Methods and systems are provided for aging a new plastic fuel tank in a vehicle. In one example, during a plug-in event to recharge a battery of the vehicle, the fuel tank is isolated and the fuel pump is actuated to agitate fuel within the tank and increase fuel vapors until the plastic fuel tank becomes aged to a predetermined degree by fuel vapors generated therein. In this manner, the fuel tank is aged more rapidly, resulting in more accurate fuel level readings and less noise and vibration.

A method of charging a hydro-pneumatic energy storage system is described. The system has a first hydro-pneumatic accumulator with a first hollow vessel. Disposed within the first hollow vessel is a first compressible volume containing a first amount of gas. The system has a second hydro-pneumatic accumulator with a second hollow vessel. Disposed within the second hollow vessel is a second compressible volume containing a second amount of gas. The gas contained in the first volume is pre-pressurized to a first hydrostatic pre-charge pressure and the gas contained in the second volume is pre-pressurized to a second hydrostatic pre-charge pressure. The second pre-charge pressure is higher than the first pre-charge pressure. In addition, the gas in the first volume is pressurized by discharging a non-compressible hydraulic fluid into the first vessel while keeping a quantity of non-compressible hydraulic fluid contained in the second vessel constant to keep the pressure of the gas contained in the second volume at the second pre-charge pressure.

An example system includes a vehicle having a propulsion system, an electric generator, a cooking apparatus, and a fuel storage apparatus configured to store compressed natural gas (CNG). The system also includes a fuel regulation apparatus coupled to the fuel storage apparatus and configured to deliver CNG to the electric generator, the propulsion system, and the cooking apparatus. The system also includes an air intake system configured to intake air from an ambient environment via an intake port, and supply the air to at least one of the propulsion system or the electric generator. The system also includes an exhaust system configured to expel exhaust air from at least one of the propulsion system or the electric generator into the ambient environment via an exhaust port. The intake port is physically separated from the exhaust port.

The present invention relates to methods of controlling kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS), to controllers, KERS, drivetrains and vehicles including the KERS and controllers. The KERS comprises an energy storage system. In an embodiment, a vehicle is provided with a first vehicle operating mode wherein the energy storage system has a first target state of charge, and with a second vehicle operating mode wherein the energy storage system has a second target state of charge. The first or second vehicle operating mode is selected and energy is transferred between the energy storage system and the vehicle in order to achieve the target state of charge associated with the selected vehicle operating mode. In other embodiments, the KERS includes a variable power transmission device adapted to transfer energy to and from the energy storage system. The energy storage system is maintained at suitable energy levels for the vehicle's driving conditions.

A method of charging a hydro-pneumatic energy storage system is described. The system has a first hydro-pneumatic accumulator with a first hollow vessel. Disposed within the first hollow vessel is a first compressible volume containing a first amount of gas. The system has a second hydro-pneumatic accumulator with a second hollow vessel. Disposed within the second hollow vessel is a second compressible volume containing a second amount of gas. The gas contained in the first volume is pre-pressurized to a first hydrostatic pre-charge pressure and the gas contained in the second volume is pre-pressurized to a second hydrostatic pre-charge pressure. The second pre-charge pressure is higher than the first pre-charge pressure. In addition, the gas in the first volume is pressurized by discharging a non-compressible hydraulic fluid into the first vessel while keeping a quantity of non-compressible hydraulic fluid contained in the second vessel constant to keep the pressure of the gas contained in the second volume at the second pre-charge pressure.

An energy-store floor assembly for an electrically drivable passenger car, the energy-store floor assembly having a floor assembly, on the bottom side of which an energy storage device of an electric drive of the passenger car is fixed. Lateral side receptacles, in the region of which a separate fastening point is located to which the energy storage device can be fastened, are positioned on the floor assembly. A modular system for manufacturing such an energy-store floor assembly is provided.

A sleeper cab for an electric vehicle. The sleeper compartment is provided with side walls, a floor, and a bunk space. The bunk space is provided with an energy storage system receptacle box. The energy storage system receptacle box is provided with a receptacle box wall that extends inward into the sleeper compartment from at least one of the side walls or the floor and that includes a sleeper compartment facing side and cavity defining side opposite the sleeper compartment facing side, the cavity defining side defining a cavity that extends into the sleeper compartment from at least one of the side walls or the floor and that is isolated from the sleeper compartment by the receptacle box wall. At least a portion of an energy storage system is inserted into the cavity so that at least a portion of the energy storage system is located above the floor.

An apparatus of the subject technology comprises a battery pack configured to provide power for an electrical vehicle (EV), and a motor powered by a fuel supplied by a fuel tank and configured to provide mechanical power for one or more electrical machines. The one or more electrical machines are configured to generate a direct current (DC) voltage for keeping the battery pack fully charged, and the battery pack, the motor and the one or more electrical machines are enclosed in a battery-system enclosure.

A midfloor module (10, 11) for a motor vehicle has a frame structure (10) with a battery frame (10). The battery frame (10) has multiple battery modules (11), and multiple tank volumes (1, 2, 2+) that can be used optionally for fuel. A motor vehicle that is equipped with such a midfloor module (10, 11) also is provided as well as a method for manufacturing the midfloor module (10,11).

A method for operating an integrated fueling and charging system includes electrically coupling an electrical output of the integrated fueling and charging system with an electrical input of a vehicle, fluidly coupling a gas output of the integrated fueling and charging system with a gas input of the vehicle, performing a first connection test on a first connection between the electrical output and the electrical input, performing a second connection test on a second connection between the gas output and the gas input, and responsive to the first connection passing the first connection test and the second connection passing the second connection test, simultaneously providing electricity and fuel gas from the integrated fueling and charging system to the vehicle.