Hybrid energy off highway vehicle load control system and method
First Claim
1. A hybrid off-road vehicle having a high load to power ratio, the vehicle comprising wheels supporting the vehicle, a primary power source on the vehicle for generating primary electrical power, said power source comprising an engine and an electrical power generator, a traction motor system associated with at least one of the wheels for rotating the wheel to propel the vehicle, an electric energy storage system on the vehicle for storing and discharging electrical power, a load control circuit electrically connected to the primary power source, the energy storage system and the traction motor system for selectively delivering power from the power source to the traction motor system and from the power source to the energy storage system, a first sensor for sensing a command parameter indicative of a commanded operating condition of the vehicle, a second sensor for sensing an operating parameter indicative of a current operating condition of the vehicle, and a processor responsive to the command and operating parameters for generating a control signal provided to the load control circuit, said load control circuit selectively controlling the delivery of the power from the power source to the traction motor system and from the power source to the energy storage system as a function of the control signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for managing electrical power generated by an engine for use in connection with operating a hybrid energy off highway vehicle load control system. A load control circuit determines a current operating condition of the Off Highway Vehicle, and determines a corresponding target operating condition of the Off Highway Vehicle The load control system determines a difference between the current operating condition and a target operating condition to identify transients. The load control system delivers power from the power source to a energy storage for an initial period after a transient condition is identified and then delivers power from the power source to source to the traction motors to propel the Off Highway Vehicle. The load control system also retrieves to power from the energy storage to assist in propelling the Off Highway Vehicle.
56 Citations
34 Claims
- 1. A hybrid off-road vehicle having a high load to power ratio, the vehicle comprising wheels supporting the vehicle, a primary power source on the vehicle for generating primary electrical power, said power source comprising an engine and an electrical power generator, a traction motor system associated with at least one of the wheels for rotating the wheel to propel the vehicle, an electric energy storage system on the vehicle for storing and discharging electrical power, a load control circuit electrically connected to the primary power source, the energy storage system and the traction motor system for selectively delivering power from the power source to the traction motor system and from the power source to the energy storage system, a first sensor for sensing a command parameter indicative of a commanded operating condition of the vehicle, a second sensor for sensing an operating parameter indicative of a current operating condition of the vehicle, and a processor responsive to the command and operating parameters for generating a control signal provided to the load control circuit, said load control circuit selectively controlling the delivery of the power from the power source to the traction motor system and from the power source to the energy storage system as a function of the control signal.
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16. The hybrid vehicle of clam 15 wherein the difference in the current power output and the commanded power output is due to relatively rapid changes of throttle positions.
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25. A method for managing electrical power generated by a power source for use in connection with operating a hybrid energy off highway vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes wheels supporting the vehicle, the primary power source on the vehicle for generating primary electrical power, said power source including an engine and an electrical power generator, a traction motor system associated with at least one of the wheels for rotating the wheel to propel the vehicle, said method comprising:
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sensing an operating parameter of the off highway vehicle, said operating parameter being indicative of a current operating condition;
sensing a commanded parameter for the off highway vehicle, said commanded parameter being indicative of a commanded operating condition;
calculating a difference between the current operating condition and the commanded operating condition; and
selectively controlling the delivery of the power from the power source to the traction motor system and from the power source to an energy storage system as function of the calculated difference for the controlling the generation, transmission and storage of power on the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification