Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for solar awnings or canopies that include rigid solar modules, for example photovoltaic cells or panels. The awnings have solar modules or panels stacked together substantially vertically (e.g., each module is oriented vertically with respect to the next module). The solar modules in the stack are interconnected to each other, such that each solar module is connected electrically and mechanically to adjacent solar modules. The first solar module in the stack of modules is fixed to one end of the base of the awning. The base of the awning is typically mounted to a building, vehicle, mobile home, or other appropriate structure. The last solar module in the stack is attached to a lead arm of the awning. The lead arm moves back and forth (e.g., away and toward) from the base of the awning to enable the expansion or retraction of the awning.

Methods and systems for providing power from an energy supply source having a limited charge to one or more self-contained climate controlled storage units are disclosed. The power is provided from an energy supply source having a limited charge to one or more self-contained climate controlled storage units in a transport unit. The method includes determining whether to supply power from the enemy supply source to the one or more self-contained climate controlled storage units; supplying power in response to the determining indicating that power is to be supplied; determining whether to continue supplying power from the energy supply source to the one or more self-contained climate controlled storage units; and stopping supplying power in response to the determining whether to continue indicating that power is no longer to be supplied.

A multi-functional active container (e.g., luggage or suitcase) with a plurality of sensors and actuators is described. The container may include a body defining an enclosure and having at least one opening. The container may include a processor, a wireless receiver, and an electronically controllable lock. The processor can selectively lock or unlock the electronically controllable lock based on signals received via a wireless receiver (e.g., via Wi-Fi or BLUETOOTH connections). In some examples, a distance between the active container and a remote device (e.g., a smart phone) can be determined (e.g., based on relative GPS signals or connection strength) and if the distance exceeds a threshold, the electronically controllable lock can be activated to secure the container. Further, the container may include a rechargeable power source for powering external devices and an integrated weight sensor for detecting the weight of the container.

A method of intelligently controlling power generation based on an efficiency map may include performing a power generation control selection mode in which voltage change speed control is performed based on a load map or a driving torque map of an alternator after power generation control of the alternator is performed by a controller while a vehicle travels.

Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for solar awnings or canopies that include rigid solar modules, for example photovoltaic cells or panels. The awnings have solar modules or panels stacked together substantially vertically (e.g., each module is oriented vertically with respect to the next module). The solar modules in the stack are interconnected to each other, such that each solar module is connected electrically and mechanically to adjacent solar modules. The first solar module in the stack of modules is fixed to one end of the base of the awning. The base of the awning is typically mounted to a building, vehicle, mobile home, or other appropriate structure. The last solar module in the stack is attached to a lead arm of the awning. The lead arm moves back and forth (e.g., away and toward) from the base of the awning to enable the expansion or retraction of the awning.

The disclosure relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle, which comprises a high-voltage on-board electrical system and a low-voltage on-board electrical system, which are connected by means of a DC-to-DC converter. The high-voltage on-board electrical system is connected to a battery via a switching circuit, and an electromotive main drive is fed by means of the high-voltage on-board electrical system. An electrical contacting of the battery with the high-voltage on-board electrical system is terminated by means of the switching circuit, and the main drive is operated as a generator, such that electrical energy is fed into the high-voltage on-board electrical system, by means of which electrical energy the low-voltage on-board electrical system is fed via the DC-to-DC converter.

A hydraulic regenerative braking system is provided for using hydraulic fluid to capture energy from a vehicle during a braking event. The system captures kinetic energy from a shaft of the vehicle and stores the kinetic energy as hydraulic potential energy. That is, the system captures rotational energy as hydraulic potential energy in an accumulator. The hydraulic regenerative braking system also discharges the hydraulic potential energy as kinetic energy. During braking, kinetic energy is transferred from the vehicle shaft to a gearbox, and from the gearbox to a hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump uses the kinetic energy to pump hydraulic fluid to an accumulator, increasing the hydraulic potential energy stored in the accumulator. During driving, the hydraulic fluid is released from the accumulator to the hydraulic pump, generating kinetic energy that is transferred to the vehicle shaft via the gearbox.

An AC electrical system for a vehicle and methods of operating the same are provided. In one aspect, an AC electrical system includes a first electric machine mechanically coupled with a first spool of a gas turbine engine and a second electric machine mechanically coupled with a second spool of the gas turbine engine. The system also includes a first AC bus and a second AC bus. A first electrical channel electrically couples the first electric machine to the first AC bus and a second electrical channel electrically couples the second electric machine to the second AC bus. The system also includes one or more connection links and one or more power converters for selectively electrically coupling the first and second electrical channels so that electrical power generated by one electric machine can be converted and shared with the other electric machine and electrical loads of the other channel.

Our system describes Unlimited Range Drive (URD) capabilities of an electrical automotive vehicle using machine learning technique, assisted by newly designed intelligent battery modules (IBM-R, IBM-D/R) and newly invented high voltage continuous variable power plant (CVPP), our intelligent battery and power plant modules work in harmony and continuously provide feedback to each other, causing a high voltage battery to recharge while other high voltage battery is in use to drive a vehicle, this charging/recharging process and dynamically switching high voltage battery in use is continued until physical life of batteries is exhausted which may be 10 to 15 years, dynamic coordination of the modules with dynamic switching of battery in use archives Unlimited Range Drive (URD) capabilities which may exceed more than 1 million miles drive on a single high voltage battery charge, our URD system provides clean environment and cost effective more than 1 million miles drive solution.

A system describing Unlimited Range Drive capabilities of electric vehicles using machine learning techniques, assisted by intelligent battery modules and high voltage continuous variable power plant, the intelligent battery and power plant modules work in harmony and continuously provide feedback to each other, causing a battery to recharge while the other is in use to drive, this charging/recharging process and dynamically switching battery in use is continued until physical life of batteries is exhausted approximately 10 to 15 years, dynamic coordination of modules with dynamic switching of batteries, achieves unlimited range drive capabilities which may exceed 1 million mile drive on a single high voltage battery charge, the system provides clean environment and cost effective solution, this platform can be implemented in larger chassis including, but not limited to light duty trucks and vans up to heavy duty cargo tractor trailer and commercial public transportation buses.