Neutral section isolator

Abstract

The invention relates to a neutral section isolator (1) for at least one contact wire of a catenary, the neutral section isolator (1) being intended to be placed, in a mounted position, between the ends of two separated sections of the at least one contact wire, the neutral section isolator (1) comprising two opposing anchoring systems capable of clamping the ends of the sections of the at least one contact wire and of maintaining the tension of the sections of the at least one contact wire, the neutral section isolator further comprising an insulating envelope capable of insulating the ends of the sections of the at least one contact wire from one another. According to the invention, the insulating envelope comprises two insulating plates (35) parallel to one another and extending longitudinally in order to connect the two anchoring systems, the two insulating plates (35) being arranged to leave an empty longitudinal space (E) extending rectilinearly between the two anchoring systems.

Description

Description Title of the invention: NEUTRAL SECTION INSULATOR

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of neutral section insulators for at least one contact wire of a catenary.

[0002] In the above field, it is known that section insulators allow the cutting of one or more contact wires of a catenary in order to create phase separation sections or neutral section sections while allowing the passage of a pantograph.

[0003] An overhead contact line (catenary) comprises a set of cables, including at least one contact wire, which transmits electricity to a train, tram, or other electrically powered vehicle via contact with a pantograph. To facilitate the maintenance and operation of a catenary, section insulators are installed along the power line to isolate two sections and thus relieve the voltage on a portion of the line.

[0004] Existing section insulators include anchoring systems for each end of the contact wire(s) to be separated and at least one insulating element connecting these two anchoring systems. Such insulating elements are generally mounted in line with the two anchoring systems and are subjected to severe mechanical stresses, such as significant bending and deflection forces each time a pantograph passes over them, which reduces their long-term reliability.

[0005] These disadvantages are amplified even further for high-speed rail applications with high operating voltages requiring a longer creepage distance, the distance between the two anchoring systems.

[0006] Existing section insulators require numerous handling interventions which are lengthy and costly as they require the mobilization of skilled labor.

[0007] The invention aims to provide a high-performance, reliable and easy-to-implement neutral section insulator.

[0008] For these purposes the invention proposes a neutral section insulator for at least one contact wire of a catenary, said neutral section insulator being intended to be placed in a mounted position between the ends of two separate sections of at least one contact wire, said neutral section insulator comprising two opposing anchoring systems suitable for clamping the ends of said sections of at least one contact wire and for maintaining the tension of said sections of at least one contact wire and an insulating envelope suitable for insulating the ends of said sections of at least one contact wire from each other.

[0009] According to the invention, said insulating envelope comprises two insulating plates parallel to each other and extending longitudinally to connect said two anchoring systems, said two insulating plates being arranged to leave a longitudinal void extending straight between said two anchoring systems.

[0010] An insulating envelope within the meaning of the invention is an electrically insulating envelope, a device designed to prevent the passage of electric current.

[0011] Thus, the longitudinal empty space arranged between the two anchoring systems ensures a neutral section for both sections of at least one contact wire. The longitudinal void space is defined by the absence of elements in the alignment of the two anchoring systems. The neutral section insulator according to the invention therefore does not require an insulating element mounted in the alignment of the two anchoring systems.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, the insulating panels are mounted on the anchoring systems using reversible assembly methods such as screw connections. This facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the insulating panels.

[0013] According to one feature of the invention, the anchoring systems comprise a housing extending longitudinally to accommodate one end of one of said sections of at least one contact wire in the mounted position, the two insulating plates being fixed at least in part on each of said anchoring systems, on either side of said housings.

[0014] According to another feature of the invention, the insulating panels comprise an insulating composite material. The use of an insulating composite material makes it possible to obtain a lightweight and robust insulating panel with improved mechanical properties inherent to the insulating composite material used.

[0015] According to yet another feature of the invention, the insulating plates include a protection suitable for protecting the insulating plates from the environment.

[0016] The environment is a factor to consider, encompassing dust accumulation, rain, cold weather, and pollution. All these conditions impact the materials constituting the neutral section insulator, and implementing protection extends the lifespan of the insulating panels. According to the invention, such protection is also electrically insulating.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the anchoring systems include means for adjusting the alignment of the cross-sections of at least one contact wire. When mounting the neutral cross-section insulator on the at least one contact wire, the latter may be tilted in a vertical direction, inducing a misalignment between the two cross-sections of the at least one contact wire. Maintaining this alignment is essential for the safety of the neutral cross-section insulator in the mounted position. The means for adjusting the alignment of the cross-section of the at least one contact wire allow the alignment between the two cross-sections of the at least one contact wire to be restored.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the anchoring systems comprise an anchoring head collaborating with an anchoring claw, the anchoring heads being able to grip the anchoring claws and the anchoring claws being able to be fixed to each of said ends of said sections of at least one contact wire in the mounted position.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the anchor heads comprise means for tensioning said sections of at least one contact wire. Such anchor heads are mounted directly on the at least one contact wire without any intermediate component.

[0020] According to one feature of the invention, the anchor heads comprise at least one hook element adapted to cooperate with at least one projecting element of one of the corresponding anchor claws. Such additional retaining means, in the form of at least one hook cooperating with a projecting element, facilitate the mounting of the neutral section insulator on at least one contact wire of the catenary.

[0021] According to another feature of the invention, the anchor heads comprise a body having a housing extending longitudinally to receive said corresponding anchor claw, said body comprising an opening on an upper face leading to said housing, the opening being arranged to receive an adjusting screw capable of exerting a force on said corresponding anchor claw fixed to one of said ends of said sections of at least one contact wire in the mounted position.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, two conductive pads are fixed on either side of each of said anchoring systems. These conductive pads comprise an outer portion extending towards the corresponding contact wire section and an inner portion extending parallel to the insulating plates. The conductive pads comprise a conductive material such as copper or stainless steel to facilitate the flow of electrical charges. The conductive pads are suitable for making surface contact with a pantograph.

[0023] Such an arrangement of the conductive pads including an internal portion which extends parallel to the insulating plates makes it possible to create an overlap zone around the anchoring systems in order to secure the passage of a pantograph from the conductive pads to the insulating envelope.

[0024] According to one feature of the invention, the insulating plates comprise an underside equipped with an insulating friction pad designed to facilitate the passage of a pantograph. The insulating friction pads comprise an electrically insulating material. The insulating friction pads are suitable for making surface contact with a pantograph. Such insulating friction pads reliably withstand the repeated friction of pantograph passage.

[0025] According to another feature of the invention, the insulating panels have a longitudinal groove on their undersides into which one of the one-piece insulating friction pads is partially inserted. The use of a one-piece insulating friction pad allows it to extend uniformly beyond the longitudinal grooves of each insulating panel.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one screw assembly passes through one of said insulating plates and one of said corresponding insulating friction pads, the insulating friction pads comprising at least one oblong hole for the passage of at least one screw assembly. The use of an oblong hole allows freedom of movement for the insulating friction pad inserted in the insulating plate, thus compensating for any potential deformation of the insulating friction pad over time.

[0027] According to one feature of the invention, the insulating friction pads comprise at least one thermoplastic material suitable for facilitating pantograph sliding. Some thermoplastic materials possess mechanical properties advantageous for promoting sliding.

[0028] According to another feature of the invention, the conductive pads and the insulating friction pads each have lower faces substantially in the same horizontal lower plane. Such an arrangement of the conductive pads and the insulating friction pads makes it possible to create continuity of the various contact and power supply elements for the passage of a pantograph, while keeping the other elements of the neutral section insulator above the horizontal lower plane.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the neutral section insulator also comprises at least two blowing horns, the blowing horns comprising an antenna extending from one of said insulating plates, the antennas being capable of capturing a potential electric arc and blowing it away in the raised position when a pantograph passes over it. The use of blowing horns increases the safety of the neutral section insulator.

[0030] Of course, the different features, variants and embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other in various ways as long as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0031] Furthermore, various other features of the invention become apparent from the attached description made with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention and where:

[0032] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a neutral section insulator according to the invention comprising partial anchoring systems,

[0033] [Fig.2] is a top view of figure 1,

[0034] [Fig. 3] is a view from below of figure 1,

[0035] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of an example embodiment of an anchoring claw compatible with the invention,

[0036] [Fig. 5] is a perspective view of an anchor head visible in Figure 1,

[0037] [Fig. 6] is a partial cross-sectional view along the half-section plane AA visible in Figure 1,

[0038] [Fig.7] is a partial semi-sectional view along the section plane BB visible in figure 2.

[0039] It should be noted that in these figures, structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same reference numerals. The orthogonal coordinate system X,Y,Z is used relative to the neutral section insulator according to the invention for each figure and for the description, with a longitudinal direction X, a transverse direction Y, and a vertical direction Z.

[0040] The terms "inside" and "outside" used in the description are defined with respect to a central plane parallel to a vertical plane X,Z and passing through the center of the neutral section insulator, the neutral section insulator being substantially symmetric with respect to this central plane.

[0041] The invention aims to provide an innovative neutral section insulator. To this end, the invention relates to a neutral section insulator 1 as illustrated in figures 1 to 3 for at least one contact wire (not shown) of a catenary (not shown).

[0042] A catenary can include several contact wires. In the mounted position, the neutral section insulator 1 is positioned between the ends of two sections separated by at least one contact wire of the catenary in question.

[0043] To achieve this, the neutral section insulator 1 comprises two opposing anchoring systems capable of clamping the ends of the sections of at least one contact wire and maintaining the tension of the sections of at least one contact wire. Figures 1 to 3 illustrate an example of an embodiment of a neutral section insulator 1 comprising partial anchoring systems.

[0044] Indeed, according to this illustrated embodiment, an anchoring system includes an anchoring claw 10, visible in particular in Figure 4, collaborating with an anchoring head 11 as shown in Figure 5. The two anchoring claws 10 being intended to be fixed to each of the ends of the sections of at least one contact wire, they are not shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 7.

[0045] Such anchoring claws 10 allow at least one contact wire to be connected to a tie rod (not shown) arranged parallel to at least one contact wire.

[0046] The two opposite anchor heads 11 define a longitudinal empty space E, visible in particular in figure 3 in dotted line.

[0047] An anchoring claw 10 compatible with the invention as illustrated comprises two elongated members 12 parallel to each other and having on their opposing inner faces, two parallel longitudinal re-entrant edges, a lower longitudinal re-entrant edge 13 intended to accommodate at least in part the at least one contact wire and an upper longitudinal re-entrant edge 14 intended to accommodate at least in part the associated tie rod.

[0048] The two elongated members 12 comprise on their outer faces, opposite their inner faces, a projecting element 15 extending along the transverse direction Y from each of the outer faces. The two projecting elements 15 are symmetrical with respect to a central plane X,Z passing through the center of the anchoring claw 10.

[0049] The anchoring claw 10 also includes claw screws 16 cooperating with claw nuts 17 passing through the two elongated members 12 allowing the anchoring claw 10 to be tightened on the contact wire(s) and the associated tie rod.

[0050] An anchor head 11 compatible with the anchor claw 10 as described above is illustrated in Figure 5. The anchor head 11 comprises a body 18 through which passes a housing 19 extending longitudinally along the longitudinal direction X. The housing 19 is dimensioned to accommodate at least part of the anchor claw 10.

[0051] Two hook elements 20 extend parallel to each other from the body 18 of the anchor head 11 in the longitudinal direction X, on either side of the housing 19. The hook elements 20 include a curved shape forming an open window 21 and dimensioned to accommodate a projecting element 15 of the anchor claw 10.

[0052] The windows 21 of an anchor head 11 as illustrated have an inverted L shape with a first part substantially straight along the vertical direction Z and a re-entrant part which extends along the longitudinal direction X towards the body 18 of the anchor head 11.

[0053] According to the illustrated embodiment, the anchor heads 11 are opposite each other with the hook elements 20 of the two anchor heads 11 which are also opposite each other.

[0054] The body 18 of the anchor head 11 also comprises two parallel longitudinal faces. Each longitudinal face comprises, on an upper part, plate orifices 25 and, on a lower part, a support structure 26 extending in the transverse direction Y and provided with through conductive pad orifices 27.

[0055] The body 18 of the anchor head 11 includes an opening 30 extending in the vertical direction Z on an upper face leading to the housing 19. The opening 30 is arranged to receive an adjusting screw 31 as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 7. The adjusting screw 31 is able to pass through the opening 30 of the body 18 of the anchor head 11 and to penetrate at least partially into the housing 19. The advancement of the adjusting screw 31 in the housing 19 is defined by the application of a tightening torque at the head of the adjusting screw 31.

[0056] The neutral section insulator 1 according to the invention comprises an insulating envelope having two insulating plates 35 parallel to each other and extending longitudinally along the longitudinal direction X.

[0057] An insulating plate 35 compatible with the invention comprises electrically insulating thermoplastic materials and protection against the external environment. The protection is also electrically insulating and includes physical and chemical characteristics adapted to protect the insulating plate from weather conditions such as rain or frost, as well as from pollution.

[0058] Visible in Figure 1, the insulating panels 35 comprise two end portions and a central portion. The end portion is designed to be fixed to a longitudinal face of an anchor head 11. The central portion includes cutouts 36 to lighten the insulating panel 35. A spacer 37 connects the inner faces of the two insulating panels 35; the spacer 37 is advantageously fixed in an area around the centers of gravity of each of the insulating panels 35, thereby reinforcing the structure of the insulating envelope, with each insulating panel 35 being fixed to the two anchor heads 11 on each of its end portions.

[0059] A partial cross-sectional view of an insulating plate 35 according to the invention is illustrated in Figure 6. The insulating plate 35 is thus provided with through head holes 38 coinciding with the plate holes 25 of the anchor head 11. The end parts of the two insulating plates 35 are fixed to the upper parts of each of the anchor heads 11 by means of plate screws 39.

[0060] The insulating plate 35 also includes an underside fitted with an insulating friction pad 40.

[0061] Also visible in figure 7, each insulating plate 35 includes a longitudinal groove 41 extending along the longitudinal direction X in which the one-piece insulating friction pad 40 is partially inserted.

[0062] The insulating friction pad 40 is fixed in the longitudinal groove 41 of the corresponding insulating plate 35 by means of through-screws 42. The through-screws 42 are located near each end portion of the insulating plate 35. The insulating friction pad 40 includes, for this purpose, two oblong holes 43 extending along the longitudinal direction X for the passage of the insulating pad screws 42.

[0063] The insulating friction pads 40 comprise at least one thermoplastic material suitable for promoting the sliding of a pantograph.

[0064] Two conductive pads 45 are fixed on either side of each of the anchor heads 11. The two conductive pads 45 are fixed to each of the support structures 26 of the corresponding anchor head 11 by means of through-screws 46 of the conductive pad.

[0065] The conductive pads 45 comprise an external portion extending towards the corresponding contact wire section in the mounted position of the neutral section insulator 1 and an internal portion extending parallel to the insulating plates 35.

[0066] The conductive pads 45 and the insulating friction pads 40 each comprise lower faces substantially in the same lower plane Pinf parallel to the longitudinal plane X,Y visible in particular in figure 7.

[0067] According to the illustrated embodiment, six blowing horns 50 are fixed to the neutral section insulator 1, four blowing horns 50 are located at each inner portion of the conductive pads 45, extending parallel to the insulating plates 35, and two blowing horns 50 are mounted on horn spacers 51 at the central portions of the insulating plates 35 using a screw system. Each blowing horn 50 includes an antenna capable of catching a potential electric arc and blowing it away in the raised position when a pantograph passes over it.

[0068] To implement the example of the realization of a neutral section insulator 1 according to the invention as described above, a portion of the catenary is previously chosen and in particular two anchoring points for at least one contact wire.

[0069] An operator fixes the two anchoring claws 10 so as to create two sections separated by at least one contact wire. The distance between the two opposing anchoring claws 10, and specifically between two protruding elements 15 of two opposing anchoring claws 10, corresponds approximately to the distance separating each of the opposite windows 21 from the two anchoring heads 11.

[0070] The neutral section insulator 1 according to the invention is then directly installed on at least one contact wire of the catenary.

[0071] A tightening torque is applied to each of the adjusting screws 31 in order to be in contact with the anchoring claws 10 with both sections of at least one contact wire.

[0072] At least one contact wire is then cut between the two anchoring systems, with each of the anchoring claws 10 engaging in the corresponding anchoring head 11, thus maintaining tension on each section of the at least one contact wire. According to the illustrated embodiment, the two protruding elements 15 of an anchoring claw 10 pass through the windows 21 in the first substantially straight section and then in the re-entrant section.

[0073] A tightening torque is again applied to each of the adjusting screws 31 in order to adjust the alignment of the anchoring claws 10 with the two sections of at least one contact wire.

[0074] Cutting at least one contact wire between the two opposite anchor heads 11 secures the longitudinal empty space E.

[0075] Of course, various other modifications can be made to the invention within the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

Demands

1. Neutral section insulator (1) for at least one contact wire of a catenary, said neutral section insulator (1) being intended to be placed in the mounted position between the ends of two separate sections of at least one contact wire, said neutral section insulator (1) comprising two opposing anchoring systems capable of clamping the ends of said sections of at least one contact wire and maintaining the tension of said sections of at least one contact wire and an insulating envelope capable of insulating, from each other, the ends of said sections of at least one contact wire, characterized in that said insulating envelope comprises two insulating plates (35) parallel to each other and extending longitudinally to connect said two anchoring systems, said two insulating plates (35) being arranged to leave a longitudinal gap (E) extending straight between said two anchoring systems.

2. Neutral section insulator (1) according to the preceding claim in which the anchoring systems comprise a housing (19) extending longitudinally to accommodate one end of one of said sections of at least one contact wire in the mounted position, the two insulating plates (35) being fixed at least in part on each of said anchoring systems, on either side of said housings (19).

3. A neutral section insulator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulating plates (35) comprise an insulating composite material.

4. A neutral section insulator (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the insulating plates (35) comprise a protective covering suitable for protecting the insulating plates (35) from the environment.

5. Neutral section insulator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the anchoring systems include means for adjusting the alignment of the sections of at least one contact wire.

6. Neutral section insulator (1) according to the preceding claim in which the anchoring systems comprise an anchor head (11) collaborating with an anchor claw (10), the anchor heads (11) being able to grip the anchor claws (10) and the anchor claws (10) being able to be fixed to each of said ends of said sections by at least one contact wire in the mounted position.

7. Neutral section insulator (1) according to the preceding claim in which the anchor heads (11) comprise at least one hook element (20) capable of collaborating with at least one projecting element (15) of one of said corresponding anchor claws (10).

8. Neutral section insulator (1) according to the preceding claim wherein the anchor heads (11) comprise a body (18) having a housing (19) extending longitudinally to receive said corresponding anchor claw (10), said body (18) comprising an opening (30) on an upper face leading to said housing (19), the opening (30) being arranged to receive an adjusting screw (31) capable of exerting a force on said corresponding anchor claw (10) fixed to one of said ends of said sections of at least one contact wire in the mounted position.

9. Neutral section insulator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein two conductive pads (45) are fixed on either side of each of said anchoring systems, said conductive pads (45) comprising an outer portion extending towards the corresponding contact wire section and an inner portion extending parallel to the insulating plates (35).

10. Neutral section insulator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the insulating plates (35) comprise a lower face provided with an insulating friction pad (40) intended to facilitate the passage of a pantograph.

11. Neutral section insulator (1) according to the preceding claim in which the insulating plates (35) comprise on their lower faces a longitudinal groove (41) in which is partially inserted one of said insulating friction pads (40) made of a single piece.

12. Neutral section insulator (1) according to the preceding claim in which at least one screw assembly passes through one of said insulating plates (35) and one of said corresponding insulating friction pads (42), the insulating friction pads (40) comprising at least one oblong hole (43) for the passage of at least one screw assembly.

13. Neutral section insulator (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 12 in their dependence on claim 9 in which the insulating friction pads (40) comprise at least one thermoplastic material suitable for promoting pantograph sliding.

14. Neutral section insulator (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 13 in their dependence on claim 9 in which the conductive pads (45) and the insulating friction pads (40) each comprise lower faces substantially in the same horizontal lower plane (Pinf).

15. Neutral section insulator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims also comprising at least two blowing horns (50), the blowing horns (50) comprising an antenna extending from one of said insulating plates (35), the antennas being capable of catching a potential electric arc and blowing it in the raised position when a pantograph passes over it.

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