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CRRC unveils new carbon fibre metro vehicles Cetrovo

09 Oct '18

4 min read

Courtesy: CRRCGC

CRRC has unveiled new generation of carbon fibre metro vehicles Cetrovo - the latest technological product in Chinese metro sector. Compared to the traditional metro vehicles, the new vehicles, developed with advanced materials and technologies, are lighter and energy saving. Weight lightening is the major route for energy conservation of metro vehicles.

These vehicles, introduced at InnoTrans 2018 in Germany, are fully upgraded in energy conservation and environmental protection, comfort and intelligence compared to traditional metro. The new generation of carbon fibre metro vehicles will be subjected to testing, followed by line commissioning.

Cetrovo uses carbon fibre composite materials on large scale. The vehicle body, the bogie frame, the cab, the equipment compartment and the equipment body are made of carbon fibre composite materials. As opposed to the use of traditional metallic materials such as steel and aluminum alloy, the body, the cab and the equipment compartment of the new generation of carbon fibre metro vehicles is lighter by over 30 per cent, the bogie frame is lighter by 40 per cent and the whole vehicle is lighter by 13 per cent.

"Though manufacturing costs of carbon fibre composite materials are higher than those of traditional metallic materials, they are lighter and more energy saving. Meanwhile, they have excellent performance in fatigue resistance, weather resistance and corrosion resistance. They may effectively guarantee no failures such as fatigue and corrosion of trains during the 30-year service period and reduce maintenance and thus reduce entire life-cycle costs." Ding Sansan, CRRC scientist and deputy chief engineer of SRRC Sifang Co said. Damages to the line are also reduced after the body lightens.

To reduce energy consumption, besides carbon fibre weight lightening technology, a new efficient and energy-saving traction system is also provided. Compared to traditional metro, the new generation of metro vehicles adapts to climatic and geographical environment and may operate under complicated environment such as high temperature, high humidity, extremely low temperature minus 40 degree Celsius and high altitude of up to 2500 metres.

Vehicles may run without external power supply. An energy storage system - power storage battery is provided, which may provide vehicles with traction power for a travel distance of 15km. Vehicles may have emergency operation in the case of power supply failure, thus facilitating their running in "areas without electricity" of lines and depots. Advanced damping and noise reduction technologies provide greater riding comfort.

Fully active suspension technology has been first adopted for the new generation of metro vehicles. When compartments vibrate on the way of running, the vibration may be detected immediately and the damping of the suspension system will be adjusted dynamically so that the suspension system may be under the optimal damping status and therefore metro vehicles may run more stably.

The new generation of metro vehicles marks intelligent trains. Compartments enter the era of "touch control". Windows become a touch control screen and "magic windows" that may convey various kinds of graphic video information. Windows are just like a huge "Pad". One can read the news, browse the webpage, and watch videos and live television.

Intelligent air conditioners in the compartment may specify an appropriate temperature and humidity automatically based on the weather and dressing index so as to provide a better body sense. The lighting system may know the light environment in the compartment at any time and adjust the luminance and colour temperature automatically. There are also curved multimedia screens, self-cleaning seats and hearing-aid system for passengers with hearing disability.

The maximum running speed of the new generation of metro vehicles may reach 140km, faster than traditional metro. With unmanned operation technology, trains are operated fully automatically in the whole process from startup, acceleration and deceleration, stop at stations, door opening and close and return to the garage. The application and maintenance are more intelligent.

A strong intelligent perception system is established for vehicles. Over 1100 monitoring points are set up to recognise the "healthy" status of trains in real time. Automatic early warning and remote maintenance may be realised in the case of any abnormalities on the way of running. (SV)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India