US3712430A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle current collector balanced support
Assignee: Merlin Gerin SA
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Filing: 1971-01-11
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Granted: 1973-01-23
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Expires: 1991-01-11
Abstract
Abstract Current collecting device for a high speed vehicle comprising a collector head mechanically connected to the vehicle by an articulated system which permits relative displacement of the collector head with respect to the vehicle. The articulated system comprises a balancing device including a spring for counterbalancing vertical motion and a mass counterbalancing of lateral motion to maintain equilibrium regardless of the position of the collector head.
Inventors
- 👤 P Charamel
- 👤 H Ligones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:18
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60L; B60L5/00; B60L5/04; B60L5/08; B60L5/38; B60L2200/00; B60L2200/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A mechanism for use with a high speed vehicle movable along a trackway to drive and support a current collecting head guided in a longitudinal current supplying passageway extending parallelly to said trackway, said mechanism comprising rod means extending substantially transversely of the longitudinal direction of said passageway and having an end swingable connected to said collector head, linkage means pivotally connected to a portion of said rod means spaced apart from said end and adapted for connection to said vehicle to drive said collector head along said passageway, said linkage means extending substantially perpendicularly to said longitudinal direction and being adapted to permit said rod means to execute small translational and oscillating movements perpendicularly to said longitudinal direction, and balance means connected to said linkage means and tending to maintain said collector head substantially in neutral equilibrium in said passageway for all positions of said collector head adjacent the mean normal operating position thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A mechanism for use with a high speed vehicle movable along a trackway to drive and support a current collecting head guided in a longitudinal current supplying passageway extending parallelly to said trackway, said mechanism comprising rod means extending substantially transversely of the longitudinal direction of said passageway and having an end swingable connected to said collector head, linkage means pivotally connected to a portion of said rod means spaced apart from said end and adapted for connection to said vehicle to drive said collector head along said passageway, said linkage means extending substantially perpendicularly to said longitudinal direction and being adapted to permit said rod means to execute small translational and oscillating movements perpendicularly to said longitudinal direction, and balance means connected to said linkage means and tending to maintain said collector head substantially in neutral equilibrium in said passageway for all positions of said collector head adjacent the mean normal operating position thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising inertia means free to move transversaly of said longitudinal direction and operatively connected to said linkage means to compensate the effect of centrifugal forces acting upon said collector head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A mechanism according to claim 1, said balance means comprising resilient bias means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A mechanism according to claim 3, said resilient bias means comprising spring mean adapted for connection to said vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A mechanism according to claim 1, said linkage means comprising a plurality of substantially coplanar rods pivotally connected to one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
171 words
A mechanism according to claim 5, said plurality of rods comprising a first pair of pivoting rods, pivot mean movably connecting together a first end of the pivoting rods of said first pair, a second pair of pivoting rods extending transversaly of the lengthwise direction of the rods of said first pair, respectively, and pivotally connected to the opposite end of the respective pivoting rod of said first pair to permit small longitudinal and angular movements thereof, said portion of said rod means having a pair of pivots spaced apart transversaly of said longitudinal direction to pivotally connect said rod means to a pivot center intermediate the ends of the pivoting rods of said first pair, respectively, and guide means for said pivot means to permit said longitudinal and angular movements of said pivoting rods of said first pair, said balance means comprising bias means connected to at least one pivoting rod of said second pair to counteract the effect of the weight of said collector head on said rod means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A mechanism according to claim 6, said pivot means cooperating with lost motion means to permit said angular movements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A mechanism according to claim 6, said guide means comprising a swinging rod extending transversaly of said rod means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
A mechanism according to claim 6, said balance means comprising motion amplifying mean operatively connected to one of the pivoting rods of said second pair to tend to maintain said collector head substantially in neutral equilibrium after angular movement of said rod means responsive to lateral deviation of said collector head.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
A mechanism according to claim 6, further comprising pendulum means free to swing in a plane transverse of said longitudinal direction and operatively connected to at least one of the pivoting rods of said second pair to compensate the effect of centrifugal forces acting upon said collector head.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
A mechanism according to claIm 9, said pendulum means comprising a swinging lever extending substantially parallel to said rod means and having a first end pivotally connected to a fulcrum adapted for connection to said vehicle and a second end connected through lost motion means to a mass, said one pivoting rod of said second pair being pivotally connected to said swinging lever intermediate the ends thereof, said balance means further comprising guide means for said mass causing amplification of the lateral deviation of said swinging lever subsequent to angular movement of said rod mean responsive to lateral deviation of said collector head with respect to said vehicle so as to maintain said collector head substantially in neutral equilibrium after said lateral deviation thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A mechanism according to claim 6, said balance means comprising reducing motion means cooperating with a mass guided for movement transversaly of said longitudinal direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A mechanism according to claim 12, said balance means comprising a cam surface adapted for connection to said vehicle to guide said mass.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
A mechanism according to claim 12, said reducing motion device comprising a swinging lever extending substantially parallel to said rod means and having a first end pivotally connected to a fulcrum adapted for connection to said vehicle and a second end connected to said mass, one of the pivoting rods of said second pair being pivotally connected to said swinging lever intermediate the ends thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3152673A
Cited
US3405240A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |