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US 4,047,600 AGranted
Continuous junction between aluminum conductor rails
AssigneeSwiss Aluminium Ltd.
InventorAlexander Maitland
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A smooth junction is provided between aluminum conductor rails at the power collection surface by the provision of a wedge shaped insert the geometry of which corresponds to that of the gap between the rails. On expansion of the rails the insert is pushed partly out of the gap and on contraction is forced into the gap by a spring or springs thus always providing continuity on the power transfer surface.
Claims1
A conductor rail junction for use in connection with a power collector shoes, comprising, in combination:
- at least two aluminum or aluminum alloy rails disposed end to end and each having an abrasive resistant electrical power transfer layer adapted for contact by said power collector shoe;
- each of the ends of said rails facing each other having a surface having an angle of from about 60.degree. to about 120.degree. with respect to the length of said rails and defining a gap;
- an insert composed of a metal selected from the group consisting of steel, iron, copper, aluminum, nickel, bronze, brass, and alloys of these metals or combinations of these metals and having a shape complementary to said gap and engaging said gap, said insert having a shape in its plan view of at least a trucated isosceles triangle, whereby a substantially continuous surface is obtained even if the size of said gap undergoes any change;
- supporting means operable for engaging the ends of said rails and for supporting said insert;
- and
- connecting means adapted to interconnect electrically said rails to each other.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.