Mechanical haul truck hybrid system

A vehicle comprising:

• a chassis;
• an engine connected to the chassis;
• a torque converter directly connected to the engine;
• a drive shaft directly connected to the torque converter;
• a motor connected to the drive shaft, opposite the torque converter, wherein:
• the motor further comprises a rotor having an annular shaft cavity,
• the motor further comprises a first diameter equal to or smaller than a second diameter of the torque converter,
• the motor is connected to the drive shaft via the annular shaft cavity, and
• a transmission connected to motor;
• a differential connected to the transmission;
• and
• a plurality of wheels connected to the differential.

A method of retrofitting a haul truck comprising a chassis, an engine connected to the chassis, a torque converter connected to the engine, a drive shaft directly connected to the torque converter, a transmission directly connected to the drive shaft, a differential connected to the transmission, and a plurality of wheels connected to the differential, the method comprising:

• decoupling the drive shaft from the torque converter;
• removing a length of the drive shaft to form a shortened drive shaft;
• connecting a motor directly to the torque converter or directly to the transmission;
• and
• connecting the shortened drive shaft to the motor such that the torque converter is reconnected to the transmission via the motor and the shortened drive shaft.

A method of operating a haul truck comprising an engine, the method comprising:

• energizing a drive system and the motor of the haul truck;
• modifying, by a torque converter connected to the engine and directly connected to the motor, a torque applied by an engine to the torque converter to generate a modified torque;
• applying, by the torque converter, the modified torque to the motor;
• turning, by the modified torque, a rotor of the motor;
• turning, with the rotor, a drive shaft connected to the rotor;
• turning, with the drive shaft, a transmission of the haul truck;
• turning, with the transmission, a differential of the haul truck;
• and
• propelling, with the differential, a plurality of wheels of the haul truck.