An insulating track segment for a ground power supply system includes a body made of an electric current insulating material. The insulating track segment constitutes a portion of an insulating track for forming a continuous sliding surface for a pad of a vehicle powered by the ground power supply system.

A battery charging assembly includes a load management system, a charging cord with a battery connector, and circuitry for detecting thermal buildup. The load management system monitors the heat buildup in a coiled portion of the charging cord and issues a corresponding signal to control the current flowing through the cord.

A power supply system comprising a track, which defines a trajectory, wherein the track comprises a track segment terminating at a segment end in a forward direction of the trajectory, and a hood, which is arranged in the extension of the track segment along the trajectory in the forward direction beyond the segment end; while a stringer, which supports the track segment, extends along the trajectory and terminates with a cut end in the forward direction. The system further comprises a reinforcing piece, which is applied against the cut end, in order to extend the stringer in the forward direction, wherein the reinforcing piece is essentially made of plastic and supports the hood.

A power supply system comprising a track, which defines a trajectory, wherein the track comprises a track segment terminating at a segment end in a forward direction of the trajectory, and a hood, which is arranged in the extension of the track segment along the trajectory in the forward direction beyond the segment end; while a stringer, which supports the track segment, extends along the trajectory and terminates with a cut end in the forward direction. The system further comprises a reinforcing piece, which is applied against the cut end, in order to extend the stringer in the forward direction, wherein the reinforcing piece is essentially made of plastic and supports the hood.

During travel of the electric vehicle, the charging arm is extended in the vehicle width direction, a positive electrode overhead line of the power supply device and a positive electrode power reception unit of the charging arm are brought into contact at the same time that a negative electrode overhead line of the power supply device and a negative electrode power reception unit of the charging arm are brought into contact, and a power storage device for driving the electric vehicle is charged. A charging head that is the tip section of the charging arm is held within a V-shaped groove to which the positive electrode overhead line and the negative electrode overhead line are attached, thereby minimizing the loss of contact even if the charging arm shakes in the vertical direction as a result of the condition of the road surface, brake operation, or the like.

System for electrically feeding at least one electrically powered vehicle comprising suspended elongated slotted element(s) having electric conductor(s) arranged in slot(s) and current collector(s) co-acting with the slotted element. The current collector(s) comprises contact element(s), collector arm(s) supporting the contact element(s) at its first end and is adapted to connect to a vehicle with its second end, and actuator(s) configured to act on the collector arm(s) to displace the first end contact element towards the slotted element(s). The actuator(s) displaces the first end of the collector arm towards the slotted element(s). The contact element is connected to the collector arm via a tracking device comprising a body part to which said contact element(s) is connected. The tracking device further comprises lateral guiding means configured to co-act with at least one laterally facing portion of the elongated slotted element to guide the tracking device laterally relative elongated slotted element. At least one lateral guiding means is laterally displaceable relative said body part by means of an alignment actuator.

System for electrically feeding at least one electrically powered vehicle comprising suspended elongated slotted element(s) having electric conductor(s) arranged in slot(s) and current collector(s) co-acting with the slotted element. The current collector(s) comprises contact element(s), collector arm(s) supporting the contact element(s) at its first end and is adapted to connect to a vehicle with its second end, and actuator(s) configured to act on the collector arm(s) to displace the first end contact element towards the slotted element(s). The actuator(s) displaces the first end of the collector arm towards the slotted element(s). The contact element is connected to the collector arm via a tracking device comprising a body part to which said contact element(s) is connected. The tracking device further comprises lateral guiding means configured to co-act with at least one laterally facing portion of the elongated slotted element to guide the tracking device laterally relative elongated slotted element. At least one lateral guiding means is laterally displaceable relative said body part by means of an alignment actuator.

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.

A support structure provides two or more axes of intelligent locomotion for a movable object on the support structure. The support structure can include a track system made up of a plurality of identically configured track modules that are connected end-to-end. Each track module can include an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis and having two ends. Each end can include at least one beveled edge and at least one track surface extending longitudinally along the elongated body. The track surface can include a plurality of protuberances arranged in rows that are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body, and in columns that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body. The track modules can be connected to a power source and include electrical contacts that provide electricity to self-propelled units that travel along the track system.

A support structure provides two or more axes of intelligent locomotion for a movable object on the support structure. The support structure can include a track system made up of a plurality of identically configured track modules that are connected end-to-end. Each track module can include an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis and having two ends. Each end can include at least one beveled edge and at least one track surface extending longitudinally along the elongated body. The track surface can include a plurality of protuberances arranged in rows that are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body, and in columns that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body. The track modules can be connected to a power source and include electrical contacts that provide electricity to self-propelled units that travel along the track system.