EP Compact - Combining Standardisation and Flexibility

The railway industry faces many application specific requirements across a wide range of operating environments. This forces car builders and suppliers to repeatedly develop new project specific solutions. However with purchase price remaining a prime focus, designs must be found to adapt standard product to the local requirements; this is the only way to satisfy local specifications and to meet the cost target. Knorr-Bremse's EP Compact brake control system is a combination of full standardisation and open flexibility. It comprises a set of standard building blocks which can be integrated as necessary to meet specific requirements. EP Compact is a construction kit designed around a core module - the brake pressure control for the direct brake. Around this core module a variety of auxiliary functions can be fitted. These sub-modules offer a wide range of functionality, such as connectivity to distributor valves, wheel slide protection modules, parking brake and magnetic track brake actuation. Each function is an add on to the core module, which when complete, forms the brake control subsystem for a single car or an individual bogie. These subsystems form the basic modules for the full brake control system. Full electronic information exchange is ensured between the modules via the option of a dedicated brake bus. Also state of the art connectivity to a wide range of train information networks like MVB, FIP or CAN is available. The development of the modular design of EP Compact enables a vast improvement in weight and space envelope. Knorr-Bremse's EP Compact utilises repackaged conventional technology, based on the known reliability of field-proven components. The modular approach not only benefits for the flexibility of the system, but also improves the reliability and maintainability of the brake control system.