Electrical system of a mobile machine

• US 20070023210A1
• Filed: 07/28/2005
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Ehrenhardt, Kevin, Bernardi, John, Morrical, Brian, Goldammer, Timothy
• Application Number:
  US11/190,952
• Publication Number:
  US 20070023210A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/26 characterised by the motors or the generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/485 Motor-assist type
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/02 including control of driveline clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/10 Controlling the power contribution of each of the prime movers to meet required power demand
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

A mobile machine includes a propulsion system configured to propel the mobile machine. The mobile machine may also include an electrical system mounted to the machine. The electrical system may include a first power source, a second power source, a power-transmission system connected to one or more power loads, and power-supply controls. The power-supply controls may be configured to execute a control method, including executing a power-source transition. Executing the power-source transition may include disconnecting the first power source from the power-transmission system, waiting for satisfaction of at least one predetermined condition, and connecting the second power source to the power-transmission system.

Claims

1. A mobile machine, comprising:

a propulsion system configured to propel the machine;

an electrical system mounted to the machine, wherein the electrical system includes;

a first power source;

a second power source;

a power-transmission system connected to one or more power loads;

power-supply controls configured to execute a control method, including;

executing a power-source transition, including;

disconnecting the first power source from the power-transmission system;

waiting for satisfaction of at least one predetermined condition; and

connecting the second power source to the power-transmission system.

2. The mobile machine of claim 1, wherein the control method further includes determining whether the first power source should be connected to the power-transmission system dependent upon one or more operating conditions of the propulsion system.

3. The mobile machine of claim 1, wherein the one or more power loads connected to the power-transmission system include one or more components of the propulsion system.

4. The mobile machine of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition relates to the state of electrification of at least one portion of the power-transmission system.

5. The mobile machine of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition includes the voltage level in a portion of the power-transmission system dropping below a predetermined level.

6. The mobile machine of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition includes the voltage level in a portion of the power-transmission system dropping below a predetermined level for a predetermined period.

7. The mobile machine of claim 1, wherein the power-supply controls are configured to cause only one of the first power source and the second power source to supply power to the power-transmission system at any given time.

8. The mobile machine of claim 7, wherein the predetermined condition relates to a state of electrification of the power-transmission system.

9. The mobile machine of claim 7, wherein the predetermined condition includes the voltage in a portion of the power-transmission system dropping below a predetermined level.

10. The mobile machine of claim 7, wherein:

the first and second power sources include two of a prime-mover-driven motor generator type power source, a shore power interface type power source, and an auxiliary power unit type power source; and

the first and second power sources are different types of power sources.

11. The mobile machine of claim 1, wherein:

the first and second powers source include two of a prime-mover-driven motor generator type power source, a shore power interface type power source, and an auxiliary power unit type power source; and

the first and second power sources are different types of power sources.

12. The mobile machine of claim 1, wherein the control method includes initiating the power-source transition when the first power source is connected to the power-transmission network, the second power-source is disconnected from the power-transmission network, and the power-source controls determine that supplying power with the second power source is preferable to supplying power with the first power source.

13. A method for operating an electrical system of a mobile machine, which electrical system includes a prime-mover-driven motor/generator power source, a second power source, a power-transmission system, and a plurality of power loads connected to the power-transmission system, the method comprising:

receiving inputs relating to operating conditions of the mobile machine;

connecting the prime-mover-driven motor/generator to the power-transmission system under a first set of predetermined conditions, including receipt of inputs indicating that the prime-mover-driven motor/generator is currently capable of supplying power; and

connecting the second power source to the power-transmission system under a second set of predetermined conditions, including at least one of receipt of inputs indicating that the prime-mover-driven motor/generator is not currently capable of supplying power and receipt of inputs indicating that the prime-mover-driven motor/generator may be malfunctioning.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein inputs indicating that the prime-mover-driven motor/generator is not currently capable of supplying power include inputs indicating that a prime mover of the mobile machine is not operating.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein inputs indicating that the prime-mover-driven motor/generator is currently capable of supplying power include inputs indicating that the prime mover is operating.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein inputs indicating that the prime-mover-driven motor/generator is currently capable of supplying power include inputs indicating that a prime mover of the mobile machine is operating.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the second power source is at least one of a shore power interface and an auxiliary power unit.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the second set of predetermined conditions further includes receipt of predetermined inputs indicating the second power source is enabled as a source of power for the electrical system.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the predetermined inputs indicating the second power source is enabled as a source of power for the electrical system include at least one of inputs indicating that the second power source is currently capable of supplying power and inputs indicating that an operator desires to enable the second power source as a source of power for the electrical system.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the second power source is a shore power interface.

21. The method of claim 13, further including:

connecting a third power source to the power-transmission system under a third set of predetermined conditions, including at least one of receipt of inputs indicating that the first power source is not currently capable of supplying power and receipt of inputs indicating that the prime-mover-driven motor/generator may be malfunctioning, and wherein the third set of predetermined conditions further includes at least one of receipt of predetermined inputs indicating the second power source is not enabled as a source of power for the electrical system, and receipt of inputs indicating that the second power source may be malfunctioning.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the second power source is a shore power interface and the third power source is an auxiliary power unit.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the third power source is an auxiliary power unit and the third set of predetermined conditions further includes receipt of inputs from an operator indicating that the operator desires enablement of the auxiliary power unit as a source of power for the electrical system.

24. A mobile machine, comprising:

a propulsion system configured to propel the mobile machine; and

an electrical system mounted to the mobile machine, wherein the electrical system includes;

a first power source;

a second power source;

a power-transmission system;

one or more power loads connected to the power-transmission system; and

power-source controls configured to execute a control method, including;

connecting the first power source to the power-transmission system;

receiving inputs related to the performance of the first power source; and

in response to receipt of inputs indicating that the first power source is malfunctioning;

disconnecting the first power source from the power-transmission system;

connecting the second power source to the power-transmission system; and

subsequently, maintaining the first power source disconnected from the power-transmission system at least until receipt of one or more predetermined inputs from an operator.

25. The mobile machine of claim 24, wherein the control method further includes determining whether the first power source should be connected to the power-transmission system dependent upon one or more operating conditions of the propulsion system.

26. The mobile machine of claim 24, wherein the one or more power loads connected to the power-transmission system include one or more components of the propulsion system.

27. The mobile machine of claim 24, wherein the one or more predetermined inputs from an operator include manipulation of a mode selector of the electrical system to request an inactive operating state of the electrical system.

28. The mobile machine of claim 27, wherein inputs indicating that the first power source is malfunctioning include predetermined inputs related to a state of electrification of the power-transmission system.

29. The mobile machine of claim 27, wherein inputs indicating that the first power source is malfunctioning include inputs indicating that the voltage in a portion of the electrical system that the first power source is connected to is outside a predetermined range.

30. The mobile machine of claim 24, wherein:

connecting the first power source to the power-transmission system includes connecting the first power source to the power-transmission system only after receipt of predetermined inputs indicating the first power source is enabled as a source of power for the electrical system; and

connecting the second power source to the power-transmission system includes connecting the second power source to the power-transmission system only after receipt of predetermined inputs indicating the second power source is enabled as a source of power for the electrical system.

31. The mobile machine of claim 24, wherein inputs indicating that the power source may be malfunctioning include inputs indicating that the voltage in a portion of the electrical system that the first power source is connected to is outside a predetermined range.