Hybrid vehicle

• US 9,969,253 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2014
• Issued: 05/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation (AB Volvo)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation (AB Volvo)
• Inventors: West, Martin, Sebestyen, Richard, Simonsson, John, Storm, Jonas
• Primary Examiner(s): Tra, Quan
• Application Number:
  US14/906,920
• Publication Number:
  US 20160152129A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,379 Days
• Field of Search: 307 101
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/20 the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/22 characterised by apparatus, components or means specially adapted for HEVs
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/28 characterised by the electric energy storing means, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/36 Vehicles designed to transport cargo, e.g. trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/10 DC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/30 AC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/40 DC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/12 Induction machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/14 Synchronous machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/622 by satellite navigation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/28 Four wheel or all wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 5/36 with means for collecting current simultaneously from more than one conductor, e.g. from more than one phase
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/30 using propulsion power stored mechanically, e.g. in fly-wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/14 for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/92 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/182 : Selecting between different operative modes, e.g. comfort and performance modes
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/21 : External power supplies
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/212 : by power from overhead cables using trolleys
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2410/115 : Electric wiring; Electric connectors
• 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 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/904 : Component specially adapted for hev

Abstract

A hybrid energy system is provided in a vehicle including an autonomous power supply and being connectable to an external power supply infrastructure along the route of the vehicle, and which vehicle is arranged to operate in an autonomous power supply mode and/or in an external power supply mode. The system includes a first high voltage circuit including a first traction motor connected to an energy storage system by a first power converter for propelling the vehicle; a second high voltage circuit including a second traction motor connectable to an external power supply by a second power converter for propelling the vehicle; and where the first high voltage circuit and the second high voltage circuit are connectable by a third power converter between the first and the second power converters. A method for operating the hybrid energy system is also provided.

Claims

1. Hybrid energy system in a vehicle comprising an autonomous power supply and being connectable to an external power supply infrastructure along the route of the vehicle, and which vehicle is arranged to operate in an autonomous power supply mode and/or in an external power supply mode, wherein the system comprises a first high voltage circuit comprising a first traction motor connected to an energy storage system by a first power converter for propelling the vehicle;

a second high voltage circuit comprising a second traction motor connectable to an external power supply by a second power converter for propelling the vehicle; and

where the first high voltage circuit and the second high voltage circuit are connectable by a third power converter between the first and the second power converters, wherein a controllable switch is connected in parallel with the third power converter, and that the switch is arranged to by-pass the third power converter when closed.

2. Hybrid energy system according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second power converters are DC/AC power converters.

3. Hybrid energy system according to claim 1, wherein the third power converter is a DC/DC power converter.

4. Hybrid energy system according to claim 1, wherein the energy storage system is a high voltage battery.

5. Hybrid energy system according to claim 1, wherein the autonomous power supply comprises an internal combustion engine connected to the first traction motor.

6. Hybrid energy system according to claim 1, wherein the second high voltage circuit is connectable to an external power supply in the form of overhead wires or a rail.

7. Hybrid energy system according to claim 1, wherein the first traction motor and the second traction motor are connected to individual driven axles.

8. Hybrid energy system according to claim 1, wherein the first traction motor and the second traction motor are connected to one driven axle.

16. Vehicle Wherein the vehicle is a commercial vehicle comprising a hybrid energy system according to claim 1.

9. Method for operating hybrid energy system in a vehicle comprising;

an autonomous power supply and being connectable to an external power supply infrastructure along the route of the vehicle;

a first high voltage circuit comprising a first traction motor for propelling the vehicle connected to an energy storage system by a first power converter (207;

307);

a second high voltage circuit comprising a second traction motor for propelling the vehicle connectable to an external power supply by a second power converter;

and where the first high voltage circuit and the second high voltage circuit are connectable by a third power converter and by a parallel controllable switch between the first and the second power converters,

the method comprising

operating the hybrid energy system in alternative modes, comprising at least;

an autonomous power supply mode involves operating the first traction motor using the energy storage system;

an external power supply mode involves connecting the third power converter and operating one or both of the first and second traction motors using the external power supply; and

a combined autonomous and external power supply mode involves operating the first traction motor using the energy storage system and the second traction motor using the external power supply.

10. Method according to claim 9, comprising operating the hybrid energy system in an alternative autonomous power supply mode involving bypassing the third power converter and operating both of the first and second traction motors using the energy storage system.

11. Method according to claim 9, comprising operating the hybrid energy system in an alternative external power supply mode by bypassing the third power converter, disconnecting the energy storage system and operating both the first and second traction motors using the external power supply.

12. Method according to claim 9, comprising operating the hybrid energy system in a regenerative mode where the second traction motor is driven using the external power supply to drive a ground engaging element, and driving the first traction motor using a further ground engaging element for charging the energy storage system.

13. Method according to claim 9, comprising operating the hybrid energy system in a regenerative mode where power is supplied to the external power supply by bypassing the third power converter and operating one or both of the first and second traction motors using ground engaging elements.

14. Method according to claim 9, comprising operating the hybrid energy system in a regenerative mode where power is supplied to the energy storage system by disconnecting the external power supply and bypassing the third power converter and operating one or both of the first and second traction motors using ground engaging elements.

15. Method according to claim 9, comprising operating the hybrid energy system in an external power supply mode by connecting the first and second traction motors and disconnecting them from the vehicle driveline, and driving the first traction motor using the second traction motor to charge the energy storage system.

17. A computer comprising program code for performing all the steps of claim 9 when the program is run on the computer.

18. A computer program product comprising program code stored on a computer readable medium for performing all steps of claim 9 when the program product is run on a computer.

19. A non-transitory storage medium for use in a computing environment co comprising a computer readable program code to perform the method of claim 9.