Methods and apparatus for an active convertor dolly

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 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;
• an energy storing device electrically 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 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;
• at least one force sensor for detecting acceleration or deceleration of the first trailer relative to the second trailer, wherein:
• the at least one motor-generator operates in drive mode in response to detecting acceleration of the first trailer relative to the second trailer;
• and
• the at least one motor-generator operates in generator mode in response to detecting deceleration of the first trailer relative to the second trailer;
• and
• a controller for selectively activating the drive mode or the generator mode of each motor- generator.

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 disposed at a first end of the frame for releasably coupling the apparatus to the first trailer such that the apparatus translates with the first trailer;
• a second trailer connector assembly for releasably coupling the apparatus to the second trailer such that the second trailer translates with the apparatus;
• at least one pair of wheels;
• and
• a kinetic energy recovery device adapted to recover energy from regenerative braking of at least one wheel of the at least one pair of wheels, comprising:
• at least one motor-generator operably coupled to the at least one wheel, wherein the at least one motor-generator is operable in:
• a drive mode for applying motive rotational force to the at least one wheel;
• and
• a generator mode for converting the kinetic energy to the electrical energy, the generator mode effecting deceleration of the at least one wheel;
• an energy storing device for storing the electrical energy;
• a controller operably coupled to the at least one motor-generator for selectively activating the drive mode or the generator mode;
• and
• a communication interface operably coupled to the controller for providing vehicle data from the towing vehicle to the controller;
• wherein the first trailer connector assembly, the second trailer connector assembly, the at least one wheel, and the kinetic energy recovery device are cooperatively configured such that while the first trailer translates with the towing vehicle, and the releasable coupling of the apparatus to the first trailer and to the second trailer is effected, braking by the towing vehicle is with effect that the kinetic energy recovery device converts kinetic energy generated by rotation of the at least one wheel to electrical energy.