Abstract:
An auxiliary and motive electric power pick-up structure for articulated and non-articulated land vehicles, such as electric public transport vehicles, that pass close to a collector-shoe-type power supply member mounted on a stationary support ( 17 ) along the route of the vehicle and positioned at intervals along the length of the route in order to provide auxiliary and motive electric power to the vehicle by way of the shoe ( 16 ). The structure comprises at least one conductor rail mounted on insulating supports ( 11 ) attached to the vehicle by suspension points ( 34 ), each including an elastic suspension unit ( 30 ) and a pneumatic, hydraulic or other type active suspension unit ( 33 ). In the case of articulated vehicles, the pick-up structure is divided into power supply segments ( 14 ) separated by a conducting link ( 19 ) at each articulated unit of the vehicle.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a National Stage completion of PCT/IB2010/055363 filed Nov. 23, 2010, which claims priority from French patent application serial no. 09-05622 filed Nov. 23, 2009. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a structure for collecting motive and auxiliary electrical energy for a transport vehicle. 
         [0003]    More specifically, it relates to an overhead collection structure, called a roof structure, supported by a land transport vehicle, for example, a public urban transportation vehicle. This collection structure cooperates with electrical energy distribution arms, each mounted on a post or other support, the posts or supports being placed along the route of the vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In order for the mechanical and electrical intake contact and the sliding electrical contact of a collection supply shoe on a linear collection structure to operate correctly, several conditions must exist. 
         [0005]    First, the mechanical contact must occur smoothly and progressively. Next, the electrical contact must be established correctly and continue for the entire length of the collection structure. 
         [0006]    To do this, a mechanical means must be provided to achieve and maintain nearly perfect mechanical contact between the two opposing surfaces. The quality of this contact necessitates precise geometry and a means for recovering any deviations and irregularities during the contact phase, that is, the electrical supply phase. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The goal of the present invention is to establish and maintain a quality contact between an electrical energy supply shoe and a collection structure carried on a land vehicle, for example, a public transportation vehicle formed of several modules articulated to one another. 
         [0008]    For this purpose, the collection structure is affixed so that it is suspended elastically and pneumatically on a vehicle, preferably on its roof. Lateral application and application beneath the vehicle are also to be included within the present invention. The electrical energy collection structure of the invention can therefore be attached to the roof, to a lateral wall, to the lower wall or to the chassis of the vehicle. 
         [0009]    The invention furnishes a motive and auxiliary electrical collection structure for a land vehicle, especially a public urban transport vehicle, articulated or non-articulated, passing close to a collector shoe type of electrical supply element mounted on a support attached along the length of the vehicle&#39;s travel route and duplicated at intervals along this route, for supplying motive and auxiliary electrical energy to the vehicle. 
         [0010]    According to the invention, this collection structure comprises a conductor rail having one surface that is the surface upon which the electrical supply shoe slides. This collection structure is mounted on insulated supports attached to the vehicle by suspension points, each comprising an elastic suspension means and a controllable suspension means, for example, one that is active pneumatically, hydraulically, or in some other way. 
         [0011]    More particularly, in the case of articulated vehicles, the electrically conductive and rigid collection structure may be formed of successive segments of conductor rails. These segments are elastically suspended on the roof of each module of an articulated transport vehicle, with the rail segments connected to one another at the level of the vehicle&#39;s articulation units using a flexible conductive connections, for example, connections formed of leaves in a transverse stack which can slide longitudinally along one another either individually or in groups and flex in order to absorb rolling, pitching and turning movements. The one or more end segments each form a tip or a ramp allowing the collector shoe to contact the rail progressively. Two tips or ramps exist in the case of bidirectional vehicles. In the case of mono-unit vehicles or vehicles formed of successive units, the collection structure is composed of only one or several rail segments. 
         [0012]    A few of the many features of the invention are listed below:
       ideal electrical and mechanical contact conditions during electrical supply;   excellent protection from electrical danger due to the ability to lower the collection structure, for example, during station stops;   a permanent adaptation not subject to shocks, jolts, vibrations and other possible interference during travel;   adaptation to rolling, pitching and turning while still maintaining continuous electricity supply;   low noise level and acoustical filtration;   ease of use;   automatic adaption to curves along the route;   modularity allowing it to be adapted to the vehicle&#39;s length or composition;   flexibility for absorbing variations in height; and   simplicity of installation on existing operational vehicles.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0023]    Other characteristics and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description, provided by way of example and accompanied by drawings in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a profile view of a land vehicle formed of several modules articulated to one another and comprising a roof collection structure according to the invention in the lowered position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a profile view of a land vehicle formed of several modules articulated to one another and comprising a roof collection structure according to the invention in the raised position; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the inter-modular connection of a collection structure according to the invention; 
           [0027]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are enlarged views of details IV and V, respectively, circled in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a plane schematic view of the inter-modular connection of  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0029]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are schematic views showing the deformation of the inter-modular connection on curves and over depressions, respectively. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]    The motive and auxiliary electrical energy collection structure applies more particularly, but not exclusively, to a public urban road transport vehicle. It applies especially to vehicles of the type shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , that is, a public transport vehicle forming a convoy  1  consisting of a series of several modules, at least one front module  2  and one rear module  3 , as well as one or more intermediate modules such as module  4 , or non-articulated vehicles, or vehicles formed of a succession of units. Preferably they all comprise access doors such as door  5 , windows such as window  6 , as well as a driver&#39;s cab  7  for the front and rear end modules  2  and  3 . The modules are articulated to one another in succession by articulation units  8  each supported by a guided or non-guided axle. 
         [0031]    The passenger transport vehicle or convoy  1  comprises an upper motive and auxiliary energy collection device  9 , preferably but not necessarily attached to its roof  10  using insulating supports such as supports  11 . 
         [0032]    In the preferred embodiment shown, slightly oblique end supports  12  and straight intermediate supports  13  can be distinguished. Insulating supports  11  are only present on modules  2 ,  3 ,  4  and not on articulation units  8 . They are preferably placed at each of the extremities of each module  2 ,  3  and  4 . 
         [0033]    Collection structure  9  is, in the most general sense, a rigid or semi-rigid electrically conductive line that may assume various forms with respect to both transverse section and length. Thus, this line may be a wire or a cable, a rail, or any other adapted form. Additionally, it may progress longitudinally in a straight, rectilinear, undulating, zigzag or other undulating shape; it may change direction multiple times or have lateral variations such as separations or deviations on either side of a longitudinal axis. 
         [0034]    Collection structure  9  is preferably formed of a succession of electrically conductive segments, for example, conductive rails such as rail  14  with a generally flat, smooth upper surface  15  capable of serving as a surface for a shoe or electrical supply shoe  16  to slide upon, held by a stationary support  17  such as a post or the like, a large number of which are positioned along the travel path and spaced apart from one another according to electricity supply requirements. 
         [0035]    Numerous types of supports  17  exist which can be used with collection device  9  of the invention. For example, they may be posts, upright elements, signal panels, the lower or lateral surface of a bridge or a tunnel, a building façade, or a travelers&#39; shelter, or any other fixed structure located near the vehicle&#39;s travel route. 
         [0036]    These supports  17  each contain one or more fixed collector shoes  16  which form an electrical contact by sliding along upper surface  15  of collection structure  9  and are displaced relative to collector shoes  16  as the vehicle advances. 
         [0037]    To supply the vehicle or the convoy  1  during travel, there must be a multitude of supports  17  along the travel route or in localized areas. The spacing between these supports depends on the motive or auxiliary electrical energy supply requirements. This spacing may be planned so that a collector shoe  16  is always in contact with collection structure  9  regardless of the position of vehicle  1  along its travel route. 
         [0038]    Segments  14 , for example rail segments, are electrically connected to the supply terminals on vehicle  1  by one or more flexible supply conductors such as conductor  18  present on the extremities of collection structure  9  or preferably, for greater safety, at the level of each module  2 ,  3 ,  4  in order to ensure continuous electricity supply to the vehicle even if the electrical continuity in collection structure  9  is interrupted. 
         [0039]    Segments  14 , for example rail segments, are interrupted at the level of each articulation unit  8  to be replaced by en electrically conductive connection, for example, a deformable type of connection such as connection  19 , one constructive example of which is shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0040]    In another embodiment provided by way of example, conductive connection  19  may be made of a sliding articulated structure designed to absorb motion of the units of the modules during travel. In another embodiment, segments  14  may be interrupted at the articulation level, with the successive segment either laterally covering the preceding segment or being interrupted again, especially if the vehicle is equipped with an energy reserve buffer. 
         [0041]    Conductive connection  19  joins segments  14  to one another, for example rail segments, at the level of each articulation unit  8 . This conductive connection  19  is flexible enough to ensure continuity of the electricity supply while still adapting to the various relative movements of successive modules of the vehicle or convoy  1  during travel. For this purpose, upper edge  20  of each conductive connection  19  constitutes the continuation of the path which electrical supply collector  16  slides upon, consisting of upper surface  15  of segments  14 , for example rail segments, on the conductive line. 
         [0042]    The purpose of the inter-modular flexible conductive connections  19  is to absorb as much as possible of the rolling, pitching and turning motion related to travel and to the topology of the travel surface, as well as the relative moving together and separating of successive vehicle modules related to vehicle acceleration, deceleration or braking and generally speaking, to vehicle dynamics. 
         [0043]    As previously indicated deformable connection  19  absorbs all the rolling, pitching and turning motion while still ensuring continuity of the electrical supply. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 3 and 6  through  8  show flexible conductive connection  19  which comprises two segments,  21  and  22 , respectively, articulated to each other, each attached to the extremity of one of the segments  14 , for example rail segments, located opposite them and connecting them to each other. 
         [0045]    In the exemplary embodiment shown, flexible conductive connection  19  is formed of a plurality of leaves or groups of longitudinal leaves, for example a transverse stack, overlapping one another. At a minimum there exists a central leaf or central group  23  of leaves supported by one of the connection portions  19 . Each of the sides and part of the length of portion  22  or central group  23  of leaves in the example shown is covered by two lateral leaves or two lateral groups of leaves  24  and  25 , juxtaposed and supported by the second portion, here, portion  21  of connection  19  which has a fork shaped part  26 . The assembly is connected with bolts and a longitudinal opening  27  serves as a groove allowing longitudinal play that absorbs slight variations in length and distance due to pitching and turning, as well the relative moving together and separation between successive vehicle modules. 
         [0046]    According to the variation shown, the extremity of fork  26  pivots on a transverse axle  28  in longitudinal opening  27  that serves as a groove for it, while the extremity of the central leaf or the central bundle  23  of leaves is articulated to pivot on its extremity about transverse axle  29 , using a bolt, for example. This brings latitude of movement allowing the different dynamic forces between two successive modules to be absorbed, particularly pitching and turning. 
         [0047]    Furthermore, since the leaves are flexible, they also allow absorption of rolling motion through torsion deformation. 
         [0048]    Segments  14 , for example rail segments, are mounted on insulating end supports  12  or intermediate supports  13  using dual suspension. 
         [0049]    Conversely, the dual suspension may be mounted on electrically insulated supports that are attached to the vehicle. 
         [0050]    The first suspension is an elastic effect type suspension. It consists of a metal suspension leaf piece  30  of various conformations, for example, in the form of a pin or clamp, comprising a lower blade  31  and an upper blade  32  that are joined and derive from a metal plate or band bent to form a recumbent U-shaped piece  30 . Lower blade  31  is attached to corresponding insulating support  11  and upper blade  32  to the extremity of segment  14 . 
         [0051]    To this same end segment  14 , for example a rail segment, a suspension element is attached by one of its sides; it can be controlled actively, pneumatically or hydraulically or by another means  33 , for example, an expandable flange or the end of an expandable pipe also attached by its opposite side to the extremity of corresponding insulating support  11 . Active, pneumatic, hydraulic or other type of suspension element  33  may be any active, pneumatic, hydraulic or other type of suspension means; or an active, pneumatic, hydraulic or other type of component, for example, a bellows. It forms a flexible connection between the extremities of the two flanges  31  and  32  on the clamp shaped metal suspension piece  30 , thereby constituting a suspension point  34 . 
         [0052]    There is a suspension point  34  at each extremity of each segment  14 , for example, rail segment. 
         [0053]    This constitutes a composite dual effect suspension: a flexible suspension using clamp shaped metal suspension piece  30  whose elasticity ensures slight stiffness of torsion and allows the collection structure to conform to the static and dynamic characteristics of the supply arm; and, the other, a pneumatic or hydraulic, and more generally an active suspension, i.e., one that can be controlled using pneumatic or hydraulic suspension element  33  which counteracts shaking, shocks and vibrations and provides effective acoustical filtration. 
         [0054]    Because of the controllable active connection, it is possible to lower the collection structure into a safety position, that is, away from tension, and to then raise it into the electrical supply position. These movements are performed on command either manually, semi-automatically or entirely automatically. 
         [0055]    An important advantage of the active, pneumatic, hydraulic or other type of suspension is that it provides a means to actively pass collection structure  9  from a lower position to an upper position and maintain it in one or the other position for the required time. 
         [0056]    This is particularly useful during disconnection for safety reasons at station stops. Moreover, as this suspension stiffens only slightly during torsion, it automatically adapts to the presentation of sliding surface  15  on the conductive segment opposite the collector shoe of the supply arm to form a complete contact along the entire surface. 
         [0057]    The suspension means at suspension points  34  used for raising or lowering the conductive segments may comprise purely a suspension function and they may be associated with specific raising and lowering means. 
         [0058]    The energy collection structure of the invention has on at least one extremity a sloped, curved segment with a smooth surface, transverse plane, forming an angled engaging ramp  35  continuous with the extremity of each end rail segment. This angled engaging ramp  35  serves as an intake contact surface for the collector shoe or electrical supply shoe along which the collection structure is displaced. Its first portion may also serve as a driving surface to retract a pivoting protective cap and uncover the electric collection device. The shape of this angled engaging ramp  35  may vary. Its general function is to form the smoothest possible mechanical and electrical contact, taking it progressively and gently to sliding surface  15  of the collection structure. 
         [0059]    This angled engaging ramp  35  is held by a special end support comprising a suspension reinforced with two metal clamps and a pneumatic, hydraulic or otherwise activated expandable element for improved shock absorption during electrical contact. 
         [0060]    There is an angled engaging ramp  35  at the front and at the rear of the collection structure. 
         [0061]    Of course it is possible to construct angled engaging ramp  35  differently, for example, an angled ramp separated from the end of the rail segment and adjacent to it. It is also possible for a variation to have two parallel ramps, which would serve only to retract the protective piece on the collection device. 
         [0062]      FIGS. 7 and 8  respectively show the deformation of the flexible articulated connection on a curve, for example, when turning left; and when passing over a recessed area. 
         [0063]      FIG. 7  illustrates the curving deformation of the leaves and slight sliding to the level of the fork. 
         [0064]    In  FIG. 8  the transverse bolt axle is displaced into longitudinal opening  27  while the other transverse axle  29  remains fixed. This absorbs the slight moving together during passage over a recessed area.