Broad turndown ratio traction drive
First Claim
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1. A traction drive system, comprising:
- a first electric motor having a first performance profile and a first shaft selectably connected to a main shaft by a first engagement device configured to connect the first shaft to the main shaft when a sensed parameter satisfies a first criterion, the first criterion defining at least one of;
(a) a range of motor speeds (RPM) at which the first motor provides at least as much output as any other motor of the traction drive system and (b) a range of output that the first motor is capable of providing to satisfy a demand placed on the traction drive system at a greater efficiency than any other motor of the traction drive system; and
,a second electric motor having a second performance profile distinct from the first performance profile and a second shaft selectably connected to the main shaft by a second engagement device.
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Abstract
A traction drive system comprising a plurality of electric motors selectably connected to a main shaft by engagement devices, each motor or combination of motors provides distinct performance characteristics along a broad spectrum of performance characteristics; and a method of managing a traction drive system including sensing physical parameters of the fraction drive system, selecting an electric motor having well-suited performance profile based on pre-selected criteria against which the sensed parameter is compared, and engaging one or more of the corresponding motors to the main shaft.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A traction drive system, comprising:
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a first electric motor having a first performance profile and a first shaft selectably connected to a main shaft by a first engagement device configured to connect the first shaft to the main shaft when a sensed parameter satisfies a first criterion, the first criterion defining at least one of;
(a) a range of motor speeds (RPM) at which the first motor provides at least as much output as any other motor of the traction drive system and (b) a range of output that the first motor is capable of providing to satisfy a demand placed on the traction drive system at a greater efficiency than any other motor of the traction drive system; and
,a second electric motor having a second performance profile distinct from the first performance profile and a second shaft selectably connected to the main shaft by a second engagement device.
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2. A traction drive system, comprising:
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a first electric motor having a first performance profile and a first shaft selectably connected to a main shaft by a first engagement device; and
,a second electric motor having a second performance profile distinct from the first performance profile and a second shaft selectably connected to the main shaft by a second engagement device configured to connect the second shaft to the main shaft when a sensed parameter satisfies a second criterion, the second criterion defining at least one of;
(a) a range of motor speeds (RPM) at which the second motor provides at least as much output as any other motor of the traction drive system and (b) a range of output that the second motor is capable of providing to satisfy a demand placed on the traction drive system at a greater efficiency than any other motor of the fraction drive system.
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3. A traction drive system, comprising:
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a first electric motor having a first performance profile and a first shaft selectably connected to a main shaft by a first engagement device; a second electric motor having a second performance profile distinct from the first performance profile and a second shaft selectably connected to the main shaft by a second engagement device; and
,a third electric motor having a third performance profile distinct from each of the first performance profile and the second performance profile and a third shaft selectably connected to the main shaft by a third engagement device when a sensed parameter satisfies a third criterion, the third criterion defining at least one of;
(a) a range of motor speeds (RPM) at which the third motor provides at least as much output as any other motor of the traction drive system and (b) a range of output that the third motor is capable of providing to satisfy a demand placed on the fraction drive system at a greater efficiency than any other motor of the traction drive system. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6)
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7. A method, comprising:
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sensing a parameter of a drivetrain system; if the parameter satisfies a first criterion, providing output from a first electric motor to a main shaft of the drivetrain system, the first motor having a first performance profile; if the parameter satisfies a second criterion, providing output from a second electric motor to the main shaft of the drivetrain system, the second motor having a second performance profile distinct from the first performance profile; and
,if the parameter satisfies a third criterion, providing output from a third electric motor to the main shaft of the drivetrain system, the third motor having a second performance profile.
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Specification