ELPA - Rail Noise and Wear-Out Reduction Technology

Elpa specialises in tribotechnology for rail noise reduction, solving problems with our rail brake anti-noise system, multi-active rail applicators and rail preservers. We are an innovative and experienced team developing systems that solve worldwide railway problems relating to noise, wear and tear, friction, vibrations, jolts, corrugation, maintenance problems, railway working conditions, etc.

Our solutions – supported by revolutionary WONROS™ noise-reduction technology; BREMEX-ANNSYS, a rail brake anti-noise system; and the CL-E1 application systems for rails – are economically efficient and environmentally friendly.

Wear Out and Noise Reduction On Source (WONROS)

Our revolutionary WONROS technology eliminates noise caused by friction between metal surfaces – e.g. wheels, rails and rail brakes – and also helps preserves them from wearing out. The technology is built around patented multi-active rail preserving systems, special heavy-duty appliances, designed with rail maintenance, vandalism and energy independence in mind. We therefore use special long-lasting, temperature-proof and environmentally friendly composite materials, applied on sources of noise.

Multi active rail preservers

Multi-active rail preservers supported by WONROS technology are effective against:

• Rail / wheel or rail / rail brake generated noise
• Wear out of rails, wheel-flanges and rail brakes
• Gauge corner cracking (GCC), rolling contact fatigue (RCF) and rail erosion
• Sinus-line (corrugation) of rails

Elpa's multi-active rail preservers are verified by the TÜV SÜD Rail and SIQ test and certification bodies.

CL-E1 ws – wayside application system for rails

The CL-E1 ws wayside application system for rails is designed for reduction of noise and wear in rail curves on railways, tramways, metros, etc.

Benefits of the CL-E1 ws system include:

• Elimination of noise (squealing) in curves caused by friction between wagon wheels and the rail
• Increased rail and wheel lifetime
• Reduced rolling noise
• Significant reduction of the sinus line (corrugation), saving money on rail grinding costs
• Maintenance of low roughness level
• Smoother rails and wheels
• Reduced brake screech
• Anti-crack effect
• High percentage of metal (aluminium) particles in the material, preventing rail erosion, GCC and RCF
• Operation in all extreme weather conditions
• Contact-less operation
• Carry-down effect
• The same composite material is used throughout the entire year
• Use possible irrespective of ambient temperature
• Smoother driving through curves
• Reduced consumption of driving power on serviced segments
• Own source of power provided by solar panels or net voltage VAC
• Removal of the device not necessary when maintenance vehicles (e.g. sleeper exchanger machines) are passing over
• Drastic reduction in material consumption
• Insignificant maintenance
• An environmentally friendly nature

Its robust design makes the system efficient against vandalism.

CL-E1 ug – underground application system for rails

CL-E1 ug has most of the same characteristics as CL-E1 ws. However, it is intended for use in town centres (urban areas), because the underground installation does not obstruct surroundings and therefore can not be subjected to vandalism.

BREMEX-ANNSYS anti-noise systems for rail brakes

During braking, friction between wagon wheels and rail brakes generates disturbing noise. Elpa's BREMEX-ANNSYS system, for use at hump yards, shunting stations, classification yards and marshalling yards, reduces power of noise (squealing) by 99.9%.

The BREMEX-ANNSYS system:

• Reduces the power of noise caused by friction during braking by 99.9%
• Essentially increases braking-rail lifetime
• Fully maintains braking effect
• Reduces vibrations and strokes
• Operates in all extreme weather conditions
• Uses the same composite material throughout the entire year
• Is possible to use irrespective of ambient temperature
• Requires insignificant maintenance
• Is environmentally friendly