DESC:A SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING VISUALLY AIR-LEAKAGE POINT OF A BRAKE SYSTEM IN A VEHICLE
FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to a system for identifying visually air-leakage point in pneumatic lines of a brake system in a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to pressurized air mixed with additive to provide the colored enriched gas mixture. Which changes its color on prolonged leakage of pressurized air in the long running pneumatic lines of the brake system into the atmosphere due to the pressure difference in the long running pneumatic lines of the brake system.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] Generally, rolling stocks use pneumatic brake system such that the brake system has pneumatic lines that run all along the length of the vehicle. The pneumatic lines are chanced to develop cracks with the time or may get damaged during maintenance. The brake system is need to be checked before releasing the vehicle for the scheduled services as it is one of the major passenger safety concern.

[003] Existing pneumatic brake system tends to make up for the loss of air pressure due to leakage by continuously bleeding the air from the reservoir until the brakes are released. This e?ect was observed in the experimental setup where the air could be heard ?owing through the pressure regulator and other components as long as the brake was kept applied in the presence of leakage.
[004] Further, the existing brake system is used to identify the air pressure leakage by using an electronic evaluation unit. The electronic evaluation unit detects the leakage in the compressed air system through evaluation of frequency changes in the measurement signal of a sound sensor, which are characteristic of the leakage situation which is different from the test signal during normal operation of the pneumatic brake system in terms of the frequency spectrum.
[005] The existing techniques are showing the loss of air pressure in the pneumatic lines by using pressure sensors, however not about to show the leakage point in the pneumatic lines for the brake system. Further, the existing tools take lot of time to identify the leakage point in the pneumatic lines for the brake system.
[006] As an example of the prior art, WO Publication. No: WO2016012354A1 discloses a method and to a system for identifying a leakage in a compressed-air system of a vehicle, in which by way of a sensor means arranged in the region between an inlet check valve of a compressed air line located on the system inlet side and a working pressure accumulator, changes in pressure due to a leakage are determined. By means of an electronic evaluation unit, frequency changes of the measurement signal generated by the sensor means are determined as a measure for a leakage in the compressed air system, which are utilized for generating a leakage message and/or for an actuation of the compressed air feed.
[007] Existing prior art such as DE102007039793A1 discloses a method which involves detecting a pressure signal continuously at a position in a pneumatic system e.g. pneumatic brake system, and analyzing a resulting time response of detected pressure values. A leakage in the pneumatic system is identified, located and/or quantified on basis of an analysis of periodic and/or transient fluctuations of a portion of the pressure signal. The detected pressure signal is scanned time-discretely and processed digitally. The detected pressure signal is analyzed during occurrence of a preset condition in the pneumatic system.
[008] Another example US patent No: US9669818B2 disclose a method for detecting leaks in at least one brake pressure line, under braking pressure, of a compressed air brake device of a rail vehicle having an indirect electro-pneumatic brake, wherein the indirect electro-pneumatic brake has a master air vessel line to hold a master air vessel line pressure, and a compressed air source supplying the master air vessel line with compressed air and is controlled by the master airline pressure in a master airline, wherein the at least one brake pressure line under braking pressure extends between a valve device, which controls the braking pressure in dependence upon the master airline pressure in the master airline, and at least one brake actuator, and where the braking test method is carried out when the rail vehicle is stationary.
[009] However, all existing prior arts are dependent on either sensor or highly operator dependent, i.e. it is dependent on the behavior of the operator. Also few prior arts are also dependent on the properties of the surface of the test object.
[0010] Thus, there remains a need for a system for identifying visually air-leakage point in pneumatic lines of a brake system in a vehicle in an efficient manner.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[0011] The principal objective of the present invention to provide quick identification of an accurate leakage point in long running pneumatic lines of the brake system.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to propose a method of leak identification to save the lot of time in maintenance and overhauling for the pneumatic brake system.
[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a simple and cost effective leakage identification in long running pneumatic lines of the brake system.
[0014] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0015] To overcome the challenges, the present subject matter relates to a system for identifying visually air-leakage point in long running pneumatic lines of a brake system in a vehicle. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0016] The present disclosure relates to a system having an air compressor for generating the compressed air. An air reservoir which receives and stores the compressed air from the air compressor, also supports in dissipating the heat from the compressed air such that a pressure gauge is placed on top of the air reservoir to monitor the compressed air in the air reservoir.
[0017] The system further comprises an additive container which is placed in the long running pneumatic lines (air flow path/pipelines) next to an output from the air reservoir. An inlet is positioned on top of the additive container, where the pressurized air is mixed with additive to form colored enriched mixture and forms a cloud of colored gas around the point of leakage. The enriched mixture changes its color on prolonged leakage of pressurized air in the long running pneumatic lines of brake system.
[0018] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for identifying air-leakage point in long running pneumatic lines of a brake system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for identifying air-leakage point in long running pneumatic lines of a brake system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0022] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0023] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0024] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0025] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “consisting” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0026] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0028] Embodiments explained herein pertain to a system for identifying visually air-leakage point in pneumatic lines of a brake system in a vehicle. FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 10 for identifying air-leakage point in long running pneumatic lines of a brake system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0029] In one embodiment the system for identifying visually air-leakage point in long running pneumatic lines of a brake system in a vehicle. The system 10 comprising an air compressor 9 for generating the compressed air. An air reservoir 1 which receives and stores the compressed air from the air compressor 9. The air reservoir 1 also supports in dissipating the heat from the compressed air. A pressure gauge 4 is placed on top of the air reservoir 1 to monitor the compressed air in the air reservoir 1. The system 10 further comprises an additive container 3 which is placed in the long running pneumatic lines 2 (air flow path/pipeline) next to an output from the air reservoir 1. An inlet 5 is positioned on top of the additive container 3, where the pressurized air is mixed with additive to form an enriched mixture and changes its color when the pressurized air is released to the atmosphere due to the pressure difference in the long running pneumatic lines 2 of the brake system. A connection of the long running pneumatic lines 2 is provided on a piston cylinder 6 such that the piston cylinder 6 is mounted with a brake block 7 and a rail wheel 8 to the system 10, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0030] According to one embodiment the additive is in the form of solid, liquid or gaseous form which is stored in the additive container 3. The additive container 3 is filled on timely basis. The size and shape of the additive container 3 is designed to any shape and size as per the requirement. The desired colors (i.e) a cloud of visibly changing color fumes are obtained by altering the chemical properties of additive in the additive container 3.
[0031] According to one embodiment, the air reservoir 1 is to store and dry the pressurized air at a predetermined pressure level. The pressurized air is mixed with the additive to form the enriched mixture such that the enriched pressurized air with additive escapes into atmosphere, out forms the cloud of visibly changing color fumes around the damaged point on pneumatic line giving clear indication of faulty area. The air reservoir 1 is fabricated by using stainless steel and other relevant material.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an exemplary method 100 for identifying air-leakage point in long running pneumatic lines of a brake system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0033] With the basic structure of the system 10 described above, the following discussion focuses on a method 100 of using the system 10. The method 100 includes using the additive container 3 which comprises an additive material capable of visibly changing color fumes and positioned in a pneumatic lines 2. In particular, the additive container 3 is configured to mix pressurized air with additive to form an enriched mixture. According to one embodiment, the pressure difference in the pneumatic lines 2 which forms a cloud of visibly changing color fumes around a damaged line to visually indicating the air-leakage point. In this regard, various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to the method 100 wherein the visibly changing color fumes which is a gaseous byproduct are generated simultaneously, by the additive container 3. However, it is understood that the changing color fumes and any gaseous byproduct may be independently generated by different sources without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
[0034] According to one embodiment, in the step 102: the method 100 for identifying visually air-leakage point in pneumatic lines of a brake system in a vehicle is carried out by comprising the following steps. Step 104: Configuring an air compressor 9 for generating the compressed air. Step 106: Configuring air reservoir 1 for receiving and storing the compressed air from the air compressor 9. Step 108: Positioning a pressure gauge 4 on top of the air reservoir 1 for monitoring the compressed air in the air reservoir 1. Step 110: Configuring an additive container 3 comprising an additive material capable of visibly changing color fumes and positioning in a pneumatic lines 2. Step 112: Positioning an inlet 5 on top of the additive container 3 and configuring to mix pressurized air with additive to form an enriched mixture. Step 114: Releasing the enriched mixture into atmosphere due to the pressure difference in the pneumatic lines 2 which forms a cloud of visibly changing color fumes around a damaged line to visually indicating the air-leakage point.
[0035] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, there is provided a system 10 and related method 100 which may be used to detect both large and small leaks in the brake system. In this regard, the same equipment and procedure may be used for detecting leaks that are large and small in size. The system 10 forms the enriched mixture which is noble in nature, does not cause any kind of uneasiness to passengers or maintenance personnel. As noted above, many conventional leak detection systems are not universal in nature, and thus, are more suitable for detecting either one of large leaks or small leaks. Consequently, the system and methodology disclosed herein provides several advantages over conventional leak detection systems.
[0036] In a preferred embodiment the additive container 3 could transmit a signal to a user interface to allow the user to control certain functions of the additive container 3, as well as to provide the user with certain information during operation of the additive container 3. For instance, the user interface could include a pressure differentiator depicting the pressure and allowing the user to identify the cloud of visibly changing color fumes to find a damaged point on pneumatic line to visually indicating the air-leakage point. According to one embodiment, the user interface is analog (i.e., non-digital), while in other embodiments, the user interface may be digital. The user interface could be in communication with the controller to autonomously implement various functions or performance parameters (e.g., pressure settings, time settings, color settings), based on selections made by the user. For instance, particularly in the case of a digital user interface, the user interface is configured to allow the user to select a specific time to fill the additive in the additive container 3, and the controller could implement particular performance parameters that are pre-programmed to correspond to the time and color settings.
[0037] The above described system 10 and related method 100 is a significant improvement on conventional leak detecting techniques. In this regard, the method 100 of using the system 10 is universal in the sense that it may be used to detect any type of large and small leaks.
[0038] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A system (10) for identifying visually air-leakage point in pneumatic lines of a brake system in a vehicle comprising:
an air compressor (9) configured for generating the compressed air;
an air reservoir (1) configured to receive and store the compressed air from the air compressor (9);
a pressure gauge (4) is positioned on top of the air reservoir (1) to monitor the compressed air in the air reservoir (1);
an additive container (3) comprises an additive material capable of visibly changing color fumes and positioned in a pneumatic lines (2);
an inlet (5) is positioned on top of the additive container (3) and configured to mix pressurized air with additive to form an enriched mixture, wherein
the pressure difference in pneumatic lines (2) releases the enriched mixture into atmosphere which forms a cloud of visibly changing color fumes around a damaged line to visually indicate the air-leakage point.
2. A system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the additive is selected from a group of solid, liquid or gaseous form stored in the additive container (3).
3. A system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the additive container (3) is filled with additive on a timely basis.
4. A system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the size and shape of the additive container (3) is designed to any shape and size as per the requirement.
5. A system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cloud of visibly changing color fumes are obtained by altering the chemical properties of the additive in the additive container (3).
6. A system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air reservoir (1) is to store and dry the pressurized air at a predetermined pressure level.
7. A system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air reservoir (1) is fabricated using stainless steel material.
8. A method (100) for identifying visually air-leakage point in pneumatic lines of a brake system in a vehicle comprising the steps of:
configuring an air compressor (9) for generating the compressed air;
configuring air reservoir (1) for receiving and storing the compressed air from the air compressor (9);
positioning a pressure gauge (4) on top of the air reservoir (1) for monitoring the compressed air in the air reservoir (1);
configuring an additive container (3) comprising an additive material capable of visibly changing color fumes and positioning the additive container (3) in a pneumatic lines (2);
positioning an inlet (5) on top of the additive container (3) and configuring to mix pressurized air with additive to form an enriched mixture, wherein
releasing the enriched mixture into atmosphere due to the pressure difference in the pneumatic lines (2) which forms a cloud of visibly changing color fumes around a damaged line to visually indicating the air-leakage point.
9. A method (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the additive is selected from a group of solid, liquid or gaseous form stored in the additive container (3).
10. A method (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the additive container (3) is filled with additive on a timely basis.
11. A method (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the size and shape of the additive container (3) is designed to any shape and size as per the requirement.
12. A method (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cloud of visibly changing color fumes are obtained by altering the chemical properties of the additive in the additive container (3).
13. A method (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the air reservoir (1) is to store and dry the pressurized air at a predetermined pressure level.
14. A method (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the air reservoir (1) is fabricated using stainless steel material.