The initial contract is to supply equipment for 100 Avelia Horizon trains with options to provide additional systems in the future for the new-generation double-deck trains.
Knorr-Bremse says the Avelia Horizon is the first French high-speed train to have a direct braking system where brake commands are transmitted electrically via the vehicle bus rather than the traditional indirect braking system based on the train’s main air pipe.
“This way, brake commands are transmitted much faster and with a shorter time lag,” Knorr-Bremse told IRJ. “In practice, this means that with direct activation it takes just 2-3 seconds to build up the full brake force compared with approximately 4-5 seconds with indirect systems. So full brake force is available some 2 seconds earlier during which time a train traveling at 300km/h would cover roughly 160m.”
Knorr-Bremse says direct brakes also offer greater flexibility in terms of brake force distribution. “The interplay with the electric brake can be coordinated even more intelligently,” the company says. “This helps to reduce wear, for example, as well as contributing to greater safety and enhanced ride quality. The reduced number of components also leads to optimised maintenance costs.”
In addition, Avelia Horizon trains will only have three brake discs per axle instead of four on previous TGV Duplex trains. The reduction in the number of brake discs together with the use of compact callipers will result in substantial weight savings.
