Patent GB-1363784-A (GB)
Title: Electrical current collecting roller
IPC: H01R39/64
Filed: 1972-11-10
Abstract: 1363784 Current collectors JAPANESE NATIONAL RAILWAYS and SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES Ltd 10 Nov 1972 [20 Dec 1971 (8) 25 April 1972 (2)] 52150/72 Heading B7L A rotary current collecting roller for, supplying a high speed vehicle comprises a large number of flexible planar or linear conductors terminating at a cylindrical current collecting surface, the conductors being embedded in a resilient body of an elastomer, e.g. polyurethane, and mounted on a hub electrically connected to the conductors. In one embodiment, Fig. 7, the conductors are in the form of bundles of lead wires 3 of U-shape held in holes 2 in electrically conductive discs 27 to 33 held between clamping plates 34, 35 on shafts 41, 42 rotatable in bearings 43, 44. A body of elastomer 19 surrounds the assembly to form the current collecting roller having an outer surface 21 with exposed wire ends. Bent portions 46, 47 may be provided at the outer peripheries of the clamping plates 34, 35 to spread the wires circumferentially of the roller. Although six electrically conductive discs are shown, the number of such discs may be varied from one to any suitable number and the clamping plates may be dispensed with if desired. The bundles of wires 3 may be arranged radially of the discs or inclined at an angle thereto in the plane of the discs, and grooves 25 or a tread pattern may be provided on the outer surface 21 of the roller. In an alternative embodiment (Fig. 12) the bundles of wires may be held in place by wire rings 63 to 66 arranged circumferentially of the roller and as a further alternative the retaining wires may be linear and extend parallel to the roller axis if desired. Also the wires may be secured to a cylindrical belt held in place on the hub of the roller and to improve resiliency the individual wires may be of zig-zag spiral or bent form and in the case wherein a belt is used an annular resilient member may be interposed between the hub and the belt. As a further alternative to the above described arrangements the conductors may be in the form of metal foil elements, as 135, Fig. 29, having comb-shaped outer ends and disposed around the roller radially of the hub. The metal foil elements may be held in place by being shaped to engage with projections 140, 142 on the body of the roller, as shown, or by being apertured to accommodate a wire retaining ring. Conductive or non- conductive spaces are preferably provided between the metal foil elements, these not having the comb-shaped outer portion, or alternatively the elements themselves may be corrugated or have pressed out projections to provide the necessary spacing. The comb-shaped parts of the metal foil elements may extend radially or at an angle to the radial and the assembly is embedded in a body of elastomer 19. As a further alternative the conductors may comprise annular metal gauze elements 196 held between plates 198, 199 on the roller hub (Fig. 49). To provide greater strength in the radial direction under the action of centrifugal force at high speeds the gauze may be in the form of discs held between clamping plates in which case reinforcing discs which do not extend to the circumference of the roller are provided in the assembly. To improve the current collecting efficiency the density of the conductors exposed at the roller circumference may be greater at the roller edges than at the middle portion. Transportation apparatus using the current collecting rollers 267, 268 is also described (Fig. 64) this employing a D.C. linear motor with vertical stationary windings 258, 259 and a member 261 attached to the vehicle. Feeder rails 263, 264 and intermittent current collecting rails 265, 266 having lengths corresponding to the fixed armature windings 258, 259 are provided. The arrangement is described as providing both a driving and a levitating force for the vehicle.