A non-contact power supply system includes an area of AC power supply including a plurality of non-contact power supply devices, a plurality of feeders, and an electrostatic coupler to electrostatically couple at least two non-contact power supply devices to each other.

A diagnostic system and method obtain a thermal signature for one or more first components of a powered system. The thermal signature represents thermal measurements obtained at different locations of the powered system. The system and method identify an abnormal operating condition of the one or more first components of the powered system or one or more second components of the powered system based on the thermal signature.

A method of detecting a wirelessly powered vehicle on a roadway uses detection of induced voltages or currents in coils provided in the roadway. Once the vehicle has been detected the appropriate coils can be energised to power the vehicle.

The present disclosure relates to an electrically powered aircraft comprising: a propulsion system; a navigation control system operatively coupled to said propulsion system to navigate the aircraft to a desired location; a rechargeable electrical power storage to power the aircraft during operation; and a power line charging unit comprising a current transformer operatively coupled to said rechargeable electrical power storage and remotely operable to engage a power line in flight to recharge said rechargeable electrical power storage and remotely disengage said power line once recharged.

This disclosure provides systems and methods for charging a vehicle. A vehicle and charging station can be designed such that an electric or hybrid vehicle can operate in a fashion similar to a conventional vehicle by being opportunity charged throughout a known route.

A system for wireless power transfer of on-road vehicles is provided herein. The system includes a plurality of base stations; a power transmission line located beneath a surface of a road having a plurality of segments, each segment having at least one pair of coils and at least one capacitor electrically connected via a switch to the coils in the segment; and at least one vehicle having at least one power receiving segment having at least two coils, connected to at least one capacitor, wherein the at least one vehicle further includes a communication transmitter configured to transmit a power requesting signal, wherein the coils of the power transmitting segment are configured to receive the power requesting signal; and wherein each of the base stations is further configured to feed a plurality of the power transmitting segments with current at a resonance frequency, responsive to the power requesting signal.

A vehicle has a current collector for feeding traction energy from a two-pole overhead contact line system, an electric or hybrid electric traction drive, and an electric energy storage device for temporarily storing fed traction energy. A first line branch can connect the traction drive to the current collector. A second line branch, which can connect the traction drive and the energy storage device to the current collector, includes a switched-in, galvanically isolating DC-to-DC converter. Due to a third line branch which can connect the traction drive and the energy storage device to the current collector, and which includes a switched-in, non-galvanically isolating DC-to-DC converter, enables higher charging rates for charging the energy storage device to be transmitted while maintaining the protection system.

A vehicle has a current collector for feeding traction energy from a two-pole overhead contact line system, an electric or hybrid electric traction drive, and an electric energy storage device for temporarily storing fed traction energy. A first line branch can connect the traction drive to the current collector. A second line branch, which can connect the traction drive and the energy storage device to the current collector, includes a switched-in, galvanically isolating DC-to-DC converter. Due to a third line branch which can connect the traction drive and the energy storage device to the current collector, and which includes a switched-in, non-galvanically isolating DC-to-DC converter, enables higher charging rates for charging the energy storage device to be transmitted while maintaining the protection system.

A system and method for providing power to independent movers traveling along a track in a motion control system without requiring a fixed connection between the mover and a power source external to the mover. In one embodiment, a sliding transformer transfers power between the track and each mover. In another embodiment, an optical transmitter transfers power between the track and an optical receiver mounted on each mover. In yet another embodiment, a generator includes a drive wheel engaging the track as each mover travels along the track. A power converter on the mover receives the power generated on and/or transmitted to the mover to control an actuator or a sensor mounted on the mover or to activate drive coils mounted on the mover to interact with magnets mounted along the track and, thereby, control motion of each mover.

A method of detecting a wirelessly powered vehicle on a roadway uses detection of induced voltages or currents in coils provided in the roadway. Once the vehicle has been detected the appropriate coils can be energised to power the vehicle.