Integrated chassis, enclosure and cage

• US 5,828,554 A
• Filed: 05/02/1996
• Issued: 10/27/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Corporation (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Donegan, Kevin J., Hartzell, Dennis E., Millas, Gary P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoop. Jr., William M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ganjian, Peter
• Application Number:
  US08/641,926
• Time in Patent Office: 908 Days
• Field of Search: 363/141, 361/689, 361/690, 361/701, 361/702, 361/704, 361/707, 361/709-711, 361/717-719, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 180/65.1, 180/65.2, 180/65.3, 180/65.4, 180/65.8, 257/718, 257/719
• US Class Current: 361/707
• 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 3/04 of turbine type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/28 characterised by the electric energy storing means, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/30 characterised by chargeable mechanical accumulators, e.g. flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/13 using AC generators and AC motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/15 with additional electric power supply with capacitors charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/40; with batteries charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/61
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/30 using propulsion power stored mechanically, e.g. in fly-wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/114 Racing vehicles, e.g. Formula one, Karts
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/26 Structural combinations of electrolytic capacitors, rectifiers, detectors, switching devices, light-sensitive or temperature-sensitive devices with each other
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• 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 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/907 Electricity storage, e.g. battery, capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/96 having chargeable mechanical accumulator

Abstract

A hybrid vehicle includes a power unit communicating power between a turbine alternator, flywheel and traction motor. The power unit stores DC power in capacitors and places the power on a DC bus for use in driving the induction machines. A housing includes at least one wall forming an enclosed perimeter, the wall including a plurality of fastener members extending therethrough. The power unit comprising a DC storage unit and DC bus and power switches connected with a heat exchanger provide signals to an AC bus wherein each is connected to each other to form a structural unit. The fastener members are connected through the wall and to the power unit for installation as a single unit in a vehicle.

Claims

1. A power assembly for a hybrid vehicle comprising:

a housing including at least two opposing end walls and two longitudinal side walls forming an enclosed perimeter, said end walls including input and output connectors and said side walls including a plurality of fastening openings extending along a center of a longitudinal length thereof;

a power unit comprising a DC storage unit and DC bus and power transistors connected with a heat exchanger providing signals to an AC bus, each connected to one another to form a structural unit; and

a plurality of fastener members extending through said fastening openings and mounting apertures in the heat exchanger of said power unit for installation as a single unit in a vehicle.

2. A power assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a carbon fiber composite.

3. A power assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing includes a conductive coating for electromagnetic compatibility.

4. A power assembly for a hybrid vehicle comprising:

a housing including at least two opposing end walls and two longitudinal side walls forming an enclosed perimeter, said end walls including input and output connectors and said side walls including a plurality of fastening openings extending along a center of a longitudinal length thereof;

a power unit including a fluid cooled heat exchanger with power transistors connected thereto, and a power bus connected to said heat exchanger, and a plurality of fastener members extending through said fastening openings and mounting apertures in the heat exchanger of said power unit to be connected within said housing.

5. A power assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said power unit includes a capacitor bank connected to said power bus.

6. A power assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said power unit includes a plurality of drive circuits for driving said power transistors and connected to said capacitor bank.