Abstract: An electrical machine comprising a rotor is presented. The electrical machine includes the rotor disposed on a rotatable shaft and defining a plurality of radial protrusions extending from the shaft up to a periphery of the rotor. The radial protrusions having cavities define a fluid path. A stationary shaft is disposed concentrically within the rotatable shaft wherein an annular space is formed between the stationary and rotatable shaft. A plurality of magnetic segments is disposed on the radial protrusions and the fluid path from within the stationary shaft into the annular space and extending through the cavities within the radial protrusions.

Abstract: An electrical machine is disclosed. The electrical machine comprises a first discontinuous volume comprising a high resistivity soft magnetic material.

Abstract: A method to make a high resistivity permanent magnetic material comprising a non-conductive phase and a permanent magnetic phase microstructure, is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of, (a) disposing at least one layer comprising a non-conductive powder and at least one layer comprising a permanent magnetic powder adjacent to each other to obtain a multilayer, (b) compressing the multilayer, and (c) sintering the multilayer. A method to make a high resistivity soft magnetic material comprising a microstructure comprising a bulk metallic glass phase and a soft magnetic crystalline metal phase, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for operating a hybrid vehicle includes a computer programmed to identify a location of a hybrid vehicle, access a map and identify a plurality of links therein, pre-screen the plurality of links to identify if any of the plurality of links is within a given bounds of the current location, and if one or more possible links are identified, then match the current location of the hybrid vehicle to one of the identified links, and upload power data for the hybrid vehicle corresponding to the matched location into a database.

Abstract: A locomotive, a battery system and a method for monitoring a battery are provided. The battery has a first plurality of cells electrically coupled in series to one another. The first plurality of cells includes a second plurality of cells and a third plurality of cells electrically coupled together at a node. The method includes calculating a first number of failed cells in the first plurality cells. The method further includes calculating a second number of failed cells in the second plurality cells and a third number of failed cells in the third plurality cells.

Abstract: A parallel hybrid vehicle includes a heat engine, a transmission including an input and output, and an electrical device. The transmission input is coupled to the engine and the transmission output is coupled to the electrical device such that substantially all of the torque generated by the heat engine is channeled through the transmission to the electrical device, and a differential, the electrical device coupled to the differential such that during a first mode of operation the electrical device functions as a motor to receive substantially all the torque generated by the engine through the transmission, and such that during a second mode of operation the electric device functions as a generator to receive substantially all the torque generated by the vehicle through the differential.

Abstract: A system for optimizing a trip for a hybrid vehicle, comprising a computer programmed to determine a route for the hybrid vehicle to travel, obtain altitude and terrain information of the route, and generate a trip plan based on at least the route and altitude to minimize total energy expended along the route by encouraging regenerative braking during portions of the route, regardless of needs to slow the hybrid vehicle.

Abstract: A battery system and a method for monitoring a battery are provided. The battery has a first plurality of cells electrically coupled in series to one another. The first plurality of cells includes a second plurality of cells and a third plurality of cells electrically coupled together at a node. The method includes calculating a first number of failed cells in the first plurality cells. The method further includes calculating a second number of failed cells in the second plurality cells and a third number of failed cells in the third plurality cells.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a vehicle is provided. The propulsion system includes a first traction drive system and a second traction drive system. The first traction drive system includes a heat engine and a first drive motor. The heat engine supplies energy to the first drive motor to propel the vehicle. The second traction drive system includes a second drive motor and a first energy storage device. The second drive motor both supplies energy to the first energy storage device and receives energy from the first energy storage device. Also provided is a propulsion system for a vehicle that includes the first traction drive system and a propulsion means for supplying energy to a first energy storage device and for receiving energy from the first energy storage device.

Abstract: An energy storage device is provided that includes a separator having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface defines at least a portion of a cathodic chamber, and the second surface defines an anodic chamber. The cathodic chamber includes an alkali metal halide that forms an ion that is capable of conducting through the separator. The anodic chamber has a volume that is filled with a consumable fluid. The amount of the consumable fluid is greater than 90 percent by volume of the anodic chamber volume. Furthermore, the consumable fluid is reactive with an ionic species of the alkali metal halide. A method of sealing the energy storage device is also provided.

Abstract: A system includes a retarder in electrical communication through an electric link with an alternator, and a controller that compares a power measurement with an accessory load on a system during a retard event, and can reduce an electrical load on the alternator, or can remove all electrical loads from an engine, when electric power that is generated from the retarder is measured to be greater than an accessory load on the system. The system may include an alternator that provides a motor function to rotate a shaft coupled to an engine that is mechanically coupled to one or more mechanically drivable accessories. The alternator powers the mechanically drivable accessories in place of or in addition to the engine.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a power transfer rate in to and/or out of a vehicle energy storage device to affect a current state of charge of the energy storage device. The vehicle may be on a mission comprising a plurality of future power transfer opportunities. In one example, the method comprises adjusting the power transfer rate based on an estimated duration of a future power transfer opportunity. Further, the method may include, if the estimated duration of the future power transfer opportunity is different from a predetermined threshold, changing the power transfer rate at the future power transfer opportunity. The method allows the operating life of the energy storage device to be extended.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for battery control of hybrid vehicles such as, but not limited to, hybrid locomotives. The system and method are implemented to sense a present state of charge (SoC) of one or more batteries and generate present SoC data there from, sense a present excursion defined by a relationship represented as maximum SoC?minimum SoC for a desired cycle and generate present excursion data there from, and control the one or more battery power/current charging limits in response to the present SoC data and the present excursion data.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing tractive effort, the apparatus comprising: an energy source adapted for generating a high DC voltage; a motor drive adapted for generating a motor voltage from the high DC voltage; and a motor adapted for producing the tractive effort from the motor voltage, the energy source comprising: a heat engine adapted for generating mechanical power by burning a fuel; an alternator adapted for generating an alternating voltage from the mechanical power; a rectifier adapted for rectifying the alternating voltage and producing a low DC voltage; an energy battery adapted for storing and delivering energy derived from the low DC voltage; and a traction boost converter adapted for boosting the low DC voltage to produce the high DC voltage, the motor drive comprising: a power battery adapted for storing energy and delivering power at the high DC voltage; and a traction converter adapted for generating the motor voltage from the high DC voltage during motoring operation and for generating the high

Abstract: A battery load leveling system for an electrically powered system in which a battery is subject to intermittent high current loading, the system including a first battery, a second battery, and a load coupled to the batteries. The system includes a passive storage device, a unidirectional conducting apparatus coupled in series electrical circuit with the passive storage device and poled to conduct current from the passive storage device to the load, the series electrical circuit coupled in parallel with the battery such that the passive storage device provides current to the load when the battery terminal voltage is less than voltage on the passive storage device, and a battery switching circuit that connects the first and second batteries in either a lower voltage parallel arrangement or a higher voltage series arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first motor and a second motor. The first motor includes a first rotor configured to provide mechanical power to a vehicle, and a first plurality of stator coils having a core and coupled to the first rotor. The second motor includes a second rotor configured to provide mechanical power to the vehicle, and a second plurality of stator coils sharing the same core as the first plurality of stator coils and coupled to the second rotor.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle having an electric drive is provided. The method includes defining a first zone and a second zone. The first zone has an associated first characteristic and the second zone has an associated second characteristic that differs from the first characteristic. The method further includes switching an operating mode of a vehicle from a first operating mode in the first zone to a second operating mode in the second zone in response to the vehicle translating from the first zone to the second zone. Associated vehicles and systems are provided also.

Abstract: A system is provided for retrofitting an electrically propelled vehicle. The vehicle has an engine-driven generator, and at least a first traction motor and a second traction motor coupled to the generator. The system includes an energy storage device capable of being coupled to at least the first traction motor; and a control system operable to control a distribution of propulsive power between the first traction motor and the second traction motor. An associated method and a retrofit kit are provided, also.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a vehicle is provided. The propulsion system includes a first traction drive system and a second traction drive system. The first traction drive system includes a heat engine and a first drive motor. The heat engine supplies energy to the first drive motor to propel the vehicle. The second traction drive system includes a second drive motor and a first energy storage device. The second drive motor both supplies energy to the first energy storage device and receives energy from the first energy storage device. Also provided is a propulsion system for a vehicle that includes the first traction drive system and a propulsion means for supplying energy to a first energy storage device and for receiving energy from the first energy storage device.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes propelling an electrically driven vehicle at a first, slower speed, and potentially high torque by supplying electricity at a first, lower voltage from an energy storage device to a second electric motor; and includes propelling the vehicle at a second, faster speed, and moderate torque by supplying electricity at a second, higher voltage from an engine-driven generator to a first electric motor. Another method includes propelling an electrically driven vehicle by supplying electricity from an engine-driven generator to a first electric motor; and generating electricity at a second electric motor to charge an energy storage device. Corresponding systems for implementing the method are provided.