Air baffles in railroad tunnels for decreased airflow therein and improved ventilation and cooling of locomotives
US9004994B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 9, 2012 |
| Grant date | Apr 14, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 8, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T30/00
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Disclosed is a system and method for decreasing airflow and improving ventilation within a tunnel, such as a railroad tunnel, including a path for movement of a vehicle (e.g., train) therethrough. The system has a plurality of air baffles mounted within the tunnel, each device comprising a body and a mounting device. Each mounting device positions each body inside and along the length of the tunnel between the entrance and the exit. The air baffles are configured to restrict airflow at least in part in a longitudinal direction of the tunnel, thereby increasing a relative difference between a vehicle speed and air speed in a tunnel annulus when the vehicle passes through the tunnel. The restriction (e.g., decrease) of airflow in the tunnel reduces the piston effect resulting from the vehicle or train passing through, thus reducing emissions and heat generated by the locomotives in the tunnel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.