Abstract: To prevent damage of a cord set used to charge a plug-in electric vehicle when the vehicle is driven away while the cord set is attached, an interlock can be provided to disable the vehicle. Such interlock may be based on a protective door over the charging receptacle being open or detection that a cord set is plugged in. However, in the event that the vehicle is in an activated state, the interlock is prevented from disabling the vehicle according to an embodiment of the disclosure. That is, undesirable disabling of the vehicle is prevented when either there is no indication of a cord set being coupled to the vehicle or the vehicle is in an activated state.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system for powering vehicles such as class 8 DOT classified semi-tractor trucks under normal load conditions and at highway speeds comprises an internal combustion engine, an AC generator powered by the engine, DC battery packs, an AC/DC controller, and an AC electric motor driving the drive train of the vehicle. The AC generator and the DC battery packs provide input to the AC/DC controller, which, in turn, converts the DC input from the DC battery packs via a DC circuit to AC so that the output from the AC/DC controller to the electric motor is AC for powering the vehicle. The DC battery packs may comprise thin plate flooded lead acid cells and may be connected in series, in parallel or a combination thereof. Vehicles may be retrofitted to incorporate the propulsion system.

Abstract: A controller for the hybrid system includes: an alcohol concentration detector that detects alcohol concentration of fuel; a demanded coolant temperature setting device that sets a demanded coolant temperature higher as the alcohol concentration increases; an internal combustion engine stopped state determination device that determines whether an internal combustion engine is stopped; an external electric power source connection determination device that determines whether a storage battery is connected to an external electric power source; and a coolant pre-heating device that supplies electric power to a coolant heater until coolant temperature of the coolant reaches the demanded coolant temperature if the internal combustion engine is in the stopped state and the storage battery is connected to the external electric power source.

Abstract: A system and method for determining and displaying an overall efficiency value of a vehicle. The vehicle may include an engine and an electric machine that operates to provide torque to propel the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle may have an electric power source that provides electric power to the electric machine. A controller may determine and transmit the overall efficiency value so that the information display displays the number of efficiency indicators. Also, the number of efficiency indicators displayed may be based on the overall efficiency value.

Abstract: A system for accurate voltage measurement of a high voltage battery for hybrid and electric vehicles includes a voltage measurement circuit including an analog sensing circuit, a wave generator circuit and a comparator. The analog sensing circuit senses the analog voltage of the high voltage battery. The wave generator circuit generates an analog periodic signal. The comparator receives the sensed analog voltage and the analog periodic signal from the wave generator circuit. The comparator produces an output signal based on the comparison of the inputs, and the output signal takes the form of a digital periodic signal indicative of the voltage of the high voltage battery.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an engine, an electric machine operable to output torque to at least one vehicle wheel, and an electric power source operable to provide electric power to the electric machine. A method for optimizing powertrain efficiency includes generating a plurality of three-dimensional maps of optimized engine speeds for combinations of vehicle power and vehicle speed at a plurality of predetermined powers of the electrical power source. Each of the maps corresponds to one of the predetermined powers of the electrical power source. The maps are used to determine an optimized engine speed for a given power of the electrical power source, a given vehicle power and a given vehicle speed.

Abstract: A method for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) having an engine and a battery configured to respectively deliver engine power and battery power to provide a total output power for powering the vehicle includes the following. An elevated engine power which falls within a total output power range where only engine power without battery power may be delivered to power the vehicle in response to a driver demand power and which is greater than the combination of the driver demand power and vehicle powering losses is determined. The engine delivers the elevated engine power in response to the driver demand power. The extra engine power is transferred to the battery for the battery to buffer.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a structure of an electric vehicle, which includes an engine, an electric generator which is driven by the engine, a battery which is supplied and charged with generated power at least from the electric generator, and a motor which is supplied with power from the battery to drive driving wheels. The engine and the electric generator are arranged inside a floor tunnel that is formed in a center part of a floor panel along the vehicle width axis so as to extend along the vehicle front-to-rear axis and bulge upward.

Abstract: A hybrid energy conversion system is described which utilizes a drive engine configured to output mechanical energy at a generally uniform rotational speed under varying mechanical load conditions. The mechanical energy is used to turn an electrical generator mechanically coupled to the drive engine. The electrical energy output from the electrical generator is then used to power an electrical motor coupled to a mechanical load.

Abstract: A charge utilization control system for an electric vehicle includes a controller, an electric motor connected to the controller, a battery connected to the electric motor and an internal combustion engine connected to the controller. The controller is adapted to minimize electric charge stored in the battery as the electric vehicle approaches a charging destination for the battery.

Abstract: In a method for setting a motor drive device in a motor vehicle having at least two drive units whose torques are separately settable, in order to determine a consumption-optimal torque distribution, the sum of the individual consumption values of the drive units is ascertained for a plurality of differently distributed drive torques, and the optimum consumption value is determined from the sum of the individual consumption values.

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle system comprising an electric power storage system and an electric motor, the method includes a first step of allowing the electric power storage system to be discharged: upon detecting a condition of a charge of the electric power storage system that is greater than a first threshold to optimize power consumption; and upon detecting a condition of the charge of the electric power storage system that is greater than a second threshold to increase performance.

Abstract: A process for operating a hybrid vehicle in an internal-combustion-engine-driven mode and/or in an electric-motor-driven mode, wherein, on a route section to be traveled and considered for driving in the electric-motor-driven mode, a change to the electric-motor-driven mode will take place only when a threshold value is exceeded which represents, or correlates with the efficiency advantage achievable on the route section by a change from the internal-combustion-engine-driven mode to the electric-motor-driven mode. Starting from the instantaneous position of the hybrid vehicle, the route is examined in an anticipatory manner with respect to such a route section, wherein the threshold value is adapted when such a route section was recognized and a driving through the route section in the electric driving mode would likely lead to a lowering of the state of charge of an electric energy accumulator into a critical state of charge range.

Abstract: An electrical storage device includes: a conductive battery house casing electrically connected to a chassis; a plurality of battery cells held in the battery house casing; and a control unit that comprises a circuit that manages the plurality of battery cells and is mounted on the battery house casing so that a negative terminal of the circuit and the battery house casing are electrically conducting.

Abstract: A hybrid drive system includes an engine; at least one rotating electric machine, wherein the engine and the at least one rotating electric machine are capable of driving a vehicle; and a controller. The controller starts a load limit control that limits a load exerted to the rotating electric machine when a temperature of the rotating electric machine exceeds a load limit start temperature; detects a loading state or a towing state of the vehicle; and determines the load limit start temperature based on the loading state or the towing state detected.

Abstract: An electric vehicle and a range extender engine are shown including the controls to operate the same.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a battery cooling structure of a hybrid industrial vehicle such as a hybrid forklift, the battery cooling structure being capable of sufficiently cooling a battery and also of eliminating the possibility that the battery receives heat from its peripheral devices. To achieve the object, a second cooling air flow passage (35) for battery is provided separately from a first cooling air flow passage (31) in which a radiator (32) is disposed. A battery pack 26 or a battery is disposed in the second cooling air flow passage (35). The second cooling air flow passage (35) is connected to the first cooling air flow passage (31) at a position upstream of a cooling fan (33) disposed in the first cooling air flow passage (31), so that the cooling fan (33) sucks cooling air in the first cooling air flow passage (31) and also sucks cooling air in the second cooling air flow passage (35).

Abstract: A method determines at least one operating state of a hybrid vehicle, wherein the at least one operating state is determined by way of at least one time duration. Furthermore, a hybrid vehicle is provided which has a unit for implementing the method.

Abstract: Driving support devices, methods, and programs determine a target position ahead of a vehicle and a target vehicle speed at the target position. The devices, methods, and programs divide a section between a deceleration start position to start deceleration of the vehicle and the target position into a plurality of sections and set target charging electric power to different values for respective sections forming the plurality of sections to reduce a speed of the vehicle to the target vehicle speed at the target position. The devices, methods, and programs control an electric generator installed in the vehicle to generate the regeneration brake in the respective sections forming the plurality of sections based on the set charging electric power values and charge the battery with the target charging electric power generated in each of the respective sections.

Abstract: An expandable energy storage system for a hybrid electric vehicle has one or more energy storage modules each including a plurality of energy storage cells and a module controller, and a system controller which communicates with the module controller or controllers of the one or more energy storage modules via a controller communication bus and which is powered by the vehicle's low voltage power supply. Each module controller communicates with the energy storage cells in the associated module via an energy storage cell communication link, and is powered by the energy storage cells in the associated module. The system controller communicates with the hybrid electric vehicle via the vehicle communication bus. The modular design provides an energy storage system which can be expanded by connecting additional energy storage modules to the system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sequentially charging multiple electric vehicles. The apparatus including an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) having an electrical plug connected to a power cord. The power cord is connected to a housing containing a number of electrical components configured to control the power flow to an electric vehicles to recharge the vehicles' batteries. The power cord is divided into multiple power cords that extend from the housing and connect to standard electric vehicle connectors compatible with battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). The EVSE determines, based on a number of possible criteria, which of the multiple electric vehicles to charge at a given time.

Abstract: A charging cable-housing device includes: a charging cable that supplies electric power from an external electric power source to a vehicle; a bobbin which is rotatable, and on which the charging cable is wound, and which is disposed in a rear portion of the vehicle; a casing that houses the bobbin, and that has an extraction opening through which the charging cable is extracted out; and a guide member that guides the charging cable led out from the bobbin from above the extraction opening toward the extraction opening.

Abstract: A travel controller for a hybrid forklift includes an acceleration command reference value generation unit, an acceleration limit value generation unit, an acceleration command value determination unit, and a travel motor control unit. The acceleration command reference value generation unit obtains an acceleration command reference value. The acceleration limit value generation unit obtains an acceleration limit value that limits an acceleration command value to a range that prevents discharge power of the battery from exceeding a battery discharge power limit value. The acceleration command value determination unit determines the acceleration command value for the travel motor from the acceleration command reference value and the acceleration limit value. The travel motor control unit controls the travel motor with the acceleration command value.

Abstract: A data logging unit configured for installation in a hybrid vehicle communicates with a user device configured to receive data from the data logging unit and to display selected portions of the data to a user for identification of potential vehicle faults associated with vehicle events reported by the vehicle's driver. The data logging unit has a data logger which communicates with hybrid drive system and other vehicle components to receive hybrid drive system data, and with a vehicle position sensor which detects location to receive vehicle location data. A data log processing module correlates location data with the corresponding vehicle data, and creates a correlated log of drive system data and associated vehicle location information, to allow identification of vehicle data within an event window based on vehicle location at the time of a reported event. Accordingly, a user may make a geographical request and the system will report vehicle data corresponding to the geographical request.

Abstract: A data logging unit configured for installation in a hybrid vehicle communicates with a user device configured to receive data from the data logging unit and to display selected portions of the data to a user for identification of potential vehicle faults associated with vehicle events reported by the vehicle's driver. The data logging unit has a data logger which communicates with hybrid drive system and other vehicle components to receive hybrid drive system data, and with a vehicle position sensor which detects location to receive vehicle location data. A data log processing module correlates location data with the corresponding vehicle data, and creates a correlated log of drive system data and associated vehicle location information, to allow identification of vehicle data within an event window based on vehicle location at the time of a reported event. Accordingly, a user may make a geographical request and the system will report vehicle data corresponding to the geographical request.

Abstract: A method controls a motor generator unit (MGU) aboard a vehicle. An event signal is generated using a transmission controller, with the event signal predicting a transient vehicle event, e.g., auto start, transmission shift, fuel cycling, etc. The event signal is received by a motor controller, which determines a predicted level of motor output torque required from the MGU during the transient vehicle. Electromagnetic flux of the MGU is increased to a calibrated threshold level prior to commencement of the transient vehicle event. The MGU may be used for regenerating energy during the transient vehicle event. The MGU is then used to facilitate execution of the transient vehicle event. A vehicle having the MGU uses a controller(s) to automatically increase electromagnetic flux of the MGU prior to the transient vehicle event using the method as noted above.

Abstract: During a standstill, a prescribed rotation speed N3, which is lower than a prescribed rotation speed N2 used during a travel at a low vehicle speed, is set as a minimum rotation speed Nemin (S410), and when a demand for an idle operation has been made (S490), the minimum rotation speed Nemin is set as a target rotation speed Ne* and the value 0 is set as a target torque Te* (S500), whereby an engine is controlled. As a result of this, it is possible to improve the fuel consumption of a vehicle when the engine is operated at idle at standstill compared to a case where the engine is operated at idle at the minimum rotation speed Nemin for which the prescribed rotation speed N2 is set regardless of whether or not the vehicle is at a standstill.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a drivetrain or powertrain system including a unique, cost-effective, reliable means for creating a hybrid power system that utilizes a vehicle's stock manual transmission. The instant invention has the advantage of eliminating the cost and complexity of sophisticated transmissions, as well as replacing the vehicles starter and alternator. These basic components result in a cost effective, efficient and reliable drive system.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a device for driving a vehicle, in particular a watercraft, which comprises a combustion engine adapted to coact with a generator for generation of electrical energy, an energy storage device adapted to coact with the generator via a rectifier for storage of electrical energy made available by the generator and for energy output as and how required, and a drive system that is adapted to be activated by a motor control device and that comprises at least one electric motor wherein the energy for operating the electric motor can be supplied by the generator and/or the energy storage device at option and wherein said motor control device comprises at least two functionally independent motor control modules for operating the electric motor.

Abstract: A control system for a hybrid propulsion group with power bypass for an automobile including at least two driving wheels. The system includes a thermal engine, a battery, a braking system for the driving wheels, a mechanism detecting a condition of the braking system, and an infinitely variable transmission including at least two electric machines and at least two epicyclic gear chains. The thermal engine is mechanically connected with the infinitely variable transmission via a first epicyclic gear chain, the infinitely variable transmission being mechanically connected to the driving wheels via a second epicyclic gear chain. The control system is capable of controlling the thermal engine and the two electric machines so that torque supplied by the thermal engine is converted into energy by the two electric machines used as generators for recharging the battery after receiving a signal from the mechanism detecting the condition of the braking system indicating the braking system is activated.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of batteries, a vehicle load (motor generators, inverters, boost converters, connection units, and system main relays configured to be able to select at least one of the plurality of batteries as an electric power supply source, and for generating drive force by receiving electric power from the electric power supply source, and a control unit for controlling the vehicle load such that the vehicle load receives the electric power from the electric power supply source in response to a selection instruction for selecting the electric power supply source. The selection instruction is input by a user. That is, the user can select a battery to be used for traveling of the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an energy retriever system and methods for absorbing energy and using that energy elsewhere or converting it to other useful forms of energy or work. The energy retriever system consists of a series of components interconnected by a plurality of conduits containing a fluid. Working as a self-contained thermodynamic system, the energy retriever system allows the fluid to circulate through all of these elements. Heat added to the energy capture subsystem heats the fluid. The fluid becomes more pressurized and moves into the expansion cycle subsystem. The energy extraction subsystem transforms the thermal energy of the fluid into work, kinetic energy or thermal energy. The reservoir subsystem compresses the fluid and reintroduces it into the energy capture subsystem. One-way valves are used throughout the system to keep the flow of the fluid in one direction and separate sections of the system that contain different pressures.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicular electrical system for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) includes providing a high voltage electrical system having a high power electrical energy storage device (HPD) and a power inverter that cooperate to provide power to a hybrid electric vehicle propulsion system, providing a low voltage electrical system having a low voltage power source, at least one accessory power load, and a control switch, and toggling the control switch between an opened and a closed position to isolate the low voltage system from the high voltage system when the switch is opened and to charge the HPD when the control switch is closed.

Abstract: A method of converting a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a transmission, an alternator and a battery into a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises installing an electric motor to the vehicle that is configured to assist the internal combustion engine in rotating a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, installing an energy storage element configured to provide power to the electric motor, installing a motor control unit configured to control the amount of power delivered from the energy storage element to the electric motor and replacing an existing pulley on a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine with a new pulley configured to receive a first belt extending between the new pulley and an alternator pulley and a second belt extending between the new pulley and an electric motor pulley.

Abstract: A method of providing assistance for an internal combustion engine in providing driving power for a vehicle using an electric motor coupled to the engine is provided. The method comprises selectively operating the motor to provide assistance to the engine at predetermined operating conditions of the engine. The assistance provided to the engine at one or more of the predetermined operating conditions is determined based on one of a plurality of motor assistance profiles. The motor assistance profile upon which the assistance is determined is selected from among the plurality of motor assistance profiles based on an expected driving range provided by a user of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The hybrid vehicle comprises a prime mover having an output shaft. The output shaft has a first end and an opposite second end. The hybrid vehicle also comprises a transmission coupled to the first end of the output shaft, a first energy storage device, an alternator coupled to the second end of the output shaft and configured to power one or more electrical systems of the vehicle and charge the first energy storage device, a motor coupled to the second end of the output shaft and configured to assist the prime mover in rotating the output shaft, a second energy storage device configured to provide power to the motor and a motor control unit configured to control the amount of power delivered from the energy storage device to the motor.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The hybrid vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine having a peak power rating and an electric motor coupled to the internal combustion engine for assisting the internal combustion engine in rotating a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. The electric motor has a continuous power rating that less than approximately one tenth of the peak power rating of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method of providing assistance to an internal combustion engine for a vehicle using an electric motor coupled to the engine is provided. The method comprises predicting a driving range based on historical driving range data. The historical driving range data includes one or more distances that the vehicle was driven during one or more previous driving cycles. The method further comprises selectively operating the motor to provide assistance to the engine at predetermined operating conditions of the engine. The assistance provided to the engine at one or more of the predetermined operating conditions is determined based at least in part on the predicted driving range.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that is subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a preferred consequential result related to a selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. Various accessible records may be maintained regarding administrative compliance states and their respective benefits, as well as regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that is subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a possible consequential result related to a user-selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. Various accessible records may be maintained regarding administrative compliance states and their respective benefits, as well as regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode.

Abstract: A hybrid energy management system that estimates the net regenerative energy that can be collected during the breaking action of the swing mechanism, then, since this is the net energy that can be used to recharge an energy storage device without using the engine to help recharge the energy storage device, the system limits the use of the energy storage device to that net amount predicted to be available from the recovery period. The net regenerative energy is calculated by considering motor and inverter efficiencies for transferring energy to the battery and changes in the boom/stick/bucket inertia moment.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that is subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a preferred consequential result related to a selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. Various accessible records may be maintained regarding administrative compliance states and their respective benefits, as well as regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that is subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a possible consequential result related to a user-selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. Various accessible records may be maintained regarding administrative compliance states and their respective benefits, as well as regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a hybrid industrial vehicle which can perform steering operation and the like during idling stop, without using a complicated mechanism.

Abstract: A method is proposed for optimizing the utilization of the energy store which is connected to the electric machine of a parallel hybrid vehicle, in the scope of which method different lower limits are defined or predefined for the operation of the energy store, wherein a priority is assigned to each vehicle function which requires electric power in order to be performed, wherein different lower energy storage limits are assigned to different priorities in such a way that the energy storage limits are reduced for vehicle functions having a relatively high priority, with the result that said functions are carried out within the physical limits of the energy store.

Abstract: An information display for a vehicle includes an indicator arrangement having a visual display configured to provide driver demand information to a vehicle driver. The visual display includes a dynamic target range for operating the vehicle, which includes a first boundary and a second boundary indicating a driver demand that would cause the engine to start. A control system includes at least one controller, and is configured to receive at least one input related to current operating conditions of the vehicle and to provide at least one output to the indicator arrangement to position the target range on the visual display and to indicate to the driver a current level of driver demand. In this way, the visual display indicates to the driver the current level of driver demand relative to the position of the target range.

Abstract: A vehicle may include an engine and electric machine each configured to generate motive power for the vehicle, a battery configured to store energy for the electric machine, and a tank configured to store fuel for the engine. The vehicle may further include one or more controllers configured to determine a vehicle drive range based on an amount of fuel in the tank and an available charge depletion energy in the battery.

Abstract: A plug-in vehicle includes a vehicle body having an outer panel, a propulsion unit such as an electric motor, a rechargeable battery, a recharging port supported on the outer panel to receive power from an external electric power source, and a display subassembly connected to the battery. The display subassembly has a plurality of lights positioned around the recharging port to illuminate the recharging port and to illuminate in a manner corresponding to a condition of the battery.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle control system for cutting off fuel to an internal combustion engine of hybrid vehicle while providing smooth transitions from a hybrid drive mode to an electric drive mode is provided. The hybrid vehicle control system includes an integrated controller configured to receive inputs corresponding to vehicle speed and an indicated driving force, and to select an appropriate mode transition pattern from a group of mode transition patters according to the change in indicated driving force.

Abstract: A control system and method for a hybrid construction machine is provided.