Systems Of Distribution Patents (Class 191/2)
  • Patent number: 11427100
    Abstract: An ECU performs processing including: a step of obtaining a pilot signal CPLT and a connector connection signal PISW; a step of determining, when a connector is attached, a type of the connector; a step of controlling, when there is a function corresponding to the type of the attached connector, the connector to be set to a lock state; a step of performing control corresponding to the attached connector; and a step of maintaining, when there is no function corresponding to the type of the attached connector, an unlock state of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toru Ando, Yoshiyuki Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 11196288
    Abstract: A direct current power supply system includes at least one first input source, a second input source, a phase shifting transformer set, a rectifier set and a monitoring module. The phase shifting transformer set is for converting a medium voltage alternating current of the first input source and/or the second input source to a low voltage alternating current. The rectifier set is for rectifying the low voltage AC to a low voltage DC. The phase shifting transformer set and the rectifier set are disposed either in a power supply housing, or in two adjacent power supply housings. The monitoring module includes a phase shifting transformer monitoring unit for retrieving at least one of temperature data, voltage data and current data of the phase shifting transformer set and a rectifier monitoring unit for retrieving at least one of temperature data, voltage data and current data of the rectifier set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Xingkuan Guo, Xinmin Bai
  • Patent number: 11034314
    Abstract: In a vehicular power supply system according to an embodiment, passage current of a power MOSFET of an IPD of a sub power distribution box monitored by a sub controller of the sub power distribution box is transmitted from the sub controller to a main controller of a main power distribution box. When energy storage amount of a load-based path calculated by integrating the passage current received by the main controller exceeds a predetermined value which is a overcurrent state, the main controller determines that the load-based path is in the overcurrent, and notifies the fact from the main controller to the sub controller. The sub controller switches the power MOSFET of the IPD of the load-based path set to the overcurrent by the notification to a non-conduction state to interrupt the energization of the load-based path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Ikegaya, Hideo Takahashi, Takafumi Toda
  • Patent number: 10997975
    Abstract: A enhanced vehicle key and a method for voice activation, the method may include supplying power to a low power trigger sensor of a enhanced vehicle key, by a power source of the enhanced vehicle key; wherein the supplying of power is preceded by powering the enhanced vehicle key while a part of the enhanced vehicle key is positioned within an ignition switch of a vehicle; detecting, by the low power trigger sensor, a voice trigger; awakening, following the detection, a processor of the enhanced vehicle key; searching, by the processor, for a voice command; and when finding the voice command then executing the voice command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: DSP GROUP LTD.
    Inventors: Ofer Elyakim, Tali Chen, Lior Blanka
  • Patent number: 10981459
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a charging system for electric vehicles while in motion. A retractable power charger coupled to an electric vehicle has a blade extendable between a retracted and extended position. The tapered sides of the blade contact rails in a trench when the blade is in the extended position and provide power for charging the electric vehicle while in motion. The blade can be automatically extended by a sensing system (e.g., magnetic) or by user actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventor: Walter Thomas Davey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10793006
    Abstract: A rail installation has an overhead line in the region of a stop and at least one rail vehicle with a current collector for making contact with the overhead line. The overhead line has a central part having a limited, predefined length and an adjoining end portion. The central part has a substantially constant predefined height above a rail. The end portion has a height that increases outward from the central part. The current collector of the rail vehicle is raised and matched to the overhead line such that, as the rail vehicle enters the stop, sliding strips of the current collector have a height above the rail that is at least equal to the substantially constant height of the central part of the overhead line, and that is at most equal to the greatest height of the raised first end portion of the overhead line above the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Kerscher
  • Patent number: 10596922
    Abstract: The invention relates to an energy distribution and consumption system comprising: a group of rail vehicles provided with regenerative braking means; a group of electrically powered bus vehicles each comprising an onboard battery; an electrical energy storage means adapted for storing electrical energy generated by a rail vehicle during braking thereof; a plurality of charging stations, each adapted for connecting to bus a vehicle, for charging the onboard battery thereof with electrical energy from said electrical energy storage means; wherein said group of rail vehicles is adapted for providing a substantially predetermined net supply of electrical energy to said electrical energy storage means during a predetermined time period, wherein said group of bus vehicles is adapted for substantially consuming at least said net amount of electrical energy within said predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: HEDGEHOG APPLICATIONS B.V.
    Inventor: Adrianus Johannes Heinen
  • Patent number: 10532663
    Abstract: Techniques for electric vehicle systems, and in particular to an electric vehicle emergency charging system and method of use. In one embodiment, a system for charging a moving electric vehicle is provided, the system comprising: an electrical storage unit disposed on the electric vehicle; a charging panel in electrical communication with the electrical storage unit; a vehicle controller that determines if the electrical storage unit requires charging and configured to determine if an overhead power source is available to charge the electrical storage unit; wherein the charging panel receives the charge from the overhead power source and charges the electrical storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
  • Patent number: 10300794
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for a vehicle includes at least one electrical contact device for an intermittently detachable electrical connection to a vehicle-external electrical network, a vehicle-internal electrical network and at least one detector device which determines if a connection exists between the contact device and the vehicle-external network. The circuit has at least one switching device which closes the electrical connection between the contact device and the vehicle-internal network depending on the connection determined between the contact device and the vehicle-external network. A method for making contact and/or breaking contact of a vehicle with a vehicle-external electrical network is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbH
    Inventor: Maik Noack
  • Patent number: 10294070
    Abstract: An energy storage system is provided including: an elevator; an elevator motor; a power system coupled to the elevator motor. The power system including at least one capacitor operable to store energy received form the elevator motor and to supply stored energy to the elevator motor; and at least one flywheel operable to store energy received from the elevator motor and to supply stored energy to the elevator motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Premco, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold L. Jacobs, Lewis M. Kwit, Kevin P. Lynch
  • Patent number: 10239691
    Abstract: A storage and retrieval system including a vertical array of storage levels, each storage level having, picking aisles, storage locations, disposed within the picking aisles, and at least one transfer deck providing access to the picking aisles, a multilevel vertical conveyor system configured to transport the uncontained case units to and from the vertical array of storage levels, each storage level being configured to receive uncontained case units from the multilevel vertical conveyor system, at least one autonomous transport located on each storage level for transporting the uncontained case units between respective storage locations and the multilevel vertical conveyor system, and a controller configured to create a primary access path through the transfer decks and picking aisles to a predetermined one of the storage locations and at least one secondary access path to the predetermined one of the storage locations when the primary path is impassable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Symbotic, LLC
    Inventors: John Lert, Stephen C. Toebes, Robert Sullivan, Foster Hinshaw, Nathan Ulrich
  • Patent number: 10108201
    Abstract: A vehicle control facility for the automated control of an electrical road vehicle for a route system with an energy-supply system that includes a lane-bound energy supply line, in particular an overhead line system. A position-determining unit determines a geographical position of the electrical road vehicle. A specific-lane-determining unit determines position data for a specific lane assigned to the lane-bound energy supply line. A communication interface transmits current relative positions of infrastructure features with respect to the electrical road vehicle to an external central specific-lane-determining facility and receives position data. A vehicle-control unit controls the electrical road vehicle with respect to the determined specific lane in dependence on the determined relative position of the specific lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Henrik Engdahl, Juergen Francke, Frank Gerstenberg, Oliver Graebner, Michael Lehmann, Goeran Saenger, Florian Buehs
  • Patent number: 10052971
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and a device for controlling the voltage of a catenary supplying electric power to rolling stocks. The first rolling stock: —detects a traction command or a regeneration command of a second rolling stock in the neighborhood of first rolling stock, —increases the electric power supplied by the first rolling stock to means for heating, ventilation and air conditioning when a regeneration command of the second rolling stock is detected, —decreases the electric power supplied by the first rolling stock to the means for heating, ventilation and air conditioning when a traction command of the second rolling stock is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nicolas Voyer
  • Patent number: 9778045
    Abstract: A method for managing a service schedule of a vehicle includes receiving the service schedule of the vehicle that travels along a predetermined route from a control server, generating first service information of the vehicle based on position information of the vehicle, generating service state information of the vehicle based on the service schedule and the first service information, and displaying the service state information of the vehicle using a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: LG CNS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Inseok Bang
  • Patent number: 9715895
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for distribution of power and communications to robotic assemblies in data storage libraries, including enabling instruction signal communications during robot motion on conductive rails of the data storage library. For example, each robot can include at least two distinct sets of brushes, one set (e.g., pair) of power brushes and one set of signal brushes. The power brushes can be optimized for transferring power from the rails to the robot, and the signal brushes can be optimized for communicating instruction signals from the rails to the robot during robot motion. The power brushes can be coupled with power processing circuitry, and the signal brushes can be coupled with signal processing circuitry. Certain embodiments isolate the power and signal circuitry to improve power and/or signal distribution properties. Such techniques can appreciably increase the cartridge exchange rate and/or otherwise improve performance of the data storage library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Frank Smith
  • Patent number: 9688157
    Abstract: An arrangement for providing a vehicle with electric energy, wherein the arrangement includes a generating device for inducing an alternating electric current by magnetic induction in a corresponding receiving device, wherein the arrangement comprises a base to which the generating device is attached, the base defines a vehicle location an elevated region sideways of the vehicle location, wherein an upper surface of the elevated region is elevated compared to an upper surface of the base under the vehicle location, an elongated profile includes an electrically conducting material and/or a magnetizable material, wherein the elongated profile is attached to the elevated region and extends along an extension of the generating device in a longitudinal direction of the arrangement and wherein an elevated profile extends upwards towards a level of the upper surface of the elevated region and also extends towards the vehicle location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Czainski, Jeremie Desjardins, Marnix Lannoije, Jing Gao
  • Patent number: 9637017
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a charging system including: at least two charging devices including at least two output units configured to supply connected automobiles with charging power, a first bus electrically connected to the output units and configured to transfer charging power to the output units, and a power processing unit configured to process power, which is supplied from a power source, using a first capacity and supply the first bus with the processed power; and a second bus configured to connect a first bus of a first charging device and a first bus of a second charging device, wherein, when a total capacity of charging power supplied to automobiles connected to the first charging device exceeds the first capacity, a part or all of lacking capacity is supplied via the second bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Yoon Dong Sung, Su Bin Han, Sea Seung Oh, Su Yong Chae, Gyu Duk Kim, Seung Weon Yu, Yujin Song, ILoun Lee, Sukin Park
  • Patent number: 9593950
    Abstract: A method performed by a floor determining device of a vehicle is provided for determining on which floor of a parking area the vehicle is positioned. The floor determining unit determines by means of a match determining unit that the vehicle at a current position has driven a travelled distance from a previous position of the vehicle, which horizontally coincides with the current position. The floor determining device determines by means of a floor change determining unit that the current position is situated on a higher floor above a previous floor of the previous position if the vehicle is determined to have driven the travelled distance more upwards than downwards from the previous position to the current position, and that the current position is situated on a lower floor beneath the previous floor if the vehicle is determined to have driven the travelled distance more downwards than upwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Staffan Davidsson, Johan Maresch
  • Patent number: 9352653
    Abstract: A railcar includes: a power collector configured to collect electric power through overhead contact lines; a circuit breaking unit connected to the power collector and arranged on a roof of a car; and a plurality of electric power cables connected to the circuit breaking unit. The circuit breaking unit includes: a circuit breaker arranged above the roof and connected to a circuit connected to the power collector; and a branch joint which is integrally connected to a terminal portion of the circuit breaker and arranged under the circuit breaker and to which the plurality of electric power cables are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignees: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SWCC SHOWA CABLE SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kawasaki, Hiroyuki Sakurai, Ryoji Negi, Shin Imanishi, Nobuyuki Sema, Kenji Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 9295125
    Abstract: Method for communication between an electronic module and a sensor having a first branch, including a light source LED and a first switch, and a second branch including a second switch, supplied by a supply line, the module measuring modulations of intensity of current of the line. When the light source is turned on or in the process of turning on/turning off, the sensor causes i) modulation of the intensity of the current in the LED between a high state and a low state, ii) modulation of the intensity of the current in the second branch so that the intensity of the current is always in a higher state, and, in case of detection, iii) dispatches to the electronic module a modulation of the intensity of current in the second branch, when the intensity of current in the LED is in the low state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Maxime Cordier, Xavier Hourne, Olivier Elie
  • Patent number: 9219364
    Abstract: A public power supply system makes it possible to use power in a public location both conveniently and safely without erroneous operations. An outlet, to which power is supplied from a distribution line, is installed in advance in a predetermined public location and a communication terminal requesting the outlet to supply power and a center server are connected in advance via an Internet and when there is a request to the outlet to supply power, the center server outputs a current supply command to a current control unit via a communication network (Internet or telephone network) and the current control unit permits supply of a current to be supplied to the outlet when there is a current supply command and there is information to allow supply of a current to the outlet generated using a remote control prevention device installed near the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Tokyo Electric Power Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Shota Tomiyama, Kengo Muraki, Masayuki Shigehara
  • Patent number: 9032880
    Abstract: The invention provides in some aspects a transport system comprising a guideway with a plurality of propulsion coils disposed along a region in which one or more vehicles are to be propelled. One or more vehicles are disposed on the guideway, each including a magnetic flux source. The guideway has one or more running surfaces that support the vehicles and along which they roll or slide. Each vehicle can have a septum portion of narrowed cross-section that is coupled to one or more body portions of the vehicle. The guideway includes a diverge region that has a flipper and an extension of the running surface at a vertex of the diverge. The flipper initiates switching of vehicle direction at a diverge by exerting a laterally directed force thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: MAGNEMOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Nathanael N. King, Brian M. Perreault, Tracy M. Clark, Richard D. Thornton, Jason Young, Michael W. Bottasso, Jesse Mendenhall
  • Publication number: 20140284159
    Abstract: An inductive power transfer apparatus suitable for producing a magnetic field for inductive power transfer is disclosed. The apparatus has three or more coils arranged such that when energised with a power source, magnetic fields produced by each coil augment each other on a first surface and substantially weaken each other on a second surface. The first and second surfaces have an obverse relationship to each other. Also disclosed is a roadway inductive power transfer module suitable for producing a magnetic field for inductive power transfer to a vehicle using the roadway, and an Inductive power transfer apparatus suitable for receiving a magnetic field for inductive power transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: John Talbot Boys
  • Publication number: 20140262662
    Abstract: An electrical power supply system with assistance with the making of electrical contact, of a type having a power supply arm mounted on a post positioned alongside the road, entering into electrical contact with a longitudinal conductor rail carried on the vehicle, is characterized in that the arm has—at its end—a means of rolling or sliding that enters into moving contact with an adjacent lane alongside the conductor rail at the beginning of its length. This invention concerns the domain of electrically-propelled vehicles carrying at least one longitudinal power supply rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: 8827058
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for providing a vehicle, in particular a track bound vehicle, with electric energy, wherein the arrangement comprises a receiving device (200) adapted to receive an alternating electromagnetic field and to produce an alternating electric current by electromagnetic induction. The receiving device (200) comprises a plurality of windings and/or coils (9, 10, 11) of electrically conducting material, wherein each winding or coil (9, 10, 11) is adapted to produce a separate phase of the alternating electric current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Vollenwyder, Jürgen Meins, Carsten Struve
  • Patent number: 8807308
    Abstract: It is provided a power supply device and a power acquisition device for an electromagnetic induction-powered electric vehicle that increase a power transfer efficiency by maximizing a lateral deviation tolerance and by minimizing a gap between the power acquisition device and the power supply device while preventing the power acquisition device from colliding with an obstacle present on a road and being damaged by the collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventors: Nam Pyo Suh, Soon Heung Chang, Dongho Cho, Chun Taek Rim, Jung Goo Cho, Kyung-Soo Kim, Yong Hoon Jeong, Yong San Yoon, Gu Ho Jeong
  • Patent number: 8729728
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power adjustment system adapted for powering an electric line for supplying power to vehicles moving in a traffic lane combined with said electric line that comprises an electric supply feeder (AD) delivering an average electric power directly or via at least one converter to the electric line, and an adjustable power based on power fluctuation and required for an instantaneous traffic intensity to an energy storage means (MS) capable of powering the electric line at a peak power via at least one other converter, characterised in that a dimensioning unit (PCC) receives information on the power needs based on the traffic intensity evaluated over at least one duration of said traffic, and in that the dimensioning unit uses information for controlling an adjustment of the useful predictable storage of the storage means so that the electric power (P_IN0, P_IN1) delivered to the storage means is adjusted and minimal while exactly maintaining a sufficient energy backup in the storage mean
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens S.A.S.
    Inventors: Xavier Bavard, Eric Chattot, Jean-Noël Verhille
  • Patent number: 8712621
    Abstract: A vehicle having a power supply apparatus which is configured to supply an electric power to an external apparatus outside the vehicle, includes: a detecting unit which is configured to detect a state where a cable is pinched between an opening and closing member of the vehicle and an opening edge of an opening for the opening and closing member, the cable connecting the power supply apparatus to the external apparatus and being arranged in an interior of the vehicle; and an inhibiting unit which, when the detecting unit detects that the cable is pinched between the opening and closing member and the opening edge, is configured to inhibit running of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Saito, Hiroyasu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8684150
    Abstract: A control assembly includes a monitoring module and a switching module. The monitoring module determines a load demand of a first rail vehicle traveling along a track, wherein the first rail vehicle is supplied with electric current from a plurality of power sources over a conductive pathway extending along the track. The switching module is communicatively coupled with the monitoring module and is joined with a switch controller disposed between the power sources and the conductive pathway. The switching module directs the switch controller to change which of the power sources supply the electric current to the first rail vehicle over the conductive pathway based on the load demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bret Worden
  • Patent number: 8646585
    Abstract: A non contact electric power transfer device includes: a self resonant coil; an induction coil capable of transmitting and receiving electric power to and from an induction coil capable of the self resonance coil through electromagnetic induction; and a bobbin that has at least one of the self resonant coil and the induction coil attached thereto, and has an accommodation chamber defined therein and capable of accommodating a device therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Ichikawa, Atsushi Mizutani
  • Patent number: 8612110
    Abstract: A traveling vehicle system includes traveling vehicles; a controller which controls operations of the traveling vehicles; and a power line which electrically connects the traveling vehicles with each other, and supplies electric power to each of the traveling vehicles. Each of the traveling vehicles includes a motor which runs on the electric power supplied via the power line and drives the traveling vehicle, and when decelerating, generates regenerative electric power to be supplied to another one of the traveling vehicles via the power line, and the controller controls the operations of the traveling vehicles so that a time of one or more first traveling vehicles decelerating overlaps a time of one or more second traveling vehicles accelerating, the first traveling vehicles being decelerating traveling vehicles, the second traveling vehicles being accelerating traveling vehicles, and the first traveling vehicles and the second traveling vehicles being included in the traveling vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8596434
    Abstract: An electric railway system includes an electric car and an electric-power supply device that supplies electric power to the electric car. The electric-power supply device includes a power source, and an overhead conductor portion connected to the power source. The electric car includes: a power collector installed on a roof of the electric car, having a contact conductor portion contactable to the overhead conductor portion, and being capable of raising and lowering the contact conductor portion based on an instruction from outside; a switching unit connected to the power collector, opening and closing a main circuit; an electric-power conversion device connected to the switching unit, performing an electric power conversion; an electric-power storage device connected to the electric-power conversion device; an electric motor driven by the electric-power conversion device, driving the electric car; and a control unit controlling at least the switching unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Kitanaka
  • Patent number: 8558505
    Abstract: When it is determined that a charge controllable vehicle and a charge uncontrollable vehicle coexist are connected to a plurality of charging stations, available power X is distributed and supplied to the charge controllable vehicle or the charge uncontrollable vehicle so that total power derived from the charge controllable vehicle and the charge uncontrollable vehicle does not exceed the available power X of a power supply unit, and the available power X is distributed as time division and supplied to the charge controllable vehicle and the charge uncontrollable vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventor: Yasuki Iwata
  • Patent number: 8499909
    Abstract: A mining haul truck driven by electrical wheel motors is powered by a trolley power system during an uphill climb. Retard energy captured during braking action on either the uphill climb or downhill descent is stored by an on-board electrical energy storage system. Electrical power is supplied from the on-board electrical energy storage system to reduce the peak power demand on the trolley power system during the uphill climb. One implementation of the on-board electrical energy storage system uses an ultracapacitor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Joy Mazumdar, Walter Köllner
  • Patent number: 8307967
    Abstract: A mechanical, electrical and telecommunication system to electrically connect a vehicle to an electricity source to transfer energy to the vehicle is presented. In one rendition the system has a stationary portion on the road or infrastructure side, and a moving member on the vehicle. The system is designed to tolerate misalignments of a parked vehicle with respect to the parking stall. The infrastructure or road side component of the system being mechanically static is designed rugged and therefore is widely deployable. The system along with moving member is fail-safe and poses no threat to humans, the vehicle being charged or the vehicles sharing the road. An important component of the system is a pair of rigid, insulating strips with a series of conductors on each of them, placed at approximately right angles to each other. One of the strips is mounted on the infrastructure or road side and the other on the vehicle. The two strips cover the lateral and longitudinal misalignment of the parked vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Satyajit Patwardhan
  • Patent number: 8242739
    Abstract: A charging system and method that accommodates and reduces potential residual or leakage current when electrical grounds of a charger and an energy storage system are equalized at the moment of initiating charging. The charging system using an alternating current (AC) line voltage for conductive charging of an energy storage system (ESS) coupled to a polyphase motor drive circuit communicated to a polyphase motor, and converting the line voltage to a charging voltage communicated to the energy storage system using a set of the plurality of driver stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Krauer, Nick Kalayjian
  • Patent number: 8232671
    Abstract: A system of localized tapping sections (1, 2 or 3) is provided with air or ground units for the distribution of electrical energy and an assembly on the vehicle (4) for tapping the energy. The electrical energy distribution units are supported by distributing poles (5), only accommodate electrical voltage when the vehicle approaches the related section, and being disconnected when the vehicle (4) leaves the tapping section. The tapping sections are located in vehicle stopping zones, for example, stations (1), acceleration zones, and uphill gradients (2), in order to recharge and/or supply drive energy to the vehicle (4). The system is beneficial to autonomous urban public transportation which accumulates drive energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Andre, Laurent Verdier
  • Publication number: 20120175209
    Abstract: Retard energy regenerated from an electrical motor during braking action is reinjected into a power system via trolley lines. The retard energy may be transmitted to a bidirectional electric substation and returned to a utility grid. The retard energy may also be transmitted to an auxiliary energy storage system, such as an ultracapacitor system or a battery system. Installing trolley lines for mining haul trucks on a downhill slope may be used to capture and re-use substantial quantities of retard energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Joy Mazumdar, Walter Köllner
  • Patent number: 8151955
    Abstract: Electrical equipment EE arranged in the roof of an electrically driven railway vehicle, said vehicle being equipped with at least one pantograph (2) and a roof line L conveying the current, received from an catenary line (1), from the connection to said pantograph (2) to the electrical driving devices (4) of the vehicle, said electrical equipment EE comprising a circuit-breaking device (3) for protecting said electrical driving devices and being arranged on a mechanical support (40), characterized in that said electrical equipment EE comprises a measuring device DM comprising at least means (33) for measuring the amperage of the current transmitted from the catenary (1) to the roof line L, which means are arranged on said mechanical support (40), and in that said electrical equipment EE comprises a computer (D) which controls the actuation of said circuit-breaking device (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Alstom Transport S.A.
    Inventors: Christophe Aubigny, Nicolas Quentin
  • Publication number: 20120006641
    Abstract: A traveling vehicle system includes traveling vehicles; a controller which controls operations of the traveling vehicles; and a power line which electrically connects the traveling vehicles with each other, and supplies electric power to each of the traveling vehicles. Each of the traveling vehicles includes a motor which runs on the electric power supplied via the power line and drives the traveling vehicle, and when decelerating, generates regenerative electric power to be supplied to another one of the traveling vehicles via the power line, and the controller controls the operations of the traveling vehicles so that a time of one or more first traveling vehicles decelerating overlaps a time of one or more second traveling vehicles accelerating, the first traveling vehicles being decelerating traveling vehicles, the second traveling vehicles being accelerating traveling vehicles, and the first traveling vehicles and the second traveling vehicles being included in the traveling vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko OGAWA
  • Patent number: 8000858
    Abstract: A charger can read an ID code from a transponder key of an immobilizer system of a contract vehicle. When an owner of the vehicle connects a vehicle and charger with a charging cable and brings the transponder key close to a reading portion, the read ID code is transmitted from charger toward vehicle where authentication is performed. Vehicle transmits an authentication result to charger. Preferably, these transmission and reception can be performed by power line communication employing a vehicle cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromi Tonegawa, Masato Ichishi
  • Publication number: 20110114431
    Abstract: This is a River Rail system which can be used to move barges or any water going vessel through, up, across. or down a body of water whereby the barge or vessel may attach, use the system in some way or benefit during transit, and then de-attaching from the system. This system can upgrade the transport of goods or people by water industries while also providing a method of creating carbon credits, clean electricity, adding safety in transportation, and possibly eliminating 100% of all fuel consumed by the entire water going transport of people or goods industry through any body of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: Timothy Christian Crouse
  • Publication number: 20110094840
    Abstract: The electric highway includes at least one electrified lane that may be separated from other non-electrified lanes by a non-elevated strip of dividers, a roadside subsystem that includes a system operation monitoring center that monitors system operation; a plurality of roadside conductor assemblies, each of which includes at least one roadside conductor laid within a coaxial pipe made of a non-magnet field shielding material, and its/their housing in the traffic lane; a roadside part of an on-board part of a lateral location sensor; a plurality of roadside controller each of which includes a power supply assembly, at least one communication device housed in a roadside box, and a plurality of roadside posts with a camera affixed to it. The electric highway system is monitored continuously at the system operation monitoring center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: Masami Sakita
  • Patent number: 7894940
    Abstract: Disparate robotic devices can be automatically recharged and reprogrammed by self-scheduling individual time slots for the available recharging area(s) of a charging station. These charging stations provide a nest to which each robot must return periodically for power. These nests can also provide new tasking or patches for the robotic devices. The charging station and the robotic devices are both provided with communications capabilities and a protocol by which they can negotiate to find a time slot in which the device can be recharged, as well as determining a correct connector and a battery type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: David Bruce Kumhyr
  • Patent number: 7856290
    Abstract: Disparate robotic devices can be automatically recharged and reprogrammed by self-scheduling individual time slots for the available recharging area(s) of a charging station. These charging stations provide a nest to which each robot must return periodically for power. These nests can also provide new tasking or patches for the robotic devices. The charging station and the robotic devices are both provided with communications capabilities and a protocol by which they can negotiate to find a time slot in which the device can be recharged, as well as determining a correct connector and a battery type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: David Bruce Kumhyr
  • Patent number: 7791292
    Abstract: Electrically driven passenger transport vehicles are supplied with energy by an external electric supply network. If the external energy supply fails, vehicles of this type require special auxiliary devices that do not rely on the supply network, for example rely on auxiliary vehicles, in order to move said vehicles again. A vehicle can move independently during a failure of the external energy supply, by switching the electric drive of said vehicle to a battery drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Elin EBG Traction GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Glasl, Martin Dorninger, Gunther Jerabek, Matthias Eder, Andreas Trenner
  • Publication number: 20100006385
    Abstract: Electrical equipment EE arranged in the roof of an electrically driven railway vehicle, said vehicle being equipped with at least one pantograph (2) and a roof line L conveying the current, received from an catenary line (1), from the connection to said pantograph (2) to the electrical driving devices (4) of the vehicle, said electrical equipment EE comprising a circuit-breaking device (3) for protecting said electrical driving devices and being arranged on a mechanical support (40), characterised in that said electrical equipment EE comprises a measuring device DM comprising at least means (33) for measuring the amperage of the current transmitted from the catenary (1) to the roof line L, which means are arranged on said mechanical support (40), and in that said electrical equipment EE comprises a computer (D) which controls the actuation of said circuit-breaking device (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: ALSTOM Transport SA
    Inventors: Christophe Aubigny, Nicolas Quentin
  • Patent number: 7635966
    Abstract: A system includes a rechargeable battery backup for a barrier movement operator. A barrier movement operator controls the movement of a moveable barrier. The barrier movement operator has a head unit to command the moveable barrier to perform moveable barrier functions. The head unit is supplied power by a power source. A battery charging station is in electrical communication with at least one rechargeable battery and in electrical communication with the head unit to supply power to the at least one rechargeable battery. Circuitry is electrically connected to the battery charging station to supply power from the at least one rechargeable battery to the head unit. The system also includes electrically powered equipment comprising an apparatus for receiving the at least one rechargeable battery. The electrically powered equipment is adapted to be powered by the at least one rechargeable battery to perform a predetermined function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Frederic Butler
  • Publication number: 20090173589
    Abstract: A system and method for generating electricity from the movement of vehicles over a traveling surface is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a stator having a plurality of windings, a rotor configured to rotate and configured to be mounted adjacent the traveling surface, the rotor having a perimeter and a plurality of magnets mounted to the perimeter and wherein each magnet creates a magnetic field and is mounted to the rotor so that the magnetic field of the magnets induces an electric current in the windings of the stator during rotation of the rotor, and results in an attractive force between the magnets and the vehicles moving over the traveling surface to urge the rotation of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Mark J. Nejmeh
  • Publication number: 20090166142
    Abstract: Provided are a tunnel type power generating apparatus and a method of generating power using the same capable of converting residual kinetic energy caused by movement of vehicles into electric energy and storing the converted electric energy to be used. The tunnel type power generating apparatus includes: a magnetic body selectively attached to an upper part or a lower part of a vehicle; a tunnel type coil formed of a conductive coil wound several times in one direction to generate induced current when the magnetic body passes therethrough; and a case into which the tunnel type coil is inserted, absorbing impact applied by a vehicle load to prevent damage to the tunnel type coil, and having a size corresponding to a road width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Min Suk Hyun, Hyung Joo Kim, Chang Ho Choi, Kil Koang Kwon