WHEEL/RAIL ADHESION ENHANCEMENT

摘要

If the wheel/rail adhesion for a railway vehicle is insufficient, then the wheels may slip when braking. If slipping is detected, a control system (22) may reduce the brake pressure to permit a controlled level of slip and so to optimise the braking force for the available adhesion. By determining the pressure supplied to the brake cylinder (18), a signal (30) may be obtained which indicates the value of the adhesion. Alternatively the adhesion may be monitored by detecting any discrepancy between the braking deceleration demanded by the driver and the observed deceleration. The adhesion signal ma y activate a warning. It may also be used (32, 34) to adjust the rate at which sand is supplied by a sander (35) to the wheel/rail interface. The rate at which sand is supplied may also be adjusted in accordance with other parameters such as the train speed.