Pantograph carbon strip wear monitoring device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of pantograph carbon strip abrasion monitoring devices, including metal bracket, carbon strip and conductive layer being set along the length direction of metal bracket middle support plate, adhesive layer, sensing optical fiber for monitoring carbon strip abrasion degree and optical time domain reflectometer, support plate, adhesive layer, conductive layer and carbon strip are sequentially arranged in order from bottom to top, sensing optical fiber is along the length direction of this support plate, layout in carbon strip, conductive layer is adhered on support plate by adhesive layer, conductive layer and carbon strip are closely contacted, one free end of this sensing optical fiber is connected with the optical time domain reflectometer. The utility model combines sensing optical fiber and optical time domain reflectometer, to monitor the abrasion condition of carbon strip in pantograph, sensing optical fiber is layout in carbon strip along the length direction of support plate, so it can monitor the abrasion condition of entire carbon strip comprehensively and real-time, and a sensing optical fiber can realize the abrasion condition monitoring of entire carbon strip, and the construction efficiency of carbon strip abrasion monitoring is higher.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of fiber optic sensing, specifically relating to a pantograph carbon strip wear monitoring device. Background Technology

[0002] The pantograph is a crucial component of electric locomotives, EMU trains, and other rail transit vehicles, responsible for obtaining electrical energy from the overhead contact line. Its operational status directly impacts the safe and stable operation of the train. During train operation, the pantograph's sliding contact plate continuously slides and rubs against the overhead contact line at high speed. Over time, wear and tear on various components of the pantograph is inevitable. In particular, the carbon strips on the pantograph not only affect its overall performance but can also potentially lead to serious safety accidents.

[0003] Currently, the monitoring of pantograph carbon strip wear mainly relies on regular manual inspections. However, these inspections are inefficient, difficult to conduct in real time and comprehensively, and can only be carried out when the train is out of service. This makes it difficult to detect sudden wear in a timely manner and poses a safety hazard. Utility Model Content

[0004] This utility model provides a pantograph carbon strip wear monitoring device to solve the problem that current pantograph carbon strip wear monitoring mainly relies on manual periodic inspections. Manual periodic inspections are inefficient, difficult to monitor in real time and comprehensively, and need to be carried out when the train is not in operation, making it difficult to detect sudden wear in time and posing safety hazards.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a pantograph carbon strip wear monitoring device is provided, comprising a metal bracket, a carbon strip and a conductive layer disposed along the length direction of a support plate in the metal bracket, an adhesive layer, a sensing optical fiber for monitoring the degree of carbon strip wear, and an optical time domain reflectometer. The support plate, adhesive layer, conductive layer and carbon strip are arranged sequentially from bottom to top. The sensing optical fiber is disposed within the carbon strip along the length direction of the support plate. The conductive layer is bonded to the support plate through the adhesive layer and is in close contact with the carbon strip. One free end of the sensing optical fiber is connected to the optical time domain reflectometer.

[0006] Optionally, the metal bracket may also include two baffles extending along the length of the support plate. The two baffles are respectively located on both sides of the upper surface of the support plate, and both baffles are inclined inward toward the carbon strip.

[0007] Optionally, the sensing fiber is serpentinely arranged within the carbon strip, and the parallel fiber segments in the sensing fiber are arranged along the length direction of the support plate and located on the same plane parallel to the support plate.

[0008] Optionally, the metal bracket further includes a metal frame with a trapezoidal cross-section that extends along the length of the support plate. The metal frame is located below the lower end face of the support plate. The two ends of the lower bottom of the metal frame are respectively fixed to the two sides of the lower end face of the support plate. Two metal strips are provided between the upper bottom and the lower bottom. Each metal strip is perpendicular to the lower end face of the support plate and is located between the two waists.

[0009] Optionally, the optical time domain reflectometer is connected to the alarm via an alarm controller.

[0010] Optionally, the adhesive layer has good thermal conductivity, and its adhesion increases with increasing temperature within the pantograph temperature monitoring range.

[0011] Optionally, the metal frame has good heat dissipation;

[0012] Optionally, the sensing fiber is deployed on or above the plane where the carbon strip has the maximum remaining wear height, and the vertical distance between the sensing fiber and the bottom surface of the carbon strip is 7-8 mm.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0014] 1. This invention combines a sensing fiber optic cable and an optical time-domain reflectometer to monitor the wear of the carbon strip in the pantograph. Since the sensing fiber optic cable is laid along the length of the support plate in the metal bracket within the carbon strip, it allows for comprehensive and real-time monitoring of the entire carbon strip's wear. Furthermore, a single sensing fiber optic cable can monitor the wear of the entire carbon strip, resulting in high efficiency in the setup of the carbon strip wear monitoring system. In addition, because the adhesive layer has excellent thermal conductivity and the conductive layer is the main heat-generating component, this invention utilizes the adhesive layer not only to bond the conductive layer and the support plate together but also to facilitate the rapid dissipation of heat from the conductive layer to the support plate. Within the pantograph's temperature monitoring range, the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer increases with temperature. Therefore, even if the temperature changes, it will not affect the bonding strength between the conductive layer and the support plate, thus ensuring the structural stability of the entire pantograph.

[0015] 2. In this utility model, a baffle is provided on both sides of the upper end surface of the support plate, and both baffles are inclined inward toward the carbon strip. This can fix the position of the carbon strip and make the carbon strip in close contact with the conductive layer.

[0016] 3. This utility model arranges the sensing optical fiber in a serpentine manner inside the carbon strip, so that the parallel optical fiber segments in the sensing optical fiber are located on the same plane parallel to the support plate. This allows for comprehensive monitoring of the wear condition of the entire carbon strip and can confirm the position of the break point in the length direction of the carbon strip and the cross-sectional area at that position, thereby improving the accuracy of carbon strip wear location monitoring.

[0017] 4. This utility model provides a metal frame extending along the length of the support frame on the lower end face of the support plate, and designs the structure of the metal frame to facilitate the fixing of the pantograph during use.

[0018] 5. This utility model is equipped with an alarm controller and an alarm, which can trigger an alarm when the wear of the carbon strip exceeds a critical value. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the pantograph carbon strip wear monitoring device of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Top view of the embodiment shown;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the pantograph carbon strip wear monitoring device of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the embodiment shown. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, and to make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise specified and limited, it should be noted that the term "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection, or it can be a connection between two internal components. It can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above term can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0025] See Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the pantograph carbon strip wear monitoring device of this utility model. (Combined with...) Figure 2 As shown, the device may include a metal bracket, a carbon strip 2 and a conductive layer 3 arranged along the length of a support plate 1 in the metal bracket, an adhesive layer 4, a sensing fiber 5 for monitoring the wear degree of the carbon strip, and an optical time domain reflectometer. The support plate 1, adhesive layer 4, conductive layer 3, and carbon strip 2 are arranged in order from bottom to top. The sensing fiber 5 is arranged within the carbon strip 2 along the length of the support plate 1. The conductive layer 3 is bonded to the support plate 1 through the adhesive layer 4. The conductive layer 3 is in close contact with the carbon strip 2 to transfer electrical energy to the carbon strip 2. One free end of the sensing fiber 5 is connected to the optical time domain reflectometer.

[0026] In this embodiment, the optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) transmits the detection laser signal to the sensing fiber. Upon receiving the laser signal, the sensing fiber reflects the scattered signal (e.g., Rayleigh scattering) back to the OTD. However, when there are discontinuities such as breaks in the sensing fiber, Fresnel reflection occurs, increasing the signal strength reflected back to the OTD and forming a strong reflection signal. Therefore, in this invention, when wear occurs at the corresponding position of the carbon strip, causing a break or discontinuity at that position in the sensing fiber, a strong reflection signal will be reflected back from that position. After identifying the strong reflection signal, the OTD can calculate the break distance based on the time difference between receiving the strong reflection signal, using the following formula: Break distance = (Speed ​​of light × Time difference) / (2 × Refractive index of sensing fiber). This determines the location of the break in the sensing fiber and confirms that the wear of the carbon strip at the corresponding position has reached the height of the sensing fiber.

[0027] The adhesive layer exhibits good thermal conductivity, and its adhesion increases with temperature within the pantograph temperature monitoring range. The sensing fiber 5 can be serpentinely arranged within the carbon strip 2, with parallel fiber segments along the length of the support plate 1 and located on the same plane parallel to the support plate 1. This invention, by serpentinely arranging the sensing fiber within the carbon strip, ensuring that the parallel fiber segments are on the same plane parallel to the support plate, allows for comprehensive monitoring of the entire carbon strip wear condition. It also allows for confirmation of the breakpoint along the length of the carbon strip and the cross-sectional area at that location, thereby improving the accuracy of carbon strip wear location monitoring. The vertical distance between the sensing fiber and the bottom surface of the carbon strip can be 7-8 mm.

[0028] As can be seen from the above embodiments, this invention combines a sensing fiber optic cable and an optical time-domain reflectometer to monitor the wear of the carbon strip in the pantograph. Since the sensing fiber optic cable is laid within the carbon strip along the length of the support plate in the metal bracket, the wear of the entire carbon strip can be monitored comprehensively and in real time. Moreover, a single sensing fiber optic cable can monitor the wear of the entire carbon strip, resulting in high efficiency in the setup of the carbon strip wear monitoring system. In addition, since the adhesive layer has excellent thermal conductivity and the conductive layer is the main heat-generating component, this invention utilizes the adhesive layer not only to bond the conductive layer and the support plate together but also to facilitate the conduction of heat from the conductive layer to the support plate for rapid heat dissipation. Within the pantograph temperature monitoring range, the adhesion of the adhesive layer increases with increasing temperature. Therefore, even if the temperature changes, the bonding strength between the conductive layer and the support plate will not be affected, thus ensuring the structural stability of the entire pantograph.

[0029] See Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the pantograph carbon strip wear monitoring device of this utility model. Figure 3 and Figure 1 The difference in the pantograph carbon strip wear monitoring device shown is that the metal bracket may also include two baffles 8 extending along the length of the support plate 1. These two baffles 8 are respectively located on both sides of the upper surface of the support plate 1, and both baffles 8 are inclined inwards towards the carbon strip 2. This invention provides a baffle on each side of the upper surface of the support plate, with both baffles inclined inwards towards the carbon strip. This fixes the position of the carbon strip, ensuring close contact between the carbon strip and the conductive layer. The baffle may have a certain degree of flexibility, and an insert may be provided on the side facing the carbon strip. A groove matching the insert may be provided on the carbon strip. When installing the carbon strip into the space enclosed by the conductive layer and the two baffles, the two baffles can be pried open outwards first, and then the carbon strip can be placed in the space. Simultaneously, the insert on the baffle is aligned with the groove on the carbon strip, allowing the insert to be inserted into the groove, thereby fixing the position of the carbon strip and ensuring close contact between the carbon strip and the conductive layer.

[0030] Figure 3 and Figure 1 The difference in the pantograph carbon strip wear monitoring device shown is that the metal bracket may also include a metal frame 6 with a trapezoidal cross-section extending along the length of the support plate. This metal frame 6 is located below the lower end face of the support plate 1, and the two ends of the lower base of the metal frame 6 are respectively fixed to both sides of the lower end face of the support plate 1. Two metal strips 7 are provided between the upper and lower bases, each metal strip 7 being perpendicular to the lower end face of the support plate 1 and located between the two sides. This invention provides a metal frame extending along the length of the support frame on the lower end face of the support plate and designs the structure of the metal frame to facilitate the fixing of the pantograph during use. Furthermore, the metal frame has good heat dissipation.

[0031] Furthermore, this optical time-domain reflectometer can also be connected to an alarm via an alarm controller. The alarm controller compares the intensity of the strong reflection signal detected by the optical time-domain reflectometer with a set intensity threshold. If the intensity is greater than or equal to the set temperature threshold, it indicates that the carbon strip wear has exceeded a critical value, and the alarm is triggered. This invention, with its alarm controller and alarm, can trigger an alarm when the carbon strip wear exceeds a critical value. Figure 4 As shown, the sensing fiber can be laid on or above the plane where the maximum remaining height of the carbon strip is worn, and the vertical distance between the sensing fiber and the bottom surface of the carbon strip can be 7-8 mm.

[0032] As can be seen from the above embodiments, this invention combines a sensing fiber optic cable and an optical time-domain reflectometer to monitor the wear of the carbon strip in the pantograph. Since the sensing fiber optic cable is laid within the carbon strip along the length of the support plate in the metal bracket, the wear of the entire carbon strip can be monitored comprehensively and in real time. Moreover, a single sensing fiber optic cable can monitor the wear of the entire carbon strip, resulting in high efficiency in the setup of the carbon strip wear monitoring system. In addition, since the adhesive layer has excellent thermal conductivity and the conductive layer is the main heat-generating component, this invention utilizes the adhesive layer not only to bond the conductive layer and the support plate together but also to facilitate the conduction of heat from the conductive layer to the support plate for rapid heat dissipation. Within the pantograph temperature monitoring range, the adhesion of the adhesive layer increases with increasing temperature. Therefore, even if the temperature changes, the bonding strength between the conductive layer and the support plate will not be affected, thus ensuring the structural stability of the entire pantograph.

[0033] Other embodiments of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that follow the general principles of the invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the invention are indicated by the following claims.

[0034] It should be understood that this utility model is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this utility model is governed solely by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pantograph carbon strip wear monitoring device, comprising a metal bracket, a carbon strip disposed along the length of a support plate in the metal bracket, and a conductive layer, characterized in that, It also includes an adhesive layer, a sensing fiber for monitoring the wear of the carbon strip, and an optical time domain reflectometer. The support plate, adhesive layer, conductive layer, and carbon strip are arranged in order from bottom to top. The sensing fiber is laid inside the carbon strip along the length of the support plate. The conductive layer is bonded to the support plate through the adhesive layer and is in close contact with the carbon strip. One free end of the sensing fiber is connected to the optical time domain reflectometer.

2. The pantograph carbon strip wear monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The metal bracket also includes two baffles extending along the length of the support plate. The two baffles are respectively located on both sides of the upper surface of the support plate, and both baffles are inclined inward toward the carbon strip.

3. The pantograph carbon strip wear monitoring device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The sensing fiber is serpentinely arranged within the carbon strip, and the parallel fiber segments in the sensing fiber are arranged along the length direction of the support plate and located on the same plane parallel to the support plate.

4. The pantograph carbon strip wear monitoring device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The metal bracket also includes a metal frame with a trapezoidal cross-section that extends along the length of the support plate. The metal frame is located below the lower end face of the support plate. The two ends of the lower bottom of the metal frame are respectively fixed to the two sides of the lower end face of the support plate. Two metal strips are provided between the upper bottom and the lower bottom. Each metal strip is perpendicular to the lower end face of the support plate and is located between the two sides.

5. The pantograph carbon strip wear monitoring device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The optical time domain reflectometer is connected to the alarm via an alarm controller.

6. The pantograph carbon strip wear monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adhesive layer has good thermal conductivity, and its adhesion increases with increasing temperature within the pantograph temperature monitoring range.

7. The pantograph carbon strip wear monitoring device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The metal frame has good heat dissipation.

8. The pantograph carbon strip wear monitoring device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sensing fiber is deployed on or above the plane where the carbon strip has the maximum remaining wear height, and the vertical distance between the sensing fiber and the bottom surface of the carbon strip is 7-8 mm.

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