• New PowerBriX converter generation with silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors
  • Power density increased by up to 50%
  • Complete systems solutions reduce integration effort for vehicle builders and increase reliability and efficiency of on-board power supply

At the InnoTrans trade fair, Knorr-Bremse PowerTech, a subsidiary of Knorr-Bremse, the global market leader for braking systems and a leading provider of subsystems for rail and commercial vehicles, is showcasing customized solutions for efficient on-board power supply in rail vehicles.

On-board auxiliary converters supply electrical power for safety functions, on-board restaurants, HVAC systems, power sockets and passenger information displays. With growing demand for greater comfort on trains, the power requirements of individual consumers are also on the increase. "More than any other company in this sector, Knorr- Bremse PowerTech stands for efficient energy supply," says Harald Schneider, Managing Director of Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH. "We use state-of-the-art power electronics, look at electrical consumers holistically, and combine individual components to form complete systems."

New PowerBriX converter generation

PowerBriX is a prime example of an efficient, modularized, compact power supply system. The example of this new product family on view in Hall 17 (Booth 208) and Hall 1.2. (Booth 106) is based on the latest silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductors. In combination with an optimized system architecture, this has increased power density by some 50% compared with previous product generations.

The background: SiC power semiconductors enable higher switching frequencies, resulting in lighter and smaller magnetic components and ultra-compact on-board converters. The unit on display at InnoTrans is 30% lighter than its predecessors and some 35% smaller. PowerTech has deployed this technology for the first time in the power class up to 55 kVA and 750 V DC input voltage – ideal for use in light rail vehicles and metros.

The PowerBriX family of converters is based on a newly-developed system made up of standardized, type-tested modules. Within the foreseeable future, PowerTech will be able to cater for all current market requirements. Depending on the particular application concerned, the individual modules can be rapidly and flexibly combined into an overall converter system and configured according to customer requirements. Vehicle builders benefit from a significant overall reduction in the amount of project planning and configuration required.

Vehicle operators also benefit: "The combination of standardization, modularization and ultra-compact design boosts the energy efficiency of the auxiliary power supply and at the same time facilitates maintenance. Both these factors help to save resources across the entire lifecycle," says Jure Mikolčić, Managing Director of Knorr-Bremse PowerTech.

New plug-and-play DC power management system

In Hall 17 (Booth 208) PowerTech is also showcasing its new DC power management system. This combines formerly separate components – battery charger, vehicle battery and DC power supply – into a single compact and efficient system that also controls and monitors the DC on-board power distribution.

"The vehicle builder calculates the required capacity and we look after integration and interaction of the components," explains Mikolčić. The pre-assembled, pre-tested units are then supplied on a just-in-time basis to the vehicle manufacturer’s assembly line, where the engineers merely have to attach the bracket to the vehicle, connect up the energy supply and plug in the various consumers. "Combining these elements into a plug-and-play system considerably simplifies the previously complex vehicle integration process," adds Mikolčić. The system is scheduled to go into regular operation on the London Elizabeth Line and London Overground trains by the end of this year.

New, decentralized power supply LITE

The new power supply system LITE (Light Integrated Train Energy) uses additional power inverters with variable voltage and frequency (VVVF) output to precisely match the energy requirements of consumers with high power consumption rates such as HVAC systems or compressors.

LITE supplies the inverters of the individual consumers via its own 680-volt DC on-board power network. This enables the number of power conversions to be reduced. "It means we have been able to reduce the hardware components of both the central auxiliary power converter and the individual consumers," explains Mikolčić. This significantly improves the system’s reliability and the energy conversion efficiency – and also has a positive effect on the vehicle’s environmental impact and life-cycle. In a six-car metro train, for example, it enables transformation losses to be reduced by up to 30%. LITE is currently undergoing extensive field-testing on a Chinese metro.

Über die Knorr-Bremse AG

Knorr-Bremse is the global market leader for braking systems and a leading supplier of other safety-critical rail and commercial vehicle systems. Knorr-Bremse’s products make a decisive contribution to greater safety and energy efficiency on rail tracks and roads around the world. For more than 110 years the company has been the industry innovator, driving innovation in mobility and transportation technologies with an edge in connected system solutions. Knorr-Bremse is one of Germany’s most successful industrial companies and profits from the key global megatrends: urbanization, eco-efficiency, digitization and automated driving.

About 29,000 employees (last updated June 30, 2018) at over 100 sites in more than 30 countries use their competence and motivation to satisfy customers worldwide with products and services. Localization is a central focus of Knorr-Bremse’s strategy. Knorr-Bremse delivers braking, entrance, control and auxiliary power supply systems, HVAC and driver assistance systems for rail vehicles, as well as braking, steering, powertrain and transmission control solutions, and driver assistance systems for commercial vehicles.

In 2017, Knorr-Bremse’s two divisions together generated revenues of EUR 6.2 billion (IFRS). A comprehensive aftermarket & services business with high entry barriers gives these revenues increasingly cyclically independent stability. The company benefits from strong, entrepreneurial and experienced management. Technical excellence, reliability, passion and responsibility are deeply embedded in its corporate culture.

Under the Knorr-Bremse PowerTech brand name, the Knorr-Bremse Group offers an extensive portfolio of power supply systems. At six sites on four continents, more than 500 employees develop and produce cutting-edge solutions for a range of functions related to power conversion. The Knorr-Bremse PowerTech portfolio includes converters and electrical equipment for rail vehicles, power generation and energy storage systems, various industrial applications and highly dynamic engine and transmission test benches.

Firmenkontakt und Herausgeber der Meldung:

Knorr-Bremse AG
Moosacher Straße 80
80809 München
Telefon: +49 (89) 3547-0
Telefax: +49 (89) 3547-2767
http://www.knorr-bremse.de

Ansprechpartner:
Eva Doppler
Corporate Communications
Telefon: +49 (89) 35471498
Fax: +49 (89) 444454-193
E-Mail: eva.doppler@knorr-bremse.com
Alexandra Bufe
Head of Corporate Communications
Telefon: +49 (89) 3547-1402
E-Mail: alexandra.bufe@knorr-bremse.com
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