Abstract: An expandable energy storage system for a hybrid electric vehicle has one or more energy storage modules each including a plurality of energy storage cells and a module controller, and a system controller which communicates with the module controller or controllers of the one or more energy storage modules via a controller communication bus and which is powered by the vehicle's low voltage power supply. Each module controller communicates with the energy storage cells in the associated module via an energy storage cell communication link, and is powered by the energy storage cells in the associated module. The system controller communicates with the hybrid electric vehicle via the vehicle communication bus. The modular design provides an energy storage system which can be expanded by connecting additional energy storage modules to the system.

Abstract: A data logging unit configured for installation in a hybrid vehicle communicates with a user device configured to receive data from the data logging unit and to display selected portions of the data to a user for identification of potential vehicle faults associated with vehicle events reported by the vehicle's driver. The data logging unit has a data logger which communicates with hybrid drive system and other vehicle components to receive hybrid drive system data, and with a vehicle position sensor which detects location to receive vehicle location data. A data log processing module correlates location data with the corresponding vehicle data, and creates a correlated log of drive system data and associated vehicle location information, to allow identification of vehicle data within an event window based on vehicle location at the time of a reported event. Accordingly, a user may make a geographical request and the system will report vehicle data corresponding to the geographical request.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system and method has a vehicle unit which is mounted in each vehicle and a remote monitoring and diagnostic server or system which receives periodic status information in messages from the vehicle units of all active vehicles and displays the data in a user interface on one or more user devices. The vehicle unit is configured to send periodic first messages containing a first, partial set of vehicle operation status information and periodic second messages containing a second, larger set of status information, and may be switched to send second messages at faster time intervals depending on various conditions. The user interface displays at least part of the second set of vehicle information for a selected vehicle while displaying at least part of the first set of vehicle information for at least some active vehicles sending messages to the remote server.

Abstract: A data logging unit configured for installation in a hybrid vehicle communicates with a user device configured to receive data from the data logging unit and to display selected portions of the data to a user for identification of potential vehicle faults associated with vehicle events reported by the vehicle's driver. The data logging unit has a data logger which communicates with hybrid drive system and other vehicle components to receive hybrid drive system data, and with a vehicle position sensor which detects location to receive vehicle location data. A data log processing module correlates location data with the corresponding vehicle data, and creates a correlated log of drive system data and associated vehicle location information, to allow identification of vehicle data within an event window based on vehicle location at the time of a reported event. Accordingly, a user may make a geographical request and the system will report vehicle data corresponding to the geographical request.

Abstract: A propulsion energy storage control system and method of control interspersed between a heavy duty hybrid-electric drive system and its propulsion energy storage. The control system having an energy storage DC bus, electrical interfaces to the drive system and a plurality of propulsion energy storage subsystems, DC-to-DC converters at each interface, and a controller configured to operate each DC-to-DC converter independently such that power flow may charge, discharge, and shuttle between the plurality of propulsion energy storage subsystems.

Abstract: An energy storage cell pack cradle assembly for holding multiple rows of energy storage cells oriented along a dominant axis of vibration includes a first cradle member including a plurality of energy storage cell body supporting structures including respective holes; a second cradle member including a plurality of energy storage cell body supporting structures including respective holes; and one or more fasteners connecting the first cradle member and the second cradle member together. The energy storage cell body supporting structures are configured to structurally support the energy storage cells, with the energy storage cells oriented along a dominant axis of vibration, by energy storage cell bodies of the energy storage cells with respective electrically conductive terminals extending through the respective holes without structural support of the electrically conductive terminals by the cradle members.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system for powering a hybrid electric vehicle with a fuel cell, and in particular, efficiently initiating power generation in the fuel cell, the method and system comprising electrically connecting a battery to an ultracapacitor-based propulsion energy storage; using the battery to charge the propulsion energy storage to a predetermined voltage level for powering an air delivery compressor for a predetermined amount of time; disconnecting the battery from the propulsion energy storage; electrically connecting the propulsion energy storage to the air delivery compressor; operating the air delivery compressor using the charge on the propulsion energy storage to provide a predetermined quantity of air to the fuel cell; and causing the fuel cell to generate electricity.

Abstract: An energy storage cell pack cradle assembly for holding multiple rows of energy storage cells oriented along a dominant axis of vibration includes a first cradle member including a plurality of energy storage cell body supporting structures including respective holes; a second cradle member including a plurality of energy storage cell body supporting structures including respective holes; and one or more fasteners connecting the first cradle member and the second cradle member together. The energy storage cell body supporting structures are configured to structurally support the energy storage cells, with the energy storage cells oriented along a dominant axis of vibration, by energy storage cell bodies of the energy storage cells with respective electrically conductive terminals extending through the respective holes without structural support of the electrically conductive terminals by the cradle members.

Abstract: An energy storage pack cooling system including upper and lower respective terminal heat sinks thermally connected to respective upper and lower terminals of energy storage cells above and below upper and lower ends of an enclosure of an energy storage cell pack; and a blower and cooling assembly that circulates a heat transfer fluid past the upper and lower respective terminal heat sinks outside of the enclosure to cool the energy storage cells without circulating the heat transfer fluid past energy storage cell bodies of the energy storage cells enclosed within the enclosure.

Abstract: A system for dynamically reconfiguring high power energy storage of a hybrid electric vehicle is described. The system includes a fault detector, a switch network and a controller. The fault detector is configured to detect a fault condition of one or more energy storage modules of the vehicle energy storage. The switch network is configured to electrically bypass one or more faulty energy storage modules. The controller is configured to determine a faulty energy storage module. The controller determines that current flow between the vehicle energy storage and the hybrid electric vehicle is below a minimum threshold and reconfigures operation controls to operate the vehicle energy storage according to a second configuration that accounts for the electrically bypassed faulty energy storage module. The controller also resumes operation of the vehicle energy storage according to the second configuration.

Abstract: A generator voltage stabilization system of a heavy-duty vehicle hybrid-electric drive system, which has an engine and a generator coupled with the engine for generating power that varies with rotational speed of the engine, includes one or more circuits having at least one of a DC/DC converter and an DC/AC converter configured to be coupled to the generator, and receive varying power input from the generator and provide stabilized voltage output power; and a control computer coupled to the one or more circuits to control the one or more circuits to provide stabilized voltage output power with varying power input from the generator.

Abstract: An energy storage pack cooling system including upper and lower respective terminal heat sinks thermally connected to respective upper and lower terminals of energy storage cells above and below upper and lower ends of an enclosure of an energy storage cell pack; and a blower and cooling assembly that circulates a heat transfer fluid past the upper and lower respective terminal heat sinks outside of the enclosure to cool the energy storage cells without circulating the heat transfer fluid past energy storage cell bodies of the energy storage cells enclosed within the enclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system for powering a hybrid electric vehicle with a fuel cell, and in particular, efficiently initiating power generation in the fuel cell, the method and system comprising electrically connecting a battery to an ultracapacitor-based propulsion energy storage; using the battery to charge the propulsion energy storage to a predetermined voltage level for powering an air delivery compressor for a predetermined amount of time; disconnecting the battery from the propulsion energy storage; electrically connecting the propulsion energy storage to the air delivery compressor; operating the air delivery compressor using the charge on the propulsion energy storage to provide a predetermined quantity of air to the fuel cell; and causing the fuel cell to generate electricity.

Abstract: An energy storage cell pack cradle assembly for holding multiple rows of energy storage cells oriented along a dominant axis of vibration includes a first cradle member including a plurality of energy storage cell body supporting structures including respective holes; a second cradle member including a plurality of energy storage cell body supporting structures including respective holes; and one or more fasteners connecting the first cradle member and the second cradle member together. The energy storage cell body supporting structures are configured to structurally support the energy storage cells, with the energy storage cells oriented along a dominant axis of vibration, by energy storage cell bodies of the energy storage cells with respective electrically conductive terminals extending through the respective holes without structural support of the electrically conductive terminals by the cradle members.

Abstract: A hydrogen fuel cell water knockout device for an exhaust system of a heavy duty hybrid hydrogen fuel cell transit bus includes an expansion chamber housing forming an expansion chamber, the expansion chamber including a substantially vertical exhaust section and an exhaust flow path there through with a vertically lowest point in the exhaust flow path; a drain; and a condenser disposed at the vertically lowest point in exhaust flow path of the substantially vertical exhaust section in the expansion chamber so that the condenser condenses water from H2O exhaust without reintroduction of the water into the exhaust flow path and the water drains from the hydrogen fuel cell water knockout device through the drain.

Abstract: An energy storage cell pack cradle assembly for holding multiple rows of energy storage cells oriented along a dominant axis of vibration includes a first cradle member including a plurality of energy storage cell body supporting structures including respective holes; a second cradle member including a plurality of energy storage cell body supporting structures including respective holes; and one or more fasteners connecting the first cradle member and the second cradle member together. The energy storage cell body supporting structures are configured to structurally support the energy storage cells, with the energy storage cells oriented along a dominant axis of vibration, by energy storage cell bodies of the energy storage cells with respective electrically conductive terminals extending through the respective holes without structural support of the electrically conductive terminals by the cradle members.

Abstract: An energy storage pack cooling system including upper and lower respective terminal heat sinks thermally connected to respective upper and lower terminals of energy storage cells above and below upper and lower ends of an enclosure of an energy storage cell pack; and a blower and cooling assembly that circulates a heat transfer fluid past the upper and lower respective terminal heat sinks outside of the enclosure to cool the energy storage cells without circulating the heat transfer fluid past energy storage cell bodies of the energy storage cells enclosed within the enclosure.

Abstract: In an energy storage cell pack including at least one energy storage cell that radiates heat in a longitudinal axial direction outwards, towards opposite electrically conductive and heat conductive terminals, a terminal heat sink includes a receiving section for structurally receiving a terminal of the opposite electrically conductive and heat conductive terminals, and more than one heat conductive cooling fin radiating outwardly from the receiving section, wherein the more than one cooling fin radiates outwardly from the terminal when the receiving section structurally receives the terminal for dissipating heat from the terminal to cool the at least one energy storage cell.

Abstract: An energy storage pack cooling system including upper and lower respective terminal heat sinks thermally connected to respective upper and lower terminals of energy storage cells above and below upper and lower ends of an enclosure of an energy storage cell pack; and a blower and cooling assembly that circulates a heat transfer fluid past the upper and lower respective terminal heat sinks outside of the enclosure to cool the energy storage cells without circulating the heat transfer fluid past energy storage cell bodies of the energy storage cells enclosed within the enclosure.

Abstract: A start-stop or idle-stop method for a heavy-duty hybrid vehicle that turns off the fuel supply while maintaining the crankshaft rotation of the internal combustion engine when the vehicle stops or, optionally, when the vehicle travels downhill, travels in a noise sensitive location, travels in an exhaust emissions sensitive location, or operates in an emergency situation. The stop-start or idle-stop method automatically turns on the engine fuel supply to restart combustion when the vehicle starts accelerating, is no longer traveling downhill, is no longer traveling in a noise sensitive or exhaust sensitive location, is no longer in an emergency situation, or has dropped below the minimum energy storage restart level. The stop-start or idle-stop may be inhibited upon certain override conditions.