P0609
TRACKING PANTOGRAPH FOR BRANCHLINE ELECTRIFICATION
- Moishe Garfinkle
PhD
- Advanced Railway
Technology Group
- PO BOX 15855
- Philadelphia PA
19103
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
An electrification
system for dedicated coal-hauling branchlines is described whose
construction cost is roughly half that of conventional catenary
electrification. The system is designed for train speeds limited
to 100 kph (62 mph) and based on the single-sidewire concept.
Because stagger limitations are relaxed, far fewer stanchions
are required, and these are lighter than those required for conventional
catenary electrification, with all on-site catenary fabrication
eliminated.
Contact between
the contact-wire and the collector-head is maintained by a tracking
pantograph whose operation is absolutely compatible with conventional
catenary electrification in all respects. Accordingly, no special
catenary frogs or electronic switches are required at turnouts.
A major uncertainty
in cost estimations of railway electrification is the almost total
lack of standardization. Stanchion load-bearing capacity and spacing
depend on route grades, curvature, power requirements, and climate.
In contrast, single sidewire electrification design is largely
independent of the these variables.
The locomotive power
collecting apparatus for single-sidewire electrification depends
on electromechanical tracking to maintain the collector head in
contact with the sidewire essentially independent of sidewire
stagger. As a consequence of electronic tracking this apparatus
permits:
- a) sidewire tracking independently of lateral loading
on the contact-wire or on the collector head;
- b) the use of conventional crossed-contact conductors
at turnouts without requirement of any overhead switching device;
and
- c) absolute compatibility with conventional catenary
operation.
CONTENTS
- INTRODUCTION
- COMPARATIVE RAILWAY ELECTRIFICATION
- Mainline Catenary Electrification
- Branchline Catenary Electrification
- Single-Sidewire Electrification
- a) Contact-Wire Tracking
- b) Sidewire Stanchion
Requirements
- c) Sidewire Stagger Considerations
- d) Sidewire Sag Considerations
- e) Cost Considerations
- TRACKING PANTOGRAPH APPARATUS
- a) Tracking Pantograph
Operation
- b) Construction
- c) Elbow-Swivel Joint
- d) Collector Head
- e) Cross-Contacts
- f) Cost Considerations
- DISCUSSION
- CONCLUSION
- Tracking Pantograph
for Branchline Electrification
- Advanced Railway
Technology Group
-
- For Detailed Description
Please Contact
- Moishe Garfinkle
PhD
- Group Leader
-
- (215) 235-5042
-