Title: Preliminary study on compressed air powertrain of a rescue vehicle for mine accidents

Authors: Daofei Li; Dongdong Jiang; Lei Wang; Huanxiang Xu; Xiaoli Yu

Addresses: Power Machinery & Vehicular Engineering Institute, Department of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, No. 38 Zheda Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China ' Power Machinery & Vehicular Engineering Institute, Department of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, No. 38 Zheda Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China ' Power Machinery & Vehicular Engineering Institute, Department of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, No. 38 Zheda Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China ' Power Machinery & Vehicular Engineering Institute, Department of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, No. 38 Zheda Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China ' Power Machinery & Vehicular Engineering Institute, Department of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, No. 38 Zheda Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

Abstract: This paper investigates the feasibility of applying a compressed air powertrain to mine rescue vehicles, which require strict explosion-proof and flame-proof characteristics. Based on both simulation and preliminary tests of a single-cylinder air-powered engine prototype, the concept of compressed air powertrain for a rescue vehicle is proposed. Compared to conventional internal combustion engines, the exhaust emissions of the proposed air-powered engine concept are innoxious and its gas temperature is very low, which guarantees the safety and explosion-proof requirements. Preliminary selection and matching of both a transmission and final gear reduction are carried out, considering vehicle traction and air consumption performance characteristics. Simulation results show that given properly designed drivetrain gear ratios, the air-powered rescue vehicle can reach a speed of 7 km/h with gear 1 on a 30% slope road. Compared to current products, its feasibility in driving mileage and traction performance are further confirmed.

Keywords: mine rescue vehicles; compressed air engines; pneumatic engines; traction performance; powertrain matching; compressed air powertrain; mine accidents; mining industry; simulation; emergency response vehicles; exhaust emissions; vehicle safety; explosion proof vehicles; flame proof vehicles; vehicle traction; air consumption; drivetrain gear ratios.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPT.2014.059414

International Journal of Powertrains, 2014 Vol.3 No.1, pp.102 - 128

Received: 18 Jul 2012
Accepted: 14 Jan 2013
Published online: 21 Jun 2014 *

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