Abstract: An electric drivetrain using a configurable power converter package is disclosed. The configurable design allows for the power converter to support the drivetrain needs of a product line of machines without having to design a new power converter for each application. The electric drivetrain includes a first power conversion stage comprising a first configurable power converter and a second power conversion stage comprising a second configurable power converter. The first and second configurable power converters are one of a plurality of power configurations of a configurable power converter package.

Abstract: A method of lubricating a clutch disposed on a driven-side of a flywheel that is connected to a crankshaft includes rotating the flywheel and providing a flow of lubrication fluid spilling onto a driver-side of the flywheel. At least a portion of the flow of lubrication fluid is received through at least one passageway extending through the flywheel and expelled from the passageway on a driven-side of the flywheel. A clutch disposed on the driven-side of the flywheel is lubricated with the expelled lubrication fluid.

Abstract: A flywheel includes a hub portion concentrically defined around a center of the flywheel. A body portion located peripherally around the hub portion has a driver-side face and a driven-side face. A plurality of passageways in the body portion extend through the flywheel and fluidly connect the driver-side face with the driven-side face. Each of the plurality of passageways is adapted to receive a flow of lubricant spilling onto the driver-side of the body portion when the flywheel is rotating, and to expel lubricant out of the driven-side face of the body portion.

Abstract: A machine and electrical power system includes a generator having a speed range that includes a resonance speed associated with resonance vibrations of the system. A drive coupling is disposed between the generator and an engine configured to rotate the generator and is further configured to transmit torque from the engine to the generator, the drive coupling being configured to allow relative slip between first and second elements when the generator is rotated at its resonance speed. A machine operation method includes rotating a generator with an engine, and generating resonance vibrations of at least one of the engine and the generator by rotating the generator at a resonance speed. The method further includes inhibiting transmitting resonance vibrations between the generator and the engine by allowing relative rotational slip within a drive coupling disposed between the engine and the generator.

Abstract: A flywheel includes a hub portion concentrically defined around a center of the flywheel. A body portion located peripherally around the hub portion has a driver-side face and a driven-side face. A plurality of passageways in the body portion extend through the flywheel and fluidly connect the driver-side face with the driven-side face. Each of the plurality of passageways is adapted to receive a flow of lubricant spilling onto the driver-side of the body portion when the flywheel is rotating, and to expel lubricant out of the driven-side face of the body portion.

Abstract: A machine and electrical power system includes a generator having a speed range that includes a resonance speed associated with resonance vibrations of the system. A drive coupling is disposed between the generator and an engine configured to rotate the generator and is further configured to transmit torque from the engine to the generator, the drive coupling being configured to allow relative slip between first and second elements when the generator is rotated at its resonance speed. A machine operation method includes rotating a generator with an engine, and generating resonance vibrations of at least one of the engine and the generator by rotating the generator at a resonance speed. The method further includes inhibiting transmitting resonance vibrations between the generator and the engine by allowing relative rotational slip within a drive coupling disposed between the engine and the generator.

Abstract: The present invention is adapted to provide a method for determining the torque of a driveshaft. In the preferred embodiment a drivetrain includes a front and a rear drivetrain. The drivetrain is also connected to an engine, torque converter, front and rear axle and a transmission. In one embodiment, the ability to determine the transmission output torque for an earth moving machine includes determining an output torque of the converter and a gear reduction of the engine, and then responsively determining the front and rear driveshaft torque in response to the converter output torque and the engine gear reduction. The driveshaft torque calculations may be performed while the earth moving machine is operating. The resulting front and rear driveshaft torque calculations may be used to determine an axle damage index, or axle life calculations.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method for determining an estimate of a torque of a powertrain at a point M using a computer based model is provided. The powertrain includes a driveline and an engine. The method includes the steps of sensing a plurality of parameters of the powertrain in realtime during operation and responsively producing a plurality of respective parameter signals, and receiving the parameter signals, determining a modeled value of the torque, and responsively producing a torque signal.