SYSTEM FOR COMPENSATING FOR THE THERMAL EXPANSION OF A CABLE USING SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY

Abstract

THERMAL EXPANSION COMPENSATION SYSTEM FOR A CABLE USING SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY A thermal expansion compensation system for at least a portion of a catenary cable of a railway track, characterized in that it comprises a splice sleeve (4a) connected to a first end of the catenary cable portion and to a first end of a compensation cable (2) of the compensation system, said compensation cable (2) being connected to an attachment point, said splice sleeve (4a) being configured to enclose the first end of the catenary cable portion and the first end of the compensation cable, the catenary cable portion and the compensation cable (2) being substantially aligned,said compensating cable (2) being formed of a shape-memory metallic alloy configured to exert a variable tensile force on the junction sleeve (4a) and the attachment point depending on the temperature of the compensating cable (2). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 3a,

Description

Title of the invention: SYSTEM FOR COMPENSATING FOR THE THERMAL EXPANSION OF A CABLE USING SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a system for compensating the thermal expansion of a cable, and in particular of a catenary cable in railway infrastructure. The invention also extends to a railway catenary cable comprising such a compensation system. Technological background

[0002] Catenary systems are primarily composed of four components: structures, fittings, contact wires, and carrier cables. The structures include supports, poles, and gantries that support the entire catenary system. The catenary system includes, in particular, fittings, generally a carrier cable, an auxiliary cable, a conductor cable called the contact wire which makes contact with the pantograph for mechanical guidance and current transmission, and a set of vertical cables stretched between the carrier cable, the auxiliary cable, and the contact wire to ensure the linearity of the latter.The catenary equipment generally includes a bracket supporting the catenary, a bracket guy wire used more specifically to adjust the height, an anti-sway device linked to the auxiliary carrier cable and designed to prevent any tilting of the catenary, this anti-sway device being terminated by a return arm linked to the contact wire.

[0003] For implementation and geometry maintenance reasons, the catenary is divided into "installation sections" corresponding to a cross-section where the conductors are uninterrupted. In order to control the geometry, in particular the height of the contact plane and the quality of the current collection, the effects of thermal expansion of the conductors can be compensated by a regulation system.

[0004] A known solution to overcome this problem of thermal expansion consists of installing devices at the ends of the track sections that pull on the conductors, thus ensuring constant mechanical tension and therefore consistent geometry. These devices can be winches or pulleys to which a counterweight is attached to ensure constant tension, such as, for example, the Tensorex® device from Pfisterer.

[0005] One of the drawbacks of this solution lies in the installation of these systems at the ends of the cantons, which necessitates rotation around the system. The length the cable to be wound is equivalent to the distance to the fixed point multiplied by the coefficient of thermal expansion of the cable and multiplied by the temperature delta.

[0006] In general, on conventional 1500V catenaries, the contact wires are regularized, meaning that thermal expansion is compensated, while the carrier wires are not regularized. As a result, the geometry varies significantly depending on the temperature.

[0007] Another known solution to overcome this problem is to manually adjust the tension of the device's support cable. This device is placed within the span of a catenary and, using a screw, increases the mechanical tension by applying a three-point bend to the support cable.

[0008] The disadvantage lies in the fact that the adjustment of the mechanical tension is manual, occasional and not a function of temperature.

[0009] Another drawback of the previous solutions lies in the constraints required to ensure this tension adjustment. In other words, these solutions imply a longitudinal displacement of the support cable along the entire length of the section. For example, for a half-section of 750 meters, a displacement of approximately 90 centimeters due to cable expansion with temperature must be anticipated. Furthermore, the suspension chains of the support cable do not allow for such a displacement. Consequently, regularizing the cables, particularly the support cables, would require significant modifications to the existing installations.

[0010] Another solution proposed by the applicant and described in document FR3127170A1 proposes the use of a bimetallic strip system connecting two cable sections for thermal expansion compensation.

[0011] The inventors sought to propose an alternative solution to ensure the maintenance of a constant or non-constant mechanical tension in a cable and which can be fitted to a catenary type cable in railway infrastructures without difficulty, and without requiring the replacement of these cables. Objectives of the invention

[0012] The invention thus aims to provide a thermal expansion compensation system which overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of known devices.

[0013] The invention aims in particular to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, a compensation system which can be mounted on a conductive or non-conductive cable.

[0014] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, a compensation system that can be mounted on a catenary cable without requiring the replacement of the existing catenary structure.

[0015] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, a compensation system allowing regularization of the cable equipped with such a device.

[0016] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, a compensation system that is compact and lightweight.

[0017] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, a main carrier cable of a catenary equipped with such a compensation system to further allow regularization of the carrier cable. Description of the invention

[0018] To this end, the invention relates to a system for compensating the thermal expansion of at least a portion of a catenary cable of a railway track, characterized in that it comprises a first connecting sleeve connected on the one hand to a first end of the portion of catenary cable, on the other hand to a first end of a first compensation cable of the compensation system, said compensation cable being connected to an attachment point,

[0019] said first joining sleeve being configured to enclose on the one hand the first end of the catenary cable portion and on the other hand the first end of the compensation cable to form a mechanical joint of the catenary cable portion and the compensation cable, the catenary cable portion and the compensation cable being substantially aligned,

[0020] said compensation cable being formed at least in part of a shape memory metal alloy configured to exert a variable tensile force on the first junction sleeve and the attachment point depending on the temperature of the compensation cable.

[0021] A compensation system according to the invention thus makes it possible to compensate for the thermal expansion of a catenary cable. Throughout the text, the term "catenary cable" refers to a cable that may be load-bearing, such as, for example, a main or auxiliary load-bearing cable of a catenary, or non-load-bearing; a conductive cable, such as, for example, a contact wire of a catenary, or non-conductive.

[0022] The compensation system according to the invention is mechanically linked to at least one portion of the catenary cable and does not require replacement of the pre-existing cable; it is installed directly onto the existing cable. The use of a sleeve ensures mechanical continuity, as the compensation cable and the portion of catenary cable to be compensated are substantially aligned, in other words, substantially collinear.

[0023] A compensation system according to the invention makes it possible to adjust the mechanical tension of the main cable when the latter undergoes thermal expansion due to temperature variations. Thus, the compensation system can be added to a cable of an existing infrastructure in order to allow the mechanical tension of the catenary cable to be regulated according to temperature variations.

[0024] The shape-memory metal alloy compensating cable allows for automatic adjustment of the tensile force according to the temperature. In particular, the compensating cable is preferably pre-stressed and is preferably designed to have at least two pre-memorized shapes between which it alternates when its temperature varies around a critical temperature. The compensating cable is, for example, configured to have a rest position at the reference temperature and a stress position when a temperature deviation occurs above the critical temperature.

[0025] In practice, the compensating cable, to compensate for the thermal expansion of the catenary cable section, exerts a greater tensile force at a temperature above the critical temperature in order to reduce the displacement of the catenary cable section due to thermal expansion caused by a temperature increase. The tensile force is transmitted to the catenary cable section via the sleeve.

[0026] The compensation system according to the invention aims to compensate for the thermal expansion of the main cable. Thermal expansion causes a displacement "d" to be compensated for, proportional to the length "a" of the span, within a temperature range "R" targeted by the invention, depending on the coefficient "a" of expansion of the material from which the main cable is formed, generally copper. The formula is as follows:

[0027] [Math.l] d = a*R*a

[0028] In practice, in a conventional railway installation context, for example on the French railway network, the span length "a" is generally on the order of twenty to fifty-four meters, the temperature amplitude "R" is on the order of a few tens of degrees Celsius, and the coefficient "a" of copper expansion is equal to 17*10⁶K'. The displacement to be compensated is therefore on the order of one to ten centimeters, generally one to five centimeters. The objective is therefore for the force exerted by the compensating cable to compensate for this displacement.

[0029] The compensation cable allows the main cable tension to be restored without requiring operator intervention when the adjustment is manual and without requiring a complete replacement of the cable system. This compensation system allows

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[0037] therefore a saving of time while offering a space-saving solution adaptable to all types of cable and infrastructure. Preferably, this compensation system is particularly well suited for the carrier cables of a catenary system. Furthermore, the thermal expansion compensation system of a cable according to the invention allows for adjustment of the mechanical tension of the main cable without the need for operator intervention. The invention also makes it possible to compensate for the thermal expansion of a cable without requiring heavy modifications and adaptations of existing infrastructures. Advantageously, and according to the invention, the shape-memory metal alloy is selected from one of the following shape-memory alloys: - shape memory alloy comprising nickel and titanium, - shape memory alloy comprising copper and zinc, - shape memory alloy comprising copper and aluminum, - shape memory alloy comprising copper and tin, - shape memory alloy containing gold and cadmium, - shape memory alloy comprising indium and titanium, - shape memory alloy comprising gold and copper, - shape memory alloy comprising iron and palladium, - shape memory alloy comprising iron and platinum. According to this aspect of the invention, the shape memory alloy comprising nickel and titanium, frequently called Nitinol or nickel-titanium, is an alloy particularly recognized for its shape memory capabilities. Other metallic alloys may also be suitable when they exhibit these shape memory characteristics. Nitinol, short for Nickel Titanium Naval Ordnance Laboratory, is an alloy of nickel and titanium in varying proportions. These proportions determine the temperature at which the "shape memory" effect occurs. Depending on the proportions, Nitinol can regain its shape as early as 40°C, or at 80°C depending on other proportions, for example. The proportions of nickel and titanium are therefore adjusted according to the temperatures to which the catenary cable is subjected. In particular, one alloy that can be used is composed of 60% titanium and 40% nickel, given the temperatures to which railway cables are subjected. Nitinol also exhibits other properties, such as superelasticity. Furthermore, Nitinol is resistant to moisture, corrosion, temperature variations, and weather conditions in its intended railway application. Metal alloys can consist of only two metals, or three or more. In particular, copper alloys can be copper-zinc- alloys. aluminium, copper-aluminium-nickel, copper-aluminium-beryllium, copper-aluminium-manganese.

[0038] Nickel-titanium alloys may include copper, iron, palladium or hafnium.

[0039] Advantageously and according to the invention, the compensation cable is a strand of wires composed of: - a metallic core, for example copper, surrounded by wires made of shape-memory metal alloy, or - a core made of shape-memory metallic alloy surrounded by metallic wires, for example copper.

[0040] According to this aspect of the invention, the use of a stranded compensation cable makes it possible to reduce the amount of shape-memory metal alloy and to retain the advantages of the metal used. Preferably, the metal can be copper, a material already commonly used in the field of railway cables, or Nilo® 42. Nilo® 42 (also called Invar® 42) exhibits, in particular, high thermal resistivity and is a nickel-iron alloy containing 42% nickel and exhibiting excellent controlled expansion properties.

[0041] Reducing the amount of shape memory metal alloy generally allows for a reduction in costs.

[0042] Advantageously and according to the invention, the compensation cable is pre-stressed.

[0043] According to this aspect of the invention, the compensation cable is configured to regain its shape in the presence of a temperature higher than its critical temperature.

[0044] Advantageously and according to the invention, the compensation of the thermal expansion of two portions of catenary cable, characterized in that the attachment point comprises a second sleeve configured to enclose on one side an end of a second portion of catenary cable and on the other side a second end of the compensation cable.

[0045] According to this aspect of the invention, the compensation system can be inserted between two portions of catenary cable and allow the thermal expansion of these two cable portions to be compensated.

[0046] Advantageously and according to the invention, the compensation system comprises a suspension device, comprising at least two suspension arms, a first suspension arm being connected on one side to the first sleeve and on the other side configured to be connected to a fixed support of the railway track, and a second suspension arm being connected on one side to the second sleeve and on the other side configured to be connected to the fixed support of the railway track.

[0047] According to this aspect of the invention, the suspension device is advantageously fixed directly or indirectly to a fixed support of the railway track, such as a post or an engineering structure near the railway line forming the fixed support, such as a wall, an inner wall of a tunnel, a bridge, etc. An indirect fixing may, for example, include a beam fixed to the support.

[0048] Advantageously and according to the invention, the suspension device comprises a connecting element including at least two connecting rings, and in that the two suspension arms are substantially coplanar and each connected to the connecting element by a connecting ring, the connecting rings being configured to allow rotational movement of the suspension arm relative to the connecting element.

[0049] According to this aspect of the invention, the device forms a piece substantially in the shape of a stirrup allowing on the one hand the suspension of the two sleeves and the compensation cable, and on the other hand to be connected to the fixed support of the railway track.

[0050] Advantageously and according to the invention, the suspension device includes an insulator configured to prevent the flow of electric current between the portion of catenary cable and the fixed support when the suspension device is connected to the fixed support of the railway track.

[0051] The invention also relates to a catenary cable equipped with at least one thermal expansion compensation system according to the invention, configured to compensate for the thermal expansion of said catenary cable, each compensation system comprising at least one compensation cable connected to one end of the catenary cable.

[0052] The invention advantageously relates to a catenary carrier cable equipped with a thermal expansion compensation system according to the invention, configured to compensate for the thermal expansion of said carrier cable arranged between two separate attachment points.

[0053] The advantages and technical effects of the compensation system according to the invention apply mutatis mutandis to a catenary cable equipped with a compensation system according to the invention and to a catenary carrier cable equipped with a compensation system according to the invention.

[0054] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising two catenary cable portions and a thermal expansion compensation system according to the invention, configured to compensate for the thermal expansion of said catenary cable portions, a first catenary cable portion being connected to a first end of a compensation cable of the compensation system and a second catenary cable portion being connected to a second end of the compensation cable of the compensation system.

[0055] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a portion of catenary cable and two compensation systems according to the invention, a first system a compensation system being configured to clamp the first end of the catenary cable portion and a second compensation system being configured to clamp the second end of the catenary cable portion.

[0056] The invention also relates to a compensation system, a catenary cable equipped with a compensation system according to the invention, an assembly of two cable portions and a compensation system, and an assembly of one cable portion and two compensation systems, characterized in combination by all or part of the characteristics mentioned above or below. List of figures

[0057] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example only, and which refers to the accompanying figures in which:

[0058] [Fig.la] is a schematic view of a railway catenary cable equipped with two compensation systems in position on the catenary cable, according to a first embodiment of the invention,

[0059] [Fig.lb] is a schematic view of a railway catenary cable equipped with two compensation systems in position on the catenary cable, according to the first embodiment of the invention, after compensation by the compensation systems,

[0060] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of a railway catenary cable equipped with a position compensation system on the catenary cable, according to a second embodiment of the invention,

[0061] [Fig.3a] is a schematic front view of a compensation system according to a third embodiment of the invention,

[0062] [Fig.3b] is a schematic side view of a compensation system according to the third embodiment of the invention,

[0063] [Fig.3c] is a schematic perspective view of a compensation system according to the third embodiment of the invention,

[0064] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective view of a position compensation system according to the third embodiment of the invention, for the compensation of two catenary cable sections and as connected to a fixed support of the railway track.

[0065] Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0066] In the figures, the scales and proportions are not strictly respected and This is for illustrative and clarity purposes. Throughout the detailed description that follows with reference to the figures, unless otherwise indicated, each element of the compensation system is described as it is arranged when fixed in the vicinity of a main cable carrying a catenary connected between two poles forming the attachment points. The attachment points thus define a range. Furthermore, identical, similar, or analogous elements are designated by the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0067] Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b schematically represent a railway catenary cable 110 equipped with two compensation systems 100a, 100b in position on the catenary cable 110, according to a first embodiment of the invention, respectively before and after compensation by the compensation system.

[0068] Only one portion of the catenary cable 110 is shown, which may in particular be a portion of catenary carrier cable, configured to support a conductor cable not visible on this schematic representation.

[0069] The first compensation system 100a includes a junction sleeve 104a connected on one side to a first end of the catenary cable 110, and on the other side to a first end of a first compensation cable 102a, the first compensation cable 102a being connected to an attachment point via its second end, here to a first pole 120a.

[0070] The second compensation system 100b includes a junction sleeve 104b connected on one side to a second end of the catenary cable 110, and on the other side to a first end of a second compensation cable 102b, the second compensation cable 102b being connected to an attachment point via its second end, here to a second pole 120b.

[0071] Each junction sleeve 104a, 104b is configured to enclose on one side one end of the catenary cable portion and on the other side the first end of one of the two compensation cables to form a mechanical junction of the catenary cable portion and the compensation cable, the catenary cable portion and each compensation cable thus being substantially aligned, in other words substantially collinear.

[0072] The compensation systems are configured to compensate for the thermal expansion of at least a portion of a catenary cable on a railway track. Thermal expansion causes the catenary cable 110 to bend, forming an arrow f representing the difference between the lowest position of the cable and that of a cable in its nominal position, particularly in the horizontal position, shown by the dashed line. The cable curvature as shown is for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily representative of the curvature of an actual cable.

[0073] For this compensation, the compensation cables are formed at least in part from a shape-memory metal alloy configured to exert a variable tensile force on each junction sleeve and the attachment point depending on the temperature of the compensation cable.

[0074] As can be seen in [Fig. 1b], compensation by the first compensation cable 102a results in the application of a force Fa on the catenary cable 110 and The second compensating cable 102b causes a force Fb to be applied to the catenary cable 110. The application of these two forces reduces the curvature of the catenary cable 110, and the catenary cable 110 thus has a position close to its nominal position, here approximately horizontal.

[0075] Figure 2 schematically represents a railway catenary cable equipped with a compensation system 100 in position on the catenary cable, according to a second embodiment of the invention. The catenary cable is here divided into two sections, a first section 110a and a second section 110b. The compensation system compensates for the expansion of the two cable sections by means of a central arrangement around a fixed support on the railway track, here a central pole 120c. The first portion 110a of catenary cable is connected on one side to this central pole 120c and to a pole 120d via a sleeve 204a and a means 203a of suspension, and the second portion 110b of catenary cable is connected on one side to this central pole 120c and to a pole 120e via a sleeve 204b and a means 203b of suspension.The suspension means 203a and 203b are not compensating cables in this embodiment, but could be as in the first embodiment of figures 1a and 1b.

[0076] The compensation system comprises a first connecting sleeve 104 linking, on the one hand, the first section 110a of the catenary cable and, on the other hand, a compensation cable 102, and a second connecting sleeve 104' linking, on the one hand, the second section 110b of the catenary cable and, on the other hand, the compensation cable 102. The first connecting sleeve 104 is connected to the central pole 120c by a first suspension means 103, and the second connecting sleeve 104' is connected to the central pole 120c by a second suspension means 103'.

[0077] The compensation cable 102 is formed from a shape-memory metal alloy and is configured to exert a variable tensile force on the two junction sleeves 104, 104' depending on the temperature of the compensation cable, for an operation analogous to the first embodiment of figures 1a and 1b but operating directly for two catenary cable portions.

[0078] Figures 3a, 3b, and 3c schematically represent a compensation system 1 according to a third embodiment of the invention, respectively from the front, side, and perspective. Like the second embodiment, the compensation system 1 compensates for the expansion of two cable segments, each cable segment being enclosed in a connecting sleeve, namely a first connecting sleeve 4a and a second connecting sleeve 4b. The connecting sleeves 4a and 4b are both connected to the same compensation cable 2. The connecting sleeves 4a and 4b are also held by a suspension device comprising at least two suspension arms, a first suspension arm 3a being connected on one side to the first sleeve 4a and on the other side configured to be connected to a fixed support of the railway track, and a second suspension arm 3b being connected on one side to the second sleeve 4b and on the other side configured to be connected to the fixed support of the railway track.

[0079] The fixed support of the railway track is for example a post, such as the central post of the embodiment of [Fig.2].

[0080] The suspension device also includes a linking element comprising: - a suspension shaft 8; - a first double yoke 6a connected on one side to the first suspension arm 3a via a first connecting ring 10a, preferably a self-lubricating ring, and on the other side to the suspension shaft 8 via a second connecting ring 9a, preferably a self-lubricating ring; - a second double yoke 6b connected on one side to the second suspension arm 3b via a third connecting ring 10b, preferably a self-lubricating ring, and on the other side to the suspension shaft 8 via a fourth connecting ring 9b, preferably a self-lubricating ring; - a 5-point attachment element, for attaching the compensation device to the fixed support of the railway track.

[0081] The connecting rings 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b allow rotational movement of the suspension arm relative to the connecting element.

[0082] Figure 4 schematically represents, in perspective, a position compensation system 1 according to the third embodiment of the invention, for compensating two catenary cable sections 12a, 12b, connected to a fixed support. In particular, the attachment element (not visible in this figure) is connected via an insulator 11 to a beam 13, and via a fastener 14 to a fixed support of the railway track, such as a pole or a structure near the railway track forming the fixed support, such as a wall, an inner wall of a tunnel, a bridge, etc.

Claims

Demands

1. A thermal expansion compensation system for at least one portion (110a, 110b, 110, 12a, 12b) of a railway catenary cable, characterized in that it comprises a first connecting sleeve (104a, 104b, 104, 4a) connected on one side to a first end of the catenary cable portion and on the other side to a first end of a first compensation cable (102a, 102b, 102, 2) of the compensation system, said compensation cable (102a, 102b, 102, 2) being connected to an attachment point, said first connecting sleeve (104a, 104b, 104, 4a) being configured to enclose on one side the first end of the catenary cable portion and on the other side the first end of the cable compensation to form a mechanical joint of the portion (110a, 110b, 110, 12a, 12b) of catenary cable and the compensation cable (102a, 102, 2), the portion (110a, 110b, 110, 12a, 12b) of catenary cable and the cable (102a, 102b, 102,2) of compensation being substantially aligned, said compensation cable (102a, 102b, 102, 2) being formed at least in part of a shape-memory metallic alloy configured to exert a variable tensile force on the first junction sleeve (104a, 104b, 104, 4a) and the attachment point as a function of the temperature of the compensation cable (102a, 102b, 102, 2).

2. A compensation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the shape-memory metal alloy is selected from one of the following shape-memory alloys: • shape-memory alloy comprising nickel and titanium, • shape-memory alloy comprising copper and zinc, • shape-memory alloy comprising copper and aluminum, • shape-memory alloy comprising copper and tin, • shape-memory alloy comprising gold and cadmium, • shape memory alloy comprising indium and titanium, • shape memory alloy comprising gold and copper, • shape memory alloy comprising iron and palladium, • shape memory alloy comprising iron and platinum.

3. Compensation system according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the compensation cable (102a, 102b 102, 2) is a strand of wires composed of: • a metal core surrounded by shape memory metal alloy wires, or • a shape memory metal alloy core surrounded by metal wires.

4. Compensation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the compensation cable (102a, 102b 102, 2) is prestressed.

5. Compensation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, for compensating the thermal expansion of two catenary cable portions, characterized in that the attachment point comprises a second sleeve (104', 4b) configured to enclose on one side one end of a second catenary cable portion (110b, 12b) and on the other side a second end of the compensation cable (102, 2).

6. Compensation system according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a suspension device, comprising at least two suspension arms (103, 103', 3a, 3b), a first suspension arm (103, 3a) being connected on one side to the first sleeve (104, 4) and on the other side configured to be connected to a fixed support (120c) of the railway track, and a second suspension arm (103', 3b) being connected on one side to the second sleeve (104', 4b) and on the other side configured to be connected to the fixed support (120c) of the railway track.

7. Compensation system according to claim 6, characterized in that the suspension device comprises a connecting element including at least two connecting rings (10a, 10b), and in that the two suspension arms (103, 103', 3a, 3b) are substantially coplanar and each connected to the joining element by a connecting ring (10a, 10b), the connecting rings (10a, 10b) being configured to allow rotational movement of the suspension arm relative to the joining element.

8. Compensation system according to any one of claims 6 to 7, characterized in that the suspension device includes an insulator (11) configured to prevent the flow of electric current between the portion of catenary cable and the fixed support when the suspension device is connected to the fixed support of the railway track.

9. Catenary cable equipped with at least one (100a, 100b, 100, 1) thermal expansion compensation system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, configured to compensate for the thermal expansion of said (110a, 110b, 110, 12a, 12b) catenary cable, each compensation system comprising at least one (102a, 102b, 102, 2) compensation cable connected to one end of the catenary cable.

10. Assembly comprising two portions (110a, 110b, 12a, 12b) of catenary cable and a thermal expansion compensation system (100, 1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, configured to compensate for the thermal expansion of said portions of catenary cable, a first portion (110a, 12a) of catenary cable being connected to a first end of a compensation cable (102, 2) of the compensation system and a second portion (110b, 12b) of catenary cable being connected to a second end of the compensation cable (102, 2) of the compensation system.

11. Assembly comprising a portion (110) of catenary cable and two compensation systems (100a, 100b) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a first compensation system (100a) being configured to enclose the first end of the portion (110) of catenary cable and a second compensation system (100b) being configured to enclose the second end of the portion (110) of catenary cable.

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