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: 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 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 hybrid propulsion system. The system comprises one or more hybrid propulsion traction drives having an electric motor operable to produce mechanical power for propulsion. A hybrid propulsion traction drive is operable to receive power from an on-board power generation system. The electric motor is operable to receive power from an energy storage unit and operable to supply power to the energy storage unit. The energy storage unit may be coupled to the electric motor via a switch.

Abstract: Several methods for measuring and monitoring temperature have been presented for systems requiring temperature monitoring. In one implementation, the system has been applied to battery assemblies. Temperature measurements for every part of the battery assembly are disclosed. In one aspect the surface temperature of a battery assembly is measured. In another aspect, the internal temperature of the battery assembly is measured. In other aspects, the internal and external temperatures of several battery assemblies are measured. Based on the measured temperature, control signals are generated by a control system to switch down the power of the battery charging system so as to prevent excess heat generation.

Abstract: An electric storage battery system carried on a hybrid energy off-highway vehicle including wheels for supporting and moving the vehicle, an electrical power generator, and traction motors for driving the wheels, with electrical power generated on the vehicle being stored at selected times in the electric storage battery system and discharged from the electric storage battery system for transmission to the traction motors to propel the vehicle, with the vehicle and battery system being exposed to a range of environmental conditions is provided. The storage battery system includes at least one battery for storing and releasing electrical power, wherein the at least one battery generates an internal battery operating temperature that is independent of and exceeds the highest environmental temperature of the vehicle and the at least one battery.

Abstract: A system and method for managing electrical power generated by an engine for use in connection with operating a hybrid energy off highway vehicle load control system. A load control circuit determines a current operating condition of the Off Highway Vehicle, and determines a corresponding target operating condition of the Off Highway Vehicle The load control system determines a difference between the current operating condition and a target operating condition to identify transients. The load control system delivers power from the power source to a energy storage for an initial period after a transient condition is identified and then delivers power from the power source to source to the traction motors to propel the Off Highway Vehicle. The load control system also retrieves to power from the energy storage to assist in propelling the Off Highway Vehicle.

Abstract: A method for equalizing a storage parameter for a vehicle energy storage system having one or more energy storage banks associated therewith includes identifying a quiescent period of operation for the vehicle, and determining whether the value of a defined storage quantity for a first energy storage bank differs from the value of said defined storage quantity for a second energy storage bank by a threshold amount. During the quiescent period of operation, one of said first and second energy storage banks is discharged and the other of the first and second energy storage banks is charged. The one of the first and second energy storage banks corresponds to the bank having the value of the defined storage quantity exceeding the value of the defined storage quantity of the other of said first and second energy storage banks.

Abstract: A method for equalizing a storage parameter for a vehicle energy storage system having one or more energy storage banks associated therewith includes identifying a quiescent period of operation for the vehicle, and determining whether the value of a defined storage quantity for a first energy storage bank differs from the value of the defined storage quantity for a second energy storage bank by a threshold amount. During the quiescent period of operation, one of the first and second energy storage banks is discharged and the other of the first and second energy storage banks is charged. The one of the first and second energy storage banks corresponds to the bank having the value of the defined storage quantity exceeding the value of the defined storage quantity of the other of the first and second energy storage banks.

Abstract: A control circuit comprises a circuit adapted to determine a state of charge of a high side power source using a sensed output current to provide a variable gain signal based on the state of charge. The control circuit may also contain a circuit configured to provide a fixed gain signal based on the current of the high side power source and a circuit configured to combine the variable gain signal and the fixed gain signal to create a power command.

Abstract: A hybrid energy system for propelling an off-highway vehicle includes an engine rated at a first power capacity, and a power converter driven by the engine for providing primary electric power. A traction motor system receives the primary electric power, the traction motor system propelling the off-highway vehicle in response to the primary electric power, and the traction motor system further including a dynamic braking mode of operation. An energy storage medium captures electrical energy generated by the traction motor system in the dynamic braking mode of operation, the energy storage medium transferring a portion of the captured energy to the traction motor system to augment the primary electric power, wherein the traction motor system is rated at a second power capacity exceeding the first power capacity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating x-ray beams are described. In one embodiment, the method includes operating a cathode to operating a cathode to generate an electron beam, directing the electron beam from the cathode through a selectable shaped aperture in an accelerating electrode, and impinging the electron beam at a low angle on an anode surface to form a focal spot on the anode surface.

Abstract: An electric storage battery system carried on a hybrid energy off-highway vehicle including wheels for supporting and moving the vehicle, an electrical power generator, and traction motors for driving the wheels, with electrical power generated on the vehicle being stored at selected times in the electric storage battery system and discharged from the electric storage battery system for transmission to the traction motors to propel the vehicle, with the vehicle and battery system being exposed to a range of environmental conditions is provided. The storage battery system includes at least one battery for storing and releasing electrical power, wherein the at least one battery generates an internal battery operating temperature that is independent of and exceeds the highest environmental temperature of the vehicle and the at least one battery.

Abstract: A hybrid prolusion system comprising a first energy storage unit operable to supply power to a traction drive motor. A second energy storage unit is coupled with the first energy storage unit to provide additional power on demand to the traction drive motor. An auxiliary power unit (APU) is used to charge the first battery to maintain a desired voltage across the first energy storage unit.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system. The system comprises one or more hybrid propulsion traction drives having an electric motor operable to produce mechanical power for propulsion. A hybrid propulsion traction drive is operable to receive power from an on-board power generation system. The electric motor is operable to receive power from an energy storage unit and operable to supply power to the energy storage unit. The energy storage unit may be coupled to the electric motor via a switch.

Abstract: Several methods for measuring and monitoring temperature have been presented for systems requiring temperature monitoring. In one implementation, the system has been applied to battery assemblies. Temperature measurements for every part of the battery assembly are disclosed. In one aspect the surface temperature of a battery assembly is measured. In another aspect, the internal temperature of the battery assembly is measured. In other aspects, the internal and external temperatures of several battery assemblies are measured. Based on the measured temperature, control signals are generated by a control system to switch down the power of the battery charging system so as to prevent excess heat generation.

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 system and method for managing electrical power generated by an engine for use in connection with operating a hybrid energy off highway vehicle load control system. A load control circuit determines a current operating condition of the Off Highway Vehicle, and determines a corresponding target operating condition of the Off Highway Vehicle The load control system determines a difference between the current operating condition and a target operating condition to identify transients. The load control system delivers power from the power source to a energy storage for an initial period after a transient condition is identified and then delivers power from the power source to source to the traction motors to propel the Off Highway Vehicle. The load control system also retrieves to power from the energy storage to assist in propelling the Off Highway Vehicle.

Abstract: A method for equalizing a storage parameter for a vehicle energy storage system having one or more energy storage banks associated therewith includes identifying a quiescent period of operation for the vehicle, and determining whether the value of a defined storage quantity for a first energy storage bank differs from the value of said defined storage quantity for a second energy storage bank by a threshold amount. During the quiescent period of operation, one of said first and second energy storage banks is discharged and the other of the first and second energy storage banks is charged. The one of the first and second energy storage banks corresponds to the bank having the value of the defined storage quantity exceeding the value of the defined storage quantity of the other of said first and second energy storage banks.

Abstract: A hybrid energy system for propelling an off-highway vehicle includes an engine rated at a first power capacity, and a power converter driven by the engine for providing primary electric power. A traction motor system receives the primary electric power, the traction motor system propelling the off-highway vehicle in response to the primary electric power, and the traction motor system further including a dynamic braking mode of operation. An energy storage medium captures electrical energy generated by the traction motor system in the dynamic braking mode of operation, the energy storage medium transferring a portion of the captured energy to the traction motor system to augment the primary electric power, wherein the traction motor system is rated at a second power capacity exceeding the first power capacity.