Hybrid vehicles
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:
- one or more wheels;
an internal combustion engine operable to propel the hybrid vehicle by providing torque to the one or more wheels;
a first electric motor coupled to the engine;
a second electric motor operable to propel the hybrid vehicle by providing torque to the one or more wheels;
a battery coupled to the first and second electric motors, operable to;
provide current to the first and/or the second electric motors; and
accept current from the first and second electric motors; and
a controller, operable to control the flow of electrical and mechanical power between the engine, the first and the second electric motors, and the one or more wheels;
wherein the controller is operable to operate the engine when torque required from the engine to propel the hybrid vehicle and/or to drive one or more of the first or the second motors to charge the battery is at least equal to a setpoint (SP) above which the torque produced by the engine is efficiently produced, and wherein the torque produced by the engine when operated at the SP is substantially less than the maximum torque output (MTO) of the engine.
7 Assignments
Litigations
27 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hybrid vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, a traction motor, a starter motor, and a battery bank, all controlled by a microprocessor in accordance with the vehicle'"'"'s instantaneous torque demands so that the engine is run only under conditions of high efficiency, typically only when the load is at least equal to 30% of the engine'"'"'s maximum torque output. In some embodiments, a turbocharger may be provided, activated only when the load exceeds the engine'"'"'s maximum torque output for an extended period; a two-speed transmission may further be provided, to further broaden the vehicle'"'"'s load range. A hybrid brake system provides regenerative braking, with mechanical braking available in the event the battery bank is fully charged, in emergencies, or at rest; a control mechanism is provided to control the brake system to provide linear brake feel under varying circumstances.
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Citations
306 Claims
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1. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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one or more wheels; an internal combustion engine operable to propel the hybrid vehicle by providing torque to the one or more wheels; a first electric motor coupled to the engine; a second electric motor operable to propel the hybrid vehicle by providing torque to the one or more wheels; a battery coupled to the first and second electric motors, operable to; provide current to the first and/or the second electric motors; and accept current from the first and second electric motors; and a controller, operable to control the flow of electrical and mechanical power between the engine, the first and the second electric motors, and the one or more wheels; wherein the controller is operable to operate the engine when torque required from the engine to propel the hybrid vehicle and/or to drive one or more of the first or the second motors to charge the battery is at least equal to a setpoint (SP) above which the torque produced by the engine is efficiently produced, and wherein the torque produced by the engine when operated at the SP is substantially less than the maximum torque output (MTO) of the engine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 79)
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33. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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determining instantaneous road load (RL) required to propel the hybrid vehicle responsive to an operator command; operating at least one electric motor to propel the hybrid vehicle when the RL required to do so is less than a setpoint (SP); operating an internal combustion engine of the hybrid vehicle to propel the hybrid vehicle when the RL required to do so is between the SP and a maximum torque output (MTO) of the engine, wherein the engine is operable to efficiently produce torque above the SP, and wherein the SP is substantially less than the MTO; operating both the at least one electric motor and the engine to propel the hybrid vehicle when the torque RL required to do so is more than the MTO; and monitoring patterns of vehicle operation over time and varying the SP accordingly. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78)
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80. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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determining instantaneous road load (RL) required to propel the hybrid vehicle responsive to an operator command; monitoring the RL over time; operating at least one electric motor to propel the hybrid vehicle when the RL required to do so is less than a setpoint (SP); operating an internal combustion engine of the hybrid vehicle to propel the hybrid vehicle when the RL required to do so is between the SP and a maximum torque output (MTO) of the engine, wherein the engine is operable to efficiently produce torque above the SP, and wherein the SP is substantially less than the MTO; and wherein said operating the internal combustion engine to propel the hybrid vehicle is performed when; the RL>
the SP for at least a predetermined time;
orthe RL>
a second setpoint (SP2), wherein the SP2 is a larger percentage of the MTO than the SP; andoperating both the at least one electric motor and the engine to propel the hybrid vehicle when the torque RL required to do so is more than the MTO. - View Dependent Claims (81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113)
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114. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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determining instantaneous road load (RL) required to propel the hybrid vehicle responsive to an operator command; monitoring the RL over time; operating at least one electric motor to propel the hybrid vehicle when the RL required to do so is less than a setpoint (SP); wherein said operating the at least one electric motor to propel the hybrid vehicle is performed when the RL<
the SP for at least a predetermined amount of time;operating an internal combustion engine of the hybrid vehicle to propel the hybrid vehicle when the RL required to do so is between the SP and a maximum torque output (MTO) of the engine, wherein the engine is operable to efficiently produce torque above the SP, and wherein the SP is substantially less than the MTO; and operating both the at least one electric motor and the engine to propel the hybrid vehicle when the torque RL required to do so is more than the MTO. - View Dependent Claims (115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146)
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147. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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determining instantaneous road load (RL) required to propel the hybrid vehicle responsive to an operator command; wherein the hybrid vehicle is operated in a plurality of operating modes corresponding to values for the RL and a setpoint (SP); operating at least one first electric motor to propel the hybrid vehicle when the RL required to do so is less than the SP; wherein said operating the at least one first electric motor to drive the hybrid vehicle comprises a low-load operation mode I; operating an internal combustion engine of the hybrid vehicle to propel the hybrid vehicle when the RL required to do so is between the SP and a maximum torque output (MTO) of the engine, wherein the engine is operable to efficiently produce torque above the SP, and wherein the SP is substantially less than the MTO; wherein said operating the internal combustion engine of the hybrid vehicle to propel the hybrid vehicle comprises a highway cruising operation mode IV; operating both the at least one first electric motor and the engine to propel the hybrid vehicle when the torque RL required to do so is more than the MTO; wherein said operating both the at least one first electric motor and the engine to propel the hybrid vehicle comprises an acceleration operation mode V; monitoring a state of charge of a battery comprised in the hybrid vehicle, wherein the battery is operable to store power from the engine and/or the at least one first electric motor and transmit power to the at least one first electric motor to propel the vehicle; and operating the engine to charge the battery when the state of charge of the battery is below a predetermined level and when the RL<
the SP, wherein said operating the engine to charge the battery comprises a low-load battery charging mode II, and wherein said operating the engine to charge the battery comprises;operating the engine without transferring power to the wheels of the hybrid vehicle; and the engine providing torque at least equal to the SP to the at least one first electric motor to charge the battery; wherein during said operating the engine to charge the battery when the state of charge of the battery is below a predetermined level, the hybrid vehicle is propelled by torque provided by at least one second electric motor in response to energy supplied by the battery. - View Dependent Claims (148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160)
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161. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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determining instantaneous road load (RL) required to propel the hybrid vehicle responsive to an operator command; wherein the hybrid vehicle is operated in a plurality of operating modes corresponding to values for the RL and a setpoint (SP); operating at least one first electric motor to propel the hybrid vehicle when the RL required to do so is less than the SP; wherein said operating the at least one first electric motor to drive the hybrid vehicle composes a low-load operation mode I; operating an internal combustion engine of the hybrid vehicle to propel the hybrid vehicle when the RL required to do so is between the SP and a maximum torque output (MTO) of the engine, wherein the engine is operable to efficiently produce torque above the SP, and wherein the SP is substantially less than the MTO; wherein said operating the internal combustion engine of the hybrid vehicle to propel the hybrid vehicle composes a high-way cruising operation mode IV; operating both the at least one first electric motor and the engine to propel the hybrid vehicle when the torque RL required to do so is more than the MTO; wherein said operating both the at least one first electric motor and the engine to propel the hybrid vehicle composes an acceleration operation mode V; receiving operator input specifying a change in required torque to be applied to wheels of the hybrid vehicle; and if the received operator input specifies a rapid increase in the required torque, changing operation from operating mode I directly to operating mode V. - View Dependent Claims (162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173)
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174. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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determining instantaneous road load (RL) required to propel the hybrid vehicle responsive to an operator command; wherein the hybrid vehicle is operated in a plurality of operating modes corresponding to values for the RL and a setpoint (SP); operating at least one first electric motor to propel the hybrid vehicle when the RL required to do so is less than the SP; wherein said operating the at least one first electric motor to drive the hybrid vehicle composes a low-load operation mode I; operating an internal combustion engine of the hybrid vehicle to propel the hybrid vehicle when the RL required to do so is between the SP and a maximum torque output (MTO) of the engine, wherein the engine is operable to efficiently produce torque above the SP, and wherein the SP is substantially less than the MTO; wherein said operating the internal combustion engine of the hybrid vehicle to propel the hybrid vehicle composes a high-way cruising operation mode IV; operating both the at least one first electric motor and the engine to propel the hybrid vehicle when the torque RL required to do so is more than the MTO; wherein said operating both the at least one first electric motor and the engine to propel the hybrid vehicle composes an acceleration operation mode V, and wherein said operating both the engine and the at least one electric motor occurs when the RL>
the MTO for less than a predetermined time T; andoperating a turbocharger controllably coupled to the engine to increase the MTO of the engine when desired, wherein said operating the turbocharger to increase the MTO of the engine occurs when the RL>
the MTO for more than the predetermined time T, and wherein said operating the turbocharger composes a turbocharged operation mode VI. - View Dependent Claims (175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187)
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188. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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determining instantaneous road load (RL) required to propel the hybrid vehicle responsive to an operator command; operating at least one electric motor to propel the hybrid vehicle when the RL required to do so is less than a setpoint (SP); operating an internal combustion engine of the hybrid vehicle to propel the hybrid vehicle when the RL required to do so is between the SP and a maximum torque output (MTO) of the engine, wherein the engine is operable to efficiently produce torque above the SP, and wherein the SP is substantially less than the MTO; and operating both the at least one electric motor and the engine to propel the hybrid vehicle when the torque RL required to do so is more than the MTO; and operating a turbocharger controllably coupled to the engine to increase the MTO of the engine when desired. - View Dependent Claims (189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214)
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215. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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determining instantaneous road load (RL) required to propel the hybrid vehicle responsive to an operator command; operating at least one electric motor to propel the hybrid vehicle when the RL required to do so is less than a setpoint (SP); operating an internal combustion engine of the hybrid vehicle to propel the hybrid vehicle when the RL required to do so is between the SP and a maximum torque output (MTO) of the engine, wherein the engine is operable to efficiently produce torque above the SP, and wherein the SP is substantially less than the MTO; and operating both the at least one electric motor and the engine to propel the hybrid vehicle when the torque RL required to do so is more than the MTO; and regeneratively charging a battery of the hybrid vehicle when instantaneous torque output of the engine>
the RL, when the RL is negative, and/or when braking is initiated by an operator of the hybrid vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240)
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241. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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determining instantaneous road load (RL) required to propel the hybrid vehicle responsive to an operator command; operating at least one electric motor to propel the hybrid vehicle when the RL required to do so is less than a setpoint (SP); operating an internal combustion engine of the hybrid vehicle to propel the hybrid vehicle when the RL required to do so is between the SP and a maximum torque output (MTO) of the engine, wherein the engine is operable to efficiently produce torque above the SP, and wherein the SP is substantially less than the MTO; and operating both the at least one electric motor and the engine to propel the hybrid vehicle when the torque RL required to do so is more than the MTO; controlling said engine such that combustion of fuel within the engine occurs substantially at a stoichiometric ratio, wherein said controlling the engine comprises limiting a rate of change of torque output of the engine; and if the engine is incapable of supplying instantaneous torque required to propel the hybrid vehicle, supplying additional torque from the at least one electric motor. - View Dependent Claims (242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266)
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267. A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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determining instantaneous road load (RL) required to propel the hybrid vehicle responsive to an operator command; operating at least one electric motor to propel the hybrid vehicle when the RL required to do so is less than a setpoint (SP); operating an internal combustion engine of the hybrid vehicle to propel the hybrid vehicle when the RL required to do so is between the SP and a maximum torque output (MTO) of the engine, wherein the engine is operable to efficiently produce torque above the SP, and wherein the SP is substantially less than the MTO; operating both the at least one electric motor and the engine to propel the hybrid vehicle when the torque RL required to do so is more than the MTO; and rotating the engine before starting the engine such that its cylinders are heated by compression of air therein. - View Dependent Claims (268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291)
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292. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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a controller capable of accepting inputs indicative of vehicle operating parameters and providing control signals in response to a control program; a battery bank; an internal combustion engine operable to provide propulsive torque to road wheels of said vehicle; a first AC electric starting motor electrically coupled to said battery bank and mechanically coupled to said internal combustion engine, and responsive to commands from said controller for (a) accepting electrical energy from said battery bank and (b) providing electrical energy to said battery bank, such that said first electric motor can be controlled to (1) accept torque from said engine to charge said battery bank, and (2) accept energy from said battery bank to apply torque to said engine for starting said engine; a second AC electric traction motor, electrically coupled to said battery bank and mechanically coupled to road wheels of said vehicle, and responsive to commands from said controller, for (a) accepting electrical energy from said battery bank and (b) providing electrical energy to said battery bank such that said second electric motor can be controlled to (1) accept energy from said battery bank to apply torque to said road wheels to propel said vehicle, and (2) accept torque from said road wheels to charge said battery bank; a solid state inverter connected to the second AC motor for converting DC to AC and AC to DC; wherein said controller is provided with signals responsive to the instantaneous road load experienced by said vehicle and to the state of charge of said battery bank, and controls operation of said engine and said first and second motors so that said vehicle is operated in a plurality of operating modes responsive to said signals; and wherein energy originating at the battery is supplied to the solid state inverter at a DC voltage having a peak of at least 500 volts. - View Dependent Claims (293)
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294. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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a controller capable of accepting inputs indicative of vehicle operating parameters and providing control signals in response to a control program; a battery bank; an internal combustion engine operable to provide propulsive torque to road wheels of said vehicle; a first AC electric starting motor electrically coupled to said battery bank and mechanically coupled to said internal combustion engine, and responsive to commands from said controller for (a) accepting electrical energy from said battery bank and (b) providing electrical energy to said battery bank, such that said first electric motor can be controlled to (1) accept torque from said engine to charge said battery bank, and (2) accept energy from said battery bank to apply torque to said engine for starting said engine; a second AC electric traction motor, electrically coupled to said battery bank and mechanically coupled to road wheels of said vehicle, and responsive to commands from said controller, for (a) accepting electrical energy from said battery bank and (b) providing electrical energy to said battery bank such that said second electric motor can be controlled to (1) accept energy from said battery bank to apply torque to said road wheels to propel said vehicle, and (2) accept torque from said road wheels to charge said battery bank; a solid state inverter connected to the second AC motor for converting DC to AC and AC to DC; wherein said controller is provided with signals responsive to the instantaneous road load experienced by said vehicle and to the state of charge of said battery bank, and controls operation of said engine and said first and second motors so that said vehicle is operated in a plurality of operating modes responsive to said signals; and wherein energy originating at the battery is supplied to the solid state inverter at a maximum current of no more than about 75 amperes.
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295. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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a controller capable of accepting inputs indicative of vehicle operating parameters and providing control signals in response to a control program; a battery bank; an internal combustion engine operable to provide propulsive torque to road wheels of said vehicle; a first AC electric starting motor electrically coupled to said battery bank and mechanically coupled to said internal combustion engine, and responsive to commands from said controller for (a) accepting electrical energy from said battery bank and (b) providing electrical energy to said battery bank, such that said first electric motor can be controlled to (1) accept torque from said engine to charge said battery bank, and (2) accept energy from said battery bank to apply torque to said engine for starting said engine; a second AC electric traction motor, electrically coupled to said battery bank and mechanically coupled to road wheels of said vehicle, and responsive to commands from said controller, for (a) accepting electrical energy from said battery bank and (b) providing electrical energy to said battery bank such that said second electric motor can be controlled to (1) accept energy from said battery bank to apply torque to said road wheels to propel said vehicle, and (2) accept torque from said road wheels to charge said battery bank; a solid state inverter connected to the second AC motor for converting DC to AC and AC to DC; wherein said controller is provided with signals responsive to the instantaneous road load experienced by said vehicle and to the state of charge of said battery bank, and controls operation of said engine and said first and second motors so that said vehicle is operated in a plurality of operating modes responsive to said signals; and wherein energy originating at the battery is supplied to the solid state inverter at a voltage and current such that the ratio of voltage to current is at least about 2.5 to 1.
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296. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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a controller capable of accepting inputs indicative of vehicle operating parameters and providing control signals in response to a control program; a battery bank; an internal combustion engine operable to provide propulsive torque to road wheels of said vehicle; a first AC electric starting motor electrically coupled to said battery bank and mechanically coupled to said internal combustion engine, and responsive to commands from said controller for (a) accepting electrical energy from said battery bank and (b) providing electrical energy to said battery bank, such that said first electric motor can be controlled to (1) accept torque from said engine to charge said battery bank, and (2) accept energy from said battery bank to apply torque to said engine for starting said engine; a second AC electric traction motor, electrically coupled to said battery bank and mechanically coupled to road wheels of said vehicle, and responsive to commands from said controller, for (a) accepting electrical energy from said battery bank and (b) providing electrical energy to said battery bank such that said second electric motor can be controlled to (1) accept energy from said battery bank to apply torque to said road wheels to propel said vehicle, and (2) accept torque from said road wheels to charge said battery bank; a solid state inverter connected to the second AC motor for converting DC to AC and AC to DC; wherein said controller is provided with signals responsive to the instantaneous road load experienced by said vehicle and to the state of charge of said battery bank, and controls operation of said engine and said first and second motors so that said vehicle is operated in a plurality of operating modes responsive to said signals; and wherein energy originating at the battery is supplied to the solid state inverter at a voltage having a peak of at least about 800 volts. - View Dependent Claims (297)
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298. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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a controller capable of accepting inputs indicative of vehicle operating parameters and providing control signals in response to a control program; a battery bank; an internal combustion engine operable to provide propulsive torque to road wheels of said vehicle; a first AC electric starting motor electrically coupled to said battery bank and mechanically coupled to said internal combustion engine, and responsive to commands from said controller for (a) accepting electrical energy from said battery bank and (b) providing electrical energy to said battery bank, such that said first electric motor can be controlled to (1) accept torque from said engine to charge said battery bank, and (2) accept energy from said battery bank to apply torque to said engine for starting said engine; a second AC electric traction motor, electrically coupled to said battery bank and mechanically coupled to road wheels of said vehicle, and responsive to commands from said controller, for (a) accepting electrical energy from said battery bank and (b) providing electrical energy to said battery bank such that said second electric motor can be controlled to (1) accept energy from said battery bank to apply torque to said road wheels to propel said vehicle, and (2) accept torque from said road wheels to charge said battery bank; a solid state inverter connected to the second AC motor for converting DC to AC and AC to DC; wherein said controller is provided with signals responsive to the instantaneous road load experienced by said vehicle and to the state of charge of said battery bank, and controls operation of said engine and said first and second motors so that said vehicle is operated in a plurality of operating modes responsive to said signals; and wherein energy originating at the battery is supplied to the solid state inverter at a maximum current of no more than 150 amperes.
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299. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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a controller capable of accepting inputs indicative of vehicle operating parameters and providing control signals in response to a control program; a battery bank; an internal combustion engine operable to provide propulsive torque to road wheels of said vehicle; a first AC electric starting motor electrically coupled to said battery bank and mechanically coupled to said internal combustion engine, and responsive to commands from said controller for (a) accepting electrical energy from said battery bank and (b) providing electrical energy to said battery bank, such that said first electric motor can be controlled to (1) accept torque from said engine to charge said battery bank, and (2) accept energy from said battery bank to apply torque to said engine for starting said engine; a second AC electric traction motor, electrically coupled to said battery bank and mechanically coupled to road wheels of said vehicle, and responsive to commands from said controller, for (a) accepting electrical energy from said battery bank and (b) providing electrical energy to said battery bank such that said second electric motor can be controlled to (1) accept energy from said battery bank to apply torque to said road wheels to propel said vehicle, and (2) accept torque from said road wheels to charge said battery bank; a solid state inverter connected to the second AC motor for converting DC to AC and AC to DC; wherein said controller is provided with signals responsive to the instantaneous road load experienced by said vehicle and to the state of charge of said battery bank, and controls operation of said engine such that said engine is operated only above a setpoint (SP), said setpoint SP varying as a function of said vehicle operating parameters. - View Dependent Claims (300, 301)
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302. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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one or more wheels; an internal combustion engine operable to propel the hybrid vehicle by providing torque to the one or more wheels; a first electric motor coupled to the engine; a second electric motor operable to propel the hybrid vehicle by providing torque to the one or more wheels; a battery coupled to the first and second electric motors, operable to; provide current to the first and/or the second electric motors; and accept current from the first and second electric motors; and a controller, operable to control the flow of electrical and mechanical power between the engine, the first and the second electric motors, and the one or more wheels; a first alternating current-direct current (AC-DC) converter coupled to said first electric motor, at least operable to accept AC current and convert the current to DC; a second AC-DC converter having an AC side coupled to said second electric motor, operable to accept AC or DC current and convert the current to DC or AC current respectively; wherein said battery is coupled to a DC side of said AC-DC converters, wherein said battery is operable to store DC energy received from said AC-DC converters and provide DC energy to at least said second AC-DC converter for providing power to at least said second electric motor; wherein a ratio of maximum DC voltage to maximum current supplied from said battery, measured on the DC side of at least said second AC-DC converter, is at least 2.5; and wherein the controller is operable to operate the engine when the power required from the engine to satisfy the road load experienced by the vehicle and/or to drive one or more of the first and second motors to charge the battery is at least equal to a minimum value at which power is efficiently produced by said engine but that is substantially less than the maximum power output of the engine.
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303. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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one or more wheels; an internal combustion engine operable to propel the hybrid vehicle by providing torque to the one or more wheels; a first electric motor coupled to the engine; a second electric motor operable to propel the hybrid vehicle by providing torque to the one or more wheels; a battery coupled to the first and second electric motors, operable to; provide current to the first and/or the second electric motors; and accept current from the first and second electric motors; and a controller, operable to control the flow of electrical and mechanical power between the engine, the first and the second electric motors, and the one or more wheels; a first alternating current-direct current (AC-DC) converter coupled to said first electric motor, at least operable to accept AC current and convert the current to DC; a second AC-DC converter having an AC side coupled to said second electric motor, operable to accept AC or DC current and convert the current to DC or AC current respectively; wherein said battery is coupled to a DC side of said AC-DC converters, wherein said battery is operable to store DC energy received from said AC-DC converters and provide DC energy to at least said second AC-DC converter for providing power to at least said second electric motor; wherein the peak DC voltage, measured on the DC side of at least said second AC-DC converter, is at least about 500 volts; and wherein the controller is operable to operate the engine when the power required from the engine to satisfy the road load experienced by the vehicle and/or to drive one or more of the first and second motors to charge the battery is at least equal to a minimum value at which power is efficiently produced by said engine but that is substantially less than the maximum power output of the engine.
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304. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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one or more wheels; an internal combustion engine operable to propel the hybrid vehicle by providing torque to the one or more wheels; a first electric motor coupled to the engine; a second electric motor operable to propel the hybrid vehicle by providing torque to the one or more wheels; a battery coupled to the first and second electric motors, operable to; provide current to the first and/or the second electric motors; and accept current from the first and second electric motors; and a controller, operable to control the flow of electrical and mechanical power between the engine, the first and the second electric motors, and the one or more wheels; a first alternating current-direct current (AC-DC) converter coupled to said first electric motor, at least operable to accept AC current and convert the current to DC; a second AC-DC converter having an AC side coupled to said second electric motor, operable to accept AC or DC current and convert the current to DC or AC current respectively; wherein said battery is coupled to a DC side of said AC-DC converters, wherein said battery is operable to store DC energy received from said AC-DC converters and provide DC energy to at least said second AC-DC converter for providing power to at least said second electric motor; wherein the peak DC current, measured on the DC side of at least said second AC-DC converter, is no more than about 150 amperes; and wherein the controller is operable to operate the engine when the power required from the engine to satisfy the road load experienced by the vehicle and/or to drive one or more of the first and second motors to charge the battery is at least equal to a minimum value at which power is efficiently produced by said engine but that is substantially less than the maximum power output of the engine.
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305. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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one or more wheels; an internal combustion engine operable to propel the hybrid vehicle by providing torque to the one or more wheels; a first electric motor coupled to the engine; a second electric motor operable to propel the hybrid vehicle by providing torque to the one or more wheels; a battery coupled to the first and second electric motors, operable to; provide current to the first and/or the second electric motors; and accept current from the first and second electric motors; and a controller, operable to control the flow of electrical and mechanical power between the engine, the first and the second electric motors, and the one or more wheels; wherein energy originating at the battery is supplied to the second motor at a peak voltage of at least about 500 volts; and wherein the controller is operable to operate the engine when the power required from the engine to satisfy the road load experienced by the vehicle and/or to drive one or more of the first and second motors to charge the battery is at least equal to a minimum value at which power is efficiently produced by said engine but that is substantially less than the maximum power output of the engine.
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306. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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one or more wheels; an internal combustion engine operable to propel the hybrid vehicle by providing torque to the one or more wheels; a first electric motor coupled to the engine; a second electric motor operable to propel the hybrid vehicle by providing torque to the one or more wheels; a battery coupled to the first and second electric motors, operable to; provide current to the first and/or the second electric motors; and accept current from the first and second electric motors; and a controller, operable to control the flow of electrical and mechanical power between the engine, the first and the second electric motors, and the one or more wheels; wherein power originating at the battery is supplied to the second motor at a peak current no greater than about 150 amperes; and wherein the controller is operable to operate the engine when the power required from the engine to satisfy the road load experienced by the vehicle and/or to drive one or more of the first and second motors to charge the battery is at least equal to a minimum value at which power is efficiently produced by said engine but that is substantially less than the maximum power output of the engine.
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Specification