A series type hybrid electric vehicle that controls an internal combustion engine, generator, and electric motor for zero emissions within a zero emission zone. As the vehicle approaches the zero emission zone, the internal combustion engine and generator increase the electrical charge of the battery array to a predetermined level. The internal combustion engine and generator are eventually turned off to prevent emissions from entering the zero emission zone. As the vehicle leaves the zero emission zone, the internal combustion engine and generator are warmed to a predetermined level for a full capacity operation. When the internal combustion engine and generator reach the predetermined level, they operate at full capacity to bring the electrical charge of the battery array to a predetermined electrical level.
A method of managing power cell information resources of a non-petroleum fueled vehicle, particularly electric or fuel cell vehicles of a fleet of vehicles. Such vehicles have power pack instrumentation for wirelessly reporting data to a base station computer including power pack charge parameters and GPS location in real-time. This data is applied to a database which documents past vehicle performance as well as contains minimal acceptable vehicle parameters. A prediction is made regarding remaining range, state of charge and vehicle scheduling, considering vehicle load or mileage efficiency. The remaining range is viewed in combination with the GPS location of the vehicle so that judgments can be made regarding whether particular vehicles can take a job request, complete the job without recharging, then go to a recharging location, or have the vehicle dispatched for service.
A vehicle alternator control device has a power transistor, a flywheel diode, a voltage control circuit, a primary power supply circuit, and a secondary power supply circuit. When the alternator starts rotation, the secondary power supply circuit drives the primary power supply circuit when the alternator speed reaches a frequency equivalent to a speed higher than an engine idling speed. When the engine stops and the speed of the alternator drops, the secondary power supply circuit stops the primary power supply circuit when the alternator speed reaches a frequency equivalent to a speed below the engine idling speed.
An apparatus and method for recharging a rechargeable lead acid battery. The apparatus supplies an overcharge current to the battery during and before completion of recharging of the battery to ameliorate stratification of the battery.
Electronic control for a hydraulic system driving an auxiliary power source is provided, with specific application as a system for controlling the operation of a hydraulically driven AC generator. The system may includes a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor drivably connected to the generator, a fluid circuit for circulating fluid from the pump to the motor and back. The fluid circuit may contain a bypass conduit to bypass the motor. The system also includes a proportional servo control valve assembly for controlling the fluid circuits and a control circuit for controlling the proportional control valve assembly. The control system can be capable of controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to the motor powering the electrical or mechanical system. Sensors for measuring the operating parameters of the system and an operator interface module can influence the operation of the system.
A control apparatus for controlling a regenerative operation of a vehicle motor includes a vehicle motor as a drive source of a vehicle, an energy storage device, including plural cells, for storing regenerative energy generated by a regenerative operation of the vehicle motor, and a total voltage measuring device for measuring a total voltage that is a sum of inter-terminal voltages of the plural cells, a cell voltage judgment device for determining whether the inter-terminal voltage of any one of the plural cells exceeds a predetermined regeneration limitation voltage, a total voltage estimating device for determining, when it is determined by the cell voltage judgment device that the inter-terminal voltage of any one of the cells exceeds the predetermined regeneration limitation voltage, an estimated total voltage which is defined as a total voltage at a time when the inter-terminal voltage of the one of the cells reaches a regeneration prohibition voltage that is higher than the predetermined regenerative operation limiting voltage, and a control device for setting an amount of regeneration depending on a difference between the estimated total voltage determined by the total voltage estimating device and the total voltage measured by the total voltage measuring device.