A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices. To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source. As demand at individual collection, charging and distribution machines increases or decreases relative to other collection, charging and distribution machines, a distribution management system initiates redistribution of portable electrical energy storage devices from one collection, charging and distribution machine to another collection, charging and distribution machine in an expeditious manner. Also, redeemable incentives are offered to users to return or exchange their portable electrical energy storage devices at selected collection, charging and distribution machines within the network to effect the redistribution.

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source, such as the electrical grid or an electrical service of an installation location. By default, each portable electrical energy storage device is disabled from accepting a charge unless it receives authentication information from an authorized collection, charging and distribution machine, other authorized charging device, or other authorized device that transmits the authentication credentials. Also, by default, each portable electrical energy storage device is disabled from releasing energy unless it receives authentication information from an external device to which it will provide power, such as a vehicle or other authorization device.

An electric machine drive arrangement for a heavy-duty vehicle. The electric machine drive arrangement comprises an electric machine. The electric machine drive arrangement further comprises a brake arrangement connected to the electric machine. The electric machine drive arrangement further comprises a braking resistor controller configured to control the brake arrangement. The braking resistor controller has a primary power feed connection and a back-up power feed connection. The back-up power feed connection is connected to an alternating current side of the electric machine for the electric machine to supply back-up power to the braking resistor controller.

An electric machine drive arrangement for a heavy-duty vehicle. The electric machine drive arrangement comprises an electric machine. The electric machine drive arrangement further comprises a brake arrangement connected to the electric machine. The electric machine drive arrangement further comprises a braking resistor controller configured to control the brake arrangement. The braking resistor controller has a primary power feed connection and a back-up power feed connection. The back-up power feed connection is connected to an alternating current side of the electric machine for the electric machine to supply back-up power to the braking resistor controller.

A working device to be connected to a traveling vehicle having a prime mover, the working device being configured to perform an agricultural work, includes a working portion to rotate to perform an agricultural work, an electric motor to be driven by electric power, a power transmission mechanism to which power generated by the electric motor is inputted, configured to transmit the power to the working portion; and a regeneration resistor to consume a regenerative power generated in the electric motor, the regeneration resistor being arranged at a position to be cooled by wind generated by rotation of the working portion.

A system comprising resistive circuit legs coupled with and disposed between (a) a converter that converts electric current for a motor of a powered system and (b) a source of electric current for powering the motor, each of the circuit legs including a braking resistor coupled with the converter, a contactor coupled with the braking resistor such that the braking resistor is between the converter and the contactor, and a semiconductor switch coupled with the contactor such that the contactor is between the semiconductor switch and the braking resistor, where, during a regenerative braking mode of operation of the powered system, the regenerated energy from the motor is conducted to the braking resistor and dissipated as heat.

A system comprising resistive circuit legs coupled with and disposed between (a) a converter that converts electric current for a motor of a powered system and (b) a source of electric current for powering the motor, each of the circuit legs including a braking resistor coupled with the converter, a contactor coupled with the braking resistor such that the braking resistor is between the converter and the contactor, and a semiconductor switch coupled with the contactor such that the contactor is between the semiconductor switch and the braking resistor, where, during a regenerative braking mode of operation of the powered system, the regenerated energy from the motor is conducted to the braking resistor and dissipated as heat.

A resistor includes an elongated cylindrical body having nodes and elongated members. The elongated members interconnect the nodes to form openings between the nodes and the elongated members for the flow therethrough of a cooling fluid. The body is configured to receive electric current from a powered system and to conduct and provide electric resistance to the electric current to dissipate at least part of the electric current as heat from the body. The body also is configured to be coupled with at least one other resistor of the powered system in one or more of a parallel or series arrangement in an electric circuit.

A resistor includes an elongated cylindrical body having nodes and elongated members. The elongated members interconnect the nodes to form openings between the nodes and the elongated members for the flow therethrough of a cooling fluid. The body is configured to receive electric current from a powered system and to conduct and provide electric resistance to the electric current to dissipate at least part of the electric current as heat from the body. The body also is configured to be coupled with at least one other resistor of the powered system in one or more of a parallel or series arrangement in an electric circuit.

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To allow easy and convenient access to empty portable electrical energy storage device compartments within the vehicles, if the vehicle comes within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device such as a key fob or other wireless device of a user, an empty portable electrical energy storage device compartment that is closed or locked, is unlocked, unlatched or opened automatically. Also, if the portable electrical energy storage device compartment is in another desired state to have the compartment unlocked, such as having a portable electrical energy storage device in the compartment that has a charge level below a particular threshold, the compartment will likewise be unlocked, unlatched or opened automatically.