Analysis of Addis Ababa Light Rail Train Wheel Profile Integrity and Onboard Spray Type Wheel Flange Lubrication System Design
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Date
2021-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
A wheel flange lubricator sprays lubricant on the wheel flange which comes into contact with the rail at curves, consequently decreasing the wear rate. Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) of Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit (AALRT) are integrated with solid stick wheel flange lubrication mechanism. However, nowadays, AALRT EMUs solid stick lubrication system is not functional because of material cost and lack of availability. This study aims to assess the wear distribution on different wheels of the EMU at different lines and provides a better and effective lubrication system, which is placed onboard of the vehicles. The lubricant of new lubrication system is easily available and cost effective, whereas the mechanism includes curve sensor, oil, pressurized air, nozzle, oil reservoir, oil pump and the lubricating system pump speed which is about 1200RPM was calculated numerically to obtain the oil flow rate. Average tread diameter of North-South line train is 656.2 mm show a total percentage loss of 0.57% when compared to East-West line with an average wheel diameter of 658.3 mm and a percentage loss of 0.25%. The analysis results indicate that North-South line EMU wheel flange wears faster than that of East-West line. It was also found that the trailer car wheels’ thicknesses are worn faster than other two motor bogie wheels. Our designed lubrication system replaces the previous lubrication system (solid stick) and is intended to be operated by priority of fast wearing axle wheels and corresponding vehicles. The oil tanks were estimated to be 0.5
while the flow rate through the spray nozzle is calculated to be approximately 0.326e-3
/s and the standard flow rate at the curve is approximately 0.3e-3m3/s which gives a difference of 0.026e-3
/s with a corresponding error of 7.9%. This is a clear indication that the design process met the international standard for the design of such system. Similarly, the oil flow rates at curves track were seen to be at the acceptable limits.
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Keywords
Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit (AALRT), Wear, Flowrate, Wheel flange lubrication system, Flowrate