Engine Controller

ISE APUs are equipped with advanced automated controllers which help to minimize fuel consumption and emissions while facilitating monitoring and diagnosis of the engine and generator.

A key feature of the ThunderVolt® APU control system is that the APU is automatically turned on and off during vehicle operation. When vehicle power usage is low and there is sufficient energy in the battery pack to sustain vehicle operation, the APU controller turns the APU off. The APU is then automatically reactivated when vehicle power requirements increase or the battery energy level begins to run low. Depending on how the APU is programmed, the vehicle can be operated as either a "charge sustaining" or a "charge depleting" hybrid.

When the APU is on, the APU controller employs a "load following" technique to tailor APU power output to varying vehicle power needs. During acceleration, hill climbing, and other periods of high power usage, APU power output is automatically increased to respond to increasing electrical power loads on the generator. When power requirements diminish and these loads are relaxed, APU power output is reduced. The controller also reduces the power output of the APU instantaneously when energy is added to the system by regenerative braking, thereby protecting the drive system from "over-voltage" situations.

The flexibility offered by the ThunderVolt® APU controller enables vehicle power generation to be tailored to different driving cycles or economic situations.

For example, in areas with severe emissions problems or high fuel costs, the controller can be programmed to minimize APU run time and to maximize reliance on battery power. Conversely, the APU can be run more often if it is a higher priority to minimize external battery charging or to extend battery life.

For APUs utilizing internal combustion engines, the APU controller also monitors engine health and transmits data on engine temperature, oil pressure, and other key factors to the main dashboard control unit.

The APU controller unit itself is a very small, self-contained microprocessor located in the vehicle APU compartment. It can be easily diagnosed and removed and replaced by trained service personnel.

Remote Diagnostic System (RDS)

The Remote Diagnostic System (RDS) hardware and software package is designed to address the needs of advanced vehicle fleet operators, maintenance personnel, and component developers. It provides a reliable, low-cost conduit between the systems on-board a vehicle or in remote locations to operator and maintenance personnel.

The RDS allows the user to control, monitor, diagnose, and analyze advanced vehicles from their desktop computer. For example an engineer can access important engine data, a technician can display fault codes, and a manager can monitor fuel economy -  all from the same interface and without worrying about the connection to the vehicle.

A unique feature available in the RDS is the ability to send commands and set parameters on-board the vehicle. All commands are centrally verified to ensure access by authorized personnel only.

User can access the real-time and recorded data from any internet terminal world-wide using ISE's diagnostic software. At the conclusions of the vehicle's daily duty cycle, the recorded data is automatically sent to ISE's central server, where a complete historical database is maintained. In all cases, the user sees the same easy-to-learn interface to the vehicle.

The on-board data processor (ODP) is connected to the vehicle systems (multiplex network). The ODP processess all the data into a common format and records the information to the internal flash drive. Time critical information can be retrieved via the ODP's cellular link.

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