Device used for trolley wire which is an overhead line, method for manufacturing the device, and method for operating the device

Abstract

The present invention is a device for fixing to an overhead wire, particularly an overhead wire of a line. The device includes a fixture configured to fix the device to the overhead wire, and a power supply device for supplying power to an electrical load portion of the device. The power supply device is a coil in which a voltage is induced when an electric current flows through the overhead wire, and the coil enables the electrical load portion to be supplied. The power supply device further includes a magnetic core. The magnetic core is an open-type magnetic core having two legs. Each of the two legs forms a free end of the magnetic core. The two legs extend from the top to the bottom in a state where the device is assembled. By each of the two legs approaching one of a plurality of grooves of the overhead wire at a transition portion between the upper and lower portions of the overhead wire, the overhead wire or the space above the overhead wire is positioned between the free ends of the two legs. The two legs are connected to each other by a connecting portion of the magnetic core.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device used for an overhead wire, i.e., a trolley wire (contact wire), and more particularly to a device for fixing a trolley wire (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a predetermined device or simply a device). In particular, the present invention relates to a device used for and fixed to the overhead wire of a railway line in a tram or the like. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a device that can also be used for the overhead wire of a trolleybus, for example, as another vehicle. Moreover, as yet another vehicle, it may be directed to an automated guided vehicle or the like, i.e., an automated guided vehicle used in a warehouse or industrial plant. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a manufacturing method for manufacturing a predetermined device used for such an overhead wire, i.e., a trolley wire, and an operating method of the predetermined device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various devices attached to and fixed to trolley wires, which are various types of overhead wires, are known. For example, an arrangement structure for a device for transmitting data from and / or to a track element of a transportation vehicle on a track has been proposed. In such an arrangement structure of the device, a power supply device arranged in the region of an electric traction current conductor was included (see, for example, Patent Document 1). And for the purpose of communication using such an arrangement structure, a transmission device connected to a track element has been used for wireless transmission of data to and / or from the power supply device. And the power supply device was designed and arranged for wireless transmission of data from a track element, wireless transmission of data to a track element, and wireless transmission of data into and / or from an electric traction current conductor for power supply and the like.

[0003] On the other hand, although the device of the present invention preferably includes a transmission device for wirelessly transmitting data and / or other signals, this is merely an optional configuration and not an essential one. Rather, it is preferable that the device of the present invention can occasionally read out data stored in a predetermined device, which means that this may optionally be done via electrical contact.

[0004] And generally, it is known that a device used for an overhead trolley wire requires energy to operate the device. In particular, when a device attached to an overhead wire hardly receives sunlight as energy or does not receive sunlight at all, one method of generating energy is to extract magnetic field energy from the electromagnetic field of the overhead wire through which current flows and utilize it.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a device having a compact structure for use in an overhead trolley wire, which is a predetermined device capable of efficient power generation and the like.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided a device for attachment to and fixation to an overhead trolley wire, particularly an overhead wire of a line, for use therewith. Here, such a device includes a fixture configured to be fixed to the trolley wire and a power supply device for supplying power to at least one electrical load portion of the device. Further, the power supply device is a coil in which a voltage is induced when current flows through the trolley wire, and includes a coil that enables at least one electrical load portion to be supplied and a magnetic core. The magnetic core is an open magnetic core having two legs, each of the two legs forms a free end of the magnetic core, the two legs extend from the top to the bottom in the assembled state of the device, and each of the two legs is configured to approach one of a plurality of grooves of the trolley wire at a transition portion between the upper and lower portions of the trolley wire. Therefore, it is preferable that the trolley wire or the space above the trolley wire is located between the free ends of the two legs, and the two legs are connected to each other by a connecting portion (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a connecting means or the like) of the magnetic core.

[0008] Moreover, according to the present invention, there is provided a manufacturing method for manufacturing a device for fixing to an overhead wire, particularly an overhead wire of a line. Therefore, according to such a manufacturing method, it includes a step of preparing a fixing tool as a part of the device, and such a fixing tool can be provided so that the device can be fixed to the trolley wire by the fixing tool. Moreover, it includes a step of preparing a power supply device as a part of the device, and it is preferable that the power supply device is configured to supply power to at least one electric load portion of the device. Here, as parts of the power supply device, there are provided a coil in which a voltage is induced when a current flows through the trolley wire, and a coil and a magnetic core that enable at least one electric load portion to be supplied. The magnetic core is formed as an open magnetic core having two legs, each of the two legs forms a free end of the magnetic core, the two legs extend from the top to the bottom in the assembled state of the device, and each of the two legs approaches one of a plurality of grooves of the trolley wire at a transition portion between the upper and lower portions of the trolley wire. Therefore, it is preferable that the trolley wire or the space above the trolley wire is located between the free ends of the two legs. That is, it is preferable that the two legs are connected to each other by a connecting portion of the magnetic core.

[0009] Moreover, the configuration of the magnetic core as an open-type magnetic core with a leg whose free end approaches the trolley wire is a compact and efficient solution. In principle, the magnetic core can improve the power generation efficiency. And not only can the free end of the magnetic core approach the trolley wire or mechanically contact it, but the coil is preferably arranged near the trolley wire. This facilitates a compact structure, and since the coil is arranged in the electromagnetic field region where the magnetic field intensity is high due to the short distance from the trolley wire, it is particularly efficient. In addition, arranging the coil near the trolley wire has the advantage that the magnetic core can be made smaller in the circumferential direction of the trolley wire or the coil. Therefore, it is preferable to set the coil position at the height of the lower half of the device, and it is more preferable to be arranged at the height of one-third below the device. Here, "half" and "one-third" mean the height of the coil position based on the height of the device attached to the trolley wire.

[0010] Regarding the device of the present invention and the manufacturing method of such a device, further possible features and embodiments are described below. In particular, in the case of the manufacturing method of the device, it is also preferable that the predetermined device to be manufactured is configured such that it can be in a state where it is given individual corresponding features.

[0011] In particular, the two legs and / or the connecting part are preferably made of sheet metal. Such sheet metal preferably consists of a magnetic and / or magnetizable material, such as so-called electrical sheet. The advantage of sheet metal is that it has a lighter weight than thicker materials and can save space. In particular, each of the two legs may be formed from a plurality of sheet metal pieces, and the sheet metal pieces are preferably joined to each other.

[0012] In particular, the connecting part preferably extends through the coil. Therefore, it is preferable that at least some of the plurality of electrical lead wires of the coil are wound, and it is more preferable that they are wound so as to form a free space for the connecting portion. Here, the free space is located above the trolley wire in the assembled state of the device, and the connecting portion extends through the free space in the lateral direction with respect to the longitudinal extent of the trolley wire, thereby enabling the two legs of the magnetic core to be connected to each other, which is preferable. Therefore, the term "connect" shall mean that the two legs of the magnetic core and the connecting portion are continuous halves without joints, for example, whether they are a continuous metal sheet or made from a half sheet, or made by joining a plurality of pieces to each other.

[0013] In particular, the two legs may have a length greater than that of the connecting portion at their free ends, that is, they may be manufactured corresponding to such a form. Here, the length in the assembled state of the device should be considered in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the trolley wire. Therefore, the length is measured along the trolley wire in the installed state. Due to the large length of such legs, the space-saving and lightweight design of the coil can improve the guiding performance of the magnetic field lines close to the trolley wire and the performance of bundling the magnetic field lines. As a result, the efficiency of the power supply can be enhanced.

[0014] For example, it is also preferable that each individual leg is made from a single sheet metal piece in the region where its length is long, and it is also preferable that it is made from at least one other sheet metal piece in the region where its length is short. Such sheet metal pieces are preferably joined to each other using a suitable joining process, such as welding. In particular, it is also preferable that the short region of each individual leg is formed from a plurality of stacked sheet metal pieces. Furthermore, it is also preferable that the long region of each individual leg is formed from a single sheet metal piece, or alternatively, from a laminate of sheet metal pieces having a thinner thickness.

[0015] In particular, each of the two legs may extend such that its free end extends into one of the plurality of grooves of the trolley wire. This means the state when the device is attached to the trolley wire. And by adopting such a configuration, the guiding performance of the magnetic field lines on the trolley wire and the bundling performance of the magnetic field lines are improved, and thus the efficiency of the power supply is further enhanced.

[0016] Also, the two legs preferably have flexibility, at least in the region of their free ends. By having such flexibility, it becomes even easier to attach the device to the trolley wire. In particular, when the two legs are elastically deformable in the region of their free ends, the distance between the free ends may increase due to elastic deformation during the assembly of the device. Therefore, the free ends may be arranged on the trolley wire in the manner of a spring clip. Also, it is preferable that the free ends in the region of the individual grooves of the trolley wire contact the surface of the trolley wire during attachment, that is, the distance between the free ends in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal spread of the trolley wire is smaller than the width of the trolley wire at the contact point. However, it is also preferable that at least one of the free ends does not contact the surface of the trolley wire during assembly. When such contact occurs, the guiding performance of the magnetic field lines and the bundling performance of the magnetic field lines may be further improved, and a clamping effect may be achieved. Thereby, unintentional detachment of the legs from the trolley wire is prevented, or the frequency of unintentional detachment is reduced. Although optional, the clamping effect improves the safety when fixing the device to the trolley wire.

[0017] So far, assuming the adoption of an open magnetic core, a device suitable for or configured accordingly to attach and fix to the trolley wire, which is an overhead wire, has been described. However, in this specification, it can also be said that a configuration of a further device for fixing to an overhead line, which can be at least partially or completely fixed to the suspension cable of the overhead line, is also preferable.

[0018] In particular, a device having an open magnetic core may be fixed to the suspension cable of the overhead line, and it is also preferable that the open magnetic core is appropriately changed according to the application and the like so as to be supplemented to form a closed magnetic core.

[0019] In particular, the device may have an auxiliary piece as a part of the magnetic core. When the device is fixed to the suspension cable of the overhead line, the auxiliary piece may be connected to the free end of the leg portion, or it is also preferable that the auxiliary piece, the two leg portions, and the connecting portion form a magnetic core extending around the suspension cable in a closed manner. Thus, the same device can be used even when it is slightly changed and fixed to the suspension cable. In particular, although the configuration change of such a device is optional, it may affect the fixture. That is, in order to fix it to the suspension cable, it is also preferable to appropriately change the fixture included in the predetermined device accordingly.

[0020] This includes, in particular, a predetermined device having the features of the device described above, that is, a device including a fixture. Therefore, it is preferable that a fixture for fixing to the suspension cable, a coil and a magnetic core, and such a magnetic core is closed, and thus a power supply device surrounding the overhead line are provided.

[0021] Moreover, it is preferable to include a device having a fixture for fixing to an overhead trolley wire. Such a fixture may be, in particular, a part of any device described in this specification for fixing the device to the trolley wire. And the device to be fixed may be, for example, a device provided with a power supply device having a magnetic core. That is, such a device may be any other device described in this specification and the appended claims, or any other device to be fixed to the trolley wire of an overhead contact line.

[0022] In addition, a corresponding method for fixing such a device has been proposed, and it is preferable that a fixing fixture is used to fix the device to a trolley wire which is an overhead line.

[0023] Also, it is preferable that the fixing fixture has a clamp bracket. Here, the clamp bracket is basically a structure having two halves (a split structure), and it is preferable that such two halves extend to the opposite sides of the trolley wire in a fixed state and are connected to each other at the top. Therefore, it is preferable that the structure is such that the inside and the outside between the two halves are defined.

[0024] Also, each of the two halves has a free bracket end (which may simply be referred to as a free end), and it is preferable that the free bracket end engages with one of the two opposite grooves of the trolley wire in a fixed state and is clamped to the trolley wire in a fixed state. And it is more preferable that the fixing fixture further has a clamping means for clamping the bracket end into the groove of the trolley wire.

[0025] Therefore, when fixed in this way, a part of the device will be fixed to the clamp bracket. This part may be, for example, the housing part of the device and / or a part of the support structure of the device. In particular, any optional counterpart described later may be provided in addition to or form a part of the device.

[0026] Optionally, the fixture may include an insert member, which, when fixed, is preferably disposed at the top inside between the two halves and in full contact with the surface of the clamp bracket inside thereof. Accordingly, such a clamp bracket is provided with a connecting device, which preferably connects the insert member, in a fixed state, to a part of the device fixed to the clamp bracket via and / or through the upper region of the clamp bracket.

[0027] Also, such an insert member may be composed of a part separate from the clamp bracket, and particularly preferably, it is disposed inside the clamp bracket during the process of fixing the device to the trolley line. For example, in such a case, the insert member is preferably connected to the part of the device to be fixed by at least one fixing screw or another fixing bolt. According to one embodiment, the insert member preferably has a recess, particularly a hole, such as a threaded hole in the case of a fixing screw. In any case, furthermore, even in the case where no insert member is provided, it is preferable that at least one fixing bolt extends through the through-opening at the top of the clamp bracket to the part of the device to be fixed.

[0028] Alternatively, it is also preferable that the insert member is permanently connected to the clamp bracket regardless of whether the free end of the clamp bracket is clamped to the trolley line. In this case, for example, although there is no recess for the fixing bolt on the insert member, the fixing bolt is preferably firmly connected to the insert member as a bolt with a male thread, for example. In that case, the bolt may extend to the part to which the device is to be fixed, or even further, into the part or completely through the part, and in the case of a threaded bolt, for example, it may be firmly fixed by at least one screw.

[0029] On the other hand, it is also possible to omit the insert member. In this case, the clamp bracket may, for example, have a screw hole at the top, and for example, it is preferable that the structure is such that a screw is screwed in from above during assembly into the hole.

[0030] It is preferable that the halves of the clamp bracket are formed, for example, in a mirror image relationship with respect to the central plane of the clamp bracket. Therefore, when such a clamp bracket is attached to the trolley line, the central plane extends vertically through the trolley line and also extends in the longitudinal direction of the trolley line.

[0031] It is also preferable to have at least one fixing bolt as a clamping means for clamping the bracket end in the groove of the trolley line. Therefore, the fixing bolt preferably extends through the opening of at least one half of the clamp bracket when it is fixed. In a specific embodiment, the fixing bolt may have a male thread and may extend through the through openings of each of the two halves of the clamp bracket when it is fixed. In such a case, at least one threaded nut may be screwed onto the fixing bolt outside at least one half. And the end of the stirrup may be clamped in the groove of the trolley line by screwing. When the threaded nut is screwed only outside one of the halves, the threaded bolt may, for example, have a head outside the other half.

[0032] However, it is also preferable to take other clamping means, for example, clamping means that extend around two halves of a clamping bracket and connect the halves to each other in this way via two different parts.

[0033] Optionally, the fixture has a counterpart for the insert member, the counterpart being arranged above the clamping bracket in the fixed state of the device and being connected to the clamping bracket and directly connected to the insert member via at least one fixing bolt when the fixed state of the device is established. In such a case, it is preferable that the counterpart is connected to the part of the device to be fixed. In particular, the counterpart may have a channel-shaped receiving part for receiving the upper region of the clamping bracket. In this way, the upper region of the clamping bracket is embedded within the counterpart, in particular, in full contact, that is, not only at the points present on the surface part of the counterpart side, but preferably, linearly or over the entire surface, by contacting the surface part of the upper region of the clamping bracket. Particularly preferably, there is not only one but a plurality of linear contact regions or full-surface contact regions provided.

[0034] It is also preferable that the insert member and / or the counterpart are such that the clamping bracket brings its free end from above to the attachment position on the trolley line in the first state. However, since the free ends still have a first large distance from each other, it is preferably configured to be brought to a second state, that is, a state where the free ends have a second small distance from each other. Such a second distance corresponds to the distance in the attached state of the clamping bracket. Therefore, particularly preferably, for the second state, it is the attached state of the clamping bracket on the trolley line. Also, control the dimensions of the insert member so that the free ends of the halves of the clamp bracket move toward each other, enabling the clamp bracket to be attached to the trolley line. More preferably, match the dimensions of the clamp bracket so that it is located inside thereof in the upper region. Furthermore, it is also preferable that the clamp bracket may be unconstrained in the first state and thus mechanically relaxed. Alternatively, it is also preferable that a weaker clamping force is exerted thereon in the first state. On the other hand, when the second state is brought about by the clamping means, it is also preferable that a stronger clamping force is exerted thereon.

[0035] The fixing device provided with the clamp bracket has the advantages of being easy to manufacture and highly reliable. In particular, the clamp bracket may be formed like a clamp bracket for fixing the trolley line to the suspension cable. However, when the trolley line is fixed to the suspension cable, it is also preferable that no other parts of the fixing device are provided. Rather, the suspension cable may extend through the space between the halves of the clamp bracket. In that case, other parts are not necessarily required.

[0036] Also, another device that may be fixed to the trolley line is described below. The features of this device may optionally be present in any of the other devices described in this specification and / or the appended claims. Conversely, the features of these other devices may be present in any combination in the device described below. However, these features do not necessarily have to be present in the device described below.

[0037] One objective regarding the device described below is to enable the wear of the trolley line to be detected in a simple manner. Another objective is to identify the corresponding operating method and the corresponding manufacturing method. Such wear is caused by the friction between the pantograph of the vehicle and the lower surface of the trolley wire.

[0038] Furthermore, it is also preferable to provide at least two magnetometers as part of the device to be fixed to the trolley wire. This is because the magnetic field generated by the current-carrying trolley wire changes in different ways at two locations as the trolley wire wears. Therefore, preferably, it is the case where more than two magnetometers are included as part of the device. Even in that case, at least two of the plurality of magnetometers are preferably arranged such that the magnetic field intensities measured by them change in various ways depending on the wear of the trolley wire over time. This may also apply to a configuration including more than two magnetometers, that is, the magnetic field intensity will change in various ways depending on the wear of the trolley wire at more than two measurement positions.

[0039] When two magnetometers are arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical plane of the trolley wire, there is a possibility that the two magnetometers may detect the same magnetic field intensity. To avoid this, for example, it is preferable that one magnetometer is arranged at a lower position than the other magnetometer and is thus closer to the lower surface of the trolley wire. For example, a configuration where one magnetometer is arranged above the trolley wire and the other magnetometer is arranged next to the trolley wire is quite suitable and can be said to be preferable. Depending on the position and the type of wear, the magnetometer located closer to the lower surface may measure a higher magnetic field intensity for the same current intensity in some cases and a lower magnetic field intensity in other cases as the wear progresses. This depends on the individual position.

[0040] For example, as the lower surface of the trolley wire wears, typically a bent surface is formed, thereby resulting in a locally higher magnetic field intensity than when the trolley wire is not worn. However, wear of the trolley wire may result in an inclined lower surface instead of a horizontal one. Therefore, the change in magnetic field strength may depend on the type of wear.

[0041] Therefore, it is proposed that the time curves of the magnetic field strength be determined in advance for different types of wear, and such a configuration is preferred. In that case, when analyzing the values measured by at least two magnetometers and the corresponding wear, it is preferred that the corresponding time profiles be taken into account. When determining wear, it is proposed that a plurality of values measured by the magnetometer, i.e., at least three, preferably more, be considered, but this is not a configuration only for this procedure. For example, the magnetometer preferably repeatedly generates measured values over time, and the entire history of the measured values, i.e., the time course of the measured values or the history of the measured values over a specified period, is considered when determining wear.

[0042] Regarding positioning, more generally formulated, at least two magnetometers are preferably arranged at different positions with respect to the circumference around the trolley wire and / or with respect to the distance from the trolley wire. That is, as different distances from the trolley wire, it is preferred to be arranged at different distances from the center of the trolley wire. Here, the center of the trolley wire will be defined by the central longitudinal axis of the trolley wire. Therefore, more specifically, it is preferred to be arranged at different distances from the center of gravity corresponding to the center of the trolley wire in the cross-section. Also, the circumference extends around the trolley wire in any plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the trolley wire. Since the magnetometer may collide with the pantograph of the vehicle, the magnetometer is preferably arranged only above the lower surface of the trolley wire. That is, by arranging two magnetometers at different positions in the circumferential direction, different effects of the wear of the trolley wire on the local magnetic field can be detected. Different arrangements with respect to the trolley wire also include the case where at least two magnetometers are not arranged on the same plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the trolley wire. In order to be able to determine or display positions on a common plane, for example, the position of one magnetometer may be projected perpendicularly onto the plane on which the other magnetometer is arranged. When referring to a predetermined position on such a plane, this means, for example, a specific reference point such as the center of gravity of the magnetometer. Thus, it means the center of gravity defined around the area, that is, based on the cross-section.

[0043] Regarding the operation of a device fixed to the trolley wire of an overhead contact line, there is proposed a method including a step of repeatedly measuring the magnetic field strength of the magnetic field generated by the energized trolley wire at different positions with respect to the circumference around the trolley wire, and a step of analyzing the magnetic field strength measurement values obtained at the position of the device or at a remote location.

[0044] Furthermore, a manufacturing method for manufacturing a device for fixing to a trolley wire, which is an overhead line, particularly to the overhead line of a track, is proposed. Here, at least two magnetometers are provided as part of the device, and it is preferable that they are arranged at different positions with respect to the circumference around the trolley wire.

[0045] Also, an embodiment of the manufacturing method is preferably implemented corresponding to an embodiment of the device having at least two magnetometers.

[0046] That is, it is also preferable to measure the influence of the wear of the trolley wire on the magnetic field strength using one magnetometer. However, in reality, the current flowing through the trolley wire can vary greatly. According to the solution described in this specification, since there are at least two magnetometers, it is preferable to use the measurement value of the magnetic field strength generated by at least one of the magnetometers as a reference for the instantaneous current intensity, and it is also preferable to use it for this purpose in the operation method. Therefore, for example, the ratio of the measured magnetic field intensities can be calculated and controlled by two magnetometers. However, this is only one method that uses one of the measured values of the magnetometer as a reference. Therefore, as another method, for example, calculating the difference between the measured values of two magnetometers and normalizing the difference, etc. can be mentioned. Thus, for example, normalizing by dividing by one of the measured values, etc. can be mentioned.

[0047] Preferably, at least one of the magnetometers of the device, preferably all the magnetometers of the device, is configured as one Hall sensor or a plurality of Hall sensors. The advantages of such Hall sensors are that the structure is simple and it operates with a very low energy consumption.

[0048] A further feature of the device that may be arranged on the overhead contact line of the contact line, in particular on the trolley wire or the trolley wire support cable, is that at least one transceiver may be present. That is, it is preferable that the device attached to the trolley wire is provided with at least one transceiver. This is the configuration applied to each device described in this specification and the appended claims. Therefore, such a device preferably provides a device for acquiring signals, for example, at least one sensor, and more specifically, provides the aforementioned magnetometer. However, alternatively or additionally, for example, measured values from a temperature sensor and / or another sensor are transmitted to one transceiver or one of a plurality of transceivers via the signal line of the device, etc. and / or wirelessly. Note that as a device for use in an overhead line equipped with at least such a communication device, a conventionally known device can be applied. It is also preferable to transmit signals received internally from at least one predetermined device such as a transceiver in a device, and / or signals received from another transceiver in the device, and / or signals received from another device or the environment, for example, to a remotely located device on the same overhead line or on the same part of the track for a vehicle, or to a base station on or adjacent to the track. Furthermore, by transmitting signals with at least one transceiver, it is possible to transmit measurement values from a sensor of the device, for example, magnetic field strength, to an external device that analyzes the measurement values. In particular, when there are a plurality of devices, that is, more than two devices, and each device is fixed to an overhead wire or a suspension cable of an overhead wire, and / or is arranged adjacent to a contact wire, it is preferable that all of these devices have at least one transceiver for transmitting signals, particularly for retransmitting signals. However, such a configuration may be referred to as a network or a transmission network. Therefore, each individual device may also be referred to as a network device.

[0049] Here, particularly for the determination of wear and the like, it may be performed by the device itself, or alternatively or additionally, it may be performed by an external device. The wear of the overhead wire is determined not only based on the measured magnetic field strength as already described, but alternatively or additionally, it may be determined in consideration of at least one temperature measurement value of the overhead contact wire. This is based on the idea that the temperature of the overhead wire depends on its degree of wear. However, since this idea and effect are already known, they will not be described in detail in this specification.

[0050] It should be noted that each device described in this specification and the appended claims preferably has at least one temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the overhead wire. Therefore, it is preferable that one temperature sensor, or at least one of the plurality of temperature sensors, is an infrared sensor. That is, it is preferably a sensor that receives infrared rays radiated by the trolley wire and uses it to determine the temperature of the trolley wire or provides a measurement value from which the temperature can be directly determined.

[0051] Particularly preferably, both the arrangement of the magnetometer described above and at least one temperature sensor are in a configuration that is advantageous when they are part of the device. Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present device and operation method, the measured temperature values repeatedly provided over time by the temperature sensor and / or its time dependence can be analyzed by at least one of the methods described below. That is, from the long-term temperature fluctuations occurring over a longer period, that is, the long-term temperature rise, it can be concluded that the electrical resistance of the trolley wire increases, and therefore the contact wire is worn. On the other hand, in the case of short-term temperature fluctuations occurring over a shorter period, that is, when both short-term temperature rises and short-term temperature drops occur, the current intensity increases. Therefore, as the current in the trolley wire increases, the amount of heat generated per unit time increases due to its electrical resistance. Or, it can be used to conclude that the current intensity decreases, and therefore the amount of heat generated per unit time decreases due to the decrease in the current in the trolley wire and its electrical resistance.

[0052] Furthermore, it is preferable that at least one of the additional temperature sensors of the device measures the ambient temperature. With such a configuration, it becomes possible for the evaluation device of the device or an evaluation device remote from the device to consider the ambient temperature when determining the current and / or wear. Also, based on such a configuration, the trolley wire is based on the idea that it releases heat to the environment per unit time depending on the height of the ambient temperature. The greater the temperature difference between the trolley wire and the environment, the greater the heat loss. This means that it has an impact on the temperature of the trolley wire. For example, in winter, when the strength of the current flowing through the trolley wire is the same, and the cross-sectional area of the trolley wire is the same, and thus the degree of wear is the same, the temperature of the trolley wire is assumed to be lower than in summer because more heat is taken away from the environment per unit time.

[0053] A further feature of the device that may be arranged on an overhead contact line of a railway line, in particular on a trolley wire or a trolley wire carrier cable, is that it may contain at least one power generating device. This applies to each device described in this specification and the appended claims. That is, the individual power generating devices are preferably available and preferably in a form that is used for the operation of the device. Furthermore, it is also preferred that the device is configured to generate energy at a predetermined position of the device. Such a power generating device may be the power supply device described above or a part thereof. However, such a power supply device may be in another form, as will be understood from the following description.

[0054] One type of power generating device that can be used for this purpose preferably operates based on the principle of photoelectrodynamics and thus converts incident electromagnetic radiation, in particular incident electromagnetic radiation from the sun, into electrical energy. However, alternatively or additionally, such a device may have at least one example of another type of power generating device, namely an induction power generating device. During operation, this can generate electrical energy by magnetic induction from the magnetic field generated by the overhead line through which the current flows. The power supply device provided with the magnetic core described above is an example of this.

[0055] The device described below may be one of the devices described before or after this specification, that is, its features are preferably present in one or more of these devices. However, the device described below is not one of the devices described above or below, and thus may not have those features, or may simply be fixed to the overhead line.

[0056] The device described below, and the corresponding manufacturing method, are based on the aim of providing a device that may be fixed to the overhead line. Here, the predetermined equipment of the device may be fixed in a stable manner, and it is preferably configured to be compact and space-saving.

[0057] Therefore, the device preferably has a support structure to which the predetermined equipment of the present device is fixed and by which it is thereby fixed and supported. Here, the support structure is preferably fixed to the trolley line or overhead line via a fixing device while being attached to the trolley line or overhead line. Therefore, such a support structure preferably has a lower part close to the trolley line in the assembled state and an upper part further away from the trolley line in the assembled state. It is preferable that at least one receptacle is provided in the lower part or such a receptacle is provided. And it is preferable that the receptacle houses an energy storage device for storing energy for operating the predetermined equipment of the device.

[0058] In particular, at least a part of the power supply of the predetermined equipment of the device, for example, at least one of the plurality of sensors described in this specification, and / or a part of the control of the operation of the predetermined equipment is preferably arranged at the upper part of the support structure and / or on the upper part. For example, a circuit board may be fixed to the upper part, and the circuit board that mounts and / or has one electrical component and / or a plurality of electronic components is preferably not a part of the support structure of the device but is itself supported by the support structure of the device. However, it is also preferable that the circuit board mounts other components of the device.

[0059] In particular, it is also preferable that the support structure is connected to the housing of the device via at least one fixing means, for example, a rod-shaped and / or plate-shaped connection part. Such a housing can protect all the predetermined devices of the device and / or the parts of the device from external influences. Here, the material of the housing, for example, plastic, may not be suitable for the operation in which the infrared sensor described elsewhere is not disturbed in individual predetermined devices. Therefore, it is preferable that the housing optionally has a through-opening, or preferably has a window, or is provided with a window. And in the case of an infrared sensor, it is also preferable that, for example, a window that transmits infrared rays is inserted into the housing.

[0060] Alternatively or additionally, it is also preferable that the support structure has at least one opening in which a fixing part, for example, the leg of the magnetic core described above, extends. Therefore, such openings are preferably arranged in the central part in the longitudinal direction of the housing and at the lower part of the device so that the inside of the housing is protected from the influence of the environment.

[0061] In understanding the configuration of the present invention, the accompanying drawings can be referred to. However, each drawing schematically shows the following, and the present invention is not limited by the description of the drawings without particular reason.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0062]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

[0063] FIG. 1 schematically shows, by broken lines, a part of the trolley wire 1 and a device 11 fixed to the trolley wire 1. The trolley wire 1 has a groove on the opposing side, and one side thereof is labeled with reference numeral 3. And in the upper region of the trolley wire 1, it is shown that the device 11 is fixed to the upper part of the trolley wire 1.

[0064] The side view of the device 11 for fixing to the trolley wire, for example, the predetermined device shown in FIG. 1, shown in FIG. 2 shows the housing 13 of the device 11. And the support structure 15 of the device 11 is arranged inside the housing 13. As a simplified view, FIG. 2 does not show the connection between the housing 13 and the support structure 15. The shape of the parts shown in FIG. 2 is also simplified. For example, the housing not only simply has a rectangular shape, but may be tapered towards its upper end, and / or may have an additional cover in the lower region for the parts shown protruding downward.

[0065] Also, when the device 11 shown in FIG. 2 is fixed to the trolley wire, the trolley wire will extend from right to left or vice versa under the device 11 as shown in FIG. 2. And in the region of the lower edge of the housing 13, as shown in FIG. 2, there are parts 21 and 22 of the fixing device on the upper left and right, and by such a fixing device, the device 11 may be fixed to the trolley wire. Also, the fixing device may have additional parts. The illustrated parts 21 and 22 are preferably connected to the support structure 15 as schematically shown.

[0066] The support structure 15 is also shown schematically and simplified. Such a support structure 15 may be composed of more parts than shown. Therefore, inside the support structure 15, as shown again in FIG. 3 showing any configuration of the support structure 15, it is preferable that the support structure 15 carries a coil 25.

[0067] Further, the coil 25 preferably forms a through-opening extending perpendicular to the plane of the figure in FIG. 2. The magnetic core 27 preferably exists on the front side of the coil 25 through the through-opening portion and extends downward from the coil 25. The magnetic core 27 preferably has a terminal region 28 at the lower part, and this terminal region 28 preferably forms a lower free end 30. Specifically, the free end 30 is preferably formed by the leg portion 29 of the magnetic core located on the front side of the coil 25.

[0068] Further, in the terminal region 28, the leg portion 29 is longer when viewed in the horizontal direction of FIG. 2 than above the terminal region 28. Thereby, the magnetic field lines of the electromagnetic field existing on the trolley line during the operation of the device are concentrated, and thus the magnetic induction in the coil 25 is increased. FIG. 2 should also be understood schematically with respect to the dimensions of the coil and the upper part of the leg portion 29. In particular, at the entry portion of the magnetic core 27 into the through-opening of the coil 25, the leg portion 29 is preferably configured to be longer than shown when a connection region not recognizable from FIG. 2 is located between the leg portion on the side opposite to the illustrated leg portion 29 and the leg portion behind the drawing in FIG. 2. And particularly preferably, in the horizontal direction in FIG. 2, which is the longitudinal direction, the through-opening of the coil 25 may be completely or almost completely partially filled.

[0069] Moreover, it is preferable that the supports 16 and 17 are fixed to the upper left and right support structures 15 in FIG. 2, and predetermined devices 18 and 19 are fixed to each of them and thus supported. The predetermined devices 18 and 19 may each be, for example, at least one sensor. Examples and embodiments of the sensor have already been described. Such a sensor is advantageously arranged in the terminal region of the device 11 when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the trolley line. This is the location where their functions are least obstructed. Each individual sensor can also detect the trolley line from there, i.e., the part of the trolley line directly below the sensor, and / or the part of the trolley line in the direction away from or towards the device 11. In addition to what is shown in the figure, the predetermined devices 18, 19 equipped with the supports 16, 17 may be arranged outside the housing.

[0070] Placing a predetermined device, particularly a transceiver for signal transmission from and / or to a sensor and / or device, in the end region when viewed along the longitudinal direction of the trolley line is not only preferable in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. In another embodiment, since the power supply is ensured by other means, such as a photovoltaic module, the support structure may be configured differently, for example, as a circumferential support frame or cage, and / or the coil and magnetic core may be omitted.

[0071] The predetermined device 19 is shown only on the right side in FIG. 2 below the support 16 as an arbitrary exemplary embodiment. Therefore, the predetermined device 19 may be an infrared sensor, for example, an infrared sensor that measures the temperature of the trolley line directly below. Also, although not shown in FIG. 2, an infrared window may be arranged in the housing 13 in the corresponding field of view direction of the infrared sensor. Also, as merely an arbitrary exemplary embodiment, it is preferable that the predetermined device 18 on the left side of FIG. 2 is arranged above the support 17. The predetermined device 18 is, for example, a transceiver and / or a sensor that obliquely views the trolley line below it on the left side.

[0072] The device for fixing to an overhead trolley line or suspension cable may have only some of the features described in FIG. 2. For example, such a device may have different support structures. Therefore, the coil may be supported in another way and / or connected to the overhead line via a fixture. Alternatively or additionally, the magnetic core may be configured differently. Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, for example, when the power supply of the device is provided by electrical energy obtained by a photovoltaic module and temporarily stored in the energy storage device of the device, the coil and the magnetic core may be omitted.

[0073] The circuit board may also be omitted, and instead, the necessary electrical and / or electronic devices may be arranged in another place in the housing. Alternatively, at least one additional circuit board may be arranged above the circuit board shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively or additionally, the support structure of the device can also form the housing. Alternatively or additionally, the device may not have a power generation device. Therefore, when the energy storage device is part of the device but the stored energy is exhausted and / or is not sufficient to operate for the intended operating time, the energy storage device may have to be either replaced or recharged.

[0074] A special development of the device shown in FIG. 2, or another device shown in FIG. 3, is that it again has a support structure 15 in which a coil 25 is arranged. And supports 16, 17 are shown for orientation. However, these may also preferably be omitted depending on the embodiment.

[0075] An essential part of the development shown in FIG. 3 is a plurality of receptacles 31 in the support structure 15. As a more specific exemplary embodiment, there are four receptacles 31. And, an energy storage device, for example, a supercap, a supercapacitor, or an array of a plurality of energy storage devices may be disposed in each of the receptacles 31. Such an arrangement of at least one energy storage device within the receptacle of the support structure has the advantage that the energy storage device is safely and securely accommodated. Moreover, a support structure provided with at least one receptacle for energy storage can achieve high strength and dimensional stability on the one hand, while only a small mass of the support structure is required on the other hand. When such a receptacle is also disposed at the lower part of the support structure, this results in a low center of gravity, thereby increasing the stability of the device fixed to the trolley wire or other overhead wire. In particular, when the center of gravity is close to the overhead wire, the tilting moment around the overhead wire is reduced. Moreover, particularly when the special embodiment of FIG. 3 is also provided with a support structure as shown in FIG. 2, an advantage arises that the region of the support structure between the coil 25 and the end of the support structure is not required for other predetermined devices of the predetermined device. In particular, as described in the embodiment in FIG. 2, at least one predetermined device, for example, a sensor, may be fixed to at least one of the ends of the support structure in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the receptacle is disposed longitudinally between the coil and one of the ends of the support structure. This may be the same in the case of other embodiments of the device.

[0076] FIGS. 4 to 7 show parts of a fixture for fixing the device to a trolley wire. FIG. 8 shows the assembled state of the fixture provided with these parts.

[0077] That is, FIG. 4 shows a clamp bracket 41, and the clamp bracket 41 has two halves 43, 44, and such two halves 43, 44 are shown on the left and right of the symmetry plane of the clamp bracket 41. Therefore, the half-bodies 43, 44 are preferably formed in a mirror image relationship with respect to the symmetry plane. And although optional, in embodiments other than the illustrated embodiment, there may be a deviation from symmetry with respect to individual features, for example, with respect to individual features regarding the through openings provided for the clamping means. The symmetry of the fixture shown in FIGS. 4 to 8 is not given even with respect to the clamping means. This will be explained in more detail later.

[0078] The half-bodies 43, 44 are connected to each other at the top via an arch or merge with each other within the arch. They extend from the ends of the arch from the top to the bottom and are initially straight. And the half-bodies 43, 44 are angled at the bottom near the free ends 45, 46, specifically angled inward. The inside of the clamp bracket 41 is located between the half-body 43 and the half-body 44. The terms "top" and "bottom" refer to the orientation of the clamp bracket 41 in its normal assembled state. In principle, the symmetry plane of the clamp bracket 41 is the direction extending vertically. However, there may be a slight deviation from the vertical direction of the symmetry plane. In principle, it is possible for the symmetry plane to be significantly inclined with respect to the vertical direction in the assembled state.

[0079] In the special exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, each of the half-bodies 43, 44 has through openings 47 and 48, for example holes, and the diameter of the holes is preferably 10.5 mm as an example.

[0080] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the half-body 44 of the clamp bracket 41 shown on the right side in FIG. 4. In an exemplary embodiment, the through opening 48 is located in the center between the left outer end and the right outer end and is located slightly below the center between the highest point and the lowest point of the half-body 44.

[0081] The insert member 51 shown in Fig. 6 is shown with its upper end on the lower side. Such an insert member 51 has two screw holes 53 and 54 extending from the bottom to the top, and they are preferably open at least at the top. That is, although not visible in the view of Fig. 6, preferably, through holes are used. At the end located at the bottom in Fig. 6, that is, at the top in the assembled state, the insert member 51 is curved in cross-section, and the center line of the curved surface has the highest point of the insert member 51 in the assembled state.

[0082] The mating part 61 shown in Fig. 7 is any component of the fixing device. Instead, the area of the support structure of the device can also take over the function of the mating part, or it is also preferable that the mating part is formed differently on the side of the bottom shown in Fig. 7. Similar to the insert member 51, for the mating part 61, in the figure, its upper end may appear to be at the bottom. As seen in Fig. 7, on its lower side, the mating part 61 is in a channel shape. Two through holes 63, 64 are formed at the bottom of the channel, that is, starting from the center line of the lower surface at the top in the assembled state. Therefore, similar to the screw holes 53 and 54 of the insert member 51, these through holes 63, 64 preferably extend in the vertical direction in the normal assembled state.

[0083] The vertical section of Fig. 8 through the fully assembled fixing device shows the arrangement of the parts shown in Figs. 4 - 7, additional clamping means and fixing means. Compared with Fig. 4, the clamp bracket is in a tensioned state, and thus its free ends 45, 46 at the bottom are at a smaller distance than in the illustrated state of Fig. 4. And such free ends 45, 46 preferably engage with the opposing grooves 3 of the trolley line 1. Therefore, there is a form - fit connection to the trolley line 1. The necessary tension is applied by clamping means in the form of a screw 75 having a screw head 76 and a screw nail 77 screwed thereon. Thus, in contrast to the embodiment in FIG. 8, the screw nail 77 can contact the right half 44, and the screw head 76 can contact the left half 43.

[0084] Any insert member 51 is located at the inner top of the clamp bracket 41. Its curved surface is in contact with the lower surface of the arch at the transition between the halves 43 and 44 of the clamp bracket 41. It should be noted that the curved surface may optionally be in full contact with the lower surface of the arch during installation.

[0085] However, this does not apply to the relaxed state of the clamp bracket 41 shown in FIG. 4. The insert member 51 must be able to move the halves 43, 44 towards each other at least in their lower regions by tightening the clamping means. If the shape of the arch cannot be changed at the top of the clamp bracket 41 by the insert member 51, although the attachment of the fixture is not impossible, it may become more difficult.

[0086] By screwing screws 65 each having a screw head 66, the insert member 51 is fixed to the mating part 61 and the housing part 62. Since the screws 65 are screwed into the screw holes 53, 54 having their screw heads 66 at the top of the mating part 61, they can be easily attached from above. As shown, in addition to the mating part 61, a part of the device, that is, in the illustrated specific exemplary embodiment, the housing part 62 is fixed between the screw head 66 and the upper surface of the mating part 61. As an alternative to the illustrated specific embodiment, this part may be a part of the support structure or a part firmly connected thereto in its entirety.

[0087] Instead, as already pointed out, the mating part 61 itself may be a component of another part of the device, such as the housing and / or the support structure. That is, the clamp bracket 41, and in the specific exemplary embodiment shown, the mating part 61, and the housing part 62 have at least one corresponding through-opening for the screw 65, and preferably have two through-openings. And the through-opening will be located in front of or behind the plane of the figure in FIG. 8 in the assembled state of the fixture. However, it is also preferred that three screws are provided and both the insert member and the mating part have three holes. In this case, one of these three holes, and thus one of the screws, can be located in the plane corresponding to the cross-section in FIG. 8. In another variant of the fixture shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, each half of the clamp bracket has two through-holes, and thus the clamping means preferably has two fixing bolts. In other embodiments, the number of holes and through-holes may be different from the numbers described above. For example, there is only one through-hole per half, and only four holes at the top, or there are three through-holes per half and only two holes at the top.

[0088] FIGS. 9 to 12 described below each show a cross-section through one of various embodiments of an open magnetic core 27. Such a cross-section is triangular, and here, since the magnetic core 27 is open, it is preferred that the two legs 29 do not join to form a lower corner. However, the cross-section of the magnetic core may be formed differently. For example, only the lower part of the legs may converge downward within their paths as in the case of the basic triangular shape, and the upper part of the legs may have different inclination angles with respect to the vertical in the cross-section. In particular, it may have a zero inclination angle, i.e., it may extend vertically in each case. The approach at the lower part of the leg does not need to be straight in cross-section. Rather, this path may be angled, for example, multiple times and / or may be at least partially bent.

[0089] When attaching the device on the suspension cable of the overhead line, it is also possible to configure the magnetic core as a closed magnetic core. In this case, the legs extend around the lower side of the suspension cable or converge below the suspension cable. In this case, the two legs, or at least their lower parts, may be of an integral type, for example, formed from a single sheet metal.

[0090] Only in FIG. 9, the possible positions of the coil 25 are schematically shown by an elliptical winding. The embodiment can be used, for example, like the embodiment of the device described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Each of the magnetic cores shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 has two legs 29, and the legs 29 preferably have a free end 30 at the bottom when in the attached state. Also, preferably all magnetic cores also have a connecting part 91 that connects the legs 29 to each other. In particular, in each case, the connecting part 91 preferably extends through the inside of the coil or coil arrangement of the power supply device. However, since these are cross-sectional views, the length of each part of the individual magnetic cores is not fixed and may be configured as described in FIG. 2, for example. Note that FIGS. 9 to 12 show various configurations in the end regions 28 of the legs 29.

[0091] First, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the legs 29 in the upper region of the trolley wire 1 have a cross-section that is partially curved around the upper part, extend into the individual grooves 3, and then emerge again and follow the shape of the surface of the trolley wire 1 in a path going further downward. The free end 30 is preferably located, for example, at the transition of the surface of the trolley line 1 from the groove 3 to the widest part of the trolley line 1. However, it is conceivable that the free end is located in front of this transition of the surface or extends further downward than shown in FIG. 9. Also, the lower part of the leg 29 up to the free end 30 has the cross-sectional shape described and shown in FIG. 9, but they may only be in mechanical contact with the trolley line 1 at some points, or may not be in contact at all. In particular, there may be gaps at all locations between the leg 29 and the surface of the trolley line 1.

[0092] In all embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the leg 29 extends linearly in cross-section from the outside of the top to the inside of the bottom and approaches the individual grooves of the trolley line 1. However, such an approach does not necessarily mean that the free end 30 ends within the groove. That is, as already described with reference to FIG. 9, the leg 29 may extend into, for example, the groove 3 and then out again up to about the same level as the free end 30. When approaching the groove, the path of the leg does not necessarily have to be straight. In particular, this path may be curved when approaching the groove, or may be partially straight. Furthermore, it may be partially curved.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 10, the leg 29 may not extend into the groove 3 of the trolley line 1, or may not extend at least to the bottom of the groove. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the free end 30 is preferably located on the surface in front of the transition of the surface extending from the groove to the widest region of the trolley line 1. In the specific embodiment shown, the free end 30 is in mechanical contact with the surface of the trolley line 1. However, it is also preferred that such a free end 30 ends in front of the surface.

[0094] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, it is also preferable that the free end 30 of the leg portion 29 is in surface contact at the transition to the widest region of the trolley wire 1. In this modification, the free end 30 may have the same path, but it is also preferable that it ends at a distance in front of the surface of the trolley wire 1.

[0095] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, it is preferable that the free end 30 is located slightly below the surface of the widest region of the trolley wire 1. In FIGS. 11 and 12, the dashed auxiliary line may be visible on the right side, but it is preferable that the auxiliary line extends at the height of the transition from the surface of the trolley wire 1 to the widest region.

[0096] When a predetermined device is attached to the suspension cable of the overhead line, it is also preferable that any auxiliary piece 93 for the magnetic core is provided to supplement the magnetic core 27 to form a closed magnetic core. The preference for this configuration is shown at the bottom of FIG. 12. Therefore, for the facilitation of this purpose, it is preferable that the end of the auxiliary piece is fixed to the free end 30 of the leg portion 29, for example, by a screw connection.

[0097] Each of FIGS. 13 and 14 shows a cross-section through an arrangement with two magnetometers 93, 94 at different positions with respect to the circumference around the trolley wire 1 and with respect to the distance from the trolley wire 1. The position with respect to the circumference may be indicated, in particular, by the angle a, and optionally, by the distance with respect to a reference point P within the trolley wire 1. Here, the angle a is shown for one of the magnetometers 93, 94, that is, for the magnetometer 94. It refers to the reference point P as the center and is specified, for example, from the vertical. In this notation, the corresponding angle of the position of the magnetometer 93 is preferably smaller than the angle a. Furthermore, the distance of the magnetometer 93 with respect to the reference point P is preferably greater than the distance of the magnetometer 94. That is, the distances of the magnetometers 93 and 94 from the trolley wire 1 may be defined at the reference point P, that is, in each cross-sectional plane (in the case of FIGS. 13 and 14, the images are in a mirror relationship). Furthermore, the reference point P may be, for example, the center of the area in the non-worn state, or in the vicinity thereof.

[0098] The magnetometers 93 and 94 are part of a device not shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, and it may be a device as shown in FIG. 2, for example.

[0099] That is, FIGS. 13 and 14 show bundles of arrows schematically showing the paths and densities of the magnetic field lines, and thus the magnetic field strengths, at the positions of the magnetometers 93 and 94 in each case. In the non-worn state or slightly worn state of the trolley wire 1 shown in FIG. 13, the magnetic field lines extend through the magnetometer 94 in a direction different from that of the magnetic field lines in the more worn state. Therefore, in the specific cases shown in this specification, the magnetic field strength measured by the magnetometer 94 is greater in the state where the trolley wire 1 has less wear than in the state where the trolley wire 1 has more wear. It should be noted that the magnetometers 93 and 94 can measure only the components of the magnetic field strength vector perpendicular to their measurement planes. Therefore, in the cases shown in this specification, the magnetic field lines in the worn state of FIG. 14, and thus the magnetic field strength vector, preferably form a larger angle with respect to the normal to the measurement plane of the magnetometer 94 than the magnetometer 94 in the non-worn state of FIG. 13. Also, in another exemplary embodiment, depending on the position of the magnetometer, a larger magnetic field strength or a smaller magnetic field strength may be dominant at the position of the magnetometer arranged further downward.

[0100] In contrast, it is preferable that the magnetic field strength at the position of the magnetometer 93 further away from the trolley wire 1 does not change significantly. For example, the wear of the trolley wire 1 can be determined by obtaining the ratio of the electric field strengths measured by the magnetometers 93 and 94.

Explanation of Signs

[0101] 1 Trolley wire 3 Groove 11 Device for fixing to the trolley wire 13 Housing 15 Support structure 16, 17 Support 18, 19 Predetermined equipment 20 Circuit board 21, 22 Part of the fixing fixture 25 Coil 27 Magnetic core 28 End region of the magnetic core 29 Leg of the magnetic core 30 Free end 31 Receptacle for the energy storage device 41 Clamp bracket 43, 44 Half body 45, 46 Free end 47, 48 Through opening 51 Insert member 53, 54 Screw hole 61 Counterpart 62 Housing part 63, 64 Hole 65 Screw 66 Screw head 75 Screw 76 Screw head 77 Screw nail 91 Connection part of the magnetic core 93, 94 Magnetometer a Angle P Reference point

Claims

1. An apparatus (11) for use on an overhead trolley wire (1), particularly on an overhead wire of a railway line, wherein the apparatus (11) comprises fastening means (41, 51) configured to fasten the apparatus (11) to the trolley wire (1), and power supply means for supplying power to at least one electrical load portion of the apparatus (11), wherein the power supply means comprises a coil (25) in which a voltage is induced when a current flows through the trolley wire (1), the coil (25) being capable of supplying the at least one electrical load portion, and a magnetic core (27), wherein the magnetic core (27) is an open magnetic core (27) having two legs (29), each of the two legs (29) forming a free end (30) of the magnetic core (27), the two legs extending from the top to the bottom in the assembled state of the apparatus (11), and each of the two legs approaching one of a plurality of grooves (3) of the trolley wire (1) at a transition portion between the upper and lower portions of the trolley wire (1), so that the trolley wire (1) or the space above the trolley wire (1) is located between the free ends of the two legs (29), and the two legs (29) are connected to each other by a connecting portion (91) of the magnetic core (27).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the two legs (29) and / or the connecting portion (91) are formed of sheet metal.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting portion (91) extends through the coil (25).

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the two legs (29) have a length greater than that of the connecting portion (91) at their free ends (30), and in the assembled state of the apparatus (11), the length is measured along the longitudinal direction of the trolley wire (1).

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the two legs (29) extend into one of the plurality of grooves (3) of the trolley wire (1) together with their respective free ends (30).

6. The magnetic core has an auxiliary piece, and when the device is used for a suspension cable of an overhead line, the auxiliary piece, the two legs (29) and the connecting part (91) form a magnetic core extending around the suspension cable in a closed manner, and the auxiliary piece can be connected to the free ends (30) of the two legs (29). The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that.

7. The device (11) is provided with fixing devices (41, 51) for using the device for the overhead line. The fixing devices (41, 51) include a clamp bracket (41), where the clamp bracket (41) has two halves (43, 44). The two halves (43, 44) extend on the opposite sides of the trolley wire (1) in a fixed state and are connected to each other at the top. The inner and outer sides between the two halves (43, 44) are defined. Each of the two halves (43, 44) has a free bracket end (45, 46). The free bracket ends (45, 46) engage with one of the two opposite grooves (3) of the trolley wire (1) in a fixed state and are clamped to the trolley wire (1) in a fixed state. Clamping means (75, 77) for clamping the free bracket ends (45, 46) into the groove (3) of the trolley wire (1), and a part (62) of the device is fixed to the clamp bracket (41) in a fixed state. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that.

8. The device is provided with an insert member (51). The insert member (51) is arranged at the top on the inner side between the two halves (43, 44) in a fixed state and is in planar contact with the surface of the clamp bracket (41) on the inner side. The clamp bracket (41) is provided with a connecting part. The connecting part connects the insert member (51) to the part (62) of the device through and / or via the upper region of the clamp bracket (41). The device according to claim 7, characterized in that.

9. The device (11) includes a support structure (15), and a predetermined device of the device (11) is fixed to and supported by the support structure (15). Here, the trolley wire (1) or the support structure (15) in a state of being attached to the overhead line is fixed to the trolley wire (1) or the overhead line via fixing devices (41, 51). Here, the support structure (15) has a lower part disposed close to the trolley wire (1) in the attached state and an upper part disposed away from the trolley wire (1) in the attached state, and at least one receptacle is provided in the lower part, and an energy storage device for storing energy for operating a predetermined device of the device (11) is accommodated in the receptacle. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that.

10. The device includes at least two magnetometers (93, 94), and the at least two magnetometers (93, 94) are arranged at different positions with respect to the circumference around the trolley wire (1) and / or with respect to the distance from the trolley wire (1). The device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that.

11. A method for manufacturing a device (11) that can be fixed to a trolley wire (1) that is an overhead line, particularly to an overhead line of a line. The manufacturing method includes a step of preparing fixing devices (41, 51) as a part of the device (11). The fixing devices (41, 51) are configured such that the device (11) can be fixed to the trolley wire (1) by the fixing devices (41, 51), and a step of preparing a power supply device as a part of the device (11). The power supply device includes a step of being configured to supply power to at least one electrical load part of the device (11). As a component of the power supply device, there is a coil (25) in which a voltage is induced when a current flows through the trolley wire (1), and the coil (25) enables the at least one electrical load portion to be supplied, and a magnetic core (27) is provided. The magnetic core (27) is formed as an open magnetic core (27) having two legs. Each of the two legs (29) forms a free end of the magnetic core (27). The two legs extend from the top to the bottom in the assembled state of the device (11), and each of the two legs approaches one of the plurality of grooves (3) of the trolley wire (1) at a transition portion between the upper and lower portions of the trolley wire (1). Accordingly, the trolley wire (1) or the space above the trolley wire (1) is located between the free ends of the two legs (29), and the two legs (29) are connected to each other by a connecting portion (91) of the magnetic core (27). A method for manufacturing a device, characterized in that.

12. An operating method of a device (11) that can be fixed to an overhead line, particularly to an overhead line of a line, for a trolley wire (1) that is an overhead line. A step of repeatedly measuring the magnetic field intensity of the magnetic field generated by the energizing trolley wire (1) at different positions with respect to the circumference around the trolley wire (1). An operating method of a device, characterized by including a step of analyzing the measured values of the magnetic field intensity obtained at the installation location of the device (11) or at a remote location.

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