A system for charging an electrical storage unit of an electrical vehicle through a contact device, the system comprising: a contact device interconnected to the electrical storage unit of an electrical vehicle and configured to receive an electrical charge from an external power source; a contact arm interconnected to the contact device, the contact arm configured to position the contact device at a first position relative to the external power source; and a contact device controller interconnected to the contact arm and configured to control the contact arm wherein the first position is maintained; wherein the contact device receives the electrical charge from the external power source; wherein the electrical storage unit of the electrical vehicle is charged.

A system for charging an electrical storage unit of an electrical vehicle through a contact device, the system comprising: a contact device interconnected to the electrical storage unit of an electrical vehicle and configured to receive an electrical charge from an external power source; a contact arm interconnected to the contact device, the contact arm configured to position the contact device at a first position relative to the external power source; and a contact device controller interconnected to the contact arm and configured to control the contact arm wherein the first position is maintained; wherein the contact device receives the electrical charge from the external power source; wherein the electrical storage unit of the electrical vehicle is charged.

Techniques for electric vehicle systems, and in particular to a vehicle optical charging system and method of use. In one embodiment, a system for vehicle optical charging comprises: an optical charging station configured to transmit an optical signal, the optical charging station comprising a directive element configured to direct the transmitted optical signal; a receiving vehicle comprising an electrical storage unit and a receiver configured to receive the transmitted optical signal, the receiver in electrical communication with the electrical storage unit; wherein the received optical signal enables charging of the electrical storage unit.

A system for vehicle fleet management comprising: a base management system configured to enable one or more fleet vehicles to receive a vehicle service, the base management system comprising a database, a communications module and an analysis module, the communications module in communication with the one or more fleet vehicles, the analysis module and the database; one or more fleet vehicles, each fleet vehicle comprising a vehicle database and each configured to receive a charging service and to communicate a vehicle charging state to the communication module, wherein at least one of the one or more fleet vehicles operates in a deficient charging state; at least one fleet service site configured to communicate a charging price to the communications module and provide the charging service at the charging price; wherein the analysis module receives the charging price and determines if the at least one fleet service site is selected to provide the charging service to the at least one of the one or more fleet vehicles operating in a deficient charging state; wherein the at least one of the one or more fleet vehicles operating in a deficient charging state is provided a charging service by the at least one fleet service site if the analysis module selects the at least one fleet service site.

A pantograph assembly configured to transfer electrical power from an overhead conductor to a machine is disclosed. The pantograph assembly may include a pantograph base detachably mounted to the machine, an articulated linkage assembly having a linkage assembly lower end operatively connected to the pantograph base and a linkage assembly upper end pivotally connected to the linkage assembly lower end, a collector rail assembly operatively connected to the linkage assembly upper end, and a stop member. The stop member may be connected to the pantograph base and engaging the articulated linkage assembly, or connected to the articulated linkage assembly and engaging the pantograph base, to prevent the articulated linkage assembly from being lowered toward the pantograph base below a predetermined down position or lower limit position. A latch assembly may be mounted on the pantograph base and operable to move between a latch locked position and a latch unlocked position.

A pantograph assembly configured to transfer electrical power from an overhead conductor to a machine is disclosed. The pantograph assembly may include a pantograph base detachably mounted to the machine, an articulated linkage assembly having a linkage assembly lower end operatively connected to the pantograph base and a linkage assembly upper end pivotally connected to the linkage assembly lower end, a collector rail assembly operatively connected to the linkage assembly upper end, and a stop member. The stop member may be connected to the pantograph base and engaging the articulated linkage assembly, or connected to the articulated linkage assembly and engaging the pantograph base, to prevent the articulated linkage assembly from being lowered toward the pantograph base below a predetermined down position or lower limit position. A latch assembly may be mounted on the pantograph base and operable to move between a latch locked position and a latch unlocked position.

A vehicle is provided that connects to an power structure for powering and guiding the vehicle. The power structure includes a trolley, a track along which the trolley runs, a power source connected to the track, and a cable connected to the trolley and configured to attach to the vehicle moving on a surface. The vehicle includes a chassis and a cable connected to the chassis and configured to mechanically and electrically connect the vehicle to the power structure. The chassis includes a connector rotatable 360 degrees, and the cable connects to the chassis through the connector.

A non-rail bound, electrically or hybrid-electrically driven vehicle has a current collector for feeding electric traction energy from an overhead line system. The current collector has a sliding strip that is brought into sliding contact with a contact wire of the overhead line system above a travel lane. The sliding strip arrangement is pivotable transversely to a direction of travel. The vehicle has a limiter to at least unilaterally limit the transverse pivoting range of the sliding strip arrangement substantially to the width of the vehicle. A driver assistance system assists a driver in adhering to a virtual track within the marked lane. The track width and the pivoting range are dimensioned such that, when the track is adhered to, it is possible to maintain sliding contact between the sliding strip arrangement and the contact wire.

A non-rail bound, electrically or hybrid-electrically driven vehicle has a current collector for feeding electric traction energy from an overhead line system. The current collector has a sliding strip that is brought into sliding contact with a contact wire of the overhead line system above a travel lane. The sliding strip arrangement is pivotable transversely to a direction of travel. The vehicle has a limiter to at least unilaterally limit the transverse pivoting range of the sliding strip arrangement substantially to the width of the vehicle. A driver assistance system assists a driver in adhering to a virtual track within the marked lane. The track width and the pivoting range are dimensioned such that, when the track is adhered to, it is possible to maintain sliding contact between the sliding strip arrangement and the contact wire.

An advancing unit for positioning a current collector unit having at least one extension, which is guided in a fastening unit so that the extension can be moved linearly and which has a cavity, open on a longitudinal side extending in the advancing direction and the inner surface of which forms a contact surface for guiding elements arranged on the fastening unit. A flexible band is arranged on the extension. One section of the flexible band at least partially covers the open longitudinal side of the cavity along a section protruding from the fastening device, and another section of the flexible band is located in a reservoir. A first end of the band is connected to the fastening unit or to an end of the extension and the second end is supported on a tensioning device under a tensile stress in the longitudinal direction, which tensioning device, in the event of a motion of the extension by means of which the protruding section is shortened or lengthened, pulls the band into the reservoir or outputs the band from the reservoir by the same length and at the same velocity.