Specifically the derailment detector EDT®101 which activates an automatic emergency stop in case of derailments. The EDT®101 detector has demonstrated its reliable performance, and its ability to avoid serious train accidents.
Derailment detectors are installed above freight car bogies. When a bogie derails, they detect the resultant vibration and automatically trigger emergency braking. In the past, accidents often occurred because derailments behind the locomotive went unnoticed by the train driver.
The solution consists of an emergency brake valve, a mounted spring-mass valve and an indicator device. In the case of derailment, the increase in vertical acceleration is registered by the spring-mass valve. This immediately activates the emergency brake valve, which opens the main brake pipe and releases the emergency brake. The main brake pipe is entirely vented. Once the process has been completed, the EDT®101 returns to its normal operation position independently and a red pin on the indicator device shows which unit has triggered. The indicator pin easily can be reset manually. By a stopcock in the bracket of the device the detector can be deactivated manually at any time. Also important to note is that this equipment does not require any electrical power.
“The purpose of a derailment detector is to stop the train by activating the automatic application of the brake throughout the consist and or train, when its triggering threshold has been reached after the occurrence of a wagon derailment. The derailment detector cannot prevent derailments, but rather prevents the derailment becoming a serious accident with major consequential damage,” notes Nieuwoudt.
The railway operator and rolling stock owner reap a number of benefits from the installation of the derailment detector EDT®101 , chief among these benefits aside from increased safety includes, reduced consequential damage caused by derailments.
The EDT®101 as an independent system is easy to retrofit to existing wagons, offers high reliability with no false activation experienced. Also important to note is that this equipment does not require any electrical power in order to function.
The Knorr-Bremse Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles.
