Hybrid electric drive system and method

• US 9,956,881 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2014
• Issued: 05/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autonomous Tractor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Autonomous Tractor Corporation
• Inventors: Anderson, Terry
• Primary Examiner(s): Restifo, Jeffrey J
• Application Number:
  US14/915,599
• Publication Number:
  US 20160214487A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,342 Days
• Field of Search: 180 65265, 180 65275, 180 684
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/02 with liquid cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/04 Arrangement or mounting of radiators, radiator shutters, or radiator blinds B60K11/085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/00 Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines ; Control systems therefor, i.e. systems controlling two or more prime movers, or controlling one of these prime movers and any of the transmission, drive or drive units arrangement or mounting in vehicles of electrical gearing, in which an electrical machine serves only as reduction gearing and not as the prime mover and in which no electrical storing means are used B60K17/12; control and regulation of purely electrical prime movers B60L; prime-movers comprising electrical and internal combustion motors in a common engine block or housing per se F02B65/00; electric motors or motor-generators used for starting the combustion engine F02N11/04; electric motors for synchronising gearing F16H3/12 Informative references: mechanical gearings with secondary electric drive F16H3/72; arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with the dynamo-electric machine H02K7/00; machines comprising structurally interrelated motor and generator parts H02K51/00; dynamo-electric machines not otherwise provided for in H02K see H02K99/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/40 characterised by the assembly or relative disposition of components
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/10 using propulsion power supplied by engine-driven generators, e.g. generators driven by combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 17/02 Systems, e.g. central lubrication systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 11/10 transmitting by fluid means, e.g. hydraulic
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/24 of continuously flexible type, e.g. rubber belts
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/951 Assembly or relative location of components

Abstract

A hybrid drive system and associated methods are described that include an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, and a liquid cooling system. In one example, the liquid cooling system includes an oil circulation system that cools selected components, and lubricates selected components.

Claims

1. A hybrid drive system, comprising:

an internal combustion engine;

at least one electric motor;

an electric generator mechanically coupled to the internal combustion engine, and electrically coupled to the electric motor;

electronics to control the drive system;

a pressurized liquid circulation system, coupled to the internal combustion engine, the electric motor, and the electronics; and

an emergency brake system coupled to the pressurized liquid circulation system, wherein one or more brakes are released only when pressure is maintained in the pressurized liquid circulation system.

2. The hybrid drive system of claim 1, wherein the liquid circulation system includes an oil circulation system.

3. The hybrid drive system of claim 2, wherein the oil circulation system is coupled to cool a rectifier in the generator.

4. The hybrid drive system of claim 3, wherein the oil circulation system is coupled in series to the internal combustion engine, the rectifier, the electronics, the electric motor, and the gear box.

5. The hybrid drive system of claim 1, further including a gear box coupled between the electric motor and one or more drive wheels.

6. The hybrid drive system of claim 1, wherein the oil circulation system includes a first radiator, and the internal combustion engine includes a second radiator, and further including a single fan configured to blow across both the first and second radiator.

7. The hybrid drive system of claim 1, wherein the internal combustion engine includes a diesel engine.

8. An autonomous vehicle, comprising:

an internal combustion engine;

at least one electric motor;

an electric generator mechanically coupled to the internal combustion engine, and electrically coupled to the electric motor;

a number of drive wheels mounted to the frame, and electrically coupled to the electric motor;

a pressurized oil circulation system, coupled to the internal combustion engine, and the electric motor; and

an emergency brake system coupled to the pressurized oil circulation system, wherein one or more brakes in the number of drive wheels are released only when pressure is maintained in the pressurized oil circulation system.

9. The autonomous vehicle of claim 8, wherein the pressurized oil circulation system is further coupled to cool drive system electronics.

10. The autonomous vehicle of claim 9, wherein the pressurized oil circulation system is further coupled to cool a rectifier in the electric generator.

11. The autonomous vehicle of claim 8, wherein the pressurized oil circulation system includes a first radiator, and the internal combustion engine includes a second radiator, and further including a single fan configured to blow across both the first and second radiator.

12. The autonomous vehicle of claim 8, further including a pair of track belts running over the drive wheels on sides of the vehicle frame.

13. The autonomous vehicle of claim 8, wherein the internal combustion engine further includes a pair of diesel engines.