Hybrid propulsion systems
First Claim
1. A propulsion system comprising:
- at least two energy sources capable of providing propulsion and an energy management system (EMS) that controls operation of each of the at least two sources, wherein the at least two sources include at least one main propulsive engine and at least one motor-generator unit arranged in-line to drive a common output shaft and linked to a common propulsive output member, wherein the common output shaft and propulsive output member are drivable both independently by the main propulsive engine and the motor-generator unit and simultaneously by the main propulsive engine and the motor-generator unit, wherein the main propulsive engine is capable of driving the common output shaft and driving the motor-generator unit as a generator both independently and simultaneously, and wherein the energy management system dynamically shifts operation of each of the at least two sources to satisfy propulsive demands.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hybrid propulsion and energy management system for use in marine vessels and other variable demand propulsion applications monitors and draws energy from various energy sources dynamically to implement multiple operating modes and provide efficient system operation across a range of propulsive demands, altering the operation and output of various energy sources in response to propulsive load demands, hotel loads and auxiliary energy demands. The propulsion system incorporates at least two propulsive sources, including at least one main propulsive engine and at least one motor-generator unit arranged to drive a common output shaft, and the energy management system dynamically shifts operation of each of the two sources to satisfy propulsive demands. The main propulsive engine and the motor-generator unit are capable of driving the common output shaft both independently and simultaneously. The motor-generator unit(s) are available to operate either as a motor driving the output shaft or as a generator supplying energy to the energy distribution system.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A propulsion system comprising:
- at least two energy sources capable of providing propulsion and an energy management system (EMS) that controls operation of each of the at least two sources, wherein the at least two sources include at least one main propulsive engine and at least one motor-generator unit arranged in-line to drive a common output shaft and linked to a common propulsive output member, wherein the common output shaft and propulsive output member are drivable both independently by the main propulsive engine and the motor-generator unit and simultaneously by the main propulsive engine and the motor-generator unit, wherein the main propulsive engine is capable of driving the common output shaft and driving the motor-generator unit as a generator both independently and simultaneously, and wherein the energy management system dynamically shifts operation of each of the at least two sources to satisfy propulsive demands.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A hybrid power system for use on a marine vessel comprising at least two independently operable drive sources including at least one main propulsive engine and at least one motor-generator unit arranged on a common driveline, an energy distribution bus providing bi-directional energy flow to the at least one motor-generator unit, an energy storage system providing bi-directional energy flow to the energy distribution bus, and an energy management system (EMS) controlling operation of the at least two drive sources and controlling energy flow between the at least two drive sources, the energy distribution bus and the energy storage system, wherein:
- the at least one main propulsive engine and the at least one motor-generator unit are capable of providing output to the common drive line both independently of one another and simultaneously;
the at least one main engine is operable to simultaneously provide propulsion to the driveline and energy to the energy distribution system; and
the EMS dynamically operates the two independently operable drive sources and dynamically controls energy flow to satisfy propulsive demands. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
- the at least one main propulsive engine and the at least one motor-generator unit are capable of providing output to the common drive line both independently of one another and simultaneously;
Specification