Abstract: A process of isolating 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO) from a fermentation broth includes separating a liquid fraction enriched in 1,4-BDO from a solid fraction comprising cells, removing water from said liquid fraction, removing salts from said liquid fraction, and purifying 1,4-BDO. A process for producing 1,4-BDO includes culturing a 1,4-BDO-producing microorganism in a fermentor for a sufficient period of time to produce 1,4-BDO. The 1,4-BDO-producing microorganism includes a microorganism having a 1,4-BDO pathway having one or more exogenous genes encoding a 1,4-BDO pathway enzyme and/or one or more gene disruptions. The process for producing 1,4-BDO further includes isolating 1,4-BDO.

Abstract: A drive system is provided for a utility vehicle and includes an alternating-current (AC) motor for providing a drive torque. An AC motor controller receives a battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, forward/neutral/reverse (FNR) signal, and run/tow signal indicative of the utility vehicle being configured to be driven and being configured to be towed. The AC motor controller generates an AC drive signal for the AC motor, wherein the AC drive signal is based on the battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, FNR signal, and run/tow signal.

Abstract: A drive system is provided for a utility vehicle and includes an alternating-current (AC) motor for providing a drive torque. An AC motor controller receives a battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, forward/neutral/reverse (FNR) signal, and run/tow signal indicative of the utility vehicle being configured to be driven and being configured to be towed. The AC motor controller generates an AC drive signal for the AC motor, wherein the AC drive signal is based on the battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, FNR signal, and run/tow signal.

Abstract: A method for braking an electric utility vehicle including a motor and an electromechanical brake. The method includes storing a value indicative of at least one of an amount of current, voltage, and power that is commanded to a motor of the electric utility vehicle to maintain the electric utility vehicle in a stopped state; engaging a parking brake function of an electromechanical brake after the storing; disabling the motor after the engaging; commanding the at least one of the current, voltage, and power to the motor at the stored value when an accelerator pedal is depressed; and disengaging the parking brake function after the commanding.

Abstract: A process of isolating 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO) from a fermentation broth includes separating a liquid fraction enriched in 1,4-BDO from a solid fraction comprising cells, removing water from said liquid fraction, removing salts from said liquid fraction, and purifying 1,4-BDO. A process for producing 1,4-BDO includes culturing a 1,4-BDO-producing microorganism in a fermentor for a sufficient period of time to produce 1,4-BDO. The 1,4-BDO-producing microorganism includes a microorganism having a 1,4-BDO pathway having one or more exogenous genes encoding a 1,4-BDO pathway enzyme and/or one or more gene disruptions. The process for producing 1,4-BDO further includes isolating 1,4-BDO.

Abstract: A drive system is provided for a utility vehicle and includes an alternating-current (AC) motor for providing a drive torque. An AC motor controller receives a battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, forward/neutral/reverse (FNR) signal, and run/tow signal indicative of the utility vehicle being configured to be driven and being configured to be towed. The AC motor controller generates an AC drive signal for the AC motor, wherein the AC drive signal is based on the battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, FNR signal, and run/tow signal.

Abstract: A drive system is provided for a utility vehicle and includes an alternating-current (AC) motor for providing a drive torque. An AC motor controller receives a battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, forward/neutral/reverse (FNR) signal, and run/tow signal indicative of the utility vehicle being configured to be driven and being configured to be towed. The AC motor controller generates an AC drive signal for the AC motor, wherein the AC drive signal is based on the battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, FNR signal, and run/tow signal.

Abstract: A drive system is provided for a utility vehicle and includes an alternating-current (AC) motor for providing a drive torque. An AC motor controller receives a battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, forward/neutral/reverse (FNR) signal, and run/tow signal indicative of the utility vehicle being configured to be driven and being configured to be towed. The AC motor controller generates an AC drive signal for the AC motor, wherein the AC drive signal is based on the battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, FNR signal, and run/tow signal.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining battery state-of-charge (SoC) in an electric vehicle. The system includes an inverter that converts battery power to an alternating current, a current sensor that generates a signal indicative of a magnitude and direction of the alternating current, a first analog-to-digital converter (A2D) that converts the signal to current data, and a central processing unit (CPU) that periodically stores a present value of the current data to an associated memory and determines the SoC based on the stored current data.

Abstract: A brake lighting system for a lightweight utility vehicle is provided. The brake lighting system can comprise a pressure sensitive brake light switch (PSBLS) operably connected to a brake pedal subassembly of the vehicle. The PSBLS is configured such that depression of a brake pedal included in the brake pedal subassembly compresses the pressure sensitive brake light switch. The brake lighting system additionally can comprise a brake light circuit that can comprise at least one brake light and an electronic switching device communicatively connected to the PSBLS. The electronic switching device is responsive to a brake light signal transmitted by the PSBLS when the PSBLS is compressed. Upon receipt of the brake light signal, the electronic switching device enables a current flow through the brake light to illuminate the brake light.

Abstract: A unitary wheel and hub assembly is provided. In accordance with various embodiments the wheel and hub assembly includes a molded wheel having a hub integrally molded therewith. The wheel and hub assembly additionally includes a hub sub-assembly integrally formed with the hub to form a unitary wheel and hub assembly that can be directly rotatably mounted on a wheel shaft of a vehicle.

Abstract: A method for braking an electric utility vehicle including a motor and an electromechanical brake. The method includes storing a value indicative of at least one of an amount of current, voltage, and power that is commanded to a motor of the electric utility vehicle to maintain the electric utility vehicle in a stopped state; engaging a parking brake function of an electromechanical brake after the storing; disabling the motor after the engaging; commanding the at least one of the current, voltage, and power to the motor at the stored value when an accelerator pedal is depressed; and disengaging the parking brake function after the commanding.

Abstract: An electric vehicle, such as a golf car or utility vehicle, is provided with an electric motor that provides dynamic braking for the vehicle. The vehicle drivetrain is provided with a limited slip differential in order to prevent the wheels from turning freely when traction is lost.

Abstract: A traction control system for a light-weight utility vehicle is provided. The system includes a wheel speed sensor that generates a wheel speed signal in accordance with a rotational speed of a non-driven wheel of the utility vehicle. An accelerator position sensor generates an accelerator signal in accordance with a position of an accelerator pedal of the utility vehicle. A controller receives the wheel speed signal and the accelerator signal, determines an intended speed based on the accelerator signal, and determines a substantially actual wheel speed based on the wheel speed signal. Based on a comparison of the substantially actual wheel speed and the intended speed, the controller controls rotation of at least one driven wheel by adjusting at least one of a commanded speed and a commanded torque when the substantially actual wheel speed is outside of a desired range of the intended speed.

Abstract: A method for protecting against overcharging a battery of a light-weight utility vehicle during regenerative braking includes controlling a regenerative braking process such that a predetermined activation amount of braking torque is produced by a motor of the vehicle when braking torque within a full braking range is initially requested. The predetermined activation amount of braking torque is less than the full braking range. The method additionally includes reading a voltage across a battery of the vehicle induced by a current generated by the motor as the activation amount of braking torque is produced. The method further includes increasing the amount of braking torque produced by the motor, if the voltage across the battery is less than a specified battery voltage threshold.

Abstract: A front electric brake assembly for assisting vehicle braking is provided. The front electric brake assembly includes a spindle that includes at least one mounting flange. A shaft extends substantially perpendicular from the spindle. An electric brake mounts to the at least one mounting flange of the spindle. A hub assembly rotates about the shaft and interconnects with the electric brake.

Abstract: A lightweight utility vehicle brake lighting system comprising a brake pedal position sensor, a controller and a brake light circuit. The brake pedal position sensor senses the position, e.g., amount of depression, of a vehicle brake pedal. The controller of interprets a brake pedal position signal from the brake pedal position sensor to determine the position of the brake pedal. When the controller determines that the brake pedal has been depressed to initiate a braking operation of the vehicle, the controller transmits a brake light signal to an electronic switching device, such as a relay switch, of the brake light circuit. Upon receipt of the brake light signal, the electronic switching closes to complete, or close, the brake light circuit to enable a current flow through the brake light circuit, thereby illuminating at least one brake light of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric vehicle is provided with motor braking and includes a locking differential that provides positive braking on slippery surfaces so as to prevent relative movement of the first and second output shafts of the differential.

Abstract: An electric braking system and methods for a utility vehicle is provided. The system includes a rotor coupled to a rear axle of the utility vehicle. A caliper is electrically controlled to provide stopping force to the rotor. A spring is pre-loaded to actuate the caliper when additional stopping force is needed. A controller controls the activation of the caliper by generating an electrical braking signal to control operation of the caliper based on a brake position signal generated from a brake pedal position sensor.