Abstract: A traffic system includes: a vehicle having a power-receiving section on an outer surface thereof; and a ground facility having a power-supply section for supplying the power-receiving section with power by coming in contact with the power-receiving section. The power-supply section has a spring for applying a biasing force to a power-supply shoe in the power-supply section toward the power-receiving section. The power-receiving section has a flat surface that extends along the outer surface of the vehicle, and tapered surfaces that are connected to the flat surface in the forward and backward moving directions of the vehicle and guide the power-supply shoe to the flat surface against the biasing force to bring the power-supply shoe into contact with the flat surface when the vehicle moves backward and forward.

Abstract: A system includes first and second relays which physically adjoin one another and are controlled such that one of the relays is off whenever the other relay is on. In operation, heat generated in the first relay thermally conducts to the second relay where the relays physically adjoin one another whereby the second relay functions as a heat sink for the first relay while the second relay is off and the first relay is on. Correspondingly, in operation, heat generated in the second relay thermally conducts to the first relay where the relays physically adjoin one another whereby the first relay functions as a heat sink for the second relay while the first relay is off and the second relay is on.

Abstract: A system for supplying current through the ground for an electric vehicle, especially for an electric rail vehicle, includes a succession of conducting segments (16A, 16B, 16C, 16D) which are electrically isolated from each other and together form a conducting supply track against which at least one supply collector shoe (32) on the vehicle is applied, and a set of high-voltage supply devices (20) each connected to a conducting segment and each provided with a detector capable of detecting a collector shoe and with switching devices (45) suitable for selectively causing a corresponding segment to be supplied with current when a collector shoe is present on the segment and causing the said collector shoe to be connected to a zero-potential source (26) when a collector shoe is not present thereon.

Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle transportation system including improvements in an electrified roadway system and a vehicle for operation on the roadway. The roadway is energized in response to the presence of a vehicle having certain control systems and only when that vehicle satisfies certain predetermined conditions which provide safety features for foot traffic on the roadway system. The vehicle includes means for controlling energization of the roadway in response to actions and demands within the vehicle. Automatic control means are provided to maintain the vehicle in alignment with the roadway energization system.