Annual Report 2012 - Knorr-Bremse AG.

Report
63
The sound capsule encasing the compressor also has to withstand a range of external influences. In
the Russian market, for instance, the air supply unit has to cope with extremely low temperatures
down to minus 50 degrees Celsius.
To prevent overheating of the capsule, Knorr-Bremse has also developed a mechanically operated
radial fan linked to the compressor, which automatically switches on to extract hot air when the compressor
is running.
New hydraulic brake caliper installed in monorail system
Canadian manufacturer Bombardier is to deliver 54 vehicles for the new “Expresso Tiradentes” monorail
line in São Paulo, and Knorr-Bremse will be supplying brake discs, brake calipers, supply units and brake
control units for the hydraulic braking system, which is designed for speeds up to 80 km/h. Developing
the brake caliper was a particular challenge, as the brake discs can reach temperatures of over 500
degrees Celsius. For the new caliper Knorr-Bremse developed a lightweight brake frame and carrier
and a special ribbed pressure plate with the option of an additional heat-insulating disc. The system
also uses special heat-resistant brake pads.
The new brake caliper is also highly modular in design – the only difference between applications for
braking forces of 8 kN and 10 kN is a thicker spacer washer.
IFE develops new access system
The new E3 access system developed by Knorr-Bremse subsidiary IFE has been specially designed to
meet the highest standards of thermal and sound insulation and ensure operability under harsh winter
conditions. Active locking mechanisms in the lower part of the door mean the module can cope with
speeds of up to 200 km/h, including trains passing in the opposite direction, and withstand dynamic
load peaks of up to 3,000 Pa, with static loads of up to 4,000 Pa. The specially developed door leaf has
an additional insulation layer for maximum sound and heat insulation.
The new E3 access
system comes with
particularly high
levels of thermal and
sound insulation.
As in the past, each door is equipped with at least two steps. The so-called Track Access Device (TAD)
consists of separately powered sliding steps, with the upper one designed for passengers and the
lower one, controlled by a key switch on the outside of the car, ensuring safe entry and exit for the
driver. The majority of parts requiring maintenance are identical on both steps – which reduces spares
inventory and maintenance costs.
During the year under review the new access systems were installed for the first time in the latest version
of the FLIRT family of cars built by Stadler for Norwegian Railways.
New HVAC unit for metro applications
Rail vehicle air conditioning systems must turn in top performance reliably for hours on end, ideally make no
noise at all and, in metro cars in particular, must be as compact as possible. For precisely these applications,
in the year under review Knorr-Bremse subsidiary Merak presented a new and extremely flat HVAC unit.
Taking account of the very restricted installation envelope in metro cars, the unit, which is built into the
car roof, measures just 290 mm at its highest point. Its integrated air intake means there is no need for
an additional vehicle-side air supply to the system.
The new, extremely
flat HVAC system from
Merak has been
specially designed for
metro applications.
Thanks to its flexible design, the newly developed HVAC unit can be adapted to meet a wide variety of
customer requirements and climate conditions with relative ease. Despite its robust stainless steel
frame and copper coils, the unit is far lighter than comparable systems and easy to maintain.