Electrical system architecture

• US 20040189091A1
• Filed: 12/22/2003
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Akasam, Sivaprasad, Algrain, Marcelo C., Johnson, Kris W., Hoff, Brian D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,400,059 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 5/02 Conditioning lubricant for aiding engine starting, e.g. heating

Abstract

An electrical system for a vehicle includes a first power source generating a first voltage level, the first power source being in electrical communication with a first bus. A second power source generates a second voltage level greater than the first voltage level, the second power source being in electrical communication with a second bus. A starter generator may be configured to provide power to at least one of the first bus and the second bus, and at least one additional power source may be configured to provide power to at least one of the first bus and the second bus. The electrical system also includes at least one power consumer in electrical communication with the first bus and at least one power consumer in electrical communication with the second bus.

Claims

1. An electrical system for a vehicle, comprising:

a first power source generating a first voltage level, the first power source being in electrical communication with a first bus;

a second power source generating a second voltage level greater than the first voltage level, the second power source being in electrical communication with a second bus;

a starter generator configured to provide power to at least one of the first bus and the second bus;

at least one additional power source configured to provide power to at least one of the first bus and the second bus;

at least one power consumer in electrical communication with the first bus; and

at least one power consumer in electrical communication with the second bus.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one additional power source includes an auxiliary generator.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one additional power source includes an interface configured to receive a source of one or more of AC power and DC power.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one additional power source includes both a generator and an interface configured to receive a source of one or more of AC power and DC power.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one power consumer in electrical communication with the first bus includes one or more of a light, a display, and a controller circuit.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one power consumer in electrical communication with the second bus includes one or more of an air compressor, an electric water pump, an electric oil pump, an HVAC unit, and an electrical outlet.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one power consumer in electrical communication with the second bus includes an air compressor, an electric water pump, an electric oil pump, and an HVAC unit.

8. The system of claim 1, further including a controller configured to activate and deactivate the at least one power consumer in electrical communication with the first bus and the at least one power consumer in electrical communication with the second bus.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first bus is partitioned into at least a first sub-bus and a second sub-bus.

10. The system of claim 9, further including:

a mode selector having at least a first position, a second position, and a third position;

wherein neither the first sub-bus nor the second sub-bus is energized when the mode selector is in the first position, only the first sub-bus is energized when the mode selector is in the second position, and both the first sub-bus and the second sub-bus are energized when the mode selector is in the third position.

11. The system of claim 9, further including:

a controller;

a mode selector;

a first relay in electrical communication with the controller, the first bus, and the first sub-bus; and

a second relay in electrical communication with the controller, the first bus, and the second sub-bus;

wherein the controller is configured to vary a state of the first relay and a state of the second relay in response to the mode selector.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the first power source is a 12V battery.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the second power source is a battery and the second voltage level is a DC voltage potential supplied to the second bus.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the DC voltage potential is at least about 50V.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the DC voltage potential is about 288V.

16. The system of claim 1, further including an up converter configured to convert a voltage on the first bus to a voltage compatible with the second bus.

17. The system of claim 1, further including a down converter configured to convert a voltage on the second bus to a voltage compatible with the first bus.

18. The system of claim 1, further including:

a controller;

a first switch disposed between the second power source and the second bus; and

a second switch disposed between the first switch and the second bus and in parallel with at least one resistor;

wherein the controller opens the second switch prior to exposing the second bus to the second voltage level, closes the first switch to energize the second bus along a path through the at least one resistor, and closes the second switch after energizing the second bus.

19. An electrical system for a vehicle, comprising:

a low voltage battery in electrical communication with a first bus;

a high voltage battery in electrical communication with a second bus;

a starter generator configured to provide power to at least one of the first bus and the second bus;

an auxiliary generator configured to provide power to at least one of the first bus and the second bus;

an electrical interface configured to receive power from a source external to the vehicle and to provide power to at least one of the first bus and the second bus;

at least one power consumer in electrical communication with the first bus; and

at least one power consumer in electrical communication with the second bus.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the low voltage battery is a 12V battery.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the high voltage battery generates a DC voltage potential of at least about 50V and supplies the DC voltage potential to the second bus.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the starter generator is further configured to provide a DC voltage potential of at least about 50V to the second bus.

23. A vehicle, comprising:

an engine;

a traction device; and

an electrical system including;

a low voltage battery in electrical communication with a first bus;

a high voltage battery in electrical communication with a second bus;

a starter generator configured to provide power to at least one of the first bus and the second bus, the starter generator being operatively coupled to the engine;

an auxiliary generator configured to provide power to at least one of the first bus and the second bus;

an electrical interface configured to receive power from a source external to the vehicle and to provide power to at least one of the first bus and the second bus;

at least one power consumer in electrical communication with the first bus; and

at least one power consumer in electrical communication with the second bus.

24. The vehicle of claim 23, wherein the low voltage battery is a 12V battery.

25. The vehicle of claim 23, wherein the high voltage battery generates a DC voltage potential of at least about 50V and supplies the DC voltage potential to the second bus.

26. The vehicle of claim 23, wherein the starter generator is further configured to provide a DC voltage potential of at least about 50V to the second bus.

27. The vehicle of claim 23, wherein the first bus is partitioned into at least a first sub-bus and a second sub-bus.

28. The vehicle of claim 27, wherein the electrical system further includes a mode selector having at least a first position, a second position, and a third position;

wherein neither the first sub-bus nor the second sub-bus is energized when the mode selector is in the first position, only the first sub-bus is energized when the mode selector is in the second position, and both the first sub-bus and the second sub-bus are energized when the mode selector is in the third position.