Schedule-based methods and systems for controlling hybrid marine propulsion systems

• US 8,725,329 B1
• Filed: 02/07/2013
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
• Original Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
• Inventors: Snyder, Matthew W., Kirchhoff, Thomas S., Arbuckle, Jason S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marc-Coleman, Marthe
• Application Number:
  US13/762,089
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 701/21, 440/6, 440/1, 440/3, 440/84, 180/65.21, 180/65.245, 180/65.29, 320/104, 320119-121
• US Class Current: 701/21
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 20/14 Transmission between propulsion power unit and propulsion element
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2020/003 Arrangements of two, or more outboard propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2021/202 of hybrid electric type
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2021/205 the second power unit being of the internal combustion engine type, or the like, e.g. a Diesel engine
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2021/216 using electric control means
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/20 the vessels being powered by combinations of different types of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/213 Levers or the like for controlling the engine or the transmission, e.g. single hand control levers
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 23/12 allowing combined use of the propulsion power units
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/5236 Renewable or hybrid-electric solutions

Abstract

Systems and methods are for controlling of a hybrid propulsion system for a marine vessel. A control circuit controls an electric motor-generator according to at least two modes, including a first mode wherein the electric motor-generator receives power from a battery and rotates a driveshaft to drive a propulsor and a second mode wherein the electric motor-generator generates power to charge the battery based upon torque from an internal combustion engine. A time criteria and at least one user-desired operational characteristic of at least one of the internal combustion engine, electric motor-generator, and battery are input to the control circuit. Based on the time criteria and user-desired operational characteristic, the control circuit calculates a schedule for at least one of charging the battery with the electric motor-generator and discharging the battery to a house load of the marine vessel. The control circuit further controls operation of the electric motor-generator according to the schedule.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a hybrid propulsion system for a marine vessel, the method comprising:

controlling with a control circuit an electric motor-generator according to at least two modes, including a first mode wherein the electric motor-generator receives power from a battery and rotates a driveshaft to drive a propulsor and a second mode wherein the electric motor-generator generates power to charge the battery based upon torque from an internal combustion engine;

inputting to the control circuit a time criteria and at least one user-desired operational characteristic of at least one of the internal combustion engine, electric motor-generator, and battery;

based on the time criteria and user-desired operational characteristic, calculating with the control circuit a schedule for at least one of charging the battery with the electric motor-generator and discharging the battery to a house load of the marine vessel; and

controlling with the control circuit operation of the electric motor-generator according to the schedule.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the time criteria comprises a time of day.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the time criteria comprises a time period having a start time and an end time.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user-desired operational characteristic comprises a target state of charge of the battery, and wherein the schedule calculated by the control circuit comprises controlling operation of the electric motor-generator to charge the battery to the target state of charge within the time criteria.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user-desired operational characteristic comprises a target rate of charge of the battery, and wherein the schedule calculated by the control circuit comprises controlling operation of the electric motor-generator to charge the battery at the target rate of charge within the time criteria.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user-desired operational characteristic comprises continuous charging of the battery, and wherein the schedule calculated by the control circuit comprises controlling operation of the electric-motor generator to continuously charge the battery within the time criteria.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user-desired operational characteristic comprises a delayed charging of the battery, and wherein the schedule calculated by the control circuit comprises delaying operation of the electric-motor generator to delay charging of the battery within the time criteria.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user-desired operational characteristic comprises an on-off state of the internal combustion engine;

and wherein the schedule calculated by the control circuit comprises controlling the on-off state of the internal combustion engine within the time criteria.

9. The method according to claim 1, comprising sensing a carbon monoxide level in atmosphere proximate the marine vessel and further comprising comparing with the control circuit the carbon monoxide level to a threshold and then altering the schedule when the carbon monoxide level is greater than the threshold.

10. The method according to claim 1, comprising sensing a fuel level of the system and further comprising comparing with the control circuit the fuel level to a threshold and then altering the schedule when the fuel level is less than the threshold.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the time criteria comprises a time period having a beginning and an end, and wherein the user-desired operational characteristic comprises a target maximum state of charge of the battery at the beginning of the time period and a target minimum state of charge of the battery at the end of the time period;

and wherein the schedule calculated by the control circuit comprises controlling operation of the electric motor-generator to charge the battery to the target maximum state of charge at the beginning of the time period and thereafter controlling operation of the electric motor-generator to achieve the target minimum state of charge at the end of the time period.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the time criteria further comprises a delayed charging of the battery, wherein the schedule calculated by the control circuit comprises delaying charging of the battery by delaying operation of the electric motor-generator for part of the time period.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the time criteria further comprises a target rate of charge of the battery, and wherein the schedule calculated by the control circuit comprises controlling operation of the electric-motor generator to charge the battery at the target rate of charge.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the user-desired operational characteristic comprises an on-off state of the internal combustion engine and further wherein the schedule calculated by the control circuit comprises controlling the on-off state of the internal combustion engine within the time period.

15. A hybrid propulsion system for a marine vessel comprising:

a marine propulsor coupled to a driveshaft, wherein the propulsor propels the marine vessel upon rotation of the driveshaft;

an internal combustion engine;

an electric motor-generator coupled to the internal combustion engine so that torque from the internal combustion can be received by the electric motor-generator;

wherein the electric motor-generator operates in at least two modes, including a first mode wherein the electric motor-generator rotates the driveshaft to drive the propulsor and a second mode wherein the electric motor-generator generates power based upon torque from the internal combustion engine;

a battery electrically coupled to the electric motor-generator;

wherein the battery provides power to the electric motor-generator in the first mode and is charged by the electric motor-generator in the second mode, and further wherein the battery also is electrically coupled to and discharges power to a house load of the marine vessel;

a control circuit that controls operation of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor-generator in the first mode and in the second mode; and

a user input device that inputs a time criteria and at least one user-desired operational characteristic of at least one of the internal combustion engine, electric motor-generator, and battery;

wherein based on the time criteria and the user-desired operational characteristic, the control circuit calculates a schedule for charging the battery by operating the electric motor-generator and discharging the battery to the house load of the marine vessel; and

wherein the control circuit controls operation of the electric motor-generator in at least the second mode and according to the schedule.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the time criteria comprises a time of day.

17. The system according to claim 15, wherein the time criteria comprises a time period having a start time and an end time.

18. The system according to claim 15, wherein the user-desired operational characteristic comprises a target state of charge of the battery and further wherein according to the schedule calculated by the control circuit, the electric motor-generator is operated to charge the battery to the target state of charge within the time criteria.

19. The system according to claim 15, wherein the user-desired operational characteristic comprises a target rate of charge of the battery and further wherein according to the schedule calculated by the control circuit, the electric motor-generator is operated to charge the battery at the target rate of charge within the time criteria.

20. The system according to claim 15, wherein the user-desired operational characteristic comprises a continuous charging of the battery and further wherein according to the schedule calculated by the control circuit, the electric motor generator is continuously operated to continuously charge the battery within the time criteria.

21. The system according to claim 15, wherein the user-desired operational characteristic comprises a delayed charging of the battery and wherein according to the schedule calculated by the control circuit operation of the electric motor-generator is delayed so as to delay charging of the battery within the time criteria.

22. The system according to claim 15, wherein the user-desired operational characteristic comprises an on-off state of the internal combustion engine and further wherein according to the schedule calculated by the control circuit, the on-off state of the internal combustion engine is controlled within the time criteria.

23. The system according to claim 15, comprising a carbon monoxide sensor that senses and communicates a carbon monoxide level in atmosphere proximate to the marine vessel to the control circuit;

wherein the control circuit compares the carbon monoxide level to a threshold and then alters the schedule when the carbon monoxide level is greater than the threshold.

24. The system according to claim 15, comprising a fuel level sensor that senses and communicates fuel level of the system to the control circuit;

wherein the control circuit compares of the fuel level to a threshold and then alters the schedule when the fuel level is less than the threshold.