Wheel flange lubrication systems (WFL)
Noise and wear, particularly when going round bends, on wheels and rails from rail vehicles is a problem for operators and users. This problem can be solved with a modern wheel flange lubrication device. The lubrication process has to satisfy the following requirements: capable of operating with environmentally-friendly lubricants and materials, the lubricant needs to be applied precisely to ensure that no excess lubricant is deposited on the contact or braking surfaces, air consumption shouldbe kept to a minimum; the system should comprise simple components for minimum maintenance.
The principle behind wheel flange lubrication
A pneumatically-operated piston pump supplies the lubricant to a mixer unit. From here, it is transported into the patented TURBOLUB® distributors by compressed air and then on through two or more tubes directly into the fully adjustable nozzles. When the oil-air mixture leaves the nozzles, the lubricant is dispersed in fine droplets for at least 6 seconds and sprayed onto the wheel flange, the wheel rotating several times during the process. Contact between the wheel and rail means that lubricant will naturally be transferred to the following wheels with dramatic reduction in wear and irritating noise.
The wheel flange lubrication system was designed from the onset for retrofitting and easy installation. A compact compressor control unit can also be supplied for compressed air supply. Non-stop development and improvement ensures that the wheel flange lubrication system is a costeffective solution for rail vehicles which pays for itself very quickly. The systems are currently installed on various rail vehicles including: trams, underground trains, locomotives, DMU’s, EMU’s and also on high-speedtrains
Benefits of the wheel flange lubrication system for rail vehicles
- Significant reduction in wear on wheel and rail. Longer intervals between maintenance on wheels and rails including curves and points
- Ultra-fine droplet spray ensures only a very fine coating of lubricant is applied which is not thrown off
- Reduced lubricant consumption
- Risk of vehicle derailing significantly reduced
- Reduced train resistance resulting in energy savings
- Considerable noise reductions. Particularly with lubricants with high solid content
- Environmentally-friendly lubricants, also with solids
- No moving parts in distributors and nozzles means low maintenance
- Big cost savings through considerable reduction in wear levels The system is suitable for oil (including high viscosity), low-viscosity greases (‘000’ consistency level) and lubricants with up to 25 % solid content
Top of rail treatment (TOR)
Our decades of experience in the area of mobile top of rail treatment is reflected in the successful application by many transport services at home and abroad.
With our systems, which are installed in the vehicle, it is possible to dose lubricant containing solid matter through the curve and onto the rail surface, preferably the inside of the rail. The cornering squeal is reduced significantly through the treatment of the rail head, and in some cases is eliminated completely. Also rail wear and ripple formation are thwarted.
Advantages of the top of rail treatment
- Considerable reduction in noise and wear
- Avoidance of cornering squeal
- Avoidance of formation of ripples thanks to the high solid matter content
- Reduction of the friction coefficient (corresponding to the friction coefficient when rails are wet)
- Reduced lubricant consumption
- System requiring low maintenance
- Long service life of the system
- Tried-and-tested and quality-tested systems
- User friendliness of entire system