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: An inspection system is provided to examine internal structures of a target material. This inspection system combines an ultrasonic inspection system and a thermographic inspection system. The thermographic inspection system is attached to ultrasonic inspection and modified to enable thermographic inspection of target materials at distances compatible with laser ultrasonic inspection. Quantitative information is obtained using depth infrared (IR) imaging on the target material. The IR imaging and laser-ultrasound results are combined and projected on a 3D projection of complex shape composites. The thermographic results complement the laser-ultrasound results and yield information about the target material's internal structure that is more complete and more reliable, especially when the target materials are thin composite parts.

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 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 double-sided dual-shaft electrical machine includes a stator disposed between the inner rotor and the outer rotor. The stator includes a plurality of inner stator coils disposed adjacent to the inner rotor for driving the inner rotor. A plurality of outer stator coils disposed adjacent to the outer rotor for driving the outer rotor.

Abstract: An inspection system is provided to examine internal structures of a target material. This inspection system combines an ultrasonic inspection system and a thermographic inspection system. The thermographic inspection system is attached to ultrasonic inspection and modified to enable thermographic inspection of target materials at distances compatible with laser ultrasonic inspection. Quantitative information is obtained using depth infrared (IR) imaging on the target material. The IR imaging and laser-ultrasound results are combined and projected on a 3D projection of complex shape composites. The thermographic results complement the laser-ultrasound results and yield information about the target material's internal structure that is more complete and more reliable, especially when the target materials are thin composite parts.

Abstract: A parallel hybrid vehicle includes a heat engine, a transmission including an input and an 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 electrical device functions as a generator to receive substantially all the torque generated by the vehicle through the differential. A method of retrofitting a vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A hybrid drive system includes a motor coupled between a transmission and a differential, and a hybrid controller coupled to a vehicle such that the hybrid controller is mounted separately from an engine controller. A hybrid drive system including the above hybrid drive system, and a method of installing the hybrid drive system are also included herein.

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: 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: An apparatus for interrupting an electrical short circuit current in an electrical distribution system having a plurality of phases is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a plurality of separable conduction paths, an operating mechanism in operable communication with the plurality of conduction paths, an electronic trip unit in signal communication with each of the plurality of conduction paths and in operable communication with the operating mechanism, and an electromagnetic trip unit in signal communication with each of the plurality of conduction paths and in operable communication with the operating mechanism. The electromagnetic trip unit is configured to be operably responsive to a first half-cycle waveform of the short circuit current prior to the electronic trip unit being operably responsive to a second multi-cycle waveform of the short circuit current.

Abstract: A probe includes at least one core and at least one sense coil associated with the core. The ends of the core are arranged in a contact-free, spaced relationship between opposed surfaces of adjacent lamination teeth of a stator. Air gaps are maintained between the ends of the probe core and the opposed surfaces. The total of the two air gaps is constant. The probe is supported on a carriage arrangement and moved along the teeth. Variations in leakage flux produced with the stator energized with an energization winding to produce a flux which is a few percent of is normal energization level, are monitored.

Abstract: An apparatus for interrupting an electrical short circuit current in an electrical distribution system having a plurality of phases is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a plurality of separable conduction paths, an operating mechanism in operable communication with the plurality of conduction paths, an electronic trip unit in signal communication with each of the plurality of conduction paths and in operable communication with the operating mechanism, and an electromagnetic trip unit in signal communication with each of the plurality of conduction paths and in operable communication with the operating mechanism. The electromagnetic trip unit is configured to be operably responsive to a first half-cycle waveform of the short circuit current prior to the electronic trip unit being operably responsive to a second multi-cycle waveform of the short circuit current.

Abstract: A probe includes at least one core and at least one sense coil associated with the core. The ends of the core are arranged in a contact-free, spaced relationship between opposed surfaces of adjacent lamination teeth of a stator. Air gaps are maintained between the ends of the probe core and the opposed surfaces. The total of the two air gaps is constant. The probe is supported on a carriage arrangement and moved along the teeth. Variations in leakage flux produced with the stator energized with an energization winding to produce a flux which is a few percent of is normal energization level, are monitored.

Abstract: A system for modeling a circuit breaker assembly and its components. The system comprises a computer generated and interactive system model, the system model comprising hierarchically arranged sub-models, each sub-model representing a different circuit breaker function, a first pin for passing simulated load current to the system model, and a second pin for passing simulated load current from the system model.