MöllerWerke Designs Customised Traction Motor Boots for Rail Vehicles
Constant and reliable cooling of the traction motor is essential for rail vehicles to reach their destination safely. MöllerWerke manufactures individual traction motor boots developed for the application, which adapt to the required track profile due to their specific pleat geometry and number of pleats.
Using motion studies and specifications provided by the customer, MöllerWerke determines the maximum deflection coordinates and designs a traction motor boot. In the design process, particular consideration is given to the deflection profiles occurring during driving and customer requirements.
The connections can be designed according to the installation situation on the vehicle’s body and bogie. Moreover, the connections (flanges) of the bellows have circumferential sealing surfaces. Vulcanised flanges attached to the folding bellows ensure a self-sealing connection. To find the perfect connection, MöllerWerke offers different types of connection systems.
If the customer requires a system which can be assembled fast and without any special tools the quick-release system would be a good choice. Are the mounting areas hard to reach or just one sided? The plug-in system is easier to install as it is an individual mounting system. Apart from that a common and well known connection is the screw connection which is a standardized joining element as well as a robust and durable solution.
The traction motor boots are made of a durable specially developed robust silicone aramid fabric which is certified according to national and international fire standards for railway bellows. These include the fire protection classes according to DIN EN 45545-2 and NFPA 130 (as well as other standards on request). In addition, the MöllerWerke traction motor boots are cold-resistant up to -50°C and can withstand a maximum continuous temperature up to +180°C. Apart from that the traction motor boots have optimized abrasion resistance and high resistance to environmental influences.
The maximum stipulated movement as well as the wear and tear of a bellow for a new project can be tested under laboratory conditions with testing facilities in the MöllerWerke technical centre, documented and released for serial production. Thereby the wear behaviour with various installation lengths and deformation sequences can be tested as well.
This article was originally published by MöllerWerke.
