A system includes a phase break input unit, one or more vehicle location detectors, and one or more processors. The phase break input unit is configured to obtain phase break location information indicating a location of a phase break along a route to be traversed by a vehicle. The one or more vehicle location detectors are configured to obtain vehicle location information indicating at least one of location of the vehicle or movement of the vehicle. The one or more processors are configured to determine an estimated arrival time of the vehicle at the phase break using the phase brake location information and the vehicle location information, and send a phase break control signal to a control system of the vehicle responsive to the estimated arrival time satisfying a threshold.

A non-contact power supply device includes an inverter to convert power supplied from a power supply into a predetermined AC power, feeders provided on a track rail to transmit the AC power to a ceiling conveyor, a filter circuit including a reactor and a capacitor, and a controller configured or programmed to perform power control of the AC power that is to be supplied to the feeders. The controller is configured or programmed to obtain a current value output from the inverter while changing a switching frequency of switches of the inverter in a state in which a current having a predetermined value flows through the feeders, and to set and output a reactor value of the reactor and a capacitance value of the capacitor based on the switching frequency at which the current value is minimum.

A non-contact power supply device includes an inverter to convert power supplied from a power supply into a predetermined AC power, feeders provided on a track rail to transmit the AC power to a ceiling conveyor, a filter circuit including a reactor and a capacitor, and a controller configured or programmed to perform power control of the AC power that is to be supplied to the feeders. The controller is configured or programmed to obtain a current value output from the inverter while changing a switching frequency of switches of the inverter in a state in which a current having a predetermined value flows through the feeders, and to set and output a reactor value of the reactor and a capacitance value of the capacitor based on the switching frequency at which the current value is minimum.

The invention relates to an arrangement (100) for active alignment control of a contact element (110) of a charging device (104) for a vehicle (1) for driving on an electrical road system (ERS) comprising a charging surface (3) configured to provide electrical power to the vehicle via the charging device. The arrangement comprises the charging device (104) comprising a base (106), a linkage arm (108), and an electrical contact element (110) and a pivot joint (107) arranged for allowing a movement of the contact element around an axis (105). A control unit is configured to activate an actuator module to align said contact element (110) with said trajectory of said charging surface based on trajectory data and an angle between the vehicle heading and the charging surface. The invention further relates to a method and to a vehicle.

The invention relates to an arrangement (100) for active alignment control of a contact element (110) of a charging device (104) for a vehicle (1) for driving on an electrical road system (ERS) comprising a charging surface (3) configured to provide electrical power to the vehicle via the charging device. The arrangement comprises the charging device (104) comprising a base (106), a linkage arm (108), and an electrical contact element (110) and a pivot joint (107) arranged for allowing a movement of the contact element around an axis (105). A control unit is configured to activate an actuator module to align said contact element (110) with said trajectory of said charging surface based on trajectory data and an angle between the vehicle heading and the charging surface. The invention further relates to a method and to a vehicle.

The invention relates to a current collector arrangement arranged to be mounted on a vehicle and to transmit electric power between a current conductor (130; 230; 330; 430; 530) located in the surface of a road and the vehicle, wherein the current collector arrangement comprises a current collector arm (150; 250; 350; 450; 550; 650; 750; 850; 950; 1050) that is arranged to be controllable for at least vertical displacement relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, in order to position the current collector arm relative to the current conductor (130; 230; 330; 430; 530). The current collector arrangement comprises controllable actuators arranged to effect at least the vertical displacement the current collector arm (150; 250; 350; 450; 550; 650; 750; 850; 950; 1050). A first actuator (481; 581; 681; 781; 881; 981; 1081) is arranged to lower the current collector arm from a retracted position into a deployed position, and a second actuator (482; 582; 682; 782; 882; 982; 1082) is arranged to lift the current collector arm from the deployed position into the retracted position. During a vertical displacement effected by one of the first or second actuators, the other actuator is arranged to act as a damper.

The invention relates to a current collector arrangement arranged to be mounted on a vehicle and to transmit electric power between a current conductor (130; 230; 330; 430; 530) located in the surface of a road and the vehicle, wherein the current collector arrangement comprises a current collector arm (150; 250; 350; 450; 550; 650; 750; 850; 950; 1050) that is arranged to be controllable for at least vertical displacement relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, in order to position the current collector arm relative to the current conductor (130; 230; 330; 430; 530). The current collector arrangement comprises controllable actuators arranged to effect at least the vertical displacement the current collector arm (150; 250; 350; 450; 550; 650; 750; 850; 950; 1050). A first actuator (481; 581; 681; 781; 881; 981; 1081) is arranged to lower the current collector arm from a retracted position into a deployed position, and a second actuator (482; 582; 682; 782; 882; 982; 1082) is arranged to lift the current collector arm from the deployed position into the retracted position. During a vertical displacement effected by one of the first or second actuators, the other actuator is arranged to act as a damper.

A system for electrically connecting a vehicle to track electrodes, the system comprising vehicle electrodes configured to be electrically connected with a respective one of the track electrodes; actuators operatively connecting the vehicle electrodes to a structure of the vehicle for displacement of the vehicle electrodes relative to the structure of the vehicle, the actuators operable to vary distances between the vehicle electrodes and the track electrodes; sensors operatively mounted to one of the vehicle or track electrodes, the sensors detecting variations in the distances; and a controller operatively connected to the actuators for actuating the actuators as a function of the variations in the distances detected by the sensors.

A control system configured to control electrical power distribution of a vehicle formation is provided. The vehicle formation includes a gateway vehicle comprising a gateway prime mover for propelling the gateway vehicle, and a target vehicle comprising a target electric motor for propelling the target vehicle. The gateway vehicle includes a charging component electrically connectable to a charge surface along a road operable by the vehicle formation, the gateway vehicle further comprising a power distribution unit connected to the charging component and the target vehicle. The control system includes control circuitry connected to the gateway vehicle, the target vehicle and the power distribution unit, the control circuitry being configured to receive a signal indicative of a current energy requirement for the gateway vehicle and the target vehicle; and control, based on the current energy requirement, the power distribution unit to distribute electric power within the vehicle formation.

A system comprises a drone having autonomous drive capability and an assist vehicle (AV) for transporting the drone in an assisted drive mode in which the drone is held at, and transported by, the assist vehicle. Control hardware and software are programmed to determine drone travel over a route having a first route section in which the drone travels autonomously and a second route section in which the drone travels in the assisted drive mode.