Abstract: A vehicle comprises a plurality of motors operatively connected with one another. The vehicle is powered with the plurality of motors individually and in combination with one another to primarily operate each of the plurality of motors within a predetermine efficiency range.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a plurality of motors operatively connected with one another. The vehicle is powered with the plurality of motors individually and in combination with one another to primarily operate each of the plurality of motors within a predetermine efficiency range.

Abstract: An energy storage system includes a battery management system that has a plurality of loads connected in electrical series with one another, and a controller operatively connected to the plurality of loads. A first battery pack has battery cells connected in electrical series with respect to one another to establish a system voltage. The first battery pack is connected in electrical parallel to the plurality of loads. The controller is operable to balance charges of the battery cells by activating selected ones of the loads. The battery management system and the first battery pack are configured such that an additional battery pack with additional battery cells connected in electrical series with respect to one another or an additional load pack with additional loads connected in electrical series with respect to one another is connectable to the battery management system. A method of managing battery capacity is also provided.

Abstract: A battery module for a vehicle comprises a first portion adapted to be mounted to a vehicle and a second portion mounted to a battery box. A first pair of high voltage electrical connectors is mounted to the first portion and a second pair of high voltage electrical connectors are mounted to the second portion. The first pair of high voltage electrical connectors are configured to mate with the second pair of high voltage electrical connectors. Additionally, a first general electrical connector is mounted to the first portion of the battery box and a second general electrical connector is mounted to the second portion of the battery box. The first general electrical connector is configured to mate with the second general electrical connector.

Abstract: A portion of a fuel system of a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a motor-generator-starter connected to an engine. The fuel system includes a fuel tank connected to the engine. The portion of the fuel system includes an evaporative emissions system and an evaporative emissions leak check system connected to the evaporative emissions system. The evaporative emissions leak check system includes a vacuum source. The vacuum source includes the motor-generator-starter connected to the engine. The motor-generator-starter actuates the engine when the vehicle is operated in a non-moving, keyed-off condition for creating a vacuum within an intake manifold of the engine. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A portion of a fuel system of a vehicle is disclosed. The portion of the fuel system includes an evaporative emissions leak check system selectively fluidly-connected to an evaporative emissions system. The evaporative emissions leak check system includes a vacuum source. The evaporative emissions system includes a canister and a first fluid conduit fluidly-connecting the canister to the fuel tank. The portion of the fuel system also includes a vent valve that demarcates the first fluid conduit to include a first fluid conduit segment extending from the canister and a second fluid conduit segment extending from the fuel tank. The arrangement of the vent valve in an open orientation permits fluid communication of the canister with the fuel tank by way of the first fluid conduit. The arrangement of the vent valve in the closed orientation fluidly-isolates the canister from the fuel tank. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for allocating energy within a vehicle comprises calculating an energy forecast for the vehicle based upon a plurality of strategy variables in a vehicle controller. The plurality of strategy variables includes driver profile information, GPS information, ESS information, environment information, accessory information, and system default parameters. The controller calculates a charging strategy based upon the energy forecast and the plurality of strategy variables and determines a control strategy for energy allocation based upon the strategy variables, energy forecast, and charging strategy. The energy is allocated to the vehicle systems based upon the control strategy.

Abstract: An apparatus for a vehicle is provided that includes a structural enclosure configured to attach to both first and second spaced battery module housings while spanning the gap between the spaced battery module housings. The structural enclosure is configured to support power electronics and is configured to allow connection of the power electronics to the battery modules through the structural enclosure. A method of servicing vehicles and a method of manufacturing vehicles is also provided.

Abstract: An energy storage system includes a battery management system that has a plurality of loads connected in electrical series with one another, and a controller operatively connected to the plurality of loads. A first battery pack has battery cells connected in electrical series with respect to one another to establish a system voltage. The first battery pack is connected in electrical parallel to the plurality of loads. The controller is operable to balance charges of the battery cells by activating selected ones of the loads. The battery management system and the first battery pack are configured such that an additional battery pack with additional battery cells connected in electrical series with respect to one another or an additional load pack with additional loads connected in electrical series with respect to one another is connectable to the battery management system. A method of managing battery capacity is also provided.

Abstract: A method for allocating energy within a vehicle comprises calculating an energy forecast for the vehicle based upon a plurality of strategy variables in a vehicle controller. The plurality of strategy variables includes driver profile information, GPS information, ESS information, environment information, accessory information, and system default parameters. The controller calculates a charging strategy based upon the energy forecast and the plurality of strategy variables and determines a control strategy for energy allocation based upon the strategy variables, energy forecast, and charging strategy. The energy is allocated to the vehicle systems based upon the control strategy.

Abstract: An accessory drive system for a vehicle comprises an electric motor adapted for receiving power from a battery and a least one accessory component for the vehicle. A serpentine belt is connected the motor and to the at least one accessory component such that the motor drives the at least one accessory component. A frame supports the electric motor and the at least one accessory component.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a drive sub-system having an engine and a first motor and a generator sub-system having a transmission and a second motor. The transmission for the vehicle is driven with the first motor, the second motor and the engine individually and in combination such that the vehicle may selectively operate in a serial hybrid mode and a parallel hybrid mode.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one power source and at least fuel source connected to the at least one power source for powering the vehicle. A safety system for the vehicle includes an airbag having an outer material visible when the airbag is in a deployed position. The outer material for the airbag is marked to correspond to the at least one fuel source.

Abstract: A battery module for a vehicle comprises a first portion adapted to be mounted to a vehicle and a second portion mounted to a battery box. A first pair of high voltage electrical connectors is mounted to the first portion and a second pair of high voltage electrical connectors are mounted to the second portion. The first pair of high voltage electrical connectors are configured to mate with the second pair of high voltage electrical connectors. Additionally, a first general electrical connector is mounted to the first portion of the battery box and a second general electrical connector is mounted to the second portion of the battery box. The first general electrical connector is configured to mate with the second general electrical connector.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a plurality of motors operatively connected with one another. The vehicle is powered with the plurality of motors individually and in combination with one another to primarily operate each of the plurality of motors within a predetermine efficiency range.

Abstract: A voltage regulator supplies excitation current both in addition and in subtraction, since supplied current can vary not only in intensity, but also in direction depending on the signal given by a control device, which regulates the conduction of the regulator both as far as intensity and direction are concerned, according to a comparison between a reference voltage and the voltage of the alternator itself, or, in any case, a part of it (123), said addition or subtraction been performed by electric or magnetic means. According to a preferred form of execution, the electronic device has bidirectional conditions consisting of a TRIAC (210) which feeds an auxiliary winding in one direction or the other; the TRIAC is triggered, in turn, by a control circuit which sends out a triggering signal being in relation to the voltage of the alternator and to a reference voltage.The TRIAC can be replaced by two controlled diodes or by two transistors or similar means, being connected to each other in inverted parallel.