The present embodiments provide a control system and method that is able to automatically start and/or stop a portable engine-driven power source. For example, in one embodiment, a system includes an engine-driven power source having an engine, a compressor driven by the engine, a sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a demand for air pressure from the compressor and a second signal indicative of no demand for air pressure from the compressor. The engine-driven power source also includes a controller configured to stop the engine in response to the second signal.

The excitation overcurrent detection unit for the doubly-fed electric machine is provided with a function to determine an excitation current magnitude relationship among three phases. The firing pulse is held to on-state or off-state to cause the largest-current phase and the second-largest-current phase to charge the DC capacitor by the operation of diodes. The conduction ratio of the third-largest-current phase or minimum current phase is controlled according to the detected current value to protect against a possible short-circuit across the DC capacitor. When the voltage of the DC capacitor exceeds a preset value, the voltage is suppressed by operating active or passive power devices.

An electrical generator includes a stator having fractional-slot concentrated windings and a rotor having field windings. A drive is provided having a circuit to control current flow to the field windings and a controller to input an initial DC field current demand to the circuit to cause the circuit to output an initial DC field current representative of a DC field current demand that would cause an electrical generator having sinusoidal stator windings to output a desired AC power. The controller receives feedback on the magnetic field generated by the initial DC field current, isolates an ideal fundamental component of the magnetic field based on the feedback and to generate a modified DC field current demand, and inputs the modified DC field current demand to the circuit, thereby causing the circuit to output an instantaneous non-sinusoidal current to the field windings to generate a sinusoidal rotating air gap magnetic field.

A wind power generator generates power through a rotation of a rotor and is interconnected, and operated with its power generation output previously limited in order to be able to further supply the power to a power system in response to a decrease in system frequency. Thus, a concentrated control system derives a required restricted amount corresponding to a power generation output required to respond to the decrease in system frequency, derives a value by subtracting an amount corresponding to a latent power generation output with which the power generation output can be increased, from the required restricted amount, and sets a restricted amount of the power generation output in each wind power generator to perform the operation with the power generation output previously limited to respond to the decrease in system frequency, based on the above value.

The present invention provides a method and a device for primary frequency regulation based on bang-bang control, the method comprises: obtaining in real-time a power grid frequency of a steam turbine generator set; performing a subtraction operation on a rated power grid frequency and said power grid frequency to generate a power grid frequency difference; performing a dead zone process on the power grid frequency difference according to a dead zone fixed value to generate a frequency difference; performing a frequency difference compensation operation on the frequency difference to generate a frequency difference compensation instruction; and combining an original primary frequency regulation output instruction with the frequency difference compensation instruction and outputting the result to a steam turbine speed regulation system when a selecting switch is 1.

A generator system includes a generator having a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The generator includes a permanent magnet based exciter with permanent magnets disposed on the stationary portion. A first channel includes a first main field winding and a first main field power converter disposed on a rotating portion. The first main field power converter selectively delivers voltage from the exciter winding to the first main field winding. A second channel includes a second main field winding and a second main field power converter disposed on the rotating portion. The second main field power converter selectively delivers voltage from the exciter winding to the second main field winding. A generator control unit is connected to the first channel and the second channel. The generator control unit monitors an output voltage at each of the first channel and the second channel and generates the first and second control signals based on the output voltage.

An inverter generator used in combination with a motor and an ECU generating a pulse at each predetermined rotation angle of the motor is comprised of: an electric generator driven by the motor configured to generate alternating current electric power; estimating means for estimating an electrical angle of alternating voltage of the alternating current electric power from the pulse, the estimating means being electrically connected with the ECU; a converter configured to convert the alternating current electric power into direct current electric power, the converter electrically connected with the electric generator and the estimating means; and an inverter configured to convert the direct current electric power into alternating current output electric power, the inverter electrically connected with the converter.

A wind energy plant comprising a rotor having blades and a generator driven by said rotor for generating electric energy. The pitch of the blades can be adjusted and a pitch system for adjusting the pitch angle of the blades is provided, which is supplied by a hub power source. An additional electric load is provided on the hub. A pitch power control device is provided which dynamically distributes the power of the hub power source between the pitch system and the additional electric load and further acts on the pitch system such that its power consumption during high-load operation is reduced. Thus, the power consumption of the pitch system during high-load operation can be reduced and additional power provided for operating the additional load. Even large additional loads, such as a blade heater, can be operated in this way, without having to boost the hub power source.

The control system of this floating wind turbine generator is a control system of a floating wind turbine generator in which the control system controls a pitch angle control section by a pitch angle instruction value calculated on the basis of signals detected by a second sensor detecting a relative angle between a nacelle and a tower and a third sensor detecting a yaw angle from a reference position of the tower so that a signal detected by a first sensor detecting wind direction deviation relative to a vertical direction of a rotation plane of wind turbine blades indicates an angle within a predetermined range from the vertical direction of the rotation plane of the wind turbine blades, and controls a yaw driving device by a yaw driving instruction value calculated on the basis of the signals detected by the second sensor and the third sensor.

A DC chopper comprising a control unit and a power circuit and a DC chopping method for a DFIG (doubly fed induction generator) system are provided. The input terminal of the control unit is coupled to a DC capacitor of a converter to detect a DC voltage. The power circuit includes input terminals, an overvoltage protection module, a rectifier module and output terminals. The overvoltage protection module comprises at least one discharge unit formed from a discharge resistor and a switch element, and the rectifier module is coupled in parallel to the overvoltage protection module. When a grid voltage drops, the control unit outputs a corresponding control signal to drive the switch element to be ON or OFF, and the output terminal of the power circuit absorbs a portion of rotor inrush current, so as to impose over-current protection.

An electric power generation system (EPGS) employs both a wild-source generator and a variable and/or constant frequency generator. The wild-source generator is coupled to receive mechanical power from a low-pressure spool on an aircraft engine and to generate in response a wild-source output for consumption by voltage and frequency-tolerant loads. The variable and/or constant frequency generator is coupled to receive mechanical power from a high-pressure spool on the aircraft engine and to generate in response a variable and/or constant frequency output for consumption by voltage and frequency-intolerant loads.

An integrated power system suitable for simultaneously powering marine propulsion and service loads. The system includes: (a) at least one generator configured with at least first and second armature windings configured to output respective first and second alternating current power signals of different voltages, the at least two armature windings positioned within the same stator slots so that they magnetically couple; (b) at least first and second rectifier circuits coupled to said generator to convert said first and second alternating current power signals into first and second direct current power signals; and (c) a first load to which said first direct current power signal is coupled and a second load to which said second direct current power signal is coupled.

An electrical machine includes a stator having a main armature winding, an exciter field winding, and a transformer primary winding. A rotor is operatively connected to rotate relative to the stator, wherein the rotor includes an exciter armature winding operatively connected to the exciter armature winding for field excitation therebetween, a main field winding operatively connected to the main armature winding for field excitation therebetween, and a transformer secondary winding operatively connected to the transformer primary winding to form a rotating transformer. A generator control unit is operatively connected to the main armature winding, exciter field winding, and transformer primary winding to control the main armature and exciter field windings based on excitation in the primary winding received from the transformer secondary winding.

A method for converting heat to electric energy is described which involves thermally cycling an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes. The material is heated by extracting thermal energy from a gas to condense the gas into a liquid and transferring the thermal energy to the electrically polarizable material. An apparatus is also described which includes an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes and a heat exchanger for heating the material in thermal communication with a heat source, wherein the heat source is a condenser. An apparatus is also described which comprises a chamber, one or more conduits inside the chamber for conveying a cooling fluid and an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes on an outer surface of the conduit. A gas introduced into the chamber condenses on the conduits and thermal energy is thereby transferred from the gas to the electrically polarizable material.

A magnetic controlled power generator provides a magnetic controlled loading device, power generator and flywheel device to form two independent modules which are easily assembled and disassembled for easy manufacture and maintenance. Besides, the magnetic controlled power generator has simple installation and lightweight components to generate a radial displacement for magnetic flux control, achieving continuous adjustment of the load resistance, thereby having the effect of reducing the cost and weight.

Some embodiments relate to a method of controlling speed of a variable speed generator. The method includes detecting a load of the variable speed generator and determining a target speed for the variable speed generator based on the load supplied by the variable speed generator. The method further includes using a controller to adjust the speed of the variable speed generator based on the target speed. The method may further include correcting the target speed by calculating a correction factor that corrects the target speed based on a voltage produced by the variable speed generator.

A dip in the output voltage of a motor-vehicle alternator, owing to a connecting of a load or a change in speed, is compensated with the aid of an alternator regulator which provides a control signal that has a duty factor and increases the excitation current of the motor-vehicle alternator. After the occurrence of the voltage dip, in a first step, the duty factor of the control signal is increased by a differential amount, and in a subsequent second step, the rate of correction is limited. After the occurrence of the voltage dip, parameters describing the instantaneous working point of the motor-vehicle alternator are determined, and in the first step, the differential amount is set as a function of the working point.

Systems and methods for monitoring excitation of a generator based on a faulty status of a generator breaker are provided. According to one embodiment, a system may include a controller and a processor communicatively coupled to the controller. The processor may be configured to receive, from a contact associated with a generator breaker, a reported status of the generator breaker, receive operational data associated with one or more parameters of a generator associated with the generator breaker, and correlate the reported status of the generator breaker and the operational data. Based on the correlation, the processor may establish an actual status of the generator breaker, and, based on the actual status, selectively modify a mode of excitation of the generator.

A generator includes a permanent magnet generator, an exciter and a main generator mounted for rotation on a shaft. The main generator is configured to produce a voltage output. A generator control unit includes a circuit configured to provide current from the permanent magnet generator to the exciter. A switch is provided in the circuit and is configured to change between open and closed conditions. The switch is configured to flow current in the circuit in the closed condition and interrupt current flow in the open condition. An overvoltage limit controller is programmed to determine an amount of overvoltage of the output voltage exceeding a desired voltage. Either a fixed reference threshold is used or a reference threshold voltage is calculated based upon the duration in over voltage condition, and the switch is modulated between the open and closed conditions according to error between the actual output voltage and the reference threshold voltage to limit the output voltage to the desired reference threshold voltage.

A method of controlling a generator (110) of an electric drive (104) associated with an engine (102) is provided. The method may determine an operational state of the electric drive (104) based on a speed of the engine (102), and selectively engage one of a map-lookup control scheme (150) and a fixed-theta off control scheme (152) for operating the generator (110) based on the operational state of the electric drive (104).

A power supply system for a motor vehicle includes a generator that includes a rotor having a field coil and a stator having an armature coil; a rectifier that rectifies AC power generated in the armature coil; an excitation control circuit that takes control of a voltage applied to the field coil; a capacitor that is connected to the DC side of the rectifier, and receives and transfers the rectified power; a battery connected to an electric load of the motor vehicle; a DC-DC converter that is connected between the capacitor and the battery and capable of converting unidirectionally or bidirectionally an input DC voltage into any DC voltage; and a selection switch which connects the capacitor or the battery to the excitation control circuit as a power supply source.

A method for converting heat to electric energy is described which involves thermally cycling an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes. The material is heated using thermal energy obtained from: a combustion reaction; solar energy; a nuclear reaction; ocean water; geothermal energy; or thermal energy recovered from an industrial process. An apparatus is also described which includes an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes and a heat exchanger for heating the material. The heat source used to heat the material can be: a combustion apparatus; a solar thermal collector; or a component of a furnace exhaust device. Alternatively, the heat exchanger can be a device for extracting thermal energy from the earth, the sun, ocean water, an industrial process, a combustion reaction or a nuclear reaction. A vehicle is also described which comprises an apparatus for converting heat to electrical energy connected to an electric motor.

A thermionic generator for converting thermal energy to electric energy includes: an emitter electrode for emitting thermal electrons from a thermal electron emitting surface when heat is applied to the emitter electrode; a collector electrode facing the emitter electrode spaced apart from the emitter electrode by a predetermined distance, and receiving the thermal electrons from the emitter electrode via a facing surface of the collector electrode; and a substrate having one surface. The emitter electrode and the collector electrode are disposed on the one surface of the substrate, and are electrically insulated from each other. The thermal electron emitting surface and the facing surface are perpendicular to the one surface.

A method of operating a converter of a wind turbine for providing electric energy to a utility grid includes determining a grid voltage. If the grid voltage is between a nominal voltage and a first voltage threshold, i.e. higher than the nominal voltage, a normal procedure for lowering the grid voltage is performed. If the grid voltage is above the first voltage threshold, another procedure for keeping the wind turbine connected is performed, wherein the other procedure is different from the normal procedure. Further a corresponding arrangement is described.

A system, method and apparatus for automatically adapting power grid usage by controlling internal and/or external power-related assets of one or more users in response to power regulation and/or frequency regulation functions in a manner beneficial to both the power grid itself and the users of the power grid.

An AC current generator for generating an CA current and method therefor and includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes an outer shell of non-magnetic material enclosing an evacuated chamber and having a distribution of a plurality of ferromagnets attached thereto. The rotor includes an inner core of non-magnetic material located at a stability location within said evacuated chamber and having a distribution of a plurality of diamagnets attached thereto. In addition, the AC current generator includes at least one magnetic flux detection unit located within at least one magnetic field generated by at least one group of ferromagnets of the plurality of ferromagnets. Displacing the rotor from the stability location towards the at least one group of ferromagnets generates a change in magnetic flux in the magnetic field thereby generating an AC current in the at least one magnetic flux detection unit.

Wind turbine systems and methods are provided. An exemplary system includes a wind driven doubly fed induction generator having a rotor and a stator, the stator providing AC power to a stator bus. The system further includes a power converter coupled to the rotor of the doubly fed induction generator, the power converter providing an output to a line bus, and a transformer coupled to the stator bus. The system further includes a solid-state switch coupled between the stator bus and the transformer.

A generator drive system for the generator (3) of an internal combustion engine (1), including a flexible drive having a traction mechanism (5) which is guided across a generator pulley (6) driving the generator (3). The generator (3) is configured and electrically wired such that the generator (3) can be temporarily driven as a motor, and the generator (3) is coupled to the generator pulley (6) or the crankshaft pulley (7) is coupled to the crankshaft (8) via an overrunning clutch (4) which allows the generator (3), when operated as a motor, running faster than the generator pulley (6) or, taking into consideration a gear ratio, the crankshaft (8).

A motor includes a frame, a shaft rotatably mounted onto the frame, and at least one disc mounted onto the shaft. At least one permanent magnet is mounted on the disc, and at least one electromagnet and at least one coil are mounted to the frame in rotational magnetic proximity to the permanent magnet. A battery is connectable to the electromagnet and the coil for energizing the electromagnet and for receiving electrical current from the coil for charging the battery. A relay switch controls the transmission of electrical power from the battery to the electromagnet. A sensor generates a signal to the relay switch to activate electrical power to the electromagnet upon sensing that the permanent magnet is positioned with respect to the electromagnet such that a magnetic force generated by the electromagnet would be effective for inducing movement of the permanent magnet and consequent rotation of the disc.

Systems and methods for reducing current imbalance between parallel bridge circuits used in a power converter of a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) system are provided. A control system can monitor the bridge current of each of the bridge circuits coupled in parallel and generate a feedback signal indicative of the difference in bridge current between the parallel bridge circuits. Command signals for controlling the bridge circuits can then be developed based on the feedback signal to reduce current imbalance between the bridge circuits. For instance, the pulse width modulation of switching devices (e.g. IGBTs) used in the bridge circuits can be modified to reduce current imbalance between the parallel bridge circuits.

A double fed induction generator (DFIG) converter method are presented in which rotor side current spikes are attenuated using series-connected damping resistance in response to grid fault occurrences or grid fault clearances.

The present invention has its application to a system for driving an electric and by one or more batteries powered vehicle along a roadway, comprising “a” one or more vehicles, which may be driven by an individual electric motor or motors and where in the respective vehicles exhibit a power-controlling control circuit for creating the necessary power and/or speed control and wherein required power i.a. can be provided primarily by a chargeable can be provided primarily by a chargeable battery set associated with the vehicle and “b” a plurality of road sections road portions divisible for the roadway, each being allotted one or more vehicle external electric stations for charging the battery set thereby and/or for supplying necessary power and energy for driving the vehicle. The underneath side of the mentioned vehicle is provided with a contact means displaceably positioned up and down and sideways, counted in the direction of transportation. Said roadway and its road sections or portions exhibits an elongated track or groove, each road section is supporting two rails in the groove and disposed under the driving path of the road section or portion. The rails being supplied with current and voltage. Said contact means is coordinated with a control equipment for creating simple adaptation of the contact means for registering the contact means for mechanical and electrical contact against said two rails.

The invention relates to a device for inductively transmitting electrical energy to displaceable consumers (F1-F13) that can be moved along a track, having a primary conductor arrangement (2) divided into route segments (3-7) that are electrically separated from each other, and extending along the track, wherein individual route segments (3-7) are each associated with at least one current source (3'-7') for imprinting a continuous current into each of the route segments (3-7), and to a corresponding method. The aim of the invention is to supply the displaceable consumers in an energy-saving manner with electric energy matched to demand, and to allow short reaction times when operating the device. This aim is achieved by providing the device with a means (11) for determining the total power of the displaceable consumers (F1-F13) present in each of the individual route segments (3-7) and with a means (11) for actuating the current sources (3'-7') for applying the electrical continuous current corresponding to the total power required for each route segment (3-7), or by determining, according to the method, the required total power of the displaceable consumers (F1-F13) present in each route segment and applying an electrical continuous current to each route segment (3-7) by means of the associated current source (3'-7'), said current corresponding to the total power required therein.

The invention relates to an arrangement for providing a vehicle, in particular a track bound vehicle, with electric energy, wherein the arrangement comprises a receiving device (200) adapted to receive an alternating electromagnetic field and to produce an alternating electric current by electromagnetic induction. The receiving device (200) comprises a plurality of windings and/or coils (9, 10, 11) of electrically conducting material, wherein each winding or coil (9, 10, 11) is adapted to produce a separate phase of the alternating electric current.

An electrically powered mining vehicle including a frame rollingly supported on a surface for movement over the surface. An electric motor is coupled to the frame for proving power to the vehicle. A cable is electrically coupled to the electric motor for supplying electricity thereto and a cable management system is coupled to the frame and arranged to receive and payout the cable as the vehicle moves over the surface. A sheave bracket is coupled to the frame and arranged to direct the cable into the cable management system and includes a lower plate arranged substantially horizontally, a plurality of vertical rollers that are coupled to the lower plate and are arranged to guide the cable into the cable management system, and a horizontal roller that is coupled to the lower plate and arranged to elevate the cable above the lower plate.

A vehicle-related system adapted for electrically driving a vehicle along a road-way. The vehicle has three sources of power: a vehicle-related power generator, a set of batteries and vehicle-external electric stations. The vehicle is provided with a current collector which is displaceable up and down and sideways in relation to the direction of transportation, in order to be brought into mechanical and electrical contact with elongated tracks positioned below the roadway and comprising a conductor adapted to be connected with an electric station. A circuit, determining instantaneous power content of the set of batteries, is adapted to connect the vehicle-external power source via a switch belonging to the electric station, in order to charge the set of batteries and/or to supply power to the vehicle motor via a control circuit, when the power content of the set of batteries is at a predetermined level of power, lying below a maximum power content, and a supply of power or voltage from the vehicle-external power source is available.

A snow plough arrangement comprising a least one snow plough unit and related to a system for driving an electrically propellable vehicle along a roadway. The vehicle has three sources of power: a vehicle-related power generator, a set of batteries and vehicle-external electric stations. The vehicle is provided with a current collector which is displaceable up and down and sideways in relation to the direction of transportation, in order to be brought into mechanical and electrical contact with elongated tracks positioned below the roadway and comprising a conductor adapted to be connected with an electric station. The snow plough unit is rotatably fastened to the contact means in an upper area thereof about a horizontally oriented axis of rotation and adapted to clear loose obstacles from the track and yield to solid obstacles. The snow plough unit and the axis of rotation are movably disposed in a vertical direction by means of a resilient member. The snow plough unit comprises a forwardly directed edge portion oriented in the direction of travel, the edge portion comprising a point, which may be brought into contact with the bottom of the track and/or the conductor.

An aerial cable car system including transportation operating equipment for passenger and/or freight transport, wherein electrical consumers are connected for operation thereof to a rechargeable electrical energy store of a transportation operating equipment by a respective power circuit. The transportation operating equipment includes an operating control device connected to measuring devices for dynamically capturing measurement values based on available quantity of energy in the energy store. The operating control device includes a storage module having at least one stored measurement control value and an associated control parameter. The operating control device includes a filter module comparing a captured measurement value to the at least one stored measurement control value and reading out corresponding stored control parameter, based on which power circuits can be selectively coupled or decoupled to the energy store by the operating control device. Electrical consumers in transportation operating equipment can be fed without interruption by the energy store, even during travel.

The invention relates to a current collector 1 for a device 2 that can be displaced with and against the driving direction F along a conductor line 5, comprising a current collector cart 8 for the guided displacement along a guide element 9 of the conductor line 5, and an energy transmission system. The invention solves the problem of providing a current collector and an energy transmission system, which enable an energy-conserving, contact-reliable and damage-free displacement of the current collector along a conductor line and a simple connection of the current collector to the conductor line, in that at least one first lever assembly 12L between the current collector cart 8 and displaceable device 2 is provided with a first drive lever arm 13L, the first end of which can be connected in a rotatable manner to the displaceable device 2 and the second end of which is connected in a rotatable manner to a second end of at least one first tension lever arm 14L, the first end thereof being connected in a rotatable manner to a current collector cart, wherein a first adjustment drive 15L is provided in order to be able to move the current collector cart 8 between a retracted position on the displaceable device 2 and an extended position away from the displaceable device 2, and wherein a first locking device 16; 18L; 15L is provided, in order to lock the first drive lever arm 13L when displacing the displaceable device 2 in the driving direction F in a predetermined extended position.

An arrangement of a rail for suspended conveyors or suspended cranes and a slip contact holder mounted thereon, wherein the rail comprises a profile body and a profile head connected thereto and disposed above the profile body, wherein the profile body is C-shaped in cross section, forms a hollow space for chassis, and has a slit open to the bottom, and the profile head comprises upper, substantially horizontal profile walls and the slip contact holder is disposed within the hollow space and attached to the upper profile walls. A plurality of punchouts are disposed in the upper profile walls, disposed in at least one row and at regular, repeated distances as seen in the longitudinal direction of the rail, and barb-like catch pawls are disposed on the slip contact bolder and engage with the punchouts in order to attach thereto.

Disclosed is a system for transferring electric energy to a vehicle, in particular to a track bound vehicle such as a light rail vehicle. The system includes an electric conductor arrangement for producing an alternating electromagnetic field and for thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle. The electric conductor arrangement includes at least one alternating current line. Each alternating current line carries one phase of an alternating electric current. The conductor arrangement includes a plurality of consecutive segments. The segments extend along the path of travel of the, vehicle. Each segment includes one section of each of the at least one alternating current line.

A pantograph assembly configured to transfer electrical power from an overhead conductor to a machine. The pantograph assembly includes a pantograph support detachably connected to the machine, an articulated assembly, a pan rail and a carbon brush. The pantograph support includes a first link, and a second link hingedly connected to the first link. The first link is connected to the pantograph support. The pan rail is supported by the second link of the articulated assembly. The carbon brush is supported by the pan rail along a longitudinal axis of the pan rail. The pantograph assembly further includes an end horn having a bridge portion connected to the carbon brush. The bridge portion is configured to transfer the overhead conductor between the end horn and the carbon brush.

The invention relates to a mining vehicle and method for its energy supply. The mining vehicle has a carriage, driving equipment for moving the carriage, and at least one mining work device. Further, the mining vehicle has at least one electric motor for operating a main function of the mining vehicle, and at least one electric motor for operating an auxiliary function of the mining vehicle. The mining vehicle further has a power-generating auxiliary unit. When necessary, the power-generating auxiliary unit supplies at least part of the power required by the electric motor operating the auxiliary function.

A system for transferring electric energy to a vehicle, wherein the system comprises an electric conductor arrangement for producing a magnetic field and for thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle, wherein the electric conductor arrangement comprises at least one current line, wherein each current line is adapted to carry the electric current which produces the magnetic field or is adapted to carry one of parallel electric currents which produce the magnetic field and wherein: the at least one current line extends at a first height level,the system comprises an electrically conductive shield for shielding the magnetic field, wherein the shield extends under the track and extends below the first height level, anda magnetic core extends along the track at a second height level and extends above the shield.

A vehicle control device 50, a controller 100, an inverter control device 30 and a steering control device 32 constitute a control device 200 which controls elevation of sliders 4Ra and 4La of power collectors 4R and 4L based on information detected by a trolley wire detecting device (camera) 15. The control device 200 calculates positional relationship between a slider and a trolley wire 3R/3L based on the information detected by the trolley wire detecting device. When the slider has deviated from a prescribed range for being in contact with the trolley wire, the control device executes control to prohibit an operation for elevating the sliders or to lower the sliders when the sliders have been elevated. With this configuration, an electrically driven dump truck capable of lightening the operating load on the driver during the trolley traveling is provided.

An arrangement for operating a rail vehicle includes a DC voltage intermediate circuit which is connected to an energy supply network, at least one traction inverter which is connected at its DC voltage side to the DC voltage intermediate circuit and at its AC voltage side which is connected one or more traction motors of the rail vehicle. An auxiliary system inverter is connected at its DC voltage side to the DC voltage intermediate circuit and is connected at its AC voltage side to a primary side of an auxiliary system transformer. Auxiliary systems are connected to a secondary side of the auxiliary system transformer via an auxiliary line. Electrical energy generated by an electrical energy supply unit is transferred via the auxiliary line, the auxiliary system transformer and the auxiliary system inverter into the DC voltage intermediate circuit for operation of the at least one traction motor.

A transport vehicle equipped with a current collector, includes: a vessel to load a load; a current collector that extends to receive electric power from an overhead line and contracts and retracts so as to be disposed away from the overhead line; and a vehicle body that rotationally drives driving wheels by at least one of the electric power from the current collector and a self-propelled driving source and on which the vessel is placed; a pantograph position detector that detects a relative position of the current collector and the overhead line; and a control device that controls a driving direction of the vehicle body or gives an instruction of information with which a direction in which the vehicle body is to be operated can be recognized, so that the relative position is brought to a position where the current collector and the overhead line are connected.

A system for transferring energy to a vehicle, in particular a track bound vehicle, such as a light rail vehicle, wherein the system includes an electric conductor arrangement adapted to produce an electromagnetic field which can be received by the vehicle thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle the system further includes electric and/or electronic devices which are adapted to operate the electric conductor arrangement. The devices produce heat while operating the conductor arrangement and—therefore—are to be cooled. A cooling arrangement of the system includes a structure having a cavity in which at least one of the devices to be cooled is located. The structure includes a cover limiting the cavity at the top, wherein the device(s) to be cooled is/are located at a distance to the cover. The structure is integrated in the ground at the path of travel of the vehicle in such a manner that the cover forms a part of the surface of the ground.

In a catenary-based transportation system which is provided with integrated power supply equipment having an electricity storage unit which stores electricity regenerated by vehicles traveling by electricity received from a catenary and supplies electricity to the catenary and the other power supply system which is a power supply system different from the electricity storage unit concerned, the performance of a rectifier of the other power supply system is determined based on a power-supplying contribution ratio γ of the other power supply system so that the cost value of the integrated power supply equipment becomes lower than a target cost value.

A condensing fuel-fired appliance has a condensate trap that includes a trap body; a float; a flue gas inlet port for the introduction of flue gas into the interior region of the trap body; a condensate outlet port for the discharge of condensate from the interior region; and a flue gas outlet port for the discharge of flue gas from the interior region of the trap body. The float is configured to move in response to condensate collected in the interior region of the trap body to a position to substantially block the discharge of flue gas from the interior region through the flue gas outlet port. The float is also configured to move to a position to substantially block the discharge of flue gas from the interior region through the condensate outlet port when there is little or no condensate in the interior region of the trap body.