COMPONENTS
DispenTM Bi-Mode Damper
Designed to reduce TCO*
Very efficient for trains GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Alstom DispenTM range of Linear, Friction and Bi-Mode Dampers delivers optimal train
operating on winding lines, dynamics, safety and passenger comfort for all types of trains.
the Bi-Mode Damper The Bi-Mode Yaw Damper principle is to adapt the damping force in curves through a
reduces the track and wheel- passive ON/OFF mode enabling wheel-wear lateral force reduction and preserving the train
structure. It represents a real alternative to electronic-driven dampers: While keeping all the
wear while enhancing benefits of a classic yaw damper in terms of cost, reliability and lifetime thanks to its 100%
passengers’ safety and mechanical design, the Bi-Mode Yaw Damper greatly improves passenger comfort and
reduces track and wheel-wear with immediate effect on operator’s total cost of ownership.
comfort.
CUSTOMER BENEFITS
100% mechanical, the Bi-
Reduced track & wheel-wear Improved passenger safety & comfort
Mode is a plug & play Compared to classic yaw dampers, the When the Bi-Mode Damper operates on
damper offering high damping force released by the Bi-Mode “OFF” mode in curves, carbody shell lateral
Damper in curves generates an average 10 accelerations are reduced, leading to Y/Q ( Y
reliability. to 20% wheel-track lateral force contact = Load in transversal direction & Q = Load in
decrease. 4 types of savings for operators: vertical one) safety ratio improved by 10%,
Wheel-wear reduction up to 20% (~4% of with a comfort ride index also improved by up
total bogie maintenance cost reduction) to 20%. Therefore, compared to classic yaw
Reduction of maintenance operations dampers, the Bi-Mode Damper enhances
and frequency linked to effort decrease passenger safety and comfort, especially in
(wheels, axles) tight curves. Bi-Mode applied on bogie lateral
Rail-wear reduction in curve leading to dampers and anti-roll carbody dampers can
infrastructure cost and time savings also be a solution to improve the lateral
Energy consumption reduction in curve comfort by ~ 10%.
Plug & play integration Customization & extended lifetime
Patented, the switching function is 100% DispenTM dampers are hand-made to
mechanical and is integrated within the Bi- guarantee quality, reliability and production
Mode Damper. No external device is flexibility. It also allows design
needed, or power supply or bogie customization to answer specific
adaptation, which allows 3 to 5% savings on requirements: high damping force at very
integration costs compared to an electronic- low speed, winterization, etc. The Bi-Mode
HIGHLIGHTS driven damper. The switching function is Damper provides even more flexibility as
based on curve radius, ensuring reliability the switching function can easily be
without any specific maintenance or adapted to customers’ needs, such as the
Higher performance: calibration during train operation. In damper stroke. As all DispenTM Dampers,
• Y/Q lateral force ratio decreased addition, the Bi-Mode Damper operates in the Bi-Mode Damper offers high lifetime
by more than 10% any position, even horizontal, ensuring a before first maintenance thanks to its
• Ride index comfort improved by smooth integration for train manufacturers mechanical design: 4 million km.
up to 20% and quality for operators.
Maintenance cost savings:
• Wheel & rail wear reduction up
to 20%
• 4 million km before first
maintenance
Customer applications
• Deutsche Bahn: Coradia regional
trains
• SNCF: TGV
• Municipalities: Citadis trams
DispenTM Bi-Mode Damper / Components / January 2017 *TCO= Total Cost of Ownership
© ALSTOM SA, 2016. All rights reserved. ALSTOM, the ALSTOM logo, all alternative versions and all mentioned trademarks of Alstom’s Transport Domain, are the brands and
trademarks of ALSTOM SA. The other names mentioned registered or not, belong to their respective owners. Technical and other forms of data contained in the present document
are given for the purposes of information only. ALSTOM reserves the right to reconsider or change this data at any time and without warning.
DispenTM Bi-Mode Damper
Bi-Mode Damper Principle
BI-MODE DAMPER NORMAL DAMPER
Force adjusts on
extension/compression
of the damper
FORCE (N)
DAMPER STROKE (mm) FORCE (N) DAMPER STROKE (mm)
On a standard damper, for a given speed, damper force is constant in relation to damper stroke.
On a Bi-Mode damper, force can change when damper stroke reaches a configurable length.
As damper stroke is directly linked to the curve radius, damper force can be managed according to train operation.
Innovation Trophy awarded at SIFER
Alstom was awarded the Mecateam Cluster innovation trophy for the
development of its Bi-Mode Damper at the SIFER railway salon held
in Lille on March 24-25, 2015.
Developed since 2011 by Alstom, the Bi-Mode Damper is patented. It
was conceived at the Alstom DispenTM centre, specialized in the
development, manufacturing and maintenance of dampers for the rail
industry.
Based at Le Creusot, France, the DispenTM centre has 33 employees.
For more information
please contact Alstom:
Alstom
48, rue Albert Dhalenne
93842 Saint-Ouen, Cedex France
Phone: +33 1 57 06 90 00
Visit us online: www.alstom.com
© ALSTOM SA, 2016. All rights reserved. ALSTOM, the ALSTOM logo, all alternative versions and all mentioned trademarks of Alstom’s Transport Domain, are the brands and
trademarks of ALSTOM SA. The other names mentioned registered or not, belong to their respective owners. Technical and other forms of data contained in the present document
are given for the purposes of information only. ALSTOM reserves the right to reconsider or change this data at any time and without warning.
