Pantograph carbon strip wear detection system

The majority of electric trains are fitted with a pantograph that transmits power from overhead lines to the locomotive. The pantograph is in constant contact with the overhead lines. The guide horns are fitted with a carbon contact strip which is a sacrificial component that is a consumable. Damage to overhead lines due to worn pantograph carbon contact strips can cause catastrophic failures that can lead to de-wirements, costing milions of pounds and service disruptions.

Currently there are no known methods for detecting the wear on the carbon strip on a "real time" basis and as such, the carbon strip is replaced on periodic bases, often prematurely, causing unnecessary expense, added maintenance time and cost. There are static systems which capture and analyse pantograph carbon wear at a given point and place in time, they do not provide anything more than a snapshot in time of the condition of the collector strips. JR Dynamics LTD (JRD) developed a concept for a system that would accurately detect the carbon wear and thus reduce maintenance costs and times.

JRD's vision is to equip all pantographs with a low cost carbon strip wear monitoring system (CWD) that conveys to the train operator the state of wear in real time and thus avoiding premature replacement and unnecessary changeovers.

The objective is to create an intelligent low cost system that is supplied and retrofitted to existing pantographs with little disruption or costs.

Revenue will be through the supply/integration of the sacrificial wear monitor technology, through to data capture and analysis as part of maintenance optimisation where the access to the data is chargeable. Such models have already been put in practice by JRD through the supply of the PANDAS; pantograph impact detection system and thus this model of charging has already been accepted by train operators.

The project will focus on created a CWD that integrates with existing pantographs with minimal modifications and disruptions while meeting legislation and rail regulations to ensure that the product is accepted and approved by the rail authority.

The innovation will be the production of a modular carbon strip and a carbon strip wear detection base that will contain the necessary sensors and telematics.