A system and method are provided for hybrid electric internal combustion engine applications in which a motor-generator, a switchable coupling and a torque transfer unit are arranged co-axially-arranged with the front end of the engine crankshaft in the constrained environment in front of an engine in applications such as commercial vehicles, off-road vehicles and stationary engine installations. The motor-generator is preferably laterally offset from the switchable coupling. The switchable coupling is an integrated unit in which a crankshaft vibration damper, an engine accessory drive pulley and a clutch overlap with an axial depth nearly the same as a conventional belt drive pulley and engine damper. The system includes an electrical energy store that receives energy generated by the motor-generator when the coupling is engaged. When the coupling is disengaged, the motor-generator may drive the pulley portion of the clutch-pulley-damper to drive engine accessories using energy returned from the energy store.

A system and method are provided for hybrid electric internal combustion engine applications in which a motor-generator, a switchable coupling and a torque transfer unit are arranged co-axially-arranged with the front end of the engine crankshaft in the constrained environment in front of an engine in applications such as commercial vehicles, off-road vehicles and stationary engine installations. The motor-generator is preferably laterally offset from the switchable coupling. The switchable coupling is an integrated unit in which a crankshaft vibration damper, an engine accessory drive pulley and a clutch overlap with an axial depth nearly the same as a conventional belt drive pulley and engine damper. The system includes an electrical energy store that receives energy generated by the motor-generator when the coupling is engaged. When the coupling is disengaged, the motor-generator may drive the pulley portion of the clutch-pulley-damper to drive engine accessories using energy returned from the energy store.

An energy transportation and grid support system utilizes at least one transportable containment module capable of storing thermal or chemical energy typically produced from renewable or geothermal sources and providing connectivity with energy conversion equipment typically located in a land or sea-based operating facility. The system includes circuitry to hookup to an adjacent electricity grid for the provision of grid support and/or piping to move thermal energy typically used to drive steam turbines generating electricity. The operating facility also includes a communication arrangement to link with and exchange operations control data with a grid or heating operator and the energy transportation operator. The invention is directed to both apparatus and method for the energy transportation and grid support system.

An energy transportation and grid support system utilizes at least one transportable containment module capable of storing thermal or chemical energy typically produced from renewable or geothermal sources and providing connectivity with energy conversion equipment typically located in a land or sea-based operating facility. The system includes circuitry to hookup to an adjacent electricity grid for the provision of grid support and/or piping to move thermal energy typically used to drive steam turbines generating electricity. The operating facility also includes a communication arrangement to link with and exchange operations control data with a grid or heating operator and the energy transportation operator. The invention is directed to both apparatus and method for the energy transportation and grid support system.

A brake-generator system and associated method including: a rotor secured to a vehicle wheel, the rotor including a housing cylinder and a plurality of magnets affixed to an inner surface of the housing cylinder, where the plurality of magnets are radially arranged with alternating polarity; and a stator fixed to a vehicle wheel axle, the stator including a plurality of steel laminations and a plurality of conductor blocks, each conductor block of the plurality of conductor blocks being disposed in a slot formed in a steel lamination of the plurality of steel laminations; where the plurality of conductor blocks include a plurality of windings for carrying selectively-applied electrical current, such that with the rotor disposed around the stator and current being applied to the plurality of windings, a braking of the vehicle wheel results.

A wheel module arranged to generate torque to accelerate and to decelerate a heavy-duty vehicle. The wheel module comprises at least one electric machine arranged for regenerative braking, an eddy current braking device, and an electronic control unit, ECU. The wheel module further comprises a communications port arranged for communication with an external control unit and a power distribution network arranged to connect the electric machine to the eddy current braking device and to a power port arranged to input and to output electrical power to and from the wheel module. The ECU is arranged to obtain configuration data via the communications port indicative of a maximum output power of the power port, and to control the power distribution network to maintain the output power of the power port below the maximum output power by distributing power from the at least one electric machine between the eddy current braking device and the power port.

A computer-implemented method of controlling future braking capacity of a vehicle travelling along a road, the vehicle having onboard batteries that are configured to absorb energy from regenerative braking. The method comprises acquiring prediction data indicative of how much braking capacity will be needed for the vehicle in an upcoming downhill slope in which a regenerative braking event is anticipated; controlling, based on the acquired prediction data, the application of resistor brakes of the vehicle before said upcoming downhill slope, thereby increasing the propulsion power needed to propel the vehicle at maintained speed, and controlling a traction motor of the vehicle so that the vehicle is propelled at maintained speed while the resistor brakes are applied, thereby reducing the state of charge (SOC) of the onboard batteries and enabling the onboard batteries to subsequently absorb energy from said anticipated regenerative braking event.

A control system includes a current sensor and one or more processors. The current sensor is configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle and to monitor a measured current conducted into a resistor leg of the vehicle. The resistor leg has a braking chopper and one or more resistive elements, and is connected with a traction bus of the vehicle. The one or more processors are configured to receive the measured current from the current sensor and, in response to the measured current differing from an expected current through the resistor leg, the one or more processors are configured to generate a control signal configured to one or more of increase an engine speed of an engine of the vehicle, increase cooling to the one or more resistive elements of the resistor leg, restrict movement of the vehicle, or schedule maintenance for the resistor leg.

A control system includes a current sensor and one or more processors. The current sensor is configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle and to monitor a measured current conducted into a resistor leg of the vehicle. The resistor leg has a braking chopper and one or more resistive elements, and is connected with a traction bus of the vehicle. The one or more processors are configured to receive the measured current from the current sensor and, in response to the measured current differing from an expected current through the resistor leg, the one or more processors are configured to generate a control signal configured to one or more of increase an engine speed of an engine of the vehicle, increase cooling to the one or more resistive elements of the resistor leg, restrict movement of the vehicle, or schedule maintenance for the resistor leg.

A collection, charging and distribution machine collects, charges and distributes portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, super- or ultracapacitors). To charge, the machine employs electrical current from an external source, such as the electrical grid or an electrical service of an installation location. The machine determines a first number of devices to be rapidly charged, employing charge from a second number of devices identified to sacrifice charge. Thus, some devices may be concurrently charged via current from the electrical service and current from other devices, to achieve rapid charging of some subset of devices. The devices that sacrifice charge may later be charged. Such may ensure availability of devices for end users.