With Means On Vehicle For Generating Power For The Electric Motor Patents (Class 180/65.31)
  • Patent number: 8434578
    Abstract: The invention essentially relates to an electric power storage device (1) for hybrid or electric motor vehicles, comprising: a high voltage power supply bus (2) to be connected to an electric traction system (7) and/or to an onboard electric power system, and a first electric power storage element (3) connected to said power supply bus (2). According to the invention, a second storage element (4) is connected to the bus (2) via an electric coupling member (5), said second storage element (4) being connected to the bus (2) in parallel relative to the first storage element (3). One of the two storage elements (3, 4) includes an electrochemical battery, while the other storage element (3, 4) includes an ultracapacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventor: Guillaume Cherouvrier
  • Publication number: 20130098699
    Abstract: The Nature of This Invention is to Show That Just May Be, “We” as A Nation Can Free Our selves From The Grips Of “Fossil Fuel” That Has The Ability To Create Havoc And Turmoil Around The Entire World at One Time Or Another. It Became Perfectly Clear To me That This Can Become The Beginning Of A New Era When Key Management Of Our Environment Is Finally In Our Future. It Is Possible That It Can Even Get Better.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: Newberry Francis
  • Patent number: 8424626
    Abstract: A technique for enabling reduction of fuel consumption without greatly changing an engine structure and without impairing a feeling of operation of a vehicle as a motorcycle. An engine includes a crankshaft and a primary gear integrated with the crankshaft that is attached such that the power of the engine is transmitted to a wheel. A one-way clutch transmits the power from the crankshaft to the primary gear but does not transmit the power from the primary gear to the crankshaft. The one-way clutch is provided between the crankshaft and the primary gear with a regenerative brake motor being provided on the primary gear. The engine is non-swingable mounted on the vehicle body with a cylinder extending in a substantially horizontal direction and a crankshaft provided to be oriented in a vehicle width direction. An electric motor is located in front of and above the crankshaft of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akifumi Nomura, Kazuyuki Nakai, Kenichi Ohmori, Yoshiaki Tsukada, Takashi Tsutsumizaki, Shinichi Wagatsuma
  • Patent number: 8428805
    Abstract: An electric drive system includes a fuel-driven engine (202) driving an electrical power generator (204) that provides power to one or more electric drive motors (210). A method of load management in the electric drive system includes receiving an actual fuel signal, an engine speed (920) signal, a throttle position signal, a motor speed (712) signal, an intake air pressure, a barometric pressure signal, and an intake air temperature signal. These values are used to determine a torque limit. The torque limit is used to limit a torque command to the electric drive motors (210) such that the torque command is consistent with the operating capabilities of the engine (202).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Bailey, Matthew Hendrickson, William J. Tate, Walter E. Earleson, Jeffrey E. Brand
  • Patent number: 8424625
    Abstract: A transaxle includes an axle and a multiple motor generator unit for driving the axle. The multiple motor generator unit includes a common rotor shaft drivingly connected to the axle, armature windings serving as a first stator and a second stator aligned opposite each other in the axial direction of the rotor shaft, a common rotor member fixed on the rotor shaft, and permanent magnets provided on the common rotor member so as to serve as a first rotor facing the first stator, and as a second rotor facing the second stator. The first stator and the first rotor constitute a first motor generator. The second stator and the second rotor constitute the second motor generator. A total motor output torque of the first and second motor generators for rotating the rotor member and the rotor shaft can be changed in correspondence to a load applied from the axle to the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Norihiro Ishii
  • Patent number: 8425358
    Abstract: A hybrid drive is proposed for traction wheels of a vehicle, which drive comprises a mechanical power source with a shaft, a planetary mechanism having a sun and a ring gear wheels, and two reversible electrical machines connected to an electrical power source via a control system. A carrier of the planetary mechanism is coupled to the shaft. With the view to increasing the traction wheels' torque, one of the electrical machines is designed as a two-dimensional machine with two rotatable members, one of which members is coupled to the sun gear wheel, the second member is coupled to the ring gear wheel. For increasing the performance characteristics, the drive is provided with two controllable clutches, which make it possible to interconnect the rotatable members and to couple the carrier to an immovable portion of the drive or vehicle. Operation of the drive in various motion modes is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Limited liability company “Altera”
    Inventor: Oleg Anatolievich Tsyganov
  • Patent number: 8421406
    Abstract: A charge control circuit includes a first acquisition unit that acquires a total discharge electric quantity of a lead storage battery, the total discharge electric quantity being separated into a first discharge electric quantity which is a discharge electric quantity of a discharge current having a current value of less than a predetermined level, and a second discharge electric quantity which is a discharge electric quantity of a discharge current having a current value of not less than the predetermined level, a computing unit that obtains a first and second charge electric quantities corresponding to the first and second discharge electric quantities respectively, and a charge electric quantity required for charging the lead storage battery as a sum of the obtained first and second charge electric quantities, and a charge control unit that controls a charge of the lead storage battery based on the charge electric quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Harumi Murochi, Yasuyuki Yoshihara, Tomoya Kikuchi, Kazuyuki Shimada
  • Patent number: 8418799
    Abstract: A cooling system is provided for a thermoelectric power generator and that is arranged in an exhaust gas line of an internal combustion engine for generating electric power while utilizing thermal energy of the exhaust gas. The thermoelectric power generator has its own coolant circuit, which also serves to raise the temperature of the components of the internal combustion engine, the chassis, and/or the transmission or serves to heat the passenger compartment. This offers the added utility gained from a faster temperature rise of transmission lubricants and lubricants of the internal combustion engine, as well as from heating the passenger compartment and the rear axle differential and, thus, offers a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions (CO2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Richter, Boris Mazar, Stefan Rueth, Gunter Schroeter, Stefan Muench
  • Patent number: 8418788
    Abstract: A vehicle 1000 is equipped with a fuel cell system 100 and a secondary battery as power sources. A water level of water present on a water-covered road surface is measured by a water level sensor 72. When the measured water level reaches or exceeds a preset threshold value, drive control of the vehicle 1000 stops power generation by a fuel cell stack 10, closes a discharge valve 62, and enables the vehicle 1000 to be driven with output power of a motor that is actuated with electric power from the secondary battery. This arrangement effectively prevents a damage or failure of the fuel cells mounted on the vehicle moving on the water-covered road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Jufuku, Hiroshi Arisawa, Junji Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 8413751
    Abstract: A vehicle is equipped with fuel cells that is fastened to multiple side frames 810 arranged in parallel to each other and along a moving direction of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a support assembly arranged to span between the multiple side frames 810, a first fixation unit arranged to fasten the support assembly to the respective side frames 810, and a second fixation unit arranged to fix the fuel cells on the support assembly. This arrangement desirably reduces the influence of an external force applied to the fuel cells mounted on the vehicle and prevents an increase in total weight of the vehicle or a decrease in mounting space of the fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Jufuku, Hiroshi Arisawa, Junji Nagasawa, Hiroyuki Nakamura, Miho Kizuki
  • Publication number: 20130081886
    Abstract: A chassis assembly for an electrical vehicle is provided. The chassis assembly includes a main chassis, at least one main chassis wheel, a secondary chassis and at least one secondary chassis wheel. The at least one main chassis wheel is rotationally coupled to the main chassis about a main chassis rotational axis. A secondary chassis is pivotally coupled to the main chassis. The secondary chassis is configured and arranged to hold batteries that supply energy to an electric motor coupled to the main chassis. The at least one secondary chassis wheel is rotationally coupled to the secondary chassis about a secondary chassis rotational axis. A pivot connection between the main chassis and the secondary chassis has a pivot axis that is generally parallel with the main chassis rotational axis and the secondary chassis rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventor: Mohammad Sadegh Jaberian
  • Patent number: 8403086
    Abstract: A supplemental power supply system for supplying power to an electric engine. The system includes a generator for generating power, a charger coupled to the generator, wherein the charger provides charging power to a battery; and a drive module coupled to the generator, wherein the drive module provides power to an electric drive motor and wherein the battery simultaneously provides power to the electric drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventors: Leonard Michael Free, Steve Wagner
  • Patent number: 8397853
    Abstract: A method for arranging an accumulating device in proximity of a floor of a vehicle forming a bottom wall of a passenger compartment of the vehicle itself; the accumulating device has a heating base wall which is free from heat insulation, and a non-heating base wall which is parallel and opposite to the heating base wall and is provided with a heat-insulating material layer; and the method provides for the steps of arranging the accumulating device in a seating obtained in proximity of the floor; and implementing the accumulating device with a symmetry allowing the reversal of the accumulating device itself within the seating obtained in proximity of the floor in such a way that the heating base wall may be equally either facing upwards and then towards the passenger compartment or facing downwards and then towards the external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Stefani, Franco Cimatti, Fabrizio Favaretto
  • Patent number: 8397849
    Abstract: A hybrid propulsion road vehicle having: a couple of rear driving wheels; a thermal internal combustion engine; a gearbox, which is arranged in rear position, receives motion from the thermal internal combustion engine and transmits motion to the rear driving wheels, and comprises a gear case housing all the moving parts; a reversible electric machine mechanically connectable to the rear driving wheels; an electric drive controlling the electric machine; and an accumulating system, which is able to store electric energy, is connected to the electric drive and is placed beside the gear case and on the opposite sides of the gear case so as not to longitudinally exceed the extension of the gear case itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fabrizio Favaretto
  • Patent number: 8397850
    Abstract: Disclosed are a driving system and method of a hybrid electric vehicle. The hybrid electric vehicle driving system includes a generator to generate electric energy from rotating power input thereto, and an electric motor to generate rotating power from electric energy supplied thereto. An auxiliary drive wheel is movably provided to be raised or lowered. When being lowered, the auxiliary drive wheel is rotated in contact with the ground surface, to provide the generator with rotating power generated upon rotation thereof. A power distributor is provided to distribute the rotating power generated from the electric motor or auxiliary drive wheel, so as to provide the generator with regenerative energy, or to provide a drive wheel with rotating power. A control unit controls distribution of the rotating power by controlling the supply of electric current to the power distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: Chan-sik Kim
  • Publication number: 20130062131
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self generating power assembly for a vehicle including one or more power sources for a vehicle that increases the mileage efficiency for the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Hencil Joel Cannon
  • Patent number: 8395355
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a charging unit receiving electric power from an external power source and externally charging a power storage unit. When a connector unit is coupled to the vehicle and a state ready for charging by the external power source is attained, a controller predicts degradation ratio of the power storage unit at the time point of completion of external charging based on degradation characteristic of the power storage unit in connection with SOC and battery temperature obtained in advance, and sets target state of charge of each power storage unit based on the battery temperatures so that the predicted degradation ratio does not exceed tolerable degradation ratio at the time point of completion of external charging. Then, the controller controls corresponding converters such that SOCs of power storage units attain the target states of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Kaita, Junta Izumi
  • Publication number: 20130056291
    Abstract: A fuel cell system for a vehicle is provided which can be efficiently arranged under the vehicle floor. The fuel cell system for a vehicle according to the invention comprises, under the vehicle floor: a fuel cell which is supplied with an oxidant gas and a fuel gas and which generates electric power through an electrochemical reaction; an auxiliary device related to the operation of the fuel cell; and a converter that converts electric power generated by the fuel cell, wherein the fuel cell, the auxiliary device and the converter are arranged serially in a front-back direction of the vehicle and the auxiliary device is arranged so as to be adjacent to the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yutaka Hotta
  • Patent number: 8387728
    Abstract: An electric vehicle having good range and power is achieved by providing a vehicle having a motor side assembly and a power side assembly. A battery starts or activates a starter. The battery is connected to a direct current motor to start off or begin the engine function by activating a rear alternator. The rear alternator has three phases by using three hot lines, one neutral line, and one ground line. One hot line and the neutral are connected or will go to a transformer to bring the voltage to the correct voltage. From the transformer, the feed goes to an inverter, so the alternating current voltage is changed to a direct current voltage. This structure will feed the direct current motor for a continuous feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Harold Ray Larke
  • Patent number: 8384318
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling the speed of a motor driving a load that is electrically connected to a generator driven by an engine, through use of a first control feedback loop configured to control the rotor flux of the motor by controlling the field excitation of the generator, and a second control feedback loop configured to control the speed of the motor by controlling the throttle position of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Unico, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Beck, Michael D. Dry, Mark E. Garlow, Michael O. Lucas, Michael A. MacDonald, Ronald G. Peterson
  • Patent number: 8376071
    Abstract: Land vehicle with electric brushless DC motors attached to planetary gear final drives of modular design controlled by an ECU “electronic control unit. Electrical power is supplied by removable modular battery packs on a roll out tray and/or an Enginator an ICE “Internal Combustion Engine” with a Generator in one integrated unit running on combustible fuel. The body of the vehicle having a universal electrical connector that connect the drive-by wire chassis components to control the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventor: John A. Lind
  • Patent number: 8376074
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a floor panel, a driver's seat and a passenger's seat fixed to the floor panel and arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to a traveling direction, and an electric power storage apparatus provided between the driver's seat and the passenger's seat. The vehicle includes a reinforcing member for fixing a supporting frame of the driver's seat and a supporting frame of the passenger's seat to each other. The reinforcing member is formed to extend over the electric power storage apparatus so as to bridge between the driver's seat and the passenger's seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehito Yoda
  • Patent number: 8371406
    Abstract: The fuel cell stack is placed in an attitude for which the stacking direction of the plurality of cells are tilted in relation to the front-back direction of the vehicle, and the second end plate is positioned at forward and upper position relative to the first end plate in the vehicle. The radiator is provided at a forward position relative to the second end plate, and along the second end plate. The first compressor is fixed at a total of three or more points to both the first and second end plates below the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Masaki, Koji Katano
  • Publication number: 20130032416
    Abstract: A vehicle including a chassis, a plurality of wheels, a regenerative braking system, a fuel cell, a capacitive energy storage device and a controller. The wheels are coupled to the chassis. The regenerative braking system is operatively connected to the plurality of wheels. The capacitive energy storage device is electrically couplable to the fuel cell. The controller is electrically connected to the fuel cell. The controller routes electrical power from the fuel cell through the regenerative braking system to the capacitive energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Joel P. Gouker, Jim Musser
  • Patent number: 8362891
    Abstract: A method displays the remaining range of a motor vehicle. The method determines repeatedly estimated values relating to the remaining range of the motor vehicle based on a fill level of an energy storage unit and at least one additional motor-vehicle state influencing the remaining range. A first remaining-range value is determined based on the estimated values and displayed as a first display value by a first graphical element on the display device. An updated second remaining-range value is determined during the display of the first display value. If the difference, in terms of amount, between the first and the second remaining-range values exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the second remaining-range value is displayed as a second display value by a second graphical element in addition to the first display value on the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Schumann, Nicolas Schreiber, Marc Breisinger
  • Patent number: 8356472
    Abstract: An ammonia selective reduction-type NOx catalyst (48) is interposed in an exhaust passage of an engine (2) provided in a series-type hybrid electric vehicle (1), and a urea water injector (52) is disposed in the exhaust passage to supply a urea water into exhaust gas existing upstream of the ammonia selective reduction-type NOx catalyst (48). The engine (2) is started and stopped in accordance with the storage state of a battery (8), and the urea water injector (52) is controlled in accordance with the operating state of the engine (2). When the engine (2) is to be stopped, an adsorption increasing operation for increasing the amount of ammonia adsorbed by the ammonia selective reduction-type NOx catalyst (48) is executed over a predetermined period before the engine (2) is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Hiranuma, Minehiro Murata, Yoshinaka Takeda, Hiroaki Fujita, Yusuke Horii
  • Publication number: 20130008730
    Abstract: A fuel-cell-powered vehicle (10) includes a cover (28) that covers and protects a tank (18) mounted on a lower portion of the vehicle body. An introduction port (32) is formed in the cover (28) in front of the tank (18) of the vehicle to introduce air into the space within the cover (28). In addition, a discharge port (34) is formed in the cover (28) behind the tank (18) of the vehicle to discharge the air introduced into the space within the cover (28) from the introduction port (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Yahashi, Tsukuo Ishitoya
  • Patent number: 8347999
    Abstract: A power generation system has at least one wheel. A trailing arm is pivotably coupled to an undercarriage of a vehicle for converting rotational energy generated by the at least one wheel to electrical energy. A transformer is coupled to the trailing arm. An electric refrigeration unit is coupled to the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Green Alternative Solar LLC
    Inventors: Robert Koelsch, Mark Stoneman, Stanford Stoneman, Ronald G. Koelsch
  • Patent number: 8348806
    Abstract: A construction machine comprises an electric motor/generator coupled to an electricity accumulator, an engine, a transmission coupled to drive wheels, an epicyclic gearing for coupling an output shaft of the electric motor/generator, an output shaft of the engine, and an input shaft of the transmission, the engine torque and/or the generator torque being transmitted to drive wheels, a clutch for directly coupling two among the output shaft of the electric motor/generator, the output shaft of the engine, and the input shaft of the transmission, and a controller configured to, under a condition in which the clutch is in an off-state, control engine speed based on the degree to which the accelerator is open and on the amount of electricity in the electricity accumulator, to control shifting of the transmission gear position based on the accelerator opening degree, operational state of the generator, and the electricity amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Baino, Masaaki Higashi, Kenji Yoshimura, Makoto Azuma, Koji Nishiumi, Susumu Harada, Yunosuke Kobayashi, Nobuo Hamada, Hidekazu Matsuba
  • Patent number: 8342276
    Abstract: Provided are a cooling device and an electric vehicle using the cooling device. The cooling device is used for cooling a switching module containing a switching element as a heating element. The cooling device includes a cooling liquid channel having a plurality of cooling fins through which the cooling liquid flows. The cooling fins have a cut-off portion at the position corresponding at least to a center portion of chips constituting the switching module in the flow direction of the cooling liquid. A chamber is formed in the cooling liquid channel by the cut-off portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoatsu Murakami
  • Patent number: 8343676
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle has a fuel cell for generating electric power by being supplied with a reactive gas, an electric storage device, a first power supply line connected to the fuel cell, a second power supply line connected to the electric storage device, and a main DC-to-DC converter for performing bidirectional voltage conversion between the first power supply line and the second power supply line, an electric motor to propel the vehicle and a first electric accessory connected to the first power supply line, a second electric accessory having at least a portion connected to the second power supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Aoyagi, Hibiki Saeki, Hiroyuki Abe, Hiroaki Takanohashi
  • Patent number: 8342275
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle is provided that can suppress uneven torque. The fuel cell vehicle 1 includes a motor 4; a fuel cell 10; a battery 3; a battery drive unit 21 for driving the motor 4 using electricity from the battery 3 so as to serve as an battery drive mode, in which case the initialization of the fuel cell 10 to generate electricity is not complete; a fuel cell drive unit 22 for driving the motor 4 using electricity from the fuel cell 10 and battery 3 so as to serve as a fuel cell drive mode, in which case the initialization of the fuel cell 10 to generate electricity is complete; and a torque upper limit control unit 23 for controlling a torque upper limit value of the motor 4 under the battery drive mode and fuel cell drive mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuniaki Ojima, Yoshikazu Murakami, Dai Saitoh
  • Patent number: 8344677
    Abstract: Power conversion equipment includes an electric power converting section that converts DC electric power to multiphase AC electric power and feeds the converted multiphase AC electric power to a multiphase AC motor. A first short-circuit section includes a first switch disposed between a first DC power supply and the electric power converting section. A second short-circuit section includes a second switch disposed between at least one of an electric power feeding section and the electric power input section in the first DC power supply, or between a multiphase AC output point of the electric power converting section and the multiphase AC motor. A switch control section controls the first switch and the second switch such that the first and second switches are prevented from being brought into the closed-state simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoki Takizawa
  • Publication number: 20120318591
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery cooling structure for an environmental-friendly vehicle. The battery cooling structure for the environmental-friendly vehicle includes a plurality of battery packs that supply power to a motor and are arranged in parallel so as to be spaced a predetermined distance from each other inside a tire well. An inflow duct is disposed to provide fluid communication and connection with the interior of the vehicle so that the air inside the vehicle is sucked into the inflow duct. A plurality of diverging ducts independently supply the air to the respective battery packs which are arranged and spaced a predetermined distance from each other on the downstream side of the inflow duct. A lower duct is disposed under the battery pack and joins diverging air flows, and a cooling fan is disposed on downstream side of the lower duct and is configured to discharge the air to the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Haekyu Lim, Yooncheol Jeon, Yongjin Lee
  • Publication number: 20120312610
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery cooling structure for an electric vehicle which can cool a plurality of batteries mounted in the electric vehicle by forming a cooling channel around the batteries and blowing air therethrough. In the battery cooling structure for an electric vehicle disclosed herein, a first battery pack is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, between a first-row of seats in the vehicle, a first battery housing is provided which is configured to allow through the first battery housing from the interior of the vehicle and is formed in the longitudinal direction to accommodate the first battery pack, and a first fan is disposed in the first housing to force the air in the vehicle into the first battery housing to be discharged to a trunk after cooling the first battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Dal Kim, Minwook Kim, Shinhyuk Yoon, Junho Bang
  • Patent number: 8322474
    Abstract: When a drive wheel (3) of a vehicle is driven by a motor generator (10) that operates as a motor, electric power is supplied from a storage battery (20) to the motor generator (10). When the drive wheel (3) is braked by the motor generator (10) that operates as a generator, electric power is supplied from the motor generator (10) to the storage battery (20), and a first thermoelectric conversion element (11) is supplied with electric power from the motor generator (10) to cool the motor generator (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Atsumitec
    Inventor: Naoki Uchiyama
  • Publication number: 20120303193
    Abstract: The invention relates to vehicles for transporting persons and/or goods, which vehicles travel on roads or alternatively on rails and at least partially use electrical energy using electric motors as drive units, wherein the electrical energy used is predominantly or substantially produced within the vehicle by converting kinetic energy, in particular components of the kinetic energy that are caused on the vehicle bodywork as gravitation effects and components of the kinetic energy from curve centrifugal forces and acceleration motions of the vehicle body, the vertical dynamic acceleration motions of the wheels and wheel suspensions, and other components, wherein the electrical energy generated in such away is temporarily stored in chemical energy stores (batteries) and/or other suitable storage media, for example, high-power capacitors or flywheel stores, until the electricity is used in the vehicle drive motors and/or other loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: INTERTRONIC GRESSER GMBH
    Inventor: German Gresser
  • Patent number: 8318372
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack in accordance with the invention has a cell laminate obtained by stacking multiple plates with at least one of functions of a power generation assembly and a separator, and a pair of end plates located outside and on both ends of the cell laminate in a stacking direction. The fuel cell stack further includes a displacement preventing member extended along the stacking direction of the cell laminate and fastened to the pair of end plates, and a deformable intermediate material located between the cell laminate and the displacement preventing member over an area of two or more plates among the multiple plates. At least either one of the two or more plates and the displacement preventing member is designed to have a concavo-convex shape formed at least partially on a face in contact with the intermediate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Norihiko Saito
  • Publication number: 20120280573
    Abstract: One state detector detects an abnormal state or a normal state relating to charge and discharge of a battery cell group in one battery module, and generates one detection signal representing the detected state. Another state detector detects an abnormal state or a normal state relating to charge and discharge of another battery cell group in another battery module, and generates another detection signal representing the detected state. One operation processing device sends the one detection signal generated by the one state detector to an external object. Another operation processing device sends the other detection signal generated by the other state detector to the external object. The one detection signal generated by the one state detector is transmitted to at least one of the other operation processing device and the other state detector via a signal line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazumi Ohkura, Tomonori Kunimitsu
  • Publication number: 20120279792
    Abstract: A structure for mounting a fuel cell on an object is provided. This structure is equipped with a fuel cell stack, a motor, and a drive shaft. The fuel cell stack has first and second end plates and at both ends. The motor is driven by the power generated by the fuel cell stack and is fixed to the fuel cell stack. The drive shaft is connected to the output shaft of the motor and extends to both sides of the motor. The fuel cell stack is equipped with a support portion for supporting the drive shaft at the first end plate. The drive shaft is supported by the support portion and the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Katano
  • Patent number: 8306692
    Abstract: An input/output control device for a secondary battery mounted on a vehicle includes a current estimating unit estimating a battery current input to or output from the secondary battery based on an input/output power of the secondary battery and outputting an estimated value (estimated current (Is)), a current sensor measuring the battery current and outputting a measured value (measured current (It)), and an input/output control unit controlling the input/output power based on the estimated value and the measured value. The input/output control device controls the input/output of the secondary battery, using the measured current (It) as well as the estimated value (Is), and therefore can suppress more reliably significant increase in heating value of the secondary battery and its peripheral parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Teruo Ishishita
  • Patent number: 8302724
    Abstract: An electric vehicle is disclosed having a frame, a plurality of ground engaging members, an electric motor, a front drive system, and a rear drive system. The electric motor is configured to provide power to at least a portion of the ground engaging members. The vehicle also comprises a plurality of batteries, an electronic controller, and a drive mode input. The drive mode input is operatively coupled to the electronic controller. The electronic controller operates the electric vehicle in one of a plurality of drive modes based on the drive mode input. In a first drive mode, the electronic controller specifies a first amount of motor braking to be applied by the electric motor, and in a second drive mode, the electronic controller specifies a second amount of motor braking to be applied by the electric motor. The second amount differs from the first amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R Gillingham, Joel M Notaro, Josh J Leonard, Stephen G Crain, Bradley R Morisch
  • Publication number: 20120273287
    Abstract: A folding type bicycle capable of allowing the user to conveniently fold the bicycle, and having a minimal volume in a folded state is disclosed. The folding type bicycle includes a frame including a front frame, to which a front wheel and a handle are mounted, a center frame, to which pedals are mounted, and a rear frame, to which a rear wheel is mounted. At least one of the front, center, and rear frames includes a hinge plate bent from one end of the at least one frame. The front, center, and rear frames are pivotally coupled through the hinge plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Joon Kyu Song
  • Publication number: 20120273288
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is capable of running using an engine and a motor as drive sources and includes an exhaust turbine to be driven and rotated by exhaust of the engine, a generator which generates power by being driven and rotated by the exhaust turbine, and a power supply unit which supplies electric power generated by the generator to the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Masahiro Yamazaki, Yoshimasa Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8297392
    Abstract: A hybrid energy management system that estimates the net regenerative energy that can be collected during the breaking action of the swing mechanism, then, since this is the net energy that can be used to recharge an energy storage device without using the engine to help recharge the energy storage device, the system limits the use of the energy storage device to that net amount predicted to be available from the recovery period. The net regenerative energy is calculated by considering motor and inverter efficiencies for transferring energy to the battery and changes in the boom/stick/bucket inertia moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin A. Treichel, David L. Collins, Stephen Eric Post
  • Patent number: 8294409
    Abstract: A ram air fan control system includes a ram air fan motor, the ram air fan motor being a pole-change induction motor with at least two pole-count configurations, a ram air fan contactor in operative communication with a first pole-count configuration of the ram air fan motor over a ram air fan conductor bus, a ram air fan power controller in operative communication with the ram air fan contactor, a common contactor in operative communication a second pole-count configuration of the ram air fan motor over a common conductor bus, the common conductor bus being separate and electrically isolated from the ram air fan conductor bus, and a common power controller in operative communication with the common contactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Waleed Said, Huazhen Chai
  • Patent number: 8293414
    Abstract: An electric system has a fuel cell for generating electric power by being supplied with a reactive gas, an electric storage device having a voltage lower than a voltage output from the fuel cell, a first power supply line connected to the fuel cell, a second power supply line connected to the electric storage device, a first electric accessory serving as at least part of a fuel cell accessory for operating the fuel cell, a first DC-to-DC converter for performing bidirectional voltage conversion between the first power supply line and the second power supply line and a second DC-to-DC converter for lowering a voltage for supply electric power to the first electric accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Aoyagi, Hibiki Saeki, Hiroyuki Abe, Hiroaki Takanohashi
  • Patent number: 8286742
    Abstract: Engine exhaust is sent to a reformer, which produces hydrogen from fuel remaining in the exhaust. The hydrogen may be stored in a hydrogen tank, and may be used by a fuel cell to produce electricity to recharge a vehicle battery and/or to supply propulsion current to an electric propulsion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: EnergyYield LLC
    Inventor: Robert Hotto
  • Publication number: 20120259491
    Abstract: A rear body of an electric vehicle can include rear body frames attached in a vertically swingable manner with respect to a body frame and a chassis attached to the rear body frames by a pivot shaft on a vehicle forward side in a vertically swingable manner. Front and rear batteries are located on the rear body frames, and a motor and rear wheels are supported on the chassis. The front and rear batteries are housed in a battery case fixed on the rear body frames. A PDU as a battery control device, is located on a vehicle forward side of the battery case. A contactor, having a function to open and close the connection between the front and rear batteries and the PDU, is located on a lateral face of the battery case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukinori KURAKAWA, Masaru NAKAYAMA, Makoto HASEGAWA
  • Publication number: 20120253571
    Abstract: An inverter for use in an electric vehicle includes a plurality of elements to convert direct current power to alternating current power, first and second heat sinks to absorb heat within the inverter, the first heat sink including a first cooling fluid passage therein to allow cooling fluid to pass through and exchange heat with the first heat sink, and the second heat sink including a second cooling fluid passage therein to allow cooling fluid to pass through and exchange heat with the second heat sink, wherein the first heat sink is disposed to exchange heat with at least one element of the inverter, and the second heat sink is disposed to exchange heat with the first heat sink. With the configuration, it may be possible to cool the components as well as collecting thermal energy to be used in heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Junbo Yun, Jaeseok Oh, Heeseok Jeong, Junggi Lee, Sunkyoung Lim