A stop/start hybrid vehicle includes an engine configured for stopping and restarting during travel, a multiple-ratio transmission, a brake pedal, and an electronic parking brake. The transmission can be shifted into reverse gear either when the brake pedal is applied or unapplied. At least one controller is programmed to control the vehicle under these scenarios. If the engine is off and the brake pedal is applied when the transmission is shifted into reverse, the controller restarts the engine. If the engine is off and the brake pedal is unapplied when the transmission is shifted into reverse, the controller inhibits the engine from restarting until the brake pedal is applied. The controller can also be programmed to apply the electronic parking brake while the brake pedal remains unapplied after a predetermined time from the transmission being shifted into the reverse gear.

A power system for a locomotive. The power system includes an alternator, a first inverter system, a traction motor, a second inverter system and an auxiliary power unit. The first inverter system is coupled to the alternator and receives high voltage power from the alternator. The traction motor is coupled to the first inverter system receives high voltage power from the first inverter system. The second inverter system is also coupled to the alternator. The second inverter system steps down the high voltage power from the alternator. The auxiliary power unit is coupled to the second inverter system and receives the stepped down voltage power from the second inverter system.

A method of starting an aircraft having at least a first starter/generator (S/G) and a second S/G using at least one inverter/converter and at least one of an AC power source and a first DC power source, the method includes selectively starting at least one of the first S/G or second S/G in an AC start mode and in a DC start mode.

The electrical supply system according to the invention is of the type comprising, on the one hand, an electrical power network having a first voltage electrically connecting first items of equipment comprising an electrical motor/generator, an inverter/rectifier and a first electrical energy store, and, on the other hand, an electrical service network having a second voltage that is less than the first voltage electrically connecting second items of equipment comprising a second electrical energy store, an electronic control unit controlling the energy transfers between the power network and the service network by means of at least one reversible DC/DC converter. The electronic unit comprises a first electronic module supplied by the power network exchanging information with the first items of equipment, and a second electronic module supplied by the service network exchanging information with the second items of equipment and electrically insulated from the first module.

A method for operating a vehicle that includes a DC/DC converter is described. In one example, the method includes adjusting an output voltage of the DC/DC converter after the DC/DC converter is used to crank an engine. The output voltage of the DC/DC converter may be adjusted responsive to a state of charge of an ultra-capacitor.

A self-contained, stand-alone power generator system comprising: an electric motor for applying torque to a shaft of a rotating mass, wherein the electric motor is powered by a dedicated power source; a battery for supplying additional power to the electric motor upon start up; at least one of a torque converter and a starter motor, for overcoming resting inertia of the rotating mass; a generator head coupled to the rotating mass, wherein the power generator is constructed such that when the generator head reaches operational speed, the generator head provides the additional power to the electric motor and recharges the battery.

A method of starting an integrated starter generator drives a starter generator without using a rotor position sensor to start an engine. The method includes the following steps of: (a) applying a first drive current with a first frequency and a first amplitude to drive the starter generator to reversely rotate in a speed open-loop control mode, and acquiring a first load information according to a drive voltage and the first drive current of the starter generator, (b) confirming whether the first load information meets a heavy load condition, (c) stopping reversely rotating the starter generator when the first load information meets the heavy load condition, and (d) forwardly rotating the starter generator to drive the engine to start.

An electrical energy recovery, storage, and distribution system that may be used in a vehicle. The system may include a supercapacitor configured to quickly store large amounts of energy. The system may also include multiple circuits operating at different voltage levels, such that an output voltage from the supercapacitor is useful over a larger voltage range and the system is more energy efficient.

A system for discharging or charging a capacitor of a hybrid vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a target state of charge (SOC) module and a capacitor charge/discharge module. The target SOC module determines a target state of charge of the capacitor based on a speed of the vehicle. The capacitor charge/discharge module determines whether a state of charge of a capacitor is greater than a target state of charge. The capacitor charge/discharge module dissipates power from the capacitor to at least one of a battery of the vehicle and an electrical load of the vehicle when the state of charge of the capacitor is greater than the target state of charge.

A method and system for operating a vehicle that includes feedback of operating status of an engine starting system is described. In one example, the method inhibits automatic engine pull-down in response to feedback from an engine starting system that does not meet expectations. The system and method may provide diagnostics for the engine starting system.