Hough transform and thermo-vision for monitoring pantograph–catenary system

The pantograph-overhead contact wire system is investigated by using an infrared camera. As the pantograph has a vertical motion because of the non-uniform elasticity of the catenary, in order to detect the temperature along the strip from a sequence of infrared images, a segment-tracking algorithm, based on the Hough transformation, has been employed. An analysis of the stored images could help maintenance operations revealing, for example, overheating of the pantograph strip, bursts of arcing, or an irregular positioning of the contact line. Obtained results are relevant for monitoring the status of the quality transmission of the current and for a predictive maintenance of the pantograph and of the catenary system. Examples of analysis from experimental data are reported in the pape