A drive system comprises a DC-DC converter that is arranged to receive an input voltage from a battery having a nominal battery voltage. The DC-DC converter has a first mode of operation in which the DC-DC converter generates a regulated output voltage from the input voltage and supplies the regulated output voltage to a load, and a second mode of operation in which the DC-DC converter is by-passed such that the input voltage from the battery is supplied to the load. A controller is arranged to compare the input voltage to a threshold voltage that is less than the nominal battery voltage. The controller operates the DC-DC converter in the first mode when the input voltage is less than the threshold voltage, and operates the DC-DC converter otherwise.

A wireless power transfer (WPT) method based on a state of an auxiliary battery and an electric vehicle (EV) for the same includes receiving, by an EV charging apparatus, a wireless jump start request message from a user terminal; transmitting, by the EV charging apparatus, a primary jump start power according to the wireless jump start request message to the EV; driving an auxiliary power supply device provided in the EV by a secondary jump start power induced by the primary jump start power; driving a controller of the EV based on a preset power outputted from the auxiliary power supply device; and charging, by the controller of the EV, an auxiliary battery of the EV.

Provided is a configuration in which, in an in-vehicle DC-DC converter, a limitation value of input power or output power can be determined according to the temperature of a power storage unit. In an in-vehicle DC-DC converter (1), a determination unit uses a scheme for determining whether or not input power of an input-side conductive path has reached an input power limitation value that is determined according to an input voltage of the input-side conductive path and a temperature range to which the temperature of an input-side power storage unit belongs, or a scheme for determining whether or not output power of an output-side conductive path has reached an output power limitation value that is determined according to an output voltage of the output-side conductive path and a temperature range to which the temperature of an output-side power storage unit belongs.

A modular battery system provides propulsive power to the rotor system of an aircraft. The modular battery system includes an array of battery modules arranged in at least one stack. Each battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, a first side having positive and negative receptacles and a second side, that is opposite of the first side, having positive and negative plugs. The receptacles and plugs are configured such that adjacent battery modules in a side-by-side relationship are electrically coupled together via plug and receptacle connections and such that the battery modules are electrically coupled together in parallel. An interconnection electrically couples each stack of battery modules together via plug and receptacle connections with one of the battery modules in each stack such that the stacks of battery modules are electrically coupled together in parallel.

Systems and methods for storing energy for use by an electric vehicle are disclosed. Systems can include an electric vehicle battery pack including a rack configured to couple a plurality of independently removable battery strings to the vehicle, the battery strings configured to be selectively coupled in parallel to a vehicle power bus. The battery strings may include a housing, a plurality of electrochemical cells disposed within the housing, a circuit for electrically connecting the electrochemical cells, a positive high-voltage connector, a negative high-voltage connector, a switch within the housing, and a string control unit configured to control the switch. Each battery string can include a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet configured to couple with and sealingly uncouple from an external coolant supply conduit and an external coolant return conduit, and an auxiliary connector configured to couple with an external communications system and/or an external low-voltage power supply.

A power distribution system is provided that ensures that a car is able to operate safely in an autonomous mode. The system includes multiple power rails, including a pair of safety critical power rails. Associated with each safety critical power rail is a safety switch, vehicle sensors (e.g., vehicle location and obstacle sensors), vehicle actuators (e.g., braking and steering actuators) and an autonomous control unit. If a fault is detected during vehicle initialization or general operation, the safety switch which detected the fault opens and that particular power rail is decoupled from the general purpose power rail as well as the remaining safety critical power rail. The remaining safety critical power rail is then able to provide power to a sufficient number of sensors, actuators and controllers to allow the car to safely and autonomously complete an emergency stop on the side of the road.

The present disclosure relates to a converter system for transferring electric power, a vehicle comprising such a converter system and a method for transferring electric power. The converter system comprises a first DC/DC converter module, a second DC/DC converter module and a control unit. The first DC/DC converter module is connectable to a first high voltage system and at least to a first low voltage system. The second DC/DC converter module is connectable to a second high voltage system and at least to the first low voltage system. The first DC/DC converter module comprises at least a first main DC/DC converter unit and a first micro DC/DC converter unit. The second DC/DC converter module comprises at least a second micro DC/DC converter unit. The first micro DC/DC converter unit and the second micro DC/DC converter unit are connectable via a first bidirectional switch unit. The control unit is configured to transfer the electric power from the first high voltage system to the first low voltage system via the first micro DC/DC converter unit, if the first main DC/DC converter unit is deactivated. The control unit is further configured to open the first bidirectional switch unit to transfer the electric power from the second high voltage system to the first low voltage system via the second micro DC/DC converter unit, if the first main DC/DC converter unit is deactivated and the first micro DC/DC converter unit has a failure.

A galvanically coupling DC-to-DC converter has a first side and a second side. The first side has a first potential and a second potential. The DC-to-DC converter has a first, a second and a third transistor. The transistors are connected in a series circuit via a first and a second connecting point and are connected between the potentials of the first side. A respective load inductor is connected to the two connecting points. The load inductors are each connected between one of the connecting points and one of two potentials of the second side of the DC-to-DC converter.

Described herein is an electric vehicle charging arrangement for charging an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle charging arrangement includes: an electric vehicle charger configured for providing a direct current (DC) to the electric vehicle, a power cabinet configured for providing a DC to the electric vehicle charger, and a direct current bus arranged between the power cabinet and the electric vehicle charger and configured to transport the DC from the power cabinet to the electric vehicle charger, where a capacitive filter is installed on the DC bus and in the electric vehicle charger.

A vehicle power supply device converts power from high voltage to low voltage by selectively connecting a predetermined power storage element group to a low voltage electric load from a high voltage power supply formed by connecting power storage elements in series. A leakage current from the high voltage power supply is measured during the dead time period when the power storage element group is not connected to the low voltage electric load. When the value exceeds a predetermined value, the connection between the power storage element group and the low-voltage electric load is interrupted, so that electric shock is prevented.