Wheel Slide Protection Testing

OVERVIEW/BACKGROUND

(23 February, 2016) DB ESG was selected by Knorr-Bremse Rail Services (KBRS) to conduct testing of the KBRS wheel slide protection (WSP) system using its Wheel Slide Protection Evaluation Rig (WSPER).

The testing was undertaken to optimise the low adhesion performance of KBRS BCU/WSP equipment that is installed on some of the Multiple Units operated by South West Trains. The testing was conducted to utilise the full potential of the WSP in low adhesion conditions.Testing of the EP2000 equipment at WSPER was conducted concurrently as discrete tests for the multiple units concerned.

WORK UNDERTAKEN

DB ESG was selected by Knorr-Bremse Rail Services (KBRS) to conduct testing of the KBRS wheel slide protection (WSP) system using its Wheel Slide Protection Evaluation Rig (WSPER). The testing was undertaken to optimise the low adhesion performance of KBRS BCU/WSP equipment that is installed on some of the Multiple Units operated by South West Trains.

The testing was conducted to utilise the full potential of the WSP in low adhesion conditions. Testing of the EP2000 equipment at WSPER was conducted concurrently as discrete tests for the multiple units concerned.

FULL PROJECT SCOPE

To optimise the WSP performance of each fleet application, DB ESG carried out the following:

• Developed suitable WSPER vehicle models for testing
  Working with KBRS, DB ESG developed two representative vehicle models for each fleet type to be tested. To avoid the need to test each vehicle type in the unit formation, DB ESG agreed a model for a “light” and “heavy” car from each formation. These models represented the full range of vehicle parameters (e.g. loading, wheel inertia) and thus permitted a reduced testing regime.
• Installed and commissioned the BCU equipment on WSPER
  DB ESG supported the KBRS Engineer with installing the KBRS BCU equipment on WSPER to ensure that the BCU received the appropriate signals from WSPER as if it were present on the vehicle.
• Conducted a suite of low adhesion tests using WSPER to optimise the WSP/BCU performance
  Optimising the performance of a WSP/BCU using WSPER is a four stage process (see below).  
  
  1. A suite of Benchmark tests to evaluate the initial performance of the WSP/BCU.
  2. Individual and groups of tests agreed with KBRS to evaluate key aspects of the WSP/BCU performance identified in the Benchmark tests.
  3. A repeat suite of the Benchmark tests to declare the final performance of the WSP/BCU.
  4. Analysis of the achieved results and preparation of formal report.