C-AKv
Encyclopedia
The C-AKv coupler is a fully automatic center coupler
for railway cars, which is designed as a replacement for the European buffers-and-chain coupler. Its profile is based on the Willison profile of the Russian SA3 coupler
. The C-AKv coupler is compatible with both the buffers-and-chain coupler and the SA3 coupler.
center-buffer coupler (a West European variant of the AK69e and the East European variant Intermat). It was intended as a replacement for the buffers-and-chain coupler. The buffers and chain coupler is not capable of accommodating heavy loads, it takes much time and personnel to couple it and it needs too much maintenance. The European introduction was repeatedly postponed, because the center buffer coupler was not compatible with the existing buffers and chain couplers, which meant that all couplers of all European railway vehicles needed to be exchanged at the same time. Some of the European member states were not able to make this huge financial commitment.
The C-AKv coupler was developed by SAB WABCO, now Faiveley Transport Witten GmbH. In contrast with the UIC center buffer coupler, it is compatible with the existing buffers and chain coupler, which allows a long transition period. Since the year 2002, the C-AKv has been on trial on the German railways. It is in service for heavy coal block trains between the mine Profen and the power plant Schkopau
.
Currently the German railways, Faiveley and the Technical University of Berlin are developing transition scenarios for an introduction of the C-AKv coupler.
.
In contrast to the SA-3 coupler, the connections for air brakes and (optional) electrical lines are integrated. This means that these are coupled automatically as well. In contrast to former designs, these pneumatic and electrical connections are compatible with the buffers and chain coupler as well.
The combined coupling with buffers and chain couplers is possible, because the electrical and pneumatic connectors are integrated in the coupler itself. In all former designs, they were placed below the main mechanical coupler.
The design is much more compact than the former SA3 coupler. The shape differs from the SA-3 coupler, by an additional big horn and the matching case on the opposite side. These two parts give the construction vertical stability.
Coupling (railway)
A coupling is a mechanism for connecting rolling stock in a train. The design of the coupler is standard, and is almost as important as the railway gauge, since flexibility and convenience are maximised if all rolling stock can be coupled together.The equipment that connects the couplings to the...
for railway cars, which is designed as a replacement for the European buffers-and-chain coupler. Its profile is based on the Willison profile of the Russian SA3 coupler
SA3 coupler
The SA3 coupler is a type of railway coupling used mainly, but not exclusively, in Russia and other states of the former Soviet Union.Railways in Russia used European buffers and couplings from their inception. These couplings had three main limitations. Firstly the load was limited. Secondly, the...
. The C-AKv coupler is compatible with both the buffers-and-chain coupler and the SA3 coupler.
History
In the 1970s there was a new coupler type developed by the European railways, the UICInternational Union of Railways
The UIC , or International Union of Railways, is an international rail transport industry body.- Brief history :The railways of Europe originated as separate concerns. There were many border changes after World War I and the Treaty of Versailles. Colonial railways were the responsibility of the...
center-buffer coupler (a West European variant of the AK69e and the East European variant Intermat). It was intended as a replacement for the buffers-and-chain coupler. The buffers and chain coupler is not capable of accommodating heavy loads, it takes much time and personnel to couple it and it needs too much maintenance. The European introduction was repeatedly postponed, because the center buffer coupler was not compatible with the existing buffers and chain couplers, which meant that all couplers of all European railway vehicles needed to be exchanged at the same time. Some of the European member states were not able to make this huge financial commitment.
The C-AKv coupler was developed by SAB WABCO, now Faiveley Transport Witten GmbH. In contrast with the UIC center buffer coupler, it is compatible with the existing buffers and chain coupler, which allows a long transition period. Since the year 2002, the C-AKv has been on trial on the German railways. It is in service for heavy coal block trains between the mine Profen and the power plant Schkopau
Schkopau
Schkopau is a municipality in the Saalekreis district, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is situated on the river Saale, approx. 4 km north of Merseburg, and 10 km south of Halle . During World War II, the Schkopau plant was the greatest producer of Axis synthetic rubber ....
.
Currently the German railways, Faiveley and the Technical University of Berlin are developing transition scenarios for an introduction of the C-AKv coupler.
Construction
The C-AKv coupler, as a widely enhanced development of the UIC AK69e coupler, it has the same contour as the SA3 couplerSA3 coupler
The SA3 coupler is a type of railway coupling used mainly, but not exclusively, in Russia and other states of the former Soviet Union.Railways in Russia used European buffers and couplings from their inception. These couplings had three main limitations. Firstly the load was limited. Secondly, the...
.
In contrast to the SA-3 coupler, the connections for air brakes and (optional) electrical lines are integrated. This means that these are coupled automatically as well. In contrast to former designs, these pneumatic and electrical connections are compatible with the buffers and chain coupler as well.
The combined coupling with buffers and chain couplers is possible, because the electrical and pneumatic connectors are integrated in the coupler itself. In all former designs, they were placed below the main mechanical coupler.
The design is much more compact than the former SA3 coupler. The shape differs from the SA-3 coupler, by an additional big horn and the matching case on the opposite side. These two parts give the construction vertical stability.
External links
- A site about center buffer couplers, Dr. Reiner Seibt
- Research Project InnoCoupler of the Technical University Berlin
- Cost-Benefit-Analysis about the introduction of an automatic center coupler related to the C-AKv-Coupler (Multilingual document, the English text starts at page 23)
- Intermat/Willison coupler Animation showing SA3 coupling