A contact member for a power collector of an electric road vehicle, the contact member being configured to be mounted to a first end of an arm of the power collector, the contact member comprising: a support structure; a conductive pick up comprising a braided strip, the conductive pick up being mounted to the support structure.

A contact member for a power collector of an electric road vehicle, the contact member being configured to be mounted to a first end of an arm of the power collector, the contact member comprising: a support structure; a conductive pick up comprising a braided strip, the conductive pick up being mounted to the support structure.

A work machine, such as a hauler at a mining site, includes a conductor rod housing concentric metal tubes for receiving electrical power from a contactor sliding on a power rail. A connection assembly includes lugs branching orthogonally from respective ones of the concentric metal tubes to an exterior of the conductor rod. The lugs include ball-and-socket joints configured to enable semi-spherical movement of the lugs at the exterior with respect to the joints. When attached to the contactor via conductive arms, the connection assembly provides multiple degrees of freedom for the conductor rod relative to the contactor and avoids detachment of the contactor from the power rail.

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a motor operable to lower a free end of a line. The free end of the line is operable to engage a parcel to be delivered by the unmanned aerial vehicle. The control system is configured to operate the motor to cause the free end of the line to accelerate toward a delivery surface as the free end of the line passes through a first portion of a distance between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the delivery surface, and to decelerate as the free end of the line passes through a lower portion of the distance.

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a motor operable to lower a free end of a line. The free end of the line is operable to engage a parcel to be delivered by the unmanned aerial vehicle. The control system is configured to operate the motor to cause the free end of the line to accelerate toward a delivery surface as the free end of the line passes through a first portion of a distance between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the delivery surface, and to decelerate as the free end of the line passes through a lower portion of the distance.

A vehicle charging system comprises a plurality of retractable conductor bars in a housing of a vehicle. The plurality of conductor bars includes a positive conductor bar and a negative conductor bar. Individual conductor bars of the plurality are electrically isolated from one another. The vehicle charging system further comprises a charging system having a receiver mounted on a support structure. The receiver comprises a plurality of electrical contact members in electrical communication with a power source. The receiver is configured to bring individual conductor bars of the plurality in contact with the electrical contact members for charging an energy storage device of the vehicle.

A vehicle charging system comprises a plurality of retractable conductor bars in a housing of a vehicle. The plurality of conductor bars includes a positive conductor bar and a negative conductor bar. Individual conductor bars of the plurality are electrically isolated from one another. The vehicle charging system further comprises a charging system having a receiver mounted on a support structure. The receiver comprises a plurality of electrical contact members in electrical communication with a power source. The receiver is configured to bring individual conductor bars of the plurality in contact with the electrical contact members for charging an energy storage device of the vehicle.

Systems and methods for charging an electric bus having a charging interface on its roof may include determining that an approaching bus is supposed to be charged at the charging station, lowering the charging head of the charging station to land on the roof of the bus, and moving the bus with the charge head on its roof to engage the charging head with the charging interface.