A control device for an inverter has a DC voltage input and a power unit with three half-bridges each formed by two power switching elements, the control device being arranged to driving the power switching elements in a normal operating mode for converting a DC voltage applied to the DC voltage input into a polyphase AC current provided at an AC current output. The control device is adapted to evaluate a signal state of a signal indicating a disconnection of a DC voltage source from the DC voltage input and to control the power switching elements in dependence on a result of the evaluation for alternately adopting a first switching pattern causing DC braking and a second switching pattern causing freewheeling.

A powertrain system for a vehicle is described. The powertrain system includes a first energy storage unit, a second energy storage unit, and an electronic control unit coupled to the first energy storage unit and the second energy storage unit. The first energy storage unit is configured to provide power to drive a first set of wheels of the vehicle. The second energy storage unit is configured to provide power to drive a second set of wheels of the vehicle different from the first set of wheels. The first and second energy storage units have different energy storage and/or energy discharge characteristics. The electronic control unit is programmed to control a charge and/or a discharge operation of the first energy storage unit and the second energy storage unit. The powertrain system is capable of implementing control strategies for optimizing energy and power to meet various driving demands of the vehicle.

A powertrain system for a vehicle is described. The powertrain system includes a first energy storage unit, a second energy storage unit, and an electronic control unit coupled to the first energy storage unit and the second energy storage unit. The first energy storage unit is configured to provide power to drive a first set of wheels of the vehicle. The second energy storage unit is configured to provide power to drive a second set of wheels of the vehicle different from the first set of wheels. The first and second energy storage units have different energy storage and/or energy discharge characteristics. The electronic control unit is programmed to control a charge and/or a discharge operation of the first energy storage unit and the second energy storage unit. The powertrain system is capable of implementing control strategies for optimizing energy and power to meet various driving demands of the vehicle.

There is provided an electric vehicle, wherein the electric vehicle comprises a powertrain, the powertrain comprising: a plurality of energy sources, wherein the plurality of energy sources comprises a fuel cell sub-system; an energy storage means; and a control system for a vehicle, the control system being configured to actively monitor, control and optimise power supply between the plurality of energy sources and power demand and distribution between propulsion power and ancillary power within the vehicle. More specifically a controller and related control system for the energy balancing of the vehicle taking into consideration such factors as fuel usage, power management between the various power generating and storage sub-systems, regenerative braking, terrain topology, weather and other environmental conditions, operation of vehicle peripherals and parasitic power demands in addition to cargo management and environmental needs and driver comfort and safety, as well as vehicle fleet management.

There is provided a fleet management system for ensuring the optimum efficiency and the most cost-effective operation of one or more zero-emission vehicles, wherein each of the one or more zero-emission vehicles comprises a control system configured to monitor, collate and control each vehicle's operational data in order to actively monitor, control and optimise the management of the powertrain of the vehicle; the fleet management system comprising: a communications system, the communications system configured to send and receive vehicle operational data to and from a vehicle; a fleet operations controller configured to provide one or more of the following operations to a fleet controller in use: provide an increase in efficiency of the vehicle powertrain; provide an increase in durability of the vehicle powertrain; and provide a decrease in the overall cost of operation of the vehicle. More specifically a controller and related control system for the energy balancing of the vehicle taking into consideration such factors as fuel usage, power management between the various power generating and storage sub-systems, regenerative braking, terrain topology, weather and other environmental conditions, operation of vehicle peripherals and parasitic power demands in addition to cargo management and environmental needs and driver comfort and safety, as well as vehicle fleet management.

There is provided a control system for a vehicle comprising a powertrain comprising a plurality of energy sources, the plurality of energy sources comprising a battery, the control system being configured to actively monitor, control and optimise power recapture from regenerative-braking in the vehicle. More specifically a controller and related control system for the energy balancing of the vehicle taking into consideration such factors as fuel usage, power management between the various power generating and storage sub-systems, regenerative braking, terrain topology, weather and other environmental conditions, operation of vehicle peripherals and parasitic power demands in addition to cargo management and environmental needs and driver comfort and safety, as well as vehicle fleet management.

There is provided a control system for a vehicle comprising a powertrain comprising a plurality of energy sources, the plurality of energy sources comprising a battery, the control system being configured to actively monitor, control and optimise power recapture from regenerative-braking in the vehicle. More specifically a controller and related control system for the energy balancing of the vehicle taking into consideration such factors as fuel usage, power management between the various power generating and storage sub-systems, regenerative braking, terrain topology, weather and other environmental conditions, operation of vehicle peripherals and parasitic power demands in addition to cargo management and environmental needs and driver comfort and safety, as well as vehicle fleet management.

A vehicle power supply includes an electric accumulator pack, an electric motor, first and second switches, an output determiner, and a switch controller. The electric accumulator pack includes first and second electric accumulators. The first and second switches are controlled between on- and off-states. The output determiner determines whether the first electric accumulator is in a first output state or a second output state, and whether the second electric accumulator is in the first output state or the second output state. If at least one of the first electric accumulator or the second electric accumulator is in the first output state, the switch controller controls either one of the first and second switches to the on-state, and the other switch to the off-state. If both the first and second electric accumulators are in the second output state, the switch controller controls both the first and second switches to the on-state.

A power supply system includes power circuit which connects first and second batteries with a drive motor, and a management ECU which controls transfer of power between the batteries and the drive motor. The management ECU limits the output power of the second battery to no more than a second output upper limit, during combined output travel which drives the drive motor by way of the combined output of the first and second batteries. In addition, the management ECU sets the second output upper limit to a second maximum output of the second battery in the case of the first SOC of the first batter being greater than a remaining amount warning threshold, and sets the second output upper limit to a range extending upper limit which is smaller than the second maximum output, in the case of the first SOC being less than the remaining amount warning threshold.

An automotive battery module having dual voltage is disclosed, including a housing and a plurality of battery cells connected to form battery cell blocks disposed in the housing. A battery control unit is provided disposed in the housing and is configured to control operation of a battery system. The battery system includes at least one switching device operably connected to a first battery cell block in a first connection arrangement. The first battery cell block is configured to deliver a first voltage. The switching device is also operably connected to a second battery cell block in a second connection arrangement. The second battery cell block is configured to deliver a second voltage. A plurality of terminals are provided on the housing and electrically coupled to the battery control unit and plurality of battery cells, providing an external electrical connection to deliver the first voltage and the second voltage.