A charging arrangement includes an electrical vehicle and a charging device configured for charging the electrical vehicle with electrical energy, where the electrical vehicle includes a first charging connector, and the charging device includes a second charging connector configured for connecting with the first charging connector, a bi-stable mechanics to which the second charging connector is attached and which is configured for holding the second charging connector in two stable equilibrium positions, whereby in one stable equilibrium position the second charging connector is connected to the first charging connector and the other stable equilibrium position the second charging connector is unconnected to the first charging connector and an actuation device configured for moving the second charging connector between the two stable equilibrium positions.

A slidable current collector has an array of terminals with carbon brushes for contacting conductor rails to deliver electrical power to a moving work machine. The terminals have upper sections with a conductive post, lower sections that include a reservoir of liquid metal, and bladders that connect the upper sections with the lower sections. Magnets surround outer shells of the terminals. Fluid above a threshold pressure fed into the bladders holds the upper sections apart from the lower sections and forces the magnets away from the conductor rails. Fluid below the threshold pressure allows the magnets to clamp the terminals to the conductor, lowers the conductive post into the liquid metal, and urges the carbon brushes against the conductor rails. The bladders provide a fluid suspension distributed across the array of terminals, enabling consistent electrical contact and wear for the carbon brushes.

A slidable current collector has an array of terminals with carbon brushes for contacting conductor rails to deliver electrical power to a moving work machine. The terminals have upper sections with a conductive post, lower sections that include a reservoir of liquid metal, and bladders that connect the upper sections with the lower sections. Magnets surround outer shells of the terminals. Fluid above a threshold pressure fed into the bladders holds the upper sections apart from the lower sections and forces the magnets away from the conductor rails. Fluid below the threshold pressure allows the magnets to clamp the terminals to the conductor, lowers the conductive post into the liquid metal, and urges the carbon brushes against the conductor rails. The bladders provide a fluid suspension distributed across the array of terminals, enabling consistent electrical contact and wear for the carbon brushes.

This rapid descent device comprises a valve comprising two chambers, at least one rub strip fastened to the body of the current-collector bow of the pantograph, intended to come into contact with the overhead wire and equipped with degradation detection circuit, at least one supply line of fluid to the main chamber of the valve, at least one feed line intended to feed this fluid to the pilot chamber of the valve, as well as at least one detection line extending from the pilot chamber of the valve, to feed a respective detection circuit.

The rapid descent device comprises means for temporary shut out of the feeding of fluid of the main chamber, which reliably ensures the initial raising of the pantograph until the pantograph comes into contact with the overhead wire.

System for electrically feeding electrically powered vehicles comprising at least one suspended elongated slotted element having electric conductor(s) arranged in slot(s) and at least one current collector co-acting with the slotted element. The current collector(s) comprises contact element(s) and collector arm(s) supporting the contact element(s) at its first end and is adapted to connect to an electrically powered vehicle with its second end. The collector arm(s) is formed by at least two serially arranged arm segments. A first arm segment is provided with forcing means arranged to, when the first arm segment is within a working distance from the slotted element, provide a force towards the slotted element such that the contact element connects with the corresponding electric conductor. The second arm segment is provided with at least one actuator acting on the second arm segment to displace the first arm segment to a position within the working distance.

An electric drive dump truck travels by contacting, with trolley lines, power collection units configured to be moved up and down by lifting devices and receiving electrical power from the trolley lines. A position detection device is configured to detect a position of the electric drive dump truck; a vehicle speed detection device is configured to detect a vehicle speed of the electric drive dump truck; and a storage section is configured to store a position of the trolley lines and a time (hereinafter referred to as a moving-up time) until the power collection units contact with the trolley lines since the power collection units start moving up. A control device is configured to output a signal indicating that the power collection units can be moved up based on the position and vehicle speed of the electric drive dump truck, the position of the trolley lines, and the moving-up time.

An electric drive dump truck travels by contacting, with trolley lines, power collection units configured to be moved up and down by lifting devices and receiving electrical power from the trolley lines. A position detection device is configured to detect a position of the electric drive dump truck; a vehicle speed detection device is configured to detect a vehicle speed of the electric drive dump truck; and a storage section is configured to store a position of the trolley lines and a time (hereinafter referred to as a moving-up time) until the power collection units contact with the trolley lines since the power collection units start moving up. A control device is configured to output a signal indicating that the power collection units can be moved up based on the position and vehicle speed of the electric drive dump truck, the position of the trolley lines, and the moving-up time.

A slidable current collector has an array of terminals with carbon brushes for contacting conductor rails to deliver electrical power to a moving work machine. The terminals have upper sections with a conductive post, lower sections that include a reservoir of liquid metal, and bladders that connect the upper sections with the lower sections. Magnets surround outer shells of the terminals. Fluid above a threshold pressure fed into the bladders holds the upper sections apart from the lower sections and forces the magnets away from the conductor rails. Fluid below the threshold pressure allows the magnets to clamp the terminals to the conductor, lowers the conductive post into the liquid metal, and urges the carbon brushes against the conductor rails. The bladders provide a fluid suspension distributed across the array of terminals, enabling consistent electrical contact and wear for the carbon brushes.

A slidable current collector has an array of terminals with carbon brushes for contacting conductor rails to deliver electrical power to a moving work machine. The terminals have upper sections with a conductive post, lower sections that include a reservoir of liquid metal, and bladders that connect the upper sections with the lower sections. Magnets surround outer shells of the terminals. Fluid above a threshold pressure fed into the bladders holds the upper sections apart from the lower sections and forces the magnets away from the conductor rails. Fluid below the threshold pressure allows the magnets to clamp the terminals to the conductor, lowers the conductive post into the liquid metal, and urges the carbon brushes against the conductor rails. The bladders provide a fluid suspension distributed across the array of terminals, enabling consistent electrical contact and wear for the carbon brushes.

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.