Abstract: This rapid descent device comprises a valve comprising two chambers, at least one rub strip fastened to the body of the current-collector bow of the pantograph, intended to come into contact with the overhead wire and equipped with degradation detection circuit, at least one supply line of fluid to the main chamber of the valve, at least one feed line intended to feed this fluid to the pilot chamber of the valve, as well as at least one detection line extending from the pilot chamber of the valve, to feed a respective detection circuit. The rapid descent device comprises means for temporary shut out of the feeding of fluid of the main chamber, which reliably ensures the initial raising of the pantograph until the pantograph comes into contact with the overhead wire.

Abstract: A mounting structure for one or more pantographs is provided. The mounting structure comprises a bottom support structure, a mid support structure, and a top platform. The bottom support structure includes a pair of primary front legs. The mid support structure includes a pair of secondary front legs coupled to the pair of primary front legs. The mid support structure further includes a pair of angled rear legs rigidly connected to the pair of secondary front legs by a deck. The pair of secondary front legs extends above the deck. The mid support structure further includes a first and second pair of front and side extended support arms rigidly connected to a top portion of the pair of secondary front legs. The top platform is coupled to the mid support structure and is configured to mount the one or more pantographs.

Abstract: A device for balancing a force. The device includes an articulated mechanism (10). The articulated mechanism (10) includes a proximal arm (12) borne by a support wedged on a first hinge pin (20) and a distal arm (14) borne by the proximal arm and wedged on a second hinge pin (24) extending parallel to the first pin. The distal arm has a free end (26) supporting a load (F). The device further includes first balancing means (18,20) with high bandwidth acting on the proximal arm (12), second balancing means (18,22) with high bandwidth acting on the distal arm (4), and coordinating means interposed between the first balancing means and the second balancing means to coordinate rotational movements of the proximal arm and the distal arm.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly (1) for a railway vehicle, of the type comprising a first chassis (8) and a second chassis (9) which is connected to the stationary chassis (8) to tilt laterally with respect thereto on each side of a position of rest, the assembly (1) further comprising means (10) for moving the second chassis (9) laterally. The movement means (10) comprise an arm (28) for driving the second chassis (9) laterally, which arm (28) is mounted so that it can pivot about a longitudinal axis (X—X). Application, for example, to a power pick-up assembly for a tilting railway vehicle.

Abstract: This power pick-up for a railway vehicle comprises a pantograph (4) and a pantograph support (7), the pantograph support (7) comprising a stationary chassis (8) for mounting on the roof (2) of a railway vehicle (3), and a mobile chassis (9) carrying the pantograph (4) and connected to the stationary chassis (8) to tilt laterally with respect thereto on each side of a position of rest. The mobile chassis (9) is connected to the stationary chassis (8) by two tilting rigid lateral supports (14), each tilting support (14) being articulated, on the one hand, to the stationary chassis (8) at two longitudinally-spaced points (17) and, on the other hand, to the mobile chassis (9) at two longitudinally-spaced points (22).

Abstract: A current collector (15) is provided for transmitting energy between a contact wire (2) and a motor coach. The current collector comprises at least one collector shoe (1) and a support arm (11) constructed and arranged to lift the collector shoe, and to apply a contact force in which the collector shoe lies below and against the contact wire. The support arm is rotatably connected to the motor coach about a horizontal axis (17) and raiseable about the axis by a lifting device (3). The lifting device includes a fast actuator (23) which is constructed and arranged to be controlled by a control device (22) in dependence on a signal (20, 21) of at least one displacement sensor, force sensor (18), or acceleration sensor (19) located on the current collector to maintain the contact force of the collector shoe against the contact wire.

Abstract: A current collector for transmitting energy between a contact wire and a motor coach having at least one collector shoe (1) and at least one suspension spring (16) with a positive stiffness, the suspension spring supporting the collector shoe which lies with a contact force from below and against the contact wire. The suspension spring (16) is arranged in parallel with a correction spring (17), the correction spring having a negative stiffness in a zero-crossing of its spring characteristic curve, which coincides with the spring travel of the suspension spring (16), which spring travel corresponds to the desired contact force.

Abstract: A current collector is provided for transmitting energy between a contact wire and a motor coach. The current collector has a first support am (11) connected to the motor coach and being raisable about a first horizontal axis (28); and a pair of second support arms (8 and 18) connected to the free end of the first support arm rotatably about a second horizontal axis (28). The pair of the second support arms (8 and 18) is connected to an extension element (14) protruding over the second horizontal axis (28). Further, the current collector has a guide bar (13) rotatably connected with the motor coach and the extension element (14); and at least one collector shoe which is supported on the free end of the pair of the second support arms (8 and 18). The extension element (14) is connected to each of the two second support arms (8 and 18) via a torsional actuator (16 and 17, respectively) being arranged on the second horizontal axis (28).

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.

Abstract: A pantograph apparatus for an electric locomotive is provided that possess two degrees of freedom, a vertical motion similar to that of the conventional pantograph apparatus and a unique lateral motion without any longitudinal component that permits the collector head to track an overhead conductor independently of the position of the overhead conductor relative to the track centerline. Tracking is accomplished electronically by two laterally-positioned contactors on the collector head that generate an error signal when contacted by the overhead conductor, thus actuating a servomechanism to reposition the collector head so as to maintain the overhead conductor between the lateral contactors. The pantograph apparatus disclosed herein is fully compatible with conventional catenary electrification.

Abstract: A hook device for locking a pantograph comprising an air operating cylinder with a piston coupled to a piston rod. A hook is pivotally mounted on the piston rod and is controlled to engage with a portion of the pantograph under control of the pneumatic pressure and an engagement with a mechanical stopper. The device is useful for rigidly locking the pantograph a lowered position while retaining a shock absorbing clearance.