MACHINE AND POWER SYSTEM WITH ELECTRICAL ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE

• US 20120173059A1
• Filed: 12/29/2010
• Published: 07/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: ANDRIS, Eric M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,606,444 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/00 Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of vehicles circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/40 Working vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/15 with additional electric power supply with capacitors charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/40; with batteries charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/61
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/20 having different nominal voltages
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2300/17 Construction vehicles, e.g. graders, excavators
• 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

Abstract

A machine includes a power system. The power system may include a prime mover drivingly connected to an electric generator. The power system may also include a power line operably connected to the electric generator. Additionally, the power system may include a first electrical energy storage device operable to exchange electricity with the power line. The power system may also include a second electrical energy storage device. The power system may further include power-system controls. The power-system controls may include a first power regulator. The power-system controls may also include at least one information processor configured to receive information related to at least one operating parameter of the power system and control the first power regulator based on the received information, including selectively controlling the first power regulator to receive electricity from the second electrical energy storage device and supply the electricity to the first electrical energy storage device.

Claims

1. A machine, comprising:

a power system, including

a prime mover drivingly connected to an electric generator;

a power line operably connected to the electric generator;

a first electrical energy storage device operable to exchange electricity with the power line;

a second electrical energy storage device; and

power-system controls, including

a first power regulator; and

at least one information processor configured to receive information related to at least one operating parameter of the power system and control the first power regulator based on the received information, including selectively controlling the first power regulator to receive electricity from the second electrical energy storage device and supply the electricity to the first electrical energy storage device.

2. The machine of claim 1, wherein selectively controlling the first power regulator to receive electricity from the second electrical energy storage device and supply the electricity to the first electrical energy storage device includes controlling the first power regulator to receive electricity from the second electrical energy storage device at a first voltage and supply the electricity to the first electrical energy storage device at a second voltage, the second voltage being higher than the first voltage.

3. The machine of claim 1, wherein the information related to at least one parameter of the power system includes information related to a state of charge of the first electrical energy storage device.

4. The machine of claim 3, wherein the at least one information processor is configured to automatically respond to first operating conditions by

causing supply of electricity from the power line to the first electrical energy storage device to partially charge the first electrical energy storage device;

and

subsequently, controlling the first power regulator to receive electricity from the second electrical energy storage device and supply the electricity to the first electrical energy storage device to finish charging the first electrical energy storage device.

5. The machine of claim 4, wherein the at least one information processor is further configured to selectively cause supply of electricity from the power line to the first electrical energy storage device to fully charge the first electrical energy storage device in response to second operating conditions.

6. The machine of claim 5, wherein:

controlling the first power regulator to receive electricity from the second electrical energy storage device and supply the electricity to the first electrical energy storage device in response to the first operating conditions includes maintaining an electric current magnitude of the electricity supplied from the first power regulator to the first electrical energy storage device below a first current value;

selectively causing supply of electricity from the power line to the first electrical energy storage device in response to the second operating conditions includes selectively supplying electricity to the first electrical energy storage device at an electric current magnitude above the first current value.

7. The machine of claim 1, wherein:

controlling the first power regulator to receive electricity from the second electrical energy storage device and supply the electricity to the first electrical energy storage device includes maintaining an electric current magnitude of the electricity supplied from the first power regulator to the first electrical energy storage device below a first current value; and

the at least one information processor is further configured to selectively cause supply of electricity from the power line to the first electrical energy storage device at an electric current magnitude above the first current value.

8. The machine of claim 1, wherein the power-system controls further include a second power regulator operable to regulate electricity exchanged between the power line and the first electrical energy storage device.

9. The machine of claim 1, wherein the at least one information processor is further configured to open a switching device to electrically isolate the first electrical energy storage device from the power line while controlling the first power regulator to receive electricity from the second electrical energy storage device and supply the electricity to the first electrical energy storage device.

10. A method of operating a power system of a machine, the power system including a prime mover, an electric generator drivingly connected to the prime mover, a power line, a first electrical energy storage device, a second electrical energy storage device, and a power regulator, comprising:

selectively supplying electricity to the power line by operating the engine to drive the electric generator and supply electricity from the electric generator to the power line;

selectively operating the power regulator to receive electricity from the second electrical energy storage device and supply electricity to the first electrical energy storage device, including maintaining the electric current magnitude of the electricity supplied from the first power regulator to the first electrical energy storage device below a first current value;

selectively supplying electricity from the power line to the first electrical energy storage device at an electric current magnitude greater than the first current value.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein selectively operating the first power regulator to receive electricity from the second electrical energy storage device and supply electricity to the first electrical energy storage device includes operating the first power regulator to receive the electricity from the second electrical energy storage device at a first voltage and supply the electricity to the first electrical energy storage device at a second voltage.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second voltage is higher than the first voltage.

13. The method of claim 10, further including:

monitoring with at least one information processor at least one parameter indicative of a state of charge of the first electrical energy storage device; and

in response to first operating conditions related to the at least one parameter, charging the first electrical energy storage device by

supplying electricity from the power line to the first electrical energy storage device to partially charge the first electrical energy storage device, and

subsequently, operating the first power regulator to receive electricity from the second electrical energy storage device and supply electricity to the first electrical energy storage device to fully charge the first electrical energy storage device.

14. The method of claim 10, further including:

monitoring at least one parameter indicative of a state of charge of the first electrical energy storage device; and

in response to the state of charge of the first electrical energy storage device being below a reference value, charging the first electrical energy storage device by

supplying electricity from the power line to the first electrical energy storage device to partially charge the first electrical energy storage device, and

subsequently, operating the first power regulator to receive electricity from the second electrical energy storage device and supply electricity to the first electrical energy storage device to fully charge the first electrical energy storage device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the reference value is a second reference value; and

selectively supplying electricity from the electric power line to the first electrical energy storage device includes supplying electricity from the electric power line to the first electric energy storage device to fully charge the first electrical energy storage device in response to second operating conditions, the second operating conditions including the state of charge of the first electrical energy storage device being above the second reference value but below a first reference value.

16. The method of claim 10, further including, while operating the first power regulator to receive electricity from the second electrical energy storage device and supply electricity to the first electrical energy storage device, electrically isolating the first electrical energy storage device from the power line by holding a switching device open.

17. A machine, comprising:

a frame;

a moveable component connected to the frame;

a power system, including

an electric motor drivingly connected to the moveable component and operable to move the moveable component relative to the frame,

an engine drivingly connected to an electric generator,

a power line connected between the electric generator and the electric motor, the power line being operable to transmit electricity between the electric generator and the electric motor,

a first electrical energy storage device operable to exchange electricity with the power line,

a second electrical energy storage device,

a power regulator, and

at least one information processor configured to receive information related to at least one operating parameter of the machine and control the power regulator based on the received information, including selectively controlling the first power regulator to receive electricity from the second electrical energy storage device at a first voltage and supply the electricity to the first electrical energy storage device at a second voltage.

18. The machine of claim 17, wherein the information related to at least one operating parameter of the power system includes information related to a state of charge of the first electrical energy storage device.

19. The machine of claim 17, wherein the second voltage is higher than the first voltage.

20. The machine of claim 17, wherein:

the frame forms part of an undercarriage of the machine;

the moveable component is a superstructure rotatable around an axis with respect to the undercarriage; and

the electric motor is operable to rotate the superstructure around the axis.