Device for adjusting the bearing force of a pantograph on a catenary wire and process relating thereto

A device for adjusting the bearing force of a pantograph (30) of a railroad train set (10) on a catenary wire (2), said pantograph (30) having, at its upper end, a bow (3) in mechanical and electrical contact with the catenary wire (2) and being connected mechanically to actuator means (7, 34) exerting a nominal force on the wire (2) via the bow (3), which comprises:

• means (31, 40) for measuring the contact force between the bow (3) and the catenary wire (2) and for supplying information, corresponding substantially to the measured force, said measuring means (31, 40) being located in the immediate vicinity of the bow (3),
• means (5, 4a) for transmitting the measurement information from said measuring means (31, 40) to the railroad train set (10),
• information-processing means (60, 20) for processing the transmitted information and set-point range signals, comprising a maximum force threshold signal (Smax), and for outputting logical control signals, and
• control means (50) for controlling said actuator means (7, 34) in response to said logical control signals when said measured contact force exceeds said maximum force threshold (Smax) or in response to predetermined external control signals.