An electrically driven, movable underground vehicle and a method for operating the same, includes a chassis with at least two driven drive wheels, an electrical trailing cable for connection to an electrical supply network, an electric drive motor, which is electrically connected to the trailing cable, for driving the drive wheels, and an energy storage unit. The vehicle further includes an auxiliary drive motor with a subsequent hydraulic fluid transmission, a switchgear assembly and a processor for controlling the supply of the electric drive motor and the electric auxiliary drive motor with electrical energy. The drive motor directly drives the drive wheels while bypassing the hydraulic fluid transmission. Also, the energy provided by the energy storage unit is sufficient for driving the drive wheels and for temporarily moving the load-haul-dump machine independently of the supply network.

This disclosure details exemplary traction battery pack venting systems for use in electrified vehicles. An exemplary traction battery pack system may include a venting system having one or more vent ducts for expelling battery vent byproducts from a battery pack. The vent ducts may include a thermal barrier configured to block heat emitted by the battery vent byproducts during cell venting events. In some embodiments, the thermal barrier includes a thermal barrier coating. In other embodiments, the thermal barrier includes both a thermal barrier coating and a thermal barrier layer. In still other embodiments, a second thermal barrier may be applied to vehicle components located near the battery pack for improving the thermal barrier properties.

The control apparatus includes a heater configured to generate heat to heat the internal combustion engine, a controller configured to control a heat exchange system in such a way as to transfer EV exhaust heat to the internal combustion engine, and an controller configured to let electrical power be supplied from a battery to the heater before the internal combustion engine is started if it is predicted that a specific warmed-up condition of the internal combustion engine will not be established before the start of the internal combustion engine and not to let electrical power be supplied from a battery to the heating if it is predicted that a specific warmed-up condition of the internal combustion engine will be established before the start of the internal combustion engine.

A vehicle includes an engine, an electric machine, a battery, and at least one controller. The vehicle may further comprise a port for supplying power to a load external to the vehicle. The controller is programmed to operate the engine at a power level based on a difference between a battery voltage and a reference voltage such that a power output by the electric machine reduces the difference. The power level may define an engine operating point that minimizes fuel consumption. The operating point may be an engine torque and an engine speed. The power level may be further based on a state of charge of the battery. The electric machine may be operated to cause the engine to rotate at an engine speed corresponding to the selected power level. The difference may be caused by varying power drawn by a load external to the vehicle.

Systems and methods for operating a vehicle driveline that includes an engine and an electric machine are described. In one example, an amount of electrical power that is available to electrical consumers that are electrically coupled to a high voltage bus is adjusted responsive to a temperature of a catalyst for the purpose of reducing engine emissions.

An engine control device for an electric vehicle having an electrical rotating machine, includes: an engine control unit determining an engine rotational speed and an engine torque such that a particulate number of particulate matter per unit gas quantity that the engine releases into an atmosphere becomes equal to or less than a target value having been set in association with a warm-up state of the engine, the engine rotational speed, and the engine torque, and such that the engine rotational speed when a vehicle speed is less than a threshold value is lower than the engine rotational speed when the vehicle speed is equal to or more than the threshold value, and controlling the engine based on the determined engine rotational speed and the engine torque.

A system, method and apparatus for multi-fuel, range extending power generation applied to propulsion in a vehicle. One or more fluid fuels including diesel and natural gas and/or their renewable counterparts of Biodiesel or Renewable Natural Gas are stored on board a vehicle and selectively supplied to an onboard electrical generator according to sensor measurements analyzed by a processor directing power generation and transmission to motor controllers and motors providing vehicle propulsion. The combined natural gas-electric and diesel-electric transmissions control system power generation driving electric motors rather than a diesel engine mechanical connection to axles and wheels. This integrated system provides improved extended range to diesel hauling applications with improved emissions while maintaining torque, and efficiency.

A method for increasing safety in the surroundings of an electric vehicle having a fuel cell system and batteries, wherein the vehicle is configured for charging the batteries by power from the fuel cell system and e.g. produces CO2 during this operation, even when the vehicle is turned-off and in a parked situation, wherein the method includes the steps of providing a sensor system having a gas intake and configured for warning against elevated CO2 levels in the surroundings of the vehicle, mounting the sensor system on the vehicle with the gas intake outside the vehicle's cabin, providing an alarm when the sensor system evaluates that the CO2 levels in the surroundings of the vehicle are elevated and surpass a predetermined threshold level.

A system, method and apparatus for multi-fuel, range extending power generation applied to propulsion in a vehicle. One or more fluid fuels including diesel and natural gas and/or their renewable counterparts of Biodiesel or Renewable Natural Gas are stored on board a vehicle and selectively supplied to an onboard electrical generator according to sensor measurements analyzed by a processor directing power generation and transmission to motor controllers and motors providing vehicle propulsion. The combined natural gas-electric and diesel-electric transmissions control system power generation driving electric motors rather than a diesel engine mechanical connection to axles and wheels. This integrated system provides improved extended range to diesel hauling applications with improved emissions while maintaining torque, and efficiency.

A control device for controlling an electric motor vehicle drive having an electric drive, a first fuel-cell-based energy source, and a second fuel-cell-free energy source, has a human-machine interface for detecting a user input for selecting an operating mode for the motor vehicle drive and a control unit. The control unit is configured to receive a selection signal from the human-machine interface indicating a user input for selecting an operating mode for the motor vehicle drive and to control the motor vehicle drive in accordance with the selection signal to transfer the same into a first operating mode in which the first energy source is operated to supply the electric drive with electrical energy or to transfer the same into a second operating mode in which the first energy source is deactivated and in which the second energy source is operated to supply the electric drive with electrical energy.