Hybrid drive for track construction machines

For their innovative drive concept, track machine manufacturer Plasser & Theurer relies on the combination of the highly elastic rubber disc clutch Arcusaflex with a switchable electromagnetic clutch from Reich.

“With our coupling package, we guarantee the highest possible machine availability in conjunction with maximum safety for constant performance under extreme loads on the rails,” emphasizes Christian Reich, Managing Director of Dipl.-Ing. Herwarth Reich GmbH.

“We worked with the Dipl.-Ing. “Herwarth Reich GmbH found a competent and reliable partner who, with his experience in mobile drive solutions, designed exactly the coupling package that meets our high requirements,” says Plasser & Theurer.

Vibrations, dust pollution and high temperature differences – the challenges for the coupling solution when used in a track construction machine are enormous and place high demands on the components used. The service life of the entire drive train depends on their reliability and performance, which also reduces life cycle costs.

The important customer requirement of achieving a compact design and the lowest possible weight of the individual components due to the limited installation space had to be met. This requirement, like all others, was successfully met by Reich in the course of creating the concept with optimized and coordinated components using the 'Designed to Customer process'.
(D2C) can be implemented.

The particular advantage of combining it with an electromagnetic clutch is that it enables the diesel engine and generator to be separated. In overhead line operation, the diesel engine, which is not required in this operating mode, is simply decoupled using the electromagnetic clutch. When engaged, the track construction machine can be self-sufficient without external
Power supply operated. This is necessary on all non-electrified routes.

The installed highly elastic Arcusaflex rubber disc coupling protects the drive components through its high damping capacity of system-related vibrations and compensates for displacements
between diesel engine and generator. A special highlight: An additional mechanical emergency actuation has been integrated into the rubber disc coupling, so that it can also be operated without power in an emergency. A machine downtime in such applications would lead to massive logistical delays and therefore immense follow-up costs for the railway operator.