1. A method for management of a fleet of vehicles having vehicle systems including an energy storage system with at least one modular component comprising the steps of:
(a) operating a program on a computing system for management of the fleet of vehicles using data available by connectivity to data sources;
(b) establishing connectivity to at least one data source providing data available to be used by the computing system;
wherein management of the fleet of vehicles comprises use of considerations and data by the computing system for predictive management of the fleet of vehicles at least for (a) selection of vehicles to be deployed, (b) configuration of vehicles to be deployed, (c) assignment of duties to vehicles and (d) predicted conditions for operation of vehicles;
wherein considerations for management of the fleet of vehicles comprise at least (a) predetermined objectives for management of the fleet of vehicles, (b) conditions of the duties of the fleet of vehicles and (c) configuration of the vehicle in the fleet;
wherein a vehicle in the fleet is configurable with modular energy storage components as directed by the computing system for the vehicle to be operated for performance of a duty;
wherein data for the computing system comprises at least data relating to (a) vehicles in the fleet (b) type of vehicles in the fleet, (c) configuration options for vehicles in the fleet and (d) duties to be performed by vehicles in the fleet;
wherein predictive management comprises use of data from at least one data source external to vehicles in the fleet to operate vehicles in accordance with conditions predicted to be encountered by the vehicles in operation;
so that the computing system uses considerations and data available by connectivity for management of the fleet of vehicles to configure a selected vehicle in the fleet based on predicted conditions of use of the selected vehicle and vehicles in the fleet are configured with modular energy storage components for performance of duties and assigned duties as directed by the computing system.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the computing system is configured with an operating program to use considerations and data for management of the fleet of vehicles.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising a database connected to the computing system as at least one data source for the predictive management of the fleet of vehicles.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising connectivity by the computing system to at least one data source associated with at least one vehicle providing data available to be used by the computing system.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the components are categorized by type.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the components are categorized by status.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein each vehicle in the fleet is classified by type.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein each vehicle in the fleet is classified by status.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the conditions of duty are classified by type.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the considerations are categorized by priority.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the considerations further comprise (d) assignment of operators available to be assigned to operate vehicles in the fleet.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the considerations further comprise (e) options for route planning for vehicles in the fleet.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the considerations further comprise (f) options for configuration of components for vehicle systems in vehicles.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the considerations further comprise (g) options for service of components and vehicles.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein conditions of duty comprise operating conditions based on data from data sources.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein conditions of duty comprise predicted operating conditions based on data from data sources.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein the data further comprises (e) types of duties to be performed by vehicles in the fleet.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein the computing system uses data available from data sources to monitor the performance of vehicles in the fleet.
19. The method of claim 1 wherein predetermined objectives are provided to the computing system from a user interface when the operating program is operated on the computing system.
20. The method of claim 1 wherein predetermined objectives for predictive management comprise consideration of at least one of (a) optimizing efficiency of operation of the fleet; (b) reducing cost of operation; (c) extending life-cycle of components; (d) priority of duties to be performed.
21. The method of claim 1 wherein objectives for a recommended configuration of the energy storage system comprise at least one of energy efficiency; total operating cost; energy availability; emissions; and extending component life.
22. The method of claim 1 wherein the energy storage system comprises at least one of a battery system, regenerative fuel cell, a capacitor, waste heat storage, mechanical energy storage, spring, flywheel and compressed gas.
23. The method of claim 1 wherein the energy storage system comprises a battery system with at least two battery packs each comprising at least one battery module.
24. The method of claim 1 wherein the energy storage system comprises a battery system with a first type of battery module and a second type of battery module.
25. A system for management of a fleet of vehicles having vehicle systems including an energy storage system with at least one modular component comprising:
a computing system configured for management of the fleet of vehicles using data available by connectivity to data sources;
connectivity to at least one data source for data available to be used by the computing system;
wherein management of the fleet of vehicles comprises use of considerations and data by the computing system for predictive management of the fleet of vehicles at least for (a) selection of vehicles to be deployed, (b) configuration of vehicles to be deployed, (c) assignment of duties to vehicles and (d) predicted conditions for operation of vehicles;
wherein considerations for management of the fleet of vehicles comprise at least (a) predetermined objectives for management of the fleet of vehicles, (b) conditions of the duties of the fleet of vehicles and (c) configuration of the vehicle in the fleet;
wherein a vehicle in the fleet is configurable with modular energy storage components as directed by the computing system for the vehicle to be operated for performance of a duty;
wherein data for the computing system comprises at least data relating to (a) vehicles in the fleet (b) type of vehicles in the fleet, (c) configuration options for vehicles in the fleet and (d) duties to be performed by vehicles in the fleet;
wherein the fleet of vehicles comprises a plurality of reconfigurable vehicles;
wherein the plurality of reconfigurable vehicles comprises a reconfigurable vehicle that can be configured in a first configuration for a first use and a second configuration for a second use;
wherein predictive management comprises use of data from at least one data source external to vehicles in the fleet to operate vehicles in accordance with conditions predicted to be encountered by the vehicles in operation;
so that the computing system uses considerations and data available by connectivity for management of the fleet of vehicles and reconfigurable vehicles in the fleet are configured selectively with modular energy storage components for performance of duties and assigned duties as directed by the computing system.
26. A system for management of a fleet of vehicles having vehicle systems including a battery system with at least one battery module to provide energy for vehicle systems comprising:
a computing system configured for management of the fleet of vehicles using data available by connectivity to data sources;
connectivity to at least one data source for data available to be used by the computing system;
wherein management of the fleet of vehicles comprises use of considerations and data by the computing system for predictive management of the fleet of vehicles at least for (a) selection of vehicles to be deployed, (b) configuration of vehicles to be deployed, (c) assignment of duties to vehicles and (d) predicted conditions for operation of vehicles;
wherein considerations for management of the fleet of vehicles comprise at least (a) predetermined objectives for management of the fleet of vehicles, (b) conditions of the duties of the fleet of vehicles and (c) configuration of the vehicle in the fleet;
wherein a vehicle in the fleet is configurable with battery modules as directed by the computing system for the vehicle to be operated for performance of a duty;
wherein data for the computing system comprises at least data relating to (a) vehicles in the fleet (b) type of vehicles in the fleet, (c) configuration options for vehicles in the fleet and (d) duties to be performed by vehicles in the fleet;
wherein predictive management comprises use of data from at least one data source external to vehicles in the fleet to operate vehicles in accordance with conditions predicted to be encountered by the vehicles in operation;
wherein the battery modules are categorized by type and status; wherein the vehicles in the fleet are categorized by type and status;
so that the computing system uses considerations and data available by connectivity for management of the fleet of vehicles and vehicles in the fleet are configured selectively with battery modules for performance of duties and assigned duties according to type and status as directed by the computing system;
so that a selected vehicle in the fleet may be configured in a variety of configurations wherein each configuration is directed to an intended use of the selected vehicle for performance of assigned duties.
27. A method for management of a fleet of vehicles having vehicle systems including a battery system with at least one modular component comprising the steps of:
(a) operating an operating program on a computing system for management of a fleet of vehicles using data available by connectivity to data sources;
(b) establishing connectivity to at least one data source providing data available to be used by the computing system;
wherein management of the fleet of vehicles comprises use of considerations and data by the computing system for predictive management of the fleet of vehicles at least for (a) selection of vehicles to be deployed, (b) configuration of vehicles to be deployed, (c) assignment of duties to vehicles and (d) predicted conditions for operation of vehicles;
wherein considerations for management of the fleet of vehicles comprise at least (a) predetermined objectives for management of the fleet of vehicles, (b) conditions of the duties of the fleet of vehicles and (c) configuration of the vehicle in the fleet;
wherein the vehicle in the fleet is configurable with modular components as directed by the computing system for the vehicle to perform a duty;
wherein the at least one modular component comprises an interchangeable battery module;
wherein data for the computing system comprises at least data relating to (a) vehicles in the fleet (b) type of vehicles in the fleet, (c) configuration options for vehicles in the fleet and (d) duties to be performed by vehicles in the fleet;
wherein predictive management comprises use of data from at least one data source external to vehicles in the fleet to operate vehicles in accordance with conditions predicted to be encountered by the vehicles in operation;
so that the computing system uses considerations and data available by connectivity for management of the fleet of vehicles to configure a selected vehicle in the fleet based on predicted conditions of use of the selected vehicle and vehicles in the fleet are configured with modular components for performance of duties and assigned duties as directed by the computing system.
28. The method of claim 27 wherein the computing system is configured with an operating program to use considerations and data for management of the fleet of vehicles.
29. The method of claim 28 wherein the operating program comprises a routine using the predetermined considerations for management of the fleet of vehicles for the computing system.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein the operating program comprises an algorithm.
31. The method of claim 27 further comprising a database connected to the computing system as at least one data source for the predictive management of the fleet of vehicles.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A journal bearing assembly comprising:
a gear shaft;
a gear mounted to the gear shaft, the gear including a first axial gear face;
a first journal bearing disposed about a longitudinal end of the gear shaft and spaced a first distance from the first axial gear face;
a first fluid film location annularly between an inner surface of the first journal bearing and an outer surface of the gear shaft;
a first hybrid pad location circumferentially adjacent to the first fluid film location, the first hybrid pad location having a minimum leading edge angular location of at least about 31.0\xb0 measured relative to a first bearing flat; and
a first porting path through a body of the first journal bearing providing high pressure fluid communication from a location outside the first journal bearing to the first fluid film location at or adjacent to the first hybrid pad location.
2. The journal bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the first porting path comprises:
a discharge face cut into an outer surface of the first journal bearing for receiving the high pressure fluid;
a radial spool cut into the first journal bearing;
an axial hole through the first journal bearing for communicating the high pressure fluid from the discharge face cut to the radial spool cut; and
a capillary port extending through the first journal bearing from the radial spool cut to the first hybrid pad location for delivering the first high pressure fluid from the radial spool cut to the first hybrid pad location.
3. The journal bearing assembly of claim 2, wherein a centerline of the capillary port is axially spaced at least 0.537 inch (1.364 cm) from the first axial gear face.
4. The journal bearing assembly of claim 2, wherein the capillary port has a diameter of at least 0.023 inch (0.058 cm).
5. The journal bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the journal bearing is a drive-side stationary journal bearing or a drive-side pressure loaded bearing.
6. The journal bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein, in use, the first porting path is adapted to maintain a first hybrid pad at the first hybrid pad location and supplement a first fluid film at the first fluid film location, the first fluid film adapted to support a radial load of at least approximately 532 lbfin2 (3668 kPa) at or near the first hybrid pad.
7. The journal bearing assembly of claim 5, wherein the first hybrid pad is spaced at least about 0.300 in (about 0.762 cm) from the first axial gear face.
8. The journal bearing assembly of claim 5, wherein the first hybrid pad has an axial length of at least about 0.675 in (about 1.714 cm).
9. The journal bearing assembly of claim 5, wherein the fluid film is Jet A-1 fluid, and wherein the fluid is approximately 300\xb0 F. (149\xb0 C.) when entering the porting path.
10. The journal bearing assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
a second journal bearing disposed about a longitudinal end of the gear shaft and spaced a second distance from a second axial gear face opposite the first axial gear face;
a second fluid film location annularly between an inner surface of the second journal bearing and an outer surface of the gear shaft;
a second hybrid pad location circumferentially adjacent to the second fluid film location, the second hybrid pad location having a minimum leading edge angular location of at least about 31.0\xb0 measured relative to a second bearing flat, and a maximum trailing edge angular location of no more than about 43.0\xb0 measured relative to the second bearing flat; and
a second porting path through a body of the second journal bearing providing high pressure fluid communication from a location outside the second journal bearing to the second fluid film location at or adjacent to the second hybrid pad location.
11. A journal bearing assembly comprising:
a gear shaft;
a gear mounted to the gear shaft, the gear including a first axial gear face;
a first journal bearing disposed about a longitudinal end of the gear shaft and spaced a first distance from the first axial gear face;
a first fluid film location annularly between an inner surface of the first journal bearing and an outer surface of the gear shaft;
a first hybrid pad location circumferentially adjacent to the first fluid film location, the first hybrid pad location having a maximum trailing edge angular location of no more than about 52.0\xb0 measured relative to the first bearing flat; and
a first porting path through a body of the first journal bearing providing high pressure fluid communication from a location outside the first journal bearing to the first fluid film location at or adjacent to the first hybrid pad location.
12. The journal bearing assembly of claim 11, wherein the first porting path comprises:
a discharge face cut into an outer surface of the first journal bearing for receiving the high pressure fluid;
a radial spool cut into the first journal bearing;
an axial hole through the first journal bearing for communicating the high pressure fluid from the discharge face cut to the radial spool cut; and
a capillary port extending through the first journal bearing from the radial spool cut to the first hybrid pad location for delivering the first high pressure fluid from the radial spool cut to the first hybrid pad location.
13. The journal bearing assembly of claim 12, wherein a centerline of the capillary port is axially spaced at least 0.537 inch (1.364 cm) from the first axial gear face, and the capillary port has a diameter of at least 0.023 inch (0.058 cm).
14. The journal bearing assembly of claim 11, wherein the journal bearing is a driven-side stationary journal bearing or a driven-side pressure loaded bearing.
15. The journal bearing assembly of claim 11, wherein, in use, the first porting path is adapted to maintain a first hybrid pad at the first hybrid pad location and supplement a first fluid film at the first fluid film location, the first fluid film adapted to support a radial load of at least approximately 636 lbfin2 (4385 kPa) at or near the first hybrid pad.
16. The journal bearing assembly of claim 15, wherein the first hybrid pad is spaced at least about 0.300 in (about 0.762 cm) from the first axial gear face, and the first hybrid pad has an axial length of at least about 0.675 in (about 1.714 cm).
17. The journal bearing assembly of claim 11, wherein a maximum diametral clearance between the inner surface of the first journal bearing and the outer surface of the gear shaft is approximately 0.0039 inch (0.00991 cm).
18. The journal bearing assembly of claim 11, wherein supplementing the fluid film with the high pressure lubricant increases a thickness of the fluid film by approximately 0.0000092 inch (0.000023 cm) at or near the hybrid pad.
19. The journal bearing assembly of claim 11, further comprising:
a second journal bearing disposed about a longitudinal end of the gear shaft and spaced a second distance from a second axial gear face opposite the first axial gear face;
a second fluid film location annularly between an inner surface of the second journal bearing and an outer surface of the gear shaft;
a second hybrid pad location circumferentially adjacent to the second fluid film location, the second hybrid pad location having a minimum leading edge angular location of at least about 40.0\xb0 measured relative to a second bearing flat, and a maximum trailing edge angular location of no more than about 52.0\xb0 measured relative to the second bearing flat; and
a second porting path through a body of the second journal bearing providing high pressure fluid communication from a location outside the second journal bearing to the second fluid film location at or adjacent to the second hybrid pad location.