Pulsing control for an inertial drive system for a multi-motor binary array vehicle

• US 5,627,438 A
• Filed: 01/25/1995
• Issued: 05/06/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert D. Barrett
• Original Assignee: Robert D. Barrett
• Inventors: Barrett, Robert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US08/378,173
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 318/34, 318/51, 318/53, 318/59, 318/60, 318/61, 318/66, 318/67, 318/139, 318/268, 318/269, 318/270, 318/271, 318/273, 318/274, 318/276, 318/375, 318/376, 318/54, 318/55, 364/426.01, 364/426.04, 180/170, 180/178, 180/179, 180/65.1, 180/65.2, 180/65.4, 180/65.8, 290/7, 290/9, 290/45, 60/713, 60/716, 60/718, 123/319, 123/349, 123/350, 123/351, 123/352, 123/353
• US Class Current: 318/139
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/356 having fluid or electric motor, for driving one or more wheels disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel B60K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 5/08 comprising more than one engine
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/24 characterised by the combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/52 Driving a plurality of drive axles, e.g. four-wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/08 using pulses
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2027 whilst maintaining constant speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/40 DC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/42 with use of more than one motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/52 Clutch motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/441 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/445 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/486 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/507 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/12 by confirmation, e.g. of the input
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 : by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/18 : by enquiring driving style
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/26 : by pedal actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/28 : Four wheel or all wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 : relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/04 : Cutting off the power supply under fault conditions protective devices and circuit arrangements in general H01H; H02H
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 : with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/51 : characterised by AC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 : by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 : Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/18 : of two or more battery modules
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/14 : for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/003 : Converting light into electric energy, e.g. by using photo-voltaic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 : including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 : including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 : Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/10 : Controlling the power contribution of each of the prime movers to meet required power demand
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/13 : in order to stay within battery power input or output limits; in order to prevent overcharging or battery depletion
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/10 : Longitudinal speed
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 123/08 : Multiple engine units
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/905 : Combustion engine
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/916 : with plurality of drive axles

Abstract

A pulsing drive system delivers pulsed power signal of the driven wheels of a vehicle for improving the efficiency internal combustion or an electric motor driven vehicles. A controller receives signals such as velocity and demand, and communicates to a means for selectively communicating energy wherein the means for selectively communicating energy converts the pulse signal to a correspondingly conditioned power pulse for powering the vehicle. When combined with a plurality of motors sized with optimal horsepower ranges according to a binary array, an arrangement of such motors provides for an optimally efficient operation of the vehicle by bringing on-line strategically selected combinations of the motors. A control system selectively brings on-line the multiple motors.

Claims

1. A power system for a vehicle having rotating masses and inertia, wherein the vehicle is capable of forward motion and the vehicle has a first output wheel for placing the vehicle in motion, the power system comprising:

a controller receiving a desired velocity signal corresponding to a desired mean velocity and a desired minimum and maximum velocity;

a motor primarily adapted to continuously operate at substantially maximum efficiency when provided with energy for driving the rotating masses and the first output wheel of the vehicle; and

means for selectively allowing communication of energy to the first output wheel for sustaining forward motion of the vehicle;

the controller communicating pulsed signals to the means for selectively allowing communication of energy for intermittently supplying energy for rotation to the first output wheel in power pulses in accordance with the desired velocity signal received by the controller, whereby the vehicle automatically accelerates and decelerates between the minimum and maximum desired velocity and is substantially maintained at the mean velocity.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the motor comprises an electric motor and the means for electively communicating energy comprises switching means in communication with a battery pack.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the electric motor can be reversed in operation to become an electrical generator for producing energy driven by the first rotational output wheel;

and

the controller provides a braking pulsed signal to the means for selectively communicating energy, the means for selectively communicating energy thereby communicating the energy generated by the electric motor as an electrical generator in pulses according to the braking pulsed signal from the controller, the energy being further communicated to recharge the battery pack.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the battery pack is provided with a thermocouple, the thermocouple providing a temperature signal to the controller;

and

the controller providing the braking pulsed signal to the means for selectively communicating energy to control recharge of the battery pack in response to the temperature signal.

5. The system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a cruise control system; and

a speedometer;

the cruise control system sending the desired velocity signal to the controller and the speedometer sending actual vehicle velocity to the controller, the controller sending an appropriate signal to the means for selectively communicating energy.

6. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a second motor arranged to drive a second rotational output wheel of the vehicle;

the second rotational output wheel being in communication with the means for selectively communicating energy.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the second motor can be reversed in operation to become a power generator creating rotational resistance on the second rotational output wheel, the power generator controlled in pulsing fashion by the controller communicating to the means for selectively communicating energy.

8. A method for powering a vehicle comprising:

selecting a desired velocity;

providing an automatic control means which accelerates the vehicle at a rate of between 1.6 and 2.7 ft/sec² for a period of between three and seven seconds;

after the acceleration is applied, automatically ceasing delivery of power to the vehicle during a coast-down period until the desired velocity is again reached; and

automatically repeating the pulsed acceleration and coast-down until the desired velocity is changed.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein at a desired velocity of 30 MPH the rate of acceleration is about 2.6 ft/sec².

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein at a desired velocity of 40 MPH the acceleration is about 2.5 ft/sec².

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein at a desired velocity of 50 MPH the acceleration is about 2.3 ft/sec².

12. A method according to claim 8, wherein at a desired velocity of 60 MPH the acceleration is about 2.2 ft/sec².

13. A method according to claim 8, wherein at a desired velocity of 80 MPH the acceleration is about 1.8 ft/sec².

14. A power system for a vehicle having rotating masses and inertia, wherein the vehicle is capable of forward motion and the vehicle has a first output wheel for placing the vehicle in motion, the power system comprising:

a controller receiving a desired velocity signal corresponding to a desired mean velocity and a desired minimum and maximum velocity;

a motor primarily adapted to continuously operate at substantially maximum efficiency when provided with energy for driving the rotating masses and the first output wheel of the vehicle; and

an means for selectively communicating energy to the first output wheel for sustaining forward motion of the vehicle;

a cruise control system; and

a speedometer;

the cruise control sending the desired velocity signal to the controller and the speedometer sending actual vehicle velocity to the controller, the controller communicating appropriate pulsed signals to the means for selectively communicating energy in accordance with the desired velocity signal received by the controller for intermittently supplying energy for rotation to the first output wheel in power pulses in accordance with the pulsed signals from the controller, whereby the vehicle automatically accelerates and decelerates between the minimum and maximum desired velocity and is substantially maintained at the mean velocity.

15. A power system for a vehicle having rotating masses and inertia, wherein the vehicle is capable of forward motion and the vehicle has a first output wheel for placing the vehicle in motion, the power system comprising:

a controller receiving a desired velocity signal corresponding to a desired mean velocity and a desired minimum and maximum velocity;

a motor primarily adapted to continuously operate at substantially maximum efficiency when provided with energy for driving the rotating masses and the first output wheel of the vehicle;

a speedometer;

means for selectively communicating energy to the first output wheel for sustaining forward motion of the vehicle;

a voice actuated cruise control system adapted to send the desired velocity signal to the controller and the speedometer sending actual vehicle velocity to the controller, the controller sending an appropriate signal to the means for communicating energy; and

the controller communicating pulsed signals to the means for selectively communicating energy for intermittently supplying energy for rotation to the first output wheel in power pulses in accordance with the desired velocity signal received by the controller, whereby the vehicle automatically accelerates and decelerates between the minimum and maximum desired velocity and is maintained at substantially the mean velocity.

16. A power system for a vehicle having rotating masses and inertia, wherein the vehicle is capable of forward motion and the vehicle has a first output wheel for placing the vehicle in motion, the power system comprising:

a controller receiving a desired velocity signal corresponding to a desired mean velocity and a desired minimum and maximum velocity;

a first motor primarily adapted to continuously operate at substantially maximum efficiency when provided with energy for driving the rotating masses and the first output wheel of the vehicle;

a second motor also primarily adapted to continuously operate at substantially maximum efficiency when provided with energy for driving the rotating masses and a second rotational output wheel of the vehicle; and

means for selectively communicating energy to the first and second output wheel for sustaining forward motion of the vehicle;

the first and second motors each having an optimum horsepower output, the second motor having an optimally efficient horsepower output in an amount substantially equal to twice the optimally efficient horsepower output of the first motor,

the controller sending pulsed signals to the means for selectively communicating energy for intermittently supplying energy for rotation to the first and second output wheels in power pulses in accordance with the desired velocity signal received by the controller, whereby the vehicle automatically accelerates and decelerates between the minimum and maximum desired velocity and is maintained at substantially the mean velocity.

17. A power system for a vehicle having rotating masses and inertia, wherein the vehicle is capable of forward motion and the vehicle has an output wheel for placing the vehicle in motion, the power system comprising:

a controller receiving a desired velocity signal corresponding to a desired mean velocity and a desired minimum and maximum velocity;

a first motor primarily adapted to continuously operate at substantially maximum efficiency when provided with energy for driving the rotating masses and the output wheel of the vehicle;

a second motor also primarily adapted to continuously operate at substantially maximum efficiency when provided with energy for driving the rotating masses and the output wheel of the vehicle; and

means for selectively communicating energy to the output wheel for sustaining forward motion of the vehicle;

the first and second motors each having an optimum horsepower output, the second motor having an optimally efficient horsepower output substantially equal to twice the optimally efficient horsepower output of the first motor,

the controller sending pulsed signals to the means for selectively communicating energy for intermittently supplying energy for rotation to the output wheel in power pulses in accordance with the desired velocity signal received by the controller, whereby the vehicle automatically accelerates and decelerates between the minimum and maximum desired velocity and is substantially maintained at the mean velocity.

18. A method for optimizing the efficiency of a motor vehicle having a motor, rotating masses, inertia, a controller and a means for selectively allowing communication of energy for rotation to the motor, wherein the vehicle is capable of forward motion and the vehicle has a first output wheel for placing the vehicle in motion, the method comprising the steps of:

providing the controller with a desired velocity signal corresponding to a desired mean velocity and a desired minimum and maximum velocity;

operating the motor continuously at substantially maximum efficiency when the motor is provided with energy and thereby driving the rotating masses and the first output wheel of the vehicle; and

providing pulsed signals corresponding to the desired velocities from the controller to the means for selectively allowing communication of energy to the first output wheel and thereby intermittently supplying energy to the first output wheel in power pulses in accordance with the desired velocity signal received by the controller, whereby the vehicle automatically accelerates and decelerates between the minimum and maximum desired velocity and is substantially maintained at the mean velocity.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the motor comprises an electric motor and the means for selectively communicating energy comprises a switching means in communication with a battery pack.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the electric motor can be reversed in operation to become an electrical generator for producing energy driven by the first rotational output wheel, the method further comprising the step of providing a braking pulsed signal from the controller to the means for selectively communicating energy, the means for selectively communicating energy thereby allowing the energy generated by the electric motor as an electrical generator in pulses according to the braking pulsed signal from the controller, the energy being further communicated to recharge the battery pack.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the battery pack is provided with a thermocouple, the thermocouple providing a temperature signal to the controller, and further comprising the step of providing the braking pulsed signal from the controller to the means for selectively communicating energy to control recharge of the battery pack in response to the temperature signal.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein the vehicle further comprises a cruise control system and a speedometer, the method further comprising the step of sending the desired velocity signal from the cruise control system to the controller and the speedometer sending actual vehicle velocity to the controller, the controller sending an appropriate signal to the means for selectively communicating energy.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the cruise control system is voice activated.

24. The method according to claim 19 further comprising a second motor arranged to drive a second rotational output wheel of the vehicle, the second motor being in communication with the means for selectively communicating energy.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the first and second motors each have an optimum efficiency horsepower output, the second motor being selected to have an optimum efficiency horsepower output in an amount substantially equal to twice the optimum efficiency horsepower output of the first motor.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the second motor can be reversed in operation to become a power generator creating rotational resistance on the second rotational output wheel, the power generator controlled in pulsing fashion by the controller communicating to the means for selectively communicating energy.