Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized energy interconnection system for an urban railway train in the technical field of urban railway transportation power supply, for addressing the technical problem that distribution of regenerative braking energy flows cannot be accurately determined. The system includes a DC intermediate bus and a multi-port flow controllable energy router. The multi-port flow controllable energy router can comprehensively control a source and a load connected in parallel on the DC intermediate bus and thus can accurately determine the distribution of regenerative braking energy flows, thereby forming a well-developed system for evaluating usage of the braking energy.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface. Further aspects of the invention provide a switching member that is selectively moveable relative to a guideway in order to change a magnetic force acting on the vehicle transverse to a direction of motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A rail system is disclosed. The rail system may have a track including a powered section and an unpowered section. The rail system may also have an electrical contact that extends along the powered section of the track. The rail system may further have an energy exchange station electrically connected to the electrical contact. The energy exchange station may be configured to initiate power transmission between the energy exchange station and a rail vehicle, through the electrical contact, when the rail vehicle is on the powered section of the track. The energy exchange station may also be configured to discontinue power transmission between the energy exchange station and the rail vehicle when the rail vehicle leaves the powered section of the track.

Abstract: A DC feeder voltage control apparatus includes a model-information storing unit storing train model information on each train running in a control section, substation model information on each substation, and feeding network model information in the control section, a fixed-voltage-value storing unit storing a fixed voltage value of a substation voltage set for each substation, a train-operation-state-information acquiring unit acquiring positions and operation state information on the trains running in the control section, a first-substation-voltage fixing unit outputting the fixed voltage value to two first substations located at both ends of the control section, and a second-substation-voltage calculating unit calculating a setting voltage value of the substation voltage in at least one second substation located between the two first substations based on the information, and substation voltages and substation currents of the first substations to output to the second substation.

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.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface.

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: An electrical vehicle transportation system that includes a powered roadway system having electrically conductive roadway segments that are engageable to a roadway surface, and an electrical vehicle having a control system and an energy harvesting system, the vehicle control system being programmed to energize roadway segments disposed within a defined vehicle envelope and de-energize the roadway segments prior to transitioning outside of the vehicle envelope when the vehicle is traversing the roadway.

Abstract: A ground power supply line for electric traction vehicles is provided with two conductors carried by a series of tiles aligned to one another; each tile has a conductive plate and a lower supporting structure, which is made of insulating material and accommodates electric connectors, normally open switches, and a control and command unit, which switches the switches for selectively electrically connecting the conductive plate to the conductors in response to a signal deriving from an electric traction vehicle passing over said external conductive plate; the upper surface of the conductive plates is flushed with the remaining part of a road surface.

Abstract: A power supply and control system for electrically powered shuttle-trains incorporates at least one shuttle train having a motor and a generator. A first plurality of track segments has associated synchronous power modules exchanging power synchronously with a power grid through a plurality of power supply rail segments connectable to the motor or generator. A second plurality of track segments has associated variable frequency power modules exchanging power through a second plurality of power supply rail segments connectable to the motor or generator. Isolation segments separate adjacent power supply rail segments. A control system interconnected to the variable frequency power modules controls the frequency of each variable frequency power module based on the location of the shuttle train.

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: In order to provide a rail-mounted transport system, in particular an overhead monorail, comprising at least one active track switch, which comprises at least two movable rail portions that are selectively bringable into an operating position, in which the movable rail portion situated in the operating position connects in each case two fixed rail portions of the transport system to one another, and comprising at least one vehicle, which is movable along the rail portions of the transport system and comprises at least one power transmission unit for the contact-free transmission of power from power supply lines of the transport system to the vehicle, wherein the power supply to the vehicles in the region of an active track switch is achievable in a simple manner, it is proposed that the vehicle comprises at least two power transmission units, which are spaced apart from one another in the direction of travel of the vehicle, wherein the distance between the power transmission units is greater than the length o

Abstract: A railroad rail is electrically and mechanically connected to a power conductor by an electrical connector that includes a first connector part having a first tail that is bolted to the web of the railroad rail, a socket, and a first opening in the socket. The connector also includes a second connector part having a second tail, a head rotatably received in the socket, and a second opening in the head. The second connector part is rotatable in the socket between an open position, in which the first and second openings are aligned to allow a power conductor to be inserted into the connector, and a clamped position, in which the first and second openings are partially misaligned to clamp the electrical conductor in place. A fastener passes through the first and second tails to hold the second connector part in the clamped position.

Abstract: An automated guided vehicle system can make a conveyor vehicle 13 traveled from a feeder line 5 disposed along a track 12 by supplying the power in a physically non-contact state, wherein the feeder lines are disposed in the both sides of a part of the track, at least one pair of the pick-up units 9, 9 is disposed so as to supply the power from any one of the feeder lines laid in both sides of the track in the conveyor vehicle, and the power is supplied from the pick-up unit whose the power to supply is bigger to the load 19 in the place that the feeder lines are disposed in the both sides of the track. According to the avove system, the power can be supplied continuously even in the diverging part etc.

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: The invention relates to a ground power supply device for electric vehicles (5), the device including power supply segments (52) insulated from each other and each having a length less than half the length of the footprint of the vehicle (5), and being adapted to apply a supply voltage to a segment (52) only when said segment (52) is within the footprint of the vehicle (5), the vehicle (5) having a power supply rubbing member (80), and the device being adapted to apply the supply voltage to two adjacent segments (52) when the rubbing member (80) is in simultaneous contact with the two segments (52) and to earth one of the two segments (52) a short time after said rubbing member (80) has left that segment (52).

Abstract: A buried power supply system for an electric vehicle (17) equipped with collector shoes (16, 22), the system comprising a succession of conductive segments (5A, 5B, 5C) that are electrically isolated from one another, and that form a conductive track for the shoes on a road surface. Each segment is provided with individual switching means (11) of the static type, which means are received under the segment in a trough along which a common power supply link (14) and a common return link (13) run. The switching means provide electrical continuity between the segment to which they are assigned and the power return link so long as a connection control signal for connecting a segment to the power supply link is not received from a vehicle either directly by the segment in question (5C) or by either of the immediately adjacent segments (5B, 5D). The vehicles include means for transmitting a connection control signal to a segment of track.

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: An electrical power supply and guidance assembly for a wheeled vehicle, consisting of a raisable and pivotable guide member supporting at least one pair of guide wheels which together define a V shape and engage the central web of the rail, the rail being a guiding profile section used as a track. Covering portions forming a linear closure protect the space containing the conductors. Opening mechanisms enable the contact portion(s) to pass through and along the closure to collect the supply current and automatically close the closure. The assembly is particularly suitable for electrically powered urban wheeled transport.

Abstract: A power supply device includes a power supply member having: a first conductive plate electrically connected with one of positive and negative terminals of a power source; a second conductive plate electrically connected with the other terminal; a first insulating layer provided between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate; a second insulating layer provided on an outside surface of the second conductive plate; a plurality of supply electrode members attached on an outside surface of the second insulating layer, the plurality of supply electrode members being spaced from one another, one supply electrode member being electrically connected with the first conductive plate, another supply electrode member adjacent to the one supply electrode member being electrically connected with the second conductive plate; a plurality of current collecting electrode members provided in a movable object which is movable on a specified plane, one of at least two current collecting electrode members being

Abstract: A method for detecting gaps to be bridged in a power supply of an electric rail vehicle includes continuously sensing at least one conductor rail for gaps with at least one contact signal transmitter travelling ahead of a plurality of electrically interconnected real current collectors, as seen in the direction of travel of the rail vehicle, with signal information obtained being stored. An instantaneous contact situation between the real current collectors and the conductor rail is determined from the memory contents. Positions of a virtual current collector travelling in advance are formed for each real current collector from the memory contents, with the distances between the contact signal transmitter and the virtual current collectors being such that a necessity to change over the traction power converter into the regenerative braking mode is indicated as soon as all of the virtual current collectors meet a gap in the conductor rail.

Abstract: A primary inductive track or path 450 for a resonant inductive power distribution system is made up from a number of modules 453, each supplied as a pre-built and substantially pre-tuned segment of the track. These modules have more than one capacitor 456, 457 and more than one inductance 458, 459 (generally, the inductance is the intrinsic inductance of the length of track) and each capacitor and adjacent inductor is capable of resonating at its own native frequency. A zero-inductance cable 452, carrying a small fraction of the circulating resonant current (comprising a mis-match or an error current), directly connects the capacitors at poles having equal polarity and tends to constrain the system limiting possible frequencies of resonance.

Abstract: A loosely coupled inductive power transfer system suitable for transferring power to a mobile conveyer platform or a vehicle has pick-up coils wound on flux concentrator(s). One or more large flat horizontal ferrite cores 607, 608 are used to concentrate the horizontal component of magnetic flux from an extended volume into one or more secondary or pick-up coils 613. Each shock-resistant core comprises an array of many individual strips of ferrite held in close contact. One, more usually two, or perhaps more resonant pick-up windings are wound about each core and each winding has a shorting switch (within 602, 603 . . . ) placed across it. A controller 601 connects a controlled output voltage on to an output bus 605, 606 from the best-placed pick-up winding on any one core at any moment, while holding the others in a shorted hence inactive state.

Abstract: A conveyor includes electrification rails and modules mounted on those rails to provide electricity to a pallet, so that appliances being carried on the pallet can be plugged in as they travel along the conveyor. The modules include an improved T-shaped shoe for contacting the bottom surface of the pallet, toe bars which prevent the shoe from pivoting sideways as the pallet pushes on the shoe, and a switch for turning power to the shoe on and off, depending upon whether there is a pallet on top of the shoe.

Abstract: An electrified pallet conveyor system for conveying appliances under electrical connection for testing, and which includes an electrical distribution contact shoe busway assembly. The busway consists of an elongated tubular housing having a continuous side access slot and a number of bus bar conductors mounted inside which coextend with the housing for conducting electricity. The electrical contact shoe assemblies are inserted at any desired location along the busway by inserting them into the access slot and twisting them 90.degree.. These contact shoe assemblies are prevented from further rotation by the confines of a closure strip which closes the side access slot of the housing off on opposite sides of the contact shoe assembly. A keying mechanism is also provided to prevent lateral movement of the contact shoe assembly in the bottom of the bus bar housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is an a.c. electric railway power distribution system comprising an a.c. busbar having at least first and second a.c. busbar sections electrically isolated by a non-energized busbar. Each of a.c. busbar sections is capable of having at least one electric train electrically connected thereto as the train moves along a railway track. A first single phase a.c. power supply is operably connected to the first a.c. busbar section and a second single phase a.c. power supply is operably connected to the second a.c. busbar section. An a.c. to d.c. electronic power converter is provided having an input operably connected to the first a.c. busbar section, and having an output operably connected to a d.c. busbar. A d.c. to a.c. electronic power converter is also provided having an input operably connected to the d.c. busbar and having an output operably connected to the second a.c. busbar section.

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 and the vehicle has at least three contact members spaced on the vehicle so that at least two of the contact members are always in contact with oppositely poled sections with unidirectional current flow means between each conductor and the motor.

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: A section insulator including a plurality of discrete runners with associated diodes preventing current from passing from a first circuit to a second circuit and vice versa of a power line having separate circuits to prevent arcing as an electric vehicle's current collector passes along the section insulator between the first and second circuits while the vehicle maintains a constant flow of electric current as it passes along the section insulator.

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: An electric monorail conveyor wherein the vehicles are suspended from and advance along an elongated guide rail. The electric motor of each vehicle receives current from a third rail which is adjacent the guide rail and includes first sections alternating with second sections at locations where the vehicles are to be brought to a halt. The second sections are galvanically separated from the first sections and receive low-frequency current from a frequency converter which can reduce the frequency when the motor of a vehicle is electrically connected with a second section. This renders it possible to arrest the vehicles in predetermined positions with a tolerance of not more than .+-.2 mm.

Abstract: This invention relates to a power storage system for electric railway which comprises a motor-generator connected to a power system for feeding an electric vehicle with electric power, and a flywheel coupled to the motor-generator, and in which the motor-generator is allowed to store the electric power and thereafter discharge it in correspondence with approach of the electric vehicle to a predetermined running section and running thereof in the section.

Abstract: A railway safety system uses intensity of current measurements in order that a train driver can have a continuous evaluation of the mutual distance between his train and the next one in front of or rear to it. Two ammeters give this indication by measuring the current intensity in the corresponding circuit encompassed on a resistive line parallel to the railroad, by the associate sliding contacts on both trains, since each train is provided with a pair of pantographs in contact with said resistive line and a generator of d.c. which thus flows in the circuit closed by two trains and comprising the half circuit in series with the concerned pantograph of each train and the intermediate length of resistive line. A reverser relay applies the voltage of the generator to either of the two half circuits of a train. Switch relays may be provided to operate acoustic signals and/or the automatic braking device at given values of the flowing current.