Multiple Contact Patents (Class 191/57)
  • Patent number: 9643495
    Abstract: A pantograph device of a trolley-type truck includes: a base frame; a bottom frame rockably attached to the base frame; a top frame rockably attached to the vicinity of the top end portion of the bottom frame through a connecting shaft; a collector shoe rockably supported in proximity to the top end portion of the top frame; a hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the bottom frame, attached to the base frame; and a spring which acts so as to rotate the top frame upward through the connecting shaft. By erecting the bottom frame by the hydraulic cylinder, the tensile force produced in the spring is increased and the top frame is rotated upward through the connecting shaft. This makes it possible to obtain a wide movable range without use of a long and strong spring and enhance the followability to overhead wires without increasing pressing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignees: HITACHI POWER SOLUTIONS CO., LTD., HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kanazawa, Shinji Akino, Toshio Shikama
  • Publication number: 20130313059
    Abstract: A system corresponding to a plurality of different power sources (overhead contact line, power generator driven by engine, and fuel cells) is proposed as a method of using an optimum power supply in an electrified route and a non-electrified route. Provided are: a power conversion circuit that includes AC input ends, the number of which corresponds to the maximum number of phases among a plurality of different AC power supplies, and that converts AC power to a direct current; and switching means for switching a connection state of the AC power supplies and the power conversion circuit, wherein the connection state is switched according to the power supplies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Satoru Inarida, Koji Agatsuma, Kento Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 6591953
    Abstract: A pick-up device (2) for a pantograph (1) comprising two rubbing strips (3) connected together by at least one cross-member (4) connected to and articulated on a stabilizing link (5) on the pantograph (1). Each of the rubbing strips (3) is connected to the cross-member (4) by a lever (7) able to pivot in order to make the rubbing strip (3) tilt under the effect of a given force encountered by the rubbing strip (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Faiveley Transport
    Inventor: GĂ©rard Blanvillain
  • Patent number: 6286646
    Abstract: Conductor system for warehouse cranes or transporters servicing warehouse shelving. Each shelving unit contains a conductor with conductive elements which have been mounted in a vertical plane. At least one warehouse crane or transporter and an assembly carrier is coupled respectively to a warehouse crane or transporter and a collector trolley is connected by means of opposite and preferably shaped leaf springs to an assembly plate attached to the assembly carrier of the warehouse crane or transporter. Each collector trolley contains carbon brushes and wheels. One end of the leaf springs is attached to the assembly plate and the other end of the leaf springs is attached to a mounting plate carrying the carbon brushes. The leaf springs press the wheels of the collector trolley onto the conductor and the carbon brushes of each collector trolley onto the conductor's conductive elements. Collector trolley suitable for use in such conductor systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Woodhead Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Corstiaan Jacob Van Zijverden, Andre Pieter Willem Van Zaalen
  • Patent number: 6006876
    Abstract: A duplex electrical collector for a rail electrification system comprises a pair of slim elongate back-to-back metal conductor shoes which are supported respectively intermediate their ends by short sturdy offset metal plates that project laterally of the shoes. The metal plates can be cast integral with the shoes, or else attached to the shoes by ribs that are crimped into grooves of the shoes. The metal plates have bores to accommodate a pivot pin that carries a torsion spring, thereby to impart a bias that tends to spread apart the shoes. The ends of a copper lead wire are secured to the plates, and a terminal strip is carried at the center of the lead wire. This assemblage is encased in an insulating two-part housing that mounts it, and is held captive by interlocking shoulders on the plates and housing parts. The center portion of the lead wire and the terminal attached thereto are brought out through a collar of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Howell Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Beale, William R. Heil
  • Patent number: 5180041
    Abstract: A current collecting apparatus for a transport vehicle such as a linear motor car comprises a mounting member for mounting said apparatus for a truck body of a transport vehicle through an insulator. A supporting member is provided on the mounting member such that the supporting member can be moved in a transverse direction of the transport vehicle by a couple of mount arms rotatably supported to the mounting member. Collecting shoes are supported at the lower end of each of the support arms, respectively, for receiving electric power supplied by a trolley rail. Each of the support arms comprises a couple of joint arms forming a parallelogram linkage for maintaining good contact between the trolley rail and the collector shoes. When the transport vehicle travels along curved tracks, the support arms incline in the transverse direction of the transport vehicle against an elastic force of a contracting spring so as to keep contact between the collecting shoes and the trolley rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: HSST Corporation
    Inventor: Masamoto Shuto
  • Patent number: 5051546
    Abstract: A trolley carriage comprising rollers for carrying the trolley carriage along a bearing rail. The rollers are supported by at least one roller support of the trolley carriage. The bearing rail has live rails which are insulated from one another extending along the bearing rail, and the trolley carriage has sliding contacts which are in flexible contact with the live rails. A common housing part which is connected to at least one roller support via a detachable quick coupling supports the sliding contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Wampfler GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Bormann, Dieter Goerner
  • Patent number: 4168770
    Abstract: A power collection apparatus is disclosed for the purpose of power distribution from a central power supply to the propulsion motors of at least one mass transit vehicle operative with a predetermined roadway track, including one or more rail gaps and/or crossover switches, to permit the vehicle to transfer from one section to a second section of that roadway track. The power collection apparatus includes collector support apparatus carried by each vehicle and designed to be operative with a rail support member for three individual phase power rails, a ground rail and a signal rail, permitting high speed vehicle passage through a rail gap and a crossover switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1979
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: William R. Segar, Robert A. Larson, Alleyne C. Howell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4155434
    Abstract: A rail electrification system for electric railways utilizing 3-phase power, comprising three conductor rails arranged in a group characterized by a staggered relationship, commonly known as a delta configuration, so that two of the rails face in one direction and the third faces in an opposite direction. For taking off the 3-phase power from the conductor rails, the car is equipped with two sets of three collectors or shoes each, with the sets being disposed on opposite sides of the conductor rail group. Three of the collectors (not all in one set) function when the car is traveling in one direction along the rails, whereas the remaining three collectors function when the car has been turned around and is traveling in the opposite direction along the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1979
    Inventor: Alleyne C. Howell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4106600
    Abstract: An improved current collecting system for a vehicle which, when collecting a current from a power supply member such as trolley wire, controls the engagement of contact members with the power supply member. With this invention, damages of the power supply member attributable to arcs and the like are precluded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignee: Japan Air Lines, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Mihirogi
  • Patent number: 4074924
    Abstract: An electrical contact system that comprises a power bed consisting of a base plate having electrically conducting layers insulated from each other. Embossments are formed on the base plate. Each embossment is spaced from its neighbors so that channels are formed between the embossments. Electrical contacts join parts of each channel with corresponding, electrically conducting layers in the channels. Electrical contacts are provided so that electricity can be supplied to the electrically conducting layers of the base plate. A collector having electrical contacts to contact the electrical contacts of the channels is movable along the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1978
    Inventor: Maurice G. N. G. Lebecque
  • Patent number: 4053035
    Abstract: A cable holder device for holding current-carrying cables spaced apart but biased to maintain contact with two current-collecting shoes. The shoes are mounted on a self-propelled cable car having an electric drive motor connected to the shoes and driven apparatus constructed as a driven pulley for suspending the cable car on a suspension cable from which the cable car is suspended and on which it travels. The holder maintains positive contact between the current-carrying shoes and the current-carrying cables regardless of the swaying of the cables and the cable car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1977
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Uchiyama, Yukiyoshi Hatori
  • Patent number: 3983978
    Abstract: Electric power is provided to the motor of a self-propelled carriage of an aerial ropeway through two cables by which the carriage is supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1974
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1976
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Uchiyama, Yukiyoshi Hatori