Hybrid vehicles

• US 9,050,972 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2012
• Issued: 06/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Abell Foundation Incorporated, Paice LLC
• Original Assignee: Abell Foundation Incorporated, Paice LLC
• Inventors: Severinsky, Alex J., Louckes, Theodore
• Primary Examiner(s): Badii, Behrang
• Assistant Examiner(s): TESTARDI, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US13/573,821
• Publication Number:
  US 20130096753A1
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 701/22, 180 651- 658, 180/65.25, 180/65.26, 903/930
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/004 for vehicles having a combustion engine and electric drive means, e.g. hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/3222 characterised by the compressor driving arrangements, e.g. clutches, transmissions or multiple drives B60H1/3208, B60H1/3226 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/268 Electric drive motor starts the engine, i.e. used as starter motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/22 characterised by apparatus, components or means specially adapted for HEVs
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/365 with the gears having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/442 Series-parallel switching type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/46 Series type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/485 Motor-assist type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/547 the transmission being a stepped gearing
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2045 for optimising the use of energy
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/20 AC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/12 Induction machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/14 Synchronous machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/16 DC brushless machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/34 Cabin temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/36 Temperature of vehicle components or parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/443 : Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/445 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/28 : Four wheel or all wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/145 : Structure borne vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 : with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 : by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/00 : Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/20 : characterised by converters located in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/10 : for monitoring or controlling batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/12 : responding to state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/18 : Controlling the braking effect B60L7/12, B60L7/14, B60L7/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/26 : Controlling the braking effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 11/18 : Connection thereof to initiating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/586 : the retarders being of the electric type
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/60 : Regenerative braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/604 : Merging friction therewith; Adjusting their repartition
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/06 : Disposition of pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/17 : Using electrical or electronic regulation means to control braking detecting or indicating faulty operation B60T8/885
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/172 : Determining control parameters used in the regulation, e.g. by calculations involving measured or detected parameters B60T8/17551 takes precedence
• 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 10/18 : including control of braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 : for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• 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: B60W 20/14 : in conjunction with braking regeneration
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/15 : Control strategies specially adapted for achieving a particular effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/30 : Control strategies involving selection of transmission gear ratio control of change speed gearings, together with other vehicle sub-units B60W10/10; HEV transmission gearing B60K6/36; gearings and control thereof F16H
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0633 : Turbocharger state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0657 : Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 : Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2530/16 : Driving resistance
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/12 : Brake pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/08 : Electric propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/18 : Braking system
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/244 : Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18127 : Regenerative braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/91 : Electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/92 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/18125 : Regenerative braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2300/91 : Battery charging
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/112 : Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/435 : Supercharger or turbochargers
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/81 : Braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 3/2013 : using electric or magnetic heating means
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 37/00 : Engines characterised by provision of pumps driven at least for part of the time by exhaust
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 37/16 : by bypassing charging air
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 37/18 : by bypassing exhaust from the inlet to the outlet of turbine or to the atmosphere
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2250/18 : Control of the engine output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0007 : for control of turbo-charged or super-charged engines control of the pumps per se F02B37/12
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/10157 : Supercharged engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/10163 : having air intakes specially adapted to selectively deliver naturally aspirated fluid or supercharged fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0818 : Conditions for starting or stopping the engine or for deactivating the idle-start-stop mode
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/061 : Battery state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4207 : for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 : Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 : Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 : Improving ICE efficiencies
• 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 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/903 : having energy storing means, e.g. battery, capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/904 : Component specially adapted for hev
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/907 : Electricity storage, e.g. battery, capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/93 : Conjoint control of different elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/946 : Characterized by control of driveline clutch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/947 : Characterized by control of braking, e.g. blending of regeneration, friction braking

Abstract

A hybrid vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, a traction motor, a starter motor, and a battery bank, all controlled by a microprocessor in accordance with the vehicle'"'"'s instantaneous torque demands so that the engine is run only under conditions of high efficiency, typically only when the load is at least equal to 30% of the engine'"'"'s maximum torque output. In some embodiments, a turbocharger may be provided, activated only when the load exceeds the engine'"'"'s maximum torque output for an extended period; a two-speed transmission may further be provided, to further broaden the vehicle'"'"'s load range. A hybrid brake system provides regenerative braking, with mechanical braking available in the event the battery bank is fully charged, in emergencies, or at rest; a control mechanism is provided to control the brake system to provide linear brake feel under varying circumstances.

Claims

1. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:

a battery bank for storing and supplying electrical power,

an internal combustion engine for applying torque to road wheels of said hybrid vehicle,

at least one traction motor for applying torque to said road wheels of said vehicle, and

a controller for controlling flow of torque between said internal combustion engine, said at least one traction motor, and said road wheels, and for controlling flow of electrical power between said battery bank and said at least one traction motor,

wherein said controller monitors day-to-day operation of said hybrid vehicle in order to identify repetitive patterns of operation of said hybrid vehicle,

stores identified repetitive patterns of operation of said vehicle, and

compares the pattern of operation of said vehicle in a given trip with said identified repetitive patterns of operation to determine whether said trip substantially conforms to an identified repetitive pattern of operation, and

when said trip substantially conforms to an identified repetitive pattern of operation, controls operation of said at least one traction motor and said internal combustion engine for propulsion of said hybrid vehicle responsive to said identified pattern of operation of said hybrid vehicle, in order to optimize operation of said hybrid vehicle.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said controller monitors variation in road load experienced by said vehicle and compares patterns of variation in road load experienced from day to day to one another in order to identify said repetitive patterns of vehicle operation.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said vehicle is operated in different operational modes dependent on the road load, including switching from a low-load mode wherein the vehicle is propelled solely by the electric traction motor to a higher-load mode wherein the vehicle is propelled at least in part by said internal combustion engine, the transition between said low-load and higher-load modes being initiated when the road load reaches a predetermined percentage of the engine'"'"'s maximum torque output, and wherein the specific value of said predetermined percentage can be varied by said controller responsive to said identified repetitive patterns of vehicle operation so as to avoid excessive transitions between said low-load and higher-load modes, thereby avoiding excessive engine starts.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said vehicle is operated in different operational modes dependent on the road load, including switching from a low-load mode wherein the vehicle is propelled solely by the electric traction motor to a higher-load mode wherein the vehicle is propelled at least in part by said internal combustion engine, and wherein the specific value of said road load at which mode transition occurs can be varied by said controller responsive to said identified repetitive patterns of vehicle operation.

5. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:

a battery bank for storing and supplying electrical power,

an internal combustion engine for applying torque to road wheels of said vehicle,

at least one traction motor for applying torque to said road wheels of said vehicle, and

a controller for controlling flow of torque between said internal combustion engine, said at least one traction motor, and said road wheels, and for controlling flow of electrical power between said battery bank and said at least one traction motor,

wherein said controller monitors day-to-day operation of said hybrid vehicle in order to identify repeated patterns of operation of said hybrid vehicle,

stores identified repeated patterns of operation of said hybrid vehicle, and

compares the pattern of operation of said vehicle in a subsequent trip with said identified repeated patterns of operation to determine whether said trip substantially conforms to one of said identified repeated patterns of operation, and,

when said trip substantially conforms to one of said identified repeated patterns of operation, controls operation of said at least one traction motor and said internal combustion engine for propulsion of said hybrid vehicle responsive to said identified pattern of operation of said hybrid vehicle, in order to optimize operation of said hybrid vehicle.

6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein said controller monitors variation in road load experienced by said vehicle and compares patterns of variation in road load experienced from day to day to one another in order to identify said repeated patterns of vehicle operation.

7. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein said vehicle is operated in different operational modes dependent on the road load, including switching from a low-load mode wherein the vehicle is propelled solely by the electric traction motor to a higher-load mode wherein the vehicle is propelled at least in part by said internal combustion engine, the transition between said low-load and higher-load modes being initiated when the road load reaches a predetermined percentage of the engine'"'"'s maximum torque output, and wherein the specific value of said predetermined percentage can be predictively varied by said controller responsive to said identified patterns of vehicle operation so as to avoid excessive transitions between said low-load and higher-load modes, thereby avoiding excessive engine starts.

8. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein said vehicle is operated in different operational modes dependent on the road load, including switching from a low-load mode wherein the vehicle is propelled solely by the electric traction motor to a higher-load mode wherein the vehicle is propelled at least in part by said internal combustion engine, and wherein the specific value of said road load at which mode transition occurs can be varied by said controller responsive to identified patterns of vehicle operation.