Abstract: A device (1) for adjusting the bearing force of a pantograph (30) of a railroad train set (10) on a catenary wire (2). The pantograph (30) has, at its upper end, a bow (3) in mechanical and electrical contact with the catenary wire (2), connected mechanically to an actuator (7, 34) exerting a nominal force on it at predetermined points and in a predetermined direction. A device (31) measures the contact force between the bow (3) of the pantograph (300 and the catenary wire (2) supplies information relating to the measured force. A transmitter (5, 4a) transmits the measurement information from the measuring device (31, 40) into an appropriate zone of the railroad train set (10). A processor (60, 20) processes the transmitted information and set-point range signals and supplies logical control signals. The actuator (6, 7) is controlled from the logical control signals when the measured contact force exceeds a predetermined maximum force threshold (Smax) or in responses to predetermined external control signals.

Abstract: A preferred membrane system is for connecting railway vehicles or the like. Each of the vehicles has longitudinal walls extending along a direction of movement of the vehicle and ends extending substantially transverse to the longitudinal walls. The system comprises an elastically deformable membrane having a tubular form for substantial alignment with the longitudinal walls between the ends of the vehicles being adjacent to one another. The membrane has opposite ends for being respectively connected to the ends of the vehicles being adjacent to one another. The membrane includes a plurality of corrugations with each of the corrugations extending around the tubular form. Elements for connecting the vehicle provide a predetermined distance between the ends thereof. The membrane and the corrugations thereof are partially compressed when the opposite ends are disposed from each other by the predetermined distance.