Patent classifications
B60L5/38
Charging system for an autonomous mobile unit
A material handling system includes storage rack configured to store one or more items. An Autonomous Mobile Unit (AMU) is configured to move within the storage rack to service the items. The storage rack includes at least one power rail to charge the AMU when within the storage rack. The AMU includes a wheel assembly with a cogwheel electrically connected to the power rail. The AMU includes a power supply electrically connected to the wheel assembly. The power supply includes a power converter electrically coupled to an Energy Storage System (ESS). The power rail includes a cog track with track teeth. The cogwheel includes cogwheel teeth intermeshed with the track teeth.
MOBILE VEHICLE AND WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER SYSTEM
A mobile vehicle wirelessly receives AC power from a power transmission device including first and second power transmission electrodes arranged along a road surface. The mobile vehicle includes: a sensor that detects an obstacle located at least either on a route of the mobile vehicle or under the mobile vehicle; a first power reception electrode that forms electric field coupling with the first power transmission electrode when facing the first power transmission electrode; a second power reception electrode that forms electric field coupling with the second power transmission electrode when facing the second power transmission electrode; an actuator that moves at least the part of the first power reception electrode in a direction of gravity; and a control circuit that controls the actuator based on a result of detection by the sensor to avoid contact between the first power reception electrode and the obstacle.
MOBILE VEHICLE AND WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER SYSTEM
A mobile vehicle wirelessly receives AC power from a power transmission device including first and second power transmission electrodes arranged along a road surface. The mobile vehicle includes: a sensor that detects an obstacle located at least either on a route of the mobile vehicle or under the mobile vehicle; a first power reception electrode that forms electric field coupling with the first power transmission electrode when facing the first power transmission electrode; a second power reception electrode that forms electric field coupling with the second power transmission electrode when facing the second power transmission electrode; an actuator that moves at least the part of the first power reception electrode in a direction of gravity; and a control circuit that controls the actuator based on a result of detection by the sensor to avoid contact between the first power reception electrode and the obstacle.
Current collector system, crane system and method for delivering a current collector trolley to a busbar
A current collector system for a vehicle movable along a busbar arrangement, with at least one current collector trolley and current collector contacts arranged thereon that can be connected to a busbar of the busbar arrangement and with a vertical delivery unit for moving the current collector trolley in a vertical delivery direction, or with a horizontal delivery unit with at least one delivery element movable in a horizontal delivery direction for moving the current collector trolley in the horizontal delivery direction, as well as a corresponding crane system. The current collector trolley can be moved by a belt drive with an elastic and/or flexible belt in the vertical delivery direction, or in that the delivery element can be moved via a belt drive with an elastic and/or flexible belt in the horizontal direction, and with a crane system equipped with the above.
Current collector system, crane system and method for delivering a current collector trolley to a busbar
A current collector system for a vehicle movable along a busbar arrangement, with at least one current collector trolley and current collector contacts arranged thereon that can be connected to a busbar of the busbar arrangement and with a vertical delivery unit for moving the current collector trolley in a vertical delivery direction, or with a horizontal delivery unit with at least one delivery element movable in a horizontal delivery direction for moving the current collector trolley in the horizontal delivery direction, as well as a corresponding crane system. The current collector trolley can be moved by a belt drive with an elastic and/or flexible belt in the vertical delivery direction, or in that the delivery element can be moved via a belt drive with an elastic and/or flexible belt in the horizontal direction, and with a crane system equipped with the above.
TRACKED ELECTRIC VEHICLE SYSTEMS
Electrified roadway systems include a roadway, and vehicles configured to operate on the roadway. The roadway has a base, and two electrically-conductive rails mounted on the base. One of the rails is electrically connected to a source of electric power, and the other rail is electrically connected to an electrical ground. The vehicles include non-electrically-conductive tires, and an electric motor mechanically connected to, and configured to rotate at least one of the tires to propel the vehicle along the roadway. The vehicles draw electric power from the roadway via two electrical pickups. The electrical pickups are configured to move between a deployed position at which the pickups contact the respective rails, and a retracted position at which the pickups are out of contact with the rails.
Conductive tracks elastomeric carrier with rectangular section for ground electric feeding system
A carrier for one or several electrically conductive tracks of a ground electric feeding system for a motor vehicle in the form of a strip of electrically insulating elastomeric material, comprising a substantially planar electric feeding surface of the land vehicle, provided with one or several longitudinal grooves, each groove being intended to receive a conductive track, and a surface for securing to a roadway, opposite the electric feeding surface. The carrier has a rectangular cross-section and the electric feeding surface and the securing surface form the long sides of said rectangle.
Method for producing, especially configuring, a system, including a contact wire and an apparatus, and device for carrying out the method
A method for producing, especially configuring, a system is provided, including a contact wire and an apparatus, and device for carrying out the method. The apparatus is able to be supplied with energy with the aid of the contact wire, and information is transmittable from and/or receivable by the apparatus via the contact wire. The contact wire has at least a first, second, fourth and fifth contact conductor that are connected to one respective connector element of the apparatus. The first and second contact conductors have one respective phase of the AC voltage supplying the apparatus. The fourth contact conductor is provided for transmitting information and the fifth contact conductor is provided for receiving information. One of the phases, thus especially the phase acting as signaling phase, is connected electrically to a first connector element, in particular, the first connector element is provided with a corresponding marking or identification when producing the apparatus. A controllable switch, particularly a semiconductor switch, of the apparatus electrically connects the first connector element for periods of time to the connector element connected to the fourth contact conductor, or breaks this connection.
Method for producing, especially configuring, a system, including a contact wire and an apparatus, and device for carrying out the method
A method for producing, especially configuring, a system is provided, including a contact wire and an apparatus, and device for carrying out the method. The apparatus is able to be supplied with energy with the aid of the contact wire, and information is transmittable from and/or receivable by the apparatus via the contact wire. The contact wire has at least a first, second, fourth and fifth contact conductor that are connected to one respective connector element of the apparatus. The first and second contact conductors have one respective phase of the AC voltage supplying the apparatus. The fourth contact conductor is provided for transmitting information and the fifth contact conductor is provided for receiving information. One of the phases, thus especially the phase acting as signaling phase, is connected electrically to a first connector element, in particular, the first connector element is provided with a corresponding marking or identification when producing the apparatus. A controllable switch, particularly a semiconductor switch, of the apparatus electrically connects the first connector element for periods of time to the connector element connected to the fourth contact conductor, or breaks this connection.
Mobile vehicle and wireless power transfer system
A mobile vehicle wirelessly receives AC power from a power transmission device including first and second power transmission electrodes arranged along a road surface. The mobile vehicle includes: a sensor that detects an obstacle located at least either on a route of the mobile vehicle or under the mobile vehicle; a first power reception electrode that forms electric field coupling with the first power transmission electrode when facing the first power transmission electrode; a second power reception electrode that forms electric field coupling with the second power transmission electrode when facing the second power transmission electrode; an actuator that moves at least the part of the first power reception electrode in a direction of gravity; and a control circuit that controls the actuator based on a result of detection by the sensor to avoid contact between the first power reception electrode and the obstacle.