LOW COST CONCEPT FOR CURRENT COLLECTION AND TRACTION.

The paper describes the Cable-Switch system, which is a fully insulated current collecting arrangement, having significant potential for cost saving in all areas of fixed-route electric traction. The essence of the Cable-Switch is a hollow elastic insulation shield containing one, two or three live conductors, and having embedded switching segments which are normally de-energized, but which are pressed into contact with the live conductors by the passage of the locomotive's collector rollers. Electrically, the Cable-Switch system can be made compatible with any existing ac or dc bare-conductor traction system, for extension thereto. Electric Rope, an inverted arrangement of Cable-Switch, incorporating a pair of steel guide ropes, provides both current collection and traction to entirely new three-dimensional methods of transport for passenger, freight and many other applications.