VEHICLE PROPULSION SYSTEM WITH SELECTABLE ENERGY SOURCES AND METHOD OF USE
First Claim
1. A propulsion system for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the propulsion system comprising:
- a first torque producing arrangement including an electric machine operable to provide torque to at least one of the vehicle wheels;
a second torque producing arrangement including an engine operable to provide torque to at least one of the vehicle wheels;
a first energy source configured to supply electrical energy to the electric machine;
a second energy source configured to supply gaseous fuel to the engine;
a hydrogen production system connected to the second energy source and having a connection point for receiving electrical energy from an electricity grid external to the vehicle, the production system including an electrolyzer, a water source, and a hydrogen dispensing and loading system, the hydrogen dispensing and loading system being configured to provide hydrogen to the second energy source from the electrolyzer when the electrolyzer produces hydrogen from water received from the water source;
a third energy source configured to supply a non-hydrogen fuel to the engine; and
a control system operatively connecting to the first and second torque producing arrangements and including at least one controller, the control system being configured to select at least one of the torque producing arrangements to drive the vehicle and at least one of the fuels to be supplied to the engine when the second torque producing arrangement is chosen.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A propulsion system includes a first torque producing arrangement including an electric machine configured to a first energy source supplying electrical energy to the electric machine. The system also includes a second torque producing arrangement having an engine connected to a second energy source configured to supply gaseous fuel to the engine. The system has a hydrogen production system having an electrolyzer, a water source, a hydrogen dispensing and loading system, and a connection to an electricity grid. Hydrogen is loaded to the second energy source when the electrolyzer is electrolyzing the water. The engine further connects to a third energy source configured to supply a non-hydrogen fuel to the engine. The system has a controller electrically connected to the motor and the engine capable of selecting the propulsion component and the fuel source.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A propulsion system for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the propulsion system comprising:
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a first torque producing arrangement including an electric machine operable to provide torque to at least one of the vehicle wheels; a second torque producing arrangement including an engine operable to provide torque to at least one of the vehicle wheels; a first energy source configured to supply electrical energy to the electric machine; a second energy source configured to supply gaseous fuel to the engine; a hydrogen production system connected to the second energy source and having a connection point for receiving electrical energy from an electricity grid external to the vehicle, the production system including an electrolyzer, a water source, and a hydrogen dispensing and loading system, the hydrogen dispensing and loading system being configured to provide hydrogen to the second energy source from the electrolyzer when the electrolyzer produces hydrogen from water received from the water source; a third energy source configured to supply a non-hydrogen fuel to the engine; and a control system operatively connecting to the first and second torque producing arrangements and including at least one controller, the control system being configured to select at least one of the torque producing arrangements to drive the vehicle and at least one of the fuels to be supplied to the engine when the second torque producing arrangement is chosen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A vehicle propulsion system having selectable energy sources, the propulsion system comprising:
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a first propulsion component having an electric drive motor operable to provide torque to at least one wheel of the vehicle, the first propulsion component being selectably connected electrically to at least a first energy source capable of receiving electrical energy; a second propulsion component having an internal combustion engine connected to a second energy source, including a hydrogen storage tank capable of supplying hydrogen for fueling the engine, the second propulsion component further being connected to a third energy source including a fuel tank for a non-hydrogen fuel capable of fueling the engine; and a control system having a logic block and a controller, the controller being adapted to select a combination including at least one of the propulsion components and at least one of the energy sources as determined by the logic block, the combination selected from a group including at least three combinations selected independently from the electric motor energized by a battery, the electric motor energized by a fuel cell, the electric motor energized by both the fuel cell and the battery, the internal combustion engine fueled by hydrogen, the internal combustion engine fueled by a blend of hydrogen and a non-hydrogen fuel, the internal combustion engine fueled by a blend of hydrogen and a gaseous hydrocarbon, or the internal combustion engine fueled only by the non-hydrogen fuel. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for using a vehicle propulsion system with selectable energy sources, the method comprising:
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quantifying a quantity of energy available for at least a first short-range energy source and a second short-range energy source; selecting a first algorithm for ranking of at least three combinations of propulsion component and energy sources, the energy sources including the first and second short-range sources; determining priorities of use of the combinations of propulsion components and the short-range energy sources using the first algorithm; selecting using a control system, a first propulsion component and the energy source combination, the selection being made in priority order based on the first algorithm; starting a vehicle using the first combination; driving until the first combination is depleted; selecting and changing to a second combination having the next highest priority based on the first algorithm; driving the vehicle until the second combination is depleted; and re-energizing the short-range energy sources by connecting the vehicle to at least one energy source including an energy supply external to the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification