Efficient. Technology. Worldwide.

Oil-free Compressor

Applications

High-Speed Trains | Light Rail Vehicles | Locomotives | Metros |

Regional and Commuter Trains

Efficient. Technology. Worldwide.

INNOVATIVE, EFFICIENT AND

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TECHNOLOGY

Source: Siemens Pressebild

THE WORLDS FIRST OIL-FREE COMPRESSOR IS NOW

AVAILABLE FOR ALL RAIL APPLICATIONS. The Knorr-Bremse Oil-free

compressor offers an outstanding combination of high performance, low vibration and noise levels
together with low life-cycle costs.

SucCessful Innovation
The Knorr-Bremse Oil-free Compressor caused a sensation in the rail industry
when it was launched. This innovative and exciting product, now proven
in years of service throughout the world, uses specially coated pistons and
cylinders combined with Teflon piston rings to dispense with the need any
liberating oil. The result is that there is no need for any oil, filtration or
separators to be disposed of reducing costs for the train operator but also
importantly by avoiding the environmental impact of lubricant disposal that
is necessary with a conventional compressor. This technology is a perfect
example of how to combine economy of operation in the rail industry whilst
minimising environmental impact.

Experience, combined with innovation, has

delivered an outstanding an outstanding product
which has set new environmental standards

o i l - f r ee co mp r ess o r

rail
vehicle
s y st e ms

Quiet Oil-free compressors

The oil-free compressor was specially developed for use on passenger trains and high priority
was therefore given to eliminating vibrations and preventing their transfer from the compressor
to the vehicle body. Thanks to its design, the finely balanced rotation of the compressor means
it generates extremely low levels of vibration. Special suspension spring mounting offers a wide
range of options for underfloor installation with minimal transfer of vibration to the vehicle
body. To ensure whisper-quiet operation, Knorr-Bremse engineers developed a completely new
airflow concept for the oil-free compressor. The generously proportioned airflow path around
the valves combines optimized air intake ducts in an overall compact design to reduce noise
emissions to levels previously unheard of in piston compressors. Passengers hardly notice when
the oil-free compressor is in operation!

90

Sound pressure level db [(A)]

80
Conventional compressors:
VV160: ~ 880 l/min ~ 1,450 1/min
LP8900: ~ 830 l/min ~ 2,000 1/min
VV130: ~ 680 l/min ~ 1,500 1/min

70
60
50

VV160

LP8900

VV130

Distance 1.0 m

VV120-T VV120-T

Oil-free compressors:
VV120-T: ~ 860 l/min ~ 1,450 1/min
VV120-T: ~ 860 l/min ~ 1,450 1/min (sound capsuled)
VV160

LP8900

VV130

VV120-T VV120-T

Distance 4.6 m

A direct comparison demonstrates how the ultra-low vibration levels of the oil-free compressor make it significantly quieter in operation than conventional compressors.

LiFe-cycle costs
The commercial advantages of the oil-free
compressor are reflected in its operating costs.
Not only are many thousands of liters of
lubricant saved every year, but the filters and
separators required by conventional compressors
to remove traces of oil from the compressed air
are no longer necessary. There is also no
requirement for oil-contaminated condensate
to be disposed of. All in all, this means significant
savings especially if the manpower
requirements for previously needed servicing are
also included.
The new compressors also deliver savings of up
to 20% in energy compared with conventional
compressors, thanks to reduced startup power
requirements, shorter periods of operation and
their special low-friction, low-vibration design.

Up to 50% reduction in life-cycle costs

100
80
60
40
20
0

100 %
50 %

Conventional oil-lubricated
compressor

Oil-free
compressor

Avoiding the use of oil for lubrication considerably reduces life-cycle costs

o i l - f r ee co mp r ess o r

rail
vehicle
s y st e ms

Innovative Development

Ambient air drawn in through the crankcase

cools the compressor and minimizes noise

By deciding to base its Oil-free Compressor on

proven piston technology Knorr-Bremse was
building on solid foundations. Over decades, piston
compressors, used in rail vehicle air-treatment
applications, have proven their reliability. But to
develop the worlds first rail oil-free compressor
new technology would be needed. During the
course of the development work on this exciting
project, Knorr-Bremse engineers working closely
with specialists from the engineering faculty of
Dresden University. This powerful combination
of engineering expertise developed a software
program together to calculate and synchronize
the inertia and the gaseous forces involved and
delivered a design solution for this innovative new
compressor with its oil-free technology.

Reduced Maintenance
Activity

Interval

VV130

Check oil level

Monthly

Service oil bath air filter

Monthly

Change oil

Yearly

Replace air filter unit

Yearly

Clean cooler unit

Yearly

Replace valves

3-yearly

Overhaul

8-yearly

(6-yearly)

Overhaul motor

8-yearly

(6-yearly)

VV120

VV120-T oil-free

(6-monthly)

100%
75%
50%
25%

Total maintenance costs per compressor over 30-year period

0%

Proportion of servicing costs per compressor over 30-year period

Conventional oil-lubricated
compressor (SL 20-5)

Oil-free compressor
(VV270-T)

PROVEN IN-SERVICE AROUND

THE WORLD
Following completion of the research and
development work, various sizes of oil-free
compressor have now been proving their
effectiveness for many years all over the world
and in a wide range of conditions.
Ever since the first oil-free compressor was installed
in a standard Deutsche Bahn train, thousands have
gone into operation world-wide. The original
technology has been continuously developed.
New models have further increased global sales
of the product further confirming its reputation
and versatility especially in markets which has
environmental conditions.
The oil-free compressor is an outstanding example
of the kind of innovative thinking that can result in
the development of new, leading-edge technology.
It has now become an accepted part of modern
train integration all over the world.

The technology used for the oil-free

compressor is being put through its paces
daily for example on Metro Dubai system,
Chicago METRA trains and on Deutsche
Bahn VT610

small and mid-size range for oil-free compressors

6000
VV1000-T

5500
5000
4500
4000

VV450-T

3500

Flow rate, 10 bar [1/min]

3000
2500

VV270-T

2000
VV180-T

1500
1000

VV120-T
VV90-T
VV80-T
VV40-T
V10-T

500
0
950

1050

1150

Rotation speed [1/min]

1250

1350

1450

1550

1650

1750

1850

o i l - f r ee co mp r ess o r

rail
vehicle
s y st e ms

Advantages of the oil-free

compressor
n Low life-cycle costs

n Reduced dimensions

n Reduced maintenance costs

n Reduced weight

n Eco-friendly, thanks to completely oil-free air (no lubricant)

n Modular design (standardized components)

n Longer service life for air dryer

n Reduced spare part complexity

n Less problems with duty cycle

n Reduced start-up energy requirements

n Various drive options (DC, AC, hydro, direct-coupled

or V-belt)

n No disposal of condensate

n Low vibration

n No oil filter required

n Radically reduced vibration transfer in the car body

n No condensate collector required

n Low noise level

n Smaller motor

Knorr-Bremse Systeme fr
Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH
Moosacher Strae 80
80809 Munich
Germany
Tel: +49 89 3547-0
Fax: +49 89 3547-2767
w w w . k n o r r - b r e ms e . C O M

Austria | Kematen/Ybbs
Knorr-Bremse GmbH Division IFE
Automatic Door Systems
Tel: +43 7448 9000
Austria | Mdling
Dr. techn. J. ZELISKO GmbH
Tel: +43 2236 4090
Knorr-Bremse GmbH
Tel: +43 2236 4090
Czech Republic | Brno
IFE-CR, a.s.
Tel: +42 0532 159111
IGE-CZ s.r.o.
Tel: +42 0548 424050
France | Reims
Freinrail Systmes Ferroviaires S.A.
Tel: +33 3 26797200
Germany | Berlin
Knorr-Bremse Systeme fr
Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH
Zweigniederlassung Berlin
Tel: +49 30 93920
Hungary | Budapest
Knorr-Bremse Vasti Jrm
Rendszerek Hungria Kft.
Tel: +36 1 4211100
Italy | Florence
Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems Italia S.r.l.
Tel: +39 055 30201
Italy | Buccinasco
Microelettrica Scientifica SpA
Tel: +39 02 575731
Netherlands | Leeuwarden
IFE Tebel Technologies B.V.
Tel: +31 58 2973333
Poland | Cracow
Knorr-Bremse Systemy dla
Kolejowych Srodkw Lokomocji PL
Sp. z o.o.
Tel: +48 12 2609610
Romania | Bucharest
Knorr-Bremse SRL
Tel: +40 37 4005155

Russia | Moscow
Knorr-Bremse Systeme fr
Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH
Representation Office Russia
Tel: +7 495 7390113
South Africa | Johannesburg
Microelettrica Scientifica (PTY) Ltd
Tel: +27 11 7943330
South Africa | Spartan
Knorr-Bremse S.A. Pty. Ltd.
Tel: +27 11 9617800
Spain | Madrid
Merak Sistemas Integrados
de Climatizacin, S.A.
Tel: +34 91 1459400
Sociedad Espaola de Frenos
Calefaccin y Seales, S.A.
Tel: +34 91 1459400
Sweden | Lund
Knorr-Bremse Nordic
Rail Services AB
Tel: +46 46 329350
Switzerland | Niederhasli
Oerlikon-Knorr
Eisenbahntechnik AG
Tel: +41 44 8523111
United Kingdom | Derby
Sydac Ltd.
Tel: +44 1332 299600
United Kingdom | Melksham
Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems (UK) Ltd.
Tel: +44 1225 898700

America

Brazil | So Paulo
Knorr-Bremse Sistemas para
Veculos Ferrovirios Ltda.
Tel: +55 11 56811129

USA | Watertown
New York Air Brake Corporation
Tel: +1 315 7865200
USA | West Chicago
Anchor Brake Shoe Company
Tel: +1 630 2931110
USA | Westminster
IFE North America LLC
Tel: +1 410 8751468
Knorr Brake Corporation
Tel: +1 410 8750900
Merak North America LLC
Tel: +1 410 8750900

Asia | Australia

China | Qingdao
IFE-VICTALL Railway Vehicle Door
Systems (Qingdao) Co., Ltd.
Tel: +86 532 87938512
China | Shanghai
Merak Railways Technologies
(Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Tel: +86 21 51928000
China | Suzhou
Knorr-Bremse Systems for
Rail Vehicles (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
Tel: +86 512 66165666
China | Wuxi
Merak-Jinxin Air-Conditioning
Systems (Wuxi) Co., Ltd.
Tel: +86 510 85583133

Australia | Adelaide
Sydac PTY Ltd.
Tel: +61 8 82393600

India | Faridabad
Knorr-Bremse India Private Ltd.
Tel: +91 129 4191402

Australia | Granville, NSW

Knorr-Bremse Australia Pty Ltd.
Tel: +61 2 88636500

Japan | Tokyo
Knorr-Bremse
Rail Systems Japan Ltd.
Tel: +81 3 33462620

Australia | Wetherill Park, NSW

Sigma Air Conditioning Pty. Ltd.
Tel: +61 2 98270000
Sigma Transit Systems Pty Limited
Tel: +61 2 98270000
China | Beijing
Knorr-Bremse CARS LD Vehicle Brake
Disc Manufacturing (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
Tel: +86 10 51010999
Knorr-Bremse Nankou Air
Supply Unit (Beijing) Co. Ltd.
Tel: +86 10 52726100
Knorr-Bremse Systems for Rail Vehicles
(Suzhou) Co. Ltd.
Beijing Office
Tel: +86 10 68029088

Canada | Kingston
Knorr Brake Ltd.
Tel: +1 613 3894660

China | Guangzhou
Westinghouse Platform
Screen Doors (Guangzhou) Ltd.
Tel: +86 20 39221333

USA | Randolph
Microelettrica USA LLC
Tel: +1 973 5980806

China | Hong Kong

Knorr-Bremse Asia Pacific
(Holding) Ltd.
Tel: +852 36579800

Korea | Seoul
Knorr-Bremse
Rail Systems Korea Ltd.
Tel: +82 2 22805555
Singapore | Singapore
Knorr-Bremse Asia Pacific
(Holding) Ltd.,
Singapore Branch
Tel: +65 6848 7291
Taiwan | Taipei
Knorr-Bremse Asia Pacific
(Holding) Ltd.,
Taiwan Branch
Tel: +886 2 33223355

This publication may be

subject to alteration without
prior notice. A printed copy
of this document may
not be the latest revision.
Please contact your local
Knorr-Bremse representative
or check our website
www.knorr-bremse.com
for the latest update. The
figurative mark K and
the trademarks KNORR
and KNORR-BREMSE are
registered in the name of
Knorr-Bremse AG. Copyright
2012 Knorr-Bremse AG.
All rights reserved. Including
industrial property rights
applications. Knorr-Bremse
AG retains any power of
disposal, such as for copying
and transferring.

P-1262-EN 09.2012

Europe | Africa