Electric traction
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system having a drive train including an internal combustion engine (“
- ICE”
) coupled to an input shaft of a transmission having a power takeoff port, the system comprising;
an electric motor; and
a transfer device coupling the electric motor to the transmission via the power takeoff port, the system being configured to enable the electric motor to selectively power an output shaft of the transmission during at least certain intervals when the internal combustion engine is powered off.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A drive train includes an internal combustion engine (“ICE”) coupled to a transmission having a power takeoff port. A transfer device couples an electric motor to the transmission via the port. The electric motor is enabled in a certain configuration to selectively power the drive train during at least certain intervals when the ICE is powered off.
243 Citations
64 Claims
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1. A system having a drive train including an internal combustion engine (“
- ICE”
) coupled to an input shaft of a transmission having a power takeoff port, the system comprising;an electric motor; and a transfer device coupling the electric motor to the transmission via the power takeoff port, the system being configured to enable the electric motor to selectively power an output shaft of the transmission during at least certain intervals when the internal combustion engine is powered off. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 24)
- ICE”
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7. An electric traction system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine coupled to a drive train, the drive train including a clutch coupled to an input of a transmission, the system comprising:
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an electric motor; a transfer device for transferring rotation of the motor to the transmission input for moving the vehicle; a source device electrically coupled to the motor to supply power for the moving of the vehicle during at least certain intervals when the internal combustion engine is powered off; a motor controller, wherein the source device is electrically coupled to the motor via the motor controller; and controls configured to enable the moving of the vehicle selectively, wherein the controls are electrically coupled to, and operable with, the motor controller to de-energize the electric motor responsive to a shutdown signal, wherein the shutdown signal indicates operation of the internal combustion engine or a precursor to operation of the internal combustion engine, wherein the shutdown signal includes a clutch position signal. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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25. A drive system for a truck configured to haul cargo comprising:
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an internal combustion engine (ICE) coupled to an input shaft of a transmission with an electric clutch, an output shaft of the transmission coupled to wheels of the trucks, wherein the transmission transmits power from the internal combustion engine to the truck wheels and to a power take-off port connected to a transfer gear box when the electric clutch engages the transmission to the internal combustion engine; an electric traction motor (ETM) coupled to the transmission via the transfer gear box, wherein the electric traction motor is powered to drive the transmission in an ETM operating mode in response to an ETM mode control signal when the electric clutch disengages the transmission from the internal combustion engine in response to a clutch control signal; a fuel cell coupled to an energy source and generating a DC output voltage electrically coupled to power the electric traction motor in response to ETM control signals; an auxiliary battery electrically coupled to the DC output of the fuel cell, wherein the auxiliary battery provides electrical power to the electric traction motor in the ETM operating mode in response to the control signals; one or more auxiliary drivers for generating working air or fluids for operating sub-systems of the truck, wherein the auxiliary drivers are driven by auxiliary motors in response to auxiliary system control signals; and a control system coupled to, the auxiliary battery, the auxiliary motors, the electric traction motor , operating sensors, and the fuel cell DC output voltage, wherein the control system generates the ETM control signals and the auxiliary system control signals and controls the electric traction motor, the auxiliary drivers, and the electric clutch, in response to cabin truck controls setting truck operation modes.
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26. A drive system for a truck configured to haul cargo comprising:
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an internal combustion engine (ICE) coupled to an input shaft of a transmission with an electric clutch, wherein the transmission transmits power from the internal combustion engine (1) through an output shaft of the transmission to the truck wheels, (2) and to a power take-off port configured to couple to a transfer gear box, when the electric clutch engages the transmission to the internal combustion engine; truck sub-systems configured to deliver pressurized air and fluid to control operations of the truck when the internal combustion engine is running; auxiliary drivers coupled to deliver the pressurized air and fluid to the truck sub-systems to control operations of the truck in response to auxiliary control signals when the internal combustion engine is not running; an auxiliary electric traction system receiving a source of energy and generating (1) a first output voltage driving an electric traction motor (ETM) coupled to the power take-off port with the transfer gear box, (2) a second output voltage for driving a first electric motor in the auxiliary drivers that is coupled to a hydraulic pump to produce the pressurized fluid, (3) a third output voltage for driving a second electric motor in the auxiliary drivers coupled to an air compressor to produce the pressurized air, and (4) a fourth output voltage coupled to recharge a battery coupled to an electrical system of the truck; and a controller, in the auxiliary electric traction system, coupled to cabin controls and generating the auxiliary control signals for varying the first, second, third and fourth output voltages to control movement of the truck when the electric clutch disconnects the internal combustion engine from the transmission. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A truck for hauling cargo comprising:
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a cabin for housing an operator; a chassis coupled to the cabin and configured with wheels for transporting the cargo; and a bed configured to haul the cargo, the truck operated with a drive train having (1) an internal combustion engine coupled to an input shaft of a transmission with a clutch, wherein the transmission transmits power from the internal combustion engine to the truck wheels via an output shaft of the transmission, and to a power take-off shaft configured to couple to a transfer gear box when the clutch engages the input shaft of the transmission to the internal combustion engine, (2) truck sub-systems configured to deliver pressurized air and pressurized fluid to control operations of the truck when the internal combustion engine is running, (3) auxiliary drivers coupled to deliver the pressurized air and pressurized fluid to the truck sub-systems to control operations of the truck in response to auxiliary control signals when the internal combustion engine is not running, (4) an auxiliary electric traction system receiving a source of energy and generating, a first output voltage driving an electric traction motor coupled to the power take-off shaft with the transfer gear box, a second output voltage for driving a first electric motor in the auxiliary drivers that is coupled to a hydraulic pump to produce the pressurized fluid, a third output voltage for driving a second electric motor in the auxiliary drivers coupled to an air compressor to produce the pressurized air, and a fourth output voltage coupled to recharge a battery coupled to an electrical system of the truck, and (5) a controller, in the auxiliary electric traction system, coupled to cabin controls and generating the auxiliary control signals for varying the first, second, third and fourth output voltages to control movement of the truck when the clutch disconnects the internal combustion engine from the transmission.
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39. A drive system for a truck configured to haul cargo comprising:
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an internal combustion engine coupled to an input shaft of a transmission with an electric clutch, wherein the transmission transmits power through its output shaft from the internal combustion engine to the truck wheels, and wherein the transmission transmits power from the internal combustion engine to a transfer gear box through a power take-off shaft in the transmission, the power take-off shaft configured to couple to the transfer gear box when the electric clutch engages the transmission to the internal combustion engine; an electric traction motor ETM coupled to an input of the transfer gear box, wherein the electric traction motor is powered to drive the transmission in an operating mode in response to an ETM mode control signal when the electric clutch disengages the transmission from the internal combustion engine in response to a clutch control signal; an auxiliary battery electrically coupled to an output of a fuel cell, wherein the auxiliary battery provides electrical power to the electric traction motor in the ETM operating mode in response to the mode control signal; one or more auxiliary drivers for generating working air or fluids for operating sub-systems of the truck, wherein the auxiliary drivers are driven by auxiliary motors in response to auxiliary system control signals; and a control system coupled to the auxiliary battery, the auxiliary motors, the electric traction motor, operating sensors, and the fuel cell output, wherein the control system generates the ETM mode control signal and the auxiliary system control signals and controls the electric traction motor, the auxiliary drivers, and the electric clutch, in response to cabin truck controls setting truck operation modes.
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40. A method of operating a traction vehicle comprising:
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coupling a drive shaft of an internal combustion engine ICE via a clutch to an input of a transmission, wherein the transmission has (1) an output shaft for driving traction wheels of the traction vehicle through a differential, and (2) a power take-off port of the transmission; coupling an electric traction motor (ETM) to the power take-off port; enabling the electric traction motor to be powered by an electrical power source mounted to a chassis of the traction vehicle in response to selecting a ETM mode of operating the traction vehicle and sensing that the transmission is disengaged by the clutch from the internal combustion engine and the internal combustion engine is not running; operating the electric traction motor as a generator when sensing that the transmission is engaged to the internal combustion engine by the clutch and the internal combustion engine is running; operating sub-systems of the traction vehicle used for steering and braking of the traction vehicle using auxiliary drivers powered by the electrical power source; and modulating a traction voltage of the electrical power source to control the electric traction motor and regulate a speed of the traction vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A drive system for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has a drive train including an internal combustion engine coupled to a transmission input via a clutch, wherein the transmission has a power takeoff port, the drive system comprising:
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an electric motor; and a transfer device coupling the electric motor to the transmission via the power takeoff port, the drive system being configured to enable the electric motor to selectively power an output shaft of the transmission during at least certain intervals when the internal combustion engine is powered off and disengaged via the clutch from the transmission.
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53. A vehicle motive system comprising:
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a drive train including; an internal combustion engine; an original equipment manufacturer manual transmission coupled to the internal combustion engine; and a power takeoff port accessible on the original equipment manufacturer manual transmission; an electric motor-generator that functions selectively as a motor and a generator; an energy source connected to the electric motor-generator for energizing the electric motor-generator during operation as an electric motor; and a power exchange unit coupling the electric motor-generator with the original equipment manufacturer manual transmission through the power takeoff port, the power exchange unit configured to enable the electric motor-generator (1) to operate as the electric motor to drive the original equipment manufacturer manual transmission through the power exchange unit and power takeoff port at least during certain intervals when the internal combustion engine is powered off and (2) to operate as an electric generator when back driven by the original equipment manufacturer manual transmission through the power exchange unit to recharge the energy source during at least certain intervals when the internal combustion engine is powered on. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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Specification