Hybrid energy off highway vehicle electric power storage system and method

• US 7,448,328 B2
• Filed: 07/13/2005
• Issued: 11/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Kumar, Ajith Kuttannair
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Mark T
• Application Number:
  US11/180,320
• Publication Number:
  US 20060005737A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,217 Days
• Field of Search: 104/289, 104/288, 104/287, 105/35, 105/26.05, 105/49, 105/50, 105/61, 320/101, 320/125, 320/126, 320/127, 320/140, 320/166, 320/167, 307/150, 180/65.3, 180/65.4
• US Class Current: 105/35
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2045 for optimising the use of energy
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• 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 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 50/51 characterised by AC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/06 for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/14 for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/22 Dynamic electric resistor braking, combined with dynamic electric regenerative braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/14 Trucks; Load vehicles, Busses
• CPC Class Codes: B61C 7/04 Locomotives or motor railcars with two or more different kinds or types of engines, e.g. steam and IC engines
• 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 30/00 Transportation of goods or passengers via railways, e.g. energy recovery or reducing air resistance

Abstract

A computerized system for use in connection with a hybrid energy off highway vehicle system of a off highway vehicle. The hybrid energy off highway vehicle system includes an off highway vehicle, a primary power source, and an off highway vehicle traction motor propelling the off highway vehicle in response to the primary electric power, and an energy capture system for storing and/or transferring electrical power. An energy management processor carried on the off highway vehicle controls transmission of electrical power among the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system, an electrical energy capture system, and each of the plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits during motoring, operating and braking the travel of the off highway vehicle.

Claims

1. A computerized system for operating a hybrid energy, electro-motive, self-powered railroad train, said railroad train including:

at least one railway vehicle supported on a plurality of wheels for engaging railroad rails;

a vehicle propulsion system mechanically coupled to at least one of the wheels of the railway vehicle;

a primary electric power generator carried on the railroad vehicle for generating primary electrical power to be supplied to the vehicle propulsion system, said vehicle propulsion system having a motoring mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to electric power supplied to the propulsion system for generating mechanical energy that is applied to said wheel for propelling the railroad vehicle, and said vehicle propulsion system further having a dynamic braking mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to mechanical energy from said wheel during dynamic braking operations of the railroad vehicle for generating dynamic braking electrical power;

an electrical energy capture system carried on the railroad vehicle for storing electrical power generated on the train and for discharging the stored electrical power to propel the railroad vehicle;

a direct current (DC) bus for electrically connecting the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system and the electrical energy capture system;

a plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits electrically connected to the vehicle propulsion system for dissipating excess electrical power on the railroad vehicle, with each grid circuit including at least one dynamic braking resistance grid and being connected to the DC bus;

a plurality of grid switching devices in the dynamic braking grid circuits, with at least one grid switching device for each dynamic braking grid circuit for controlling the flow of electrical power to the respective resistance grid;

said computerized system comprising;

a processor executing computer executable instructions for controlling flow of electrical power among the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system, the electrical energy capture system, and each of the plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits during motoring, operating and braking the travel of the railroad vehicle, said computer executable instructions including;

transmission instructions for controlling the transmission of electrical power from the primary electric power generator to the DC bus, controlling the transmission of electrical power from the DC bus to the electrical energy capture system, and controlling the transmission of electrical power to the DC bus from the electrical energy capture system, said transmission instructions controlling during motoring, operating and braking the travel of the railroad vehicle, wherein;

said processor provides a first control signal to the electrical energy capture system to control the selective storing of electrical energy generated in the dynamic braking mode and to control the selective providing of secondary electric power to the vehicle propulsion system as a function of at least one of the following;

a travel path situation parameter, a manual operator input, a size or a weight of the railroad train, a power capacity associated with the primary electric power generator, an efficiency rating of a component of the railroad train, a present speed of the railroad vehicle, an anticipated speed of the railroad vehicle, a present electrical load of the railroad vehicle, and an anticipated electrical load of the railroad vehicle; and

said processor provides a second control signal to the primary electric power generator to control the selective supplying of primary electric power to the vehicle propulsion system as a function of at least one of the following;

a travel path situation parameter, a manual operator input, a size or a weight of the railroad train, a power capacity associated with the primary electric power generator, an efficiency rating of a component of the railroad train, a present speed of the railroad vehicle, an anticipated speed of the railroad vehicle, a present electrical load of the railroad vehicle, and an anticipated electrical load of the railroad vehicle; and

dissipating instructions for controlling during braking the travel of the railroad vehicle the operation of each of the plurality of grid switching devices in the dynamic braking resistance grid circuits to control the flow of electrical power from the DC bus to the respective resistance grid, wherein the dissipating instructions control a duty cycle of at least one of the plurality of grid switching devices such that electrical power generated by the vehicle propulsion system that the electrical energy capture system is able to store is not dissipated by the plurality of resistive grids.

2. The computer executable instructions of claim 1, wherein the transmission instructions control the transmission of electrical power to and from a traction motor, said traction motor connected to a vehicle wheel and operable as a motor in the motoring mode of the vehicle propulsion system and as a generator in the dynamic braking mode of the vehicle propulsion system, and wherein the transmission instructions maximize the storage of excess electrical power from the DC bus in the energy capture system during braking.

3. The computer executable instructions of claim 1, wherein the transmission instructions control the transmission of electrical power to and from a plurality of traction motors, wherein a pair of vehicle wheels is associated with each traction motor.

4. The computer executable instructions of claim 1, wherein the transmission instructions control the operation of a power switching device in a circuit with the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system, an electrical energy capture system, and each of the plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid to control the transmission of electrical power among the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system, an electrical energy capture system, and each of the plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits.

5. The computer executable instructions of claim 1, wherein the railroad vehicle further comprises electrical connections for connecting the DC bus to an external source of electrical power, and wherein the transmission instructions control the electrical connections to selectively connect the DC bus to an external source of electrical power to control the transmission of electrical power from the external source of electrical power to the DC bus.

6. The computer executable instructions of claim 1, wherein the transmission instructions control the operation of an energy storage switching device in a circuit with the DC bus and the electrical energy capture system to control the flow of electrical power to and from the electrical energy capture system, wherein the energy storage switching device comprises a contactor switch.

7. The computer executable instructions of claim 6, wherein transmission instructions control the operation of the energy storage switching device to control the transmission of electrical power to an electric storage battery.

8. The computer executable instructions of claim 6, wherein transmission instructions control the operation of the energy storage switching device to control the transmission of electrical power to a storage device selected from the group comprising ultra-capacitors, flywheel-generators, and fuel cells.

9. The computer executable instructions of claim 1, wherein the train further includes an auxiliary electric power generator for generating auxiliary electrical power and electrically connected to the electrical energy capture system, and wherein the transmission instructions control the transmission of electrical power from the auxiliary electric power generator.

10. The computer executable instructions of claim 9, wherein the train further comprises auxiliary electric power loads electrically connected to the auxiliary power generator, and wherein transmission instructions control the transmission of electrical power to the auxiliary electric power generator.

11. The computer executable instructions of claim 1, wherein the processor is operatively connected to a computer readable medium storing track topography data and a train locator locating a current position of the train, and wherein the computer executable instructions further include determining instructions for determining future train electric energy requirements as a function of the track topography data and the current position of the train, said transmission instructions responsive to the determined future energy requirements to control the flow of electrical power among the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system, the electrical energy capture system, and each of the plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits as a function of the determined future train electric energy requirements.

12. The computer executable instructions of claim 1, wherein at least one of the grid switching devices comprises an electronic power management chopper switch, and wherein the dissipating instructions control the operation of the electronic power management chopper switch to control the flow of electrical power to the respective resistance grid.

13. A computerized system for operating a hybrid energy, electro-motive, self-powered off-highway load vehicle, said off-highway vehicle (OHV) including:

a plurality of wheels for supporting and propelling the OHV, a vehicle propulsion system mechanically coupled to at least one of the wheels of the OHV;

a primary electric power generator carried on the OHV for generating primary electrical power to be supplied to the vehicle propulsion system, said vehicle propulsion system having a motoring mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to electric power supplied to the propulsion system for generating mechanical energy that is applied to said wheel for propelling the OHV, and said vehicle propulsion system further having a dynamic braking mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to mechanical energy from said wheel during dynamic braking operations of the OHV for generating dynamic braking electrical power;

an electrical energy capture system carried on the OHV for storing electrical power generated on the OHV and for discharging the stored electrical power for use on the vehicle, including selectively using the stored electric power to propel the OHV;

a direct current (DC) bus for electrically connecting the primary electric power generator, vehicle propulsion system and electrical energy capture system;

a plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits electrically connected to the vehicle propulsion system for dissipating excess electrical power on the OHV, with each grid circuit including at least one dynamic braking resistance grid and being connected to the DC bus;

a plurality of grid switching devices in the dynamic braking resistance grid circuits, with at least one grid switching device for each dynamic braking grid circuit for controlling the flow of electrical power to the respective resistance grid;

said computerized system comprising;

a processor executing computer executable instructions for controlling flow of electrical power among the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system, the electrical energy capture system, and each of the plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits during motoring, operating and braking the travel of the OHV, said computer executable instructions including;

transmission instructions for controlling the transmission of electrical power from the primary electric power generator to the DC bus, controlling the transmission of electrical power from the DC bus to the electrical energy capture system, and controlling the transmission of electrical power to the DC bus from the electrical energy capture system, said transmission instructions controlling during motoring, operating and braking the travel of the OHV, wherein;

said processor provides a first control signal to the electrical energy capture system to control the selective storing of electrical energy generated in the dynamic braking mode and to control the selective providing of secondary electric power to the vehicle propulsion system as a function of at least one of the following;

a travel path situation parameter, a manual operator input, a size or a weight of the OHV, a power capacity associated with the primary electric power generator, an efficiency rating of a component of the OHV, a present speed of the OHV, an anticipated speed of the OHV, a present electrical load of the OHV, and an anticipated electrical load of the OHV; and

said processor provides a second control signal to the primary electric power generator to control the selective supplying of primary electric power to the vehicle propulsion system as a function of at least one of the following;

a travel path situation parameter, a manual operator input, a size or a weight of the OHV, a power capacity associated with the primary electric power generator, an efficiency rating of a component of the OHV, a present speed of the OHV, an anticipated speed of the OHV, a present electrical load of the OHV, and an anticipated electrical load of the OHV; and

dissipating instructions for controlling during braking the travel of the OHV the operation of each of the plurality of grid switching devices in the dynamic braking resistance grid circuits to control the flow of electrical power from the DC bus to the respective resistance grid, wherein the dissipating instructions control a duty cycle of at least one of the plurality of grid switching devices such electrical power generated by the vehicle propulsion system that the electrical energy capture system is able to store is not dissipate by the plurality of resistive grids.

14. The computer executable instructions of claim 13, wherein the transmission instructions control the transmission of power to and from a traction motor, said traction motor connected to a vehicle wheel and operable as a motor in the motoring mode of the vehicle propulsion system and as a generator in the dynamic braking mode of the vehicle propulsion system, wherein the transmission instructions maximize the storage of excess electrical power from the DC bus in the energy capture system during braking.

15. The computer executable instructions of claim 13, wherein the transmission instructions control the transmission of electrical power to and from a plurality of traction motors, wherein a pair of vehicle wheels is associated with each traction motor.

16. The computer executable instructions of claim 13, wherein the transmission instructions control the operation of a power switching device in a circuit with the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system, an electrical energy capture system, and each of the plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits to control the transmission of electrical power among the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system, an electrical energy capture system, and each of the plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits.

17. The computer executable instructions of claim 13, wherein the OHV further comprises electrical connections for connecting the DC bus to an external source of electrical power, and wherein the wherein the transmission instructions control the electrical connections to selectively connect the DC bus to an external source of electrical power to control the transmission of electrical power from the external source of electrical power to the DC bus.

18. The computer executable instructions of claim 13, wherein the transmission instructions control the operation of an energy storage switching device in a circuit with the DC bus and the electrical energy capture system to control the flow of electrical power to and from the electrical energy capture system, wherein the energy storage switching device comprises a contactor switch or chopper circuit.

19. The computer executable instructions of claim 18, wherein transmission instructions control the operation of the energy storage switching device to control the transmission of electrical power to an electric storage battery.

20. The computer executable instructions of claim 18, wherein transmission instructions control the operation of the energy storage switching device to control the transmission of electrical power to a storage device selected from the group comprising ultra-capacitors, flywheel-generators, and fuel cells.

21. The computer executable instructions of claim 13, wherein the OHV further includes an auxiliary electric power generator for generating auxiliary electrical power and electrically connected to the electrical energy capture system, and wherein the transmission instructions control the transmission of power from the auxiliary electric power generator.

22. The computer executable instructions of claim 21, wherein the OHV further comprises auxiliary electric power loads electrically connected to the auxiliary power generator, and wherein the transmission instructions control the transmission of power to the auxiliary electric power generator.

23. The computer executable instructions of claim 13, wherein the processor is operatively connected to a computer readable medium storing track topography data and a OHV locator locating a current position of the OHV, wherein the computer executable instructions further include determining instructions for determining future OHV electric energy requirements as a function of the track topography data and the current position of the OHV, said transmission instructions responsive to the determined future energy requirements to control the flow of electrical power among the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system, the electrical energy capture system, and each of the plurality of dynamic resistance braking grid circuits as a function of the determined future OHV electric energy requirements.

24. The computer executable instructions of claim 13, wherein at least one of the grid switching devices comprises an electronic power management chopper switch, and wherein the dissipating instructions control the operation of the electronic power management chopper switch to control the flow of electrical power to the respective resistance grid.

25. A method for operating a hybrid energy, electro-motive, self-powered off-highway vehicle (OHV) including a plurality of wheels for supporting and propelling the OHV, a vehicle propulsion system mechanically coupled to at least one of the wheels of the OHV;

a primary electric power generator carried on the OHV for generating primary electrical power to be supplied to the vehicle propulsion system, said vehicle propulsion system having a motoring mode in which the propulsion system is responsive to electric power supplied to the propulsion system for generating mechanical energy that is applied to said wheel for propelling the vehicle, and said vehicle propulsion system further having a dynamic braking mode in which the propulsion system is response to mechanical energy from said wheel during dynamic braking operations of the OHV for generating dynamic braking electrical power;

an electrical energy capture system carried on the vehicle for storing electrical power generated on the OHV and for discharging the stored electrical power for use on the OHV, including selectively using the stored electric power to propel the OHV;

a direct current (DC) bus for electrically connecting the primary electric power generator, vehicle propulsion system and electrical energy capture system;

a plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits electrically connected to the vehicle propulsion system for dissipating excess electrical power on the OHV, with each grid circuit including at least one dynamic braking resistance grid and being connected to the DC bus;

a plurality of grid switching devices in the dynamic braking grid circuits, with at least one grid switching device for each dynamic braking grid circuit for controlling the flow of electrical power to the respective resistance grid, said method comprising;

controlling the transmission of electrical power among the primary electric power generator, the vehicle propulsion system, an electrical energy capture system, and each of the plurality of dynamic braking resistance grid circuits as a function of transmission instructions during motoring, operating and braking the travel of the OHV said controlling comprising;

providing a first control signal from an energy management processor of the OHV to the electrical energy capture system to control the selective storing of electrical energy generated in the dynamic braking mode as a function of said transmission instructions and to control the selective providing of secondary electric power to the vehicle propulsion system as a function of at least one of the following;

a travel path situation parameter, a manual operator input, a size or a weight of the OHV, a power capacity associated with the primary electric power generator, an efficiency rating of a component of the OHV, a present speed of the OHV, an anticipated speed of the OHV, a present electrical load of the OHV, and an anticipated electrical load of the OHV, and

providing a second control signal from the processor of the OHV to the primary electric power generator to control the selective supplying of primary electric power to the vehicle propulsion system as a function of at least one of the following;

a travel path situation parameter, a manual operator input, a size or a weight of the OHV, a power capacity associated with the primary electric power generator, an efficiency rating of a component of the OHV, a present speed of the OHV, an anticipated speed of the OHV, a present electrical load of the OHV, and an anticipated electrical load of the OHV; and

controlling the transmission of electrical power during braking of the travel of the OHV to each of the dynamic braking resistance grid circuits as a function of dissipating instructions for controlling the amount of excess electrical power dissipated in the respective resistance grid, wherein the dissipating instructions control a duty cycle of at least one of the plurality of grid switching devices such that electrical power generated by the vehicle propulsion system that the electrical energy capture system is able to store is not dissipated by the plurality of resistive grids.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein controlling the transmission of electrical power includes controlling power to and from a traction motor, said traction motor connected to a vehicle wheel and operable as a motor in the motoring mode of the vehicle propulsion system and as a generator in the dynamic braking mode of the vehicle propulsion system, and wherein the transmission instructions maximize the storage of excess electrical power from the DC bus in the energy capture system during braking.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein controlling the transmission of electrical power includes controlling power to and from a plurality of traction motors, wherein a pair of vehicle wheels is associated with each traction motor.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein controlling the transmission of electrical power includes controlling the operation of a power switching device in a circuit with at least one of the traction motors to control the transmission of power to and from the traction motor.

29. The method of claim 25, further including selectively connecting the DC bus to an external source of electrical power, and wherein controlling the transmission of electrical power includes controlling transmission of power from the external source of electrical power to the DC bus.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein controlling the transmission of electrical power includes the controlling the operation of an energy storage switching device in a circuit with the DC bus and the electrical energy capture system to control the flow of electrical power to and from the electrical energy capture system, wherein the energy storage switching device comprises a contactor switch.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein controlling transmission of electrical power includes controlling the transmission of power to an electric storage battery.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein controlling transmission of electrical power includes controlling the transmission of power to a storage device selected from the group comprising ultra-capacitors, flywheel-generators, and fuel cells.

33. The method of claim 25, wherein the OHV further includes an auxiliary electric power generator for generating auxiliary electrical power and electrically connected to the electrical energy capture system, and wherein controlling transmission of electrical power includes controlling the transmission of power from the auxiliary electric power generator.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the OHV further comprises auxiliary electric power loads electrically connected to the auxiliary power generator, and wherein controlling transmission of electrical power includes controlling the transmission of power to the auxiliary electric power generator.

35. The method of claim 25, further including:

storing track topography data in a memory;

receiving a current position of the OHV from a position identification system; and

predicting future OHV electric energy requirements as a function of the track topography data and the received current position of the OHV.

36. The method of claim 25, wherein the OHV is a mining truck or a railroad train.