Students of Novosibirsk State Technical University (NETI) are developing a stand for automating the measurement of parameters of current collectors of locomotives. This will allow faster and better repair of an important component of electric transport.
"The pantograph is the most important component of an electric locomotive — it provides current transmission from the traction network to the traction motor of an electric rolling stock. Sanctions restrictions have complicated the situation with obtaining new equipment for electric vehicles. Therefore, it is necessary to repair those parts that are there. It takes a lot of time, because everything is done manually. We are developing a hardware and software package for automated control, adjustment and adjustment of the current collector. In our development, several modes are implemented that automatically measure various parameters: the angle of deviation at the slide, passive-active pressing, the time of lifting and lowering the pantograph, and others. Due to the fact that the measurement of parameters is automated, the human factor is eliminated so that there are no errors in the measurement process and that they are carried out repeatedly, accumulating statistics. This allows you to adjust the skids more efficiently and thereby increase the service life of the electric parts of the locomotive," said Daria Begimova, one of the developers of the project, a 1st year graduate student of the Faculty of Radio Engineering and Electronics.
Automating the measurement of parameters will simplify the operator's work: he will be able to track which of them are within acceptable values and which go beyond them, and, accordingly, identify a weak point in the pantograph mechanism. In addition, automation will speed up the process of measuring parameters, which will allow for faster and better repair work of the electric locomotive current collector.
"There are similar devices, but we measure a larger number of current collector parameters, in addition, it is possible to store the information received in a database. We are also planning to develop software so that it is convenient for the operator to see the current parameters and configuration recommendations in the process. We are also working on the ergonomics of the measuring stand," added Daria Begimova.
A hardware layout with several modes has already been developed — you can see how measurements are made. The plans for the future include the development of hardware and software parts of the complex, the manufacture of the mechanical part of the stand and its testing at the car repair plant.
In the photo: the layout of the hardware of the stand.