Hybrid electric propulsion system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A hybrid propulsion system, comprising:
- a first DC link;
a first energy storage unit coupled across the first DC link and operable to supply power to operate at least one traction drive motor;
a second DC link coupled electrically downstream of the first DC link;
a second energy storage unit coupled across the second DC link and electrically coupled to the traction drive motor;
a conversion circuit coupled between the first and second DC links and configured to cause a different voltage level on the first and second DC links;
an auxiliary power unit coupled to the first DC link and operable to charge the first energy storage unit; and
a control system operable to control operation of the auxiliary power unit to maintain a desired voltage across the first DC link and to control power flow through conversion circuit;
wherein the first energy storage unit and the first DC link are only coupled to the traction motor through the second DC link.
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Abstract
A hybrid prolusion system comprising a first energy storage unit operable to supply power to a traction drive motor. A second energy storage unit is coupled with the first energy storage unit to provide additional power on demand to the traction drive motor. An auxiliary power unit (APU) is used to charge the first battery to maintain a desired voltage across the first energy storage unit.
38 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A hybrid propulsion system, comprising:
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a first DC link; a first energy storage unit coupled across the first DC link and operable to supply power to operate at least one traction drive motor; a second DC link coupled electrically downstream of the first DC link; a second energy storage unit coupled across the second DC link and electrically coupled to the traction drive motor; a conversion circuit coupled between the first and second DC links and configured to cause a different voltage level on the first and second DC links; an auxiliary power unit coupled to the first DC link and operable to charge the first energy storage unit; and a control system operable to control operation of the auxiliary power unit to maintain a desired voltage across the first DC link and to control power flow through conversion circuit; wherein the first energy storage unit and the first DC link are only coupled to the traction motor through the second DC link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A hybrid propulsion system, comprising:
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a first DC link; a first energy storage unit coupled across the first DC link; a second DC link; a second energy storage unit coupled across the second DC link and to at least one propulsion motor; a conversion circuit coupled between the first DC link and the second DC link and configured to convert power from the first DC link at a first voltage to power at a different voltage for application to the second DC link; an on-board energy source including an engine and an alternator operable to supply power the first DC link to charge the first energy storage unit; and a control system operable to control operation of the on-board energy source to maintain a desired voltage across the first DC link and to control power flow through the conversion circuit, the control system controlling operation of the on-board energy source based upon a rating of the engine and the alternator; wherein the first energy storage unit and the first DC link are only coupled to the propulsion motor through the second DC link. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for operating a heavy duty hybrid propulsion system, comprising:
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operating a first energy storage unit across a first DC link; operating a second energy storage unit across a second DC link to supply power to at least one drive motor; operating a conversion circuit to convert voltage from the first DC link to a different voltage for application to the second DC link to transfer energy from the first energy storage unit to the second energy storage unit, and to control power flow through the conversion circuit; and operating an auxiliary power unit including an engine and an alternator operable to charge the first energy storage unit to maintain a desired voltage across the first DC link; wherein the first energy storage unit and the first DC link are only coupled to the drive motor through the second DC link. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for operating a heavy duty hybrid propulsion system, comprising:
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operating an on-board power generation system including an engine and an alternator to supply power to charge a first energy storage unit coupled across a first DC link; operating a second energy storage unit coupled across a second DC link to operate at least one propulsion drive motor; operating a conversion circuit coupled between the first and second DC links to provide power from the first DC link at a first voltage to the second DC link at a second, different voltage and to control power flow through the conversion circuit, the second energy storage unit providing additional power on demand to the at least one propulsion drive motor; and controlling the operation of the on-board power generation system to maintain a desired voltage across the first DC link, wherein the on-board power generation system is operated based upon a rating of the engine and the alternator; wherein the first energy storage unit and the first DC link are only coupled to the propulsion drive motor through the second DC link. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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Specification