Light-Modulated Accelerometer for Pantograph Measurments

摘要

An instrument was developed to measure the accelerations of a pantograph shoe for power collection on railway vehicles. The basic problems of high operating voltages and severe electromagnetic interference are solved using optical methods. The intensity of a light source is modulated in proportion to the acceleration of the shoe. These signals are transmitted through fiber optics. The accelerometer was tested in field service on the DOT test cars. (Author)