GB2420539A

GB2420539A - Collector shoe mounting

Info

Publication number: GB2420539A
Application number: GB0523583A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Peter Cullingford
Original assignee: Brecknell Willis and Co Ltd
Current assignee: Brecknell Willis and Co Ltd
Priority date: 2004-11-27
Filing date: 2005-11-21
Publication date: 2006-05-31
Also published as: GB0426096D0; GB0523583D0

Abstract

A mounting for a collector shoe (14, 16) includes an arm formed of an insulating material. The arm is designed to rupture in the event that, in use, the collector shoe (14, 16) is subjected to an impact. There is a pneumatic circuit (13, 15) that is so designed that, when the arm (18) is ruptured, air leaks from the pneumatic circuit. Sensing means, e.g. a pressure switch (20, 21) is provided such that, when a leak is sensed, a signal is generated. The circuit comprises an internal passage or adjacent tube for each insulating arm for a shoe (14, 16) on each side of a bogie. An upstream pressure switch 22, of a restrictor (19), eliminates error signals.

Description

COLLECTOR SHOE MOUNTINGS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the mounting of collector shoes on electric vehicles. The collector shoes are arranged to contact an electrical conductor rail extending alongside the track.

In use, the collector shoes can become damaged and/or separated from the vehicle on which they are mounted as a result of coming into contact with debris or other obstructions disposed adjacent the track.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of collector shoe mounting.

A more specific object of the present invention is the provision of a collector shoe mounting that includes means for indicating separation of the collector shoe from the vehicle on which it is mounted, i.e. for indicating loss of the collector shoe. n

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a collector shoe mounting that includes an arm formed of an insulating material, which arm is designed to rupture in the event that, in use, the collector shoe is subjected to an impact, a pneumatic circuit that is so designed that, when the arm is ruptured, air leaks from the pneumatic circuit, and sensing means that, on sensing a leak, generates a signal.

The pneumatic circuit may be so designed that, when the arm is ruptured, an internal air passageway is ruptured.

The pneumatic circuit may alternatively be so designed that a tube extending parallel to the insulating arm is separated from its support means when the insulating arm is ruptured.

The arrangement is preferably such that, when a leakage of air takes place, there is a fall in the pressure within the pneumatic circuit downstream of a restrictor, this fall in pressure being sensed by a pressure-sensitive switch to generate an electrical signal.

The system for providing a signal to indicate that a collector shoe has been lost may be further developed, as indicated in the accompanying drawings, to provide independent signals when coupled across a bogie so as to identify the side of the vehicle from which the shoe has been lost. In addition, a third pressure fl switch may be provided at the air feed to the pneumatic signal to eliminate any erroneous signals during system charging.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic view showing an interface box mounted beneath a vehicle body, Figure 2 shows the layout of the pneumatic circuit of the interface box, Figure 3 shows the associated electrical circuit, Figure 4 is a side view of a collector shoe mounting, and Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of the shoe mounting.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The embodiment shown in the drawings comprises an interface box 10 mounted beneath a railway vehicle bogie (not shown). There is an air supply line 11 leading to the interface box and an electrical supply line 12 also leading to the interface box 11. A first air hose 13 leads to a position adjacent a first collector shoe 14 and a second air hose 15 leads to a position adjacent a second collector shoe 16. Th

The mounting for each collector shoe 14, 16 includes a conductive arm 17 and an insulating arm 18 and the arrangement is such that, when a collector shoe 14, 16 is impacted as a result of striking an obstacle adjacent the track when the rail vehicle is travelling at speed, the insulating arm 18 is severed or otherwise ruptured. The conductive arm 17 will normally also be severed.

The mountings for the collector shoes 14 and 16 are otherwise of substantially standard form, as shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings.

The pneumatic circuit of the interface box 10 includes a restrictor 19 and, downstream of the restrictor 19, there are two pressure-operated switches 20 and 21, one for each of the collector shoes 14, 16. When either of the collector shoes 14, 16 is subjected to an impact resulting in severing or rupture of the associated insulating arm 18, the air hose to that collector shoe 14, 16 will also be ruptured resulting in a leakage and a fall in pressure in the pneumatic supply hose producing operation of the associated pressure- operated switch 20 or 21. Closure of the switch 20 or 21 will result in generation of a signal and the nature of the signal will be such as to provide an indication as to whether it is collector shoe 14 or collector shoe 16 that has been impacted.

There is a third pressure-operated switch 22 located upstream of the restrictor 19 to eliminate any erroneous signals that might be generated during charging of the system.

The electrical signal that is generated may be received by a * global positioning system to provide real-time location data concerning the incident, and such data will be of use to the engineers responsible for maintaining the integrity of the rail system infrastructure.

Claims

Claims:- 1. A collector shoe mounting that includes an arm formed of an

insulating material, which arm is designed to rupture in the event that, in use, the collector shoe is subjected to an impact, a pneumatic circuit that is so designed that, when the arm is ruptured, air leaks from the pneumatic circuit, and sensing means that, on sensing a leak, generates a signal.
2. A collector shoe mounting as claimed in Claim 1, in which the pneumatic circuit is so designed that, when the arm is ruptured, an internal air passageway is ruptured.
3. A collector shoe mounting as claimed in Claim 1, in which the pneumatic circuit is so designed that a tube extending parallel to the insulating arm is separated from its support means when the insulating arm is ruptured.
4. A collector shoe mounting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the arrangement is such that, when a leakage of air takes place, there is a fall in the pressure within the pneumatic circuit downstream of a restrictor, this fall in pressure being sensed by a pressure-sensitive switch to generate an electrical signal.
5. A collector shoe mounting as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes means for identifying the side of the vehicle from which a shoe has been lost.
6. A collector shoe mounting as claimed in Claim 4, which includes a pressure switch at the air feed to the pneumatic signal to eliminate any erroneous signals during system charging.
7. A collector shoe mounting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.