Trolley System

Abstract

The present application discloses a trolley system for supplying power to a vehicle, the trolley system comprising a trolley wire, the trolley wire being at least one of a flexible structure that is free-standing on the ground and an enclosed structure having an insulating housing with a sealing mechanism for sealing an opening extending along the trolley wire, and a current collecting assembly mounted on the vehicle to establish sliding electrical contact with a conductor of the trolley wire.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention particularly relates to a trolley system for supplying power to vehicles at a mining or construction site. [Background technology]

[0002] Typically, trolley systems comprise overhead wires mounted between posts positioned along the roadway, with the vehicle's pantograph or trolley arms touching the wires to establish a sliding electrical contact. Such systems require a lot of infrastructure and, being stationary, require ongoing maintenance to ensure that the roadway and vehicles accurately follow the path defined by the overhead wires.

[0003] WO2020 / 186296 A1 describes a trolley system for trucks in mines, in which a trolley wire is placed on the road surface for the truck, so that the trolley wire runs on the trolley wire placed between the wheels of the truck or alongside the road next to the truck. Summary of the Invention

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved trolley system.

[0005] This application describes a trolley system for supplying electrical power to a vehicle, the system including a contact wire and a current collecting assembly mounted on the vehicle to establish sliding electrical contact with a conductor of the contact wire.

[0006] The present application further describes a contact wire for supplying power to a vehicle, the contact wire comprising an insulating housing surrounding a conductor.

[0007] In a first aspect, the contact wire is a flexible structure that is placed free on the ground.

[0008] In a second aspect, the contact wire is a sealed structure having an insulating housing with a sealing mechanism for sealing an opening extending along the contact wire, the opening allowing access to a current collector to establish sliding electrical contact with the conductor.

[0009] The present application further describes a method for powering a vehicle.

[0010] In a first aspect, a method includes: engaging a contact wire disposed loosely on the ground with a current collecting assembly of the vehicle; moving the car along the contact wire with the current collecting assembly causing the section of the contact wire to be raised above the ground; A method comprising: The current collecting assembly establishes sliding electrical contact with the conductor of the contact wire at the portion of the contact wire elevated above ground.

[0011] In some embodiments, sliding electrical contact may be established using a current collecting element that reaches through an open portion of the insulating housing of the contact wire.

[0012] In a second aspect, the method comprises: engaging a contact wire with a current collecting assembly of the vehicle, the contact wire being a sealed structure having an insulating housing with a sealing mechanism for sealing an opening extending along the contact wire; moving the car along the contact wire with the current collecting assembly causing the current collecting assembly to open a portion of the opening extending along the contact wire; A method comprising: The current collecting assembly establishes sliding electrical contact with the contact wire conductor disposed within an insulating housing, the current collecting element reaching through the cut-out portion of the opening in the insulating housing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] The present invention is now described with reference to embodiments and drawings.

[0014] In the drawings: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a trolley system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a contact wire with a foundation block. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a current collecting assembly with guide elements. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a current collecting assembly prior to entry into the contact wire foundation block. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows, in perspective, a current collecting assembly engaging with a contact wire. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows, in cross-section, a current collecting assembly engaging a contact wire. [Figure 7a] FIG. 7a shows the contact wire in a cross-sectional view, in the sealed state. [Figure 7b] FIG. 7b shows the contact wire in a cross-sectional view in the open state. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates a first embodiment of a method for powering a vehicle. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates a second embodiment of a method for powering a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] 1 is a schematic diagram of a trolley system for supplying electrical power to a vehicle 1. In particular, the trolley system comprises a contact wire 10 and a current collecting assembly 20 mounted on the vehicle 1 to establish sliding electrical contact with a conductor 17 of the contact wire.

[0016] The trolley system of the present invention may be used with any type of vehicle. In an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle includes an electric propulsion system, the motor of which is supplied with power via the trolley system.

[0017] In an embodiment, the vehicle 1 comprises wheels 3 driven by at least one electric motor. In an embodiment, the vehicle comprises at least two wheels, preferably each wheel driven by an electric motor. The vehicle may comprise at least four wheels, preferably at least two wheels driven by at least one electric motor. In particular, the rear wheels may be driven by at least one electric motor.

[0018] In one embodiment, the vehicle is a dump truck. The dump truck may comprise a chassis 2 and a dump body 4 for transporting a load. The dump body may be pivotally mounted to the chassis 2 by means of a horizontally opposed pivot axis. The vehicle comprises actuators, in particular hydraulic cylinders, for lifting and lowering the dump body 4. The dump body 4 may be configured such that the load transported in the dump body slides out of the dump body when the dump body is raised into the unloading position.

[0019] The trolley system of the present invention may be used on other vehicles and mobile equipment as well, such as excavators, trucks, or drilling rigs.

[0020] In some embodiments, the trolley system may be used at a mining site.

[0021] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the current collecting assembly is mounted between the vehicle wheels 3 on the bottom side of the chassis 2. This configuration will make it easier for the vehicle operator to drive along the trolley wire.

[0022] In an alternative arrangement, the current collecting assembly may be provided to a side of the chassis and may be attached to the side of the chassis by, for example, a retaining arm.

[0023] In a first aspect, the vehicle may include a cabin for a driver, the vehicle being configured to be manually piloted from the cabin by the driver. In a second aspect, which may be combined with the first aspect, the vehicle may be configured to drive autonomously or to be teleoperated.

[0024] The embodiments described herein incorporate various aspects and aspects of the present application in combination, which aspects and aspects may, however, be realized independently of one another.

[0025] The following embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings and may include all features shown in the drawings in addition to the features described below. In this regard, it should be noted that all figures, except for Figure 1, are to-scale views of particular embodiments. However, features of the embodiments may be implemented independently of any of the additional features shown in the drawings, or in conjunction with embodiments having elements of different dimensions and different scales.

[0026] This application describes a trolley system for supplying power to a vehicle 1, the system comprising a trolley wire 10 and a current collecting assembly 20 mounted on the vehicle 1 to establish sliding electrical contact with a conductor 17 of the trolley wire 10.

[0027] In the first aspect, the contact wire 10 is a flexible structure that is placed loosely on the ground. Thus, road maintenance is no longer critical, as the contact wire adapts to changes in road design. Furthermore, vehicles would not have to follow a predetermined path and would still be able to come into contact with the contact wire. If the road or vehicle position changes, the contact wire would simply be dragged along.

[0028] In a second aspect, the contact wire 10 is a sealed structure having an insulating housing 13 with a sealing mechanism for sealing an opening 18 extending along the contact wire 10. Thereby, the conductor 17 of the contact wire 10 is hermetically enclosed in the insulating housing 13, which improves safety and reliability. The current collecting assembly 20 will establish electrical contact by opening the sealing mechanism and penetrating through the opening 18. When the current collecting assembly 20 has passed a portion of the contact wire, the sealing mechanism will again seal the opening 18 and enclose the conductor 17.

[0029] The opening 18 may in particular have the shape of a slit that passes through the insulating housing 13 to the space containing the conductor 17 and may be provided between two adjacent wall portions of the insulating housing 13 .

[0030] In an embodiment described more fully below, a wheel may be provided on the current collecting assembly to complete the opening operation. The wheel may or may not be motorized.

[0031] In one embodiment, the trolley system is configured such that the current collecting assembly 20 raises the contact wire 10 off the ground to establish electrical contact by sliding, thereby reducing the chance of dirt on the road surface getting into the housing and thus compromising the electrical contact.

[0032] In one embodiment, the contact wire 10 is anchored to the ground at least at one end by a foundation block 11. The foundation block will prevent the contact wire from being dragged by the current collecting assembly. Additionally, it defines a specific entry point where the current collecting assembly can be engaged with the contact wire.

[0033] In one embodiment, the foundation block 11 includes an entry funnel 12 for a current collecting assembly. The entry funnel simplifies engagement with the current collecting assembly.

[0034] In one embodiment, the contact wire 10 is constructed in modular sections, which simplifies transportation and maintenance of the contact wire.

[0035] In one embodiment, the contact wire 10 comprises an insulating housing 13 surrounding the conductor 17, the insulating housing having at least one opening 18 extending along the contact wire 10 and allowing access to the current collecting element, thereby establishing sliding electrical contact with the conductor 17.

[0036] In one embodiment, the insulating housing 13 comprises a lower portion 16 disposed on the ground and an upper portion 15 for covering a conductor 17, the conductor 17 being disposed between the lower portion 16 and the upper portion 15, and at least one opening 18 being provided between the lower portion and the upper portion.

[0037] In one embodiment, the opening 18 is provided in the side of the housing between the lower and upper portions.

[0038] In one embodiment, the conductor 17 comprises at least two conductor wires extending within the insulating housing 13, and the insulating housing 13 comprises at least two groups of openings 18 that allow access to the conductor wires by separate groups of current collecting elements of the current collecting assembly.

[0039] In one embodiment, the openings 18 are provided on two sides of the housing between the lower and upper portions.

[0040] In one embodiment, the contact wire 10 includes a sealing mechanism 19 configured to seal the opening 18 when the current collecting assembly is not engaged with the flexible contact wire 10, and the current collecting assembly is configured to open the opening 18 to provide access to at least one conductor wire of the flexible contact wire.

[0041] In one embodiment, the upper portion 15 is configured to hermetically close the opening 18 by pressing a sealing area 19a of the upper portion 15 into sealing contact with a sealing area 19b of the lower portion.

[0042] In one embodiment, the upper portion 15 includes at least one of a space 31 and a reinforcement 37 for sealingly contacting the sealing area 19a of the upper portion with the sealing area 19b of the lower portion.

[0043] In one embodiment, a recess 14 is provided on at least one side of the housing between the lower portion 16 and the upper portion 15, and at least one opening 18 extends into the recess 14. The recess may protect the opening and further function as a guide path for the current collecting assembly.

[0044] In one embodiment, the top of the recess 14 , located on the upper portion 15 , includes drip ledges 32 to prevent water from entering the opening 18 and the conductor 17 .

[0045] In one embodiment, the lower portion includes integrated foot portions 38 for keeping the conductor 17 at a predetermined distance from the ground.

[0046] In one embodiment, the housing 13 is made from a resilient material, preferably a rubber material such as rubber and reinforced rubber / belt rubber.

[0047] In an embodiment, the current collecting assembly includes at least one guide element 22 that engages the contact wire. In an embodiment, the guide element 22 may engage a recess 14 that extends along the contact wire.

[0048] In some embodiments, the guide element may engage the contact wire to elevate a portion of the contact wire off the ground.

[0049] In one embodiment, the guide element 22 comprises a guide wheel rotatably supported on the current collecting assembly and / or driven by a motor 23 in synchronism with the speed of the vehicle 1. This will prevent excessive drag on the contact wire.

[0050] In one embodiment, the guide element 22 engages with the recess 14 to open the opening 18, allowing the current collecting element 21 of the current collecting assembly 20 to reach through the opening 18 to establish sliding electrical contact with the conductor 17.

[0051] In some embodiments, the current collector includes a cleaning mechanism, such as a brush or a compressed air source, for cleaning the flexible contact wire.

[0052] The present application further describes a contact wire.

[0053] In a first aspect, the contact wire comprises an insulating housing 13 surrounding a conductor 17, the contact wire being a flexible structure that is placed free on the ground.

[0054] In a second aspect, the contact wire comprises an insulating housing 13 surrounding a conductor 17, the contact wire being a sealed structure with the insulating housing 13 provided with a sealing mechanism 19 for sealing an opening 18 extending along the contact wire, the opening 18 allowing access to a current collecting element 21 thereby establishing sliding electrical contact with the conductor 17.

[0055] In one embodiment, the first and second aspects are provided in combination, i.e. the contact wire is a flexible structure that is placed free on the ground and includes a sealing mechanism 19 for sealing an opening 28 extending along the contact wire.

[0056] In one embodiment, the contact wire is configured as described above with respect to the trolley system.

[0057] The present application further describes a method for providing power to a vehicle, the method comprising: engaging a contact wire, the contact wire being at least one of a free-standing structure disposed on the ground and a sealed structure having an insulating housing with a sealing mechanism for sealing an opening extending along the contact wire, with a current collecting assembly of the vehicle; moving the car along the contact wire with the current collecting assembly at least one of raising a portion of the contact wire from above the ground and opening a portion of the opening extending along the contact wire; A method comprising: The current collecting assembly establishes a sliding electrical contact with the conductor of the contact wire, the sliding electrical contact being established by either or both of the portion of the contact wire pulled up from the ground and a current collector reaching through the open portion of the opening in the insulating housing.

[0058] The two aspects of the method may be combined. Furthermore, the method may use the contact wire and trolley system described above and may proceed as described above with respect to the operation of the trolley system.

[0059] Further details of the trolley system, its elements and its operation are described below.

[0060] The current collecting assembly 20 may be attached to the vehicle at a defined height above ground. In some embodiments, the connection mechanism to the vehicle is flexible, allowing the current collecting assembly to accommodate height tolerances of the contact wire entry section. Additionally, the connection may have some flexibility in the horizontal direction to facilitate establishing a connection with the contact wire. Such a flexible connection may be provided, for example, by a spring-loaded coupling mechanism.

[0061] 2 shows a particular embodiment of the entry section of the contact wire 10. The entry section is provided with a base block 11 that is fixed relative to the ground, so that the base block 11 fixes the entry section of the flexible contact wire 10 in a particular position relative to the ground, while the other section of the contact wire will be placed free on the ground.

[0062] The inlet part of the foundation block 11, which establishes the connection with the current collecting assembly, is located at a defined distance above the ground, which distance is equal to the height at which the current collecting assembly is mounted on the vehicle. The foundation block 11 may comprise an inlet funnel 12 for receiving a guide element of the current collecting assembly.

[0063] The base block 11 provides a defined entry point for establishing contact between the current collecting assembly and the flexible contact wire. Moreover, it prevents the flexible contact wire from being dragged by engagement with the current collecting assembly. The flexible contact wire will bend from the end 41 of the base block 11 to the ground and beyond that will lie loose on the ground.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the flexible contact wire is only connected to the ground of the foundation block. In particular, the other end of the contact wire can be placed on the road without being fixed. In an alternative embodiment, the foundation block can be provided along the extension of the contact wire and / or at the other end so that the flexible contact wire is connected to the ground at a specific position along its extension.

[0065] The contact wire may be configured in a modularized structure, where sections of the modular contact wire are connectable to one another. In particular, successive sections of a flexible contact wire may be connectable to one another via clip connectors.

[0066] As can be seen from Figures 2, 6 and 7, the flexible contact wire comprises an insulating housing 13 which surrounds a conductor wire 17. The insulating housing 13 is provided on at least one, and preferably two, sides thereof with an opening 18 which may be opened to allow access to the conductor wire 17.

[0067] In an embodiment, the housing 13 comprises an upper portion 15 and a lower portion 16, and the aperture(s) are provided between the upper and lower portions. In the side of the housing, the recess 14 extends along the contact wire. The aperture 18 is provided at the apex of the recess 14.

[0068] As can be seen from Fig. 2, the inlet funnels of the foundation block are provided on two sides of the foundation block, and the recesses extending along the flexible contact wires open into the inlet funnels of the foundation block. By means of the recesses 14 extending through the foundation block, the guide elements 22 of the current collecting assembly will be guided into the recesses through the inlet funnels.

[0069] The opening 18 may similarly extend through the foundation block along the apex of the inlet funnel, or may begin at a location along the flexible contact wire behind the foundation block.

[0070] 3 shows an embodiment of a current collecting assembly. The current collecting assembly 20 comprises two current collecting elements 21 for establishing sliding electrical contact with the conductor wires 17 of the flexible contact wire. The current collecting elements 21 are configured to reach into the housing through openings 18 and connect with the conductor wires 17 (see FIG. 6).

[0071] The current collecting assembly further comprises a guide element 22 for establishing mechanical contact with the flexible contact wire.

[0072] In particular, as can be seen in FIG. 5, the guide elements 22 will raise a section of the flexible contact wire off the ground in order for the current collecting elements to establish electrical contact within this section.

[0073] Furthermore, in an embodiment, the guide element 22 is configured to open the opening 18 in the insulating housing 13 to allow the current collecting element 21 access to the conductor wire disposed within the housing. In an embodiment, the opening 18 is opened in a portion of the flexible contact wire that is raised by the guide element 22.

[0074] In an embodiment, the guide element 22 engages with the recess 14 extending along the flexible contact wire. In particular, the upper portion of the recess will be located on top of the guide element so that the guide element keeps the housing off the ground. The lower portion of the guide element will open an opening 18 between the upper and lower portions of the recess and contact the lower portion of the recess 14.

[0075] In an embodiment, the guide elements 22 are wheels rotatably mounted on the adhesive portion of the current collecting assembly. In an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the wheels is driven by a motor 23.

[0076] In one embodiment, the motor 23 that drives the wheels 22 is controlled based on the speed of the vehicle. In particular, the motor may be controlled to drive the wheels 22 along the conductor wire at the same speed that the vehicle is traveling over the ground. This will reduce the resistance on the flexible contact wire.

[0077] In an embodiment, the current collecting assembly or vehicle includes a controller configured to control the motor 23, as described above. In particular, the controller may include a microprocessor and program code stored in a non-volatile memory. The controller may be in communication with a vehicle controller, or a portion of a vehicle controller. It may receive the vehicle speed as an input parameter. The program code, when running on the microprocessor, may operate synchronously with the vehicle speed by controlling the motor 23.

[0078] In one embodiment, at least two of the guide wheels located on opposite sides of the contact wire are driven by one or more motors, as described above.

[0079] In an embodiment, the current collecting assembly comprises four guide elements, two guide elements arranged in a vertical row along the contact wire, on each side of the contact wire, and the current collecting element 21 is provided between the guide elements along the contact wire, whereby the guide elements provide a portion of the contact wire where the opening 18 is opened, and the current collecting element 21 is provided in this portion.

[0080] The current collecting assembly may further be equipped with a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the conductor wire, and in particular for removing debris from the recesses 14 and openings 18. For example, the cleaning mechanism may comprise one or more brushes that engage the recesses and / or openings. In addition to or instead of brushes, the cleaning mechanism may comprise a pneumatic cleaning mechanism in which pressurized air is directed through a nozzle to clean the recesses, openings, and / or inner areas of the contact wire including the conductor 17.

[0081] The cleaning mechanism may be provided in front of the front guide element or between the front guide element and the current collecting element 21 .

[0082] The current collecting assembly will therefore raise a section of the flexible contact wire off the ground to establish electrical contact at this raised section, as shown in Figure 5. After the current collecting assembly has passed, the contact wire will drop back to the ground.

[0083] Further details of the flexible contact wire, and in particular the structure of the housing 13, are shown in Figures 6, 7a and 7b. Figures 6 and 7b show the housing in an open state, which allows access to the conductor wire 17 of the current collecting element 21. Figure 7a shows the housing in a closed state, where the conductor wire 17 is surrounded by the housing and the sealing parts 19a and 19b are in sealing contact, thereby closing the opening 18 provided between them.

[0084] In one embodiment of the invention, the housing is made from a flexible elastic material, in particular a rubber material such as rubber or reinforced rubber, belt rubber.

[0085] The housing may be further configured to establish a sealed contact along the opening in the closed position and to improve the opening action of the contact wire when engaged with the current collecting assembly.

[0086] In particular, in the embodiment, the upper part 15 of the housing comprises a space 31 extending along the contact wire, a dome-shaped upper part 35 forms a roof portion above the space 31, and a reinforced lower reinforcement 37 is provided below the space as a bottom. A side portion 36 connecting the bottom portion 37 and the roof portion 35 extends obliquely outwardly and forms the upper portion of the recess 14.

[0087] A side portion 36 of the upper portion 15 forming the top of the recess 14 is provided with a group of water blocking protrusions 32 for preventing water from entering the opening 18. The group of water blocking protrusions 32 may be provided by a group of recesses extending along the top of the recess 14.

[0088] The sealing area 19a is located at the boundary between the side portion 36 and the bottom portion 37. In one embodiment, in the closed state shown in Figure 7a, it may form a protrusion extending downwardly from the bottom portion 37. The sealing area 19a may be of different shapes.

[0089] As can be seen from Figures 7a and 7b, when the guide element contacts the side portions 36, the upper portion 15 will be deformed and the side portions 36 will extend at a greater angle to the horizontal. At the same time, the curvature of the dome-shaped roof portion will increase and the upper ends of the side portions will be allowed to move closer together.

[0090] This pivoting movement of the side portions 36 will lift the sealing areas 19 a of the upper portion 15 and move them away from the sealing areas 19 b of the lower portion 16 .

[0091] The lower portion 16 of the housing has a substantially trapezoidal shape with a bottom side 40 lying at ground level and side portions 39 extending diagonally inwardly from an outer end 33 of the bottom side 40, the side portions 39 forming the lower portion of the recess 14.

[0092] Sealing areas 19b are provided on two sides of the lower portion 16 at the boundary between the side portions 39 of the lower portion 16 and the top of the lower portion 16.

[0093] In one embodiment, in the closed state shown in Figure 7a, the sealing area 19b may be formed as a protrusion extending upwardly from the top of the lower portion 16. The sealing area 19b may also be of different shapes.

[0094] The upper and lower parts are connected by a connection portion 34, which is disposed between two parallel conductor lines 17, the conductor lines being disposed inside the sealed space formed by the sealing regions 19a and 19b.

[0095] In the open state shown in Fig. 7b, contact with the guide elements 22 will deform the lower part 16 so that the sealing area 19b moves away from the sealing area 19a of the upper part 15. The guide wheels 22 are arranged laterally so that they are narrower than the assembly in the rest state. When they engage the assembly, they open the sealing area by providing a leverage effect.

[0096] In an embodiment, the bottom side 40 of the lower portion 16 will be deformed concavely, with the outer ends 33 lowered relative to the central portion. Additionally, the angle at which the side portions 39 extend diagonally upward relative to the horizontal will be increased in the open position.

[0097] Through the arrangement of sealing regions and openings, the housing comprises at least one sealed inner portion accessible via opening 18 and comprising at least one conductor line 17 .

[0098] The lower portion 16 is provided as a solid body in an embodiment. In an alternative configuration, it may be configured with a void as well. The void and shape of the upper portion 15 provide a spring-loaded resistance to opening of the sealing area.

[0099] In an embodiment, the lower portion comprises a small foot portion that establishes a constant height of the recess 14 above the ground. Depending on road conditions, the height of this foot portion may be increased to increase the distance of the recess and opening 18 from the ground. An embodiment with an increased distance is shown in dotted lines in Figure 7a.

[0100] The foot portion may be provided as a separate body 41 connected to the bottom side 40 of the lower portion, or may simply be provided by increasing the height of the lower portion.

[0101] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7a, two conductor lines 17 are provided, each accessible via an opening arranged on a side of the contact wire.

[0102] In an embodiment, the two conductor lines are each configured as two separate physical lines disposed on top of each other to improve sliding electrical contact with the current collecting element 21. In alternative configurations, the conductor line 17 may also be provided as a single line or as a multiple line comprising three or more separate physical conductor lines.

[0103] The two conductor wires 17 arranged on the two sides of the contact wire are electrically insulated from each other by the housing 13. In particular, a connection 34 arranged between the two conductor wires 17, which connects the upper and lower parts of the housing, may be made of an insulating material.

[0104] The housing thereby forms two separate inner portions, each accessible through one of the openings 18 and each comprising one of the conductor lines 17 .

[0105] Each of these inner portions is opened through an opening 18 and is accessible through the opening 18 when the contact wire 10 is engaged with the current collecting assembly 20 .

[0106] Aspects of a method for operating the trolley system are shown in FIGS.

[0107] As shown in step 81 of FIG. 8, the method includes engaging a flexible contact wire current collecting assembly that is loosely positioned on the ground.

[0108] Step 82 includes moving the car along the contact wire, and while moving along the contact wire, the current collecting assembly lifts a portion of the contact wire off the ground.

[0109] Step 83 involves establishing sliding electrical contact with the contact wire conductor at the portion of the contact wire raised above the ground via the element 21 of the current collecting assembly 20. In particular, sliding electrical contact may be established at the portion of the contact wire 10 raised above the ground via the current collecting element 21 reaching through the open portion of the insulating housing 13 of the contact wire 10.

[0110] In a second phase shown in FIG. 9, step 91 includes engaging a contact wire with a current collecting assembly of a vehicle, the contact wire being a sealed structure having an insulating housing with a sealing mechanism for sealing an opening extending along the contact wire.

[0111] Step 92 includes moving the car along the contact wire, with the current collecting assembly opening a portion of the aperture that extends along the contact wire while moving along the contact wire.

[0112] Step 93 involves establishing sliding electrical contact with the contact wire conductor disposed inside the insulating housing, the current collecting element reaching through the open portion of the aperture.

[0113] In an embodiment of the present invention, steps 81 and 91 are combined, and the contact wire is disposed free on the ground and is an enclosed structure with an insulating housing and an opening extending along the contact wire.

[0114] Additionally, steps 82 and 92 may be performed in combination. In particular, while traveling along the contact wire, the current collecting assembly may raise a portion of the contact wire from the ground and open an opening in at least a portion of the raised portion.

[0115] Furthermore, step 83 and step 93 may be performed in combination. In particular, the current collecting assembly may establish sliding electrical contact with the conductor of the contact wire disposed inside the insulating housing at the raised portion of the contact wire, and the current collector reaches through the opened portion of the aperture.

[0116] Furthermore, the method may be carried out in relation to the system as described above and may in particular be used to operate a trolley system as described above.

Claims

1. 1. A trolley system for supplying power to a vehicle, the trolley system comprising: a contact wire having an insulating housing surrounding a conductor, the contact wire being a flexible structure disposed free on the ground; a current collecting assembly mounted on the vehicle to establish sliding electrical contact with the conductor of the contact wire; Trolley system with.

2. The trolley system is configured such that the current collecting assembly is configured to raise the contact wire from the ground to establish the sliding electrical contact. The trolley system of claim 1.

3. The contact wire is fixed to the ground at least at one end by a foundation block. The trolley system of claim 1.

4. A trolley system for supplying power to a vehicle, the trolley system comprising: A contact wire, the contact wire is at least one of a flexible structure that is disposed free on the ground and a sealed structure having an insulating housing with a sealing mechanism for sealing an opening extending along the contact wire; Trolley wire and a current collecting assembly mounted on the vehicle to establish sliding electrical contact with the contact wire conductor; Equipped with The contact wire is fixed to the ground at least at one end by a foundation block, the foundation block includes an inlet funnel for the current collecting assembly; Trolley system.

5. A trolley system for supplying power to a vehicle, the trolley system comprising: A contact wire, the contact wire is at least one of a flexible structure that is disposed free on the ground and a sealed structure having an insulating housing with a sealing mechanism for sealing an opening extending along the contact wire; Trolley wire and a current collecting assembly mounted on the vehicle to establish sliding electrical contact with the contact wire conductor; Equipped with The contact wire is composed of modularized sections. Trolley system.

6. The contact wire includes an insulating housing surrounding the conductor, the insulating housing includes at least one opening extending along the contact wire and providing access to a current collecting element to establish said sliding electrical contact with the conductor; The trolley system of claim 1.

7. the insulating housing has a lower portion disposed on the ground and an upper portion for covering the conductor; the conductor is disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion; The at least one opening is provided between the lower portion and the upper portion. The trolley system according to claim 6.

8. The conductor comprises at least two conductor wires extending within the insulating housing; the insulating housing includes at least two openings allowing access to the at least two conductor wires by separate current collecting elements of the current collecting assembly; The trolley system according to claim 6.

9. the contact wire includes a sealing mechanism configured to hermetically close the at least one opening when the current collecting assembly is not engaged with the contact wire; the current collecting assembly is configured to allow access to at least one conductor wire of the contact wire by opening the at least one opening; The trolley system according to claim 6.

10. the upper portion is configured to sealingly close the at least one opening by pressing a sealing area of ​​the upper portion into sealing contact with a sealing area of ​​the lower portion; The trolley system of claim 7.

11. The upper portion includes at least one of a space and a reinforcement for sealingly contacting the sealing area of ​​the upper portion to the sealing area of ​​the lower portion. The trolley system of claim 10.

12. A trolley system for supplying power to a vehicle, the trolley system comprising: A contact wire, the contact wire is at least one of a flexible structure that is disposed free on the ground and a sealed structure having an insulating housing with a sealing mechanism for sealing an opening extending along the contact wire; Trolley wire and a current collecting assembly mounted on the vehicle to establish sliding electrical contact with the contact wire conductor; Equipped with The contact wire includes an insulating housing surrounding the conductor, the insulating housing includes at least one opening extending along the contact wire and providing access to a current collecting element to establish the sliding electrical contact with the conductor; the insulating housing has a lower portion disposed on the ground and an upper portion for covering the conductor; the conductor is disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion; the at least one opening is disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion; a recess is provided on at least one side of the insulating housing between the lower portion and the upper portion; the at least one opening extends into the recess; Trolley system.

13. An upper portion of the recess disposed on the upper portion is provided with a group of water blocking protrusions for preventing water from entering the at least one opening and the conductor. The trolley system of claim 12.

14. the insulating housing is made from a resilient material, including a rubber material including at least one of rubber and reinforced rubber; The trolley system according to claim 6.

15. The contact wire is a sealed structure with the insulating housing provided with a sealing mechanism for sealing an opening extending along the contact wire. The trolley system of claim 1.

16. the current collecting assembly includes at least one guide element that engages the contact wire; the at least one guide element comprises a guide wheel rotatably supported on the current collecting assembly and / or driven by a motor synchronous with the speed of the vehicle; The trolley system of claim 15.

17. the at least one guide element engages with a recess for opening the opening, and a current collecting element of the current collecting assembly reaches through the opening to establish the sliding electrical contact with the conductor; 17. The trolley system of claim 16.

18. the opening extending along the contact wire is a slot provided between two wall portions of the insulating housing of the contact wire; The trolley system of claim 15.

19. the current collecting assembly includes a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the contact wire; The trolley system of claim 1.

20. 1. A contact wire for supplying electric power to a vehicle, the contact wire comprising an insulating housing surrounding a conductor, the contact wire comprising: A flexible structure that is placed unfixed on the ground. Trolley wire.

21. The contact wire is a sealed structure with the insulating housing provided with a sealing mechanism for sealing an opening extending along the contact wire, the opening allows access to a current collecting element to establish sliding electrical contact with the conductor; 21. The contact wire of claim 20.

22. 1. A method for providing electrical power to a vehicle, the method comprising: engaging a contact wire that is loosely disposed on the ground with a current collecting assembly of the vehicle; moving the car along the contact wire with the current collecting assembly raising the portion of the contact wire off the ground; A method comprising: the current collecting assembly establishes sliding electrical contact with a conductor of the contact wire, the sliding electrical contact being established at the portion of the contact wire elevated above the ground. method.

23. The contact wire is of sealed construction having an insulating housing with a sealing mechanism for sealing an opening extending along the contact wire; the current collecting assembly opens a portion of the opening extending along the contact wire and establishes sliding electrical contact with the conductor of the contact wire by a current collector reaching through the open portion of the opening in the insulating housing.

23. The method of claim 22.

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