Integrated power system for delivery of power to a vehicle accessory

• US 9,126,544 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2010
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson Truck Bodies LLC (Carlisle Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Truck Bodies LLC (Carlisle Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Larson, Gerald, Peterson, Larry, McCabe, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford
• Assistant Examiner(s): DHILLON, JAGDEEP S
• Application Number:
  US12/875,378
• Publication Number:
  US 20120056474A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,831 Days
• Field of Search: 700/22, 700/297, 62/77, 622/36, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 701/29.1, 475/79, 475/78, 475/74, 180/65.22, 180/53.8, 180/65.4, 180/2.2, 320/124, 366/61
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/28 characterised by the electric energy storing means, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/14 Balancing the load in a network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/46 for ICE-powered road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/92 Energy efficient charging or discharging systems for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors specially adapted for vehicles

Abstract

The integrated power system provides for the integration of multiple sources of power for powering a vehicle accessory. The integrated power system provides a power sharing connection which provides for a balance of the load current demanded by the vehicle accessory. As a result, excessive engine loading is avoided.

Claims

1. An integrated power system for powering a vehicle accessory comprising:

a contactor for providing AC power from the integrated power system to the vehicle accessory;

a power sharing connection;

a battery package for providing DC power to said power sharing connection;

a generator for providing DC power to said power sharing connection and said battery package;

an inverter in electrical communication with said power sharing connection,

wherein said inverter converts DC power from said generator and said battery package to AC power;

a utility grid connection;

a transfer switch in communication with said inverter and with said utility grid connection, said transfer switch providing electrical isolation of said inverter from said utility grid connection, said transfer switch having a first mode of operation wherein said inverter is in electrical communication with said contactor so that said inverter delivers AC power to said contactor and a second mode of operation wherein said utility grid connection is in electrical communication with said contactor so that said utility grid connection delivers AC power to said contactor; and

a controller in communication with said inverter, said transfer switch and said utility grid connection, said controller provides a demand signal to said inverter for activating and deactivating said inverter, and said controller provides a transfer switch signal to said transfer switch to place said transfer switch in either said first mode of operation or said second mode of operation.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said power sharing connection comprises:

a DC power bus for proving DC power to said inverter;

a generator cable extending from an output of said generator to said DC power bus;

a battery cable extending from said battery package to said DC power bus; and

wherein the resistance of said generator cable is greater than the resistance of said battery cable.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the diameter of the battery cable is larger than the diameter of the generator cable.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power sharing connection comprises:

a DC power bus for providing DC power to said inverter;

a generator cable extending from an output of said generator to said DC power bus and a power sharing switch between the generator and the DC power bus;

a battery cable extending from said battery package to said DC power bus;

wherein when said power sharing switch is in an open position said generator is electrically isolated from said inverter and when said power switch is in a closed position said inverter is in electrical communication with said generator.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said controller provides a power sharing switch signal to said power sharing switch to place said power sharing switch in either said open position or said closed position.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein in response to a demand for power to the accessory, said controller provides a power sharing switch signal to said power sharing switch and said power sharing switch is opened in response to said power sharing switch signal, said controller provides a demand signal to said inverter and said inverter is activated in response to said demand signal, and subsequently a power sharing switch signal is provided to said power sharing switch to close said power sharing switch.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said power sharing connection further includes a stabilization battery in electrical communication with said output of said generator.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a charger in electrical communication with said utility grid connection and in electrical communication with said battery package and wherein AC power is provided to said battery package via said charger.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said battery package is provided by conventional batteries.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said battery package is provided by a capacitor.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising first and second contactors in communication with said transfer switch and said vehicle accessory, and wherein said controller provides a first contactor signal to said first contactor to open or close said first contactor and wherein said controller provides a second contactor signal to said second contactor to open or close said second contactor.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said generator is directly attached to the transmission of a vehicle.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power take off device, a speed change attached to said power take off device and said generator is attached to said speed changer.

2. The apparatus of claim I, wherein said controller receives a utility grid connection signal from said utility grid connection and in response a signal is provided to said transfer switch to place said transfer switch in said second mode of operation.

15. An integrated power system for powering a vehicle refrigeration system including an evaporation system comprising:

a contactor for providing AC power from the integrated power system to the evaporation system the vehicle accessory;

a power sharing connection;

a battery package for providing DC power to said power sharing connection;

a generator for providing DC power to said power sharing connection and said battery package;

an inverter in electrical communication with said power sharing connection, wherein said inverter converts DC power from said generator and said battery package to AC power;

a utility grid connection;

a transfer switch in communication with said inverter and with said utility grid connection, said transfer switch providing electrical isolation of said inverter from said utility grid connection, said transfer switch having a first mode of operation wherein said inverter is in electrical communication with said contactor so that said inverter delivers AC power to said contactor and a second mode of operation wherein said utility grid connection is in electrical communication with said contactor so that said utility grid connection delivers AC power to said contactor; and

a controller in communication with said inverter, said transfer switch and said utility grid connection, said controller provides a demand signal to said inverter for activating and deactivating said inverter, and said controller provides a transfer switch signal to said transfer switch to place said transfer switch in either said first mode of operation or said second mode of operation.

16. The integrated power system of claim 15, wherein said refrigeration system includes a defroster, the integrated power system further comprising:

a second contactor in communication with said transfer switch and said defroster.

17. The integrated power system of claim 15, wherein said refrigeration system includes a heater, the integrated power system further comprising:

a third contactor in communication with said transfer switch and said defroster.

18. A method of powering a vehicle accessory associated with a vehicle said method comprising the steps of:

providing an integrated power system for powering a vehicle accessory comprising;

a contactor in communication with said vehicle accessory for providing AC power from the integrated power system to the vehicle accessory;

a power sharing connection;

a generator for providing DC power to said power sharing connection;

a battery package for providing DC power to said power sharing connection;

an inverter in electrical communication with said power sharing connection, wherein said inverter converts DC power provided to said power sharing connection from said generator and said battery package to AC power;

a transfer switch in communication with said inverter and with a utility grid connection, said transfer switch providing electrical isolation of said inverter from said utility grid connection, said transfer switch having a first mode of operation wherein said inverter is in electrical communication with said contactor so that said inverter delivers AC power to said contactor and a second mode of operation wherein said utility grid connection is in electrical communication with said contactor so that said utility grid connection delivers AC power to said contactor; and

a controller in communication with said inverter, said transfer switch and said utility grid connection,

providing a call for power signal to said controller indicating a need for power to be supplied to the accessory;

in response to said call for power signal, providing a demand signal from said controller to said inverter to activate said inverter;

in response to said call for power signal, providing a transfer switch signal to said transfer switch to place said transfer switch in a first mode of operation;

upon activation of said inverter, converting DC power received from said power sharing connection to AC power; and

providing said AC power to said contactor through said transfer switch.