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Electric drive retarding system and method

  • US 20100066280A1
  • Filed: 09/15/2008
  • Published: 03/18/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A retarding system for an electric drive machine having an engine that powers a generator, a rectifier connected to the generator, an inverter, and at least one drive motor connected to the inverter, the retarding system comprising:

  • a direct current (DC) link connected to the rectifier and the inverter and including a first DC rail at a first voltage and a second DC rail at a second voltage;

    a first contactor switch in electrical communication with the first DC rail;

    a second contactor switch in electrical communication with the second DC rail;

    a first resistor grid connected in series between the first contactor switch and the second contactor switch; and

    a controller disposed to selectively actuate the first contactor switch and the second contactor switch to conduct a waste current through the first resistor grid between the first DC rail and the second DC rail, the waste current being generated by the at least one drive motor when a motion of the electric drive machine is retarded.

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