A wireless charging system includes a platform having a substantially horizontal upper surface configured to support a vehicle and an induction coil coupled to the platform. The induction coil is configured to receive electrical energy from an energy source and generate a magnetic field above the upper surface, the magnetic field being positioned to wirelessly transfer the electrical energy to the vehicle while the vehicle is positioned atop the platform.

A wireless charging system includes a platform having a substantially horizontal upper surface configured to support a vehicle and an induction coil coupled to the platform. The induction coil is configured to receive electrical energy from an energy source and generate a magnetic field above the upper surface, the magnetic field being positioned to wirelessly transfer the electrical energy to the vehicle while the vehicle is positioned atop the platform.

A battery disconnect unit (100) for disconnecting a battery system (200) comprising at least one battery cell (5), from an electrical system (300). The battery disconnect unit (100) comprises a first terminal (2), a second terminal (4), a first switching element (S1), a second switching element (S2) and a current sensing resistor (6). A first connection of the first switching element (S1) is connected to a first connection of the current sensing resistor (6), and a second connection of the first switching element (S1) is connected to the first terminal (2). A first connection of the second switching element (S2) is connected to a second connection of the current sensing resistor (6), and a second connection of the second switching element (S2) is connected to the second terminal (4).

A battery pack for efficiently supplying a power to a vehicle and including a battery assembly, a power supply terminal connectable to a connection terminal of the vehicle that is connected to a vehicle control unit and a vehicle motor, a power supply path located between the power supply terminal and the battery cell and supplying a power from the battery cell to the power supply terminal, a switching unit provided on the power supply path electrically turn on/off the power supply path, a mounting recognition unit recognizing whether the battery pack is mounted to the vehicle, and a processor controlling the switching unit so that a power is supplied from the battery cell to the vehicle control unit, when receiving a signal from the mounting recognition unit that the battery pack is recognized as being mounted to the vehicle.

Techniques are described for implementing automated control systems that manipulate operations of specified target systems, such as by modifying or otherwise manipulating inputs or other control elements of the target system that affect its operation (e.g., affect output of the target system). An automated control system may in some situations have a distributed architecture with multiple decision modules that each controls a portion of a target system and operate in a partially decoupled manner with respect to each other, such as by each decision module operating to synchronize its local solutions and proposed control actions with those of one or more other decision modules, in order to determine a consensus with those other decision modules. Such inter-module synchronizations may occur repeatedly to determine one or more control actions for each decision module at a particular time, as well as to be repeated over multiple times for ongoing control.

Techniques are described for implementing automated control systems that manipulate operations of specified target systems, such as by modifying or otherwise manipulating inputs or other control elements of the target system that affect its operation (e.g., affect output of the target system). An automated control system may in some situations have a distributed architecture with multiple decision modules that each controls a portion of a target system and operate in a partially decoupled manner with respect to each other, such as by each decision module operating to synchronize its local solutions and proposed control actions with those of one or more other decision modules, in order to determine a consensus with those other decision modules. Such inter-module synchronizations may occur repeatedly to determine one or more control actions for each decision module at a particular time, as well as to be repeated over multiple times for ongoing control.

A method for configuring a battery for operation of at least two N-phase electric machines, in which a battery includes a plurality of energy modules, and the energy modules each have at least one energy cell and at least two power switches. A respective N-phase electric machine is assigned a respective group of the plurality of energy modules, and the assignment is carried out in accordance with an estimation of a respective energy consumption of the respective N-phase electric machines on the basis of a respective load of the respective N-phase electric machines which load is to be assumed.

Presently disclosed subject matter integrates a method of using thousands of semi-autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles, herein called drones, to deliver vastly superior amounts of fire retardant over substantially larger and variably-shaped drop patterns. Each drone is able to swap its own batteries with freshly charged batteries and each drone is able to refill its container with water or fire retardant. Once launched, a swarm of drones can perform repeated trips from the water/retardant source to the fire without human involvement other than the high-level tasking of where to drop the retardant. Once a general drop destination and drop pattern shape is designated, the swarm can transport retardant to that location, form itself into the desired drop shape, and deploy retardant. The drone body is designed to be modular so different components can be attached with ease and no special training or knowledge required.

A utility cart includes a stored energy device that can be in the form of a Lithium Ion battery pack. The battery pack can include a main power output useful to drive high voltage components as well as the electric motor for motive power. The battery pack can also include one or more auxiliary outputs useful to provide auxiliary power to various other components. The auxiliary outputs can be either low and/or high voltage outputs. An auxiliary DC/DC output can be used to step down high voltage of the Lithium ion battery pack to lower voltages. A motor controller supply can also be provided as an auxiliary output to provide some power to a motor controller.

A utility cart includes a stored energy device that can be in the form of a Lithium Ion battery pack. The battery pack can include a main power output useful to drive high voltage components as well as the electric motor for motive power. The battery pack can also include one or more auxiliary outputs useful to provide auxiliary power to various other components. The auxiliary outputs can be either low and/or high voltage outputs. An auxiliary DC/DC output can be used to step down high voltage of the Lithium ion battery pack to lower voltages. A motor controller supply can also be provided as an auxiliary output to provide some power to a motor controller.