Abstract: A system for managing transfer or distribution of energy amongst a plurality of devices. The system includes one or more connectors configured to provide one or more connections to at least one of the plurality of devices, a switching device connected to the one or more connectors and configured to open or close the one or more connections, a memory configured to store energy storage or usage data associated with the at least one of the plurality of devices, and a controller coupled to the switching device and the memory. The controller may receive first data indicative of a request to receive energy, receive second data indicative of a request to unload energy, determine, based on the energy storage or usage data, the first data, and the second data, an energy distribution schedule, and control the switching device to provide or collect energy according to the energy distribution schedule.

Abstract: Systems herein relate to a device having a lens that directs angles of light toward solar cells and display sections having components that improve image clarity, reflectivity, and vividness. In one embodiment, a system includes a lens that directs incident light within a first angular range for absorption and a second angular range toward viewing material. The system also includes that the viewing material is within sections of the lens and forms an image. The system also includes reflective components adjacent to the viewing material within the sections of the lens, the reflective components reach ends of the lens away from the incident light and reflect the incident light within the second angular range that reflects off the viewing material. The system also includes an absorption component that captures energy from the incident light, the absorption component coupled to the lens at the ends and the reflective components.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to a device having a lens that directs angles of light toward solar cells and display sections having components that improve image clarity, reflectivity, and vividness. In one embodiment, a system includes a lens that directs incident light within a first angular range for absorption and a second angular range toward viewing material. The system also includes that the viewing material is within sections of the lens and forms an image. The system also includes reflective components adjacent to the viewing material within the sections of the lens, the reflective components reach ends of the lens away from the incident light and reflect the incident light within the second angular range that reflects off the viewing material. The system also includes an absorption component that captures energy from the incident light, the absorption component coupled to the lens at the ends and the reflective components.

Abstract: A system for providing an e-drive kit for a trailer connected to a towing vehicle. The system includes a motorized axle, a plurality of energy storage devices, and a controller coupled to the motorized axle and the plurality of energy storage devices. The motorized axle may be configured to control one or more wheels connected to the motorized axle. The controller may be configured to control the motorized axle to transfer energy generated by the one or more wheels to the plurality of energy storage devices for storage of the transferred energy. The controller may further be configured to receive data indicative of a driving maneuver of the towing vehicle. The controller may further be configured to control the motorized axle to actuate the one or more wheels based on the driving maneuver of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle configured to be flat towed. The vehicle includes a body structure including a front side member support having an end portion and a bumper beam mounted to the end portion. The body structure further includes a front side member plate mounted to the end portion of the front side member support. A towing bracket can be mounted to the vehicle via the front side member plate. A nut fastener can be mounted to the front side member plate whereby a towing bracket adapter is threadingly (e.g., removably) coupled to the nut fastener. A towing bracket can be attached directly to the front side member plate (e.g., via a weld). A flat tow base plate can also be mounted to the body structure via a fastener (e.g., a bolt).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to a device having a lens that directs angles of light toward solar cells and display sections having components that improve image clarity, reflectivity, and vividness. In one embodiment, a system includes a lens that directs incident light within a first angular range for absorption and a second angular range toward viewing material. The system also includes that the viewing material is within sections of the lens and forms an image. The system also includes reflective components adjacent to the viewing material within the sections of the lens, the reflective components reach ends of the lens away from the incident light and reflect the incident light within the second angular range that reflects off the viewing material. The system also includes an absorption component that captures energy from the incident light, the absorption component coupled to the lens at the ends and the reflective components.

Abstract: Systems herein relate to a device having a lens that directs angles of light toward solar cells and display sections having components that improve image clarity, reflectivity, and vividness. In one embodiment, a system includes a lens that directs incident light within a first angular range for absorption and a second angular range toward viewing material. The system also includes that the viewing material is within sections of the lens and forms an image. The system also includes reflective components adjacent to the viewing material within the sections of the lens, the reflective components reach ends of the lens away from the incident light and reflect the incident light within the second angular range that reflects off the viewing material. The system also includes an absorption component that captures energy from the incident light, the absorption component coupled to the lens at the ends and the reflective components.

Abstract: Vehicles and systems for modular power source storage. A vehicle may include a power source detachable from the vehicle. The power source may supply power to the vehicle and a remote device. The vehicle may further include a cargo bed that stores the power source. The cargo bed or a portion of the cargo bed may be removable from rest of the vehicle along with the power source.

Abstract: A system for managing storage or delivery of electrical energy. The system includes a plurality of stackable energy storage devices, one or more connectors, a plurality of switches, and a controller. The stackable energy storage devices receive the electrical energy from at least one external device or provide the electrical energy to the at least one external device. Each connector connects to a plug of a cable extending from an external device and provides a connection between an energy storage device and the external device. The switches are disposed between the energy storage devices and the one or more connectors and open or close the connection between the energy storage device and the external device. The controller controls the switches to open or close the connection. The system includes a user interface for receiving user input, and the controller controls the switch based on the user input.

Abstract: A system for providing an e-drive kit for a trailer connected to a towing vehicle. The system includes a motorized axle, a plurality of energy storage devices, and a controller coupled to the motorized axle and the plurality of energy storage devices. The motorized axle may be configured to control one or more wheels connected to the motorized axle. The controller may be configured to control the motorized axle to transfer energy generated by the one or more wheels to the plurality of energy storage devices for storage of the transferred energy. The controller may further be configured to receive data indicative of a driving maneuver of the towing vehicle. The controller may further be configured to control the motorized axle to actuate the one or more wheels based on the driving maneuver of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A system for managing on-demand charging or discharging of electrical energy. The system includes a plurality of energy storage devices, one or more connectors configured to connect with a plug of an external device, a switching device configured to control a connection between the plurality of energy storage devices and the one or more connectors, and an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the switching device. The ECU may receive data relating to a first external device and a second external device each requesting an on-demand charging or discharging of electrical energy, determine a first amount and a second amount of electrical energy to be charged to or discharged from, respectively, the first external device and the second external device, and determine whether a service apparatus is capable of the on-demand charging or discharging of electrical energy for the first and the second external devices without requiring additional electrical energy.

Abstract: A system for managing on-demand charging or discharging of electrical energy. The system includes a plurality of energy storage devices, one or more connectors configured to connect with a plug of an external device, a switching device configured to control a connection between the plurality of energy storage devices and the one or more connectors, and an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the switching device. The ECU may receive data relating to a first external device and a second external device each requesting an on-demand charging or discharging of electrical energy, determine a first amount and a second amount of electrical energy to be charged to or discharged from, respectively, the first external device and the second external device, and determine whether a service apparatus is capable of the on-demand charging or discharging of electrical energy for the first and the second external devices without requiring additional electrical energy.

Abstract: A system for managing transfer or distribution of energy amongst a plurality of devices. The system includes one or more connectors configured to provide one or more connections to at least one of the plurality of devices, a switching device connected to the one or more connectors and configured to open or close the one or more connections, a memory configured to store energy storage or usage data associated with the at least one of the plurality of devices, and a controller coupled to the switching device and the memory. The controller may receive first data indicative of a request to receive energy, receive second data indicative of a request to unload energy, determine, based on the energy storage or usage data, the first data, and the second data, an energy distribution schedule, and control the switching device to provide or collect energy according to the energy distribution schedule.

Abstract: A system for managing storage or delivery of electrical energy. The system includes a plurality of stackable energy storage devices, one or more connectors, a plurality of switches, and a controller. The stackable energy storage devices receive the electrical energy from at least one external device or provide the electrical energy to the at least one external device. Each connector connects to a plug of a cable extending from an external device and provides a connection between an energy storage device and the external device. The switches are disposed between the energy storage devices and the one or more connectors and open or close the connection between the energy storage device and the external device. The controller controls the switches to open or close the connection. The system includes a user interface for receiving user input, and the controller controls the switch based on the user input.

Abstract: The external vehicle charging system includes an inductive coil configured to provide an alternating magnetic field to a movable receiver coil of a vehicle, an adjustable arm coupled to the movable receiver coil, a sensor configured to detect a position of the movable receiver coil of the vehicle, and a processor connected to the inductive coil, the adjustable arm, and the sensor. The processor is configured to determine a charging request, and, in response to the charging request, activate the adjustable arm so that the distance between the inductive coil and the movable receiver is reduced.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a power source detachable from the vehicle. The power source is configured to supply power to the vehicle and a remote device. The vehicle includes a front trunk configured to store the power source. The front trunk or at least a portion of the front trunk may be advantageously removable from the vehicle along with the power source. A backup battery may be located in a vehicle's front trunk, where the front trunk and/or the backup battery may be detached from the vehicle itself. The power source may be removable from the front trunk. The power source may then be transported to and placed at a desired or a convenient location to power otherwise difficult to reach remote devices if the power source were to be fixed to the vehicle, such as users who camp off the grid and need power separate from running their vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicles and systems for modular power source storage. A vehicle may include a power source detachable from the vehicle. The power source may supply power to the vehicle and a remote device. The vehicle may further include a cargo bed that stores the power source. The cargo bed or a portion of the cargo bed may be removable from rest of the vehicle along with the power source.

Abstract: A surface-based transmitter system for assisting determination of vehicle location is presented. The system comprises a set of radio frequency (RF) transmitter nodes that, when deployed at different respective locations, are configured to output a sequence of respective RF pulses with a predefined inter-pulse delay between each pair of consecutive RF pulses in the sequence, wherein the pre-defined inter-pulse delay is longer than one microsecond. The set of RF transmitter nodes include at least a first RF transmitter node, a second RF transmitter node, a third RF transmitter node, and a fourth RF transmitter node, which are configured to output a first RF pulse, a second RF pulse, a third RF pulse, and a fourth RF pulse, respectively, of the sequence of RF pulses.

Abstract: A surface-based transmitter system for assisting determination of vehicle location is presented. The system comprises a set of radio frequency (RF) transmitter nodes that, when deployed at different respective locations, are configured to output a sequence of respective RF pulses with a predefined inter-pulse delay between each pair of consecutive RF pulses in the sequence, wherein the pre-defined inter-pulse delay is longer than 1 microsecond. The set of RF transmitter nodes include at least a first RF transmitter node, a second RF transmitter node, a third RF transmitter node, and a fourth RF transmitter node, which are configured to output a first RF pulse, a second RF pulse, a third RF pulse, and a fourth RF pulse, respectively, of the sequence of RF pulses.