Rugged gears cope with the ups and downs of tubes

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jan 20, 2004

Renold Gears is playing a key role in ensuring the efficient operation of two of the busiest mass transit systems in the world.

Renold Gears is playing a key role in ensuring the efficient operation of two of the busiest mass transit systems in the world, with its TW series escalator drive units specified extensively for both the London Underground and New York City Metro.

Renold has recently received several orders from a leading manufacturer to supply drives for London Underground, which follow the completion of a major contract for the Jubilee Line extension.

The Jubilee Line Extension has no fewer than 101 escalators on its 16km route from Green Park to Stafford, all of which use Renold TW series drive units for motive power.

Renold supplied and installed all of the drive packages, each one comprising a worm-gear unit, AC motor, brake coupling, brake base frame, soleplate and chain drive.

Similarly Renold has recently signed an agreement for another public transportation project across the North Atlantic, providing escalator drives equipped with TW series gear units for the New York Metro Subway Authority.

The work follows the success of an earlier contract in which Renold supplied 38 escalator drives when the underground system was extensively upgraded.

The escalator drive packages included single and two speed motors up to 45kW with electronic speed control and soft start.

The TW series Titan specified for these contracts is a rugged gear unit for arduous applications, available in sizes between 254 and 711mm with power capacities up to 500kW.

The exacting standards of the TW Series build dictate its gear-set is manufactured to a maximum tolerance of four microns to ensure safe, smooth, vibration free movement.

This complements the advanced design of the TW's worm wheel, which uses the unique Holroyd tooth form, allowing transmission of true angular velocity and extremely high gear unit efficiency.

Commenting on Renold Gears' recent contract awards, Sales Director Roger Godson says: "The escalator industry is a target market for Renold Gears and one that is growing with the development of shopping centres, airports and transportation systems around the world".

He adds: "Escalators have to withstand often round-the-clock usage and the quality and precision of the gear and drive units are central to their reliability and smooth operation.

The importance of reliability is further underlined when one considers the possible requirement for mass evacuation of buildings and urban transportation systems in today's political climate - a compelling reason if any was needed for escalator manufacturers to specify Renold Gears".

In support of its escalator and elevator products, Renold Gears has published a full colour brochure, which is readily available from the company.

A digital version of the catalogue can also be viewed and downloaded from the Renold Group website.