A multiply-redundant system that prevents a driver from starting and/or moving a vehicle if a compressed natural gas fill system is not correctly and completely disconnected from the vehicle. One or more sensors in combination with one or more optional microswitches combine to lock-out the vehicle's ignition or otherwise prevent it from starting and/or moving. For different levels of safety, different combinations of sensors can be used with the lowest level having a single proximity sensor sensing the presence or absence of a high-pressure fill hose. The highest level of safety being achieved by having separate proximity sensors on the fuel fill hose fitting, the gas cap cover and a manual safety valve along with a redundant microswitch. An optional override that may be restricted as to the number of times it can be used can allow starting with a faulty sensor in order to allow maintenance.

A power supply system for a vehicle includes: a high-voltage battery; a first power supply arrangement; a second power supply arrangement; and a third power supply arrangement, wherein the first power supply arrangement is connected to a first load including at least an autonomous driving system and includes a first DC-DC converter, a first battery, and a connection control unit, the connection control unit being configured to control a connection state between the first DC-DC converter and the autonomous driving system and a connection state between the first battery and the autonomous driving system.

A motor vehicle having a vehicle body an electrical traction machine, and at least one electrical energy accumulator designed as a traction battery for temporarily storing electrical energy for operating the traction machine. The vehicle body and/or a battery housing of the traction battery is/are provided at least in some regions within intumescent fire protection coating.

A fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank and a fuel pump module. The module supports a fuel pump that delivers fuel to an engine of a vehicle, and includes a module housing that provides a cavity that receives the fuel pump, a reservoir that is actively filled with excess fuel discharged from a fuel pressure regulator, and a fuel return passageway that directs excess fuel discharged from the pressure regulator to the reservoir. When the fuel tank assembly is inverted, as may occur when the vehicle is operating under certain dynamic conditions, the discharged fuel is retained within the reservoir, and is supplied to the fuel pump inlet via a wicking filter that extends between the reservoir and the fuel pump inlet. As a result, engine stall due to lack of fuel during certain dynamic conditions can be delayed or avoided.

A method for reactivation of an electrical system of a vehicle comprising a first electrical system operating at a first lower voltage and a second electrical system operating at a second higher voltage, comprising: detecting a fault or a crash situation in the second electrical system; disconnecting a power source of the second electrical system; determining the fault of the second electrical system is no longer present or that the crash situation is resolved; reconnecting the power source to the second electrical system and increasing the voltage of the second electrical system from zero to an intermediate voltage lower than the second voltage; and if a detected current in the second electrical system is higher than a current threshold value; or if a detected voltage of the first electrical system is higher than a voltage threshold value; reducing the voltage of the second electrical system to zero.

A fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank and a fuel pump module. The module supports a fuel pump that delivers fuel to an engine of a vehicle, and includes a module housing that provides a cavity that receives the fuel pump, a reservoir that is actively filled with excess fuel discharged from a fuel pressure regulator, and a fuel return passageway that directs excess fuel discharged from the pressure regulator to the reservoir. When the fuel tank assembly is inverted, as may occur when the vehicle is operating under certain dynamic conditions, the discharged fuel is retained within the reservoir, and is supplied to the fuel pump inlet via a wicking filter that extends between the reservoir and the fuel pump inlet. As a result, engine stall due to lack of fuel during certain dynamic conditions can be delayed or avoided.

A latch and fail-safe mechanism suitable for use with an industrial cart, dolly, trailer or other types mobile platforms or carriers. According to an embodiment, the latch comprises a housing or enclosure, a latch mechanism, a hitch hook and a fail-safe mechanism. The housing includes a back-plate configured to attach the latch to amounting bracket or frame plate on the cart. The latch mechanism is operatively coupled to the hitch hook and configured to bias the hitch hook in a closed or engaging position. The fail-safe mechanism is operatively coupled to the hitch hook and configured to bias and maintain the hitch hook in the closed position in the event of failure of the latch mechanism.

A power supply system for a vehicle includes: a high-voltage battery; a first power supply arrangement; a second power supply arrangement; and a third power supply arrangement, wherein the first power supply arrangement is connected to a first load including at least an autonomous driving system and includes a first DC-DC converter, a first battery, and a connection control unit, the connection control unit being configured to control a connection state between the first DC-DC convener and the autonomous driving system and a connection state between the first battery and the autonomous driving system.

An electric motor includes a stator and a rotor movably disposed within the stator to define a gap therebetween. A central shaft extends outwardly from the rotor, and a bearing element is disposed in supporting relationship with the central shaft for providing bearing support of the rotor within the stator. A lubricant is disposed in the gap for providing additional or auxiliary lubricant support of the rotor within the stator. In an alternative arrangement, the central shaft is operably connected with a drive assembly, which is operably connected with a wheel hub assembly. In this arrangement, the bearing element is disposed in supporting relationship with the wheel hub assembly. In either arrangement, the wheel end electric motor includes both lubricant support as well as bearing support for optimizing performance of the electric motor in shock load environments.

A vehicle includes an electric motor and an engine selectively coupled to the electric motor. The vehicle has an electric motor controller configured to, in response to (i) an absence of receiving a motor command signal within a predetermined time, (ii) a battery voltage being below a first threshold and (iii) a motor speed exceeding a second threshold, restrict operation of the electric motor to a limited operating mode and control the electric motor to generate a charging torque for a battery.