Overview
ABSTRACT
Hydrodynamic transmissions are based on the principles governing the mechanics of fluids. The energy delivered by a diesel engine is transformed by a wheel-pump into hydrokinetic energy, in turn converted into mechanical energy through a turbine wheel. The basic elements of a hydrodynamic transmission are the torque converter, the coupling and the retarder. The major advantages of this transmission are low cost, reliability, high performance, easy maintenance and easy location in vehicles owing to its high power-to-weight ratio. Turbotransmission power ranges fit different applications of diesel traction equipment such as railcars, mainline and shunting locomotives, and track maintenance vehicles.
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Read the articleAUTHOR
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Rémy POCHON: ECAM engineer - Formerly Sales Manager for Turbotransmissions and Railway Powertrains, Voith, Heidenheim, Germany
INTRODUCTION
Based on the diesel engine, autonomous rail traction comprises three types of drive torque transmission to the axles:
This is the gearbox, widely used in automobiles;
electric drive with a generator driven by the diesel engine and supplying the traction motors driving the axles;
hydrodynamic transmission, intermediate between the diesel engine and the axles.
Based on principles invented in 1905, and first implemented by the railways in 1932, the company now offers a range of products suitable for virtually all types of diesel vehicle, even those with very high power ratings.
The first part covers the fundamental laws and principles of hydrodynamics, as well as the construction of torque converters, couplings and retarders.
The second part analyzes the main applications for rail motorized equipment: railcars, railcars and locomotives.
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KEYWORDS
Railway transportation | hydraulic transmission | diesel engine
Hydrodynamic transmissions
General principles of hydrodynamics
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Bibliography
- (1) - PAETZOLD (W.) - The hydrodynamic fundamentals of the Voith turbotransmissions. - Imprimé de la société Voith, n° G (1961e).
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