DEVICE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF AN OVERHEAD CONTROL WIRE

Description

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of maintenance equipment for railway installations.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a device for maintaining equipment for supplying electrical current to train locomotives operating on a railway track.

[0003] The transmission of electric current to the train traveling on a railway track can be achieved via at least one contact wire located above the railway track.

[0004] Such a contact wire supplies current to pantographs mounted on a locomotive. The pantograph is a device that allows a locomotive to collect current by friction against the contact wire of a catenary.

[0005] The contact wire is suspended from a main cable by means of a series of vertical cables called droppers, whose lengths are adapted to keep the contact wire approximately horizontal. The assembly formed by the contact wire, the droppers, and the main cable is conventionally referred to as a "catenary" (or overhead contact line).

[0006] Such a catenary is supported above the railway by support poles placed at intervals along the railway.

[0007] A catenary contact wire is classically presented in the form of a longitudinal element and has on each lateral face a longitudinal fixing groove to allow, in particular, the connection of the contact wire with the catenary pendulums using a jaw.

[0008] Various maintenance devices exist to check the contact wires and perform maintenance operations.

[0009] Some of these devices can in particular be suspended from the contact wires, and as will appear subsequently, the invention aims to provide an improvement to these suspended devices.

[0010] As an example, these devices can be used to check the wear condition of contact wires.

[0011] As trains pass, the pantographs of the locomotives rub against the underside of the contact wires, causing wear. In practice, this wear results in a flat spot forming on the underside of the contact wire, reducing its thickness.

[0012] When a contact wire is worn, it can break and cause significant damage to the catenary. Typically, a wear limit is defined for a contact wire; this limit corresponds to a minimum thickness of the contact wire before it needs to be replaced.

[0013] To limit the risk of breakage, the wear of the contact wire, i.e., its thickness, is monitored to detect weak points that could lead to failure. This is done by periodically monitoring the wear of the contact wire, either manually or automatically.

[0014] A device for measuring the thickness of a contact wire, designed to be carried on a pole, has been proposed. Such a measuring device is described in French patent document FR3033883.

[0015] This measuring device comprises a frame assembled at the upper end of a pole. The frame has means for suspending the frame on a contact wire, the frame carrying a first element and a second element forming a passage for engaging the contact wire, and comprising means for measuring the thickness of the contact wire inside the passage.

[0016] According to this technique, the operator mounts the measuring device on the end of a pole to suspend the device on a contact wire in order to measure the thickness of the contact wire.

[0017] Such a device presents several disadvantages in use.

[0018] In practice, it is observed that the movement of the measuring device along the contact wire occurs in jerks due to successive buttressing, which can impair the measurement and is, in any case, very unpleasant for the operator.

[0019] Another device intended to be carried by a pole is described in the patent document published under number FR3091919.

[0020] This device is designed to perform a laser profilometer of a contact wire.

[0021] For this purpose, the device includes a frame defining a passage for receiving the contact wire, within which the profile of the contact wire is determined.

[0022] When the contact wire is inserted into the receiving passage, it rests on freely rotating cylinders mounted on the frame. In this way, the operator manipulating the pole can move the device forward or backward along the contact wire, rolling it along the wire, in order to determine the wire's profile.

[0023] This device, however, has limitations, particularly because the contact wires may have added elements along their length that prevent the device frame from passing through. These added elements could, for example, be the jaws used to attach the contact wires to the pendulums.

[0024] The document IT202000029939A1 discloses a catenary contact wire inspection device moving along that catenary wire.

[0025] More generally, due to the constraints to which these devices are subjected, robust and reliable designs are sought.

[0026] The invention aims in particular to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art, and to meet the operational needs expressed.

[0027] More specifically, the invention aims to provide a contact wire maintenance device that can be suspended on a contact wire and move along the contact wire in an optimized manner compared to what is permitted by the prior art.

[0028] The invention also aims to provide such a device which has a robust and reliable design.

[0029] These objectives, as well as others that will emerge subsequently, are achieved through the invention, which relates to a catenary contact wire maintenance device, comprising: a frame defining a passage for a contact wire; means of connection on a contact wire received in the passage, the means of connection being intended to allow the movement of the device along the contact wire, the means of connection being carried by the frame and comprising bearing elements on the contact wire received in the passage and on which the device is suspended;characterized in that each rolling element is mounted to move between an operating position in which the rolling element overhangs the passage in order to roll on the contact wire received in the passage, and at least one first retracted position in which the rolling element does not overhang the passage, the linking means comprising a retraction follower for each rolling element, a cam / follower system, designed to drive the passage of the rolling element from its operating position to its first retracted position in contact with an element overhanging the contact wire and to which the contact wire is coupled, during a movement of the device along the contact wire in at least one first direction of movement, and in that the linking means comprise elastic return means for each rolling element in its operating position.

[0030] The device according to the invention can move along a contact wire in a way that is optimized compared to what is permitted by the prior art.

[0031] Indeed, the device according to the invention can overcome obstacles located above the contact wire thanks to its retractable rolling elements. As the device progresses along the contact wire, if the retraction follower comes into contact with an element from which the wire is suspended, such as a hanger jaw, it will cause the rolling element to move to its retracted position, thus allowing the device to pass over this element. Once this element has been passed, elastic return means allow the rolling element to return to its operating position.

[0032] Furthermore, this device features a robust and reliable design.

[0033] The movement of the rolling elements to their retracted position and their elastic return to their operating position are achieved mechanically. This gives the device the robustness and reliability that electromechanical systems may lack.

[0034] Moreover, such a design is very easily repairable compared to the repairability of electromechanical systems.

[0035] According to an advantageous embodiment, each rolling element is mounted to rotate freely between two retracted positions, the first retracted position being a second retracted position, between which is the operating position, the retraction follower being designed to cause the rolling element to move from its operating position to its second retracted position in contact with an element overhanging the contact wire and to which the contact wire is coupled, during a movement of the device along the contact wire in a second direction of movement, opposite to the first direction of movement.

[0036] Thanks to this embodiment, the device can move back and forth along a contact wire. This is particularly advantageous because the device can be installed and removed from the contact wire from a single location. The device operator thus does not need to position the device on the contact wire at one location and then move to a second location where the device has moved in order to remove it from the contact wire.

[0037] According to an advantageous design, the device includes drive means designed to drive the movement of the device along the contact wire received in the passage.

[0038] Therefore, it is not necessary to push the device along the contact wire.

[0039] The device can then move autonomously or semi-autonomously along the contact wire.

[0040] In the case where the device is configured to move autonomously on the contact wire, the device then incorporates electronics to control the motor means in order to move the device forward, or even backward if it is capable of doing so.

[0041] In the case where the device is configured to move semi-autonomously on the contact wire, then the device is equipped with telecommunications means enabling it to receive instructions from an operator, for example using a remote control configured to allow sending instructions to the device via its telecommunications means.

[0042] According to an advantageous solution, the device includes an auxiliary system for positioning each bearing element in a retracted position for the installation and / or removal of the device on a contact wire.

[0043] This facilitates the installation and / or removal of the device on a contact wire.

[0044] In this way, it is not necessary for an operator to use a lifting device to reach the level of the contact wire in order to manually move each of the bearing parts into the retracted position to allow the contact wire to be inserted into the passage.

[0045] According to a first conceivable embodiment, the auxiliary positioning system includes an auxiliary follower for each rolling element, of a cam / follower system, designed to drive the passage of the rolling element from its operating position to its retracted position in contact with a contact wire according to a direction of insertion of the contact wire into the passage.

[0046] Then you simply need to push the device against the contact wire in order to make the contact wire go inside the passage.

[0047] According to a second envisaged embodiment, the ancillary system comprises: a traction cable, for each rolling element, from the rolling element to its retracted position or one of its retracted positions; controllable actuation means for each traction cable.

[0048] The installation and removal of the device on a contact wire is then carried out by means of controllable actuation means which allow all the rolling elements to be positioned in the retracted position.

[0049] Preferably, the device includes a manipulator pole connector, configured to allow the device to be attached to the end of a manipulator pole.

[0050] In this way, the device can be installed and removed using a handling pole, which is commonly used in railway maintenance. Such a handling pole is typically electrically insulated against high voltages. Its use for installing and removing the device on a contact wire facilitates maintenance operations and ensures operator safety.

[0051] Advantageously, the connecting means include bearings for guiding the contact wire in the passage.

[0052] The relative position of the device with respect to the contact wire, and in other words the position assumed by the contact wire within the passage, is thus particularly precise. This allows the device according to the invention to carry measuring tools for the characteristics of the contact wire, and to obtain reliable measurements from them.

[0053] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description of various preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the accompanying drawings, among which: there figure 1 is a schematic side-view representation of a device according to the invention suspended on a contact wire; the figure 2 is a partial schematic representation, viewed from above, of the device according to the invention suspended on a contact wire; the figure 3 is a schematic representation illustrating the retraction of the device's rolling elements to pass over an element overhanging the contact wire; the figure 4 is a schematic perspective representation of a first embodiment of a support arm carrying a bearing element; the figure 5 is a schematic side view representation of a second embodiment of a support arm carrying a bearing element.

[0054] With reference to the figure 1 , a catenary contact wire maintenance device 10 is shown.

[0055] This maintenance device 1 is shown suspended on a catenary contact wire 10.

[0056] For clarity, a marker is shown on the figure 1 .

[0057] This coordinate system includes an X-axis representing a longitudinal direction, and a Y-axis representing a vertical direction. The X-axis extends perpendicularly to the Y-axis.

[0058] The contact wire 10 extends parallel to the X axis.

[0059] As can be seen on the figure 3 An added element 11 is shown on the contact wire 10. This added element 11 is coupled to the contact wire 10 and at least partially overhangs this contact wire 10.

[0060] This added element 11 can, for example, correspond to a suspension attachment. However, other types of elements 11 are likely to be coupled to the contact wire 10, and to overhang it, for example a joining claw.

[0061] As can be seen on the figure 1 Device 1 includes a frame 20.

[0062] This frame 20 delimits a passage for the contact wire 10.

[0063] The frame 20 includes a longitudinal part 200, which extends in particular parallel to the X axis.

[0064] The passage extends more particularly above the longitudinal section 200.

[0065] This longitudinal part 200 can be formed from a single spar or an assembly of several spars.

[0066] The frame 20 also includes support arms 30 coupled at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal part.

[0067] These support arms 30 extend from the longitudinal part parallel to an axis transverse to the X axis, so as to border the passage laterally.

[0068] According to the present embodiment, the support arms 30 are coupled alternately on either side of the longitudinal part.

[0069] According to one possible embodiment, the support arms 30 could all be coupled on one side of the longitudinal part.

[0070] Device 1 also includes means for connecting to a contact wire 10 which is received in the passage.

[0071] These connecting means are designed to allow movement of the device 1 along the contact wire 10. The connecting means are supported by the frame 20, either directly or indirectly, and more specifically by the support arms 30 for some of these connecting means according to this embodiment.

[0072] Indeed, the means of connection include, according to this embodiment: bearing elements 41 on the contact wire 10 received in the passage and on which the device 1 is suspended; guide bearings 42 of the contact wire 10 in the passage.

[0073] Each rolling element 41 is carried by a support arm 30, while the guide bearings are carried directly by the longitudinal part of the frame 20.

[0074] According to the embodiment illustrated by the figures 1 et 2 , the linking means include four 42 guide bearings for the 10 contact wire.

[0075] The guide bearings 42 are each formed by a cylinder mounted to rotate freely relative to the frame 20.

[0076] The axis of rotation of each of these cylinders extends orthogonally to the X axis.

[0077] These guide bearings 42 are grouped in pairs, and the two pairs are spaced apart along the longitudinal part of the frame 20.

[0078] Each pair of guide bearings 42 is configured so that the two guide bearings 42 of the pair describe the shape of a V in the hollow of which the contact wire 10 is intended to be housed and to roll on, when it is received in the passage and the device 1 travels along this contact wire 10.

[0079] With reference to figures 1 à 5 , the rolling elements 41 are now described in more detail.

[0080] As explained below, each bearing element 41 is mounted movable between a working position and at least one first retracted position.

[0081] For clarity, a description of a rolling element 41 is given below, and this description applies to each rolling element 41 of the device 1.

[0082] Each support arm 30 carries a bearing element 41.

[0083] More specifically, the support arm 30 comprises a main part 301 and a secondary arm 302 mounted articulated on the main part 301. The bearing element 41 is thus mounted freely for rotation on the secondary arm 302.

[0084] According to the present embodiments, the rolling element 41 is formed by a cylinder. However, it is conceivable that the rolling elements 41 may take other forms such as wheels or rollers.

[0085] With reference to figures 1 et 2 , the bearing element 41 is in a working position.

[0086] In this operating position, the bearing element 41 overhangs the passage so that it can roll on the contact wire 10 which is received in the passage.

[0087] In this operating position, the axis around which the bearing element 41 is mounted freely in rotation on the secondary arm extends orthogonally to the X axis.

[0088] As illustrated on the figure 3 , the bearing element 41 is in a retracted position, called the first retracted position.

[0089] In this first retracted position, the bearing 41 does not overhang the passage. The bearing 41 can thus pass over an obstacle (the element 11) coupled to an upper part of the contact wire 10 and located above this contact wire 10, as illustrated by the figure 3 .

[0090] In order to allow the passage of the rolling element 41 from its operating position to its retracted position, the linkage means include a retracting follower 50 for each rolling element 41, of a cam / follower system.

[0091] This retracting follower 50 is designed to cause the bearing 41 to move from its operating position to its first retracted position upon contact with an element 11 overhanging the contact wire 10 and to which the contact wire 10 is coupled, during a movement of the device 1 along the contact wire 10 in at least one first direction of movement (direction of movement of the device 1 illustrated by arrow F1 on the figure 3 ). The cam of the cam / follower system is thus formed by element(s) 11.

[0092] According to the present embodiment, the retracting follower 50 is formed by a roller. However, the retracting follower 50 may also be formed by another element such as a slide.

[0093] The linking means also include elastic return means 60 of each bearing member 41 in its position of use.

[0094] These elastic return means 60 are in this case formed by tension springs.

[0095] These elastic return means 60 exert a force tending to maintain the rolling element 41 in its operating position.

[0096] If a stress has caused the rolling element 41 to move towards its retracted position, then the restoring force exerted by the elastic restoring means 60 allows the rolling element 41 to return to its operating position as soon as the stress is no longer present.

[0097] The arrangement of the bearing element 41 on the support arm 30 of the embodiment illustrated by the figures 2 à 4 is described in more detail below.

[0098] As can be seen on the figure 4 , the main part 301 of the support arm 30 has at its upper end a top face on which the secondary arm 302 pivots, around an axis 300 extending perpendicularly to the top face.

[0099] At one end of the secondary arm 302, opposite to the one coupled to the axis 300, the secondary arm 302 has the bearing element 41, as well as the retracting follower 50.

[0100] According to this embodiment the upper face is inclined, and the pivot plane PP in which the secondary arm 302 pivots is thus intersecting with a horizontal plane PH extending parallel to the X axis.

[0101] This facilitates the return of the bearing 41 onto the contact wire 10 after passing over the element 11, which forms an obstacle. Indeed, the bearing 41 then returns to the contact wire 10 by partially lowering itself onto it.

[0102] According to the present embodiment, the tension spring forming the elastic return means 60 is coupled at one of its ends to a fixed point 601 attached to the main part 301 of the support arm, and at the other of its ends to a movable point 602 attached to the retracting follower 50.

[0103] The distance separating the fixed point 601 and the moving point 602 is less in the operating position of the rolling element 41 than in its retracted position.

[0104] When the retracting follower 50 is displaced, for example due to the presence of an obstacle, it causes the tension spring to extend and increases the force tending to maintain the bearing 41 in its operating position.

[0105] The connecting means also include a stop 70 against which the secondary arm 302 rests in the operating position of the bearing member 41.

[0106] The connecting means also include an added block 303, laterally coupled to the support arm 30. This added arm has the stop 70, as well as the fixed point 601.

[0107] The embodiment described above allows device 1 to overcome obstacles in at least one first direction of movement of device 1 on the contact wire 10.

[0108] With reference to the figure 5 , specifics of a second embodiment are now described, enabling device 1 to overcome obstacles in both directions of movement of device 1 on the contact wire 10.

[0109] According to this embodiment, the rolling element 41 is mounted to rotate freely between two retracted positions, including a first retracted position and a second retracted position.

[0110] The operating position of the bearing element 41 is then located between these two retracted positions.

[0111] The retracting follower 50 is in this case designed to also be able to cause the bearing member 41 to move from its working position to its second retracted position in contact with an element overhanging the contact wire 10 and to which the contact wire 10 is coupled, during a movement of the device 1 along the contact wire 10 in a second direction of movement, opposite to the first direction of movement.

[0112] In this embodiment, the upper face of the main part 301 of the support arm 30 is not inclined with respect to a horizontal plane PH, and the plane in which the secondary arm 302 pivots is parallel with the X axis.

[0113] According to another envisaged embodiment, this upper face is inclined towards the passage.

[0114] However, other means can be implemented to facilitate the return on the contact wire 10 of the bearing element 41, such as another degree of freedom of the bearing element 41, or a different dimensioning of the cylinder forming the bearing element.

[0115] As can be seen on the figure 5 , the elastic return means 60 then also include a cross comprising two movable parts 603 mounted movable for rotation about the axis 300 about which the secondary arm 302 is also mounted for rotation.

[0116] Each movable part 603 of the cross has a finger 604 for indexing the operating position of the bearing member 401, and a movable point 602 on which the tension spring is attached, distal to the axis 300 of rotation of the cross.

[0117] More specifically, each moving part 603 has a front extension 6031 extending from a central section of the freely movable coupled moving part about the axis 300, and a rear extension 6032 extending from the central section opposite the rear extension 6032.

[0118] The rear extension 6032 thus presents the moving point 602, while the front extension 6031 presents the finger 604.

[0119] As can be seen on the figure 5 , the two movable parts 603 of the cross brace together adopt a cross shape.

[0120] Each finger 604 extends perpendicularly to the plane in which the secondary arm 302 is mounted movable for rotation, and extends vertically, over at least a part of the height of the secondary arm 302, as well as over at least a part of the height of the main part 301 of the support arm 30.

[0121] When the bearing element 41 is driven towards one of its retracted positions, then: the finger 604 of one of the two movable parts 603 of the cross is in contact with one of the lateral faces of the main part 301 of the support arm 30, which keeps fixed in position relative to this main part 301 the movable point 602 carried by said movable part 603 of the cross; the finger 604 of the other of the two movable parts 603 of the cross is in contact with a lateral face of the secondary arm 302, which increases the distance separating the two movable points 602 between which the tension spring is attached, as the rolling member 41 progresses towards its retracted position.

[0122] This design thus allows device 1 to overcome obstacles in both directions of possible movement along the contact wire 10.

[0123] Although not shown, device 1 includes an auxiliary system for positioning each bearing 41 in a retracted position for the installation and / or removal of device 1 on a contact wire 10.

[0124] This auxiliary system allows all the rolling elements 41 to be put in a retracted position, so as to open a path for the insertion of the contact wire in the passage delimited by the frame 20.

[0125] Two possible designs for this ancillary system are described below.

[0126] The auxiliary positioning system may include an auxiliary follower for each rolling element 41, of a cam / follower system, designed to drive the passage of the rolling element 41 from its operating position to its retracted position in contact with a contact wire 10 according to a direction of insertion of the contact wire 10 into the passage.

[0127] The insertion direction is of course strictly different from one of the directions of movement of device 1 along the contact wire 10.

[0128] This auxiliary follower can, for example, take the form of a cone extending and thinning from the roller forming the retracting follower 50.

[0129] Alternatively and preferably, the supplementary system includes: a traction cable, for each rolling element 41, from the rolling element 41 to its or one of its retracted positions; controllable actuation means for each traction cable.

[0130] The controllable actuation means may, for example, correspond to a motor designed to allow the winding of the traction cables to pull the traction cables and position the rolling elements 41 in their retracted position, and the unwinding of the traction cables in order to release the rolling elements 41. This motor may be controlled, for example, by means of a computer tool used by a human operator.

[0131] Device 1 advantageously comprises at least four pairs of rolling elements 41 spaced apart. This ensures that the center of gravity of the device is always located between at least two pairs of rolling elements 41, which remain in contact with a contact wire when crossing an obstacle, and prevents the device from becoming destabilized or even detached from the contact wire during such crossing.

[0132] Furthermore, the distance between two pairs of rolling elements 41 separated from each other by only another pair of rolling elements 41 is designed to be greater than the longitudinal dimension of the largest known obstacle on a contact wire (in particular a joining claw), in order to prevent two pairs of rolling elements 41 from being simultaneously open at the same time when crossing an obstacle.

[0133] With reference to the figure 1 , device 1 includes motor means designed to drive the movement of device 1 along the contact wire 10 received in the passage.

[0134] These driving means take for example the form of an electric motor 80 associated with wheels 81 driven in rotation by the electric motor 80, the wheels 81 advantageously having a coating adapted to improve the grip on the contact wire 10.

[0135] According to an unrepresented variant, device 1 includes a manipulator pole connector, configured to allow removable attachment of device 1 to the end of a manipulator pole.

[0136] This type of connector allows remote coupling and uncoupling of device 1 on a manipulation pole.

[0137] An operator can use such a pole to position device 1 on a contact wire 10, then uncouple the pole from the device to allow device 1 to move autonomously along the contact wire 10.

[0138] In the absence of motorization of device 1 using motor means as mentioned above, the manipulation pole can be used to move device 1 forward and / or backward along the contact wire 10.

[0139] However, it is conceivable that device 1 could be installed on a contact wire 10 by an operator located in an elevating platform positioned high up near the catenary.

[0140] When positioning the device 1 on the contact wire 10, or when removing it, the operator uses, for example, the controllable actuation means to position the rolling elements 41 in the retracted position, in order to allow the contact wire to be inserted into the passage.

[0141] During its movement along the contact wire 10, the device 1 rolls along this contact wire 10 by means of the rolling elements 41 which roll on the contact wire 10 while allowing the suspension of the device 1 on the contact wire 10.

[0142] In the presence of an obstacle formed by an element 11 overhanging the contact wire and to which the contact wire is coupled, the device 1 will still be able to overcome this obstacle thanks to its rolling members 41 which can temporarily move into a retracted position as detailed above.

[0143] The device 1 described above can be suspended on a contact wire and move along the contact wire in a manner optimized compared to what is permitted by the prior art. This device 1 has a robust and reliable design.

Claims

1. Device (1) for maintaining a catenary contact wire (10), comprising: - a frame (20) delimiting a passage for a contact wire (10); - connecting means on a contact wire (10) received in the passage, the connecting means being designed to allow the movement of the device (1) along the contact wire (10), the connecting means being carried by the frame (20) and comprising members (41) running on the contact wire (10) received in the passage and on which the device (1) is suspended; wherein each running member (41) is mounted to move between a position of use in which the running member (41) overhangs the passage to enable it to run on the contact wire (10) received in the passage, and at least one first retracted position in which the running member (41) does not overhang the passage, characterised in that the connecting means comprise a retraction follower (50) for each running member (41), along with a cam / follower system designed to drive the running member (41) from its position of use to its first retracted position in contact with an element (11) that overhangs the contact wire (10) and to which the contact wire (10) is coupled, when the device (1) is moved along the contact wire (10) in at least one first direction of movement, and that the connecting means comprise resilient means (60) for returning each running member (41) to its position of use.

2. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that each running member (41) is mounted to rotate between two retracted positions, namely a first retracted position and a second retracted position, between which position of use is located, the retraction follower (50) being designed to drive the running member (41) from its position of use to its second retracted position in contact with an element (11) that overhangs the contact wire (10) and to which the contact wire (10) is coupled, when the device (1) is moved along the contact wire (10) in a second direction of movement, opposite to the first direction of movement.

3. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it includes motor means designed to drive the movement of the device (1) along the contact wire (10) received in the passage.

4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it includes an auxiliary system for positioning each running member (41) in a retracted position for the installation and / or removal of the device (1) on a contact wire (10).

5. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the auxiliary positioning system comprises an auxiliary follower for each running member (41), along with a cam / follower system designed to drive the passage of the running member (41) from its position of youth to its retracted position in contact with a contact wire (10) in a direction of insertion of the contact wire (10) in the passage.

6. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the auxiliary system comprises: - a traction cable for each running member (41), for drawing the running member (41) to its retracted position or one of its retracted positions; - controllable actuation means for each traction cable.

7. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it includes a handling pole connector, configured to allow the removable attachment of the device at the end of a handling pole.

8. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting means comprise bearings (42) for guiding the contact wire (10) in the passage.