading the following detailed description of some of the embodiments, with reference made to the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that a particular system embodying the invention is shown by way of illustration only and not as a limitation of invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in various numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. References are made to accompanying drawing in which its novel feature and advantages will be apparent. Prior art is also discussed to bring out the novel features of the present Invention.
As can be seen in Figure 1, it shows an arrangement for the watering of the carriages by the watering stations. A booster pump 1, is installed on a pipeline 2, supported on the girders 3, throughout the length of the train along with plurality flexible pipes 5, and its respective plurality valves 4, at different locations to service the train. The booster pump 1, installed is not efficient enough to provide quick refilling of the rail vehicles where the stopping time intervals are limited. The booster pump 1, also leads to un-necessary hydraulic pressure in the pipe fittings thus leading to leakages and possible contaminations from the environmental pollutants. Therefore this scheme appears to be less successful. The present invention is capable of filling each rail vehicle water tanks with multifold flow rates as compared to those provided by the booster pump 1, of watering stations.
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As can be seen in Figure 2, it shows the various modifications to the electrical pump in the present invention. An electrical centrifugal water pump with plurality impellers 7, is disposed on a common shaft 9, of the motor 6, such that the electrical water pump is able to source water from either sides of the rail vehicle inlet ports as an independent water circuits. The centrifugal pumps electrical motor’s shaft 9, could comprise of plurality impellers 7, on the either side of the shaft 9, with plurality impellers 7, of different size and /or capacity to match the flow rate and the plurality tanks of the varying capacity.
As can be seen in Figure 3, it shows the various elements of the present invention as installed on the rail vehicle. The inlet pipelines 12, 13, at the either sides of the railway carriage are connected independently to the independent impellers 18, 19, of the onboard water pump 20, which is then directly connected to the top side of the onboard water tank 21, such that it could be refilled from the either side of the carriage. The inlets 12, 13, are disposed with water detection sensors and limit switches 16, 17, to sense the water and the externally attached hose and provide feedback to the onboard electronics control system 24, so that the pump 20, could be automatically switched on as per selected mode of operation. The water level gauging tube 26, is installed parallel to the tank with its top side vented 23, or connected to the top end of the tank and the bottom end connected with the bottom of the water tank through a flexible hoses 26. The level gauging tube 22, gets water level identical to the water tank 21, the said tube is disposed with a teflon coating in the inside to make it water proof. The said tube is further disposed with plurality capacitive type, or other suitable water level sensors at calculated intervals along the length of the tube to sense the water level and send feedback to the electronic controller 24. The arrangement can include
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plurality pumps 20, to service plurality tanks along with an electrical input connector to drive the pump either from internal or from external power supply. The electronic control system 24, has a user interface display and alarm unit 25, which provides water level display, system faults alarms to the crew. The said interface also comprise of selector push button to enable the crew to select the alarming for the desired water level in the tank. The said push button also enables the crew to select different modes of operation with the successive pressing of the push button it enables the crew to select the desired modes of operation, such as, the required refill set-point level, automatic start of the pump on water detection, turn on the pump for a pre-determined run time intervals on water detection, bypass and manual starting of the pump.

I Claim:
1. A rapid water refilling arrangement for railway vehicles and like transit and Methods thereof, comprising:
A plurality electrical water pump (20) connecting the inlet of plurality water refill inlet (12) and inlet (13) from both sides of the rail vehicle, channeling the water feed towards plurality under-slung water tank (21) or towards plurality roof mounted water tank such that the tanks could be serviced and refilled with water at faster refilling rates.
the said refill inlet (12) and refill inlet (13) further comprise of sensors capacitive water sensor and /or limit switch (16), (17) placed suitably at a convenient location on the said refill inlets in order to detect the presence of water and hose attached by the refill crew through electrical and/or mechanical means along with a water level sensing external tubing (22) which is internally water proof and /or teflon coated is disposed with capacitive, ultrasonic or other suitable water level senors; wherein
the said sensors provides feedback to the control electronics (24) which in-turn switch on/off the electrical water pump (16) at desired water levels; thereby
assisting refilling of the said water tanks in quick and timely manner providing comfort to passengers and crew; and
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An audio visual display (25) provided to alert the refill crew regarding the status of water level inside the said tank and working of the electrical water pump (16) inside each coach.
2. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the carriage onboard plurality electrical centrifugal water pump (20) is disposed with plurality impellers (7) on a common shaft (9) of the electrical motor (6) such that the electrical water pump (20) is able to source water from both sides of the rail vehicle’s plurality water refill inlet ports (12), (13) as an independent water circuits for the onboard water storage tank (21).
3. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
Plurality centrifugal pumps (20) electrical motor’s shaft (9) comprise of plurality impellers (7) along with plurality volute chambers on the either side of the shaft (9) with different size and /or capacity to match the flow rate and capacity of the plurality water tanks (21) as independent water circuits.
4. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
Plurality capacitive type water detection sensors along with limit switch (16) (17) (29) are disposed at the plurality water refill inlet ports (12) (13) and tank’s (21) over flow ports (29) to sense the presence of water and the attachment /detachment of the hose; thereby automatically turning on /off the electrical water pump as desired by its control logic, in order to service the tanks quickly.
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5. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein an user interface display and alarm unit (25), is disposed to inform the refill crew the status of the water level inside the tank (21), internal electrical faults, functional modes of operation such as automatic, pre-fed time interval of operation or manual operation of plurality pumps (20).
6. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein push button type mode selection switches are disposed in user interface display and alarm unit (25), such that its successive pushing enables the selection of desired modes of operation, such as, required refill set-point level, automatic turn on /off of plurality pump (20) on water detection, run the pump for a pre-determined time intervals on the detection of water, bypass and manual starting of the pump.
7. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein plurality independent electrical water pumps (20) of suitable horse power is disposed on the rail vehicle along with plurality water inlet ports (12) (13) having provisions to power the said pumps either from coach power supply or from the station’s power supply plurality outlets disposed at the hydrants of the watering station through flexible electrical wires thereby reducing coach load.
8. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein an external steel tubing (22) parallel to the plurality water tank (21) is disposed with its top end open or connected with the top end of the tank (21) and its bottom end connected to the bottom of the tank through flexible hose (26) . The said tubing is further disposed with
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water level sensor placed at desired intervals along its length and /or an ultrasonic level sensor at its top or bottom; thereby sensing water level inside the said tube and providing the water level status to the electronics control system (24).
9. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
Rapid water refilling arrangement could be installed on the rail vehicles /carriages with plurality under slung water tanks (21) as well as with plurality overhead water tanks, without deviating from the goal of the present invention.
10. A rapid water refilling arrangement for railway vehicles and like transit and Methods thereof, substantially as herein described and illustrated in the figure 1, figure 2, and figure 3, of the accompanied drawings.