An electrical vehicular system for powering a semi-trailer truck provides a tractor unit and semi-trailers detachably coupled together with a trailer hitch connector. The tractor unit has a scalable chassis equipped with interchangeable body components that easily attach and detach to change appearance and functionality of the tractor unit and semi-trailers. A rear hitch platform on the tractor unit couples to, and hauls the semi-trailers. The tractor and semi-trailers are electrically powered through an arrangement of solar cell assemblies that recharge batteries in the wheel hubs of the tractor and/or semi-trailers. The solar cell assemblies operate on the tractor roof, sidewalls, and trailer roof. The tractor unit has an interior tractor cabin that forms a customizable center driving position for increased visibility, a sleeping portion for sleeping, and a living portion for operating and entertaining. A computer and a software program control operation and charging of tractor unit.

A hitch plate assembly for a truck. The hitch plate includes a lower frame spanning beneath a pair of frame rails of the truck. The lower frame is fabricated from a front plate and end plates at oppositely disposed ends of the front plate. The end plates extend upwardly for attachment directly to the frame rails. An upper frame is mounted over the lower frame and between the frame rails. The upper frame is comprised of a front plate, two side plates, an upper plate and two pairs of spaced apart pivot plates with through holes therein secured to the upper plate, wherein a dump body hinge is received into the space between each pair of pivot plates and each hinge is secured in position by a pin, the dump body being rotatable about each pin.

A zero emissions electrically powered haul truck is disclosed. The haul truck has a 40 metric ton hauling capacity and a form factor that allows the truck to travel through underground mines. The truck also includes a primary battery assembly that is externally mounted along the front and sides of the truck.

A versatile power plant system, which has a blower/fan system, a fan system, a generator/alternator device, a regulator, a DC/AC inverter generator, an AC/DC transformer rectifier unit, and an AC/DC rectifier diode, wherein electrical energy is generated. The generator alternator device has a drum and a main body having a generator shaft. The blower/fan system is connected to the fan system, and the fan system is connected to the generator/alternator device. The generator/alternator device is connected to the regulator and the regulator is connected to the DC/AC inverter generator. The DC/AC inverter generator is connected to the AC/DC transformer rectifier unit, and the AC/DC transformer rectifier unit is connected to the AC/DC rectifier diode. The AC/DC rectifier diode is connected to an electrical device or a rechargeable battery bank to deliver the electrical energy. The electrical energy may be generated from a primary source of energy.

A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a truck, a tractor unit, a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, at a tandem, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.

A method of controlling speed of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The method includes receiving a load parameter input. The method also includes determining a requested speed demand and detecting a change in load based on the load parameter input. The method also includes determining a modified speed demand based on the detected change in load, and modifying the requested speed demand to the modified speed demand.

A method and system for swapping batteries in an electric vehicle is disclosed. The method includes dismounting a first battery assembly, moving to a second battery assembly and mounting the second battery assembly onto the vehicle. Mounting and dismounting are accomplished by an onboard mounting and dismounting system. The method can be used in a zero infrastructure environment such as an underground mine since mounting and dismounting are accomplished by components on the vehicle itself. An auxiliary battery pack powers the vehicle during between dismounting a battery pack and mounting another battery pack.

A hybrid system for a heavy duty vehicle having an engine and a pneumatic system. The hybrid system comprises a direct current (dc) network having a peak voltage not exceeding 60 volts, and connected to the dc network electrical components including: a battery, a starter/generator electric machine having a power delivery mode in which an electrical energy input to the starter/generator is converted into a rotational power output and an electricity generation mode in which a rotational power input is converted into an electrical power output, a plurality of electrically powered ancillary devices one of which is an electrically powered compressor of the pneumatic system, a plurality of vehicle parameter sensors, a communications network and a controller, wherein the controller, the vehicle parameter sensors and the electrical components are connected to the communications network; and wherein the controller is configured to control the flow of electricity between the starter/generator, the battery, and the electricity consuming devices according to pre-programmed priorities and wherein the priorities include causing kinetic energy converted into electrical energy by the starter/generator when in its electricity generation mode to be stored by the battery by charging the same or in the pneumatic system by operating an electric motor driven air compressor of the pneumatic system.

Self-steering axle assembly has an axle with central tube having a longitudinal central axis. A king pin is connected with an end portion of the axle. A knuckle is connected with the king pin. The knuckle includes a torque plate section. A first arm of the knuckle extends from a side of the torque plate section and receives a first end portion of the king pin. A second arm extends from the torque plate section in the same direction as the first arm. The second arm receives a second end portion of the king pin. A spindle is friction welded to the torque plate section and has a longitudinal central axis. The torque plate section has at least one surface on the torque plate section extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the spindle. A tool engages the surface during friction welding of the spindle to the torque plate section. The relative locations of the axle, spindle and king pin enable an air disc brake actuator to avoid contact with components of the heavy-duty vehicle during steering and with the ground and debris.

The present disclosure relates to a battery system for a hybrid or an electric vehicle. Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a battery assembly designed for easy and quick exchange of battery assemblies enabling a vehicle to resume driving much more quickly than traditional charging permits.