Abstract: A stator assembly for an electric motor assembly is provided. The stator assembly includes an annular body extending about a central axis. The annular body includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The annular body has a first thickness defined between the inner surface and the outer surface. The stator assembly also includes at least one stator tooth extending radially from the annular body. The at least one stator tooth includes a first tip spaced radially from the annular body. The at least one stator tooth has a second thickness. A ratio of the first thickness to the second thickness is at least about 1.1.

Abstract: A motor includes a stator comprising windings configured to be energized, and a rotor electromagnetically coupled to the stator and configured to turn relative thereto when the stator is energized. The motor also includes a motor controller configured to measure a speed at which the rotor turns, and energize said stator to generate a first torque output at the rotor when the measured speed is below a first threshold. The motor controller is also configured to energize the stator to generate a second torque output at the rotor when the measured speed is at least the first threshold, wherein the second torque output is greater than the first torque output.

Abstract: A motor includes a stator comprising windings configured to be energized, and a rotor electromagnetically coupled to the stator and configured to turn relative thereto when the stator is energized. The motor also includes a motor controller configured to measure a speed at which the rotor turns, and energize said stator to generate a first torque output at the rotor when the measured speed is below a first threshold. The motor controller is also configured to energize the stator to generate a second torque output at the rotor when the measured speed is at least the first threshold, wherein the second torque output is greater than the first torque output.

Abstract: A stator assembly includes an annular body extending about a central axis and a first stator tooth extending radially from the annular body. The first stator tooth includes a first tip spaced radially from the annular body. The stator assembly also includes a second stator tooth extending radially from the annular body and spaced circumferentially from the first stator tooth. The second stator tooth includes a second tip spaced radially from the annular body. The stator assembly further includes a stiffener positioned between the first stator tooth and the second stator tooth. The stiffener is configured to resist deformation of the stator assembly.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly includes a rotor assembly configured to rotate about a central axis and a stator assembly configured to extend about the rotor assembly. The rotor assembly includes at least one of the following: a plurality of spokes and at least one neodymium iron boron magnet. The stator assembly includes an annular body including an inner surface and an outer surface. A first thickness is defined between the inner surface and the outer surface. The stator assembly also includes a plurality of stator teeth extending radially from the annular body and spaced circumferentially about the annular body. Each stator tooth has a second thickness. A ratio of the second thickness to the first thickness is in a range of about 0.5 to about 1. The stator assembly includes no more than 24 slots defined by the plurality of stator teeth.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to characterizing effective vehicle frontal area. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, one or more operating parameters of the vehicle are obtained. Such parameters may be obtained during one or more qualifying periods of time, such as those periods in which an operating parameter or parameters such as speed and/or acceleration are within a range of values. A value that provides an estimate of the vehicle frontal area is then generated based on the one or more operating parameters.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to characterizing vehicle mass. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, one or more operating parameters of the vehicle are obtained, and at least one qualifying period of time is identified in which the operating parameter or parameters are within a range of values associated with the parameter. A value that provides an estimate of the mass is then generated based on the one or more operating parameters.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a permanent magnet rotor is provided. The permanent magnet rotor includes a shaft comprising an outer diameter, a first hub coupled about the shaft outer diameter, and a first plurality of pole pieces positioned radially about the hub. The rotor further includes a plurality of permanent magnets positioned radially about the hub. The plurality of pole pieces and the plurality of permanent magnets define a rotor outer diameter, and the rotor outer diameter is magnetically isolated from shaft.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to characterizing engine load for an engine in a vehicle. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, an engine reporting strategy utilized by an on board diagnostic (OBD) system of a vehicle is detected based on output parameters of the OBD system and engine load values provided under engine operating conditions that maximize the load values.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to estimating the type fuel used by a vehicle. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, a type of fuel burned by an engine in a vehicle is estimated by obtaining output parameters of an on board diagnostic (OBD) system of the vehicle. Respective estimates of the fuel type are generated based on the output parameters, using a different fuel type identifying method for each respective estimate, and the fuel type is determined based on the respective estimates.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to characterizing effective vehicle frontal area. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, one or more operating parameters of the vehicle are obtained. Such parameters may be obtained during one or more qualifying periods of time, such as those periods in which an operating parameter or parameters such as speed and/or acceleration are within a range of values. A value that provides an estimate of the vehicle frontal area is then generated based on the one or more operating parameters.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to characterizing vehicle mass. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, one or more operating parameters of the vehicle are obtained, and at least one qualifying period of time is identified in which the operating parameter or parameters are within a range of values associated with the parameter. A value that provides an estimate of the mass is then generated based on the one or more operating parameters.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to characterizing engine load for an engine in a vehicle. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, an engine reporting strategy utilized by an on board diagnostic (OBD) system of a vehicle is detected based on output parameters of the OBD system and engine load values provided under engine operating conditions that maximize the load values.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to estimating the type fuel used by a vehicle. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, a type of fuel burned by an engine in a vehicle is estimated by obtaining output parameters of an on board diagnostic (OBD) system of the vehicle. Respective estimates of the fuel type are generated based on the output parameters, using a different fuel type identifying method for each respective estimate, and the fuel type is determined based on the respective estimates.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to estimating the fuel consumption of a vehicle. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, fuel consumption of a vehicle's combustion engine is estimated during operation of the combustion engine with a particular fuel type. A value for air flow through the combustion engine is obtained. An amount of oxygen that is burned during operation of the combustion engine is determined by, based upon the value for the air flow, estimating the quantity of oxygen flowing through the combustion engine, and estimating the amount of the oxygen flowing through the combustion engine that is unburnt. The fuel consumption is then estimated based upon the determined amount of oxygen that is burned and the fuel type.

Abstract: A method of estimating the fuel consumption of a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of estimating an overall power of said vehicle, by estimating a rolling power component, an aerodynamic resistance component and an acceleration component, using at least one parameter obtained from an on board diagnostic system of the vehicle; determining the type of fuel used by the vehicle; and estimating said fuel consumption by summing said components of said overall power and dividing by the energy value of said fuel type and by a predetermined engine efficiency value.

Abstract: A method of estimating the fuel consumption of a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of estimating an overall power of said vehicle, by estimating a rolling power component, an aerodynamic resistance component and an acceleration component, using at least one parameter obtained from an on board diagnostic system of the vehicle; determining the type of fuel used by the vehicle; and estimating said fuel consumption by summing said components of said overall power and dividing by the energy value of said fuel type and by a predetermined engine efficiency value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a permanent magnet rotor is provided. The permanent magnet rotor includes a shaft comprising an outer diameter, a first hub coupled about the shaft outer diameter, and a first plurality of pole pieces positioned radially about the hub. The rotor further includes a plurality of permanent magnets positioned radially about the hub. The plurality of pole pieces and the plurality of permanent magnets define a rotor outer diameter, and the rotor outer diameter is magnetically isolated from shaft.