Press releases
Knorr-Bremse at InnoTrans 2014: future-proof system solutions for the world’s rail transportation markets
September 15, 2014 [Knorr-Bremse Group]
- Products to improve safety, economy and reliability
- Portfolio expanded to include auxiliary power supply systems
- Customized service packages from RailServices
Knorr-Bremse – Creative Systems – Globally: This is the motto under which Knorr-Bremse is showcasing a portfolio of pioneering products at this year’s InnoTrans fair – on booth 104 in Hall 1.2. The focus is on solutions offering a high level of safety and low lifecycle costs.
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Knorr-Bremse RailServices © Knorr-Bremse AG
Knorr-Bremse develops and manufac-tures braking, entrance, HVAC and auxiliary power supply systems in re-sponse to present and future market requirements. Combined with the aftermarket care provided by Knorr-Bremse RailServices, these products demonstrate the company’s innovation leadership. It makes its worldwide ex-pertise available to vehicle manufactur-ers and operators alike and customizes its products to meet the needs of local markets.
Braking systems
With more than 100 years of experience and expertise in rail vehicle braking sys-tems, Knorr-Bremse has positioned itself as a first mover in braking technology. As global market leader, the company offers highly integrated, intelligent systems based on proven solutions for the complete control and regulation of dynamic braking forces in rail vehicles. As the company’s expertise ranges from complete systems right down to individual components, Knorr-Bremse is able to combine its products to form efficient overall solutions.
An example of this is the brake control module with low-temperature capability developed for the ambitious Chinese CRH380B high-speed train project. The brake module’s ability to function at temperatures as low as minus 40°C has greatly expanded the range of geographical terrains in which it can be used. To date several thousand units of the basic versions of this brake module have already been supplied by Knorr-Bremse or are on the order books. That is what is under-stood by “proven technology”. For the first time, Knorr-Bremse is also offering an air supply system, complete with compressor and air dryer, for the North Ameri-can freight market (AAR). Both products have been developed and matched to maximize reliability and sustainability and extend maintenance cycles.
The VV1000-T oil-free compressor is a further development of the highly success-ful VV-T compressor series, of which more than 13,000 have already been sold. This is the first high-performance compressor for heavy-duty freight trains that functions entirely without oil and was specially developed for the requirements of the American market. With no oil contamination, the downstream braking system components enjoy a longer service life.
The LD-1000 air dryer continues to be equipped with an efficient pre-filtering sys-tem and also has an innovative control system that optimizes regenerated air re-quirements. In the case of both units, maintenance intervals have been signifi-cantly extended compared with traditional products.
At the trade fair the company is also showcasing new, leading-edge products that will soon be making their market debuts. These are geared to customer needs and market trends and focus on optimizing the safety, economic efficiency, and reli-ability of rail vehicles.
The new MGS3 wheel slide protection system, for example, ensures short braking distances even where adhesion is very low and the rails are slippery. The new sanding system features speed-dependent dosing, so that the sand is delivered far more efficiently between wheel and rail.
ESRA Evolution builds on the proven ESRA electronic brake control system and offers maximum interface integration. Access for maintenance and servicing is improved and updating of the software is easier and faster for users.
Door systems
The new Generation 4 entrance system from Knorr-Bremse subsidiary IFE delivers lower installation costs for vehicle builders, high reliability combined with reduced lifecycle costs for operators and top levels of comfort for passengers, thanks to its superior noise and heat insulation. Compared to its predecessor, the new system features a reduced installation height, while the number of components and the total weight has been almost halved. The system now also features impressive
dirt- and dust-resistant linear guiding.
A complete E4 entrance system for regional and urban trains with door leaf, drive, and sliding step is on show at InnoTrans. The patented guide system for the slid-ing step eliminates sluggish movement and jamming and enables reliable weight detection to take place.
HVAC systems
Knorr-Bremse subsidiary Merak demonstrates its HVAC expertise with a special self-cleaning sand filter system which uses pulses of compressed air to clean the filters. The system, which was specially designed for extreme desert conditions, now helps to achieve HVAC system maintenance intervals that match the general vehicle maintenance cycles even in desert regions. The system will first see service in the Haramain High Speed Railway project in Saudi Arabia, for which Knorr-Bremse is also supplying the braking and entrance systems.
Power supply
Knorr-Bremse subsidiary Microelettrica Scientifica, a leading supplier of electronic and electromechanical control components for rail vehicle applications, is repre-senting the Control Components segment at InnoTrans and presenting its main-tenance-free energy-saving ECOSystem, which measures energy use and delivers the information to the train management system. With the acquisition of PCS Power Converter Solutions and Transtechnik GmbH & Co. KG early this year,
Knorr-Bremse extended its portfolio to include electrical systems that play a key role in on-board power supplies in modern rail vehicles. Knorr-Bremse will also be presenting new concepts in this segment at InnoTrans.
Auxiliary power supply products are on show at the Knorr-Bremse booth No.104 in Hall 1.2. Microelettrica Scientifica is also showcasing other products on booth 228 in Hall 17, while the two new subsidiaries in the field of high-performance on-board power supply systems are displaying their portfolios at booths 212 and 214, also in Hall 17.
Customized service packages from RailServices
Knorr-Bremse RailServices offers innovative and competitive solutions for the product and vehicle lifecycle worldwide. These include customized service pack-ages for the maintenance, overhaul, and refurbishment of braking and on-board systems in all kinds of rail vehicles. At InnoTrans, RailServices is presenting an extended product portfolio as well as its latest solutions designed to generate a sustainable reduction in rail vehicle operating and lifecycle costs.
