The Railway Window Wiper

Security Body

Getting a locomotive wiper to work efficiently can be more difficult than breaking a speed record

Louis Armand , Chairman of the SNCF (1981)

Safety device

After having been considered for a long time as a secondary function, having little or no effect on the regularity of traffic, the window wiper is now perceived as a safety device. Its failure to operate calls into question compliance with the schedule, and drivers may have their liability mitigated in the event of window cleaning failures.
It is essential that all the components are perfectly adapted to the needs of the railway service and to each cab configuration.

The comparison with automotive equipment allows us to appreciate the necessary qualities of a window wiper intended for railway use:

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3 months for 100 000 km!

A passenger car travels an average of 100,000 km in 36 months.
A locomotive makes them in 3 months. The journeys made currently exceed 1000 km/day.

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Change every 6 to 9 months ...

In 100,000 km, a car will have had its brushes replaced 4 to 5 times, i.e. a lifespan of about 20,000 km.
On a locomotive, the brushes are changed after 200 000 / 300 000 km.

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A locomotive does not stop in heavy rain

When it rains, a car driving at 130 km/h will slow down, and finally stop in a very violent storm.
Whatever the weather, the locomotive will maintain its speed, from 160 to more than 350 Km/h, requiring a sweep as efficient as ever.

Equipment in use

Brot equipment is used on railroads and urban lines

Brot systems in operation on high-speed lines worldwide

window wipers of the Alba generation are in service in France

Mud test

In order to be approved, our equipment undergoes a mud test. The glass, previously coated with mud, must be cleaned effectively after 10 cycles maximum. The test is carried out in a real situation, at 250 km/h.

Preparation

Preparation of the TGV cabin in the workshop. More than 20 layers of mud are applied.

Departure of the TGV

Mud reduces visibility very significantly. Normal safety conditions are not met

Cycle 1, go

The 250 Km/h reached, the test can begin.
The combined action of the window washer and wiper has already removed some of the mud.

Cycle 2, return

A large part of the area initially covered is now clear.

Cycle 4, go

The entire area initially covered was cleared by the end of Cycle 3

Cycle 10, return

The glass was completely cleared of mud well before the end of the 10 cycles.

End of the test

Parking position.
Test passed with success!…

Watch the video:

Our Solutions

Electro-Pneumatic

actuator brot 3

Features
  • Torque: 60 Nm at 8 bar.
  • Scanning angle: 50 to 90°.
  • Scanning accuracy: +/- 1°.
  • Pneumatic supply: 7 to 10 bar.
  • Power supply: 24 to 140 V. DC.
  • Operating temperature: -25°C to +70°C (-40°C to +70°C optional)
  • Output shaft Ø 16 mm or square
    of 13 x 13 mm.
  • Wall feedthrough: Ø 24 mm.
  • Transmission by connecting rod and roller.
  • Stainless steel lined chambers.
  • Noise level: < 70dB.
  • Weight : < 4 Kg
Use

All applications except large surface windows on high speed trains.

 

Benefits
  • High torque in a small footprint.
  • Combination of the advantages of the electronic control module (size, ergonomics, comfort) and the pneumatic actuator (power and longevity).
  • First maintenance at 10 million cycles for the mechanical part (about 3,000 hours or more than 10 years of effective use), by changing two seals and greasing.
  • First maintenance at 30 million cycles for the electro-pneumatic part.
  • Emergency control by direct injection into the actuator chambers, avoiding manual control or a second wiper.
  • No backlash or noise, thanks to the absence of a rack and pinion.
  • Single hole wall penetration, even in parallel system, giving reduced installation time and better sealing.
  • Sealing device included.

 

Electro-Pneumatic

actuator brot 4

Features
  • Torque: 100 Nm at 8 bar.
  • Scanning angle: 50 to 90°.
  • Scanning accuracy: +/- 1.°.
  • Pneumatic supply: 7 to 10 bar.
  • Power supply: 24 to 140 V. DC.
  • Operating temperature: -25°C to +70°C (-40°C to +70°C optional).
  • Square output shaft of 16 x 16 mm.
  • Wall feedthrough: Ø 30 mm.
  • Transmission by connecting rod and roller.
  • Stainless steel lined chambers.
  • Noise level: < 70dB.
  • Weight : 6.5 Kg

 

Use

Difficult applications and high speed trains (over 200 Km/h).
Allows the sweeping of large glass surfaces as well as the use of large arms and brooms, regardless of aerodynamic forces.

 

Benefits
  • Combination of the advantages of the electronic control module (size, ergonomics, comfort) and the pneumatic actuator (power and longevity).
  • First maintenance at 10 million cycles for the mechanical part (about 3,000 hours or more than 10 years of effective use), by changing two seals and greasing.
  • First maintenance at 30 million cycles for the electro-pneumatic part.
  • Emergency control by direct injection into the actuator chambers, avoiding manual control or a second wiper.
  • No backlash or noise, thanks to the absence of a rack and pinion.
  • Single hole wall penetration, even in parallel system, giving reduced installation time and better sealing.