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Eddy CUrrent Brake Compatibility

Project

ECUC - Eddy CUrrent Brake Compatibility


Funding origin:
European
European Union
STRIA Roadmaps:
Vehicle design and manufacturing (VDM)
Vehicle design and manufacturing
Transport infrastructure (INF)
Transport infrastructure
Transport mode:
Rail
Rail
Transport sectors:
Passenger transport
Passenger transport
Duration:
Start date: 01/09/2012,
End date: 01/08/2015

Status: Finished
Funding details:
Total cost:
€3 251 728
EU Contribution:
€2 050 179

Overview

Background & policy context:

The project ECUC – Eddy CUrrent brake Compatibility – aims to improve the understanding of the interaction between Eddy Current Brake (ECB) and the track and trackside equipment.

Objectives:

ECUC project’s primary objective is to prove that ECB is a highly effective and applicable solution for increasing the braking capacity of new high-speed trains. Secondly, it aims to solve the existing concerns by proposing concrete and realistic solutions to overcome any possible drawbacks that ECB have experienced on some lines. A new generation linear eddy-current brake will be designed and the study of incompatibilities will be performed in two domains: electromagnetic and thermo-mechanical.

Methodology:

ECUC establishes a work plan to demonstrate the technical feasibility of braking systems with eddy current brakes, independent of adhesion conditions, and to clarify the interaction of ECB with track and trackside equipment. In addition a new generation linear eddy-current brake will be designed and a study of electromagnetic incompatibilities and critical thermo-mechanical parameters will also be carried out. As a result, ECUC will propose new designs and engineering and operational guidelines for ECB and signalling equipment, and it will define Technical Recommendations, input for revisions of Technical Specifications for Interoperability.

The strategy for the dissemination of ECUC benefits from input from the ECUC Advisory Group and a wide dissemination strategy towards UNIFE. ECUC addresses the main stakeholders in the European railway sector using various communication and diffusion tools. The impact of ECUC embraces the terms safety, interoperability and economy, and is addressed to the main stakeholders in the European railway industry. The medium-sized ECUC consortium is formed by CEIT (S), KNORR-BREMSE (D), ALSTOM (F), SNCF (F), DEUTSCHE BAHN (D), NETWORK RAIL (UK), UNIFE (B) and FRAUSCHER (AUT). The proposal describes the consortium's strategy in order to guarantee highly efficient coordination. This alliance offers unique advantages in terms of technical competence, complementary representation of all the key players, quality assurance and research orientation.

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