Energy distribution method for hydrid electric vehicle

• US 5,704,440 A
• Filed: 05/31/1995
• Issued: 01/06/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: New York Institute of Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: New York Institute of Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Peskin, Brian, Urban, Edward F., Mavroudis, George E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUTTS, JONATHAN E
• Application Number:
  US08/455,840
• Time in Patent Office: 951 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.2, 180/65.3, 180/65.7, 180/65.8, 180/65.6, 180/343, 180/344, 74/847, 74/848, 74/866
• US Class Current: 180/65.23
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/342 having a longitudinal, endless element, e.g. belt or chain, for transmitting drive to wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0427 Arrangement between the seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/44 Series-parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/442 Series-parallel switching type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2045 for optimising the use of energy
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2054 by controlling transmissions or clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/443 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/507 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• 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: 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 10/11 Stepped gearings
• 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 20/14 in conjunction with braking regeneration
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/20 Control strategies involving selection of hybrid configuration, e.g. selection between series or parallel configuration
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/1005 : Transmission ratio engaged
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 : Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0677 : Engine power
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/086 : Power
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/244 : Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18027 : Drive off, accelerating from standstill
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18127 : Regenerative braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1882 : characterised by the working point of the engine, e.g. by using engine output chart
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/92 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/71 : Manual or semi-automatic, e.g. automated manual transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems
• 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 10/84 : Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

Abstract

A method for distributing energy in a vehicle having a hybrid electric drive system that includes an internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor which deliver torque to a primary drive shift having at least two drive wheels operatively associated therewith. The method includes the steps of delivering torque from the internal combustion engine and the electric motor to the primary drive shaft to accelerate the vehicle from a stationary position to a predetermined cruising velocity, disengaging the electric motor from the primary drive shaft once the vehicle has accelerate to the cruising velocity to reduce parasitic drag on the system, and delivering torque from the internal combustion engine to the primary drive shaft utilizing the mean horsepower of the internal combustion engine to maintain the vehicle at the cruising velocity.

Claims

1. A method of distributing energy in a vehicle having a hybrid electric drive system including an internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor linked to an energy storage means, the internal combustion engine and the at least one electric motor delivering torque to a primary drive shaft having are least two drive wheels operatively associated therewith, the method including the steps of:

a) delivering torque from at least one of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor to the primary drive shaft to accelerate the vehicle from a stationary position to a predetermined cruising velocity;

b) disengaging the electric motor from the primary drive shaft once the vehicle has accelerated to the cruising velocity to reduce parasitic drag on the system;

c) delivering torque from the internal combustion engine to the primary drive shaft utilizing a mean horsepower of the internal combustion engine to maintain the vehicle at the cruising velocity; and

d) adjusting duty cycles of the internal combustion engine and the at least one electric motor to reach a desired depth of energy storage means discharge after a specified number of miles.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of maintaining the electric motor in a neutral condition so that it is disengaged from the primary drive shaft to reduce parasitic drag on the system.

3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of selectively engaging the electric motor to the primary drive shaft to assist the internal combustion engine in accelerating the vehicle to the cruising velocity.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the step of selectively engaging the electric motor to the primary drive shaft involves depressing an accelerator pedal of the vehicle a predetermined distance.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a generator to generate electrical energy for storage in the energy storage means and utilization by the electric motor in powering the vehicle.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the vehicle includes brakes and further comprising the step of transferring torque from the drive wheels to the generator when the brakes are applied.

7. A method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of transmitting power directly from the internal combustion engine to the generator while the electric motor is transmitting power directly to the primary drive shaft.

8. A method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of engaging the internal combustion engine to the generator when the electrical energy stored in the energy storage means falls below a predetermined minimum level.

9. A method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of transmitting power from the internal combustion engine to both the generator and the primary drive shaft while maintaining the electric motor in a neutral condition so that it is disengaged from the primary drive shaft.

10. A method of distributing energy in a vehicle having a hybrid electric drive system including an internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor linked to energy storage means, the internal combustion engine and the at least one electric motor delivering torque to a primary drive shaft by way of a transmission assembly, the primary drive shaft having at least two drive wheels operatively associated therewith, the method including the steps of:

a) delivering torque from the internal combustion engine and the electric motor to an input shaft of the transmission assembly to accelerate the vehicle from a stationary position to a predetermined cruising velocity;

b) disengaging the electric motor from the input shaft of the transmission assembly once the vehicle has accelerated to the cruising velocity to reduce parasitic drag on the system;

c) delivering torque from the internal combustion engine to the input shaft of the transmission assembly utilizing a mean horsepower of the internal combustion engine to maintain the vehicle at the cruising velocity; and

d) adjusting the duty cycles of the internal combustion engine and the at least one electric motor to reach a desired depth of energy storage means discharge after a specified number of miles.

11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of maintaining the electric motor in a neutral condition so that it is disengaged from the input shaft of the transmission assembly to reduce parasitic drag on the system.

12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of selectively engaging the electric motor to the input shaft of the transmission assembly to assist the internal combustion engine in accelerating the vehicle to the cruising velocity.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the step of selectively engaging the electric motor to the primary drive shaft involves depressing an accelerator pedal of the vehicle a predetermined distance.

14. A method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of providing a generator to generate electrical energy for storage in an energy storage means and utilization by the electric motor in powering the vehicle.

15. A method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of transferring torque from the drive wheels to the generator when the transmission assembly is downshifted during braking.

16. A method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of transmitting power directly from the internal combustion engine to the generator while the electric motor is transmitting power directly to the input shaft of the transmission assembly.

17. A method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of engaging the internal combustion engine to the generator when the electrical energy stored in the energy storage means falls below a predetermined minimum level.

18. A method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of transmitting power from the internal combustion engine to the generator and the input shaft of the transmission assembly while maintaining the electric motor in a neutral condition so that it is disengaged from the input shaft of the transmission assembly.