Abstract: A non-contact power feeding device feeds power from a power transmission coil to a power receiving coil based on a mutual induction effect of electromagnetic induction. In such a non-contact power feeding device, power can be fed to the power receiving coil by a mobile power feeding method whereby the power receiving coil is moved corresponding to the stationary power transmission coil through an air gap in the case of power feeding. The power transmission coil and the power receiving coil are respectively formed in a loop-shaped flat structure. A crossover coil is adopted to serve as the power transmission coil. The crossover coil is formed in a long loop shape along the direction of movement of the power receiving side and is crossed along the way to provide a plurality of units. It is however to be noted that a resonant repeating coil can be used together with the power transmission coil to adopt the crossover coil as its repeating coil.

Abstract: From among a plurality of interconnected segments of a travel route of a transportation vehicle, an operator manually assigns a plurality of segments that form a path for the transportation vehicle to actually travel, such assignment is received, a travel instruction is generated in accordance with the plurality of assigned segments, and the transportation vehicle is instructed to travel in accordance with the travel instruction.

Abstract: An electric vehicle is provided including an electric drive, at least one first electric power collecting shoe to power the drive, and at least one first transmitter. The first collecting shoe is separated from the first transmitter by a first distance greater than 0.2 meters, the first transmitter is positioned in front of the first collecting shoe in the direction of travel of the vehicle. The invention also provides an associated transport system.

Abstract: A power line (1) for an electric vehicle (80), wherein a hollow elongated insulating enclosure (4) is fitted on top with a number of conducting plates (34) aligned in the traveling direction (8) of the vehicle and substantially coplanar with a horizontal road surface (ST). The enclosure (4) houses an elastically deformable strip conducting element (60) extending in the traveling direction and having a portion of ferromagnetic material (65). The strip conducting element (60) is attracted by the magnetic field generated (147) by the electric vehicle (80 ) traveling along the line, so as to deform and raise a portion (60a) of the strip conducting element (60) and connect one conducting plate (34) to a positive supply line (27) inside the enclosure.

Abstract: A current pickup device wherein a supporting structure (104), carried in articulated manner by an electric vehicle (80), supports an elongated central permanent magnet (147), and a pair of current pickup members (132a, 132b) spaced with respect to each other on opposite sides of the central magnet (147). The current pickup device may be used in conjunction with a power line wherein a number of insulated conducting elements (34) are arranged in the traveling direction (8) of the electric vehicle (80), and are supplied successively as the electric vehicle travels along the line.

Abstract: A power line (1) wherein an elongated enclosure (4) houses a first and a second conducting line (27, 23), a striplike base portion (63) made of ferromagnetic material, an electric contact portion (71) superimposed on the base portion (63), and a releasable connecting device (64, 72) for connecting the base portion and the electric contact portion. The releasable connecting device (64, 72) permits disconnection of the striplike base portion (63) in the event a portion of the electric contact portion (71) remains in the raised position following extinction of the magnetic field, so that the base portion (63) drops down and establishes a short-circuit connection, indicating a malfunction, between the first and second conducting lines (27, 23).

Abstract: A modular power line (1) defined by a number of elongated enclosures (4), each housing a conducting line (27) and an elastically deformable strip element (60) of finite length, which interacts with a magnetic field generated by an electric vehicle (80) to attract a portion (60a) of the strip element (60) into a contact position in which an electric connection is established between the conducting line (27) and at least one power plate (34) outside the enclosure (4). The enclosure carries, at each end, a supporting device (62) for supporting an end portion (60e) of the strip element (60) and permitting movement of the end portion (60e) with respect to the enclosure. The supporting device (62) also provides for connecting adjacent end portions (60e) of strip elements (60) housed in different enclosures (4).

Abstract: A power line (1) wherein a hollow elongated enclosure (4) houses a conducting line (27) and an elastically deformable strip element (60) which is normally in a rest position extending substantially undeformed along the whole of the enclosure when the line is not engaged by an electric vehicle. The strip element (60) interacts with a magnetic field generated by an electric vehicle (80) engaging the line, to attract a portion (60a) of the strip element (60) into a raised contact position in which an electric connection is established between the conducting line (27) and at least one power plate (34) outside the enclosure (4). The line also has a detecting device (52) for detecting the strip element (60) in the rest position and so determining non-engagement of the line.

Abstract: A supply line (1) for an electric vehicle (80) has a plurality of conductive plates (34) alternating with insulating plates (37) and disposed along a top of a long hollow insulating casing (4) in a direction of travel for an electric vehicle (80). An elastically deformable ribbon-like conductive element (60) including a strip of ferromagnetic material (63) is also disposed in the hollow casing (4). The ribbon-like conductive element (60) is attracted by a magnetic field induced by electromagnets (84) carried by the electric vehicle (80) to cause deflection of the portion of the ribbon-like conductive element (60) towards the conductive plates (34) until at least one conductive plate (34) contacts a supply line carried within the casing (4). The electric vehicle (80) also has at least one pickup (87) which contacts the conductive plates (34) to supply electricity of at least one polarity to the electric vehicle (80).

Abstract: A transportation system (10) including electric vehicles (12) is disclosed. The system (10) comprises a roadway (14) having a load bearing surface, an electric power rail (16) extending longitudinally along the roadway (14) and having a power bus and a default electrical potential level, the rail (16) being divided into individually engergizable, longitudinally aligned segments (20), and control circuits (38) associated with each energizable segment (20) for connecting each segment (20) of the power rail (16) either to the power bus or the default electrical potential level upon actuation.

Abstract: A transportation system for use with a roadway including conductive sections on the roadway so that electric vehicles having contact members thereon may contact the conductive sections. The sections extend in the direction of travel along the roadway and have spaces therebetween to prevent short circuiting by the contact members. Alternate sections are connected continuously to a reference voltage and the remaining sections are each connected through a switching device to a source of power when the vehicle is proximate thereto power.

Abstract: An electric vehicle transportation system. The system includes a roadway having a load bearing surface. The load bearing surface supports an electric power rail extending longitudinally on the roadway. The power rail is segmented and includes a plurality of longitudinally aligned, mutually electrically isolated portions. A power bus energizes selected portions of the rail. Energization is controlled by power switching controllers associated with each of the electrically isolated portions of the rail. Energization selection is effected in response to an actuation signal applied to a portion longitudinally displaced by a predetermined interval from the portion of the power rail associated with the controller which is connected to the controller by an actuation signal transmitting apparatus.

Abstract: A magnetic electrical contact system comprising first and second electrical members connected in two different electrical circuits. One of these members is a power member and the other member a pick-up member. A plurality of closely spaced plungers are mounted at the surface of one member and are movable between a normal inoperative position and an operative position. As the pick-up member is moved over the surface of the power member, plungers engaged by the pick-up member are moved thereby to their operative positions. When a plunger is in its operative position the electrical circuit of one member is connected to that of the other member.