Hybrid Drivetrains For Trailers
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A trailer comprising:
- a coupler adapted to interconnect the trailer and a tow vehicle;
a first motor/generator mounted on a first wheel;
a second motor/generator mounted on a second wheel;
a power storage device in communication with the first and second motor/generators; and
a controller operable to generate control signals, the control signals being sent to the first and second motor/generators to selectively operate the motor/generators in one of a regenerative braking mode and a torque supplying mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A trailer includes a pair of wheels rotatably coupled to a trailer frame. A motor is operable to provide drive torque to at least one of the wheels. The energy storage device is mounted to the frame and operable to selectively provide energy to the motor. A load sensor is operable to output a signal indicative of the magnitude of a load being transferred between the trailer and a tow vehicle. A controller is operable to generate control signals in response to the sensor signal. The control signals control operation of the motor.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A trailer comprising:
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a coupler adapted to interconnect the trailer and a tow vehicle; a first motor/generator mounted on a first wheel; a second motor/generator mounted on a second wheel; a power storage device in communication with the first and second motor/generators; and a controller operable to generate control signals, the control signals being sent to the first and second motor/generators to selectively operate the motor/generators in one of a regenerative braking mode and a torque supplying mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14)
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9. A tow vehicle and trailer combination comprising:
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a trailer frame; a pair of wheels rotatably coupled to the trailer frame; a motor operable to provide drive torque to one of the wheels; an energy storage device mounted to the frame and in communication with the motor; vehicle sensors operable to generate sensor signals indicative of the operating characteristics of the tow vehicle; and a controller operable to generate control signals in response to the sensor signals, the control signals being delivered to the motor to control operation of the motor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A trailer comprising:
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a trailer frame; a pair of wheels rotatably coupled to the trailer frame; a motor operable to provide drive torque to at least one of the wheels; an energy storage device mounted to the frame, the energy storage device being operable to selectively provide energy to the motor; a load sensor operable to output a signal indicative of the magnitude of a load being transferred between the trailer and a tow vehicle; and a controller operable to generate control signals in response to the sensor signal, the control signals controlling the operation of the motor. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification