The present invention concerns a system for transmitting electrical energy to at least one electrically powered vehicle, and a procedure (method) for using the system in accordance with the claims.

Background of the Invention

Using electric energy to operate vehicles has been known since the nineteenth century. One of the problems of powering vehicles with electricity is that the electrical energy must be supplied to the vehicle's electric motor from an electric energy source. The electrical energy required for propulsion of a vehicle may be supplied to the vehicle by electrical lines via a current collector or similar as is the case with electrically powered trains, subways, trolleys or the like. The electrical energy required for propulsion of vehicles may also be supplied from accumulators in the vehicle that have been charged with electrical energy. Operating electric- powered vehicles with electric energy generated in the vehicle by a generator driven by an internal combustion engine has also long been known.

Supplying electrical energy via power lines and current collectors has however the

disadvantage that special power lines must be set-up along the route, the line or the like which is costly. The vehicle can not travel to places other than where the power line is found.

Moreover, this will also make it difficult to change routes, lines and the like. A major problem with the use of contemporary types of current collectors is that they are sensitive to low temperatures and cold climate conditions. Several different problems exist in cold climates. One problem is that the vehicle's position relative the current collector may vary depending on ice and other build-ups on the roadway. In addition, snow and ice on various types of electrical connections may affect the transfer of energy. Snow and ice may also cause the mechanical parts of electrical transmission devices to malfunction.

A number of problems are associated with operating a vehicle with electric energy stored in accumulators in the vehicle. One problem with running a vehicle with electric energy stored in accumulators in the vehicle is that it requires a lot of accumulators in the vehicle for the vehicle to attain a sufficient range. For vehicles that stop and start on a regular basis, especially such as buses and the like, large amounts of energy are consumed just to accelerate the vehicle after the stop. Running vehicles with electric power from accumulators carried by the vehicle, which have been charged with energy before the trip starts, means that the vehicle will be very limited in range or alternatively require a very large accumulator capacity (number of accumulators). Prior Art

Several techniques are already known which are intended to solve the problems of supplying electric energy to electric-powered vehicles along the vehicle's route. For example, it is already known that electrical energy may be supplied to a vehicle at certain specific locations along the vehicle's route. US3955657 describes such a design in which electrical energy is supplied to vehicles, fitted with current collectors, which are connected to conductor rails during for example stops. The design differs greatly from the design according to the present patent application. For example, the design can not bridge the problems connected with winter conditions caused by snow and ice.

WO2009007879 describes different variants of designs in which electrical energy is supplied to the vehicle along the vehicle's route. The described design is intended to be used to transfer electrical energy to passenger cars. A design for transmitting electrical energy to buses and the like at bus stops is also described. The design according to its description differs greatly in relation to the design according to the present patent application. For example, the design according to its description is sensitive for use in cold climates. Even WO0066388 describes a variant of a charging station for electric powered vehicles such as buses. The design includes several charging stations which transmit electrical energy to vehicles equipped with current collectors. The design is based on capacitors in the vehicle being charged by the electrical energy transmitted to the vehicle at loading stations. The design differs in a significant manner in relation to the design according to the present patent application.

US5651434 describes a variant of a vehicle with a foldable version of a current collector which connects to a current conductor at for example stops. The design according to its description differs greatly from the design according to the present patent application. For example, the vehicle's current collector is only intended to be connected to the current conductor when the vehicle is stationary. The design is also sensitive when used during winter weather conditions of snow and cold. In NL7403570 is described a variant of electric charging stations for electric vehicles, which includes an automatic connection of the current collector and the current conductor. The design according to its description differs from the present invention in significant ways. For instance, the design according to its description is intended to be used by parked vehicles with no specification of how the vehicles are to be connected to the power supplying unit.

Brief Description of the Invention Concept

The main purpose of the present invention is to create a significantly improved system for the transmission of electric energy to electrically powered vehicles. Another purpose of the present invention is to achieve a procedure (method) for using the system according to the present patent application.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the following detailed description of the present invention, reference and references to the following figures will occur. Each figure is briefly described in the following figure list. Note that the figures are schematic and details may thus be omitted in these. The exemplifying embodiments in the figures are not limiting for the scope of protection of the present patent application.

Fig. 1 shows schematically an exemplifying embodiment of a system in accordance with the present patent application.

Fig. 2 shows an exemplifying variant of the conductor line. Fig. 3 shows the current collector in more detail.

Fig. 4 shows an alternate variant of the current collector.

Fig. 5 and 6 show the connection of the current collector and the conductor line.

Fig. 7 shows an alternate embodiment of the positioning device as seen from above.

Fig. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of the positioning device as seen from the side. Fig. 9 shows an alternate embodiment of the current collector with its associated spacing element and an alternative variant of the positioning device.

Fig. 10 shows an embodiment where two or more vehicles are charged in line. Detailed Description of the Invention

With reference to the figures, a system 1 for transmitting electrical energy to one or more electrically powered vehicles 2 at one or more locations along the vehicle's route is shown. The figures show schematically only part of the vehicle's roof, but other parts of the vehicle are included. The system 1 includes at least one current collector assembly 3 which is connected to an electrically powered vehicle. The current collector assembly 3 is intended to be temporarily connected together with at least one current conductor 4 which is connected to at least one structure 5, or the like, along the vehicle's route. The current conductor 4 and the structure 5 may preferably be located at a place where the vehicle is temporarily stopped or driven at a relatively low speed. If the vehicle 2 is a bus or other public transport vehicle, the current conductor 4 may preferably be connected to at least one fixed structure 5, such as a building or the like, at a bus stop or at another for the purpose suitable location.

The system 1 , according to the present patent application, is preferably included in a larger system that includes a number of vehicles 2, each of which is equipped with at least one current collector assembly 3, which includes at least one collector shoe 11 that is intended to be temporarily connected together with at least one current conductor 4 at any of a number of charging stations along the vehicle's route.

The current conductor 4 includes at least one conductor line 6 of an arbitrary length. The length of the conductor line 6 is adapted to each individual situation. The current conductor 4 may also consist of two or more conductor lines 6 which are positioned adjacent to each other. The conductor line 6 is connected to the fixed structure 5 via for example brackets 7, hangers or other for the purpose suitable attachment hardware. The brackets 7, or the like, are preferably designed in accordance with previously known techniques and therefore this technique is not described in more detail in this patent application. The conductor line 6 may be of a substantially straight shape but also for all or part of its length be curved, curve-shaped or any other form suitable for the purpose. The conductor line 6 may consist of several straight and/or bent (curve-shaped) parts which are connected together.

Fig. 2 shows an exemplifying embodiment of the conductor line 6 which includes at least one elongated inner space 8. The inner space 8 is, at the conductor line's ends and via at least one groove (slit) 9, in the line's axial direction, open to the outside surroundings. In the inner space 8, at least one conductor rail 10 runs in the axial direction which is intended to be connected to at least one electrical energy source. If the system includes only one conductor line 6, the conductor line includes at least two conductor rails 10. If the system includes two or more conductor lines 6, the conductor lines 6 may include only one conductor rail 10.

The current collector assembly's 3 form and design may vary greatly within the scope of the present patent application. The current collector 3 includes at least one collector (contact) shoe 11 or similar, which is intended to be connected to the current carrying conductor rail 10 in the conductor line 6. The collector shoe 11 consists of, in the shown embodiment, a cartlike design 12. The cart-like design 12 is also known as a cart 12, the cart 12 or a cart-like collector 12 in the following description. The cart-like design 12 is intended to be inserted into the inner space 8 of the conductor line 6 via one of the ends of the conductor line 6. Furthermore, the cart-like design 12 is, during use, intended to be drawn through the inner space 8 of the conductor line 6 to the other end of the conductor line 6 where the cart-like design 12 is intended to exit the inner space 8 of the conductor line 6.

With reference to Fig. 3 is shown the cart-like design 12 which includes at least one electrically conductive contact brush (carbon or similar) 13 which during connection with the conductor rail 10, when it is electrically charged, receives electrical energy from the conductor rail 10 and transmits it via at least one electrical conductor (not shown in figures) to the vehicle's electrical system (battery or drive system). For systems that include only one conductor line 6 and only one cart-like design 12, the cart-like design includes at least two electrically conductive contact brushes 13a and 13c. If the system includes several conductor lines 6, each respective cart-like design 12 may include only one, or more, electrically conductive contact brushes 13a and 13c. Using two, or more, successive contact brushes 13a and 13b that are in contact with the same conductor rail 10 allows more power (electrical energy) to be transferred from the conductor rail 10 to the vehicle (than having just one contact brush 13a). In the exemplary embodiment, the cart-like design 12 includes at least one first bearing wheel (or wheels) 14 but possibly also at least one second bearing wheel (or wheels) 15. The first wheel (or wheels) 14 and the second wheel (or wheels) 15 are designed to run on the flanges or the like inside the inner space of the conductor line 6. The wheels are preferably made of a material that is not electrically conductive. It is also conceivable that the cart 12 has no wheels. The cart 12 is in such cases bearingly arranged to the conductor line 6 with other types of bearings that are suitable for the purpose. These bearings may for example consist of plain (slide, sliding) bearings. In the exemplifying embodiment, the current collector 3 includes at least one collector arm design 16 or the like which includes at least one first arm 17. The first arm 17 is connected to the electric vehicle 2 and the collector shoe 11. The arm design 16 is maneuverable from at least one retracted position and at least one extended position using at least one control device (not shown in the figures). The control device may for example include one or more pneumatic cylinders which allow for position changes in the arm design's parts.

The arm 17 is in its one end 18 pivotally connected via joints or similar to at least one fastening device (fastener) 19 connected to the vehicle's roof. In alternative embodiments, the arm design's 16 arm 17 may be connected to another for the purpose suitable part of the vehicle 2. Further, the collector shoe 11 is via a head 20, or another for the purpose suitable design, pivotally connected with arm 17 in the arm's other end 21.

Fig. 4 shows a possible variant of the arm design 16 which includes at least one first arm 17, at least one second arm 22 and at least one third arm 23. The arms 17, 22 and 23 are articulately arranged to the fastening device 19 and the head 20 via ball and socket joints, or with other types of joints or the like. By way of this design, the arms 17, 22 and 23 will during movement move parallel to each other. Furthermore, the cart 12 will always hold a parallel direction relative to the vehicle 2, such as for example to the vehicle's 2 roof, in conjunction with the rotation of the arm design 16 in both the vertical and horizontal directions. This is illustrated by line 24 relative to line 25. In alternative embodiments, the parallel movement of the cart 12 relative to the vehicle 2 may be accomplished by at least one wire or another for the purpose suitable system and device. The arm design also includes a tension function with which changes in distance between the arm design's attachment to the vehicle and the conductor line 6, caused by vehicle movements, may be adjusted.

The present invention also includes at least one positioning device 26. The positioning device 26 may in alternative embodiments also be defined as a connection device for connecting the collector shoe 11 to the conductor line 6. The positioning device 26 in the exemplifying embodiment is intended, in conjunction with the connection of the current collector 3 and the current conductor 4, to steer the current collector's 3 cart-like design 12 into the conductor line's 6 inner space 8. Unique to the present invention is that the positioning device 26 allows large variations in the distance between the current conductor's 4 conductor line 6 and the cart-like design 12 in the initial phase of connection between the current conductor's 4 conductor line 6 and the cart-like design 12. The fact that the design allows the current conductor's 4 conductor line 6 and the current collector's 3 cart-like design 12 to vary their distance from one another in the vertical and horizontal directions, during their mutual connection, is an especially important feature when the ground and the road are covered with snow and ice. The positioning device 26 includes at least one first guide surface 27. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first guide surface 27 consists of a substantially vertical surface. The first guide surface 27, according to the exemplifying embodiment, steers the cart's 12 position substantially in the horizontal direction. In alternative embodiments, the first guide surface 27 may be directed in other directions than the shown substantially vertical direction. Fig. 1 shows a positioning device 26 which includes at least one upper guide surface (edge) 28 which steers the cart-like design's 12 vertical position (maximum height). The upper guide surface (edge) 28 is also a protection against rain, snow and the like. The collector shoe 11 during the initial stage of connection with the positioning device 26 is initially steered toward the first guide surface 27 after which the collector shoe 11 is steered in the vertical direction upward toward guide surface 28. After that guide surfaces 27 and 28 steer the collector shoe 11 (the cart-like design 12) toward the conductor line 6.

Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the positioning device 26 in which the guide surface's 28 vertical height, along the positioning device's 26 length (in the direction of the conductor line), decreases in the direction of conductor line 6. The design allows the cart-like collector 12 to be steered by the guide surface 28 in the vertical downward direction, along the positioning device's 26 length in the direction of conductor line 6. During connection the cart-like design 12 may thus initially be located at a higher vertical elevation than the conductor line 6 and then be steered by guide surface 28, in the direction of the conductor line, down to the conductor line's vertical height. In one variant of a positioning device 26, it includes a lower guide surface, which extends out from guide surface 27, which steers the cart-like collector upwards in the vertical direction. In other alternative embodiments, it is also conceivable that the positioning device 26 includes at least one upper guide surface 28 and at least one lower guide surface which steers the cart 12 in the vertical direction both from below and from above. The conductor line 6 may also include at least one funnel-like design 30. The funnel-like design 30 gradually steers in and presses together the tensioned contact brushes 13 during the connection of the contact brushes 13 with the conductor rails 10 of the inner space of the conductor line 6. The conductor line 6 has preferably also at least one funnel-like deign 30 in the outgoing end, which is the end of the conductor line 6 where the cart-like collector exits the inner space 8 of the conductor line. The funnel-like design's 30 function during the disconnection of the collector shoe 11 from the conductor line's inner space is that it controls the tensioned contact brushes 13 (in some figures even designated as 13a, 13b and 13c) so that they gradually spring out, rather than suddenly disconnecting from the conductor line. The risk of damage occurring to the contact brushes' 13 bodies in the cart 12 is greatly reduced by this procedure. The funnel-like design's 30 form and design may vary greatly within the scope of the present patent application. In alternative embodiments, it is conceivable that the conductor line 6 includes two or more positioning devices 26. For example, one first positioning device 26 may be connected to the conductor line's 6 one end and one second positioning device 26 may be connected to the conductor line's 6 second end. It is also further conceivable that the conductor line 6 along the conductor line's 6 length may include one or more variants (types) of the positioning devices 26 with which the cart-like collector may be inserted into the conductor line 6 from the side or from below, at any position along the conductor line's length. The conductor line 6, in these embodiments may include at least one opening (not shown in the figures) to the side or from below, through which the cart 12 may be drawn into the conductor line. The conductor line 6 may also include branches (not shown in the figures) where one or more conductor lines connect to one or more conductor lines. The conductor line 6 may also allow connection or disconnection at selected locations along the conductor line's, or conductor lines', length (and thus not only at the ends of the conductor line).

In alternative embodiments, the system 1 and the positioning device 26 may include at least one sensor (not shown in the figures) which detects the distance between the collector shoe 11 (in the exemplifying embodiment the collector shoe 11 consist of a cart-like design 12) and the positioning device 26 in conjunction with the connection process. The information concerning the distance between the positioning device 26 and the cart 12 is used by at least one control system (not shown in the figures) to steer the relative positions between the cart 12 and the positioning device 26. During the connection of the current collector 3 to the current conductor 4, when the vehicle 2 arrives at the place where the current conductor 4 is placed, the current collector 3 is maneuvered by the maneuvering device (not shown in the figures) from a retracted position to an extended position. If the system includes a function by which the distance between the positioning device 26 and the cart 12 is automatically measured by at least one sensor, information from the sensor (sensors) is used to steer the cart's 12 position in the direction of the intended target location on the positioning device 26. This may be accomplished by the arm's 17 or the arms' position being steered by at least one maneuvering device (not shown in the figures). The maneuvering device is controlled by at least one control system which uses information from at least one sensor, to steer the current collector 3 and hence the cart's 12 position relative the current conductor 4 and the positioning device 26.

Before the connection of the cart 12 into the inner space 8 of the conductor line 6, the cart-like collector 12 is preferably usually located at a higher or lower vertical level than the level of the conductor line 6. During the beginning of the connection procedure, when the cart 12 engages with the positioning device's guide surface 27, the cart-like collector is automatically steered by the positioning device's guide surfaces in either the vertical, horizontal or both the horizontal and vertical direction in toward the inner space 8 of the conductor line 6. The arm design 16 allows the cart 12, during position changes vertically, or in other or in all directions, to move parallel in relation to the vehicle. During connection to the positioning device 26, a spring-loaded function found in the head 20 allows complete adjustment in relation to the positioning device 26.

The positioning device 26 may, as shown in Fig. 7, also include a ramp-shaped structure 40 in the end that is opposite the entrance to the conductor line 6 and so designed that it may catch a prematurely extended collector shoe 11 (such as for example a cart 12) and gently steer it in towards the guide surface 27 and on into the conductor line 6. In alternative embodiments the ramp 40 may consist of a curved portion of the guide surface 27.

The current collector's 3 cart 12 is positioned by the positioning device 26 so that it is brought fully or partially into the inner space 8 of the conductor line 6. When contact between the conductor rail 10 and the collector shoe 11 is achieved, the conductor rail 10 of the conductor line 6 or conductor rails 10 of the conductor line 6 are electrically charged. When the current collector 3 and current conductor 4 are temporarily connected together and the conductor rail 10 is electrically charged, electrical energy may be transferred from the current conductor 4 via the current collector 3 to the vehicle 2.

With reference to Fig. 2, is shown how the conductor line 6 preferably includes at least one protective cover 31 which partially surrounds the electrically charged conductor rails 10. The cover protects the conductor rails against undesired human or animal contact, and weather conditions. The protective cover 31 may be integrated with or connected to the conductor line 6.

The system 1 may be designed so that the conductor rails (conductors) 10 of the conductor line 6, or conductor lines 6, only be electrically charged when the current collector's 3 cart 12 is connected to the current conductor's 4 conductor rails 10 (as in Fig. 6). When the cart 12 is not connected to the conductor rails 10, the conductor rails 10 are not electrically charged. This design further reduces the risk of any person or animal coming into contact with a charged conductor rail 10. Further, the risk of electrical arcing occurring between the cart's 12 contact brushes 13 and the conductor rails 10 is reduced and hence unnecessary wear on the collector shoe and conductor rails is reduced. The design may include at least one cover (not shown in the figures), such as a hatch, which prevents animals, birds or the like from entering the inner space of the conductor rail from the ends. This procedure also reduces the risk of people and animals coming into contact with electrically charged parts in the conductor line 6. Protection such as a hatch or the like may also include a function with which the collector shoe (the cart-like design) may be cleared of snow, dirt or similar during its engagement with the conductor line 6. The hatch may also be engineered so that it acts as a dislocation device for the cart 12 if, for instance, the cart has become damaged and does not fit in the inner space 8, and therefore needs to be pushed out of the positioning device 26.

The system 1 is preferably designed so that the first part after the connection of the cart's 12 contact brushes 13 and the conductor rails 10 occurs with a test procedure to determine satisfactory connection and then a gradually increasing power supply. The system 1 is designed so that the last part before the decoupling of the collector shoe 11 from the conductor rail 10 occurs with a gradual reduction in the power supply. This procedure reduces the risk of electrical arcing and unnecessary wear occurring between the collector shoe's contact brushes 13 and the conductor rail 10.

In the retracted position, the current collector assembly 3 is preferably completely or partially recessed in a weather protected space (not shown in the figures) in the vehicle. This weather protection may, in its simplest form, be achieved by a weather protected space being closed by a hatch (not shown in the figures) or the like after the current collector is completely or partially inserted into the weather protected space. This space includes preferably at least one heat-generating unit (not shown in the figures) whose heat-generating output is for example regulated in relation to temperature, humidity and the like. The design may include sensors that detect the presence of snow, ice and moisture on the recessed parts, which controls the turning on and off of the heat-generating device. The design in an alternative embodiment may include at least one heat-generating unit (not shown in the figures) in the conductor line 6. This may for example consist of a heating cable or a heating fan. The heat-generating unit in the conductor line is intended to reduce the problems which arise from a humid climate and the like.

Fig. 9 shows how the current collector assembly 3 in an alternative embodiment includes at least one member 32. The member 32 is preferably connected to the cart-like design 12. The member's 32 function is to create a distance between the cart 12 and the positioning device 26 and thereby prevent or substantially reduce the possibility of the cart's 12 contact brushes 13a, 13b and 13c from coming into contact with the positioning device 26. The member 32 also has the task of guiding the cart-like design 12 in relation to the positioning device 26. The member 32 may, as in the shown embodiment consist of a block-like design 33 which on its one side 34 is connected to the cart 12, the head 20 or another suitable part of the current collector 3. On its other side 35 the block 33 includes at least one first plane 36. The plane 36 is in the shown embodiment directed in a substantially vertical direction. The plane 36 may in alternative embodiments be directed in another direction suitable for the purpose. The first plane 36 may be comprised of one or more sub-areas. During maneuvering of the cart-like design 12 to the positioning device 26, the first plane 36, on the block-like design 33, is designed to come into contact with the positioning device's 26 guide surface 27. The positioning device's 26 guide surface 27 steers in this manner the cart-like design 12 via the first plane 36 on the block 33. The block 33 may also include a second plane (edge) which is intended to come into contact with a second upper guide surface 38, or alternatively, a second lower guide surface, in the positioning device 26 which is designed to steer the cart-like design 12 in the vertical direction toward the conductor line 6.

The whole block 33, or at least one of the block's 33 sides 35 and 39 consist of a surface with a relatively low friction. This means that the block slides easily against the positioning device 26. Fig 10 shows a situation where two or more vehicles 2, exemplified by vehicles 2a and 2b, are charged at the same conductor line 6. Both (all) vehicles are connected for charging to the conductor line 6 by means of current collector assemblies 3 and collector shoes 11, exemplified by shoes 11a and 1 lb. In this case the conductor rail or rails 10 are divided into at least two different parts, exemplified by rails 10a, 10b, and 10c. Each part is able to charge a vehicle 2, which allows separate charging of at least two vehicles at the same time or essentially the same time. The separate charging of the vehicles, 2a and 2b or more, are controlled by at least one charging system (not shown). If more than one charge occurs at the same conductor line 6 at the same time, more than one positioning device 26 may for example be included. Furthermore the ramp-shaped structures 40, 40a, 40b and 40c may be able to detect their engagement and disengagement with the cart-like design or designs 12. This for example would allow for an automatic power shut-off essentially at the time when the cart 12 breaks contact with the conductor rail or rails 10 and also for an automatic power turn-on essentially at the time when the cart 12 makes or is about to make contact with the conductor rail or rails 10. The length and number of conductor rails 10 may vary greatly within the scope of the present invention.

In the detailed description of the present invention, design details may have been omitted which are apparent to persons skilled in the art in the intended field of the device. Such obvious design details are included to the extent necessary so that the proper and full performance of the present invention is achieved.

Even if certain preferred embodiments have been described in detail, variations and modifications of the device may become apparent for specialists in the field of the invention. All such variations and modifications are regarded as falling within the scope of the following claims. It is conceivable that the present invention be used in other contexts, applications and for other purposes. It is further conceivable that the invention be defined as a method

(procedure).

Advantages of the Invention

The present invention achieves a number of advantages. The most important advantage is that the present invention provides for the possibility of charging batteries/electric propulsion being available when the vehicle is in motion at the same time that the power transfer is protected from harmful weather conditions and undesired human and animal contact.

Furthermore, electrical connection may occur quite freely because different vehicles at different times may easily (automatically) be connected to the current conductor for charging or operation of the vehicle. Together, this results in a much more efficient system for transferring electrical energy to a vehicle. A further advantage of the present invention is that external electrical energy may be added to the vehicle in connection with acceleration after a stop at for example a bus stop. A still further advantage of the present invention is that it may be used for electrifying longer routes along streets and highways and even make it possible to create so called "electric highways" with a system that allows use during all kinds of weather conditions and with a conductor rail system that is sleek and compact compared with traditional Trolley systems and recently presented designs. A yet further advantage of the present system and procedure (method) is that it reduces the risk of electrical arcing and unnecessary wear occurring which improves safety, performance and longevity.