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 control apparatus for a vehicle includes an offset torque calculator configured to perform calculation of offset torque to be applied to at least one wheel of the vehicle. The offset torque is required to stop the vehicle on a sloping road having a predetermined gradient. The control apparatus includes a motor controller configured to, for stopping the vehicle on the sloping road having the predetermined gradient, perform control of causing output torque of the motor-generator to asymptotically approach the offset torque.

A controller for a motor system includes an input terminal to receive a signal indicating a speed of an electric motor and a regenerative brake current interpolator to indicate a brake current to be applied to the electric motor responsive to the speed of the electric motor. Values of the brake current vary with variation of the speed of the electric motor.

A vehicle drive system includes a battery, at least one drive motor, inverter circuits, a step-up circuit, and a switch. The inverter circuits are configured to drive the at least one drive motor. The step-up circuit is connected between the battery and the inverter circuits. The switch is configured to switch a connection state of the inverter circuits to the step-up circuit between series connection and parallel connection.

A vehicle drive system includes a battery, at least one drive motor, inverter circuits, a step-up circuit, and a switch. The inverter circuits are configured to drive the at least one drive motor. The step-up circuit is connected between the battery and the inverter circuits. The switch is configured to switch a connection state of the inverter circuits to the step-up circuit between series connection and parallel connection.

Described herein relates to a system of and method for recovering energy and providing power in a multi-source transmission assembly, in which the transmission assembly includes secondary power sources in combination with a primary power source, where the secondary power sources are in reverse rotation with respect to the primary power source, such that energy is recovered during deceleration or the secondary power sources power the vehicle as needed. During the translation of a vehicle employing the transmission assembly, at least one motor may function, as needed, to propel the vehicle forward. During times in which the vehicle may not positively accelerating, at least one of the motors may switch to a generator mode to generate energy to be stored in a vehicle battery. As such, at least one of the motor power sources may recover an amount of energy expended by the vehicle during acceleration.

An electrified vehicle includes a motor connected to wheels and configured to perform regenerative braking at the wheels, a battery configured to store regenerative electric power output by the motor through the regenerative braking, and a controller configured to control the regenerative braking such that a braking torque applied to the wheels is less than or equal to a maximum braking torque and the regenerative electric power output by the motor is lower than or equal to a maximum regenerative electric power. The controller is configured to be able to change the maximum regenerative electric power and, when the controller has changed the maximum regenerative electric power, change the maximum braking torque.

This disclosure details cooling systems for cooling electric components, such as electric machines, within electrified vehicles. Exemplary cooling systems may include a spray bar positioned relative to a rear face of a stator of the electric machine. In some embodiments, the spray bar may be positioned axially between the rear face of the stator and a torque converter housing. One or more nozzles of the spray bar are configured to direct a coolant between adjacent back irons of the stator, onto end windings of the stator, or both. Actively cooling the stator allows the electric machine to operate at higher torques and speeds, thereby increasing performance.

A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a battery charged with electric power generated by the engine, and a motor as a drive source and having multiple running modes that can be selected through a mode operation. As the running mode, the method for controlling a hybrid vehicle includes a normal mode configured to perform charging of the battery according to a running state; and a charge mode configured to electric power generation by the engine according to a mode operation, the method comprising setting an upper limit of charging electric power based on the generated electric power in the charge mode to be lower than an upper limit of charging electric power based on the generated electric power in the normal mode.