Webinar: Monorail Power Rails - Critical Considerations for Powering Monorails/APM Systems

When: April 14, 2016 7:00 AM, Pacific Standard Time (UTC -08:00)

Who: Keith Forman, Conductix

The International Monorail Association held an international webinar with Keith Forman of Conductix, a company that designs, manufactures, and installs/services a wide range of conductor bar systems, transit conductor rails, slip ring assemblies, and inductive power transfer (IPT®) systems, as well as cable festoons, spring driven cable reels, and motor driven cable reels. The presentation was taped for those that sought access to the information at a later date. Subject Matter: Power rails have been an integral part of Monorail and APM systems since the earliest days of the technology. Though the power rail typically represent less than 5% of the total system cost, its implications on system performance, reliability and life cycle costs are considerable. Using historical examples spanning over 30 years, this presentation examines numerous design considerations and lessons learned for integrating power rail into a monorail system. The relationships between the power rail and guideway, vehicle, and traction power supply system will be covered as well as environmental, operational, maintenance and economic considerations. Most importantly, proper integration of the power rail system is best initiated in the early stages of the transit system design process. About the Speaker: Keith Forman is the Global Director of Transit Systems for Conductix-Wampfler, Inc. The company is a global supplier of electrification systems to transit, material handling, ports, automation, amusement, and numerous other industries. Keith is a mechanical engineer and technical manager with 20+ years' experience in the specification, design, development and production of power rail systems. Prior to joining Conductix in 1992, he served for 8 years in the US Air Force in aerial reconnaissance operations. He has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University.