SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHARGING CAPACITORS OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE
First Claim
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1. A method of charging a capacitor of an electric vehicle, the method including the steps of:
- providing an electric vehicle having a chassis, a ground engaging mechanism configured to support the chassis, a motor configured to drive the ground engaging mechanism, a current source, a capacitor, an energy transfer device, and a controller configured to control the energy transfer device, the energy transfer device being configured to route electric current from the current source to the capacitor;
routing electric current from the current source to the capacitor to charge the capacitor;
monitoring a voltage of the capacitor to determine a voltage rate of change of the capacitor;
controlling the energy transfer device to hold the voltage rate of change of the capacitor at a substantially constant rate;
determining a charging current of the capacitor; and
at least one of decreasing the voltage rate of change of the capacitor and substantially halting the routing step upon the charging current exceeding a maximum current level.
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Abstract
An electric vehicle is provided having an electric generator and a motor. A voltage bus including a DC link is configured to provide generated electrical energy to the motor. A controller may estimate the charging current to a capacitor of the voltage bus based on the current commanded from the generator and the voltage measured across the capacitor. The controller may adjust the charging rate of the capacitor based on the estimated charging current.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of charging a capacitor of an electric vehicle, the method including the steps of:
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providing an electric vehicle having a chassis, a ground engaging mechanism configured to support the chassis, a motor configured to drive the ground engaging mechanism, a current source, a capacitor, an energy transfer device, and a controller configured to control the energy transfer device, the energy transfer device being configured to route electric current from the current source to the capacitor; routing electric current from the current source to the capacitor to charge the capacitor; monitoring a voltage of the capacitor to determine a voltage rate of change of the capacitor; controlling the energy transfer device to hold the voltage rate of change of the capacitor at a substantially constant rate; determining a charging current of the capacitor; and at least one of decreasing the voltage rate of change of the capacitor and substantially halting the routing step upon the charging current exceeding a maximum current level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of charging a capacitor of an electric vehicle, the method including the steps of:
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providing an electric vehicle having a chassis, a ground engaging mechanism configured to support the chassis, a motor configured to drive the ground engaging mechanism, a current source, a capacitor, an energy transfer device, and a controller configured to control the energy transfer device, the energy transfer device being configured to route electric current from the current source to the capacitor; routing electric current from the current source to the capacitor to charge the capacitor; monitoring a voltage of the capacitor to determine a first charging rate of the capacitor; controlling a voltage rate of change of the capacitor such that the first charging rate is less than a maximum charging rate; monitoring electric current provided from the current source to determine a second charging rate of the capacitor; and at least one of decreasing the voltage rate of change of the capacitor and substantially halting the routing step upon the second charging rate exceeding the maximum charging rate. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An electric vehicle including:
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a chassis; a ground engaging mechanism configured to support the chassis; a current source configured to produce electric current; a capacitor; an energy transfer device configured to selectively route the electric current from the current source to the capacitor to charge the capacitor; a current sensor configured to measure the electric current produced by the current source; and a controller coupled to the current sensor and to the energy transfer device, the controller being configured to control the energy transfer device to charge the capacitor at a substantially constant rate of voltage change, the controller being configured to determine a charging current of the capacitor based on the measured electric current produced by the current source, the controller being configured to at least one of decrease the substantially constant rate of voltage change and to substantially block electric current to the capacitor upon the determined charging current exceeding a predetermined maximum current level. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification