Alstom Receives Innovation Trophy at SIFER

Image Courtesy of Alstom Transport

Alstom has been awarded the trophy for innovation at SIFER. The award comes after development of its bi-modal damper.

The hydraulic bi-modal damper developed by Alstom Transport aims to reduce the maintenance costs of rolling stock, whilst increasing passenger comfort. The damper will reduce the wear of the wheel through specific internal management of oil flows.

Alstom Bi-Modal Dampers

“The tests carried out on two TGV Lyria trains in collaboration with SNCFs Material Engineering Centre have demonstrated a 20% reduction in attrition on the wheels.  This reduces maintenance costs as a result: fewer interventions on infrastructure and less frequent wheel reprofiling, which reduces train downtime, says Cyril Renault, director of DISPEN.

Developed since 2013 by Alstom Transport, the bi-modal damper is patented. It was conceived at Alstoms DISPEN centre, specialised in the development, manufacture and maintenance of dampers for the rail industry.  These dampers equip all bogies used on Alstom trains and are also sold directly to operators.