Modular system for dynamic tow and regenerative braking of a trailer

A system comprising:

• a drive subsystem comprising:
• a drive chassis configured to install on a trailer chassis of a trailer over a range of longitudinal positions;
• a first set of retention features configured to transiently engage a set of engagement features on the trailer chassis to couple the drive subsystem to the trailer chassis;
• a driven axle suspended from the drive chassis;
• and
• a motor:
• coupled to the driven axle;
• configured to output torque to the driven axle;
• and
• configured to regeneratively brake the driven axle;
• and
• a battery assembly:
• comprising a second set of retention features configured to transiently engage the set of engagement features on the trailer chassis to couple the battery assembly to the trailer chassis;
• configured to supply electrical energy to the motor to drive the driven axle;
• and
• configured to receive electrical energy from the motor to recharge the battery assembly.

A system comprising:

• a drive subsystem comprising:
• a chassis configured to install on a trailer;
• a first set of retention features configured to transiently engage a first subset of engagement features, in a first array of engagement features on a left rail and in a second array of engagement features on a right rail of the trailer, to couple the drive subsystem to the trailer;
• a driven axle suspended from the chassis;
• and
• a motor coupled to the driven axle;
• a suspension pressure sensor configured to fluidly couple to an air-ride suspension system suspending the driven axle from the chassis;
• a brake pressure sensor configured to fluidly couple to an air brake system arranged on the driven axle;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• set a regenerative braking limit at the driven axle based on a pressure, in the air-ride suspension system, detected via the suspension pressure sensor;
• and
• trigger the motor to regeneratively brake the driven axle in response to detecting an increase in pressure in the air brake system via the brake pressure sensor.