Motor/generator transient response system

• US 20050134206A1
• Filed: 12/22/2003
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Hoff, Brian D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,030,580 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/141
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/04 Control effected upon non-electric prime mover and dependent upon electric output value of the generator
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/102 for limiting effects of transients
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• 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 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A transient response system includes a power source operable to generate a power output and a transmission operatively coupled to the power source. The transient response system also includes a generator operatively coupled to the power source and a controller in communication with the generator and at least one of the power source and the transmission. The controller is operable to receive at least one input having a value indicative of a change in load on the power source and operable to cause the generator to remove power from the power output at a rate corresponding to the value of the at least one input.

Claims

1. A transient response system, comprising:

a power source operable to generate a power output;

a transmission operatively coupled to the power source;

a generator operatively coupled to the power source; and

a controller in communication with the generator and at least one of the power source and the transmission, the controller operable to receive at least one input having a value indicative of a change in load on the power source and operable to cause the generator to remove power from the power output at a rate corresponding to the value of the at least one input and in such a manner to dampen transient power loads applied to the power source by removing less power from the power output in response to an increase in load on the power source.

2. The transient response system of claim 1, further including a motor operatively coupled to the power source, wherein the controller is in communication with the motor and operable to cause the motor to add power to the power output at a rate corresponding to the value of the at least one input.

3. The transient response system of claim 2, wherein the motor and generator are combined in a single unit.

4. The transient response system of claim 1, wherein the power source has a desired operating range and the controller causes the generator to change the rate that the power is removed from the power output when a change in the load on the power source results in the power source operating outside of the desired operating range.

5. The transient response system of claim 2, wherein the power source has a desired operating range and the controller causes the motor to change the rate that the power is added to the power output when a change in the load on the power source results in the power source operating outside of the desired operating range.

6. The transient response system of claim 1, wherein the at least one input includes a signal corresponding to a power source speed.

7. The transient response system of claim 1, wherein the at least one input includes a signal corresponding to a fluid pressure of the transmission.

8. The transient response system of claim 1, wherein the at least one input includes a motor command signal of the transmission.

9. The transient response system of claim 2, further including a second power source configured to power the motor when the motor drives the power source.

10. A method of operating a transient response system comprising:

driving a transmission with a power source, the power source operable to produce a power output;

sensing a load on the power source;

identifying a change in the load on the power source;

controlling a generator to remove power from the power output at a rate corresponding to a value associated with the change in load on the power source and in such a manner to dampen transient power loads applied to the power source by removing less power from the power output in response to an increase in load on the power source.

11. The method of claim 10, further including controlling a motor to add power to the power output at a rate corresponding to a value associated with the change in load on the power source.

12. The method of claim 10, further includes controlling the rate that power is removed from the power output when the controller receives an input indicative of a change in load on the power source that results in the power source operating outside of a desired operating range.

13. The method of claim 11, further including controlling the rate that power is added to the power output when the controller receives an input indicative of a change in load on the power source that results in the power source operating outside of a desired operating range.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one input indicative of a power load change includes a signal corresponding to a power source speed.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one input indicative of a power load change includes a signal corresponding to a fluid pressure of a transmission.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one input indicative of a power load change includes a motor command signal of a transmission.

17. A work machine comprising:

a housing;

a traction device supporting the housing;

a power source operable to generate a power output;

a transmission operatively coupled to the power source;

a generator operatively coupled to the power source; and

a controller in communication with the generator and at least one of the power source and the transmission, the controller operable to receive at least one input having a value indicative of a load on the power source and operable to cause the generator to remove power from the power output at a rate corresponding to the value of the at least one input and in such a manner to dampen transient power loads applied to the power source by removing less power from the power output in response to an increase in load on the power source.

18. The work machine of claim 17, further including a motor operatively coupled to the power source, wherein the controller is in communication with the motor and operable to cause the motor to add power to the power output at a rate corresponding to the value of the at least one input.

19. The work machine of claim 18, wherein the motor and generator are combined in a single unit.

20. The work machine of claim 17, wherein the power source has a desired operating range and the controller causes the generator to change the rate that power is removed from the power output when a change in the load on the power source results in the power source operating outside of the desired operating range.

21. The work machine of claim 18, wherein the power source has a desired operating range and the controller causes the motor to change the rate that power is added to the power output when a change in the load on the power source results in the power source operating outside of the desired operating range.

22. The work machine of claim 17, wherein the at least one input includes a signal corresponding to a power source speed.

23. The work machine of claim 17, wherein the at least one input includes a signal corresponding to a fluid pressure of the transmission.

24. The work machine of claim 17, wherein the at least one input includes a motor command signal of the transmission.

25. The work machine of claim 18, further including a second power source configured to power the motor when the motor is adding power to the power source.