Abstract: A cooling system for power electronics of an engine-powered unit includes at least one power electronics component, a liquid chamber in thermal communication with a frame of the engine-powered unit, and a pump configured to circulate a cooling fluid through the at least one power electronics component and the liquid chamber. The liquid chamber is configured to conductively transfer heat from the cooling fluid to the frame to cool the cooling fluid.

Abstract: A current shaping phase leg bus bar for power electronics systems includes a first terminal connector, a second terminal connector, insulated from the first terminal connector, and a third terminal connector, insulated from the first and second terminal connectors. At least one of the terminal connectors is a current shaping terminal connector that includes one or more layers having a plurality of pre-defined locations for electrical connections, said plurality of pre-defined locations including one or more first locations and a plurality of second locations, and includes one or more gaps within or among its one or more layers, to provide substantially balanced conductive pathways among its one or more first locations and its plurality of second locations.

Abstract: A method includes reducing automatically a speed of an engine from a first speed value to a second speed value in response to both the first speed value being at or above a first speed threshold value and a rate of change of one or both of (i) engine power and (ii) the engine speed is substantially zero for a designated period.

Abstract: A method includes selecting a link voltage based on voltage efficiencies of components in an electric drive motor system, and applying the link voltage to an inverter electrically coupled to a drive motor to increase system efficiency.

Abstract: Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein relate to controlling engine operating points and power for full throttle command in an off-highway vehicle, such as a diesel electric haul truck, to increase fuel efficiency. In one example, a system includes an engine and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a target engine horsepower and associated target engine speed, command the engine to operate at a first engine speed above the target engine speed, adjust a load placed on the engine to reach the target engine speed, and command the engine to operate at a second engine speed to reach the target engine horsepower.

Abstract: A current shaping phase leg bus bar for power electronics systems includes a first terminal connector, a second terminal connector, insulated from the first terminal connector, and a third terminal connector, insulated from the first and second terminal connectors. At least one of the terminal connectors is a current shaping terminal connector that includes one or more layers having a plurality of pre-defined locations for electrical connections, said plurality of pre-defined locations including one or more first locations and a plurality of second locations, and includes one or more gaps within or among its one or more layers, to provide substantially balanced conductive pathways among its one or more first locations and its plurality of second locations.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a power source, a controller, a converter configured to receive a first voltage from the power source and to convert the first voltage to a second voltage, an auxiliary inverter system electrically coupled to an output of the converter and to an accessory having an electric motor, the auxiliary inverter system configured to convert the second voltage received from the converter for powering the electric motor, and a first communication link between the controller and the auxiliary inverter system. The auxiliary inverter system is further configured, responsive to interruption of the first communication link, to control a speed of the electric motor based on a level of the second voltage.

Abstract: Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein relate to controlling engine operating points and power for full throttle command in an off-highway vehicle, such as a diesel electric haul truck, to increase fuel efficiency. In one example, a system includes an engine and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a target engine horsepower and associated target engine speed, command the engine to operate at a first engine speed above the target engine speed, adjust a load placed on the engine to reach the target engine speed, and command the engine to operate at a second engine speed to reach the target engine horsepower.

Abstract: A system and method for auxiliary clutch failure detection determines a difference between a first output power of a powered system when a clutch system is controlled to engage and drive a load at a first output of the load and a second output power of the powered system when the clutch system is controlled to drive the load at a larger, second output. A control signal indicative of clutch failure is generated responsive to the difference being less than a designated threshold. The control signal may be used to implement one or more remedial actions.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes an electric drive system, a drive system control unit, and a friction brake system. The electric drive system is associated with a first set of wheels of the vehicle. The drive system control unit is configured to control the electric drive system to selectively provide electric motive power to the first set of wheels to propel the vehicle and electric retarding to slow the vehicle. The friction brake system includes first and second friction brake units associated with the first and second sets of wheels, respectively. The drive system control unit is further configured to determine a functionality of the second friction brake unit, for a friction brake application to the second set of wheels, independent of operation of the first friction brake unit, and to control at least one vehicle system based on the determined functionality of the second friction brake unit.

Abstract: Cooling control systems described herein detect decreased operation of a cooling system of a vehicle, restrict movement of the vehicle without stopping movement responsive to decreased operation of the cooling system, and restrict movement of the vehicle by preventing the vehicle from traveling at a speed and/or power output for a non-zero designated period of time. This can allow for the vehicle to continue moving for a temporary period of time to avoid blocking traffic. Other control systems determine predicted distances and/or times that the vehicle can continue moving before coolant in the cooling system decreases below a designated threshold. Movement of the vehicle can be changed responsive to an upcoming distance and/or time that the vehicle is to travel exceeding the predicted distance and/or time. Other control systems modify a coolant flow rate based on differences between designated and ambient conditions.

Abstract: A drive system includes an engine, an alternator coupled to the engine, the alternator being configured to power at least one auxiliary load, a traction motor system operatively coupled to drive wheels of the vehicle, the traction motor system being configured for receiving primary electrical power from the alternator and for propelling the vehicle in response to the primary electrical power, and a motor electrically connected to the traction motor system and mechanically coupled to the engine. The motor is configured to receive electrical power from the traction motor system in a dynamic braking mode of operation of the traction motor system and to communicate power to the engine during the dynamic braking mode.

Abstract: A current shaping phase leg bus bar for power electronics systems includes a first terminal connector, a second terminal connector, insulated from the first terminal connector, and a third terminal connector, insulated from the first and second terminal connectors. At least one of the terminal connectors is a current shaping terminal connector that includes one or more layers having a plurality of pre-defined locations for electrical connections, said plurality of pre-defined locations including one or more first locations and a plurality of second locations, and includes one or more gaps within or among its one or more layers, to provide substantially balanced conductive pathways among its one or more first locations and its plurality of second locations.

Abstract: A cooling system for power electronics of an engine-powered unit includes at least one power electronics component, a liquid chamber in thermal communication with a frame of the engine-powered unit, and a pump configured to circulate a cooling fluid through the at least one power electronics component and the liquid chamber. The liquid chamber is configured to conductively transfer heat from the cooling fluid to the frame to cool the cooling fluid.

Abstract: An energy storage device that includes a housing, which includes at least one end panel that includes at least one aperture therethrough. The device further includes a battery cell housed in the housing. The battery cell includes mutually opposed first and second faces joined at their edges. The device also includes a heat sink adjacent to the battery cell and in thermal contact with the first face of the battery cell. The heat sink defines at least one cooling medium passage extending parallel to the face of the adjacent battery cell. The cooling medium passage opens onto the at least one aperture formed through the at least one end panel of the housing.