OLEO International - Hydraulic Energy Absorbers

OLEO International Limited have spent over 50 years in the pursuit of excellence in impact energy absorption. Since 1952, OLEO have designed and supplied energy absorption buffers for the rail industry, providing protection for both passenger and freight rolling stock. OLEO's comprehensive product range includes:

• Buffers
• Couplers
• Anti-climbers
• Draft gear
• End stops
• Container protection

OLEO have world-renowned design development test facilities, with the ability to simulate and accurately predict product performance under different operating conditions. Designs are produced using state of the art CAD solid modelling and the product is made in world-class, in-house facilities in Coventry, England.

Nearly one million units are currently in service on a wide range of railway applications.

Each product is widely accepted and backed up by a worldwide network of distributors.

OLEO International is ISO 9001 approved and products conform to all relevant UIC and AAR standards in their respective markets.

HYDRAULICS ENERGY ABSORPTION OBJECTIVES

• Controlled impact energy dissipation is essential for minimising damage to rolling stock
• The energy absorber should dissipate virtually all of the impact energy, during its working closure stroke, otherwise potentially damaging recoil forces will be produced
• The deceleration level during closure must be generally uniform to maintain minimum impact forces
• The performance of the energy absorber must be predictable and consistent
• A minimum 10 year service-free working life should be expected, for normal duty

HYDRAULIC BUFFERS

The OLEO buffer possesses the unique ability to change its characteristics according to operational needs, thus minimising impact forces.

This desirable feature is accomplished by the innovative metering pin design which progressively reduces the orifice area as the buffer closes. The actual contour of the metering pin is precisely calculated to provide the best possible protection to rolling stock, whatever the load or impact speed.

Most of the impact energy is absorbed within the buffer and the already low recoil force is dampened by the reverse oil flow through the orifice, leaving very little energy and recoil force to return to the impacting vehicle.

OLEO buffer capsules can be fitted into any type of casing, according to the source or customer requirements.

COUPLER CAPSULES

OLEO capsules protect passengers and rolling stock as well as improving ride comfort. Exhaustive testing by both OLEO and independent railway authorities, including full scale crash tests using actual rail vehicles, have all proved the effectiveness of the OLEO coupler capsule in a crash situation.

ANTI-CLIMBERS

OLEO anti-climbers play their part in total impact absorption by steering forces in the direction designed for the coupler deformation device and sacrificial structures to work with maximum efficiency.

Anti-climber contact faces lock together to minimise the tendency for vehicles to over-ride and are sufficient to support up to 50% of a fully laden vehicle.

Casings consist of a one-shot energy absorbing cartridge. Casings are reusable and replacement cartridges are available.

DRAFT GEAR

Outside Western Europe, freight vehicles are generally equipped with knuckle couplers, often incorporating a draft gear to absorb and dissipate energy.

The compact OLEO hydraulic draft gear has five times the energy absorption capabilities of larger conventional draft gear at 407kj.

END STOPS

OLEO long stroke buffers fitted directly to the platform or to steel end stops, offer exceptional protection to passengers and rolling stock against both low and high speed impacts.

CONTAINER PROTECTION

OLEO units provide optimum protection over a range of impact speeds and masses, by minimising longitudinal accelerations under impact conditions.

Buffers are inserted within the structure of the vehicle to isolate the load from the wheels and bogies.