The present disclosure relates to structures and associated systems for connecting a hub apparatus to a wheel. In some embodiments, the hub apparatus includes (1) a housing assembly having an outer radius; and (2) a mounting portion circumferentially provided on at least one side surface of the housing assembly. The mounting portion is formed with a plurality of coupling structures configured to couple the hub apparatus to a wheel rim. The mounting portion defines a first radius smaller than the outer radius.

Pulley-movement detection within an alternator or integrated starter/generator (ISG) for a vehicle is provided. The alternator or ISG includes a housing, a stator fixed within the housing, a rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator about an axis, and a shaft coupled to the rotor for rotation about the axis. The alternator or ISG also includes pulley coupled to the shaft at an interface, and configured to engage with a chain or belt to transfer movement between the shaft and the chain or belt. An electrical switch located at the interface is configured to be in a first state when the pulley is axially secured to the shaft, and a second state when the pulley is axially displaced away from the shaft. This can enable signals or warnings to be output in response to the electrical switch changing states, indicating an improper connection at the interface.

A method for monitoring remaining useful life (RUL) of an actuation system in a vehicle that includes receiving position data of the actuation system from a position sensor, maintaining a total distance traveled for the actuation system, and calculating the RUL of the actuation system. The calculating includes estimating force data using an output variable estimator, determining motor torque, weighing the estimated force data using a confidence level, predicting a total life of the actuation system based on the weighted force data, and comparing the predicted total life with the total distance traveled to determine the remaining useful life.

A method for monitoring remaining useful life (RUL) of an actuation system in a vehicle that includes receiving position data of the actuation system from a position sensor, maintaining a total distance traveled for the actuation system, and calculating the RUL of the actuation system. The calculating includes estimating force data using an output variable estimator, determining motor torque, weighing the estimated force data using a confidence level, predicting a total life of the actuation system based on the weighted force data, and comparing the predicted total life with the total distance traveled to determine the remaining useful life.

A human power conversion system incorporates two or more electric machines to aid in the powering of a vehicle through energy conversion. A first electric machine is coupled with the human powered input and acts as a generator when a human power input is not sufficient to produce electrical power that is provided to a second electric machine that propels the vehicle. The vehicle may be a bicycle and the first electric machine may be coupled to the crank. A bi-coupled electric machine including the first and second electric machines with a common rotor or stator may be employed and coupled to the crank and/or the driven wheel. Power produced by the first electric machine may be provided directly to the second machine or may be stored in a battery and used to propel the vehicle or power other electronic components.

A human power conversion system incorporates two or more electric machines to aid in the powering of a vehicle through energy conversion. A first electric machine is coupled with the human powered input and acts as a generator when a human power input is not sufficient to produce electrical power that is provided to a second electric machine that propels the vehicle. The vehicle may be a bicycle and the first electric machine may be coupled to the crank. A bi-coupled electric machine including the first and second electric machines with a common rotor or stator may be employed and coupled to the crank and/or the driven wheel. Power produced by the first electric machine may be provided directly to the second machine or may be stored in a battery and used to propel the vehicle or power other electronic components.

A power-source connector is situated at or in the vicinity of the radial-direction middle portion of a housing and is fixed to the housing, and a first connection portion and a second connection portion for connecting the winding terminal of an armature winding with a control circuit unit are substantially symmetrically arranged at positions corresponding to the radial-direction peripheral portions of the power-source connector.

An electrical submersible well pump assembly has a SAW (surface acoustic wave) sensor on a motor shaft. A SAW electronic circuit mounts to the motor housing. The SAW electronic circuit has an antenna closely spaced to the SAW sensor for monitoring torque on the motor shaft. A controller at an upper end of the well supplies power to the motor. A motor gauge unit mounted to a lower end of the motor transmits signals to the controller. A signal line extends from the SAW electronic circuit to the motor gauge unit for transmitting signals from the SAW electronic circuit to the motor gauge unit, and from the motor gauge unit to the controller.

An electrical submersible well pump assembly has a SAW (surface acoustic wave) sensor on a motor shaft. A SAW electronic circuit mounts to the motor housing. The SAW electronic circuit has an antenna closely spaced to the SAW sensor for monitoring torque on the motor shaft. A controller at an upper end of the well supplies power to the motor. A motor gauge unit mounted to a lower end of the motor transmits signals to the controller. A signal line extends from the SAW electronic circuit to the motor gauge unit for transmitting signals from the SAW electronic circuit to the motor gauge unit, and from the motor gauge unit to the controller.

Pulley-movement detection within an alternator or integrated starter/generator (ISG) for a vehicle is provided. The alternator or ISG includes a housing, a stator fixed within the housing, a rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator about an axis, and a shaft coupled to the rotor for rotation about the axis. The alternator or ISG also includes pulley coupled to the shaft at an interface, and configured to engage with a chain or belt to transfer movement between the shaft and the chain or belt. An electrical switch located at the interface is configured to be in a first state when the pulley is axially secured to the shaft, and a second state when the pulley is axially displaced away from the shaft. This can enable signals or warnings to be output in response to the electrical switch changing states, indicating an improper connection at the interface.