ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20080079312A1
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Chen, Chingchi, Degner, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,232,669 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/30 for monitoring or controlling fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/114 Super-capacities
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

An energy conversion system transfers energy between an energy source, or storage unit, and an electric device via a first port and a second port and at least one of receives and provides energy via a third port.

Claims

1. An energy conversion system for a vehicle comprising:

an energy storage unit;

an electric device; and

an energy conversion arrangement configured to receive energy from the unit and to provide energy to the device, the arrangement including a first port at a first voltage, a second port at a second voltage greater than the first voltage, and a third port at a third voltage different than the first voltage, the arrangement being further configured to at least one of receive and provide energy via the third port.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the unit is electrically connected with the first port and wherein the device is electrically connected with the second port.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the arrangement comprises a direct current to direct current converter.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the arrangement includes a transformer and a capacitor, wherein the first port includes a first terminal, and wherein the transformer, the capacitor, and the unit are electrically connected with the first terminal.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the transformer is an isolated transformer.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the transformer is a non-isolated transformer.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein the third port includes a second terminal, and wherein the transformer is electrically connected with the second terminal.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the arrangement includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, and wherein the primary winding and the secondary winding are configured to be selectively connected in series.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the arrangement includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, and wherein the primary winding and the secondary winding are configured to be selectively connected in parallel.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the third port includes a terminal, and wherein the terminal is electrically connected with a circuit configured to convert an alternating current from the terminal into a direct current.

11. An energy conversion system for a vehicle comprising:

an energy storage unit;

an electric device; and

an energy conversion arrangement configured to receive energy from the device and to provide energy to the unit, the arrangement including a first port at a first voltage, a second port at a second voltage greater than the first voltage, and a third port at a third voltage different than the first voltage, the arrangement being further configured to at least one of receive and provide energy via the third port.

12. The system at claim 11 wherein the unit is electrically connected with the first port and wherein the device is electrically connected with the second port.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the arrangement comprises a direct current to direct current converter.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the arrangement includes a transformer and a capacitor, wherein the first port includes a first terminal, and wherein the transformer, the capacitor, and the unit are electrically connected with the first terminal.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the transformer is an isolated transformer.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the transformer is a non-isolated transformer.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein the third port includes a second terminal, and wherein the transformer is electrically connected with the second terminal.

18. The system of claim 11 wherein the arrangement includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, and wherein the primary winding and the secondary winding are configured to be selectively connected in series.

19. The system of claim 11 wherein the arrangement includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, and wherein the primary winding and the secondary winding are configured to be selectively connected in parallel.

20. The system of claim 11 wherein the third port includes a terminal, and wherein the terminal is electrically connected with a circuit configured to convert an alternating current from the terminal into a direct current.