Electricity: transmission to vehicles – Systems of distribution – Convertible – multiple current source
Patent
1995-08-07
1997-01-21
Merritt, Karen B.
Electricity: transmission to vehicles
Systems of distribution
Convertible, multiple current source
191 10, B60L 500
Patent
active
055952712
ABSTRACT:
In an electrically powered vehicle having an inductive pick-up configured to couple electrical power from a series of aligned and spaced-apart charging pads associated with a road surface, methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling the lateral positioning of the pick-up as well as the gap between the pick-up and the charging pads as the vehicle moves along a road surface. Control of the lateral positioning and gap may be provided either separately or in combination. In the preferred embodiment, the pick-up is pivotally connected to the vehicle through an extension arm, the pivotal connection including a first position wherein vertical positioning of the pick-up is power controlled toward and away from the road surface, and a second position wherein airflow past the pick-up maintains the positioning of the pick-up relative to the road surface. In terms of lateral positioning, the apparatus further includes a camera capable of sensing the charging pads as the vehicle moves, and apparatus in operative communication with the camera for moving the pick-up side-to-side as the vehicle moves in response to the position of the charging pads as sensed by the camera.
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Lowe Scott L.
Merritt Karen B.
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