Guideway and Conductor Rail Heating for a Winter Environment

by Thomas J. Burg, Westinghouse Electric Corp, Mechanical/Civil Design Group, West, Mifflin, PA, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Automated People Movers: Engineering and Management in Major Activity Centers

Abstract:

The power and signal conducting rails are maintained using self-limiting heat trace cable in combination with an inherently protected rail. The cable's high inrush power along with the relatively low mass of the rail provides a short warm-up time. Energy conservation is realized through a control system which activates rail heating only during frost conditions or snow storms. The frost condition is prevented by low level heating which raises the rail contact surface temperature above the frost point temperature. Efficient heating of the concrete guideway running surface, is accomplished through an energy managed operation.

Subject Headings: Rail transportation | Cables | Temperature effects | HVAC | Guideways | Frost | Energy efficiency

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