Patents Assigned to Conductix-Wampfler GmbH
  • Patent number: 11897526
    Abstract: In a communications system for communication between a vehicle guided along a predefined movement path and a stationary station using a slotted waveguide which extends parallel to the movement path of the vehicle and into which at least one antenna connected to a transceiver unit of the stationary station and at least one antenna of the vehicle project, wherein the antenna of the vehicle is moved in the longitudinal direction of the slotted waveguide with a movement of the vehicle, a switching device is arranged between the antenna of the vehicle and a transceiver unit of the vehicle, by means of which the antenna can be selectively connected to the transceiver unit of the vehicle either directly or via at least one interconnected attenuation element. The switching device can be actuated by the control device of the vehicle according to the power of a received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Conductix-Wampfler GmbH
    Inventor: Nicholas Winter
  • Patent number: 11652386
    Abstract: A device and method for detection of wear of a sliding contact which may be displaced along a brushgear, includes a sensor and a measurement indicator designed for detection by the sensor. The sensor and the measurement indicator approach or move away from each other by a shortening of the sliding contact caused by wear, and a brushgear system. The problem of enabling simple, reliable detection of the practically complete wear of the sliding contact is addressed by the sensor being designed for contactless and/or contacting detection of the measurement indicator, and by means of a brushgear system having a device of this kind, and also a method of this kind in which the sensor detects the measurement indicator becoming closer to the sensor contactlessly and/or contactingly and, when a threshold value for a predetermined wear of the sliding contact is exceeded, issues a warning signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Conductix-Wampfler GmbH
    Inventors: Niklas Endler, Moritz Hagin, Nicholas Winter
  • Patent number: 11631956
    Abstract: A fastening device for fastening a conductor line to at least one mounting element. The fastening device has at least one holding element connectable to the conductor line. The holding element fastens the conductor line to the mounting element such that movement perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the conductor line is not possible. A conductor line system has a conductor line, which is fastened by a first fastening device to a first mounting element and by a second fastening device spaced apart therefrom to a second mounting element. The first fastening device is connected to the conductor line and to the first mounting element in such a way that movement in the longitudinal direction is not possible. The second fastening device is connected to the conductor line and/or to the mounting line in such a way that movement in the longitudinal direction is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Conductix-Wampfler GmbH
    Inventors: Moritz Hagin, Dietmar Lang
  • Patent number: 11472675
    Abstract: A connecting arrangement by which an electric load, which can be displaced in at least one direction of travel in relation to a feeder device, is supplied, by a cable, with electrical energy and/or data. The feeder device has at least one connection member for connecting to a corresponding connecting element of a cable carried by the electric load. An energy-supply system supplies the electric load. A simplified automatic connection of the cable to the feeder device by a connecting arrangement has a manipulator for connecting the connecting element to the connection member. A related energy-supply system has such a connecting arrangement and a related method has the following steps: a) positioning the connecting element in relation to the feeder device, b) using a manipulator to grip the connecting element and/or the cable, and c) using the manipulator to connect the connecting element to the connection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Conductix-Wampfler GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Maier, Frank Kreiter, Martin Nöltner, Dietmar Lang
  • Publication number: 20220314808
    Abstract: A current collector for electrically supplying an electrical load which is movable along a conductor line. The current collector has a fastening element and at least one sliding contact with an elongate sliding contact surface, which extends in a longitudinal direction, for sliding contact with an electrically conducting line profile, which extends in the longitudinal direction, of the conductor line. The sliding contact is articulated on the fastening element at spaced apart fastening regions, so as to be movable in a feeding plane extending parallel to the longitudinal direction by means of two articulated lever arrangements. A resetting device acting on the articulated lever arrangements and on the fastening element is provided which, when the sliding contact is deflected from an inoperative position, in which the sliding contact surface preferably extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction, moves the sliding contact back into the inoperative position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: Conductix-Wampfler GmbH
    Inventors: Moritz HAGIN, Matthias WENK
  • Patent number: 11441630
    Abstract: A stop buffer for absorbing kinetic energy in a collision between two objects, includes a first spring body made of an elastic material. The first spring body is connected to a carrier body, and includes at least one electrical sensor, which has a triggering element that can be mechanically actuated. The sensor outputs a signal when the triggering element is actuated. The sensor is arranged relative to the carrier body in such a way that the triggering element is actuated by a detachment of the first spring body from the carrier body, or an actuation mechanism is provided, by which the triggering element of the sensor is actuated by a force acting on the carrier body in a collision when the force exceeds a predefined magnitude that indicates a failure of the first spring body because of wear or, if the first spring body is intact, indicates excessive collision energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Conductix-Wampfler GmbH
    Inventors: Niklas Endler, Bernd Maier, Nicholas Winter
  • Publication number: 20220274346
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a current collector head for a current collector consisting of an electrically conductive contact shoe and an electrically insulating contact shoe holder includes the following steps: inserting a section of the contact shoe into an outwardly open cavity in the contact shoe holder dimensioned to match this section; clamping the contact shoe in the cavity of the contact shoe holder by acting on the contact shoe holder with at least an external force directed onto the inserted section of the contact shoe; heating the contact shoe to a temperature sufficient to form a bonded connection with the contact shoe holder; and cooling the current collector head formed from the contact shoe and the contact shoe holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: Conductix-Wampfler GmbH
    Inventor: Max GERWIG
  • Patent number: 11390495
    Abstract: A line cable comprises one or more conductors for transmitting electrical power and/or data and an elongate supporting element. A related power supply system for supplying electrical power and/or data to a movable electrical load via cables comprises at least one feed device and a connecting element, which can be connected to the feed device, of a line cable of the load. The line cable can be output or retrieved from a reservoir, which is carried along by the load, in accordance with a distance between the reservoir and the feed device. A connecting element for connection to a connection of a feed device for electrical power and/or data is arranged at one end of the line cable. The supporting element can be connected to the connecting element in a force-fitting and/or interlocking manner for the purpose of transmitting longitudinal tensile forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Conductix-Wampfler GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Lang, Martin Nöltner, Bernd Maier, Frank Kreiter
  • Publication number: 20220209384
    Abstract: A communication system for communication between at least one vehicle guided along a predefined movement path and a stationary station using a slotted waveguide which extends parallel to the movement path of the vehicle and into which at least one antenna connected to a transceiver unit of the stationary station and at least one antenna of the vehicle project. The antenna of the vehicle is moved in the longitudinal direction of the slotted waveguide with movement of the vehicle. The slotted waveguide includes at least two sections separated from one another by a respective gap. At least one antenna projecting into the respective section is provided for each section of the slotted waveguide. Two neighboring antennas projecting into different sections of the slotted waveguide are coupled via a coupling device both to a common transceiver unit of the stationary station and to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: Conductix-Wampfler GmbH
    Inventor: Nicholas WINTER
  • Publication number: 20220209388
    Abstract: In a communications system for communication between a vehicle guided along a predetermined movement path and a stationary station using a slotted waveguide which extends parallel to the movement path and into which an antenna connected to a transmitting and receiving unit of the stationary station and a vehicle antenna project. The vehicle antenna is moved in the longitudinal direction of the slotted waveguide with a movement of the vehicle. On the stationary station and on the vehicle, either at least two separate transmitting and receiving units are provided for each respective transmission channel and are provided with a respective antenna connection, or at least one transmitting and receiving unit is provided for at least two transmission channels and is provided with two respective antenna connections. The antenna connections of the transmitting and receiving units are connected to a common antenna via a coupler. The signals of all transmission channels are emitted and received via the common antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: Conductix-Wampfler GmbH
    Inventors: Nicholas WINTER, Michael ECKLE, Bernd MAIER
  • Publication number: 20220131325
    Abstract: A current collector supplies power to an electrical load movable along a conductor line and includes a movable holder for a contact element whose range of movement is restricted by two mechanical stops, and which is acted upon by a spring arrangement exerting a force in the direction of a first end of its range of movement to force the contact element against a power rail. A damping device is provided, which dampens movement of the holder caused by the spring arrangement in the direction of the first end of its range of movement, when the holder is situated within a predetermined first section of its range of movement, which is restricted on one side by the first end and does not include the entire range of movement. The damping device can be designed as a flow damper or a friction damper or as at least one spring element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Conductix-Wampfler GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter SEIDEL
  • Publication number: 20220105971
    Abstract: In a communications system for communication between a vehicle guided along a predefined movement path and a stationary station using a slotted waveguide which extends parallel to the movement path of the vehicle and into which at least one antenna connected to a transceiver unit of the stationary station and at least one antenna of the vehicle project, wherein the antenna of the vehicle is moved in the longitudinal direction of the slotted waveguide with a movement of the vehicle, a switching device is arranged between the antenna of the vehicle and a transceiver unit of the vehicle, by means of which the antenna can be selectively connected to the transceiver unit of the vehicle either directly or via at least one interconnected attenuation element. The switching device can be actuated by the control device of the vehicle according to the power of a received signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Conductix-Wampfler GmbH
    Inventor: Nicholas WINTER
  • Publication number: 20210394619
    Abstract: A current collector has a sliding contact for making electrical contact with a conductor profile of a conductor line and an antenna for insertion into a longitudinal slot, running in a longitudinal direction of the conductor line. The sliding contact and the antenna can be moved jointly towards the conductor profile in a feed direction by a feed device of the current collector. A conductor line has a conductor profile running in a longitudinal direction, having an elongate cavity and a longitudinal slot adjoining the cavity and running in the longitudinal direction. The conductor profile has at least one sliding contact groove for the sliding contact of the current collector. The antenna is mounted on the current collector so as to be moveable with respect to the sliding contact in the feed direction, and the conductor profile has at least one spacer slide surface running in the longitudinal direction, for a spacer slide of the current collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Conductix-Wampfler GmbH
    Inventors: Niklas Endler, Bernd Maier, Nicholas Winter
  • Patent number: 11189999
    Abstract: A feed device for supplying electrical power and/or data to an electrical load, which is movable in at least one travel direction relative to the feed device, via cables. An electrical line cable carried along by the electrical load can be connected or is connected to the feed device, and to a power supply system for supplying the movable electrical load. The line cable can be output or retrieved from a reservoir, which is carried along by the load, in accordance with a distance between the reservoir and the feed device. The feed device has at least one connection part, which is rotatable about at least one pivot axis, for the line cable. This feed device, as well as a power supply system having such a feed device, provides protective guidance and storage of the line cable, reducing the risk of kinking or excessive bending of the line cable when moving the electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: CONDUCTIX-WAMPFLER GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd Maier, Frank Kreiter, Martin Nöltner, Dietmar Lang
  • Publication number: 20210336398
    Abstract: A busbar for a conductor line for supplying electrical power to an electrical load which can be moved along the conductor line. To reduce the wear on the busbar and the sliding body that slides along the conductor line by decreasing the friction between these two components, a busbar, on which the surface of the side of the busbar intended to make contact with a sliding body of a current collector has at least one groove-shaped depression, which, at least in certain sections, runs at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the busbar, with the longitudinal direction defined by the intended direction of movement of the sliding body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: Conductix-Wampfler GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter SEIDEL
  • Patent number: 11018469
    Abstract: A current collector and a conductor line system having such a current collector. The current collector has a holder and a carbon brush arranged in carbon brush support movable relative to holder in a feed direction from and to the conductor line. The carbon brush is movable in a feed direction from and to conductor line. A better and reliable guiding of the carbon brush on the conductor line and simpler design of the current collector, uses a current collector in which the carbon brush is additionally movable in a transverse direction running essentially across the longitudinal direction, a spring element being provided between the carbon brush and holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: CONDUCTIX-WAMPFLER GMBH
    Inventor: Dietmar Lang
  • Patent number: 10822004
    Abstract: A data transmission device has an elongated hollow profile with a hollow space extending in a longitudinal direction of the hollow profile, with the hollow profile having a longitudinal slot extending in the longitudinal direction for a transmission unit which moves relative to the hollow space at least in the longitudinal direction and which extends at least partially into the longitudinal slot. At least one sealing element extending along the hollow profile for sealing off at least one portion of the hollow space is provided. A conductor rail system includes a conductor rail for supplying at least one electrical load with electrical power, which load can be moved in the longitudinal direction along the conductor rail, with at least one conductor strand extending in the longitudinal direction with an electrically conducting conductor profile for contacting a sliding contact of the load and with at least one data transmission device extending in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: CONDUCTIX-WAMPFLER GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Eckle
  • Patent number: 10717359
    Abstract: A current collector system for a vehicle movable along a busbar arrangement, with at least one current collector trolley and current collector contacts arranged thereon that can be connected to a busbar of the busbar arrangement and with a vertical delivery unit for moving the current collector trolley in a vertical delivery direction, or with a horizontal delivery unit with at least one delivery element movable in a horizontal delivery direction for moving the current collector trolley in the horizontal delivery direction, as well as a corresponding crane system. The current collector trolley can be moved by a belt drive with an elastic and/or flexible belt in the vertical delivery direction, or in that the delivery element can be moved via a belt drive with an elastic and/or flexible belt in the horizontal direction, and with a crane system equipped with the above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: CONDUCTIX-WAMPFLER GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd Maier, Frank Kreiter, Joerg Saettele, David Brander
  • Patent number: 10673526
    Abstract: A conductor line for supplying electric energy to an electric load which can be moved along the conductor line, includes at least one conductor strand, which runs in the longitudinal direction and comprises an electrically conducting profiled conductor section for contacting a sliding contact of the load; and a current collector for supplying electric energy to the load. The current collector has at least one sliding contact for contacting an electrically conductive profiled conductor section of a conductor strand. A first optical transmission unit which runs in the longitudinal direction is arranged on the conductor line for contactlessly transmitting data to a second optical transmission unit which is moveable relative to the conductor line, and a second optical transmission unit which is moveable in the longitudinal direction relative to the conductor line is arranged on the current collector for contactlessly transmitting data to a first optical transmission unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Conductix-Wampfler GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Eckle
  • Patent number: 10583742
    Abstract: A current collector for an electrical load that can be moved along a conductor line in a travel direction. The current collector has at least one contact piece, which is supported on a rocking arm to be rotatable about an axis of rotation extending perpendicularly to the travel direction. To bring the contact piece into contact with an electrically conductive conductor strand of the conductor line, the contact piece can be moved toward the conductor strand by the rocking arm. The current collector also includes a connection cable, which connects the contact piece to a connection terminal for the electrical loads in an electrically conductive manner. A conductor line system includes a conductor line and at least one electrical load that can be moved on the conductor line in the longitudinal direction of the conductor line. The conductor line has at least one electrically conductive conductor strand for bringing into sliding contact with at least one contact piece of a current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: CONDUCTIX-WAMPFLER GMBH
    Inventors: Dietmar Lang, Niklas Endler, Bernd Maier, Dieter Seidel, Andreas Schmiedle