Abstract: A propulsion circuit for a vehicle includes an engine, a generator, a power rectifier, a direct current (DC) bus, a propulsion battery system, and at least one converter. The generator is coupled to the engine and configured to receive an input from the engine, and to provide an alternating current (AC) output. The power rectifier is configured to receive the AC output from the generator and provide a DC output responsive to receiving the AC output. The DC bus is coupled to the rectifier. The propulsion battery system is coupled to the DC bus. The at least one converter is configured to convert a direct current to an alternating current, and is coupled to the DC bus. Further, the propulsion circuit includes at least one charging component that is configured to selectably provide a charge to the battery system via at least one of the at least one converter.

Abstract: A thermal management system and a method of operating thereof includes a housing body having a first broad surface and an opposing second broad surface and may extend between a first end and a second end. The housing body defines plural passages disposed between the first and second broad surfaces. The plural passages extend in one or more orthogonal directions between the first and second ends of the body. An inlet conduit is fluidly coupled with a first passage of the plural passages via an inlet structure that defines an inlet of the housing body, and directs a fluid into the first passage of the plural passages. An outlet conduit is fluidly coupled with a second passage of the plural passages via an outlet structure that defines an outlet of the housing body, and directs the fluid out of the second passage of the plural passages.

Abstract: A system and method determine (a) thermal characteristics of an energy storage apparatus that supplies electric current to one or more vehicular loads for powering the one or more vehicular loads and/or (b) electrical characteristics of the energy storage apparatus or the one or more vehicular loads. The system and method determine whether operation of the energy storage apparatus indicates that the energy storage apparatus is unexpectedly heating or unexpectedly cooling and identifying a fault in the energy storage apparatus responsive to determining that the energy storage apparatus is unexpectedly heating or unexpectedly cooling.

Abstract: A propulsion circuit for a vehicle includes an engine, a generator, a power rectifier, a direct current (DC) bus, a propulsion battery system, and at least one converter. The generator is coupled to the engine and configured to receive an input from the engine, and to provide an alternating current (AC) output. The power rectifier is configured to receive the AC output from the generator and provide a DC output responsive to receiving the AC output. The DC bus is coupled to the rectifier. The propulsion battery system is coupled to the DC bus. The at least one converter is configured to convert a direct current to an alternating current, and is coupled to the DC bus. Further, the propulsion circuit includes at least one charging component that is configured to selectably provide a charge to the battery system via at least one of the at least one converter.

Abstract: A system includes an auxiliary battery configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle having an electrically powered propulsion system that is configured to also be powered by detachable main batteries, and a converter configured to be electrically coupled with the auxiliary battery and the propulsion system of the vehicle. The converter is configured to direct electric energy stored in the auxiliary battery to the propulsion system for powering the propulsion system while the vehicle is detached from a depleted detachable main battery and before the vehicle is connected with a charged detachable main battery.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for an electric motor arrangement in a chassis of a battery electric vehicle. In one embodiment, a front chassis for a battery electric vehicle comprises a structural frame including two parallel sidewalls and a first portion of a vehicle articulation joint and an electric motor coupled between and in face-sharing contact with each of the two parallel sidewalls.

Abstract: An electric machine that includes a rotor core made of magnetic steel; a stator configured with stationary windings therein; openings disposed within or on the rotor core; and a rotor circuit that is configured to introduce saliency based on an orientation of part of the rotor circuit in relationship to a pole location of the electric machine, where the rotor circuit is made of a conductive, non-magnetic material. A rotor component and various embodiments of electric machines are also disclosed. The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.

Abstract: A rotor component that comprises a rotor circuit configured for use with either an interior permanent magnet (IPM) machine or a synchronous reluctance machine (SRM) that includes a pole circuit made of a conductive, non-magnetic material and has a midpoint that substantially aligns with a d-axis of the IPM or SRM. An electric machine with a similar rotor component therein or having a loop or ring of a conductive, non-magnetic material that is substantially concentric about a d-axis of the electric machine.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for an electric motor arrangement in a chassis of a battery electric vehicle. In one embodiment, a front chassis for a battery electric vehicle comprises a structural frame including two parallel sidewalls and a first portion of a vehicle articulation joint and an electric motor coupled between and in face-sharing contact with each of the two parallel sidewalls.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a vehicle. The vehicle includes an energy storage device and a traction motor electrically connected to the energy storage device. The traction motor is configured to convert electrical energy supplied by the energy storage device into a mechanical output to propel the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a vehicle connecting mechanism electrically coupled to the energy storage device and being configured for electrical coupling with a second vehicle connecting mechanism of a second vehicle to establish an electrical interface between the vehicle and the second vehicle. The electrical interface enables the transfer of electric power between the vehicle and the second vehicle.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a housing connected to the vehicle, the housing having a bottom floor, a plurality of exterior walls, at least one partition wall within the housing diving the housing into a plurality of sections, and a plurality of battery modules arranged in a vertical orientation within the housing.

Abstract: An electrical machine includes a rotor comprising a rotor core and a plurality of permanent magnets embedded radially within the rotor core to form a plurality of rotor poles. The electrical machine further includes a stator comprising a stator core disposed concentrically outside the rotor and including a plurality of stator teeth defining a plurality of stator slots there between. An arithmetic sum or difference of twice the number of stator teeth and the number of the stator poles equals the number of rotor poles.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a vehicle. The vehicle includes an energy storage device and a traction motor electrically connected to the energy storage device. The traction motor is configured to convert electrical energy supplied by the energy storage device into a mechanical output to propel the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a vehicle connecting mechanism electrically coupled to the energy storage device and being configured for electrical coupling with a second vehicle connecting mechanism of a second vehicle to establish an electrical interface between the vehicle and the second vehicle. The electrical interface enables the transfer of electric power between the vehicle and the second vehicle.

Abstract: A rotor component that comprises a rotor circuit configured for use with either an interior permanent magnet (IPM) machine or a synchronous reluctance machine (SRM) that includes a pole circuit made of a conductive, non-magnetic material and has a midpoint that substantially aligns with a d-axis of the IPM or SRM. An electric machine with a similar rotor component therein or having a loop or ring of a conductive, non-magnetic material that is substantially concentric about a d-axis of the electric machine.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus for reducing the mechanical load on the electrical terminals of a capacitor includes a plate having a planar body and one or more deflectable tabs connected to the planar body, one or more capacitors respectively mounted to the plate via the one or more deflectable tabs, and a busbar electrically connected to the one or more capacitors such that the one or more capacitors are arranged intermediate the plate and the busbar. The deflectable tabs are configured to support the capacitors, and to move towards and away from the planar body for accommodating size variances in the capacitors relative to a fixed spacing between the busbar and an enclosure.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus for reducing the mechanical load on the electrical terminals of a capacitor includes a plate having a planar body and one or more deflectable tabs connected to the planar body, one or more capacitors respectively mounted to the plate via the one or more deflectable tabs, and a busbar electrically connected to the one or more capacitors such that the one or more capacitors are arranged intermediate the plate and the busbar. The deflectable tabs are configured to support the capacitors, and to move towards and away from the planar body for accommodating size variances in the capacitors relative to a fixed spacing between the busbar and an enclosure.