Claims:1. A system for operating a pantograph configured at a roof of a locomotive, the system comprising:
an air source configured to generate and supply a compressed air;
a first valve fluidically coupled with the air source;
a second valve having a first inlet fluidically coupled with the air source directly, and a second inlet fluidically coupled with an outlet of the first valve;
a third valve having a fourth inlet fluidically coupled with the air source, an outlet fluidically coupled with a third inlet of the second valve;
a bellow having an inlet fluidically coupled with a first outlet of the second valve and a first exhaust valve of the second valve, wherein the bellow is operatively configured with the pantograph to facilitate a movement of the pantograph movement between one or more positions; and
a switch having an inlet fluidically coupled with a second outlet of the second valve.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bellow is configured to move the pantograph between one or more positions based on an operation of the first valve and the third valve.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch is electrically coupled with one or more indicating devices configured to indicate the one or more positions of the pantograph.
4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bellow is configured to inflate upon receiving the compressed air through the first outlet, and inflated bellow facilitates raising the pantograph to a first position of the one or more positions, and wherein the first position is referred when the pantograph is raised to a first height.
5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein on actuation of the third valve, the compressed trapped inside the third valve moves, through the third inlet, into the second valve, wherein the passing of the compressed air trapped inside the third valve into the second valve facilitates an outflow of the compressed air, inside the second valve, towards the switch instead of the bellow, thereby, facilitating lowering the pantograph to a second position of the one or more position and simultaneously the switch is pressed by the compressed air received from the second valve and correspondingly the one or more indicators are switched to show a first indication corresponding to the second position of the pantograph.
6. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first valve is actuated, by pressing a reset switch, on the basis of any of movement of the pantograph from the first position to the second position, actuation of the switch, one or more indicators indicating the first indication corresponding to the second position.
7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein an actuation of the first valve facilitates passing the compressed air trapped inside the first valve, through the second inlet, into the second valve to change the outflow of the compressed air inside the second valve towards the bellow instead of the switch, thereby, facilitating raised of the pantograph to the first position from the second position.
8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein raising of the pantograph from the second position to the first position facilitate exhausting the compressed air, through the second exhaust outlet, trapped inside the switch and correspondingly the one or more indicators are switched to show to show a second indication corresponding to the first position of the pantograph.
9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third valve is a maximum extension detection valve configured to actuate when the pantograph is raised beyond a pre-defined threshold value, and the second valve is spring loaded that facilitate resetting of the second valve automatically after the second valve is actuated.
10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch is a pressure switch configured to actuate upon receiving the compressed air from the second outlet of the second valve.
11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first valve, the second valve, and the switch are disposed inside a driver cabin of the locomotive.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of a pantograph. More particularly the present disclosure relates to a system for operating the pantograph when the pantograph is lowered due to actuation of the MED valve.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] In case of receiving current for a locomotive that run on high voltage current, there are two ways of receiving current, which includes either receiving the required current from rails on which the locomotive is supposed to run, or receiving it from high voltage wires (also termed as catenary) that are present above the locomotive. In later case, a pantograph is required to collect the current by making an electrical connection with the catenary. Sometimes there are situations like absence of catenary, in such cases the pantograph may raise beyond a maximum allowed height. This in undesirable and need to be avoided. This can be achieved by using a maximum extension detection (MED) valve that can be configured with the pantograph for tracking the height of the pantograph to which it is raised. Once the pantograph is raised beyond a maximum permitted or allowed height representing absence of the catenary, the MED valve actuates automatically and the pantograph is lowered to the lockdown position/level.
[0004] However, once the MED valve is actuated, one has to reset the MED valve manually to raise the pantograph to the working height again. This is a troublesome task since the MED valve is fitted in the pantograph. Since there is a high voltage catenary above the locomotive there is always a risk of coming in contact with the wires. Also, if there are no catenary above the locomotive, it is difficult to climb onto the roof and reset the MED valve manually. Thus, to avoid this the locomotive is bring to the workshop and then the MED valve is reset. Otherwise, the locomotive has to be pulled by some other locomotive in meantime when the MED valve is not reset. This causes a lot of downtime and efficiency loss.
[0005] There is, therefore, a need of a system that can reset the pantograph again due to the actuation of the MED valve.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0006] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system for operating the pantograph, which allows resetting of the pantograph from driver’s cabin itself when the pantograph is lowered due to actuation of MED valve.
[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system for operating the pantograph, which is cost effective.
[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system for operating the pantograph, which is easy to use.
[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system for operating the pantograph, which requires less maintenance.

SUMMARY
[0011] The present disclosure relates to the field of a pantograph. More particularly the present disclosure relates to a system for operating the pantograph when the pantograph is lowered due to actuation of the MED valve.
[0012] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a system for operating a pantograph configured at a roof of a locomotive. The system includes an air source configured to generate and supply a compressed air. A first valve fluidically coupled with the air source. A second valve having a first inlet fluidically coupled with the air source directly, and a second inlet fluidically coupled with an outlet of the first valve. A third valve having a fourth inlet fluidically coupled with the air source, an outlet fluidically coupled with a third inlet of the second valve. A bellow having an inlet fluidically coupled with a first outlet of the second valve and a first exhaust valve of the second valve. The bellow is operatively configured with the pantograph to facilitate a movement of the pantograph movement between one or more positions. A switch having an inlet fluidically coupled with a second outlet of the second valve.
[0013] In an aspect, the bellow may be configured to move the pantograph between one or more positions based on an operation of the first valve and the third valve.
[0014] In an aspect, the switch may be electrically coupled with one or more indicating devices configured to indicate the one or more positions of the pantograph. The one or more positions include resting or lockdown position to maximum extension position.
[0015] In an aspect, the bellow may be configured to inflate upon receiving the compressed air through the first outlet, and inflated bellow facilitates raising the pantograph to a first position of the one or more positions, and the first position may be referred when the pantograph is raised to a first height. The first height can be referred to a height up to which the pantograph is in electrical connection with the catenary and the maximum extension position can be referred to a height up to which the pantograph can be raised without any possibility of getting damaged.
[0016] In an aspect, on actuation of the third valve, the compressed air trapped inside the third valve may move, through the third inlet, into the second valve. The passing of the compressed air trapped inside the third valve into the second valve may facilitate an outflow of the compressed air, inside the second valve, towards the switch instead of the bellow, thereby, facilitating lowering the pantograph to a second position (lowered or lockdown position/level) of the one or more position and when the switch is pressed by the compressed air received from the second valve and correspondingly the one or more indicators may be switched to show a first indication corresponding to the second position of the pantograph.
[0017] In an aspect, the first valve may be actuated on the basis of any of movement of the pantograph from the first position to the second position, actuation of the switch, one or more indicators indicating the first indication corresponding to the second position.
[0018] In an aspect, an actuation of the first valve may facilitate moving the compressed air trapped inside the first valve, through the second inlet, into the second valve to change the outflow of the compressed air inside the second valve towards the bellow instead of the switch, thereby, facilitating raised of the pantograph to the first position from the second position.
[0019] In an aspect, raising of the pantograph from the second position to the first position may facilitate exhausting the compressed air, through the second exhaust outlet, trapped inside the switch and correspondingly the one or more indicators may be switched to show to show a second indication corresponding to the first position of the pantograph.
[0020] In an aspect, the third valve may be a maximum extension detection valve configured to actuate when the pantograph is raised beyond a pre-defined threshold value, and the second valve may be spring loaded that facilitate resetting of the second valve automatically after the second valve is actuated.
[0021] In an aspect, the switch may be a pressure switch configured to actuate upon receiving the compressed air from the second outlet of the second valve.
[0022] In an aspect, the first valve, the second valve, and the switch may be disposed inside a driver cabin of the locomotive.
[0023] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0024] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.
[0025] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary block diagram of a system for operating a pantograph, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary representation of a system for operating a pantograph when the maximum extension valve is not actuated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary representation of a system for operating a pantograph when the maximum extension valve is actuated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary representation of a system for operating a pantograph when the resetting valve is actuated after the actuation of the maximum extension valve is actuated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0031] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0032] The present disclosure relates to the field of a pantograph. More particularly the present disclosure relates to a system for operating the pantograph when the pantograph is lowered due to actuation of the MED valve.
[0033] The present disclosure elaborates upon a system for operating a pantograph configured at a roof of a locomotive. The system includes an air source configured to generate and supply a compressed air. A first valve fluidically coupled with the air source. A second valve having a first inlet fluidically coupled with the air source directly, and a second inlet fluidically coupled with an outlet of the first valve. A third valve having a fourth inlet fluidically coupled with the air source, an outlet fluidically coupled with a third inlet of the second valve. A bellow having an inlet fluidically coupled with a first outlet of the second valve and a first exhaust valve of the second valve. The bellow is operatively configured with the pantograph to facilitate a movement of the pantograph movement between one or more positions. A switch having an inlet fluidically coupled with a second outlet of the second valve.
[0034] In an embodiment, the bellow can be configured to move the pantograph between one or more positions based on an operation of the first valve and the third valve.
[0035] In an embodiment, the switch can be electrically coupled with one or more indicating devices configured to indicate the one or more positions of the pantograph.
[0036] In an embodiment, the bellow can be configured to inflate upon receiving the compressed air through the first outlet, and inflated bellow facilitates raising the pantograph to a first position of the one or more positions, and the first position can be referred when the pantograph is raised to a first height.
[0037] In an embodiment, on actuation of the third valve, the compressed trapped inside the third valve can move, through the third inlet, into the second valve. The passing of the compressed air trapped inside the third valve into the second valve can facilitate an outflow of the compressed air, inside the second valve, towards the switch instead of the bellow, thereby, facilitating lowering the pantograph to a second position of the one or more position and simultaneously the switch is pressed by the compressed air received from the second valve and correspondingly the one or more indicators can be switched to show a first indication corresponding to the second position of the pantograph.
[0038] In an embodiment, the first valve can be actuated on the basis of any of movement of the pantograph from the first position to the second position, actuation of the switch, one or more indicators indicating the first indication corresponding to the second position.
[0039] In an embodiment, an actuation of the first valve can facilitate moving the compressed air trapped inside the first valve, through the second inlet, into the second valve to change the outflow of the compressed air inside the second valve towards the bellow instead of the switch, thereby, facilitating raised of the pantograph to the first position from the second position.
[0040] In an embodiment, raising of the pantograph from the second position to the first position can facilitate exhausting the compressed air, through the second exhaust outlet, trapped inside the switch and correspondingly the one or more indicators can be switched to show to show a second indication corresponding to the first position of the pantograph.
[0041] In an embodiment, the third valve can be a maximum extension detection valve configured to actuate when the pantograph is raised beyond a pre-defined threshold value, and the second valve can be spring loaded that facilitate resetting of the second valve automatically after the second valve is actuated.
[0042] In an embodiment, the switch can be a pressure switch configured to actuate upon receiving the compressed air from the second outlet of the second valve.
[0043] In an embodiment, the first valve, the second valve, and the switch can be disposed inside a driver cabin of the locomotive.
[0044] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary block diagram of a system for operating a pantograph, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary representation of a system for operating a pantograph when the maximum extension valve is not actuated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0046] As illustrated, a system for operating a pantograph, configured at a roof of a locomotive, can include an air source 102 that can be configured to generate and supply a pressure regulated compressed air. A 3/2 first valve 104 that can also be referred as a flow control valve or a resetting valve. A second valve 106 that can be a 5/2 valve and also can be referred as pilot operated valve. A third valve 108 that can be a maximum extension detection valve for detecting a maximum possible extension allowed for a pantograph 116. The maximum extension detection (MED) valve 108 can be configured to actuate when the pantograph is raised beyond its maximum allowed extension (also referred as, pre-defined threshold value). A bellow 110 that can be configured operatively configured with the pantograph 116 and can facilitate a movement of the pantograph between one or more positions.
[0047] In an embodiment, the one or more positions can include but without limiting to a raised position (also referred as first position, herein) and a lowered position (also referred as a second position, herein). A switch 112 that can be electrically coupled, at point 112-2, with one or more indicating devices 114. The one or more indicating devices can be configured to indicate a position of the one or more positions of the pantograph. The pantograph 116 can be disposed over a locomotive’s roof that is configured to run with the current, received by the pantograph from, the catenary disposed above the locomotive that can include but not limited to a railway engine, a tram, and a metro train. The first valve 104, the second valve 106, the switch 112, the one or more indicating devices 114 can be disposed inside a drive cabin of the locomotive.
[0048] In an embodiment, the first valve can include an inlet 104-1 and an outlet 104-2. The first valve 104 can be fluidically coupled with the air source to receive, through the inlet 104-1, the compressed air from the compressed air source 102. A second valve 106 can include a first inlet 106-1, a second inlet 106-2, a third inlet 106-3, a first outlet 106-4, a second outlet 106-5, a first exhaust outlet 106-6, and a second exhaust outlet 106-7. The first inlet 106-1 can be fluidically coupled with the air source to receive the compressed air directly from the air source 102. The second inlet 106-2 can be fluidically coupled with an outlet 104-2 of the first valve 104 to receive the compressed air through the first valve 104. A third valve 108 can include a fourth inlet 108-1 that can be fluidically coupled with the air source 102, an outlet 108-2 that can be fluidically coupled with the third inlet 106-3 of the second valve 106.
[0049] In an embodiment, a bellow 110 can include an inlet 110-1 that can be fluidically coupled with a first outlet 106-4 of the second valve 106 and a first exhaust valve 106-6 of the second valve 106. The bellow 110 can be operatively configured with the pantograph 116 to facilitate a movement of the pantograph 116 between one or more positions. The switch 112 can include an inlet 112-1 that can be fluidically coupled with a second outlet 106-5 of the second valve 106, and with a second exhaust 106-2 output of the second valve 106.
[0050] In an embodiment, the bellow 110 can be configured to move the pantograph 116 between one or more positions based on an operation of the first valve 104 and the third valve 108. When the second valve 106 is not actuated, the bellow 110 can be configured to receive the compressed air through the first outlet of the second valve 106-4, and correspondingly the bellow 110 inflates that can facilitate raising the pantograph 116 to the first position.
[0051] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary representation of a system for operating a pantograph when the maximum extension valve is actuated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0052] FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary representation of a system for operating a pantograph when the resetting valve is actuated after the actuation of the maximum extension valve is actuated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0053] As illustrated, when the pantograph raises beyond the maximum allowable extension in case when there is no catenary above the locomotive, the third valve 108 can get actuated. On actuation of the third valve 108, the compressed trapped inside the third valve 106 can move, through the third inlet 106-3, into the second valve 106. The passing of the compressed air trapped, by the outlet 108-2, into the second valve 106 can facilitate an outflow of the compressed air inside the second valve 106 towards, through the second outlet 106-5, the switch 112 instead of the bellow 110. This can facilitate lowering of the pantograph 116 to the second position. Simultaneously the switch 112 can get pressed by the compressed air received from the second valve 106 and correspondingly the one or more indicators or indicating devices 114 can be switched to show a first indication corresponding to the second position of the pantograph.
[0054] In an embodiment, after the third valve gets actuated, the first valve 104 can be actuated by pressing a reset switch 118. The third valve can be actuated based on any of movement of the pantograph 116 from the first position to the second position, actuation of the switch 112, one or more indicators 114 indicating the first indication corresponding to the second position. The one or more indicating devices 114 can include but not limited to light emitting devices, an audio alarm, and a video feed from a camera disposed on the roof the locomotive. Actuation of the first valve 104 can facilitate moving the compressed air trapped inside the first valve 104, through the second inlet 106-2, into the second valve 106. This can change the outflow of the compressed air inside the second valve 106 towards the bellow, through the first outlet 106-4, instead of the switch 112. Thereby, facilitating rising of the pantograph again from the second position to the first position.
[0055] In an embodiment, raising of the pantograph 116 from the second position to the first position can facilitate exhausting the compressed air trapped inside the switch through the second exhaust outlet 106-7, and correspondingly the one or more indicators 114 can be switched to show to show a second indication corresponding to the first position of the pantograph. The third valve can be a maximum extension detection valve configured to actuate when the pantograph is raised beyond a pre-defined threshold value, and the second valve can be spring loaded that facilitate resetting of the second valve automatically after the second valve is actuated. The switch 112 can be a pressure switch configured to actuate upon receiving the compressed air from the second outlet 106-5 of the second valve 106.
[0056] In an embodiment, the air source 102 can include an air filter assembly, and a pressure regulator. The pressure regulator facilitates providing a pre-defined static force to the pantograph to hold the pantograph against the catenary. The amount of pre-defined static force can be varied by the pressure regulator. The MED valve 108 can be a 3/2-way valve (NC Valve) fitted in pantograph 116. The MED valve 108 can get air supply through air source 102. The second valve 104 can be a 5/2 way pilot operated valve that can be used to switch compressed air supply between the bellow 110 and the switch 112.
[0057] The present disclosure provides a system to reset the pantograph when it is lowered due to actuation of the maximum extension detection valve and that too from the driver’s cabin itself. One does not have to go on the roof to reset the MED valve. Thereby, prevent any threat of coming in contact with the high voltage wires (catenary) above the locomotive. The present disclosure also reduces down time that is required to reset the MED valve by taking the locomotive to some point where there is no catenary above the locomotive.
[0058] Moreover, in interpreting the specification, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ….and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
[0059] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0060] The proposed invention provides a system for operating the pantograph, which allows resetting of the pantograph from driver’s cabin itself when the pantograph is lowered due to actuation of MED valve.
[0061] The proposed invention provides a system for operating the pantograph, which is cost effective.
[0062] The proposed invention provides a system for operating the pantograph, which is easy to use.
[0063] The proposed invention provides a system for operating the pantograph, which requires less maintenance.