Hybrid vehicle drive system and method and idle reduction system and method

A hybrid vehicle drive system for use with a first prime mover and a first transmission driven by the first prime mover, the system comprising:

• a second prime mover coupled to a rechargeable energy source;
• a PTO interface, wherein the first prime mover is configured to provide power through the PTO interface to the second prime mover to operate the second prime mover, and the second prime mover is configured to provide power to a drive shaft through the PTO interface;
• and
• an accessory configured to be coupled to the second prime mover, so the accessory is operated through the operation of the second prime mover, wherein a clutch is disposed between the second prime mover and the accessory, wherein the second prime mover is an electric motor and is electrically coupled to a first rechargeable energy source, wherein an electrical control system operates in two modes of operation, wherein the clutch disengages the accessory from the electric motor when charging in a first mode of operation for use when grid charging is available and in a second mode of operation for use when grid charging is not available, the electric control system causing the first prime mover to operate and rotate the electric motor to generate power through the PTO interface and charge the first rechargeable energy source to a first level in the first mode of operation, and the electric control system causing the first prime mover to operate and rotate the electric motor via the PTO interface and charge the first rechargeable energy source to a second level more than the first level in the second mode of operation, the accessory being a hydraulic pump in direct or indirect communication with the PTO, the hydraulic pump in mechanical communication with the electric motor, the hydraulic pump being powered by rotation of the electric motor, wherein the electric motor can be rotated using power from the rechargeable energy source or be rotated using power from the first prime mover via the PTO, the hydraulic pump being coupled to an end shaft of the electric motor, the electric motor being coupled to the PTO via a through shaft.

A method of using a vehicle with a hybrid vehicle drive system, the vehicle includes a first prime mover, an electric motor, a first rechargeable energy source, a prime mover driven transmission, the method comprising:

• using the electric motor coupled to a PTO to charge the first rechargeable energy source in a first mode via the first prime mover through the PTO to a first level when grid charging is available, wherein a hydraulic pump is in direct or indirect communication with the PTO, and in mechanical communication with the electric motor, wherein the electric motor can be rotated using power from the first rechargeable energy source or be rotated using power from the first prime mover via the PTO, the hydraulic pump being coupled to an endshaft of the electric motor, the electric motor being the PTO coupled to via a through shaft;
• using the electric motor to charge the first rechargeable energy source via the first prime mover through the PTO to a second level more than the first level when the grid charging is not available;
• and
• using the electric motor to rotate the hydraulic pump using power from the first rechargeable energy source;
• and
• using the PTO to rotate the electric motor and the hydraulic pump via power from the first prime mover when the first rechargeable energy source is below a third level, the third level being less than the first level.