Transportation methods, systems and covers for transporting hot ingots or sows are disclosed. The transportation system includes a base, at least one stack of ingots, and at least one cover positioned over the at least one stack of ingots. The transportation system may also include a securement assembly configured to secure the at least one stack of ingots and at least one cover to the base. A transportation method using the transportation system to deliver hot ingots to a processing facility is also disclosed.

Disclosed is an exhaust system for a vehicle having an exhaust passageway through which products of combustion from the engine pass through and out to atmosphere, which exhaust system has a bead portion formed in the exhaust passageway with one more holes in the lower portion thereof through which at least a portion of the rain which has entered the interior of the exhaust passageway may flow out from the interior of the exhaust passageway prior to flowing downward to a lower portion of the exhaust passageway at which the rain is undesirable.

A tractor trailer battery system having a battery compartment containing one or more battery units which house one or more battery cells, electrical leads from the battery units to a trailer mounted controller in electrical communication with a cab mounted controller which is in electrical communication an electric motor or hybrid engine system. The battery system allows for either the trailer mounted controller or the cab mounted controller to provide principal communication to the electric motor or hybrid engine system.

A vehicle or trailer assembly is disclosed comprising at least one fan positioned on an exterior of the vehicle or trailer, wherein the at least one fan redirects or accelerates air moving over, around, or through the exterior of the vehicle or trailer. Also disclosed is a fan assembly comprising a manifold configured to be positioned on an outside surface of a vehicle, along an axis transverse to a direction of travel of the vehicle. The fan assembly also includes a plurality of motorized fans rotatably mounted along the axis of the manifold, such that the motorized fans are configured to accelerate air passing along the outside surface or within an exterior of the vehicle, in the direction of travel of the vehicle.

A fluid system for a vehicle is provided. The fluid system is configured to couple to a chassis of the vehicle. A frame assembly of the fluid system is configured to couple with the chassis directly or with another component that is coupled, directly or indirectly, with the chassis. A cowling of the fluid system can enclose a fuel pressure vessel and an auxiliary fluid vessel. The auxiliary fluid vessel is configured to be placed in fluid communication with the component powered or operated by the fluid therein.

Vehicles are disclosed for the internal transport of heavy-load coils. The vehicle may include a drive unit and a loading device coupled thereto. The loading device may be configured to hold a plurality of heavy-load coils. An articulated steering system may be formed between the drive unit and the loading device. The vehicle may include separating elements connected to the loading device, which may be movable parallel to a vehicle longitudinal direction. The separating elements may be configured to secure heavy-load coils of different widths against tilting.

A drivetrain assembly for a motor vehicle such as a tractor-trailer rig wherein the drivetrain assembly includes a transmission and a rear end differential that have gearing operable to lower the operational engine RPM's of the vehicle. The transmission of the present invention includes a gearing ratio having a stepped percentage difference intermediate each gear. The final gear ratio of the transmission ranges between 0.47 to 1 and 0.63 to 1. A rear end gear ratio is present within the range of 3.08 to 1 to 3.90 to 1. The rear end gear ratio is approximately five and a half to six and a half greater than the ratio of the final gear of the transmission. The engine RPM's of the vehicle are at a lower RPM when the transmission is in its final gear or speed resulting in less fuel injection cycles and improved fuel economy.

A vehicle for towing and steering a trailer; the vehicle includes a chassis, a tow hitch interface, at least three wheels, an electric drive, and a handle. The tow hitch interface may be rigidly affixed to the chassis and may be able to interface with the tow hitch receiver of a trailer. The wheels may be rotatably attached to the chassis and may include at least one drive wheel which may be able to drive the vehicle and the trailer. The electric drive may be able to drive the at least one drive wheel along a drive-axis which is axial to the drive-wheel. The electric drive may include an electric motor, a power source, and a transmission. The handle may be mounted to the chassis and may be able to be used by a user to steer the vehicle.

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.

An integrated fill system is provided for a vehicle. The integrated fill system can include a receptacle, a cap that mates with the receptacle, and a fill line that is in fluid communication between the receptacle and a container. The integrated fill system can further include a valve between an opening on an end of the container and an end of the fill line to allow one-way fluid communication for entry of compressed material into the container. The integrated fill system can further include a draw line on an opposite end of the container to maintain separate lines for filling and drawing compressed material into/from the container.