ISOLATION CONTACTOR TRANSITION POLARITY CONTROL

• US 20150084414A1
• Filed: 05/10/2012
• Published: 03/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Bissontz, Jay E.
• Application Number:
  US14/397,786
• Publication Number:
  US 20150084414A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/02 to electric heating circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2009 for braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/40 DC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/14 Synchronous machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/34 Cabin temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/662 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/667 Precipitation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/20 Inrush current reduction, i.e. avoiding high currents when connecting the battery
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0069 relating to the isolation, e.g. ground fault or leak current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/00 Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/57 Charging stations without connection to power networks
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/12 responding to state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/21 having the same nominal voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/26 by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/14 for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/26 : Controlling the braking effect
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 33/18 : using blow-out magnet for vacuum switches H01H33/664
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0069 : Charging or discharging for charge maintenance, battery initiation or rejuvenation
• 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 90/12 : Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

An electrical power distribution system includes a dual mode electrical motor/generator, high voltage traction batteries, bi-directional direct current power transmission lines connectable between the dual mode electrical motor/generator and the high voltage traction batteries, first and second isolation contactors including magnetic blow out and connected into the power transmission lines to exhibit opposed polarity and an electrical system controller. In order to deenergize the electrical power distribution system the polarity of current on the bi-directional transmission lines is determined. Once the polarity has been determined the isolation contactor of corresponding polarity is selected to be opened.

Claims

1. An electrical power system comprising:

a rechargeable energy storage system;

means for charging the rechargeable energy storage system;

means for providing bi-directional direct current electrical power transmission between the means for charging and the rechargeable energy storage system;

a control system responsive to requests for changes in state of the electrical power distribution system for determining polarity of power flow on the bi-direction electrical power bus;

first and second isolation contactors providing magnetic blow out arc interruption in the means for providing, the first and second isolation contactors being connected into the means for providing so as to exhibit opposed polarities; and

the control system being further responsive to a request for a change of state of the electrical power distribution system from on to off and to determination of the polarity of power flow for selecting one of the first and second isolation contactors to open first.

2. The electrical power system of claim 1, further comprising:

the control system including programming means for initiating a steady state period of limited duration during which loads connected to the electrical power distribution system are managed to maintain the polarity of power flow.

3. The electrical power system of claim 2, wherein:

the rechargeable energy storage system comprises electrical storage batteries; and

the means for charging includes at least a first dual mode electrical motor/generator.

4. The electrical power system of claim 3, further comprising:

the steady state period having a predetermined maximum duration.

5. The electrical power system of claim 4, further comprising:

the steady state period includes management of the dual mode electrical motor/generator.

6. A method of operating an electrical power system on a hybrid-electric vehicle, the

electrical power distribution system including at least a first dual mode electrical motor/generator, high voltage traction batteries, bi-directional direct current power transmission lines connectable between the dual mode electrical motor/generator and the high voltage traction batteries, first and second isolation contactors including magnetic blow out and connected into the power transmission lines to exhibit opposed polarity and an electrical system controller, the method comprising the steps of:

responsive to a request to deenergize the electrical power distribution system determining the polarity of current on the bi-directional direct current power transmission lines;

selecting one of the first and second isolation contactors to open;

establishing a steady state for the bi-directional direct current power transmission lines during which polarity remains unchanged;

opening the selected isolation contactor; and

thereafter opening the non-selected isolation contactor.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

the steady state having a predetermined maximum duration.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising a step of:

managing loads connected to the power distribution system to maintain the steady state.

9. A hybrid vehicle comprises:

a rechargeable energy storage system;

electrical motor/generators for charging the rechargeable energy storage system;

means for providing bi-directional direct current electrical power transmission between the electrical motor/generators and the rechargeable energy storage system;

a control system responsive to requests for changes in state of the electrical power distribution system for determining polarity of power flow on the bi-direction electrical power bus;

first and second isolation contactors providing magnetic blow out arc interruption in the means for providing, the first and second isolation contactors being connected into the means for providing so as to exhibit opposed polarities; and

the control system being further responsive to a request for a change of state of the electrical power distribution system from on to off and to determination of the polarity of power flow for selecting one of the first and second isolation contactors to open first.

10. The hybrid vehicle of claim 9, further comprising:

the control system including programming means for initiating a steady state period of limited duration during which loads connected to the electrical power distribution system are managed to maintain the polarity of power flow.

11. The hybrid vehicle of claim 10, wherein:

the rechargeable energy storage system comprises electrical storage batteries.

12. The hybrid vehicle of claim 11, further comprising:

the steady state period having a predetermined maximum duration.

13. The hybrid vehicle of claim 12, further comprising:

the steady state period includes management of the electrical motor/generator.