A monitoring system for an electric vehicle that draws current from a conductor by means of a current collector (3, 7) that contacts a conductor (13) in operation of the vehicle, the system comprising: a plurality of sensor modules distributed at spaced intervals throughout the current collector, wherein each sensor module comprises a plurality of FBG (Fibre Bragg Grating) sensors orientated so as to be at least generally co-planar with a surface of the current collector that conducts the conductor in operation of the vehicle, the sensors of each said module being arranged in a geometric pattern that compensates for temperature induced wavelength changes in the FBG sensors of each module; an optical source (15) for illuminating each said sensor module; means (19) for optically coupling said optical source to each said sensor module; and an optical signal interpretation module (17) configured to receive optical signals from each said sensor module via said optical coupling means, said optical signals being generated by said sensor modules in response to illumination of said sensor modules by said optical source, said interpretation module being configured to capable of determining from said optical signals a temperature-independent strain measurement for each said sensor module.

An electric drive vehicle provided with a current collecting device, the current collecting device including: a framework having an underframe, a lower frame that is pivotably linked to the underframe, and an upper frame that is pivotably linked to the lower frame; a current collecting portion that is supported by the upper frame; and a lock mechanism that holds the framework in a predetermined posture, in which the framework is capable of moving up and down between a standing posture in which the current collecting portion is ascended and a folded posture in which the current collecting portion is descended, and the lock mechanism includes an adsorption plate made of a magnetic material provided in the upper frame, and a hook device which is equipped with an electromagnet and adsorbs to hold the adsorption plate by a magnetic force to hold the framework in the folded posture.

A method for monitoring a pantograph. The method includes acquiring an impulse response of the pantograph, extracting a natural frequency and a damping coefficient of the pantograph from the impulse response, obtaining a similarity factor of a plurality of similarity factors, and detecting a fault in the pantograph from the plurality of fault types based on the plurality of the similarity factors. Acquiring an impulse response of the pantograph includes generating the impulse response by tapping the head of the pantograph and recording the impulse response utilizing a recording equipment.

A method for monitoring a pantograph. The method includes acquiring an impulse response of the pantograph, extracting a natural frequency and a damping coefficient of the pantograph from the impulse response, obtaining a similarity factor of a plurality of similarity factors, and detecting a fault in the pantograph from the plurality of fault types based on the plurality of the similarity factors. Acquiring an impulse response of the pantograph includes generating the impulse response by tapping the head of the pantograph and recording the impulse response utilizing a recording equipment.

An object of the disclosure is to provide a technique for identifying an arc position between an overhead line and a pantograph mounted on an electric vehicle. A system according to the disclosure includes: a magnetic field detector configured to detects a magnetic field generated by an arc; and a first processor disposed in an electric vehicle and configured to determine a horizontal position of the arc on a pantograph by using the magnetic field detected by the detector.

An object of the disclosure is to provide a technique for identifying an arc position between an overhead line and a pantograph mounted on an electric vehicle. A system according to the disclosure includes: a magnetic field detector configured to detects a magnetic field generated by an arc; and a first processor disposed in an electric vehicle and configured to determine a horizontal position of the arc on a pantograph by using the magnetic field detected by the detector.

A system for monitoring electrical contacts for an overhead trolley line may include a wear sensor arranged such that an electrical contact on a vehicle or work machine for contacting the overhead trolley line is continually or periodically in its line of sight. The wear sensor may be configured to capture spatial data defining the surface profile of the electrical contact. The system may also include a data processing module configured to receive the spatial data and identify a defect in the electrical contact based on the spatial data.

A positioning system for an automatic vehicle charging system includes charger-side positioning modules arranged on a charger and a charger-side control unit. The charger-side positioning modules comprise a static master module and at least two slave modules connected to the static master module. The charger-side control unit is connected to the static master module. The static master module receives a charging request from a vehicle and distances to a mobile module to determine a position of the mobile module using the measured distances, and to the position of the mobile module to the charger-side control unit to provide the allowance for charging when the position of the mobile module is within a pre-defined tolerance.

There is proposed a boom apparatus or boom head assembly being attachable to an electric or hybrid vehicle. The boom apparatus, comprising first and second poles being alignable with the respective wires of an overhead power line system, and respective boom head assemblies coupled to the first and second poles, including a collector configured to abut the first wire. The boom head assemblies each including a respective movable guide, comprising opposing wings that are positioned on either side of a respective collector, being configured to aid in the alignment of the collector with a respective wire. The connecting pole assembly, together with the connecting pole stowage mechanism applies equally to a single wire catenary and connecting pole application as would be the case of a conventional tram.

There is proposed a boom apparatus or boom head assembly being attachable to an electric or hybrid vehicle. The boom apparatus, comprising first and second poles being alignable with the respective wires of an overhead power line system, and respective boom head assemblies coupled to the first and second poles, including a collector configured to abut the first wire. The boom head assemblies each including a respective movable guide, comprising opposing wings that are positioned on either side of a respective collector, being configured to aid in the alignment of the collector with a respective wire. The connecting pole assembly, together with the connecting pole stowage mechanism applies equally to a single wire catenary and connecting pole application as would be the case of a conventional tram.