Abstract: A hybrid energy storage system for supplying power to an application with a fluctuating load profile, such as, for example, electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, wind energy harvesting equipment and solar energy harvesting equipment. The hybrid energy storage system includes an ultra-capacitor electrically connected to a DC bus and a power source electrically connected to the DC bus via a controlled switch. The hybrid energy storage system further including a DC/DC converter connected between the power source and the ultra-capacitor, the DC/DC converter boosting a voltage of the power source to charge the ultra-capacitor. The DC/DC converter is preferably controlled to maintain a voltage of the ultra-capacitor at a higher value than the voltage of the power source.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a switched reluctance machine having a rotor excitation. In one example embodiment, the switched reluctance machine comprises a stator and a rotor. The rotor may be disposed inside or outside the stator. The rotor is spaced from the stator, and the rotor and the stator are concentrically disposed. The rotor has a plurality of rotor poles having an excitation source, where the excitation source comprises at least one adjustable parameter. The excitation source is provided by a permanent magnet. The dimensions and various other parameters associated with the permanent magnets are adjustable.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices related to a microgrid system for providing power to a facility. A self-contained power system provides power to a facility using a combination of power storage elements and renewable energy sources. A connection to an external power grid may also be provided. The system optimizes power flow to the facility using power from the storage elements and the renewable energy sources and, if necessary, the external power grid. The optimization process predicts future power usage by the facility using power usage data from a predetermined time window. The optimization process can also take into account predicted energy generation amounts by the renewable energy sources. To optimize economic effects, the optimization process can also determine whether to buy and when to buy power from the external power grid.

Abstract: A multi-source power converter is proposed to permit bidirectional DC to AC conversion from n (n?2 and n?N) DC voltage sources to an AC load with a reduced number of switches, and DC to DC conversion. Both single and three phases AC load are considered. The proposed topology consists in a single stage of conversion, and therefore a high efficiency can be expected for the system. Any type of DC sources can be used in the system (fuel-cell, battery, ultra-capacitor, photo-voltaic cells, DC bus, DC to DC or AC to DC converter, etc.). The AC load can be either single or three phases (single-phase AC grid/microgrid, three-phase electric machines, induction machine, synchronous machine, etc.). There is no requirement for the n DC voltage source values; they can be equal or different and they can be used individually or together by the converter to generate the AC output. If different DC voltage values are used, the converter can be controlled to generate a multi-level AC voltage.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a double-rotor switched reluctance machine. In one example embodiment, the double-rotor switched reluctance machine comprises an interior rotor, an exterior rotor spaced from the interior rotor and coaxially and concentrically disposed outside the interior rotor, and at least one stator disposed concentrically with the interior rotor and the exterior rotor. The interior rotor, the exterior rotor and the at least one stator are disposed within one machine set to provide an interior switched reluctance machine and an exterior switched reluctance machine. The interior switched reluctance machine and the exterior switched reluctance machine can operate as two motors, two generators, or a motor and a generator simultaneously.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle transmission including a double-rotor electric machine, two planetary gear sets, an input shaft, and an output shaft, where the input shaft, the output shaft, and a first rotor of the double-rotor electric machine are each coupled to a member of the first planetary gear set, the output shaft and a second rotor of the double-rotor electric machine are each coupled to a member of the second planetary gear set, and a member of the second planetary gear set not coupled to the output shaft or the second rotor is selectively coupled to the first rotor via a first torque transfer device, and selectively coupled to a transmission housing via a second torque transfer device.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain for an aircraft may include a drive shaft, the drive shaft, an internal combustion engine to selectably drive the drive shaft, a propeller coupled to the drive shaft and an electric motor having a stator and a rotor and operable to selectably drive the drive shaft. The drive shaft may extend through the electric motor. The rotor may be coupled to the drive shaft to rotate with the drive shaft and the rotor is a flywheel for the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain system including a differential gear set, a planetary gear set coupled to the differential gear set, an engine coupled to the planetary gear set to transfer power between the engine and the planetary gear set, a first electric machine coupled to the planetary gear set via a first clutch and selectively engagable, via actuation of the first clutch, to transfer power between the first electric machine and the planetary gear set, and a second electric machine coupled to the planetary gear set via a second clutch and selectively engagable, via actuation of the second clutch, to transfer power between the second electric machine and the planetary gear set.

Abstract: A powertrain system for a vehicle is provided. The powertrain system includes an internal combustion engine, a first gearset connected to the internal combustion engine, a first electric machine connected to the first gearset, a drivetrain gear for connection to a drivetrain of the vehicle, a second gearset connecting the first gearset to the drivetrain gear, a second electric machine, and at least one dynamic clutch selectively coupling the second electric machine to the first electric machine, the first gearset, and the second gearset. In a first mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the first electric machine. In a second mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the first gearset. In a third mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the second gearset.

Abstract: A powertrain system for a vehicle is provided, including an internal combustion engine, a drivetrain gear for connection to a drivetrain of the vehicle, a gearset connecting the internal combustion engine to the drivetrain gear, a first electric machine connected to the gearset, a second electric machine, and at least one dynamic clutch selectively coupling the second electric machine to the drivetrain gear and the gearset. In a compound mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the gearset. In a split mode of operation, the at least one dynamic clutch couples the second electric machine and the drivetrain gear.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical drive train for a hybrid electric vehicle. The electro-mechanical drive train includes a housing and a pinion shaft having a first end disposed within the housing and a second end in communication with a combustion engine. A differential is disposed within the housing and in combination with the end of the pinion shaft. An electric motor is also disposed within the housing and in actuating combination with the pinion shaft.

Abstract: A method of controlling a DC/DC converter to regulate an output voltage from an input voltage source that varies from a fully-charged voltage to a discharged voltage. The method introduced improves the dynamic response of the converter during transients by switching between different converter topologies to spread out voltage spikes, which are an inevitable result of transients. The invention also can improve the efficiency of the DC/DC converter by replacing higher loss modes with combination modes.

Abstract: A switched reluctance machine (SRM) having a rotor and stator pole numerical relationship of S number of stator poles and R number of rotor poles, where R=2S?2, when S is greater than 4; provides improved power density, torque production, torque ripple, and is readily adaptable to existing hardware such as known controllers and the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to a parallel hybrid electric conversion kit for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, a driveshaft and a transmission, such as, rear wheel drive vehicles, four-wheel drive vehicles, heavy duty multiple-driven-axle vehicles and/or all-wheel drive vehicles. The conversion kit includes a motor-generator, a torque coupler, a battery, a power electronics module and a controller. Suitable torque couplers include transfer cases and/or rear-through differentials. The conversion kit provides an aftermarket solution to increased performance, fuel economy and/or reduced emissions by modifying the drivetrain after the transmission. According to one embodiment of this invention, the control scheme of the installed conversion kit receives input signals from the engine and the motor-generator, but only sends control signals to the motor-generator, facilitating installation of the conversion kit.

Abstract: A digital controller for controlling variable speed and dynamic torque applications of an electric motor. The controller includes a state observer monitoring a torque load requirement and sending a signal based on the torque load requirement, and a digital control unit for receiving the signal from the state observer and sending an output to the electric motor. The output is a value that corresponds to a first motor operating state or a second motor operating state.

Abstract: This invention relates a control strategy for a hybrid electric vehicle having an electric motor, a battery and an internal combustion engine. The control strategy improves fuel economy and reduces emissions while providing sufficient acceleration over a varying set of driving conditions through an adaptive control unit with an artificial neural network. The artificial neural network is trained on a pre-processed training set based on the highest fuel economies of multiple control strategies and multiple driving profiles. Training the artificial neural network includes a training algorithm and a learning algorithm. The invention also includes a method of operating a hybrid electric vehicle with an adaptive control strategy using an artificial neural network.

Abstract: A hybrid energy storage system for supplying power to an application with a fluctuating load profile, such as, for example, electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, wind energy harvesting equipment and solar energy harvesting equipment. The hybrid energy storage system includes an ultra-capacitor electrically connected to a DC bus and a power source electrically connected to the DC bus via a controlled switch. The hybrid energy storage system further including a DC/DC converter connected between the power source and the ultra-capacitor, the DC/DC converter boosting a voltage of the power source to charge the ultra-capacitor. The DC/DC converter is preferably controlled to maintain a voltage of the ultra-capacitor at a higher value than the voltage of the power source.

Abstract: This invention relates to a power module for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle including an integrated converter having a rectifier changing AC to DC, a DC/DC converter changing from a first voltage to a second voltage, and a battery storing electrical energy. The integrated converter operates in three modes 1) AC plug-in charging mode, 2) boost mode supplying power from the battery to the electrical bus and 3) buck mode supplying power from the electrical bus to the battery. The integrated converter utilizes the same single inductor during each of the three operating modes to reduce cost and weight of the system.

Abstract: An electric energy storage system (EESS) for providing a power management solution for a multi-subsystem energy storage in electric, hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicles. The EESS has a controller that determines when to draw power from each subsystem as needed by the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of controlling a DC/DC converter to regulate an output voltage from an input voltage source that varies from a fully-charged voltage to a discharged voltage. The method introduced improves the dynamic response of the converter during transients by switching between different converter topologies to spread out voltage spikes, which are an inevitable result of transients. The invention also can improve the efficiency of the DC/DC converter by replacing higher loss modes with combination modes.