In the field of modern rail transit, air compressors play a vital role, just like the “pneumatic heart” of the rail power core, continuously providing key pneumatic power support for vehicle operation, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of trains and the comfortable experience of passengers.

The key role of air compressors in rail transportation

The power source of the brake system

The braking system is one of the core guarantees for the safe operation of rail transit vehicles. When the train needs to slow down or stop, the compressed air generated by the air compressor is delivered to the brake device. The compressed air pushes the piston in the brake cylinder to move, so that the brake shoe is in close contact with the wheel, and the train is braked through friction.

Kotech Compressor’s air compressor can stably provide high-pressure compressed air that meets the requirements of the braking system, and can respond quickly in emergency braking situations to ensure that the train stops safely in the shortest time.

For example, when a high-speed EMU train is running at 300 km/h or even higher, the reliable air pressure braking power provided by the air compressor can enable the train to decelerate smoothly within the specified braking distance, effectively avoiding accidents.

This precise and powerful braking capability not only depends on the design of the braking system itself, but also depends on the continuous and stable air pressure supply of the air compressor.

Power drive for doors and pneumatic equipment

The opening and closing of rail transit vehicle doors, the lifting and lowering of pantographs, and the operation of many other pneumatic equipment are inseparable from the power provided by air compressors. The normal opening and closing of doors is crucial to the safety of passengers getting on and off the train and the efficiency of operation.

The compressed air generated by air compressor acts on the cylinder of the door through the control system to achieve smooth, fast and reliable opening and closing of the door. During peak hours, trains frequently stop at stations, and the doors need to complete multiple opening and closing operations in a short period of time. The air compressor must be able to continuously and stably provide compressed air with appropriate pressure to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the door movement.

As a key component for trains to obtain electrical energy from the contact network, the lifting and lowering of the pantograph is also powered by an air compressor. When the train starts, the air compressor delivers compressed air to the cylinder of the pantograph, so that the pantograph rises and is in close contact with the contact network to ensure stable transmission of electricity; when the train stops running or enters a power-free area, the pantograph is smoothly lowered under the action of compressed air.

In addition, pneumatic equipment such as air springs and bagpipes also rely on compressed air provided by air compressors to achieve their specific functions, providing passengers with a comfortable riding environment and necessary warning signals.

Air pressure regulation and air purification in the cabin

In order to ensure the comfort of passengers during high-speed train travel, the air pressure in the carriage needs to be precisely adjusted. Kotech Compressor’s air compressor works in conjunction with the air pressure regulation system in the carriage to adjust the air pressure in the carriage in real time according to the train’s running speed and changes in the external ambient pressure.

When the train passes through a tunnel at high speed or travels in an area with large altitude changes, the external air pressure will change significantly. If the air pressure in the carriage cannot be adjusted accordingly in time, passengers may feel ear discomfort or even pain.

The compressed air provided by the air compressor passes through the air pressure regulating device to keep the air pressure in the carriage within a relatively stable and appropriate range, effectively alleviating the passengers’ air pressure discomfort symptoms. At the same time, in some high-end rail transit vehicles, air compressors also provide power support for the air purification system.

Compressed air through the various air compressor filters and air dryers can purify the air in the carriage, remove pollutants such as dust, odor, and harmful gases, and create a fresh and healthy riding environment for passengers.

Technical highlights of Kotech Compressor air compressor

High efficiency and energy saving design concept

With the increasing global attention to energy conservation and environmental protection, Kotech Compressor’s air compressors are fully integrated into the design of high-efficiency energy-saving concepts.

Using advanced screw or centrifugal compressor technology, the compression efficiency of the air compressor is maximized by optimizing the rotor structure, improving the gas path process and precise control system.

For example, the rotor of the new screw air compressor adopts a special profile design, which significantly reduces the leakage of gas during the compression process, thereby improving the compression ratio and energy utilization.

At the same time, Kotech air compressors are equipped with an intelligent variable frequency control system that can automatically adjust the speed and output power of the air compressor according to actual gas demand.

During the operation of the train, when the air demand of the pneumatic equipment is small, the air compressor automatically reduces the speed and reduces energy consumption; when key equipment such as the braking system requires a large amount of compressed air, the air compressor can quickly increase the speed to meet the instantaneous high air pressure demand.

This characteristic of dynamically adjusting the operating state according to the load effectively reduces the overall energy consumption of the air compressor and makes an important contribution to energy conservation and consumption reduction in rail transit operations.

Measures to ensure high reliability and stability

The operating environment of rail transit vehicles is complex and changeable, facing many unfavorable factors such as vibration, impact, temperature change, dust pollution, etc. In order to ensure that the air compressor of Kotech Compressor can still operate stably and reliably under such harsh conditions, a series of strict safeguards have been taken.

In terms of structural design, the air compressor adopts high-strength metal materials and sturdy connection methods to enable it to withstand the strong vibration and impact during the operation of the train. For example, the body of the air compressor is made of high-quality cast steel or aluminum alloy materials, and undergoes precise processing and strict quality inspection to ensure its structural strength and dimensional accuracy.

At the same time, the key internal components such as compressor rotors, bearings, seals, etc. are all made of high-quality imported materials, and undergo special heat treatment and surface treatment processes to improve their wear resistance, corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance.

In addition, Kotech air compressors are also equipped with a complete cooling system and filtration system. The cooling system adopts efficient air cooling or water cooling to promptly remove the heat generated during the operation of the compressor to prevent the equipment from being damaged due to overheating.

The filtration system strictly filters the inhaled air through multi-stage filters to remove dust, impurities and moisture, ensure the purity of the compressed air, reduce wear and corrosion on internal components, and further improve the reliability and stability of the air compressor.

Intelligent monitoring and diagnostic functions

In order to achieve real-time monitoring and precise maintenance of air compressors, Kotech Compressor’s air compressors are integrated with advanced intelligent monitoring and diagnostic systems.

The system collects the operating parameters of the equipment in real time, such as pressure, temperature, speed, current, vibration, etc., through sensors installed in various key parts of an air compressor, and transmits these data to the central control system of the train.

In the central control system, special software analyzes and processes these data. Once a parameter is found to be out of the normal range or abnormal changes occur, the system will immediately issue an alarm and provide detailed fault diagnosis information, including the type of fault, possible causes, and recommended solutions.

For example, if the exhaust pressure of the air compressor suddenly drops, the system will analyze that it may be caused by pipeline leakage, filter blockage, compressor failure, etc., and prompt maintenance personnel to follow the corresponding steps to investigate and repair.

This intelligent monitoring and diagnostic function not only improves the maintenance efficiency of the air compressor, reduces operational delays caused by downtime due to faults, but also provides a strong basis for preventive maintenance.

Through the long-term accumulation and analysis of air compressor operation data, maintenance personnel can predict possible equipment failures in advance, arrange maintenance plans in advance, and replace wearing parts, thereby effectively extending the service life of the air compressor and reducing operating costs.