A braking system for a vehicle includes an electric drive system associated with a first set of wheels. The electric drive system is configured to selectively provide electric motive power to the first set of wheels of the vehicle to propel the vehicle and electric retarding to slow the vehicle. The system further includes a friction brake system associated with a second set of wheels of the vehicle, and a controller for selectively actuating the electric drive system to operate in an electric retarding mode and for selectively actuating the friction brake system. The controller is configured to transfer retarding force from the first set of wheels to the second set of wheels, and/or to determine wheel speed signal accuracies, in either case to mitigate vehicle/wheel sliding or slipping.

A braking system for a vehicle includes an electric drive system associated with a first set of wheels. The electric drive system is configured to selectively provide electric motive power to the first set of wheels of the vehicle to propel the vehicle and electric retarding to slow the vehicle. The system further includes a friction brake system associated with a second set of wheels of the vehicle, and a controller for selectively actuating the electric drive system to operate in an electric retarding mode and for selectively actuating the friction brake system. The controller is configured to transfer retarding force from the first set of wheels to the second set of wheels, and/or to determine wheel speed signal accuracies, in either case to mitigate vehicle/wheel sliding or slipping.

An electrically driven motorcycle includes a drive energy store, an on-board electrical system, a motor, a braking device, and a control unit. A method to brake the motorcycle includes detecting currently required braking torque, current maximum charge power of the drive energy store, current maximum power loss that can be generated in the motor and/or on-board electrical system, currently required power loss resulting from a difference in current maximum charge power and maximum power recovery of the motor for the required braking torque, and an additional braking device braking torque resulting from a difference in required braking torque and motor braking torque resulting from the current maximum charge power and the current maximum power loss that can be applied, and controlling the motor and/or the on-board electrical system with reduced efficiency such that the required power loss is achieved, and actuating the braking device to apply the additional braking torque.

An electrically driven motorcycle includes a drive energy store, an on-board electrical system, a motor, a braking device, and a control unit. A method to brake the motorcycle includes detecting currently required braking torque, current maximum charge power of the drive energy store, current maximum power loss that can be generated in the motor and/or on-board electrical system, currently required power loss resulting from a difference in current maximum charge power and maximum power recovery of the motor for the required braking torque, and an additional braking device braking torque resulting from a difference in required braking torque and motor braking torque resulting from the current maximum charge power and the current maximum power loss that can be applied, and controlling the motor and/or the on-board electrical system with reduced efficiency such that the required power loss is achieved, and actuating the braking device to apply the additional braking torque.

Described herein are eddy current brakes and associated methods of their use, particularly configurations that have a kinematic relationship with at least two rotational degrees of freedom used to tune operation of the brake or apparatus in which the brake is located.

Described herein are eddy current brakes and associated methods of their use, particularly configurations that have a kinematic relationship with at least two rotational degrees of freedom used to tune operation of the brake or apparatus in which the brake is located.

A device for recovering energy from a rotating vehicle wheel, comprising: a hub assembly coupled to the wheel and having spaced apart and interlocked outer and inner discs between which a static magnetic field is created; and a stator coil disposed coaxial to the hub assembly and extending within the air gap between the outer and inner discs, the stator coil being fixed relative to the hub, wherein rotation of the hub generates an electrical current in the coil.

A wheel including a rim that rotates on a shaft defining a primary rotational axis and a magnetic braking device. The magnetic braking device includes an actuator which includes a first transmission assembly and one second transmission assembly each includes a pinion mounted on the support to pivot about a secondary rotational axis parallel to the primary axis, an operating bar extending about the secondary axis, a first mechanical connecting member connecting the operating bar to the pinion of the transmission assembly and a second mechanical connecting member connecting the operating bar to one of the stators, and the mechanical connecting members are arranged. The rotation of the pinions causes a movement of the stators parallel to the secondary axis in opposite directions, for varying the air gap, one or more of the mechanical connecting members of each transmission assembly being arranged to ensure a screw-nut helical connection.

A wheel including a rim that rotates on a shaft defining a primary rotational axis and a magnetic braking device. The magnetic braking device includes an actuator which includes a first transmission assembly and one second transmission assembly each includes a pinion mounted on the support to pivot about a secondary rotational axis parallel to the primary axis, an operating bar extending about the secondary axis, a first mechanical connecting member connecting the operating bar to the pinion of the transmission assembly and a second mechanical connecting member connecting the operating bar to one of the stators, and the mechanical connecting members are arranged. The rotation of the pinions causes a movement of the stators parallel to the secondary axis in opposite directions, for varying the air gap, one or more of the mechanical connecting members of each transmission assembly being arranged to ensure a screw-nut helical connection.

Systems and methods for energy storage and management may be useful for a variety of applications, including launch devices. A system can include a direct current (DC) bus configured to operate within a predetermined range of voltages. The system can also include an array comprising a plurality of ultra-capacitors connected to the DC bus and configured to supply the DC bus with energy. The system can further include an input configured to receive energy from a power grid, wherein the power grid is configured to supply fewer than 250 amps of power. The system can additionally include an output configured to supply more than 250 amps of power. The system can also include a controller configured to control charging and discharging of the array of ultra-capacitors and configured to control the DC bus to remain within the predetermined range of voltages.