An energy storage system comprising at least one energy storage module adapted to supply electrical energy to a hybrid vehicle. The energy storage module comprises an enclosure, at least one battery array located within the enclosure, and an energy storage controller module located within the enclosure and electrically connected to the battery array. The energy storage module further comprises a compliant tipped thermistor which may be installed within a flexible clip. The thermistor is positioned to monitor the temperature of one or more of the batteries within the energy storage system.

An energy storage system comprising at least one energy storage module adapted to supply electrical energy to a hybrid vehicle. The energy storage module comprises an enclosure, at least one battery array located within the enclosure, and an energy storage controller module located within the enclosure and electrically connected to the battery array. The energy storage module further comprises a compliant tipped thermistor which may be installed within a flexible clip. The thermistor is positioned to monitor the temperature of one or more of the batteries within the energy storage system.

A conduit inspection tool system includes a conduit inspection tool that includes a body that includes one or more wheels configured to move the body through and in contact with a conduit; at least two power generating sub-systems coupled to the body, each of the at least two power generating sub-systems configured to generate electrical power to operate the one or more wheels to move the body through and in contact with the conduit; and at least one energy storage device electrically coupled to the at least two power generating sub-systems, the at least one energy storage device configured to store electrical power generated by the at least two power generating sub-systems; and a control system communicably coupled to the at least two power generating sub-systems and the at least one energy storage device.

A conduit inspection tool system includes a conduit inspection tool that includes a body that includes one or more wheels configured to move the body through and in contact with a conduit; at least two power generating sub-systems coupled to the body, each of the at least two power generating sub-systems configured to generate electrical power to operate the one or more wheels to move the body through and in contact with the conduit; and at least one energy storage device electrically coupled to the at least two power generating sub-systems, the at least one energy storage device configured to store electrical power generated by the at least two power generating sub-systems; and a control system communicably coupled to the at least two power generating sub-systems and the at least one energy storage device.

A locomotive, a first chopper circuit, and a second chopper circuit integrating a traction motor with an energy storage device are disclosed. The locomotive includes a prime mover, an energy management device, a DC power bus, a traction motor, an energy storage device, a resistor grid, and a chopper circuit. Each chopper circuit is controlled by the energy management device and includes a plurality of power semiconductors with variable switching frequency. The traction motor may be capable of operating in a motoring mode, where power is controllably supplied by either the prime mover and/or the energy storage device; and a dynamic braking mode, where generated power is controllably allocated to the energy storage device and/or the resistor grid.

A locomotive, a first chopper circuit, and a second chopper circuit integrating a traction motor with an energy storage device are disclosed. The locomotive includes a prime mover, an energy management device, a DC power bus, a traction motor, an energy storage device, a resistor grid, and a chopper circuit. Each chopper circuit is controlled by the energy management device and includes a plurality of power semiconductors with variable switching frequency. The traction motor may be capable of operating in a motoring mode, where power is controllably supplied by either the prime mover and/or the energy storage device; and a dynamic braking mode, where generated power is controllably allocated to the energy storage device and/or the resistor grid.

This application is directed to an apparatus for providing electrical charge to a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a driven mass, a generator, a charger, a hardware controller, and a communication circuit. The driven mass rotates in response to a kinetic energy of the vehicle and is coupled to a shaft such that rotation of the driven mass causes the shaft to rotate. The driven mass exists in one of (1) an extended position and (2) a retracted position. The generator generates an electrical output based on a mechanical input coupled to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the mechanical input to rotate. The charger is electrically coupled to the generator and: receives the electrical output, generates a charge output based on the electrical output, and conveys the charge output to the vehicle. The controller controls whether the driven mass is in the extended position or the retracted position in response to a signal received from the communication circuit.

This application is directed to an apparatus for providing electrical charge to a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a driven mass, a generator, a charger, a hardware controller, and a communication circuit. The driven mass rotates in response to a kinetic energy of the vehicle and is coupled to a shaft such that rotation of the driven mass causes the shaft to rotate. The driven mass exists in one of (1) an extended position and (2) a retracted position. The generator generates an electrical output based on a mechanical input coupled to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the mechanical input to rotate. The charger is electrically coupled to the generator and: receives the electrical output, generates a charge output based on the electrical output, and conveys the charge output to the vehicle. The controller controls whether the driven mass is in the extended position or the retracted position in response to a signal received from the communication circuit.

A flywheel assembly 10 comprising: at least one flywheel mass support 14, the or each said support having a shaft 19 that extends along a rotational axis 18 about which the support 14 can rotate in use, the or each said support 14 comprising a plurality of openings 24 that are each offset from said rotational axis 18, a flywheel mass 12 comprising a plurality of openings 16 that are each arranged to align with a corresponding opening in said support; and means 23 for coupling said flywheel mass 12 to the or each said support 14 so that the mass 12 can rotate with the or each support 14 in use, said coupling means 23 being configured to extend through the aligned openings in the or each support 14 and said flywheel mass 12; wherein said flywheel mass 12 comprises a plurality of generally planar flywheel mass elements sandwiched together to form a stack of elements, each said element including a plurality of openings 16 that align with the openings 24 in the or each said support 14 and with openings in neighbouring elements in said stack, said flywheel elements being coupled together and aligned with one another to form said flywheel mass solely by means of the coupling means 23 that extends through the aligned openings in said elements and the or each said support 14.

A flywheel assembly 10 comprising: at least one flywheel mass support 14, the or each said support having a shaft 19 that extends along a rotational axis 18 about which the support 14 can rotate in use, the or each said support 14 comprising a plurality of openings 24 that are each offset from said rotational axis 18, a flywheel mass 12 comprising a plurality of openings 16 that are each arranged to align with a corresponding opening in said support; and means 23 for coupling said flywheel mass 12 to the or each said support 14 so that the mass 12 can rotate with the or each support 14 in use, said coupling means 23 being configured to extend through the aligned openings in the or each support 14 and said flywheel mass 12; wherein said flywheel mass 12 comprises a plurality of generally planar flywheel mass elements sandwiched together to form a stack of elements, each said element including a plurality of openings 16 that align with the openings 24 in the or each said support 14 and with openings in neighbouring elements in said stack, said flywheel elements being coupled together and aligned with one another to form said flywheel mass solely by means of the coupling means 23 that extends through the aligned openings in said elements and the or each said support 14.