Dual engine electric drive system
First Claim
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1. An electric drive system, comprising:
- a first engine tuned to have a minimum specific fuel consumption value within a first range of rotations per minute;
a second engine tuned to have a minimum specific fuel consumption value within a second range of rotations per minute, wherein the second range of rotations per minute is different than the first range;
a controller configured to operate the first engine within the first range of rotations per minute and the second engine within the second range of rotations per minute;
a first electric generator adapted to be driven by the first engine and to generate a first output;
a second electric generator adapted to be driven by the second engine and to generate a second output;
an energy storage device adapted to receive the first output from the first electric generator and the second output from the second electric generator; and
an electric motor operatively connected to the energy storage device, the electric meter operable to generate mechanical power.
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Abstract
An electric drive system includes a first engine and a second engine. A first electric generator is adapted to be driven by the first engine and to generate a first output. A second electric generator is adapted to be driven by the second engine and to generate a second output. An energy storage device is adapted to receive the first output from the first electric generator and the second output from the second electric generator. An electric motor is operatively connected to the energy storage device. The electric motor is operable to generate mechanical power.
73 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An electric drive system, comprising:
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a first engine tuned to have a minimum specific fuel consumption value within a first range of rotations per minute; a second engine tuned to have a minimum specific fuel consumption value within a second range of rotations per minute, wherein the second range of rotations per minute is different than the first range; a controller configured to operate the first engine within the first range of rotations per minute and the second engine within the second range of rotations per minute; a first electric generator adapted to be driven by the first engine and to generate a first output; a second electric generator adapted to be driven by the second engine and to generate a second output; an energy storage device adapted to receive the first output from the first electric generator and the second output from the second electric generator; and an electric motor operatively connected to the energy storage device, the electric meter operable to generate mechanical power. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating an electric drive system, comprising:
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applying a voltage from an electrical storage device to an electric motor; operating a first engine within a first range of rotations per minute, within which the first engine has been tuned to have a minimum specific fuel consumption value, to drive a first generator to supply electrical power to the electrical storage device under a first set of operating conditions; determining whether the first engine is operating outside of a predetermined set of operating parameters associated with the first range of rotations per minute; and if the first engine is operating outside of the predetermined set of parameters, operating a second engine within a second range of rotations per minute, within which the second engine has been tuned to have a minimum specific fuel consumption value, wherein the first range of rotations per minute is different than the second range of rotations per minute, to drive a second generator to supply electrical power to the electrical storage device under a second set of operating conditions. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of assembling a drive system, comprising:
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providing a first engine and a second engine, the first and second engines having substantially similar torque output capacities; tuning the first engine to have a minimum specific fuel consumption value within a first range of engine speeds and engine torques; connecting a first electrical generator to the first engine, the first electrical generator having preferred operational characteristics within the first range of engine speeds and engine torques; tuning the second engine to have a minimum specific fuel consumption value within a second range of engine speeds and engine torques, wherein the first range is different than the second range; connecting a second electrical generator to the second engine, the second electrical generator having preferred operational characteristics within the second range of engine speeds and engine torques; operatively connecting a controller to the first engine and the second engine, the controller being configured to operate the first engine within the first range of engine speeds and engine torques and the second engine within the second range of engine speeds and engine torques; connecting an electrical storage device to the first electrical generator and the second electrical generator; and connecting the electrical storage device to an electric motor. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A vehicle comprising:
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a ground engaging device; a first internal combustion engine tuned to have a minimum specific fuel consumption value within a first range of rotations per minute; a second internal combustion engine tuned to have a minimum specific fuel consumption value within a second range of rotations per minute, wherein the second range of rotations per minute is different than the first range; a controller configured to operate the first internal combustion engine within the first range of rotations per minute and the second internal combustion engine within the second range of rotations per minute; a first electric generator adapted to be driven by the first engine and to generate a first output; a second electric generator adapted to be driven by the second engine and to generate a second output; an energy storage device adapted to receive the first output from the first electric generator and the second output from the second electric generator; an electric motor operatively connected to the energy storage device, the electric motor operatively connected to the ground engaging device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification