A drive system comprises a DC-DC converter that is arranged to receive an input voltage from a battery having a nominal battery voltage. The DC-DC converter has a first mode of operation in which the DC-DC converter generates a regulated output voltage from the input voltage and supplies the regulated output voltage to a load, and a second mode of operation in which the DC-DC converter is by-passed such that the input voltage from the battery is supplied to the load. A controller is arranged to compare the input voltage to a threshold voltage that is less than the nominal battery voltage. The controller operates the DC-DC converter in the first mode when the input voltage is less than the threshold voltage, and operates the DC-DC converter otherwise.

Stations for a drone are described as well as a monitoring system that is configured to monitor a property using one or more drones. The drone is launched from a docking station and configured to navigate the property to perform operations to monitor the property. The docking station is located at an area of the property. The docking station includes a landing surface that is parallel to a particular area of the property that supports the docking station. A positioning surface of the docking station slopes toward the landing surface. The positioning surface, including its slope, is configured to receive the drone and guide the drone toward the landing surface.

Systems and methods for charging electric vehicles and for quantitative and qualitative load balancing of electrical demand are provided.

In certain aspects, an enclosure for a wireless power transfer pad is disclosed. The enclosure includes a cover shell configured to be positioned over a portion of the wireless power transfer pad configured to face a wireless power receiver when wirelessly transferring power, wherein at least a portion of the cover shell is made of a heat resistant material.

A server includes a communication device and a processor. The communication device obtains a power rate unit price dependent on a region where external charging is performed and a time slot when external charging is performed. The processor calculates a first power rate indicating a power rate when the external charging is performed with a first power feeding facility provided at a departure place before departure of a vehicle, calculates a second power rate indicating a power rate when the external charging is performed with a second power feeding facility provided in the vicinity of a traveling route after departure of the vehicle, and when the second power rate is lower than the first power rate, reduces an amount of power feeding during the external charging with the first power feeding facility, as compared with when the second power rate is equal to or higher than the first power rate.

A method and apparatus (100) are provided for charging a vehicle battery (108). The apparatus (100) includes a controller (102) designed to influence a charging process of the vehicle battery (108). The apparatus (100) further has a switching device (104) to transmit a signal to the controller (102) in response to operation of the switching device (104) by a user. The controller (102) is designed to influence the vehicle battery (108) before the charging process in response to receiving the signal depending on at least one desired state for the charging process.

In an aspect, a system for recharging an electric vehicle. A system includes an electric vehicle. An electric vehicle includes at least a propulsor. An electric vehicle includes a recharging connector electrically connected to a power source. An electric vehicle includes a power storage unit. A power storage unit is configured to store power. An electric vehicle includes a power supply circuit. A power supply circuit is in electric communication with a power storage unit and recharging connector. A power supply circuit includes a buck-boost regulator. A buck-boost regulator includes at least an inductor. A buck-boost regulator includes a switching device to supply intermittent current to at least an inductor. At least one of at least an inductor and a switching device is a component of at least a propulsor motor.

The present invention relates to a system and a method for controlling a relay using a flip-flop, in which a flip-flop controlling a relay by receiving a signal of a control unit in a battery management system of a vehicle and supply flip-flop operation power to the flip-flop through a monitoring circuit connected to a battery of the vehicle when operation power of the battery management system of the vehicle is interrupted to maintain a closing state of a relay controlling driving power of the vehicle and to conserve power of the vehicle for a predetermined time.

A cable drum for supplying power to an electrically powered utility vehicle, with an axially running winding body which can be set in rotation about a rotational axis in order to wind up and unwind an electrical cable, wherein on an inside, the winding body carries a plurality of fans which are configured to generate a cooling air stream directed radially outward with respect to a cylindrical drum wall.

A charging inlet for an electric vehicle (EV) includes a body defining an opening having a conductive terminal arranged therein. A sealing cover is pivotally attached to the body and is moveable between an open position exposing the opening and conductive terminal, and a closed position sealing the opening and the conductive terminal with respect to an external environment. A sealing element of the cover defines a sealing plug including an angled sealing rib defined about an outer periphery thereof. The sealing plug and sealing rib are configured to engage with the opening of inlet body for sealing the opening with the cover in the closed position.