ABB traction motors for light rail vehicle (LRV)

Every LRV is unique – and so should its motors be. ABB’s LRV motors are based on actual operating conditions, which means that every motor has its unique design. Here is an outline of a typical mission pr ofile for an inner-city tram versus a suburban tram – and its consequences on the motor design.

ABB LRV motors

Our LRV motor platform has a rectangular cross-section in order to optimize the given space envelope without impacting stringent height requirements. The pollution situation on site determines the selection of a closed or an open cooling concept.

 

Inner-city trams
Suburban trams

Inner-city trams have low floors, making the vehicle accessible from street level without a platform. They run on a tight schedule with frequent starts and stops in urban environments.

The low floor reduces the available space for the traction motor, which is mounted close to the ground (down to 60 mm). The motor thus operates in a polluted environment involving dust, sand, salty air or debris.

A closed cooling concept is recommended to protect the motor’s sensitive components. However, its drawback is lower cooling performance, as rotor losses must be distributed to the external cooling through the stator.

ABB promotes closed cooling concepts (air/liquid) for inner-city trams. Our motors meet strict height demands. Using leading design software, we can minimize rotor losses and verify the motor’s thermal behavior given the actual mission pr ofile.

Suburban trams are typically high-floor LRVs, accessible via platforms at stops. Since the distance between stops is longer, the trams can run at higher average speeds, making selfventilated cooling concepts more favorable than with inner-city trams.

Trams operating in suburban areas often run on separate tracks – away from other traffic such as cars and buses – where there is less pollution. An open cooling concept can therefore be used, in which the rotor losses are more effectively dissipated.

The high floor solution provides a more generous space envelope for the motor and gearbox, making it possible to use less complex components.

For suburban trams operating on separate tracks, ABB offers open traction motors, which allow for a more demanding mission profile, a more compact motor – or both.

Leaflet
ABB traction motors for light rail vehicle (LRV)
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