U.S. patent number 3,850,271 [Application Number 05/410,895] was granted by the patent office on 1974-11-26 for third rail for current consumers with large current requirement and high speed.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Paul Vahle KG. Invention is credited to Willi Hillmann.
United States Patent |
3,850,271 |
Hillmann |
November 26, 1974 |
THIRD RAIL FOR CURRENT CONSUMERS WITH LARGE CURRENT REQUIREMENT AND
HIGH SPEED
Abstract
A live rail for the supply of current to movable current
consumers movable along the rail includes a metal base and a slide
surface formed of a wear-resistant material arranged on and
interfitting with the base. The wall of the base facing the slide
surface is provided with a longitudinally extending slot, having
generally a T-shape, in which fits a correspondingly folded sheet
section which forms the slide surface with a leg intermediate its
width with an enlarged head fitting into the T-shaped slot and with
its longitudinal edges extending beyond the longitudinal edges of
the base which are undercut and bent into engagement with the
longitudinal edges of the base.
Inventors: |
Hillmann; Willi (Kamen B R D,
DT) |
Assignee: |
Paul Vahle KG (Kamen,
DT)
|
Family
ID: |
5894156 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/410,895 |
Filed: |
October 29, 1973 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Sep 29, 1973 [DT] |
|
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2349127 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
191/29DM;
191/22DM |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60M
1/302 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60M
1/00 (20060101); B60M 1/30 (20060101); B60m
001/34 () |
Field of
Search: |
;238/143,148
;191/22R,22DM,29R,29DM |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wood, Jr.; M. Henson
Assistant Examiner: Keen; D. W.
Claims
I claim:
1. A third rail for the supply of current to movable current
consumers movable along the third rail, comprising a base of metal
and a slide surface element formed of a wear-resistant metal
arranged on and interfitting with the base, in which the wall part
of the base facing the slide surface element is provided with a
longitudinally extending slot having a generally T-shape, and in
which the slide surface element comprises a correspondingly folded
sheet metal section with a leg intermediate its width having an
enlarged head fitting in the T-shaped slot and having its
longitudinal edges extending beyond the longitudinal edges of the
base and bent into engagement with the longitudinal edges of the
base.
2. A third rail as claimed in claim 1, in which the edges of the
part of the base on which the slide surface element is arranged
remote from the longitudinal slot are undercut.
3. A third rail according to claim 1, in which the base is formed
of an aluminum alloy.
4. A third rail according to claim 1, in which the slide surface
element is formed of steel.
5. A third rail according to claim 1, in which the base is formed
of a rectangular hollow profile with a reinforced wall part on
which the slide surface element is arranged.
6. A third rail according to claim 1, in which the base on the side
opposite the slide surface element is provided with fastening
flanges.
7. Process for the production of a third rail according to claim 1,
which comprises folding a sheet section to provide a slide surface
element including an intermediate leg part having an enlarged head
and projecting flanges extending longitudinally thereof, inserting
the leg part from one end into a slot in a base which extends
longitudinally of the base, the leg part of the slide surface
element being engageable with play in the slot, pressing the base
laterally to bring the walls of the slot into firm engagement with
the leg and thereafter bending the longitudinal edges of the slide
surface element which project beyond the edges of the base against
the base.
8. Process for the production of a third rail according to claim 1,
which comprises folding a sheet section to provide for an
intermediate leg part having an enlarged head and projecting
flanges extending longitudinally thereof, inserting the leg part
from one end into a slot in a base which extends longitudinally of
the base, the leg part of the slide surface element being
engageable with play in the slot, and simultaneously pressing the
base laterally to bring the walls of the slot into engagement with
the leg part and bending the longitudinal edges of the slide
surface element which project beyond the edges of the base against
the base.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a third rail for a supply of current to
movable current consumers, particularly those with high current
requirements and moving at high speeds, by a current take-off
device movable along the third rail, the third rail consisting of a
base member of metal and a slide surface of a particularly
wear-resistant metal arranged on the base and connected in
interfitting connection with the ground body.
2. The Prior Art
Third rails for movable current consumers, such as electric trains,
suspended railways and crane arrangements, as well as main current
collectors, trolley connectors and the like which consists of a
metallic base and a slide surface element formed of a
wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant metal arranged on the base
and interfitted therewith are known. (See Lueger, Lexikon der
Technik, Vol. 16, Lexikon der Fabrikorganisation und Fordertechnik,
page 430 and DBGM 7,114,522. It has been sought to dimension the
slide surface, which is made of an expensive metal, as light as
possible, which is possible if the base participates in the
transport of current and an undisturbed transfer of current from
the base to the slide surface is assured. An exceptional excess of
current requires an extensive contact between the contacting
surface of the base and the slide surface. With small dimensions
such as extensive contact can be produced simply by rolling or
drawing the U-shaped slide surface on the widened head of the
base.
Especially in connection with the latest developments in the field
of transportation in the sense of an increase of speed, the
transmission of especially large current strengths is already
necessary. From this it comes about at increased speeds, especially
on suspended railways, where swinging of the current collector
about a transverse axis is experienced with consequent departure
from its normal level, that contact between the shoe of the current
collector and the live rail must be assured at all times. The
larger currents may be taken care of through correspondingly
heavier design of the rail. For insuring a continuous contact
between the rail and the shoe of the current collector, it is
possible to provide a wider rail head or a wider shoe. With a shoe
which is broader than the head of the live rail there is connected
a disadvantage in that the live rail wears a flange groove in the
shoe. Such grooves lead to disturbances of operation, especially to
interference with the transmission of current from the rail to the
current collector. Grooves are not produced if the head of the rail
is broader than the shoe.
In a base with a shoe arranged thereon and forming a live rail the
broadening of the head of the rail, that is the sliding surface of
the live rail, also leads to difficulties, because the customary
connection of a U-shaped profiled shoe with the widened head of the
base by the breadth in question does not bring about sufficient
contact between the base and the live rail and for this reason no
satisfactory current transfer from the base to the live rail is
produced.
According to another proposal a broad contact between the base and
the slide surface element with greater breadth of the head is
achieved in that on the surface of the base which faces the slide
surface element a plurality of dovetailed grooves are provided
extending along the length of the base grip in which the bearing
surface of the slide surface element engages, the flanks of which
are brought into contact with the corresponding flanks of
projections from the base. This multiple clamping of the slide
surface with the base gives a very good mechanical connection, a
broad surface contact and therewith a good transfer of current from
the base to the slide surface. However the reduction of this third
rail presents some difficulties, because not only the base but also
the slide surface element must be subjected to a pinching
deformation. Slide surfaces of steel cannot be worked
satisfactorily in this manner.
Such an arrangement is shown in applicant's prior application Ser.
No. 388,095, filed Aug. 14, 1973.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the invention is to provide a multiple clamping of a
slide surface with a base which makes possible an especially
satisfactory construction of a steel slide surface element.
This purpose is achieved according to the invention in a third rail
of the previously described type, by providing in the wall part of
the base which faces the slide surface a longitudinal groove
extending over the length of the base widened to a T-shape, which
is filled by correspondingly folded sheet section with a leg
widened at its free end, while its longitudinal edges which project
from the base with the leg engage in the base
The multiple clamping of the slide surface element according to the
invention with for example a base formed of an aluminum alloy,
which requires only a compression of the base, gives a good
mechanical connection, a broad surface contact and thereby a good
transfer of current from the base to the slide surface element even
when using a slide surface formed of steel, especially refined
steel. The bending of the longitudinal edges of the slide surface
element constructed of a sheet cross-section which is necessary
presents no difficulties.
The heretofore described use of the clamping principle in
connection with the slide surface element of steel naturally does
not exclude its use with slide surfaces of copper or other
materials, especially because they similarly require a simple
working.
In providing a good clamping of the slide surface element on the
base, the wall portion of the base, on which the slide surface
element is arranged, beginning at the longitudinal edges is
preferably undercut.
For manufacturing and shaping reasons there is recommended the use
of a rectangular hollow profile for the base with a reinforced wall
part on which the slide surface element is arranged.
The installation can be simplified if the base is provided on the
side remote from the slide surface element with fastening
flanges.
The preceding description of the third rail according to the
invention, for high speeds of travel does not exclude its use for
lower travel speed. In this case the broader slide surface of the
third rail is especially advantageous since it makes possible the
use of a broad sliding shoe. Broad sliding shoes give a more
satisfactory contact than narrower shoes, because a better transfer
of current from the third rail to the electrode results.
The third rail according to the invention is produced by inserting
the leg of a slide surface element preshaped by folding a sheet
cross-section in the longitudinal slot provided therein for that
purpose, in which the leg is received with a certain play and
finally bending the longitudinal edge parts of the slide surface
element which project beyond the base against the base after
previously pressing the base against the leg of the slide surface
element which is held in it.
In this way slide surfaces of the customary length of 12 meters can
be produced.
In a modification of this mode of production, the bending of the
longitudinal edges of the slide surface element and the pressing of
the base takes place in one operation.
It has also been found advantageous to carry out the pressing of
the wall part of the base which mates with the slide surface
element while attaching the other surface part of the base. This
manner of operation saves a subsequent straightening of the third
rail.
Especially light constructions of the third rail can be produced by
a simple drawing process.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings the invention is further explained.
FIG. 1 shows a cross-section through the base of the third
rail;
FIG. 2 shows a cross-section through the profiled slide
surface;
FIG. 3 shows a cross-section through the base body with a
preprofiled slide surface arranged thereon; and
FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through the third rail completed
through the pressing of the base and the bending of the
longitudinal edges of the slide surface against the base.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The base 11 consists of a generally rectangular hollow profile with
a thickened wall part 111 - referred to as a head - for the
reception of the constituent of the third rail which forms the
slide surface element 21' (FIG. 4). The base has a longitudinal
slot 112 of basic alloy T-form and its outer surfaces 114 beginning
from the longitudinal edges 116 are undercut (117). On the side
remote from the head 111 of the base, fastening flanges 118 are
formed.
The preprofile 21 for the slide surface element 21' consists of a
sheet section folded into essentially a T-shape, whose stem or leg
211 at its free end by corresponding folding is widened
correspondingly with the broadening 113 of the longitudinal slot
112 in the head 111 of the base body 11 is widened, producing a
foot 212. The longitudinal edge portions 214 of the legs 213 of the
preprofile 21 are slightly bent over.
The longitudinal slot 112 as well as the widened part 113 in the
head 111 of the base shape 11 on the one hand and the leg 211 as
well as the foot 212 of the slide surface preprofile 21, as well as
the thickness of the sheet, from which the slide surface preprofile
21 is produced, are so selected that the preprofile 21 with the leg
211 can be introduced from one end of the base profile 11 because
of the play which is provided in the longitudinal slot 112 in the
base profile 21.
If the slide surface preprofile 21 is pushed completely into the
base profile 21, the head 111 of the base profile 11 through
pressure in the direction of the lower arrow A in FIG. 3 is pressed
in, resulting in elimination of the play between the leg 211 of the
slide surface element profile 21 and the longitudinal slot 112 of
the base 11. Simultaneously or thereafter through pressure in the
direction of the arrow A the already bent over edge parts of the
slide surface element profile 21 are brought against the inwardly
sloping surfaces 117 of the base 111 which are constructed by the
undercutting of the longitudinal edges 116 of the base 111 and
brought into position.
In such a third rail (FIG. 4), the slide surface element 21 has
becase of the form-fit a trouble-free grip on the pressed base 11',
which assures that the surfaces of the base 11' and the slide
surface 21' which are in contact with each other have the desired
broad contact resulting in a good current transfer.
A further desirable result of the multiple clamping of the slide
surface 21' with the base 11' is the plane surface 216 of the slide
surface element 21'.
* * * * *