Electrical power supply system for a machine

• US 9,616,752 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2014
• Issued: 04/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: O'Donnell, Timothy M., Reetz, Wesley C., Andris, Eric M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cavallari, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US14/178,439
• Publication Number:
  US 20150224879A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/006 to power outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/40 Working vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/13 using AC generators and AC motors
• 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

Abstract

An electrical power supply system for a machine is provided. The electrical power supply system includes a generator, a primary power converter unit and an auxiliary power converter unit. The primary power converter unit is electrically coupled to the generator. The primary power converter unit includes a rectifier connected to the generator and an inverter electrically connected to the rectifier by a Direct current (DC) link. Further, the auxiliary power converter unit is electrically connected to the DC bus within the primary power converter unit.

Claims

1. A machine comprising:

a power source;

a generator driven by the power source to produce a first alternating current (AC) voltage output;

a primary power converter unit electrically connected to the generator, the primary power converter unit including;

a rectifier configured to convert the first AC voltage output from the generator to a first direct current (DC) voltage output; and

an inverter electrically coupled to the rectifier by a DC bus and configured to convert the first DC voltage output to a second AC voltage output of variable magnitude and frequency;

a set of ground engaging members configured to propel the machine;

a motor configured to receive the second AC voltage output of variable magnitude and frequency from the primary power converter unit and drive the set of ground engaging members; and

an auxiliary power converter unit removably attached to the machine and electrically connected to the DC bus within the primary power converter unit, the auxiliary power converter unit being configured to convert the first DC voltage output from the rectifier to a third AC voltage output of a predefined fixed magnitude and frequency.

2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the generator is a three-phase alternating field-type generator configured to produce the first AC voltage output in response to a rotational input from the power source.

3. The machine of claim 1, wherein the fixed frequency of the third AC voltage output is within a range from 50 Hertz to 65 Hertz.

4. The machine of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary power converter unit further includes a harmonic filter unit configured to smooth the third AC voltage output in the auxiliary power converter unit.

5. The machine of claim 1, wherein the electrical power supply system includes a power outlet receptacle configured to plug-in one or more off-board utility power modules.