ELECTRICAL ENERGY CAPTURE SYSTEM WITH CIRCUITRY FOR BLOCKING FLOW OF UNDESIRABLE ELECTRICAL CURRENTS THEREIN

• US 20090314179A1
• Filed: 07/14/2009
• Published: 12/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Global Sourcing LLC (Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar
• Inventors: Kumar, Ajith Kuttannair
• Granted Patent: US 7,854,203 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 105/35
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2045 for optimising the use of energy
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/40 Working vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/20 DC electrical machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/70 Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/15 with additional electric power supply with capacitors charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/40; with batteries charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/61
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/30 using propulsion power stored mechanically, e.g. in fly-wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/51 characterised by AC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/53 in combination with an external power supply, e.g. from overhead contact lines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/06 for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/12 for vehicles propelled by dc motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/14 for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/22 Dynamic electric resistor braking, combined with dynamic electric regenerative braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 9/02 using dc motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 9/16 using ac induction motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/14 Trucks; Load vehicles, Busses
• CPC Class Codes: B61C 3/00 : Electric locomotives or railcars characterised by power transmission B61C9/00; electrical features B60L; H02
• 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 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

An electrical energy capture system, as may be carried on a hybrid energy, electro-motive, self-powered traction vehicle, is provided. The system may be used for storing electrical power generated on the vehicle and for discharging the stored electrical power for use on the vehicle. The system includes circuitry connected to a plurality of electrical energy storage devices connected in parallel circuit to one another. The circuitry may be configured to establish a respective circuit path for charging and discharging electrical energy from each energy storage device with respect to a DC bus. The circuitry is further configured to block a flow of electrical current from any one of the storage devices to any of the other storage devices, thereby avoiding flow of currents that could otherwise circulate among the electrical energy storage devices due to electrical imbalances that may occur in one or more of the electrical energy storage devices.

Claims

1. A railroad train comprising:

at least one railway vehicle supported on a plurality of wheels for engaging railroad rail;

a vehicle propulsion system mechanically coupled to at least one of the wheels of the railway vehicle;

a primary electric power generator carried on the railroad train for generating primary electrical power to be supplied to the vehicle propulsion system, said vehicle propulsion system having a motoring mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to electric power supplied to the propulsion system for generating mechanical energy that is applied to said wheel for propelling the railroad train, and said vehicle propulsion system further having a dynamic braking mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to mechanical energy from said wheel during dynamic braking operations of the railroad train for generating dynamic braking electrical power;

an electrical energy capture system carried on the railroad train for storing electrical power generated on the train and for discharging the stored electrical power for use on the train, including selectively using the stored electrical power to propel the railroad train;

a DC bus for electrically connecting the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system and the electrical energy capture system;

a plurality of electrical energy storage devices coupled in parallel circuit to said DC bus, said plurality of electrical energy storage devices being part of said electrical energy capture system;

circuitry connected to each electrical energy storage device to establish a respective circuit path for charging and discharging electrical energy from each energy storage device with respect to said DC bus, said circuitry configured to block a flow of electrical current from a respective one of said storage devices to any of the other storage devices in said parallel circuit, wherein said circuitry comprises a first solid state switch connected to a respective electrical energy storage device and being actuated to establish the circuit path for charging said electrical energy storage device, said first solid state switch being further actuated to block a flow of electrical current from said respective storage device to any of the other storage devices in said parallel circuit, wherein said circuitry comprises a second solid state switch connected in parallel circuit with said first solid state switch, said second solid state switch being actuated to establish the circuit path for discharging said respective electrical energy storage device, said second solid state switch being further actuated to block a flow of electrical current from said respective storage device to any of the other storage devices in said parallel circuit;

and

an energy management system configured to control transmission of electrical power among the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system, the electric energy capture system, and each of the electrical energy storage devices therein, wherein the energy management system comprises a controller for controlling operation of said first and second solid state switches.

2. The railroad train of claim 1 wherein any of said first and second solid-state switches is selected from the group consisting of a thyristor, a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR), gate-turn-off (GTO), field effect transistor (FET), and an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT).

3. A railroad train comprising:

at least one railway vehicle supported on a plurality of wheels for engaging railroad rail;

a vehicle propulsion system mechanically coupled to at least one of the wheels of the railway vehicle;

a primary electric power generator carried on the railroad train for generating primary electrical power to be supplied to the vehicle propulsion system, said vehicle propulsion system having a motoring mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to electric power supplied to the propulsion system for generating mechanical energy that is applied to said wheel for propelling the railroad train, and said vehicle propulsion system further having a dynamic braking mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to mechanical energy from said wheel during dynamic braking operations of the railroad train for generating dynamic braking electrical power;

an electrical energy capture system carried on the railroad train for storing electrical power generated on the train and for discharging the stored electrical power for use on the train, including selectively using the stored electrical power to propel the railroad train;

a DC bus for electrically connecting the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system and the electrical energy capture system;

a plurality of electrical energy storage devices coupled in parallel circuit to said DC bus, said plurality of electrical energy storage devices being part of said electrical energy capture system;

circuitry connected to each electrical energy storage device to establish a respective circuit path for charging and discharging electrical energy from each energy storage device with respect to said DC bus, said circuitry configured to block a flow of electrical current from a respective one of said storage devices to any of the other storage devices in said parallel circuit, wherein said circuitry comprises a first diode and a second diode connected in parallel circuit to one another to establish respective circuit paths for charging at least two of said electrical energy storage devices, said first and second diodes being arranged to block a flow of electrical current from said at least two respective storage devices to any of the other storage devices therein, wherein said circuitry further comprises a third diode and a fourth diode connected in parallel circuit to one another and further connected to said first and second diodes, said third and fourth diodes arranged to establish respective circuit paths for discharging said at least two electrical energy storage devices, said third and fourth diodes being further arranged to block a flow of electrical current from said at least two respective storage devices to any of the other storage devices therein;

a first isolation switch electrically connected to both of said first and second diodes and a second isolation switch electrically connected to both of said third and fourth diodes for selectively connecting said at least two electrical energy storage devices to said DC bus; and

an energy management system configured to control transmission of electrical power among the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system, the electric energy capture system, and each of the electrical energy storage devices therein.

4. An off-highway vehicle comprising:

a plurality of wheels for supporting and propelling the off-highway (OHV) vehicle;

a vehicle propulsion system mechanically coupled to at least one of the wheels of the OHV vehicle;

a primary electric power generator carried on the OHV vehicle for generating primary electrical power to be supplied to the vehicle propulsion system, said vehicle propulsion system having a motoring mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to electric power supplied to the propulsion system for generating mechanical energy that is applied to said wheel for propelling the vehicle, and said vehicle propulsion system further having a dynamic braking mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to mechanical energy from said wheel during dynamic braking operations of the OHV vehicle for generating dynamic braking electrical power;

an electrical energy capture system carried on the vehicle for storing electrical power generated on the OHV vehicle and for discharging the stored electrical power for use on the vehicle, including selectively using the stored electric power to propel the vehicle;

a DC bus for electrically connecting the primary electric power generator, vehicle propulsion system and electrical energy capture system;

a plurality of electrical energy storage devices coupled in parallel circuit to said DC bus, said plurality of electrical energy storage devices being part of said electrical energy capture system;

circuitry connected to each electrical energy storage device to establish a respective circuit path for charging and discharging electrical energy from each energy storage device with respect to said DC bus, said circuitry configured to block a flow of electrical current from a respective one of said storage devices to any of the other storage devices in said parallel circuit;

wherein said circuitry comprises a first solid state switch connected to a respective electrical energy storage device and being actuated to establish the circuit path for charging said electrical energy storage device, said first solid state switch being further actuated to block a flow of electrical current from said respective storage device to any of the other storage devices in said parallel circuit during the discharging of said respective energy storage device, wherein said circuitry further comprises a second solid state switch connected in parallel circuit with said first solid state switch, second solid state switch being actuated to establish the circuit path for discharging said respective electrical energy storage device, said second solid state switch being further actuated to block a flow of electrical current from said respective storage device to any of the other storage devices in said parallel circuit; and

an energy management system configured to control transmission of electrical power among the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system, the electric energy capture system, and each of the electrical energy storage devices therein, wherein the energy management system further comprises a controller for controlling operation of said first and second solid state switches.

5. The off-highway load vehicle of claim 4 wherein any of said first and second solid state switches is selected from the group consisting of thyristor, a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR), gate-turn-off (GTO), field effect transistor (FET), and an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT).

6. An off-highway vehicle comprising:

a plurality of wheels for supporting and propelling the off-highway (OHV) vehicle;

a vehicle propulsion system mechanically coupled to at least one of the wheels of the OHV vehicle;

a primary electric power generator carried on the OHV vehicle for generating primary electrical power to be supplied to the vehicle propulsion system, said vehicle propulsion system having a motoring mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to electric power supplied to the propulsion system for generating mechanical energy that is applied to said wheel for propelling the vehicle, and said vehicle propulsion system further having a dynamic braking mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to mechanical energy from said wheel during dynamic braking operations of the OHV vehicle for generating dynamic braking electrical power;

an electrical energy capture system carried on the vehicle for storing electrical power generated on the OHV vehicle and for discharging the stored electrical power for use on the vehicle, including selectively using the stored electric power to propel the vehicle;

a DC bus for electrically connecting the primary electric power generator, vehicle propulsion system and electrical energy capture system;

a plurality of electrical energy storage devices coupled in parallel circuit to said DC bus, said plurality of electrical energy storage devices being part of said electrical energy capture system;

circuitry connected to each electrical energy storage device to establish a respective circuit path for charging and discharging electrical energy from each energy storage device with respect to said DC bus, said circuitry configured to block a flow of electrical current from a respective one of said storage devices to any of the other storage devices in said parallel circuit, wherein said circuitry comprises a first diode and a second diode connected in parallel circuit to one another to establish respective circuit paths for charging at least two of said electrical energy storage devices, said first and second diodes being arranged to block a flow of electrical current from said at least two respective storage devices to any of the other storage devices therein, wherein said circuitry further comprises a third diode and a fourth diode connected in parallel circuit to one another and further connected to said first and second diodes, said third fourth diodes being arranged to establish respective circuit paths for discharging said at least two electrical energy storage devices, said third and fourth diodes being further arranged to block a flow of electrical current from said at least two respective storage devices to any of the other storage devices therein;

a first isolation switch electrically connected to both of said first and second diodes and a second isolation switch electrically connected to both of said third and fourth diodes for selectively connecting said at least two electrical energy storage devices to said DC bus; and

an energy management system configured to control transmission of electrical power among the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system, the electric energy capture system, and each of the electrical energy storage devices therein.

7. An electrical energy capture system carried on a traction vehicle for storing electrical power generated on the vehicle and for discharging the stored electrical power for use on the vehicle, including selectively using the stored electrical power to propel the traction vehicle, said traction vehicle including a DC bus for electrically connecting a primary electric power generator, a vehicle propulsion system and the electrical energy capture system, said system comprising:

a plurality of electrical energy storage devices coupled in parallel circuit to said DC bus;

circuitry connected to each electrical energy storage device to establish a respective circuit path for charging and discharging electrical energy from each energy storage device with respect to said DC bus, said circuitry configured to block a flow of electrical current from a respective one of said storage devices to any of the other storage devices in said parallel circuit during the charging and discharging of said respective energy storage device, thereby avoiding flow of currents that could otherwise circulate among said plurality of electrical energy storage devices due to electrical imbalances that may occur in one or more of said electrical energy storage devices, wherein said circuitry comprises a first solid state switch connected to a respective electrical energy storage device and being actuated to establish the circuit path for charging said electrical energy storage device, said first solid state switch being further actuated to block a flow of electrical current from said respective storage device to any of the other storage devices in said parallel circuit, wherein said circuitry comprises a second solid state switch connected in parallel circuit with said first solid state switch, said second solid state switch being actuated to establish the circuit path for discharging said respective electrical energy storage device, said second solid state switch being further actuated to block a flow of electrical current from said respective storage device to any of the other storage devices in said parallel circuit; and

a processor for controlling operation of said first and second solid state switches.

8. The electrical energy capture system of claim 7 wherein any of said first and second solid-state switches is selected from the group consisting of a thyristor, a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR), gate-turn-off (GTO), field effect transistor (FET), and an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT).

9. An electrical energy capture system carried on a traction vehicle for storing electrical power generated on the vehicle and for discharging the stored electrical power for use on the vehicle, including selectively using the stored electrical power to propel the traction vehicle, said traction vehicle including a DC bus for electrically connecting a primary electric power generator, a vehicle propulsion system and the electrical energy capture system, said system comprising:

a plurality of electrical energy storage devices coupled in parallel circuit to said DC bus;

circuitry connected to each electrical energy storage device to establish a respective circuit path for charging and discharging electrical energy from each energy storage device with respect to said DC bus, said circuitry configured to block a flow of electrical current from a respective one of said storage devices to any of the other storage devices in said parallel circuit during the charging and discharging of said respective energy storage device, thereby avoiding flow of currents that could otherwise circulate among said plurality of electrical energy storage devices due to electrical imbalances that may occur in one or more of said electrical energy storage devices, wherein said circuitry comprises a first diode and a second diode connected in parallel circuit to one another to establish respective circuit paths for charging at least two of said electrical energy storage devices, said first and second diodes being arranged to block a flow of electrical current from said at least two respective storage devices to any of the other storage devices therein, wherein said circuitry further comprises a third diode and a fourth diode connected in parallel circuit to one another and further connected to said first and second diodes, said third and fourth diodes being arranged to establish respective circuit paths for discharging charging said at least two electrical energy storage devices, said third and fourth diodes being further arranged to block a flow of electrical current from said at least two respective storage devices to any of the other storage devices therein; and

a first isolation switch electrically connected to both of said first and second diodes and a second isolation switch electrically connected to both of said third and fourth diodes for selectively connecting said at least two electrical energy storage devices to said DC bus.

10. The electrical energy capture system of claim 9 wherein said traction vehicle comprises a vehicle selected from the group consisting of a railway vehicle, and an off-highway loader vehicle.