GB647576A - Improvements relating to pantograph type current collectors - Google Patents

Abstract

647,576. Current collectors for electric vehicles. ENGLISH ELECTRIC CO., Ltd. Sept. 3, 1948, No. 23254. [Class 104 (iii)] A pantograph current collector of the kind comprising a collector pan assembly supported on a jointed framework to allow perpendicular movement of the assembly relative to a supply conductor, is adapted also to allow limited movement in the fore-and-aft direction. In the example the collector pan 1 is pivoted on a pin 2 at the bifurcated upper end of a normally vertical link 3 disposed between fore and aft torque tubes 4, 5 which are pivoted within lugs 7a, 8a on the upper tubes 9, 10 of the pantograph framework at points near the common apex point. The link 3 is pivoted on a pin 12 which couples together the inner ends of a pair of oppositely-extending levers 13, 14, the end of lever 13 being forked to receive the end of 14, and the holes therethrough being elongated to allow a limited rotational movement of the levers. The levers 13, 14 are also pinned to the torque tubes 4, 5, respectively, and thus caused to rotate with those members. Tensioned helical springs 16, 17 connect the extremities 13a, 14a of the levers 13, 14 to the ends of a cross-piece 18 formed integrally with a screw which is screwed into the lower end of the link 3. Normally the springs are tensioned equally and the link 3 maintained in the vertical position shown. Upward movement of the collector pan is limited by the amount of clearance between the pin 12 and the holes in the levers 13, 14, and downward movement by a web 19 on the collector pan engaging the torque tubes 4, 5. When the collector pan is deflected by pressure opposing its forward movement along the wire' 15 the link 3 pivots about the pin 12, thereby increasing the tension in one of the springs, but the pan itself maintains a horizontal position. A similar mounting is provided at each side of the jointed framework. Specification 400,152 is referred to.