Low voltage electrical vehicle propulsion system using double layer capacitors

• US 20070007939A1
• Filed: 05/16/2006
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tesla Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tesla Inc.
• Inventors: Miller, John, Smith, Richard
• Application Number:
  US11/436,964
• Publication Number:
  US 20070007939A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 323/299
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/26 characterised by the motors or the generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/28 characterised by the electric energy storing means, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/365 with the gears having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/445 Differential gearing distribution type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/448 Electrical distribution type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/12 Buck converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/14 Boost converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• 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 58/20 having different nominal voltages
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/102 the input or output shaft of the transmission is connected or connectable to two or more differentials
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• 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

Abstract

A hybrid vehicle propulsion system with a double-layer capacitor is provided. A low voltage double-layer capacitor energy storage system provides power to a hybrid vehicle propulsion system. A boost converter boosts the voltage of the double-layer capacitor system to a higher operating voltage to power at least one motor/generator of the propulsion system.

Claims

1. A hybrid vehicle propulsion system comprising:

a transmission; and

a plurality of double-layer capacitors rated at about sixty volts DC, the capacitors coupled to the transmission to provide power to the transmission.

2. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1 wherein the transmission is configured in a compound split configuration.

3. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1 wherein the transmission is configured in a compound split configuration electronic continuously variable transmission system.

4. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1 wherein the transmission is configured in a single mode configuration.

5. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1 wherein the transmission is configured in a single mode configuration electronic continuously variable transmission system.

6. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1 further comprising a DC-DC converter used to raise the voltage of the capacitors to above about sixty volts DC.

7. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1 wherein a voltage level of the plurality of double-layer capacitors is provided to at least one motor/generator of the transmission via a converter.

8. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 7 wherein the converter comprises a DC-DC converter.

9. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 8 wherein the converter comprises a boost/buck DC-DC converter.

10. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 8 further comprising an inverter disposed between the converter and the motor/generator.

11. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1 wherein a voltage level of the plurality of double-layer capacitors is raised via a floating bus.

12. A hybrid propulsion system comprising:

an electrical propulsion system; and

a plurality of double-layer capacitors coupled to the electrical propulsion system, the capacitors rated to provide no more than about sixty volts DC.

13. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 12 wherein the plurality of double-layer capacitors are configured in a double-layer capacitor module.

14. A hybrid propulsion system comprising:

an internal combustion engine;

a transmission; and

a plurality of double-layer capacitors coupled to the transmission, the capacitors capable of providing no more than about sixty volts DC.

15. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 14 further comprising a DC-DC converter, the converter coupled between the transmission and the plurality of capacitors.

16. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 15 wherein the DC-DC converter is used to boost the voltage of the capacitors to a level above about sixty volts DC.

17. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 15 wherein the DC-DC converter comprises a boost/buck DC-DC converter.

18. A hybrid propulsion system for a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid propulsion system comprising:

an internal combustion engine;

a transmission rated to operate above a given voltage; and

a plurality of double-layer capacitors rated to provide less than the given voltage.

19. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 18 wherein the given voltage is about sixty volts DC.

20. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 18 wherein the given voltage is about 100 volts DC.

21. The hybrid propulsion system of claim 18 wherein the given voltage is about 144 volts DC.