Patent ID: 11951868
Assignee: ELECTRANS TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  Y | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. An apparatus for releasably coupling a second trailer to a first trailer that is releasably coupled to a towing vehicle in a tractor-trailer vehicle configuration, the apparatus comprising:
a frame;
a first trailer connector assembly for releasably coupling the apparatus to the first trailer such that the apparatus translates with the first trailer;
a second trailer connector assembly, including a fifth wheel assembly, for releasably coupling the apparatus to the second trailer such that the second trailer translates with the apparatus;
a pair of wheels rotatably coupled to the frame, each one of the wheels, independently, including a hub;
an energy storing device for storing electrical energy;
a pair of motor-generators, each motor-generator, independently, being:
operably coupled to one of the wheels in the pair of wheels and disposed within the hub thereof, and
operably coupled to the energy storing device,
such that each motor-generator is operable in:
a drive mode for applying a motive rotational force to its respective wheel; and
a generator mode for applying a regenerative braking force to its respective wheel for converting mechanical energy generated by rotation of the wheel to electrical energy wherein the generated electrical energy is stored on the energy-storing device; and

a controller for selectively activating the drive mode or the generator mode of each motor-generator.