Power capacitors for AC motors mounted diametrically on associated transmissions

• US 20080174261A1
• Filed: 01/23/2007
• Published: 07/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: Alex Thompson, Brian A. Welchko, Terence G. Ward
• Inventors: Ward, Terence G., Welchko, Brian A., Thompson, Alex
• Granted Patent: US 7,652,447 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/778
• 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 6/40 characterised by the assembly or relative disposition of components
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/40 DC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/485 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 Temperature
• 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 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/20 having different nominal voltages
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/26 by cooling
• 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

Abstract

Power capacitors for AC motors are mounted diametrically on associated transmissions. The power capacitors are in one embodiment annular and in another embodiment, arcuate. By having power capacitors mounted on transmission housings diametrically, cooling of the power capacitors is facilitated for both air and liquid cooling.

Claims

1. A drive assembly for a vehicle comprising:

an AC motor coupled to a transmission encased within a housing having proximal and distal ends;

an inverter coupled to the AC motor, wherein the inverter is axially mounted and integral with the AC motor thereby creating an electric drive unit, wherein the inverter is configured to convert direct current to alternating current; and

a power capacitor diametrically mounted on the housing of the transmission and electrically connected to the inverter of the electric drive unit of the AC motor.

2. The drive assembly of claim 1 wherein the power capacitor is annular.

3. The drive assembly of claim 2 wherein the power capacitor is disposed at the proximal end of the transmission housing adjacent the AC motor.

4. The drive assembly of claim 2 wherein the power capacitor extends at least from the proximal end of the transmission to the distal end.

5. The drive assembly of claim 2 wherein the power capacitor has an axial length greater than the axial length of the transmission.

6. The drive assembly of claim 2 wherein the power capacitor has an axial length less than the axial length of the transmission.

7. The drive assembly of claim 1 wherein the power capacitor is arcuate and has first and second ends separated by a gap.

8. The drive assembly of claim 7 wherein the power capacitor is positioned on the housing with the gap facing downwardly.

9. The drive assembly of claim 7 wherein the power capacitor has an arcuate length of about 270°

.

10. The drive assembly of claim 1 wherein the power capacitor is air cooled.

11. The drive assembly of claim 1 wherein the power capacitor is liquid cooled and further including a heat exchanger connected to the capacitor to remove heat from liquid cooling the capacitor.

12. The drive assembly of claim 1 further comprising a fuel cell coupled to the inverter of the electric drive unit.

13. The drive assembly of claim 7, wherein the power capacitor is further divided into a plurality of arcuate sections.