Zoox, Inc.

Range Energy Inc.

David Sands

Moritz Boecker

Ali Javidan

Kyle Matthew Foley

Robert Alan Ng

Jason Jaspreet Singh Haer

Kyle Foley

Ryan Flatland

Collin MacGregor

Kyle Pollard

Bryan Booth

Bryan S Booth

Collin Macgregor

Adam Smith

One variation of a method includes, during a first time period: detecting a direction of motion of a trailer; detecting a first force applied to a kingpin; detecting an incline angle of the trailer; calculating a first target preload force opposite the direction of motion and inversely proportional to the incline angle; and in response to the first force falling below the first target preload force, triggering a motor to increase torque output opposite the direction of motion. The method further includes, during a second time period: detecting a second force applied to the kingpin; detecting a decline angle of the trailer; calculating a second target preload force opposite the direction of motion and inversely proportional to the decline angle; and in response to the second force falling below the second target preload force, triggering the motor to increase torque output opposite the direction of motion.

System and method for dynamic tow of a trailer

One variation of a system for power distribution of a trailer includes: a trailer chassis; a driven axle suspended from the trailer chassis; and a motor coupled to the driven axle. The system further includes a battery assembly coupled to the trailer chassis and configured to supply electrical energy to the motor to drive the driven axle and source electrical energy from the motor to slow motion of the driven axle. The system also includes a charging panel coupled to the trailer chassis and configured to couple to an external charging element. The system further includes a panel actuator configured to advance the charging panel from the trailer chassis to an open position to form a target gap between the external charging element and the charging panel and to retract the charging panel to a closed position to decouple the charging panel from the external charging element.

System for power supply, power generation, and power distribution of a trailer

A battery pack for a vehicle electrical system includes a casing for receiving one or more battery modules. The battery modules are insertable into a casing of the battery pack by sliding couplers along pairs of rails and are securable to the ends of the rails. After insertion, the rails thermally insulate one battery module from other battery modules coupled to the casing. In some examples, a first stiffness or a first mechanical frequency of the casing with the one or more battery modules inserted may differ from a second stiffness or a second mechanical frequency associated with a body of a vehicle or another component associated therewith by a threshold amount. Additionally, the casing may be configured with vents for venting the hot gases, such as those generated by a battery module in a thermal runaway event.

Electrical system with thermal protection

A battery pack for a vehicle electrical system includes a casing for receiving one or more battery modules. The battery modules are insertable into a casing of the battery pack by sliding couplers along pairs of rails and are securable to the ends of the rails. After insertion, the rails thermally insulate one battery module from other battery modules in the battery pack. Additionally, the battery modules may include a top cover with an insulating material to further thermally insulate one battery module from another battery module. The battery pack may additionally be configured with vents for venting the hot gases, such as those generated by a battery module in a thermal runaway event. Additionally, the battery modules may include a second insulating material disposed between cells and configured to thermally insulate the cells from one another.

A battery pack for a vehicle electrical system configured with high-voltage bus bars. A positive bus bar and a negative bus bar may provide power generated by the battery pack to a drive module of the vehicle, to power one or more components of the vehicle. The drive module may additionally couple to high-voltage positive and negative bus bars. The high-voltage bus bars may be configured to provide additional power to the drive module from another battery pack, such as via a battery balance box. Additionally, the high-voltage bus bars may be configured to carry excess power from the drive module to another drive module associated with the vehicle via the battery balance box. The high-voltage bus bars may be configured to de-energize in the event of a thermal runaway or other failure of a battery module of the associated battery pack.

Electrical system with de-energizing bus bars

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San Mateo, CA, United States of America

David Sands