Vehicle with a super-capacitor for recovery of energy on braking

• US 7,096,985 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2002
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Conception ET Developpement Michelin S.A. (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Original Assignee: Conception ET Developpement Michelin S.A. (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Inventors: Charaudeau, Jean-Jacques, Bourqui, Gerald, Varenne, Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, HAU VAN
• Application Number:
  US10/096,744
• Publication Number:
  US 20020139593A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,630 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.1, 180/65.2, 180/65.3, 180/65.4, 180/65.5, 180/65.6, 180/65.7, 180/65.8, 180/300, 477/3, 477/4, 477/118.X, 477/7, 318/434, 318/139, 318/587, 607/16, 607/18
• US Class Current: 180/65.245
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/28 characterised by the electric energy storing means, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• 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 7/14 for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• 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 2510/244 Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/114 Super-capacities
• 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 10/92 Energy efficient charging or discharging systems for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors specially adapted for vehicles

Abstract

A vehicle has an engine driving an alternator. The electrical energy supplied by the alternator feeds an electric traction motor, via a rectifier, an electric line, and an inverter. The electric traction motor is mechanically coupled to a wheel. A super-capacitor is connected to the electric line by a voltage-matching circuit. A unit for controlling the torque applied to the vehicle wheel manages the circulation of the electrical energy in the drivetrain so as always to discharge the super-capacitor as a priority, in order to be able to be ready to recover the energy at the next braking.

Claims

1. An electric drivetrain for a vehicle, said drivetrain comprising:

at least one acceleration and deceleration control device usable by a driver of the vehicle;

a processing unit for the at least one control device allowing a desired driving torque to be determined and evaluated and a desired braking torque to be determined and evaluated;

an electrical energy source for supplying electrical energy to an electric line;

an electrical energy storage device connected to the electric line, said electrical energy storage device including one or more super-capacitors for storing electrical energy, and said electrical energy storage device being a unit different from said electrical energy source;

at least one electric machine connected to at least one driving wheel, and coupled to the electric line, wherein the electric machine is able to operate as a motor by absorbing electrical energy available an the electric line and transmitting a driving torque to the driving wheel, and wherein the electric machine is able to operate as a generator by transmitting a braking torque to the driving wheel and providing electrical energy to the electric line;

a device for managing an operating mode by selecting an energy recovery mode or an energy restoration mode; and

a unit for controlling a torque transmitted to the driving wheel and being operable in accordance with priority criteria comprising;

in a case of a demand for a driving torque, the electric machine is operated as a motor by;

consuming the electrical energy stored in said electrical energy storage device as long as a charge of said electrical energy storage device is not below a predetermined minimum threshold, as a priority over use of said electrical energy source, for supplying electrical energy necessary for traction of the vehicle, and,

consuming the electrical energy from said electrical energy source when the charge of said electrical storage device is below the predetermined minimum threshold; and

in a case of a demand for a braking torque, the electric machine is operated as a generator by;

using the generated electrical energy to recharge said electrical energy storage device as long as the charge of said electrical energy storage device is not above a predetermined maximum threshold, as a priority over use of any other braking device, and

dissipating the generated electrical energy, or ceasing operation of the electric machine as a generator, when the charge of said electrical energy storage device is above the predetermined threshold.

2. A drivetrain according to claim 1, for a vehicle of a parallel hybrid type.

3. A drivetrain according to claim 1, for a vehicle of a series hybrid type.

4. A drivetrain according to one of claim 1 to 3, in which said electrical energy storage device is able to store at least 70 kJ.

5. A drivetrain according to one of claim 1 to 3, in which said electrical energy storage device is able to store at most 150 kJ.

6. A drivetrain according to claim 1, in which said electrical energy storage device stores electrical energy only in super capacitors.