Abstract: The device for capturing electrical energy having a capturing plough-type element (10), an arm for holding the capturing plough-type element on the frame of the vehicle, a mechanism for lifting up the plough-type element and the way for electrical connection to the supply circuit of a vehicle. The plough-type element is electrically insulated in relation to the ground and the trackway. One part of the plough-type element separates two profiled part holders (23, 24) which are arranged beside each other in another opposite manner and are supported a support. The conducting elements of the lower end of the plough-type element are maintained in electrical contact, sliding along polar parts born by each part holder. Along the entire length of each part holder (23, 24), each part holder is mounted in an elastically recoiling manner such that it moves towards its adjacent opposite number with the aid of an elastic mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ground-level multipole current supply system for track-guidable, rubber-tired, electrically propulsive vehicles, wherein extruded aluminum profiles are provided within an electrically insulating duct-like shielding for each pole. To permit the current supply system to be kept small and easily installable the shielding is constructed as a self-supporting extruded profile which is fastened, suspended with ducts open downwards, on support arms. The substantially triangular live rails are retained screwlessly by sliding axially behind beads in the shielding. A vee-shaped arrangement of the contact tracks of the two live rails and of the two contact pieces on the current collector side exerts a self-centering influence upon the current collector head, so that the latter can be of simple construction and only little play need be provided for relative movements between current collector head and live rails.

Abstract: In an overhead electric traction system, an overhead contact wire is enclosed throughout its length within an elongate protective cover of resilient electrically insulating material. The cover is secured to the contact wire, is symmetrical about a longitudinally extending vertical plane passing through the axis of the contact wire and includes a pair of transversely extending base walls which underlie and are spaced from the contact wire and abut in the vertical plane. When engaged by a transversely extending elongate current collector carried by a travelling vehicle, the base walls are deflected upwardly and outwardly away from one another to expose the running surface of the contact wire and permit the current collector to effect electrical contact with and collect current from the contact wire; after passage of the current collector, the base walls return to their original undeflected positions so that the contact wire is again enclosed within the cover.

Abstract: Two shiftable bus bar unit point sections are simultaneously shifted to allow one of the sections to align with a stationary bus bar unit point section. A coupler slides on the stationary point section toward the just aligned one of the shiftable point sections to couple the same with the stationary point section. The shifting of the shiftable point sections and the sliding of the coupler are controlled by an operating mechanism which employs a cam. A holding device covers sealingly the electrically dangerous exposed end of the other of the shiftable point sections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conduit length to be joined in use to adjacent ends of similar conduit lengths to form an electrical power supply conduit when housing one or more electrical conductors, for the supply of electrical energy to electrical machines, e.g. a mining machine adjacent the conduit, the conduit length being generally of "U" section and internally lined with a seal of flexible material having a corresponding "U" shaped cross section, upper ends of the "U" arms of the conduit each carrying rigid locating means each housing an elongate displaceable sealing means, the two sealing means abutting one another so as to normally close an elongate aperture of the conduit length.

Abstract: A bus bar mount on which a current collecting equipment rides comprises an electrically insulating elongate body having a longitudinally extending groove and a longitudinally extending lid hinged to the body proper, a current carrying naked cable set in the groove, and latching means for providing latching engagement of the lid with the body proper to sealingly close the groove when the lid is pressed against the body proper. The current collecting equipment comprises a current collecting shoe, a rod connected to a body of the equipment to forcedly open the lid allowing the shoe to be brought into sliding contact with the naked cable when moved in a direction along the bus bar mount, and a press-roller unit connected to the body of the equipment at the position opposite to the rod with respect to the shoe to press the open lid against the body proper of the mount for providing the latching engagement of the lid with the body proper when moved in the one direction.

Abstract: A bus bar unit on which a current collecting unit rides comprises a body having therein a groove and thereon a hinged lid portion which closes the groove when pressed against the body proper, and a current carrying naked cable received in the groove. The current collecting unit comprises a shoe, a horizontal roller for continuously opening the lid portion to allow the shoe to be in sliding contact with the naked cable when moved in a direction, and a vertical roller for pressing the opened lid portion against the body proper to close the groove when moved in the direction. The shoe has a tapered section having an inclined side upon which a back surface of the lid portion bears to cause raising of the lid portion from the body proper when the shoe moves in the direction under a state in which the lid portion is disengaged from the horizontal roller.

Abstract: A current transmitting system for use with a self-propelled automatically steered electric vehicle includes a pair of parallel, circularly arranged bus bars connected to a low-frequency A.C. power source, an induction cable extending along the bus bars and connected to a high-frequency A.C. power source, and a current collecting shoe slidable on and along each of the bus bars for transmitting the current carried by the bus bar to an electric device mounted in the vehicle. In this system, each of the bus bars is divided into two sections one of which is connected to the low-frequency A.C. power source through a coil.

Abstract: A power distribution system for rail vehicles comprising a flexible resilient conduit for protecting a first electrical conductor fixed in a crowned resilient encasing slotted to receive a second electrical conductor which surrounds the flexible conduit and a second electrical conductor having first lubricating and conducting inserts for improving the electrical contact between the first and second conductors and reducing the friction between the two conductors and second non-conductive lubricating inserts for reducing friction between the second conductor and the resilient encasing.

Abstract: An electrical power supply conduit comprises an elongate electrical conductor located in the conduit, the latter preferably being pressurized with clean air or an inert gas and having an entry slot extending longitudinally, through which slot, in use, an electrical pick up e.g. a pantograph of an electrical machine may enter the conduit to gain access to the electrical conductor, with a flexible mechanical seal extending longitudinally of the conduit and normally closing the slot.