End horns for pantograph assembly
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsVamsi K. Doddakula, Eric J. Ruth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pantograph assembly configured to transfer electrical power from an overhead conductor to a machine. The pantograph assembly includes a pantograph support detachably connected to the machine, an articulated assembly, a pan rail and a carbon brush. The pantograph support includes a first link, and a second link hingedly connected to the first link. The first link is connected to the pantograph support. The pan rail is supported by the second link of the articulated assembly. The carbon brush is supported by the pan rail along a longitudinal axis of the pan rail. The pantograph assembly further includes an end horn having a bridge portion connected to the carbon brush. The bridge portion is configured to transfer the overhead conductor between the end horn and the carbon brush.
Claims20
A pantograph assembly configured to transfer electrical power from an overhead conductor to a machine, the pantograph assembly comprising:
- a pantograph support detachably connected to the machine;
- an articulated assembly having a first link, and a second link hingedly connected to the first link, the first link being connected to the pantograph support;
- a pan rail supported by the second link of the articulated assembly;
- a carbon brush supported by the pan rail along a longitudinal axis of the pan rail, a contact surface of the carbon brush defining a longitudinal plane;
- and
- an end horn connected to the carbon brush, said end horn including:
- a bridge portion connected to the carbon brush and configured with an arcuate profile having a top surface that rises above the longitudinal plane of the contact surface, wherein the bridge portion includes a pair of vertical plate members that sandwich an end of the pan rail and the carbon brush between the vertical plate members.
A machine having a pantograph assembly configured to transfer electrical power from an overhead conductor to the machine for assisting propulsion of the machine, the pantograph assembly comprising:
- a pantograph support detachably connected to the machine;
- an articulated assembly having a first link, and a second link hingedly connected to the first link, the first link being connected to the pantograph support;
- a pan rail supported by the second link of the articulated assembly;
- a carbon brush supported by the pan rail and having a top contact surface defining a longitudinal plane;
- and
- an end horn being connected to the carbon brush, said end horn including:
- a bridge portion connected to the carbon brush and configured with an arcuate profile having a top surface that rises above the longitudinal plane, wherein the bridge portion includes a pair of vertical plate members that sandwich an end of the pan rail and the carbon brush between the vertical plate members.
A pantograph assembly configured to transfer electrical power from an overhead conductor to a machine, the pantograph assembly comprising:
- a pantograph support detachably connected to the machine;
- an articulated assembly having a first link, and a second link hingedly connected to the first link, the first link being connected to the pantograph support;
- a pan rail supported by the second link of the articulated assembly;
- a carbon brush supported by the pan rail and having a top contact surface defining a longitudinal plane;
- and
- an end horn having a first plate member and a second plate member disposed opposite first plate member that sandwich an end of the pan rail and form a bridge portion, the bridge portion configured with an arcuate shape that rises above the longitudinal plane, wherein the arctuate shape of the bridge portion configured to transfer the overhead conductor between the end horn and the carbon brush.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.