Work machine

• US 7,596,893 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2006
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Sarl (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Japan Limited (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Tozawa, Shoji, Binnaka, Madoka, Furuta, Hideto
• Primary Examiner(s): PEZZUTO, ROBERT ERIC
• Application Number:
  US11/816,026
• Publication Number:
  US 20090036264A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,317 Days
• Field of Search: 373/48, 373/79, 374/35, 374/43, 374/14, 374/66, 60421-429, 604/68, 604/30, 605/62, 605/33, 605/81, 915/16, 915/24, 915/23, 172 2- 11, 414/517, 414/525.6, 414/516, 414/510, 414/509, 414/525.1
• US Class Current: 37/348
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 25/04 from static or dynamic pressure or vacuum, developed by the engine
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/22 characterised by apparatus, components or means specially adapted for HEVs
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/26 characterised by the motors or the generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/485 Motor-assist type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/20 Energy regeneration from auxiliary equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/40 Working vehicles
• 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: B60Y 2200/412 Excavators
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2075 of the hybrid type for vehicles in general B60W20/00
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2217 with energy recovery arrangements, e.g. using accumulators, flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2225 using pressure-compensating valves
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2246 Control of prime movers, e.g. depending on the hydraulic load of work tools
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2292 Systems with two or more pumps
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2296 Systems with a variable displacement pump
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 11/024 by means of differential connection of the servomotor lines, e.g. regenerative circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 21/14 Energy-recuperation means
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/20515 Electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/20523 Internal combustion engine
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/20546 : variable capacity
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/20576 : with multiple pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/3133 : Regenerative position connecting the working ports or connecting the working ports to the pump, e.g. for high-speed approach stroke
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/327 : electrically or electronically
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/7053 : Double-acting output members
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/7058 : Rotary output members
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/88 : Control measures for saving energy
• 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

Abstract

A work machine enabling a hybrid drive system to be directly driven by energy contained in a return fluid discharged from a hydraulic actuator. The work machine includes a hydraulic actuator control circuit and a swing control circuit. The hydraulic actuator control circuit serves to control hydraulic fluid supplied from pumps of a hybrid drive system to travel motors and work actuators. The swing control circuit serves to control a swing motor generator, which functions as an electric motor and, during braking of rotating motion of the upper structure, functions as a generator. The hydraulic actuator control circuit includes an energy recovery motor provided in a return passage, though which return fluid recovered from a work actuator flows. The energy recovery motor is adapted to be driven by return fluid and thereby drive a motor generator of the hybrid drive system.

Claims

1. A work machine comprising:

a lower structure adapted to be driven by a travel motor;

an upper structure that is rotatable on the lower structure by a swing motor generator; and

a work equipment that is mounted on the upper structure and adapted to be operated by a work actuator;

the work machine further including;

a hybrid drive system comprising;

an engine,

a motor generator adapted to be driven by the engine so as to function as a generator as well as receive electric power so as to function as an electric motor,

an electric power storage device that serves to store electric power fed from the motor generator functioning as a generator, as well as feed electric power to the motor generator functioning as an electric motor, and

a pump adapted to be driven either one of or both the engine and the motor generator;

a hydraulic actuator control circuit that serves to control hydraulic fluid fed from the pump of the hybrid drive system to the travel motor and the work actuator;

a swing control circuit that serves to;

feed electric power from the electric power storage device of the hybrid drive system to the swing motor generator so that the swing motor generator functions as an electric motor, and

recover electric power generated by the swing motor generator functioning as a generator to the electric power storage device during braking of rotating motion of the upper structure;

wherein the hydraulic actuator control circuit further includes;

an energy recovery motor provided in a return fluid passage though which return fluid recovered from the work actuator flows, the energy recovery motor being adapted to be driven by return fluid and thereby drive the motor generator of the hybrid drive system, and

a recovery clutch that is provided between the energy recovery motor and the motor generator of the hybrid drive system and serves to enable or interrupt transmission of rotational power.

2. A work machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the return fluid passage includes;

a return passage provided with the energy recovery motor,

another return passage that branches off the upstream side of the energy recovery motor, and

a flow rate ratio control valve for controlling a flow rate ratio of a flow rate in the first mentioned return passage and a flow rate in the other return passage.

3. A work machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

the work equipment comprises a boom, a stick, and a bucket, which are sequentially connected;

the work machine includes a plurality of work actuators that comprises a boom cylinder for pivoting the boom, a stick cylinder for pivoting the stick, and a bucket cylinder for pivoting the bucket; and

the energy recovery motor is disposed in a return fluid passage provided for return fluid from the boom cylinder.

4. A work machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

the hybrid drive system includes a plurality of pumps; and

the hydraulic actuator control circuit further includes;

a boom cylinder hydraulic fluid feeding passage for feeding hydraulic fluid from one of the pumps to the boom cylinder,

a stick cylinder hydraulic fluid feeding passage for feeding hydraulic fluid from another pump to the stick cylinder,

a boom-to-stick solenoid valve adapted to be moved between a position for enabling the hydraulic fluid to flow from the boom cylinder hydraulic fluid feeding passage to the stick cylinder hydraulic fluid feeding passage and a position for interrupting the flow of fluid, and

a stick-to-boom solenoid valve adapted to be moved between a position for enabling the hydraulic fluid to flow from the stick cylinder hydraulic fluid feeding passage to the head-side of the boom cylinder and a position for interrupting the flow of fluid.

5. A work machine comprising:

a lower structure adapted to be driven by a travel motor;

an upper structure that is rotatable on the lower structure by a swing motor generator, and

a work equipment that is mounted on the upper structure and adapted to be operated by a work actuator;

the work machine further including;

a hybrid drive system comprising;

an engine,

a motor generator adapted to be driven by the engine so as to function as a generator as well as receive electric power so as to function as an electric motor,

an electric power storage device that serves to store electric power fed from the motor generator functioning as a generator, as well as feed electric power to the motor generator functioning as an electric motor, and

a pump adapted to be driven either one of or both the engine and the motor generator;

a hydraulic actuator control circuit that serves to control hydraulic fluid fed from the pump of the hybrid drive system to the travel motor and the work actuator;

a swing control circuit that serves to;

feed electric power from the electric power storage device of the hybrid drive system to the swing motor generator so that the swing motor generator functions as an electric motor, and

recover electric power generated by the swing motor generator functioning as a generator to the electric power storage device during braking of rotating motion of the upper structure;

wherein;

the hydraulic actuator control circuit further includes an energy recovery motor provided in a return fluid passage though which return fluid recovered from the work actuator flows, the energy recovery motor being adapted to be driven by return fluid and thereby drive the motor generator of the hybrid drive system; and

the hybrid drive system further includes;

an engine clutch for enabling or interrupting transmission of rotational power output from the engine, and

a power transmission unit for transmitting engine rotation that has been transmitted to the power transmission unit though the engine clutch to the pump and the motor generator as well as transmitting rotation of the motor generator to the pump.

6. A work machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

the hybrid drive system further includes a starter motor generator that is connected in series to the engine so as to receive electric power to start up the engine, as well as be driven by the engine to generate electric power.

7. A work machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein:

the hybrid drive system further includes a motor generator clutch that is disposed between the motor generator and the power transmission unit and serves to enable or interrupt transmission of rotational power.

8. A work machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

the work machine further includes a recovery clutch that is disposed between the energy recovery motor and the motor generator of the hybrid drive system and serves to enable or interrupt transmission of rotational power.