The paper presents an approach to evaluation of height measurement errors in laser scanning inspection system. The system, consisting of a laser line generator and a specialized camera, is dedicated to diagnosing carbon contact strips of railway vehicles’ pantographs. While height measurement resolution is easily computable based on system parameters, determining the measurement error is troublesome due to numerous impacts. As...

An increase in electric railway vehicles service velocity requires that correct interaction between the pantograph and the catenary is ensured. This implies the need for developing mathematical models of pantographs and catenaries and determining their parameters. The article presents a method to determine parameters of mechanical joints of a railway pantograph based on analysis of pantograph subassemblies in swinging motion. The...

Development of digital technology has resulted in significant transformations of designer workshops. Computer applications replaced the previously existing tools and methods for drawing up of projects. Professional, sophisticated drawing instruments and tools for manual plotting, as well as basic drawing aids, have gradually fallen into oblivion and become relicts of a bygone era - the objects of collectors' interest. Gdansk University...

The article describes the pantograph, considered to be the ancestor of today's photocopier. This instrument draws the copies, enlarges or reduces any figure. The author presents its genesis, the scope of application in the past, explains the structure and geometrical transformations used during its action. Based on a specific example, the work illustrates practical application of geometry in the past inventions for designing.

Transmission of electrical energy from a catenary system to traction units must be safe and reliable especially for high speed trains. Modern pantographs have to meet these requirements. Pantographs are subjected to several forces acting on their structural elements. These forces come from pantograph drive, inertia forces, aerodynamic effects, vibration of traction units etc. Modern approach to static and dynamic analysis should...