Abstract: A powertrain for an electric vehicle has a driveshaft connected to two or more motors where each motor is connected to a battery pack associated with that motor. A controller is used to select one or more motors to be energized for propulsion or used for regenerative braking to recharge the battery pack to which it is coupled. The controller can optimize the state of charge (SOC) difference of the battery packs and provide for a smooth and efficient powering of the vehicle for acceleration and climbing and optimize the range of the vehicle by management of the relative SOC of the battery packs. The electric vehicle can include two or more fuel cells that individually coupled to a motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for inductive energy transmission from a transmitting coil to a receiving coil spaced apart from the transmitting coil. The receiving coil is arranged in a vehicle which is arranged stationary or is travelling on a supporting surface, wherein the vehicle has at least one sensor. In a first method step (A) a distance between the transmitting coil and/or the supporting surface and the receiving coil is determined, in a second method step (B) a minimum possible air gap between the transmitting coil and/or the supporting surface and the receiving coil is calculated from the distance, and in a third method step (C) the receiving coil is positioned such that the distance corresponds to the minimum possible air gap.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement (100) for active alignment control of a contact element (110) of a charging device (104) for a vehicle (1) for driving on an electrical road system (ERS) comprising a charging surface (3) configured to provide electrical power to the vehicle via the charging device. The arrangement comprises the charging device (104) comprising a base (106), a linkage arm (108), and an electrical contact element (110) and a pivot joint (107) arranged for allowing a movement of the contact element around an axis (105). A control unit is configured to activate an actuator module to align said contact element (110) with said trajectory of said charging surface based on trajectory data and an angle between the vehicle heading and the charging surface. The invention further relates to a method and to a vehicle.

Abstract: In an embodiment, disconnecting a supply of an electrical charging is described. In an embodiment, a device comprises: a reception configured to receive an electric current. A supply configured to supply an electric current out from the device in a connection with charging a battery of an electrical device. Connectors configured to connect the device between a power unit, which supplies the electric current to the reception,and the electrical device. A switch configured to disconnect at least one of the electrical currents. A control unit configured to control the switch, wherein the control unit comprises a timer configured to control the switch according to a predetermined timing function. A housing, wherein a movement of the housing is configured to generate a stimulus that is configured to the switch for connecting the at least one of the electrical currents and reset the timer.

Abstract: A protection arrangement for a current collector arranged on a vehicle having a rechargeable energy storage includes a first protective state in which the current collector is covered by the protection arrangement and a second open state in which the protection arrangement allows contact between the current collector and a corresponding current supply during charging of the energy storage and where the protection arrangement is automatically opened from the protective state to the open state when the vehicle has reached a predefined charging position. The current collector can be enclosed when the vehicle is not charged and the protection arrangement can open automatically when a charging position is reached. This can improve the safety of the vehicle and obviate the need of a specific circuit breaker that can disconnect the current collector from the electric energy storage. The charging of the vehicle can also be simplified.

Abstract: A rail vehicle for public transport includes at least one door for separating two inner spaces of the rail vehicle and a lintel for the door. The lintel has at least one electronic information system for passengers.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a vehicle. The vehicle includes an energy storage device and a traction motor electrically connected to the energy storage device. The traction motor is configured to convert electrical energy supplied by the energy storage device into a mechanical output to propel the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a vehicle connecting mechanism electrically coupled to the energy storage device and being configured for electrical coupling with a second vehicle connecting mechanism of a second vehicle to establish an electrical interface between the vehicle and the second vehicle. The electrical interface enables the transfer of electric power between the vehicle and the second vehicle.

Abstract: A power quality monitoring apparatus is developed for a railway power system. The apparatus is calculating the energy flow and the power consumption and recording the by using the voltage and current sensors at AC and DC power source in the various industrial fields. The voltage and current phases are detected for the AC power. The direction of current is detected to calculate the power consumption for the DC power. Then, the detected data is analyzed. It is possible to monitor the variation of the voltages and current values of the railway vehicle in real time. It is possible to display the variations of the vehicle loads, the AC power output, the voltage and current value fluctuations, the power consumption and power flows in a form of the graphic or text format. Thereby, it is possible to easily understand the overall status of the overhead line's environment.

Abstract: A system for powering a vehicle includes a traction bus, an auxiliary bus, chopper devices, and a control unit. The traction bus is coupled with traction motors of the vehicle to supply a first voltage to power the traction motors. The auxiliary bus is coupled with non-traction motors of the vehicle to supply a different, second voltage to the non-traction motors to. The chopper devices are conductively coupled with both the traction bus and the auxiliary bus to control conduction of the first voltage on the traction bus to the auxiliary bus as the second voltage using first and second duty cycles. The control unit is coupled with the chopper devices to control the first and second duty cycles of the chopper devices, respectively, such that the first voltage on the traction bus is changed (e.g., reduced) to the second voltage on the auxiliary bus.

Abstract: A system corresponding to a plurality of different power sources (overhead contact line, power generator driven by engine, and fuel cells) is proposed as a method of using an optimum power supply in an electrified route and a non-electrified route. Provided are: a power conversion circuit that includes AC input ends, the number of which corresponds to the maximum number of phases among a plurality of different AC power supplies, and that converts AC power to a direct current; and switching means for switching a connection state of the AC power supplies and the power conversion circuit, wherein the connection state is switched according to the power supplies.

Abstract: The method according to the invention aims to optimize the operation of a reversible traction substation (Sk) of a power supply system (4) for railway vehicles, said reversible substation being able to be commanded in a traction operating mode or a braking mode. This method includes: determining a current value (Mc) of a favored operating mode; maximizing at least one optimization function (F) that depends on the current value of the favored operating mode, based on instantaneous values (G(t)) of multiple operating properties of the substation (Sk); computing optimized values (Popt(t)) for multiple configuration parameters of the substation (Sk) from maximized values (Gmax(t)) of the operating properties.

Abstract: An electric motor vehicle main circuit system includes an AC-DC switching circuit switching a supply destination of electric power according to a type of supplied power from an overhead wire, a transformer, a tap changer switching tap positions of the transformer, a CNV converting an output of the tap changer into a direct-current voltage, an AC contactor opening and closing a power supply path between the tap changer and the CNV, an FC accumulating an output of the CNV or the overhead wire, a CH stepping up an output of the FC, an FC accumulating an output of the CH, an INV converting an output of the FC into a desired alternating-current voltage, a DC contactor opening and closing a power supply path between the AC-DC switching circuit and the CH, and a control section controlling the tap changer, the AC contactor, the DC contactor, the CNV, and the CH.

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.

Abstract: The method according to the invention aims to optimize the operation of a reversible traction substation (Sk) of a power supply system (4) for railway vehicles, said reversible substation being able to be commanded in a traction operating mode or a braking mode. This method includes: determining a current value (Mc) of a favored operating mode; maximizing at least one optimization function (F) that depends on the current value of the favored operating mode, based on instantaneous values (G(t)) of multiple operating properties of the substation (Sk); computing optimized values (Popt(t)) for multiple configuration parameters of the substation (Sk) from maximized values (Gmax(t)) of the operating properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mining vehicle and method for its energy supply. The mining vehicle has a rectifier, DC intermediate circuit, and inverter, through which an alternating current motor is supplied. At least one auxiliary energy source is connected to the DC intermediate circuit. A DC/DC converter is connected between the DC intermediate circuit and the auxiliary energy source for adapting the voltage level of the auxiliary energy source and for connecting the auxiliary energy source to supply energy to the DC intermediate circuit.

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.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a powered rail vehicle includes a fuel engine, an alternator, and a tractive circuit. The alternator is coupled with and driven by the engine to produce a fuel-based electric current. The tractive circuit includes a conductive bus coupled with the alternator and a traction motor. The conductive bus is configured to couple with a power conditioning circuit to receive an external electric current from an external electric power source via the power conditioning circuit. The tractive circuit has a fuel-powered only configuration, a fuel- and electric-powered configuration, and an electric-powered only configuration. The tractive circuit supplies the traction motor with the fuel-based electric current in the fuel-powered only configuration, with the fuel-based electric current or the external electric current in the fuel- or electric-powered configuration, and with the external electric current in the electric-powered only configuration.

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.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a vehicle is provided. The propulsion system includes a first traction drive system and a second traction drive system. The first traction drive system includes a heat engine and a first drive motor. The heat engine supplies energy to the first drive motor to propel the vehicle. The second traction drive system includes a second drive motor and a first energy storage device. The second drive motor both supplies energy to the first energy storage device and receives energy from the first energy storage device. Also provided is a propulsion system for a vehicle that includes the first traction drive system and a propulsion means for supplying energy to a first energy storage device and for receiving energy from the first energy storage device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a service coupling for coupling a vehicle to a service port such that one or more services are transferable therebetween. The coupling comprises a plug comprising at least one service engagement portion; and a receptacle comprising an opening to receive the plug, and at least one service engagement portion positioned to engage the plug service engagement portion when the plug is inserted into the receptacle. The engagement is such that a service is transferable between the plug and receptacle. At least one of the plug and receptacle service engagement portions is arcuate thereby enabling engagement to be maintained between the plug and receptacle engagement portions when the plug is rotated about the axis and within the arc-length of the arcuate engagement portion.

Abstract: A circuit connects a low-voltage high-current DC power source (PL) in series with a high-voltage low-current DC source (PD). The series connection is made under full power by using the second source PL to commutate the load current and allow the first source PD to be reconfigured from series to parallel operation, doubling its current rating.

Abstract: This invention relates to a wheel stop service port for coupling to a connectivity device of a wheeled vehicle such that one or more services, namely electricity, data, and fluids, are transferable therebetween. The service port includes a housing having a receptacle recess with a recess opening on an outside surface of the housing; a fastener on the housing for fastening the service port to the ground; a receptacle inside the recess and comprising an opening shaped to receive a service plug of a vehicle connectivity device, and a service engagement portion inside the receptacle for engaging a corresponding service engagement portion on the plug; a service conduit junction coupled to the receptacle and couplable to a service conduit to enable the transfer of a service therebetween; and a wheel contact surface located on the housing outside surface such that upon contact of the contact surface by a wheel of a vehicle, the connectivity device of the vehicle is within coupling range of the service port.

Abstract: A power supply system for an electrically propelled vehicle equipped with electric traction motors and including an autonomous power supply system which can be recharged on board the vehicle for supplying power to the electric traction motors. At least one station is provided with an electrical power supply system connected to a mains electrical power supply network and connection arrangements for electrically connecting the autonomous power supply system of the vehicle to the power supply system of the station, on approaching the station, in order to charge the autonomous power supply device when the vehicle is stopped in the station. The autonomous power supply system on board the vehicle includes a battery of supercapacitors and the power supply system of the station includes an energy accumulating kinetic system.

Abstract: An automatic connection system provides for the transfer of energy, gas or liquid fuel between two units of which at least one can be mobile. The system has one transfer part or cable which is at least partially elastic and at least partially rigid and a receiver device that is funnel-shaped with successively tapering or successively tapering successively turned cross-sections. An input device on the transfer part or cable operates as a codeable, secure, self-connecting connection device. An output device is affixed to the receiver device. The system can utilize a cable winder or another suitable extension and retraction mechanism for extension and retraction of the cable.

Abstract: Apparatus for ventilating electrical equipment on board a rail vehicle, said rail vehicle being powered with DC either directly by an electricity pick-up system connected to a DC source, or indirectly by rectifying and filtering electricity picked up by an electricity pick-up system connected to a single-phase AC source, each piece of electrical equipment being ventilated by a respective cooling fan controlled by an electric motor, wherein the electric motors are asynchronous motors, each fan electric motor being powered with three-phase AC by an individual converter connected to the DC for powering the rail vehicle.

Abstract: A train set includes a plurality of cars each having a flat designed to receive storage units equipped electrically-powered equipment. The train set includes: a connector for connecting the set to an electricity source which delivers electrical power at a high voltage greater than the rated operating voltage of the equipment; transfer apparatus for transferring electrical power at a high voltage to each car; a voltage step-down circuit connected to the transfer apparatus and from which electrical power is delivered at a low voltage in the vicinity of the rated operating voltage of the equipment; and a distributor for distributing the low-voltage electrical power to each item of electrically-powered equipment. It is also possible to provide a stand-alone generator providing, in particular, redundancy for the electrical power supply for the distributor. The train set is particularly applicable to transporting liquid or solid perishable goods, as well as chemicals, under controlled temperature.

Abstract: A power supply device for an electromotive railcar is adapted to receive external current from an overhead electric line via a pantograph and to feed driving current of lower voltage than the external current to electric loads in the railcar through first and second current output lines. The power supply device is provided with a static inverter couplable to the overhead electric line through first and second input lines and capable of producing the driving current. A battery is connected to the static inverter in parallel with the loads for selectively charging the driving current and discharging the charged electric current to the loads. An anti-discharge switch is provided on the first current output line for selectively connecting and disconnecting the loads to and from the battery.

Abstract: A public service vehicle transport system in which a vehicle powered by sodium/sulphur batteries is recharged through a pantograph at stations along its route from a pylon having arms which carry power conductors. The arms are carried by a rotable part of the pylon so as to be refracted over the pavement except when approach of the vehicle is sensed, whereupon the arms are automatically swung round over the road to enable recharging to take place.

Abstract: In an electrically powered vehicle having an inductive pick-up configured to couple electrical power from a series of aligned and spaced-apart charging pads associated with a road surface, methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling the lateral positioning of the pick-up as well as the gap between the pick-up and the charging pads as the vehicle moves along a road surface. Control of the lateral positioning and gap may be provided either separately or in combination. In the preferred embodiment, the pick-up is pivotally connected to the vehicle through an extension arm, the pivotal connection including a first position wherein vertical positioning of the pick-up is power controlled toward and away from the road surface, and a second position wherein airflow past the pick-up maintains the positioning of the pick-up relative to the road surface.

Abstract: A drive device has the following components: a connecting device that can be connected to an electric power supply, the connecting device being connected to a power converter; a first drive aggregate in the form of an electrical drive motor which is connected to the power converter; a second drive aggregate in the form of an internal combustion engine; a generator connected to the internal combustion engine and through the power converter to the electric drive motor; and various auxiliary aggregates. The generator is continuously mechanically connected to the respective auxiliary aggregates while the internal combustion engine is optionally connectable to the auxiliary aggregates as well as to the generator. In a first mode of operation, upon operation of the electric drive motor through the external electric power supply, the generator is separated from the internal combustion engine and the generator, supplied by the power supply, is operated as an electric motor and drives the auxiliary aggregates.

Abstract: The conveyor safety circuit (40) is connected on remotely operated vehicles (12) each having on-board controllers (28) which automatically run along guide rails (18) powered from power rails (20) extending along the guide rails (18). The safety circuit (40) interrupts power to the on-board controllers (28) when neutral is lost or during power down. The safety circuit (40) will provide power to the vehicle (12) during brief interruptions of power or neutral, i.e., brush skips, without vehicle (12) shut down.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for powering and controlling the operation of large diesel-electric off-road haulers of the type in which hauler drive wheels are propelled and retarded by DC electric wheel motors powered from on-board generators, optionally supplemented by DC power, from external trolley lines. In the disclosed system, thyristor-type converters connected into the system AC power grid are used to receive supplemental external power from DC trolley lines and supply it into the AC power distribution grid in the propel mode. The use of such thyristor-type converters makes possible the use of supplemental trolley line power without provision of separate switching or control gear to operate the DC wheel motors when trolley line power is received.

Abstract: A system provides dual power producing capability to a diesel locomotive. The diesel engine drives the power generating system on the locomotive when the locomotive is operating under normal conditions. An inverter is provided to drive the power generating system on the locomotive and for supplying auxiliary and head end power when the locomotive is operating on third rail power and the engine is de-energized.

Abstract: An unmanned conveying device for a clean room is capable of restraining a spontaneous oxide film from growing in case that an unmanned carriage is obliged to stop for a long time due to its own cause of a cause at a destination spot while it conveys a semiconductor wafer from one spot to the destination spot. It is a first aspect of the invention to provide the unmanned conveying device which is self-propelled for conveying an object from a ground facility to a destination spot while loading an object to be conveyed thereon, characterized in that the object is accommodated in a container and the container is connected to an inert gas reservoir through a gas supply passage so that the atmosphere in the container can be replaced by a nitrogen gas.

Abstract: A power-charging system for a transporter cart is disclosed. The system includes a power-supplying electrode disposed along and at a predetermined section of a travelling passage along which the transporter cart automatically runs by power from a battery mounted thereon and a power-receiving electrode attached to the transporter cart and a slide-contactable with the power-supplying electrode during the automatic run of the cart.

Abstract: An externally powered electric vehicle with an on-board variable speed AC drive motor drawing power from an overhead trolley line. The vehicle may include an auxiliary power source in the form of a battery or internal combustion engine for powering the vehicle when the vehicle is disconnected from the trolley line.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for powering and controlling the operation of large diesel-electric off-road haulers of the type in which hauler drive wheels are propelled and retarded by DC electric wheel motors powered from on-board generators, optionally supplemented by DC power, from external trolley lines. In the disclosed system, thyristor-type converters connected into the system AC power grid are used to receive supplemental external power from DC trolley lines and supply it into the AC power distribution grid in the propel mode. The use of such thyristor-type converters makes possible the use of supplement trolley line power without provision of separate switching or control gear to operate the DC wheel motors when trolley line power is received.

Abstract: A constant voltage inductive power coupling for magnetically transferring electrical power from a power source through an air gap to a load comprising a first electromagnetic inductor connected to a power source to generate a shaped alternating magnetic field, a said inductor with a saturable core separated by an air gap from the first inductor and magnetically coupled thereto to receive the shaped magnetic field, the core being responsive to the field to enter a state of magnetic saturation. A coil is electromagnetically coupled to the saturable core and has output leads connected to the load. A capacitor is in electrical communication with the coil to form a tuned circuit that is below resonance at the coupling operating frequency. The magnetic field induced by the first inductor to the second inductor causes voltage in the coil, whose magnitude is determined by the amount of magnetic flux in the core.

Abstract: A control device for an electric train formed of plural coupled carriages each of which receive power from an overhead power line via a collector, wherein each carriage is provided with a power converter for converting power from the overhead line to a suitable level for a load within the respective carriage. Each carriage also includes an auxiliary power supply device having an input coupled to the output of the power converter of the another carriage and an output coupled to an input of the power converter of the same carriage, so that if the power level from the overhead line to one carriage falls below a predetermined value, the power converter of that carriage is supplied with power from the power converter of another carriage through the intermediary of the auxiliary power supply device of the same carriage.

Abstract: An improved self-propelled carpet cleaning machine comprises a body movably mounted by a drive wheel. The body is powered by a drive motor which may be selectively connectable either to an AC power source located separately from the body or to a DC power source contained in the body. In addition, the body includes a first storage chamber for receiving fresh cleaning solution therein and a second storage chamber for receiving spent cleaning solution therein. The first and second storage chambers are provided by a flexible membrane which divides an enclosed cavity into two parts. A scrubbing means is also carried by the body in back of the drive wheel on the body. The scrubbing means includes means for applying the fresh cleaning solution to the carpet, a brush roller for agitating the carpet fibers contacted by the cleaning solution to remove foreign material therefrom, and a vacuum shoe for removing the spent cleaning solution from the carpet and placing that solution in the second storage chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and a system are provided for a trackless-roadway vehicle having internal and external propulsion energy sources; the external energy being obtained by a collector plow from electric power rails located in a conduit below the roadway. The collector plow, sensors, the plow elevating mechanism, and the plow steering mechanism are mounted on a laterally movable carriage on the underside of the vehicle. By means of servo-systems comprised of sensors, servo-amplifiers, and drive motors with associated gearing, the plow is automatically and continuously translated and orientated to maintain the plow arms in the vertical plane of the slot in the cover of the conduit. The plow consists of two arms, each with a contactor. When the plow is out of the conduit, the contactors lie in a single plane so that they may pass through the slot. After passing through the slot the contactors are brought to bear on the power rails by contra-rotation of the plow arms.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to recharge a power supply aboard a vehicle which is driven by one or more electric traction motors. The motors are capable of being fed by the power supply aboard the vehicle or by an exterior power supply source through an energy regulating circuit aboard the vehicle. The energy regulating circuit is utilized to feed the electric traction motors and to recharge the power supply aboard the vehicle. The energy regulating circuit operates at a constant rate whereby the energy not absorbed by the one or more electric traction motors is utilized to recharge the power supply aboard the vehicle. A command circuit is associated with the energy regulating circuit to assure that the output of the energy regulating control circuit has a constant current output.

Abstract: A battery for a combination battery-trolley wire powered mine locomotive is connected at its positive terminal by a conductor to an energized trolley wire that extends through the mine haulageway. A charging contactor having normally open contacts connected to the positive terminal of the battery is connected by a conductor to the negative terminal of the battery. Current from the trolley wire energizes the contactor to close the contacts and supply current to the battery for charging the battery to a preselected voltage level. A voltage sensing apparatus monitors the voltage appearing across the charging contactor. If the voltage exceeds a preselected level for safe charging, one or more Zener diodes is switched to a conductive state to energize a relay coil that actuates a normally closed relay to deenergize the contactor and open the contacts to terminate current flow to the positive terminal of the battery.

Abstract: Control apparatus for determining the power regenerating operation of a train vehicle is disclosed in relation to the provision of a control signal in conjunction with the operation of the power supply rail of the train vehicle track, such that power regenerating operation of the train vehicle is prevented unless such operation is desired as indicated by the presence of that control signal.

Abstract: Solar radiant energy and high-intensity light are converted to electrical energy to supply electrical power for propelling vehicles in a safe, economical and efficient manner.The radiant energy can be beamed from outer space by the use of satellites with collecting surfaces which can produce and store electrical power and which can distribute the electrical power to earth stations for redistribution to high-intensity light sources. High-intensity light-receiving cells or panels are fixed to the surface of a vehicle to collect the high-intensity light and to convert the light into useful electric power to operate the vehicle. Energy can be stored in batteries for subsequent use.A vehicle can also be powered by hybrid means including solar cells and gas turbines.