Multiple induction electric motor and vehicle

• US 8,950,529 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2013
• Issued: 02/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Multiple Electric Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Multiple Electric Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Ross, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): WALTERS, JOHN DANIEL
• Application Number:
  US14/046,727
• Publication Number:
  US 20140103658A1
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.285, 180/65.51, 180/65.1, 903/906, 310/112, 310/114, 310/211, 310/212, 318/807, 318/808, 318/503, 318/727
• US Class Current: 180/65.285
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/00 Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units B60K7/00 takes precedence; arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion B60K6/00; electric transmission arrangements B60K17/12; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles per se B60L; current-collectors for power supply lines of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/07 of gas tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0438 Arrangement under the floor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0638 the fuel tank is arranged in the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/20 AC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/20 DC electrical machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/36 Temperature of vehicle components or parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/145 Structure borne vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0023 Detecting, eliminating, remedying or compensating for drive train abnormalities, e.g. failures within the drive train
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0092 with use of redundant elements for safety purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/51 Photovoltaic means
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/52 Wind-driven generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/10 for monitoring or controlling batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/143 : Busses
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/91 : Electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 16/02 : Machines with one stator and two or more rotors
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 27/00 : Arrangements or methods for the control of AC motors characterised by the kind of supply voltage of two or more motors H02P5/00; of synchronous motors with electronic commutators H02P6/00; of DC motors H02P7/00; of stepping motors H02P8/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 27/04 : using variable-frequency supply voltage, e.g. inverter or converter supply voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 5/69 : mechanically coupled by gearing
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 6/04 : Arrangements for controlling or regulating the speed or torque of more than one motor H02P6/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/02 : Details of the control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 : Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/906 : Motor or generator

Abstract

A novel multiple induction electric motor system that separately produces synchronized variable frequency alternating current control signals and using multiple induction electric motors, produces synchronized rotating magnetic fields responsive to the control signals, induces magnetic fields around a conductor in inductive rotors responsive to the rotating magnetic fields and applies rotational forces between the rotating magnetic fields and the induced magnetic fields to a common shaft of the multiple motors. The common shaft sums the rotational forces and transmits the rotational forces to a drive wheel. Such a system can be implemented using two, three or more synchronized induction electric motors, and respective elements thereof, wherein the stator and rotor laminations can be arranged, stacked and/or otherwise configured such that the multiple induction electric motors operate at lower temperatures and at higher efficiencies.

Claims

1. A method for reducing an operating temperature of a driving system and thereby reducing an operating current of the driving system, comprising:

receiving a direct current power input;

producing a first variable frequency alternating current control signal from said direct current power input;

separately producing a second variable frequency alternating current control signal from said direct current power input, synchronized to said first variable frequency alternating current control signal;

producing a first rotational force in response to said first variable frequency alternating current control signal, and applying said first rotational force to a shaft; and

separately producing a second rotational force in response to said second variable frequency alternating current control signal, and applying said second rotational force to said shaft, said shaft summing said first rotational force with said second rotational force.

2. The method for reducing an operating temperature of a driving system and thereby reducing an operating current of the driving system of claim 1, wherein producing said first rotational force comprises:

producing a first rotating magnetic field responsive to said first variable frequency alternating current control signal;

inducing a first induced magnetic field around a conductor in a first inductive rotor, responsive to said first rotating magnetic field; and

applying said first rotational force between said first rotating magnetic field and said first induced magnetic field to said shaft.

3. The method for reducing an operating temperature of a driving system and thereby reducing an operating current of the driving system of claim 1, wherein producing said second rotational force comprises:

producing a second rotating magnetic field, responsive to said second variable frequency alternating current control signal and synchronized to said first rotating magnetic field;

inducing a second induced magnetic field around a conductor in a second inductive rotor, responsive to said second rotating magnetic field; and

applying said second rotational force between said second rotating magnetic field and said second induced magnetic field to said shaft.

4. The method for reducing an operating temperature of a driving system and thereby reducing an operating current of the driving system of claim 1, wherein said first and second rotational force is applied in a generator application of one of a wind turbine and steam turbine, or is applied in an induction motor application of one of a locomotive, submarine, pump and air compressor.

5. A system for reducing an operating temperature when turning a shaft, comprising:

a first variable frequency motor drive controller, wherein said first variable frequency motor drive controller is configured to produce a first variable frequency alternating current control signal in response to an operating signal;

a second variable frequency motor drive controller, wherein said second variable frequency motor drive controller is configured to separately produce a second variable frequency alternating current control signal in response to said operating signal and synchronized to said first variable frequency alternating current control signal;

a first inductive rotor rigidly joined to a shaft for applying a first rotational force to said shaft in response to said first variable frequency alternating current, control signal; and

at least a second inductive rotor rigidly joined to said shaft for applying a second rotational force to said shaft in response to said second variable frequency alternating current control signal, said shaft summing said first rotational force with said second rotational force.

6. The system for reducing an operating temperature when turning a shaft of claim 5, further comprising;

a first stator for producing a first rotating magnetic field responsive to said first variable frequency alternating current control signal, and

said first inductive rotor inducing a first induced magnetic field around a conductor in said first inductive rotor, responsive to said first rotating magnetic field,

said first inductive rotor rigidly joined to said shaft for applying said first rotational force between said first rotating magnetic field and said first induced magnetic field to said shaft.

7. The system for reducing an operating temperature when turning a shaft of claim 6, further comprising:

a second stator for producing a second rotating magnetic field, responsive to said second variable frequency alternating current control signal and synchronized to said first rotating magnetic field, and

said second inductive rotor for inducing a second induced magnetic field around a conductor in said second inductive rotor, responsive to said second rotating magnetic field,

said second inductive rotor rigidly joined to said shaft for applying said second rotational force between said second rotating magnetic field and said second induced magnetic field to said shaft, said shaft summing said first rotational force with said second rotational force.

8. The system for reducing an operating temperature when turning a shaft of claim 7, wherein:

said second stator comprises a plurality of stator laminates stacked together; and

said second inductive rotor comprises a plurality of rotor laminates stacked together,

wherein said second stator and second inductive rotor is shortened by one lamination at each end of said second stator and second inductive rotor, and

wherein said second stator and second inductive rotor each has a stacking factor of at least 98 percent.

9. The system for reducing an operating temperature when turning a shaft of claim 8, wherein;

said plurality of stator laminates of said second stator are rotated relative to adjacent stator laminates; and

said plurality of rotor laminates of said second inductive rotor are rotated relative to adjacent rotor laminates.

10. The system for reducing an operating temperature when turning a shaft of claim 7, wherein said first and second stator each further comprises at least one of form-wound wire windings and wire round-wound windings.

11. The system for reducing an operating temperature when turning a shaft of claim 10, wherein said at least one of said form-wound wire windings and wire round-wound windings is selected on a basis of a core-loss test of said rotor and said stator before application of a winding.

12. The system for reducing an operating temperature when turning a shaft of claim 7, wherein said first and second rotational force is applied in a generator application of one of a wind turbine and steam turbine, or is applied in an induction motor application of one of a locomotive, submarine, pump and air compressor.

13. The system for reducing an operating temperature when turning a shaft of claim 6, wherein:

said first stator comprises a plurality of stator laminates stacked together; and

said first inductive rotor comprises a plurality of rotor laminates stacked together,

wherein said first stator and first inductive rotor is shortened by one lamination at each end of said first stator and first inductive rotor, and

wherein said first stator and first inductive rotor each has a stacking factor of at least 98 percent.

14. The system for reducing an operating temperature when turning a shaft of claim 13, wherein:

said plurality of stator laminates of said first stator are rotated relative to adjacent stator laminates; and

said plurality of rotor laminates of said first inductive rotor are rotated relative to adjacent rotor laminates.

15. The system for reducing an operating temperature when turning a shaft of claim 5, wherein said first and second inductive rotors each comprises a squirrel cage rotor.

16. A system for reducing an operating temperature and an operating current when driving a shaft, comprising:

a first variable frequency motor drive controller and a second variable frequency motor drive controller,

wherein said first variable frequency motor drive controller is configured to produce a first variable frequency alternating current control signal in response to an operating signal, and

said second variable frequency motor drive controller is configured to separately produce a second variable frequency alternating current control signal in response to said operating signal and synchronized to said first variable frequency alternating current control signal;

a potentiometer, configured to provide said operating signal to said first and second controller;

a first stator and a first inductive rotor for inducing a first induced magnetic field around a conductor in said first inductive rotor, responsive to said first rotating magnetic field, said first inductive rotor rigidly joined to a shaft for applying a first rotational force to a shaft; and

a second stator and a second inductive rotor for inducing a second induced magnetic field around a conductor in said second inductive rotor, responsive to said second rotating magnetic field, said second inductive rotor rigidly joined to a shaft for applying a second rotational force to said shaft, said shaft summing said first rotational force with said second rotational force.

17. The system for reducing an operating temperature and an operating current when turning a shaft of claim 16, wherein said potentiometer comprises at least one of a torque control pedal and a brake pedal.

18. The system for reducing an operating temperature and an operating current when turning a shaft of claim 16, wherein said operating signal is configured to synchronize said separately produced second variable frequency alternating current control signal to said first variable frequency alternating current control signal.

19. The system for reducing an operating temperature and an operating current when turning a shaft of claim 16, wherein said first and second rotational force is applied in a generator application of one of a wind turbine and steam turbine, or is applied in an induction motor application of one of a locomotive, submarine, pump and air compressor.

20. A system for reducing an operating temperature and an operating current when turning a shaft, comprising:

a first motor drive controller and a first motor;

a second motor drive controller and a second motor,

wherein said first motor drive controller is configured to produce a first control signal in response to an operating signal for driving said first motor, and

said second motor drive controller is configured to separately produce a second control signal synchronized to said first control signal in response to said operating signal for driving said second motor; and

a shaft for summing a rotational force of said first motor with a rotational force of said second motor.

21. The system for reducing an operating temperature and an operating current when turning a shaft of claim 20, wherein;

said first motor comprises a first stator and a first inductive rotor of said first motor for inducing a first induced magnetic field around a conductor in said first inductive rotor, responsive to said first rotating magnetic field, said first inductive rotor rigidly joined to said shaft for applying said first rotational force to said shaft; and

said second motor comprises a second stator and a second inductive rotor for inducing a second induced magnetic field around a conductor in said second inductive rotor, responsive to said second rotating magnetic field, said second inductive rotor rigidly joined to said shaft for applying said second rotational force to said shaft.

22. The system for reducing an operating temperature and an operating current when turning a shaft of claim 20, further comprising:

a third motor drive controller and a third motor, wherein said third motor drive controller is configured to separately produce a third control signal synchronized to said first control signal in response to said operating signal for driving said third motor, and

wherein said third motor comprises a third stator and a third inductive rotor of said third motor for inducing a third induced magnetic field around a conductor in said third inductive rotor, responsive to said third rotating magnetic field, said third inductive rotor rigidly joined to said shaft for applying said third rotational force to said shaft for summing a rotational force of said first motor with a rotational force of said second motor and with a rotational force of said third motor.

23. The system for reducing an operating temperature and an operating, current when turning a shaft of claim 22, wherein said first, second and third rotational force is applied in a generator application of one of a wind turbine and steam turbine, or is applied in an induction motor application of one of a locomotive, submarine, pump and air compressor.