Disclosed is a system for dramatically increasing the capacity of onboard power source through internal electricity generation. The internal electricity generation is accomplished using a propulsion device connected to a shaft. A shaft contains wire winding on its opposite end that are embedded within a stator winding. Thus, the motion of the propulsion device create the rotation necessary to create current within the stator and enables an onboard power source to be recharged therefrom.

Systems and methods for an energy harvester proximate to a rotatable component of a vehicle's wheel are disclosed. In some embodiments, an energy harvester system includes: a plurality of energy harvesting components configured to be coupled to a rotatable component in a ring formation along a circumference of the rotatable component, wherein each of the plurality of energy harvesting components includes: a substrate configured to be attached to a surface of the rotatable component; a piezoelectric component coupled to a surface of the substrate, wherein the piezoelectric component is configured to deform in response to a mechanical strain imparted on the piezoelectric component as the rotatable component rotates and generate an electric signal; and an interconnect coupled to the piezoelectric components and configured to conduct the electric signal from the piezoelectric components to a device coupled to the rotatable component.

This application relates generally to sensor systems and, more particularly, relates to systems and methods for management of smart wheel sensors that collect actionable sensor data from a rotatable component of a vehicle's wheel. In certain embodiments, a system includes a vehicle body; a rotatable component configured to rotate relative to the vehicle body; an energy harvesting component disposed along a circumference of the rotatable component, wherein the energy harvesting component is configured to generate electric power based on a force to the rotatable component; a sensor configured to produce sensor data by using the electric power while disposed on the rotatable component; and at least one processor disposed within the vehicle body, the at least one processor configured to perform an action within the vehicle body based on a parameter value meeting a threshold value, wherein the parameter value is based on the sensor data.

Energy conversion systems and methods are disclosed. In one aspect, the system is for converting or redirecting energy received by an impact to an automobile in a proximal direction into another type of energy. The system includes a body having a first engagement structure and an impact member configured to be installed within an outer perimeter compartment of the automobile to receive an impulse. The impact member having a second engagement structure and a third engagement structure. The second engagement structure being configured to engage with the first engagement structure of the body to facilitate the impact member translating in the direction relative to the body. The system further includes a converter having a fourth engagement structure, the fourth engagement structure being configured to engage with the third engagement structure of the impact member and convert the energy received by the impact member into another type of energy. The system may change or redirect a direction of a force vector associated with the received impulse.

A method for operating a motor vehicle is provided, having, as a prime mover, a permanently-excited synchronous machine with windings. The synchronous machine is connected to a vehicle electrical system of the motor vehicle via a converter having a switching arrangement and a capacitor in an intermediate circuit. The switching arrangement can be controlled via a control device connected to the vehicle electrical system. The permanently-excited synchronous machine is operated as a generator while being driven by external means. Energy generated by the synchronous machine and stored in the capacitor for operating the control device and the switching arrangement is provided when a first threshold value for the voltage in the intermediate circuit is exceeded. When a second threshold value for the voltage in the intermediate circuit is exceeded, the switching arrangement is activated for short-circuiting the windings of the synchronous machine.

An AC electrical system for a vehicle and methods of operating the same are provided. In one aspect, an AC electrical system includes a first electric machine mechanically coupled with a first spool of a gas turbine engine and a second electric machine mechanically coupled with a second spool of the gas turbine engine. The system also includes a first AC bus and a second AC bus. A first electrical channel electrically couples the first electric machine to the first AC bus and a second electrical channel electrically couples the second electric machine to the second AC bus. The system also includes one or more connection links and one or more power converters for selectively electrically coupling the first and second electrical channels so that electrical power generated by one electric machine can be converted and shared with the other electric machine and electrical loads of the other channel.

The present disclosure discloses an on-board starting power supply detachably installed in a vehicle. The on-board starting power supply includes: an energy storage module configured to store electrical energy; a first output interface electrically coupled to the energy storage module and a starting device of the vehicle; and a plurality of second output interfaces respectively electrically coupled to the energy storage module and a variety of electrical equipments. The energy storage module is configured to output an instantaneous large current for the starting device through the first output interface to start the starting device and output a corresponding working voltage to a corresponding electrical equipment through the plurality of second output interfaces. The present disclosure can not only start the vehicle, but also includes a plurality of second output interfaces that can be coupled to a variety of electrical equipments, thereby improving a versatility of the on-board starting power supply.

A vehicle power supply control system includes a solar panel, a drive battery, an auxiliary battery, an auxiliary system that is powered by the solar panel and the auxiliary battery, an acquisition unit, and a controller. The acquisition unit is configured to acquire power generated by the solar panel and power consumption of the auxiliary system. The controller is configured to control power supply from the solar panel to the drive battery based on the power generated by the solar panel and the power consumption of the auxiliary system when the power supply from the solar panel to the drive battery is possible.

An electric power generation system is disclosed to produce electrical energy. The electric power generation system includes a solar awning that is ideally carried by a vehicle that is operable under its own power or towed behind a lead vehicle. The solar awning has a solar base attached to the roof of the vehicle and a pair of solar arms that are hingedly connected to respective opposite sides of the solar base. Each of the solar base and the pair of solar arms has an array of solar panels that convert solar energy to electrical energy. The solar awning is folded from an open configuration for maximum exposure to the sun at which the solar arms lie side-by-side the solar base to a closed configuration for minimum exposure to the sun at which the solar arms rotate downwardly from the solar base to lie alongside the vehicle.

Please substitute the new Abstract submitted herewith for the original Abstract: A device for operating an active roll stabilization system of a vehicle is described, which active roll stabilization system has a roll stabilizer on at least one axle of the vehicle, which roll stabilizer is configured to adjust, by use of an electrically operated actuator, a degree of twist between lever arms of the roll stabilizer which act on different sides of the axle, in order to counteract a roll movement of the vehicle. The device is set up to determine which operating mode of a plurality of different operating modes of the roll stabilization system has been selected by a user of the vehicle. Further, the device is set up to operate the actuator as a generator, in order to recuperate electrical energy from a roll movement of the vehicle and/or from a roadway-induced movement of the vehicle, in a manner dependent on the selected operating mode.