An example carriage is configured for mounting to an unmanned aerial vehicle. The carriage generally includes a housing assembly configured for mounting to the unmanned aerial vehicle, a movable grip mounted to the housing assembly for movement between a capturing position and a releasing position, a latch device, and a driver. The latch device has a latching state and an unlatching state, is configured to retain the movable grip in the capturing position when the latch device is in the latching state, and is configured to permit movement of the movable grip from the capturing position to the releasing position when in the unlatching state. The driver is operable to transition the latch device from the latching state to the unlatching state.

An example carriage is configured for mounting to an unmanned aerial vehicle. The carriage generally includes a housing assembly configured for mounting to the unmanned aerial vehicle, a movable grip mounted to the housing assembly for movement between a capturing position and a releasing position, a latch device, and a driver. The latch device has a latching state and an unlatching state, is configured to retain the movable grip in the capturing position when the latch device is in the latching state, and is configured to permit movement of the movable grip from the capturing position to the releasing position when in the unlatching state. The driver is operable to transition the latch device from the latching state to the unlatching state.

A vehicle and a method for controlling a vehicle including a current collector transmitting electric power from a current conductor located in a predetermined position in the surface of a road a distance from one side of the road; a first detecting means generating a signal indicative of the position of the current collector relative to a current conductor reference point; where the current collector is displaceable to track the current conductor in response to the signal; and a second detecting means detecting the position of the current collector are provided. The method involves determining a first distance representing the position of the current collector relative to the current conductor reference point; determining a second distance representing the position of the current collector relative to a vehicle reference point; and determining a distance between the vehicle reference point and the current conductor reference point using the first and second distances to determine a current vehicle position on the road.

A vehicle and a method for controlling a vehicle including a current collector transmitting electric power from a current conductor located in a predetermined position in the surface of a road a distance from one side of the road; a first detecting means generating a signal indicative of the position of the current collector relative to a current conductor reference point; where the current collector is displaceable to track the current conductor in response to the signal; and a second detecting means detecting the position of the current collector are provided. The method involves determining a first distance representing the position of the current collector relative to the current conductor reference point; determining a second distance representing the position of the current collector relative to a vehicle reference point; and determining a distance between the vehicle reference point and the current conductor reference point using the first and second distances to determine a current vehicle position on the road.

A vehicle power supply system includes a control contactor and at least first and second power contactors along a top side of a vehicle. The first and second power contactors receive different polarities of electrical power from an off-board power supply system to power the vehicle. The control contactor conducts a control signal indicative of whether the first and second power contactors are conductively coupled with the off-board power supply system. The first power contactor receives a positive polarity of the electrical power and the second power contactor receives a negative polarity of the electrical power while the vehicle has a first orientation relative to the off-board power supply system. The first power contactor receives the negative polarity and the second power contactor receives the positive polarity while the vehicle has an opposite, second orientation relative to the off-board power supply system.

A method according to certain embodiments generally involves operating a system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a base station. The base station includes a nest including an upper opening having an upper opening diameter and a lower opening having a lower opening diameter less than the upper opening diameter. The lower opening is accessible from within the base station. The method generally includes landing the UAV within the nest such that a portion of the UAV is accessible via the lower opening, releasably attaching a load to the UAV, and operating the UAV to deliver the load to a destination.

A method according to certain embodiments generally involves operating a system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a base station. The base station includes a nest including an upper opening having an upper opening diameter and a lower opening having a lower opening diameter less than the upper opening diameter. The lower opening is accessible from within the base station. The method generally includes landing the UAV within the nest such that a portion of the UAV is accessible via the lower opening, releasably attaching a load to the UAV, and operating the UAV to deliver the load to a destination.

A vehicle power supply system and method may include plural vehicle contacts extending along a vehicle. At least three of the vehicle contacts may be power contacts that receive different phases of three-phase alternating current electrical power from an off-board power supply system to power the vehicle. A first power contact of the power contacts may receive a first phase of the three-phase alternating current and a second power contact of the power contacts may receive a second phase of the three-phase alternating current while the vehicle has a first orientation relative to the off-board power supply system. The first power contact may receive the second phase and the second power contact may receive the first phase while the vehicle has a second orientation relative to the off-board power supply system.

A current collector for a non-rail-bound, electric traction vehicle has an articulated support linkage, which, on the contact wire side, supports rocker assemblies with contact strips and, on the vehicle side, has a base joint for articulation to the traction vehicle. A pneumatic reciprocating drive is coupled to the support linkage for raising the rocker assemblies from a lower parking position into an upper contact position when the reciprocating drive is pressurized and for lowering into the parking position under its own weight when depressurization occurs. An exhaust air line connects the reciprocating drive to the environment to lower the rocker assemblies. An air accumulator and a downstream throttle valve are connected between the reciprocating drive and an environment opening of the exhaust air line. The rocker assemblies can be quickly lowered and nevertheless brought into the parking position without damage in order to disengage the current collector.

A current collector for a non-rail-bound, electric traction vehicle has an articulated support linkage, which, on the contact wire side, supports rocker assemblies with contact strips and, on the vehicle side, has a base joint for articulation to the traction vehicle. A pneumatic reciprocating drive is coupled to the support linkage for raising the rocker assemblies from a lower parking position into an upper contact position when the reciprocating drive is pressurized and for lowering into the parking position under its own weight when depressurization occurs. An exhaust air line connects the reciprocating drive to the environment to lower the rocker assemblies. An air accumulator and a downstream throttle valve are connected between the reciprocating drive and an environment opening of the exhaust air line. The rocker assemblies can be quickly lowered and nevertheless brought into the parking position without damage in order to disengage the current collector.