A/C bus assembly for electronic traction vehicle

An AC bus assembly for interconnecting removable modules of an electronic traction vehicle, the modules including a principal power unit that is not a battery, a power storage unit, an AC electric motor coupled to at least one wheel of the vehicle, a drive controller coupled to the electric motor, an energy dissipation unit, and a vehicle controller having a user interface, the AC bus assembly comprising:

• a first conductor having a first end and a second end;
• and
• a second conductor having a first end and a second end,
• wherein the first end of each conductor is coupled to the principle power unit and the second end of each conductor is connected to one of the modules.

An vehicle comprising:

• a vehicle support structure;
• a plurality of wheels rotatably supported by the vehicle structure, wherein at least two of the wheels are steerable;
• a principal power unit supported by the structure, wherein the principal power unit is not a battery;
• at least one AC electric motor coupled to at least one of the wheels;
• an electric AC power bus including at least two phase conductors, wherein the phase conductors are coupled to the principal power unit;
• a power storage unit coupled to the AC power bus;
• a vehicle controller coupled to the electric motor and the AC power bus;
• a data bus coupled to the vehicle controller;
• and
• a motor drive controller unit coupled to the electric motor and to the data bus to communicate signals to the vehicle controller such that one of the speed and torque of the motor are controlled based upon the signals.