Energy storage and recovery for a tracked machine
First Claim
1. A system for storing and recovering energy associated with a machine having ground engaging tracks, the system comprising:
- a power source configured to supply mechanical energy for operation of the machine;
an electric generator operably coupled to the power source, the electric generator being configured to convert at least a portion of the mechanical energy into electric energy;
an electric motor operably coupled to the electric generator, the electric motor being configured to supply power to the ground engaging tracks;
an energy storage device configured to store energy associated with the machine; and
a controller configured to coordinate operation of the power source, the electric generator, the electric motor, and the energy storage device,wherein the controller is configured to divert a portion of the energy supplied by the power source to the energy storage device while the machine travels in a first direction, and recover energy stored in the energy storage device for use while the machine travels in a second direction.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for storing and recovering energy associated with a machine having ground engaging tracks is disclosed. The system includes a power source configured to supply mechanical energy for operation of the machine, and an electric generator operably coupled to the power source. The electric generator is configured to convert at least a portion of the mechanical energy into electric energy. The system further includes an electric motor operably coupled to the electric generator. The electric motor is configured to supply power to the ground engaging tracks. The system includes an energy storage device configured to store energy associated with the machine, and a controller configured to divert a portion of the energy supplied by the power source to the energy storage device while the machine travels in a first direction, and recover energy stored in the energy storage device for use while the machine travels in a second direction.
78 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for storing and recovering energy associated with a machine having ground engaging tracks, the system comprising:
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a power source configured to supply mechanical energy for operation of the machine; an electric generator operably coupled to the power source, the electric generator being configured to convert at least a portion of the mechanical energy into electric energy; an electric motor operably coupled to the electric generator, the electric motor being configured to supply power to the ground engaging tracks; an energy storage device configured to store energy associated with the machine; and a controller configured to coordinate operation of the power source, the electric generator, the electric motor, and the energy storage device, wherein the controller is configured to divert a portion of the energy supplied by the power source to the energy storage device while the machine travels in a first direction, and recover energy stored in the energy storage device for use while the machine travels in a second direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A system for storing and recovering energy associated with a machine having ground engaging tracks, the system comprising:
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a power source configured to supply mechanical energy for operation of the machine; an electric generator operably coupled to the power source, the electric generator being configured to convert at least a portion of the mechanical energy into electric energy; an electric motor operably coupled to the electric generator, the electric motor being configured to supply power to the ground engaging tracks; an energy storage device configured to store energy associated with the machine; and a controller configured to coordinate operation of the power source, the electric generator, the electric motor, and the energy storage device, wherein the controller is configured to divert a portion of energy stored by the energy storage device to the electric motor, such that a portion of demand for power on the power source is at least partially offset by the portion of energy stored by the energy storage device in response to an increase in demand for power associated with operation of the machine. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for storing and recovering energy associated with a machine having ground engaging tracks and a work implement, the system comprising:
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a power source configured to supply mechanical energy for operation of the machine; an electrical system including an electric generator operably coupled to the power source, the electric generator being configured to convert at least a portion of the mechanical energy into electric energy, an electric motor operably coupled to the electric generator, the electric motor being configured to supply power to the ground engaging tracks, and a retarding device; an energy storage device configured to store energy associated with the machine; and a controller configured to coordinate operation of the power source, the electric generator, the electric motor, the retarding device, and the energy storage device, such that at least one of kinetic energy and potential energy associated with the machine is stored in the energy storage device and recovered to supply energy to the machine. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification