Abstract: An illustrative dual power inverter module includes a detection circuit configured to detect loss of low voltage DC electrical power supplied to a controller for a first power inverter and a second power inverter of a drive unit for an electric vehicle. A first backup power circuit is associated with the first power inverter and a second backup power circuit is associated with the second power inverter. Each backup power circuit is configured to convert high voltage DC electrical power to low voltage DC electrical power responsive to detection of loss of low voltage DC electrical power supplied to the controller. Three-phase short circuitry is configured to apply a same fault action to the first power inverter and the second power inverter responsive to detection of loss of low voltage DC electrical power supplied to the controller, wherein the same fault action includes applying equalized torque to each axle operatively coupled to the drive unit.

Abstract: An illustrative drive unit for an electric vehicle includes a first electrical motor, a first axle mechanically couplable to the first electrical motor, a second electrical motor, a second axle mechanically couplable to the second electrical motor, and a dual power inverter module electrically couplable to a source of high voltage DC electrical power. The dual power inverter module includes: a first inverter configured to convert the high voltage DC electrical power to three phase, high voltage AC electrical power and electrically couplable to provide the three phase, high voltage AC electrical power to the first electrical motor; a second inverter configured to convert the high voltage DC electrical power to three phase, high voltage AC electrical power and electrically couplable to provide the three phase, high voltage AC electrical power to the second electrical motor; and a common controller configured to control the first inverter and the second inverter.

Abstract: An illustrative dual power inverter module includes a detection circuit configured to detect loss of low voltage DC electrical power supplied to a controller for a first power inverter and a second power inverter of a drive unit for an electric vehicle. A first backup power circuit is associated with the first power inverter and a second backup power circuit is associated with the second power inverter. Each backup power circuit is configured to convert high voltage DC electrical power to low voltage DC electrical power responsive to detection of loss of low voltage DC electrical power supplied to the controller. Three-phase short circuitry is configured to apply a same fault action to the first power inverter and the second power inverter responsive to detection of loss of low voltage DC electrical power supplied to the controller, wherein the same fault action includes applying equalized torque to each axle operatively coupled to the drive unit.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a direct current (DC) fast charger (DCFC) controller unit includes a controller. The controller includes a processor and computer-readable media. The computer-readable media is configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the processor to: receive a maximum charge time duration to charge at least one battery to a desired state of charge responsive to an increased efficiency charge mode being enabled; determine an amount of energy used in a plurality of charge cycles for charging the at least one battery to the desired state of charge with charge time durations no longer than the maximum charge time duration; select a charge cycle for charging the at least one battery to the desired state of charge with a lowest amount of energy used; and cause the at least one battery to be charged with the selected charge cycle.

Abstract: A charging system includes a plurality of power charging cabinets, each power charging cabinet being configured with a plurality of electrical power outputs. The charging system also includes at least one power dispenser chain coupled to at least one of the plurality of electrical power outputs, each of the power dispenser chains having more than one addressable power dispenser electrically coupled thereto and each of the power dispensers being configured to be addressed based on a vehicle identifier of a vehicle coupled to an addressed power dispenser, each of the power dispensers also having a controller configured to control electrical power delivery to a destination chosen from a charging power output of the power dispenser and to another power dispenser in the power dispenser chain. The charging system further includes a central control system configured to communicate with controllers of the power dispensers of the at least one power dispenser chain.

Abstract: A controller includes a first processor for a first power inverter. Computer-readable media is configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the first processor to: generate a first clock signal and a second clock signal; identify a pulse width modulation method of the first power inverter and a pulse width modulation method of a second power inverter; identify and compare a switching frequency of the first power inverter and a switching frequency of the second power inverter; determine an optimized phase shift between the first power inverter and the second power inverter responsive to the pulse width modulation method of the first power inverter and the pulse width modulation method of the second power inverter and the switching frequency of the first power inverter and the switching frequency of the second power inverter; and synchronize the optimized phase shift between the first power inverter and the second power inverter.

Abstract: An illustrative dual power inverter module includes a DC link capacitor electrically connectable to a source of high voltage direct current (DC) electrical power. A first power inverter is electrically connectable to the DC link capacitor and configured to convert high voltage DC electrical power to three phase high voltage alternating current (AC) electrical power and is configured to supply the three phase high voltage AC electrical power to a first electric motor. A second power inverter is electrically connectable to the DC link capacitor and configured to convert high voltage DC electrical power to three phase high voltage AC electrical power and is configured to supply the three phase high voltage AC electrical power to a second electric motor. A common controller is electrically connectable to the first power inverter and the second power inverter. The common controller is configured to control the first power inverter and the second power inverter.

Abstract: An illustrative dual power inverter module includes a DC link capacitor electrically connectable to a source of high voltage direct current (DC) electrical power. A first power inverter is electrically connectable to the DC link capacitor and configured to convert high voltage DC electrical power to three phase high voltage alternating current (AC) electrical power and is configured to supply the three phase high voltage AC electrical power to a first electric motor. A second power inverter is electrically connectable to the DC link capacitor and configured to convert high voltage DC electrical power to three phase high voltage AC electrical power and is configured to supply the three phase high voltage AC electrical power to a second electric motor. A common controller is electrically connectable to the first power inverter and the second power inverter. The common controller is configured to control the first power inverter and the second power inverter.

Abstract: An illustrative dual power inverter module includes a detection circuit configured to detect loss of low voltage DC electrical power supplied to a controller for a first power inverter and a second power inverter of a drive unit for an electric vehicle. A first backup power circuit is associated with the first power inverter and a second backup power circuit is associated with the second power inverter. Each backup power circuit is configured to convert high voltage DC electrical power to low voltage DC electrical power responsive to detection of loss of low voltage DC electrical power supplied to the controller. Three-phase short circuitry is configured to apply a same fault action to the first power inverter and the second power inverter responsive to detection of loss of low voltage DC electrical power supplied to the controller, wherein the same fault action includes applying equalized torque to each axle operatively coupled to the drive unit.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative controllers, dual power inverter modules, and electric vehicles. In an illustrative embodiment, a controller includes one or more processors associated with a first and second power inverter for the drive unit. Computer-readable media for the one or more processors are each configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to apply a same fault action to the first power inverter and the second power inverter responsive to a fault associated with an inverter chosen from the first power inverter and the second power inverter, wherein the same fault action includes applying equalized torque to each axle operatively coupled to the drive unit.

Abstract: An illustrative drive unit for an electric vehicle includes a first electrical motor, a first axle mechanically couplable to the first electrical motor, a second electrical motor, a second axle mechanically couplable to the second electrical motor, and a dual power inverter module electrically couplable to a source of high voltage DC electrical power. The dual power inverter module includes: a first inverter configured to convert the high voltage DC electrical power to three phase, high voltage AC electrical power and electrically couplable to provide the three phase, high voltage AC electrical power to the first electrical motor; a second inverter configured to convert the high voltage DC electrical power to three phase, high voltage AC electrical power and electrically couplable to provide the three phase, high voltage AC electrical power to the second electrical motor; and a common controller configured to control the first inverter and the second inverter.

Abstract: A charging station includes an alternating current (AC) electrical power input and at least one direct current (DC) electrical power module coupled to the AC electrical power input. The charging station also includes at least one station output having a vehicle DC electrical power output, a communications output, and a dispenser DC electrical power output, the dispenser DC electrical power output being configured to be coupled to at least one dispenser. The charging station further includes a communications hub including at least one communications network connection, the communications hub being configured to receive information relating to an amount of DC electrical power to be delivered to a particular dispenser coupled to the charging station.

Abstract: A charging dispenser includes a direct current (DC) electrical power input, a DC electrical power pass through output, and a DC electrical power charging output. The charging dispenser also includes a switching unit coupled to the DC electrical power input, the DC electrical power pass through output, and the DC electrical power charging output. Further, the charging dispenser includes a controller configured to provide control signals to the switching unit, the switching unit being configured, responsive to the control signals, to selectively electrically disconnect the DC electrical power input from the DC electrical power pass through output and electrically connect the DC electrical power input to the DC electrical power charging output of the charging dispenser and to selectively electrically connect the DC electrical power input to the DC electrical power pass through output and electrically disconnect the DC electrical power input from the DC electrical power charging output of the charging dispenser.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative controllers, dual power inverter modules, and electric vehicles. In an illustrative embodiment, a controller includes a first processor for a first power inverter.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative electrical power dispensers for electrical vehicle charging systems, charging systems, and methods of sensing presence of a charge coupler in a holster of an electrical power dispenser. In an illustrative embodiment, an electrical power dispenser for an electrical vehicle charging system includes a housing. A charge coupler is configured to dispense direct current electrical power. A holster is disposed on the housing and is configured to receive the charge coupler therein. A holster sensor is configured to sense presence of the charge coupler in the holster and is further configured to generate a signal indicative of presence of the charge coupler in the holster.

Abstract: A charge coupler adapted to be coupled to a charging inlet of an electric vehicle, the charge coupler including: a housing including a first portion adapted to be disposed around a first plurality of contacts and a second portion adapted to be disposed around a second plurality of contacts; a conductive member disposed between the first portion of the housing and the second portion of the housing; and a control system coupled to the conductive member and operable for sensing a break in the conductive member indicating damage to one or more of the first portion of the housing and the second portion of the housing or that the second portion of the housing is detached from the first portion of the housing. Optionally, the conductive member includes a conductive loop disposed around an inner periphery of the housing, the first plurality of contacts, and the second plurality of contacts.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative inverter modules that are integratably mountable with a drive unit of a vehicle, illustrative drive units with an inverter module integratably mounted therewith, and illustrative vehicles with at least one drive unit with an inverter module integratably mounted therewith. Given by way of non-limiting example, an illustrative module for a drive unit of a vehicle includes a housing having an open face defined therein. Inverter circuitry is disposed in the housing.

Abstract: A charging dispenser includes a direct current (DC) electrical power input, a DC electrical power pass through output, and a DC electrical power charging output. The charging dispenser also includes a switching unit coupled to the DC electrical power input, the DC electrical power pass through output, and the DC electrical power charging output. Further, the charging dispenser includes a controller configured to provide control signals to the switching unit, the switching unit being configured, responsive to the control signals, to selectively electrically disconnect the DC electrical power input from the DC electrical power pass through output and electrically connect the DC electrical power input to the DC electrical power charging output of the charging dispenser and to selectively electrically connect the DC electrical power input to the DC electrical power pass through output and electrically disconnect the DC electrical power input from the DC electrical power charging output of the charging dispenser.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative apparatuses and methods for performing vehicle-to-vehicle and/or vehicle-to-load charging. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a multi-function DC power unit and an interface unit configured to perform battery recharging between a donor battery-powered device and a receiver battery-powered device. The interface unit is configured to removably receive the multi-function DC power unit.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative drive unit controllers, drive units, and vehicles. In an illustrative embodiment, a drive unit controller includes a first component configured to receive heat request and vehicle status information. A second component is configured to initiate a battery heat generation mode responsive to the received heat request and the vehicle status information.