Lubrication system for railway applications

Everyday thousands of trains pass through the railway network around the world, subjecting the tracks to continuous stresses due to the passage of heavy loads.

Continuous movement over a period of time can lead to wear, which jeopardises the efficiency of trains and consequently the level of safety during operation.

The installation of a lubrication system, in this case, has the key task of reducing friction and wear by providing a precise quantity of lubricant directly on the wheel/rail interface.

For effective lubrication, it is necessary to install a reliable, robust, and climate-resistant automatic lubrication system capable of delivering the proper amount of lubricant along the rails.

Effectively, DropsA designed the “Track-Lube” system for the lubrication of curved rails on winding track.

The system is made of an enclosure, which contains a control panel, an electric pump, and a Small-bar applicator (a high viscosity grease dispenser).

This system is characterized by its modularity, which allows a single pump station to lubricate a maximum of 12 curved rail sections.

Each curve, depending on the radius, can be lubricated either from a single Small-bar or multiple grease distribution devices.

Small-bars are independent from each-other and equipped with their own vibration sensor.

Lubricant is distributed on the internal side of the rail track. Vibration created during the passage of the train is detected by the sensor on the Small-bar which sends a signal to the control panel, initiating the start of a lubrication cycle.

The pump is then activated, and the lubricant passes through a SMX divider equipped with cycle switch. The control panel manages the number of cycles, ensuring that the proper amount of grease is sent to the small bars.

A laser level constantly monitors the remaining amount of grease present in the lubricant drum. An integrated by-pass protects against overpressure, discharging residual pressure back into the drum.

DropsA’s system is equipped with a sophisticated control system, able to communicate with remote PCs or PLC controllers.

The TRACK‐LUBE system has many functions:

- LCD panel for diagnosing and monitoring the system status, and for changing the parameters of the entire system.

- Setting the quantity of grease to be supplied to each individual area.

- Lubricant level measurement with laser sensor and level display on the LCD panel; or on web page (OPTIONAL).

- Remote control via e‐mail indicating any interruption of operation, including a battery backup in case of power supply failure.

- Ready for connection and control online via web page.

The installation of an automatic rail lubrication system offers several advantages, in addition to increasing the level of safety and efficiency of the train:

- Reduction of the rail wear

- Reduction of noise level

- Reduction in energy consumption