Transportion and logistics

The plus: Going beyond expertise, development potential and production technology

For decades we have been acquiring, researching, discovering and developing specialized know-how on the topic of rail vehicles - and you can reap the benefits!

Service for high availability

Your demands on productivity, flexibility, ability to offer solutions and safety are our standards - from contributing to development to delivering on time. For you, for us and for the solution, dialogue is important. Fast, uncomplicated and efficiently we provide for brisk realization of successful projects - globally and locally.

Applications - not just for speed

Our comprehensive knowledge of the rail vehicle industry's requirements enables us to offer the right sensor solutions for a wide range of applications.

Vehicle drives, brakes and bogies:

• Optimization of the motor current control
• Optimization of starting and braking
• Controlled slip
• Roll-back prevention
• Wheel-slide prevention (braking)
• Speed control during shunting (large-mass moving at low speed)
• Using the encoder signals as controlled variable for energy recovery in breaking
• Deliberate suppressing of unwanted mechanical oscillations in the drive
• Vehicle speed evaluation
• Starting heavy trains on gradients
• Rolling distance measurement

Vehicle and platform doors

• Optimized movement and position monitoring
• Recognition of obstacles

Products

We can fulfill your requirements fast and cost-effectively, either from our wide range of products or as a custom-made solution.

Robust and reliable encoders for harsh environments

Encoders used in rail vehicles are always exposed to very extreme conditions. They need to be unaffected by dirt, oil and grease, rainwater, condensation, and high and/or fluctuating temperatures. Rail vehicles are also subject to considerable shocks and vibrations, particularly in the unsprung parts of bogies. Our encoders can also take this kind of punishment without damage.

Our encoders operate magnetically. They employ the very latest sensor technology, circuitry and construction techniques and can therefore offer a high level of electrical and mechanical robustness, guaranteeing reliable function and long-term dependability.

Rotary speed sensors

Speed sensors for sensing toothed wheel targets are available in a wide range of types. Almost any installation requirement can be accommodated with different cable and connectors.

• One to three channels
• Measures frequencies in the range from 0 Hz to 25 kHz
• For toothed wheel targets with modules from 1 to 3.5
• Air-gap up to 3 mm
• Output signal pattern: square wave (voltage, standstill voltage or current)
• Protection class IP 68, fully potted

Single-channel speed sensors

Two-channel rotary speed sensor

Two square wave signals offset by 90° to measure rotational movement and detect the direction of rotation. Various models. Electrically insulated outputs possible Speed sensor GEL 247 Speed sensor GEL 2475

Three-channel rotary speed sensor

Two-channel speed sensors for electrically conductive target wheels

Compact two-channel rotary speed sensor

Universally applicable, space-saving, easy to fit, metal housing Speed sensor GEL 248

High-resolution encoders

In order to increase the traction performance of locomotives it is necessary to employ highly dynamic drive regulators, and for this you need high-resolution encoders. The technical solution is now available: it's the GEL 2952, an encoder well-suited to railway use, with its own housing and bearings and a specially constructed wide-range coupling that can compensate for considerable amounts of play on the axial shaft. This encoder returns a very high pulse reading with high signal-edge precision. High-resolution encoder GEL 2952

• Output signal: two sinusoidal signals offset by 90°
  
• Up to 256 pulses per revolution with provision for external interpolation
  
• Extremely robust encoder for measuring rotational movements in machines and vehicles
• Rugged construction housed in stainless steel
• Measures magnetically
• Highly resistant to electromagnetic discharges and interference
• Extremely wide temperature range from ‑40 °C to +120 °C
• Splashproof and highly resistant to condensation
• Very high protection class: IP 67
• Available as fixed-shaft encoders (diameter 16 mm ) or with our patented integrated quill shaft coupling
• Numerous special construction models available on request

Multi-channel encoders

Multi-channel encoders have been specially developed for the requirements of the rolling stock industry. These encoders are constructed to provide independent output signals for different control electronics, such as engine rev counters, wheel-slide protection, automatic train control and rolling distance. Multi-channel encoder GEL 2700

Principal features:

• From one to eight channels
• Up to three different pulse counts from one encoder
• Voltage and current signals
• Freely configurable phase relationships between the channels
• Various flange forms available

This encoder can be supplied in a number of variants for mounting on the axle cover or directly on the wheel with a torque converter bearing. Its flexible modular construction makes this an ideal encoder not only for new projects, but also for upgrading and retrofitting existing rolling stock.