Sanding systems 'SandGrip', wheel slide protection 'WheelGrip' and cleaning blocks 'TreadGrip' all make a valuable contribution to improving adhesion when it is impaired by factors such as leaves or aerosol deposits on the line, or mist and drizzle. Sanding systems in particular play a critical role, primarily when the vehicle is setting off, accelerating or braking. Over the years, sanding systems have evolved from simple devices into genuinely high-tech systems that are indispensable for safe and efficient rail transportation.
Wheel Slide Protection 'WheelGrip' and Cleaning Blocks 'TradGrip' for Optimal Braking Performance
The same is true for the 'WheelGrip family' that is integrated into our Knorr-Bremse’s braking systems in order to maximize wheel-rail adhesion. Knorr-Bremse’s adaptive systems are ideal for low and extremely low adhesion conditions. Cleaning blocks that can be flexibly mounted on the bogie optimize the wheel surface condition.
Adhesion and Wheel Slide Protection Technologies
SandGrip sanding systems, WheelGrip wheel slide protection and TreadGrip friction block units reliably improve reduced friction values caused by autumn leaves, fog, precipitation or aerosol deposits – ensuring safe braking and traction under all conditions.
Adhesion Management with Project-specific Sanding System Designs 'SandGrip'
Sanding systems 'SandGrip' are employed when low wheel-rail adhesion makes it difficult to operate rail vehicles reliably. They improve braking distances in adverse conditions by blowing sand between the wheel and the rail, ensuring that the required adhesion level is reliably achieved. State-of-the-art systems now feature project-specific designs with speed-controlled sand delivery. The quantity of sand delivered in a given operating situation is determined by a sophisticated brake management system.
Knorr-Bremse's adhesion management portfolio for rail vehicles covers sanding systems for mainline and light rail applications as well as electronic wheel slide protection – developed and supported from one location. All products share the same commitment: one qualified partner for all needs along the life cycle.
Products
SandGrip Mainline
Sanding systems have successfully proven to increase friction between wheel and rail. Reduction of SPAD frequency of up to 98 %.
High-Speed Trains · Locomotives · Metros · Regional & Commuter Trains · Special Vehicles
SandGrip LRV
Sanding systems can reduce braking distances by up to 50 % (from initial speed 50 km/h).
Light Rail Vehicles · Streetcars
WheelGrip
Shorter stopping distances even in extreme weather conditions and dramatic reduction of maintenance costs by avoiding wheel flats.
All vehicle types
Common Customer Benefits
- Tailor-made system solutions for each and every project
- Comprehensive system integration expertise covering OE design, modernization and retrofit needs
- Optimized total cost of ownership, ready for condition-based maintenance
- Full compliance with railway standards
- Global Knorr-Bremse network for localization, after sales service, etc.
- Extensive range of optional features, e.g. sand flow sensor
Total Life Cycle Support
- Total Life Cycle Support – One qualified partner for all needs along the life cycle
- Worldwide Presence – Local support, just around the corner
- Leading Technological Competence – Experienced engineering team and comprehensive testing facilities
- System Integration – We configure the best-fitting system for your needs
- Complete Product Range – Solutions for all vehicle types & requirements
Knorr-Bremse Supports Throughout the Entire Vehicle Life Cycle
Knorr-Bremse provides support and services over the entire life time of vehicles
OE System Layout Design
- Installation investigation
- Brake distance calculation
Commissioning + Training
- Local support at first commissioning
Operations Services
- Spare parts availability over 30 years
- Modernization of existing systems
SandGrip – Sanding Systems for Mainline
Applications: High-Speed Trains · Locomotives · Metros · Regional and Commuter Trains · Special Vehicles
Superior acceleration and braking under all conditions
Since timetables are getting increasingly dense, the traction and braking performance of state-of-the-art railway vehicles and their reliability are becoming more and more important. Especially under low and very low adhesion conditions, sanding systems have successfully proven to increase friction between wheel and rail. As a result the required brake performance can be achieved with a reduction of SPAD frequency of up to 98 % (based on current studies of public bodies). Additionally our sanding systems offer various possibilities of condition-based maintenance in order to increase the vehicle availability and reduce fault-finding hours and downtimes.
Sand does not behave like a liquid. This characteristic has a tremendous impact on the whole design from sandbox to sand hose as well as the filling situation. Strong expertise is needed to optimize the sanding system for a given installation situation and to ensure a robust and reliable system in the long run. Therefore we offer the entire integration of a sanding system into the vehicle as well as qualified total life cycle support. The broad portfolio of SandGrip Pneumatic and SandGrip Mechanic sanding units allows customer-specific system configurations for every vehicle project.
All in one location
At its site in Mödling, Austria, Knorr-Bremse has built up decades of experience and know-how in sanding systems for mainline applications.
The result is thousands of successfully installed systems, which are in operation all over the world. They represent the unique capabilities of Knorr-Bremse from OE system layout definition to modernization of existing systems.
Customer benefits
- Tailor-made system solutions for each and every project
- Comprehensive system integration expertise covering OE design, modernization and retrofit needs
- Optimized total cost of ownership, ready for condition-based maintenance
- Full compliance with railway standards
- Global Knorr-Bremse network for localization, after sales service, etc.
- Extensive range of optional features, e.g. sand flow sensor
Knorr-Bremse – No.1 in Adhesion Management – Best value – Safe – Global
Rail Vehicle SandGrip Systems
Leading technological competence
Experienced engineering team and comprehensive testing facilities
System Integration
We configure the best-fitting system for your needs
Complete product range
Solutions for all vehicle types & requirements
Total life cycle support
One qualified partner for all needs along the life cycle
Worldwide presence
Local support, just around the corner
Knorr-Bremse provides support and services over the entire life time of vehicles
OE system layout design
- Installation investigation
- Brake distance calculation
Commissioning + training
- Local support at first commissioning
Operations services
- Spare parts availability over 30 years
- Modernization of existing systems
SandGrip – Rail Vehicle Sanding Systems
Applications: Light Rail Vehicles
Sanding Systems for LRVs
To safely operate in heavy urban traffic and to master long up-/downhill sections, LRVs and streetcars require an adequate acceleration capability and braking performance. Sanding systems have successfully proven to increase the adhesion between wheel and rail. In combination with a state-of-the-art traction/braking system, sanding systems can reduce braking distances by up to 50% (from initial speed 50 km/h). Additionally our sanding systems offer various possibilities of condition-based maintenance in order to increase the vehicle availability and reduce fault-finding hours and downtimes.
Sand does not behave like a liquid. This characteristic has a tremendous impact on the whole design from sandbox to sand hose as well as the filling situation. Strong expertise is needed to optimize the sanding system for a given installation situation and to ensure a robust and reliable system in the long run. Therefore we offer the entire integration of a sanding system into the vehicle as well as qualified total life cycle support. The broad portfolio of SandGrip Pneumatic and SandGrip Mechanic sanding units allows customer-specific system configurations for every vehicle project.
All in one location
At its site in Mödling, Austria, Knorr-Bremse has built up decades of experience and know-how in sanding systems for LRVs. The results are thousands of successfully installed systems, which are in operation all over the world. They represent the unique capabilities of Knorr-Bremse from OE system layout definition to modernization of existing systems.
Customer Benefits
- Tailor-made system solutions for each and every project
- Comprehensive system integration expertise covering OE design, modernization and retrofit needs
- Optimized total cost of ownership, ready for condition-based maintenance
- Full compliance with railway standards
- Global Knorr-Bremse network for localization, after sales service, etc.
- Extensive range of optional features, e.g. sand flow sensor
Knorr-Bremse – No.1 in Adhesion Management
Best value – Safe – Global
Leading Technological Competence
Experienced engineering team and comprehensive testing facilities.
System Integration
We configure the best-fitting system for your needs.
Complete Product Range
Solutions for all vehicle types & requirements.
Total Life Cycle Support
One qualified partner for all needs along the life cycle.
Worldwide Presence
Local support, just around the corner.
Knorr-Bremse provides support and services over the entire life time of vehicles
OE System Layout Design
- Installation investigation
- "Keep it simple" systems
Commissioning + Training
- Local support at first commissioning
Operations Services
- Spare parts availability over 30 years
- Modernization of existing systems
WheelGrip – Wheel Slide Protection Systems
Applications: High-speed trains · Light rail vehicles · Metros · Locomotives · Passenger coaches · Regional & commuter trains
Wheel Slide Protection
Wheel slide protection systems WheelGrip provide shorter stopping distances even in extreme weather conditions and enable dramatic reduction of maintenance costs by avoiding wheel flats. Decades of experience and ongoing technical improvement enable Knorr-Bremse to offer state-of-the-art wheel slide protection.
Customer Benefits
- Short braking distance
- Optimized control algorithms reduce air consumption
- Wear-free rotational speed measurement
- Additional option of detection of non-rotating axles and skid protection
- Meets all relevant standards such as EN50155 and safety requirements of EN5012x
- One system for all markets: easier homologation of trains, e.g. GOST/WSPER/UIC
Applications
- High-speed trains
- Light rail vehicles
- Locomotives
- Metros
- Passenger coaches
- Regional & commuter trains
Additional Features – High-performance WheelGrip Adapt
- Multi-mode switchover WheelGrip control between low and extremely low adhesion for shorter stopping distances
- The new algorithm is able to utilize friction anomalies when they occur under extreme low-adhesion conditions. Tests simulating leaves on track show significant reduction potential
- Higher pneumatic performance for shorter ventilation times
- Improved system control and diagnostics by pressure sensor integration
System components
Sensor
- Range of single channel, dual channel and multisensors available
- Wear-free rotational speed measurement
- Multisensor measures speed, acceleration and temperature
- Versions for temperatures down to –55 °C and up to 70 °C available
Anti-Skid Valve
- Covering all market requirements
- Optionally integrated pressure sensor for WheelGrip Adapt
- Operating pressure: max. 6.5 bar
Integration example of WheelGrip Electronics in Knorr-Bremse Brake Control
- Interface to typical train network systems such as MVB, CANopen, RS485, HDLC, Ethernet protocol variants etc.
- Output signal: rectangular current signal, polarity reversal protected, permanently short-circuit protected
- Versions for temperatures down to –55 °C and up to 100 °C available
- Service and maintenance interface (Ethernet)
- Data log function with large storage volume
Additional integrated functions such as:
- Control for electromagnetic track brake and sanding
- Speed signal output
- Distance counter
