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Rowe Hankins Ltd
Power House
Parker Street
Bury
Lancs BL9 0RJ
United Kingdom
T.+44(0)161 765 3000
F.+44(0)161 763 1421
sales@rowehankins.com
www.rowehankins.com
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pr@ainsmag.co.uk
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Intelligent Wheel Flange Lubrication System
Wheel flange lubrication systems are an original fitting on rail and light transit systems throughout Europe. Virtually unknown in the UK, the technology will reduce wear on flanges and rails, reduce subsequent downtime for repairs to track and wheels, reduce noise nuisance and save energy due to reduced friction and binding.
Rowe Hankins is a supplier of specialised rail technology and is a distributor, manufacturer and system developer with over 20 years serving the rail industry. The Intelligent Wheel Flange Lubrication System (IWFLS) combines the best available technologies to create a lubrication system that addresses safety, operational and environmental issues.
Wheel Flange Lubrication System Elements
Key components of the IWFLS system are:
- The control system, comprising location detection and memory
- The lube delivery system
- The lubricant
The purpose of the control system is to ensure the consistent delivery of a precise dose of lubricant to the flanges of the leading wheels in each set as the train approaches or reaches critical bends. Three location aids are used to pinpoint these locations. Rowe Hankins’ Hall-effect speed sensors are used to compute distance from a known reference point. Motion sensors additionally record lateral G forces as a train enters and continues through each bend. Finally, coordinates from a global positioning system (GPS) are fed into the system to pinpoint location.
Critical data about the location, duration and severity of each bend is stored in a memory when the system is set up. This control unit provides the signal to the lubrication system about the location and number of the lubricant pulses required.
German lubrication engineers REBS co-developed the lubrication system. This company provides the most widely used train lubrication systems in Europe. Comprising a holding tank, pump, valve, pipe work and nozzles, the system is noteworthy because it is a single pipe delivery system and has a non-jamming rotational valve that delivers a precise dose of lubricant.
The lubricant selected was jointly developed with another European specialist, Fuchs Lubritech Ltd. The biodegradable lubricant oil, provides optimal lubrication, but evaporates and degrades quickly to leave no residue.
How the Wheel Flange Lubrication System Works
The IWFLS needs to be programmed for each rail route. On the initial run, data from the distance/speed sensor, G-force monitor and GPS enables the location, duration and severity of each bend to be recorded. These instruments provide the information that drives the system and their combined operation validates the data gathered and provides an additional measure of assurance. The speed/distance sensor, for example, provides location information even when a satellite signal is not available, typically when the train is in a tunnel.
Lubrication location data is programmed into memory with the instruction about duration of the pulse for the lubricant. The Teloc memory controls and records the lubrication operations. Generally, the system will be fitted to captive trains running the same regular route, but the system can be programmed to hold lube pattern data for several routes where stock is used on multiple lines.
For demonstration purposes, the IWFLS is fitted to a TA Class 117 DMU. The Long Marston test track is a three mile loop with two bends of differing radius. The initial circuit will be without lubricant and the second run with.
Prospects for the Wheel Flange Lubrication System
Automatic line lubrication is in use for certain bends on the UK network. Some light rail operators also use stick lubrication systems that provide continuous flange lubrication. Wheel flange lubrication systems of the sort used universally in Europe are not used in the UK.
The Rowe Hankins IWFLS has been developed for the UK. The company recognises that the majority of systems will be retrofitted to existing stock and so has favoured the single pipe system which is easiest to install. High reliability, automatic operation and low maintenance requirements were also a design priority and so the triple sensor location system can be used with the highly reliable Teloc OTMR recorder.
The first installation on a working network is expected soon with a light rail network in central England. Discussions are ongoing with other operators.
The Long Marston Development
The Long Marston site is part of a former MOD complex. Substantial warehousing is located to the East of the site for the storage of materiel that could be rapidly deployed to Bristol docks. Now the MOD does not require the site and developer, St Modwen, have taken over the master lease and are managing the warehouse site commercially.
The three mile circuit has extensive stockyards that are used for train marshalling. In addition, there are on-site workshops and staff accommodation. There are currently only a handful of such facilities in the world. One of the only other such test tracks in Europe is operated by the German state railway in Wiesbaden. This is also based on a former MOD stores site that was closed with the end of the cold war.
Partners in the site development are St Modwen, Colonel Colin Flack – who was former site controller before leaving the MOD, Haggar Brown and Rowe Hankins. The vision is to provide a world-class test facility. This will require upgrading of the existing track, the provision of a live rail, DC substations and refurbishment of the workshop and accommodation facilities.
The site and its facilities are ideal for the prototype testing and pre-acceptance soak trials of light rapid transit vehicles. This is an expanding sector of the rail market as metro systems are extended and new rolling stock is introduced.
With direct main line port access at Bristol, the facility has the capability to serve a world market. Initial discussions have already taken place with a major rail network on the US east coast about using the circuit for the pre-acceptance trials of new trains from a Japanese manufacturer.
The test circuit development is unlikely to create large scale local employment. However, the existence of the site in the UK has scope to create high value spin-off employment in research and rail-related engineering. The partners are developing a business plan with a view to seeking funding for the project.
More Information
Mike Hankins, Tel. +44 (0)161 765 3000 Fax. +44 (0)161 763 1421
E-mail: sales@rowehankins.com
Web: www.rowehankins.com
Rowe Hankins Ltd, Power House, Parker Street, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 0RJ, UK
Release issued: June 7, 2007
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The Rowe Hankins intelligent Wheel Flange Lubrication System (WFLS).
Rowe Hankins WFLS can be fitted to all classes of rolling stock from light rapid transit vehicles to heavy freight trucks.
Text Version Downloads IWFLS for Rail
