Power converter and electric car drive system employing the same
First Claim
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1. A power converter for converting electricity to provide operative power to a motor in an electric car drive system having an electrical power source, said converter comprising:
- a power converter element;
a housing substantially enclosing said converter element, a surface of said housing defining a cutout recessed radially from an outer peripheral portion of said housing;
a set of input terminals mounted on said housing for electrically connecting said converter element to said electrical power source; and
a set of output terminals for electrically connecting said converter element to said motor to provide operative power;
wherein said converter housing is adapted to be mounted on said motor so that a drive shaft extending from said motor is accommodated in said cutout.
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Abstract
A power converter having substantially a "U" shape is mounted on the axial side of a motor from which a drive shaft protrudes. Due to the opening end of the "U" shape, the power converter may be removed from the motor or mounted thereon while a load such as vehicle wheels are connected to the motor.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A power converter for converting electricity to provide operative power to a motor in an electric car drive system having an electrical power source, said converter comprising:
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a power converter element; a housing substantially enclosing said converter element, a surface of said housing defining a cutout recessed radially from an outer peripheral portion of said housing; a set of input terminals mounted on said housing for electrically connecting said converter element to said electrical power source; and a set of output terminals for electrically connecting said converter element to said motor to provide operative power; wherein said converter housing is adapted to be mounted on said motor so that a drive shaft extending from said motor is accommodated in said cutout. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An electric car drive system for converting electrical energy into motive power to drive said car, said system comprising:
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a source of electrical energy; a motor for generating said motive power, said motor having at least one shaft connected to a wheel of said car; and a power converter for converting electricity from said source and supplying said converted electricity to said motor, said converter including a housing substantially enclosing said converter, a surface of said housing defining a cutout recessed from a main portion of said housing, said converter being mounted on said motor so that a drive shaft extending from said motor is accommodated in said cutout. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of operating an electric car which includes a drive motor having a first end of a drive shaft extending therefrom and a load connected to an end of said drive shaft opposite said motor, said method comprising the steps of:
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converting, using a power converter mounted on said drive motor, electrical energy from a power source to converted electrical power for use by said drive motor; applying said converted electrical power to said drive motor to transmit motive power through said load and thereby propel said car; and removing, radially through a cutout radially formed on said power converter, said power converter from said drive motor while said load is kept connected to said shaft. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of operating an electric car which includes a drive motor having a drive shaft extending therefrom and a load connected to an end of said drive shaft opposite said motor, said method comprising the steps of:
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converting, using a power converter mounted on said drive motor substantially around said drive shaft, electrical energy from a power source to converted electrical power for use by said drive motor; applying said converted electrical power to said drive motor to transmit motive power through said load and thereby propel said car; and removing said power converter from said drive motor while said load is kept connected to said shaft. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification