Vehicle with a super-capacitor for recovery of energy on braking

• US 20020139593A1
• Filed: 03/13/2002
• Published: 10/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Conception ET Developpement Michelin S.A.
• Original Assignee: Conception ET Developpement Michelin S.A.
• Inventors: Bourqui, Gerald, Varenne, Pierre, Charaudeau, Jean-Jacques
• Granted Patent: US 7,096,985 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/65.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/28 characterised by the electric energy storing means, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/14 for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/10 Controlling the power contribution of each of the prime movers to meet required power demand
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/114 Super-capacities
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/92 Energy efficient charging or discharging systems for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors specially adapted for vehicles

Abstract

A vehicle has an engine driving an alternator. The electrical energy supplied by the alternator feeds an electric traction motor, via a rectifier, an electric line, and an inverter. The electric traction motor is mechanically coupled to a wheel. A super-capacitor is connected to the electric line by means of a voltage-matching circuit. A unit for controlling the torque applied to the vehicle wheel manages the circulation of the electrical energy in the drivetrain so as always to discharge the super-capacitor as a priority, in order to be able to be ready to recover the energy at the next braking.

Claims

1. An electric drivetrain for a vehicle, the said drivetrain comprising:

(a) an acceleration and deceleration control CA at the disposal of the vehicle driver;

(b) a processing unit for the control CA allowing a desired driving torque to be located and evaluated and a desired braking torque to be located and evaluated;

(c) an electrical energy source, available for the traction of the vehicle;

(d) at least one electric machine connected to at least one driving wheel, and coupled to an electric line connecting the electrical energy source and the electric machine, the electric machine being capable of operating as a motor by absorbing electrical energy available on the electric line and by transmitting a driving torque to the driving wheel, the electric machine being capable of operating as a generator by transmitting a braking torque to the driving wheel and by restoring electrical energy on the electric line;

(e) an electrical energy storage device connected to the electric line, the electrical energy storage device consisting of one or more super-capacitors;

(f) a device for managing the operating mode selecting an energy recovery mode or an energy restoration mode; and

(g) a unit for controlling the torque applied to the vehicle wheel, allowing;

(1) in the case of a demand for driving torque, the electric machine to be operated as a motor by consuming the electrical energy stored in the electrical energy storage device as long as the charge of the electrical energy storage device is not minimal, as a priority over the use of the electrical energy source for supplying the energy necessary for the traction of the vehicle, and

(2) in the case of a demand for braking torque, the electric machine to be operated as a generator by using the electrical energy produced to recharge the electrical energy storage device as long as the charge of the electrical energy storage device is not maximal, as a priority over the use of any other braking device.

2. A drivetrain according to claim 1, for a vehicle of the parallel hybrid type.

3. A drivetrain according to claim 1, for a vehicle of the series hybrid type.

4. A drivetrain according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the storage device can store at least 70 kJ.

5. A drivetrain according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the storage device can store at least 150 kJ.