A system comprising resistive circuit legs coupled with and disposed between (a) a converter that converts electric current for a motor of a powered system and (b) a source of electric current for powering the motor, each of the circuit legs including a braking resistor coupled with the converter, a contactor coupled with the braking resistor such that the braking resistor is between the converter and the contactor, and a semiconductor switch coupled with the contactor such that the contactor is between the semiconductor switch and the braking resistor, where, during a regenerative braking mode of operation of the powered system, the regenerated energy from the motor is conducted to the braking resistor and dissipated as heat.

A system comprising resistive circuit legs coupled with and disposed between (a) a converter that converts electric current for a motor of a powered system and (b) a source of electric current for powering the motor, each of the circuit legs including a braking resistor coupled with the converter, a contactor coupled with the braking resistor such that the braking resistor is between the converter and the contactor, and a semiconductor switch coupled with the contactor such that the contactor is between the semiconductor switch and the braking resistor, where, during a regenerative braking mode of operation of the powered system, the regenerated energy from the motor is conducted to the braking resistor and dissipated as heat.

A regenerative braking control system for a motor-driven vehicle is configured to provide a continuous assistant braking force by continuous reverse torque of an electric motor by enabling surplus electrical energy produced by an electric motor to be easily converted into thermal energy in generative braking, using both of a brake resistor and a heater to convert electrical energy into thermal energy, and being able to obtain an interior heating effect by using thermal energy converted by the brake resistor and the heater as heat source for interior heating without discharging the thermal energy to the outside.

A regenerative braking control system for a motor-driven vehicle is configured to provide a continuous assistant braking force by continuous reverse torque of an electric motor by enabling surplus electrical energy produced by an electric motor to be easily converted into thermal energy in generative braking, using both of a brake resistor and a heater to convert electrical energy into thermal energy, and being able to obtain an interior heating effect by using thermal energy converted by the brake resistor and the heater as heat source for interior heating without discharging the thermal energy to the outside.

A vehicle braking system includes one or more traction motors and an electrical device configured to be electrically coupled with the one or more traction motors. The one or more traction motors are configured to propel a vehicle and to generate electric power during rollback of the vehicle down a grade. The electrical device is configured to consume the electric power generated from the rollback of the vehicle by performing work with the electric power during the rollback of the vehicle.

Systems, methods, and vehicles for closed-loop control of regenerative braking. The system includes, in one implementation, a regenerative braking subsystem and a vehicle controller. The vehicle controller is configured to command the regenerative braking subsystem to apply a first amount of regenerative braking torque. The vehicle controller is also configured to determine a current vehicle deceleration while the first amount of regenerative braking torque is applied. The vehicle controller is further configured to determine a difference between the current vehicle deceleration and a target vehicle deceleration. The vehicle controller is also configured to set a second amount of regenerative braking torque to reduce the difference between the current vehicle deceleration and the target vehicle deceleration. The vehicle controller is further configured to command the regenerative braking subsystem to apply the second amount of regenerative braking torque.

Provided are embodiments for a braking system, where the system includes a controller, a motor coupled to an H-bridge network, a DC link coupled to the motor, and an electrical braking system electrically coupled to the motor. The electrical braking system includes a sense circuit configured to sense a condition of the DC link, a brake resistor coupled to the DC link, a drive circuit coupled to the sense circuit, and a transformer for regeneration. Also, provided are embodiments of a method for operating an efficient regenerative resonance electrical braking system.

Provided are embodiments for a braking system, where the system includes a controller, a motor coupled to an H-bridge network, a DC link coupled to the motor, and an electrical braking system electrically coupled to the motor. The electrical braking system includes a sense circuit configured to sense a condition of the DC link, a brake resistor coupled to the DC link, a drive circuit coupled to the sense circuit, and a transformer for regeneration. Also, provided are embodiments of a method for operating an efficient regenerative resonance electrical braking system.

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To allow easy and convenient access to empty portable electrical energy storage device compartments within the vehicles, if the vehicle comes within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device such as a key fob or other wireless device of a user, an empty portable electrical energy storage device compartment that is closed or locked, is unlocked, unlatched or opened automatically. Also, if the portable electrical energy storage device compartment is in another desired state to have the compartment unlocked, such as having a portable electrical energy storage device in the compartment that has a charge level below a particular threshold, the compartment will likewise be unlocked, unlatched or opened automatically.

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To allow easy and convenient access to empty portable electrical energy storage device compartments within the vehicles, if the vehicle comes within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device such as a key fob or other wireless device of a user, an empty portable electrical energy storage device compartment that is closed or locked, is unlocked, unlatched or opened automatically. Also, if the portable electrical energy storage device compartment is in another desired state to have the compartment unlocked, such as having a portable electrical energy storage device in the compartment that has a charge level below a particular threshold, the compartment will likewise be unlocked, unlatched or opened automatically.