Abstract: A non-track-bound vehicle operates on a route electrified by an overhead contact system. The vehicle has a current collector for energy transfer between the vehicle and an overhead cable. It has a lowering mechanism for the transfer of the current collector from an upright operational position in which the current collector is in sliding contact with the contact wires into a lowered neutral position in which the current collector is arranged within a vehicle clearance profile. An actuating element is provided for the simultaneous activation of the lowering mechanism and an additional vehicle device. The activation of the actuating element is intended in a driving situation requiring the lowering of the current collector. The operation of non-track-bound vehicles is safer even in critical driving situations, such as for example, maneuvers to avoid or overtake other vehicles at high speed.

Abstract: Controlling a power system in a mining truck includes receiving data indicative of an expected change in suitability of the mining truck for on-trolley operation, and outputting a control command to an actuating mechanism for a pantograph responsive to the data and prior to occurrence of the expected suitability change. A mining truck and power system are further provided, wherein a pantograph having an electrical contactor is adjusted between a first configuration contacting an overhead trolley line, and a rest configuration, responsive to data indicative of the expected suitability change.

Abstract: A model vehicle, such as a model electric train, includes a model pantograph. The operation of the pantograph is automated using a motor, drive train, and control circuit. An upper articulating portion of the pantograph is mounting to the model vehicle using a breakaway assembly. The upper articulating portion may also be coupled to a drive motor via an elastic coupling permitting elastic movement of the upper portion independently of the drive motor.

Abstract: Arrangement for the relative relocation of a current collector relative to the trolley wire includes an electric drive coupled to a pivoting shaft of the current collector pressed against the trolley wire by force of a spring; with a rapid-action lowering unit in the form of a piston-cylinder aggregate integrated into a actuating member and provided in the form of an energy storage reservoir under pressure, so that the energy storage and the electrical drive are coupled with a sensor coupled to the current collector.

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 trolley pole retrieval method and apparatus. A sensing circuit senses threshold values of voltage and continuity in the vehicle power supply circuit, the vehicle motion and the distance travelled. The system responds to the sustained simultaneous conditions of low voltage and open circuit in the power supply circuit while the vehicle is in motion by enabling a distance counter. If the vehicle remains in motion under conditions of low voltage and low continuity for a predetermined distance, trolley pole dewirement is assumed and a retrieval pulley is actuated to return the trolley pole to the vehicle. This prevents damage to overhead power lines.

Abstract: A collector device for trolley-assisted vehicles having a pantograph operating circuit acting to deenergize the pantograph operating electromagnetic valve, when a driver inadvertently intends to leave the vehicle while pantographs are in the working position by automatically bringing the pantographs down to leave overhead contact wire thus to avoid electric shock accident.

Abstract: Electrically powered trolley vehicles in headings of mines are provided with a current collector pick-up unit having contact-sensing means, current collectors, position sensors and guide wheels. The power supply for the pick-up unit comprises an array of elongated guide rails and at least two conductor bars. The connecting method comprises running the vehicle slowly forwards, by means of its own energy source, in the direction of the elongated conductor bars and vertically raising the pick-up unit by means of an arm mounted on the vehicle so that a contact-sensing frame for sensing contact in a vertical direction is brought into engagement with one or both of the guide rails. During a continued vertical movement, the contact-sensing frame is turned down towards the rest of the pick-up unit and when the contact-sensing frame reaches its lower end limit position, this is indicated by a position sensor.

Abstract: An emergency lowering system for a vehicle mounted pantograph in which lever actuated trip valves are disposed at opposite ends of the pantograph current collector in a position to be actuated in the event that an overhead contact wire tends to slide off and end of the current collector. The trip valves control a relay air valve which is arranged to supply a relatively large volume of high pressure air to a pneumatic jack wherein the jack is connected to lower the pantograph. In a preferred embodiment the emergency lowering system is adapted to supply air at a higher pressure and larger volume than the normal lowering system whereby the pantograph is lowered at a faster rate in an emergency. For use in a train of vehicles the system includes a pressure responsive switch for detecting initiation of an emergency lowering condition and for providing a signal which can be used to effect lowering of all pantographs in the train if any one pantograph experiences an emergency condition.