Electric Motor Patents (Class 322/16)
  • Patent number: 11338788
    Abstract: Fuel injection of a hybrid electric vehicle including an engine and a transmission may be controlled by a method including, determining to release coasting of the hybrid electric vehicle based on a brake pedal operation, determining whether a fuel injection suspending condition is satisfied based on vehicle running state data, suspending fuel injection when the vehicle running state data satisfies the fuel injection suspending condition, performing an engagement control of the transmission while the fuel injection is suspended, determining whether a fuel injection suspension release condition is satisfied, determining whether the engine and the transmission are directly coupled when the fuel injection suspension release condition is satisfied, and initiating fuel injection of the engine when the engine and the transmission are directly coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jungsup Byun, Seungwoo Lee, Chan Hee Won
  • Patent number: 11342830
    Abstract: An electromechanical drive system for a mechanical power load. The system includes an electric motor connectable to an electric power source, a first transmission connected at one side with a first end of the shaft of the electric motor and connectable at the other end with a load, an electric power generator, and a second transmission connected at one side with a second end of the shaft of the electric motor, which extends in a direction opposite to that of the first end of the shaft of the electric motor, and which is connected at the other side with the electric power generator, wherein the electric power generator is electrically connectable via a switch with a power source and the electric motor, such that the electric current from the power generator can be directed either to electric power source or to an electric motor, with which charging of the electric power source is achieved when a need of the load for mechanical power is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: METCON d.o.o.
    Inventor: Manca Pirc Vargec
  • Patent number: 10029632
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an on-board electrical system (1) for a motor vehicle, wherein the on-board electrical system (1) has a low-voltage electrical subsystem (21) with at least one low-voltage load (29) and a starter (26), and has a high-voltage electrical subsystem (20) having at least one high-voltage load (25) and one electrical generator (23), wherein the high-voltage electrical subsystem (20) is connected to the low-voltage electrical subsystem (21) by means of a coupling unit (33) which is designed to draw energy from the high-voltage electrical subsystem (20) and to supply energy to the low-voltage electrical subsystem (21), wherein the high-voltage electrical subsystem (20) has a battery (40) which is designed to generate the high voltage and output said high voltage to the high-voltage electrical subsystem (20), and which has at least two battery units (41-1, 41-2, . . . , 41-n) with line sections (80-11, 80-12, . . . , 80-n2) which are routed to the coupling unit (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Fink
  • Patent number: 9987946
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a SOC of a hybrid vehicle comprises a data detector for detecting data including a SOC of a battery, a vehicle speed, an amount of operating of a brake pedal sensor, an amount of operating of an acceleration pedal sensor, and a driving state of a vehicle to control a SOC of a hybrid vehicle. Included are a correction value calculating unit configured for calculating a correction value of the SOC based on the data; a SOC calculating unit configured for calculating a virtual center SOC based on the correction value of the SOC and an actual SOC; and an engine-on/off determining unit configured for determining whether an engine is turned on or turned off based on the virtual center SOC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jungsoo Park, Hong Kee Sim, Dong Jun Shin
  • Patent number: 9966442
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes a silicon carbide layer, a silicon oxide layer including carbon, the silicon oxide layer including single bonds between carbon atoms which are at least a part of the carbon, the number of the single bonds between carbon atoms being greater than the number of double bonds between carbon atoms which are at least a part of the carbon, and a region provided between the silicon carbide layer and the silicon oxide layer, the region including at least one element from the group consisting of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi), scandium (Sc), yttrium (Y), and lanthanoids (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tatsuo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9764726
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle system including an engine that is selectively shut-down during engine idle-stop conditions, the vehicle system further including a hydraulically actuated transmission component. One example method comprises, during an idle-stop engine shut-down, adjusting a hydraulic actuation of the transmission component to adjust drag torque on the engine to stop the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Roger Lyle Huffmaster, Peter John Grutter, Felix Nedorezov, Rodney Lewis Lopez
  • Patent number: 9685900
    Abstract: An electric drive system includes an induction machine and a power converter electrically coupled to the induction machine to drive the induction machine. The power converter comprising a plurality of silicon carbide (SiC) switching devices. The electric drive system further includes a controller that is electrically coupled to the power converter and that is programmed to transmit switching signals to the plurality of SiC switching devices at a given switching frequency such that a peak-to-peak current ripple is less than approximately five percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ayman Mohamed Fawzi El-Refaie, Robert Dean King
  • Patent number: 9669724
    Abstract: An energy storage system of a vehicle includes an energy storage device, a regulation device coupled to the energy storage device, one or more sensing devices for sensing current levels, voltage levels, temperature levels, and/or pressure levels of the energy storage device and/or on components thereof, and a control unit configured to determine dynamically a power flow in/out of the energy storage device using a fuzzy logic approach. The regulation device is configured to regulate at least one of a voltage level, a current level, and any additional state parameter of the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Center
    Inventor: Brian C. Sisk
  • Patent number: 9543883
    Abstract: An electric drive system includes an induction machine and a power converter electrically coupled to the induction machine to drive the induction machine. The power converter comprising a plurality of silicon carbide (SiC) switching devices. The electric drive system further includes a controller that is electrically coupled to the power converter and that is programmed to transmit switching signals to the plurality of SiC switching devices at a given switching frequency such that a peak-to-peak current ripple is less than approximately five percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ayman Mohamed Fawzi El-Refaie, Robert Dean King
  • Patent number: 9531211
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for charging an intermediate circuit capacitor in an electric drive unit comprising an electric motor. The intermediate circuit capacitor is charged by an intermediate circuit current that is supplied by a battery. The output voltage of the battery is settable to one or more voltage values. A target value of the intermediate circuit current is determined, and an actual value of the intermediate circuit current is ascertained. The actual value of the intermediate circuit current is then compared with the target value of the intermediate circuit current. An optimal output voltage of the battery is determined on the basis of the comparison of the actual value of the intermediate circuit current with the target value of the intermediate circuit current. Then, the optimal output voltage of the battery is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ralph Schmidt, Stefan Butzmann, Holger Fink
  • Patent number: 9509175
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas turbine power generation system, that includes a hydrogen-cooled generator having hydrogen as coolant, a plant hydrogen storage, generator auxiliaries and an emergency power supply system. The power generation system includes a fuel cell using hydrogen as fuel. The fuel cell is supplied via a line with hydrogen fuel from the hydrogen filling of the hydrogen-cooled generator in case of failure or disruption of the power supply from the gas turbine power generation system. In a preferred embodiment the fuel cell is supplied with additional hydrogen via a line from the plant hydrogen storage and/or with additional hydrogen via a line from generator auxiliaries in case of failure or disruption of the power supply from the gas turbine power generation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Axel Haerms, Wolfgand Lang
  • Patent number: 9350287
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle having a multiphase electric machine, comprising a first onboard power subsystem provided with a first nominal DC voltage level, and a second onboard power subsystem provided with a second nominal DC voltage level, wherein the electric machine comprises a rotor, a first stator system, and a second stator system. The first onboard power subsystem comprises a first inverter having a first intermediate circuit capacitor. The first stator system is dedicated to the first inverter. The second onboard power subsystem comprises a second inverter having a second intermediate circuit capacitor, and the second stator system is dedicated to the second inverter. The first stator system is configured in a star connection, the second stator system is configured in a star connection, and a transfer circuit connects the star point of the first stator system to the star point of the second stator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Gorka, Daniel Findeisen, Dominik Hecker
  • Patent number: 8675321
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for monitoring the continuous flow of power delivered by multiple DC Direct current operated starter motors used to start engine driven electrical generators. The method and system comprise the closing of a starter battery system and an associated starter control switch, causing the starter battery system to discharge through a shunt whereby current is fed into a starter motor. The shunt is optionally provided as a precision resistor with a pre-calibrated voltage drop in millivolts DC proportional to a current passing through it. The shunt directs current to a meter relay, which is calibrated by establishing two set points, or desired trigger ranges, for the meter relay. If the current falls outside a range established by the two set points, then a meter relay alarm output is activated; and, if the current remains within the range, then the meter relay alarm output is not activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Darby Group Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas Fortner
  • Publication number: 20130181687
    Abstract: A fault tolerant electric drive system comprises an alternator, a motor controller and an electric motor, wherein the alternator and motor each have a plurality of corresponding independent phase windings, the motor controller having a plurality of independent phase drives corresponding to the phase windings, and a plurality of independent electric drive phases is defined by connecting each corresponding phase winding of the alternator and motor to a corresponding phase drive of the motor controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventor: ROLLS-ROYCE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEMS LTD.
  • Patent number: 8392042
    Abstract: The control method for a hybrid drive system of a vehicle includes (1) acquiring the driver's acceleration desire for determining the power for the corresponding wheel (Pwheel), the charge level of the battery (SOC) between a minimum (SOCmin) and a maximum (SOCmax) thresholds for a predetermined traction mode, and the available braking power (Pfrein) for deciding between electric or dissipative braking; (2) managing the charge (SOC) for, based on a first (SOC1 bmin) and a second (SOC2 bmin) minimum thresholds of the charge (SOC) and the driver's requested wheel power (Pwheel), either imposing a battery recharge or setting input parameters for the traction mode selection; and (3) selecting the traction mode, based on the battery power actually available (Pbat), the driver's requested wheel power (Pwheel), and the maximum power available at the thermal engine output (Pmthmax), for selecting the traction mode most adapted to the actual situation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventor: Christian Noiret
  • Publication number: 20120206112
    Abstract: The invention described above is a method of producing high voltage alternating current electricity for use in the electrolysis of liquid. The advantages of using high voltage alternating current over just direct current are that there are resonant frequencies for functional groups in any chemical. By using high voltage alternating current instead of just direct current new pathways might be found to produce chemicals. Possibly even the production of synthetic fuels. My invention is a tool for use in this experimentation. The high voltage oscilloscope provides for means of controlling both frequency and voltage at a specific test site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventor: John Kissane
  • Publication number: 20120187680
    Abstract: A system and method for electrical power conversion, with the system being intended for use in converting a high voltage DC power output from a turbine generator to an AC power signal that is suitable for connecting to an AC power grid. The system utilises a mechanical coupling between a synchronous motor driving a synchronous generator in order to provide isolation, as well as allowing for control of the real power output by the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Openhydro IP Limited
    Inventors: Edward Spooner, David Taaffe
  • Patent number: 8207708
    Abstract: A power generation control method of a hybrid construction machine capable of maintaining voltage of a capacitor in an appropriate range while minimizing capacitance of the capacitor and of surely preventing a system from being rendered inoperative, and the hybrid construction machine are provided. For this purpose, swing power corresponding to electric power consumed by a swing motor for swinging a part of a body relative to other parts is sequentially calculated, a value of the calculated swing power is converted to a smaller value, a power generation command of a generator motor is sequentially generated using the converted value, and the generated power generation command is output to an inverter for driving the generator motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Morinaga, Tadashi Kawaguchi, Hiroaki Inoue
  • Patent number: 8097967
    Abstract: Energy systems, energy devices, energy utilization methods, and energy transfer methods are described. In one arrangement, energy utilization methods include providing first energy from a power grid to an induction generator at a first moment in time; using the induction generator and the first energy from the power grid, charging an energy storage device; using second energy from the energy storage device, powering a motor causing the induction generator to generate third energy during a second moment in time; and providing the third energy to the power grid. Other arrangements are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Demand Energy Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Robert Hamilton
  • Patent number: 8058849
    Abstract: A vehicle drive mechanism includes a power transmission mechanism which has a rotary electric motor and a gear mechanism for transmitting mechanical power from the rotary electric motor to a drive shaft disposed coaxially with an output shaft of the rotary electric motor, and a control unit formed of a plurality of elements and controlling an operation of the rotary electric motor. At least one of the elements which constitute the control unit is disposed on a periphery of at least one of the rotary electric motor, the drive shaft, and the gear mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadafumi Yoshida, Yutaka Hotta
  • Patent number: 8054016
    Abstract: A cooling system for a retarding system of an electric drive machine (100) includes a direct current (DC) link having first and second rails. A first resistor grid (214) is selectively placed in circuit between the rails by an automatic switch (216) in response to a switch (216) signal. A second resistor grid (218) is selectively placed in circuit between the rails by a chopper circuit (220) connected in series with the second resistor grid (218). The chopper modulates a current passing therethrough based on a duty cycle. A motor (336) is in parallel electrical connection across a portion of the first resistor grid (214) and operates in response to a motor (336) signal. An electronic controller (400) calculates a net energy during operation and adjusts the switch (216) signal, the duty cycle, and the motor (336) signal to close the automatic electrical switch (216) and operate the motor (336) when the net energy exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin P. Gottemoller, Benjamin Miller, Tamran H. Lengyel
  • Patent number: 7898200
    Abstract: A controller able to efficiently operate an electric motor of an axial air-gap type as an electric motor and an electricity generator is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Atarashi, Shoei Abe, Keiichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7723963
    Abstract: The target regulation voltage setting apparatus for a vehicle on which a vehicle alternator is mounted includes a first function of calculating a large first-order delay and a small first-order delay of a rotational speed of the vehicle alternator at regular time intervals, a second function of making a judgment on a running state of the vehicle by determining whether or not the vehicle is in one of an accelerating state and a decelerating state on the basis of a variation of the large first-order delay supplied from the first function, and determining whether or not the vehicle is in a normal state on the basis of a variation of the small first-order delay supplied from the first function, and a third function of determining a target regulation voltage of the vehicle alternator in accordance with a judgment result of the second function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Jyun Ozawa
  • Publication number: 20090256522
    Abstract: A system and method for charging a battery of an electric vehicle is disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention enables an internal motor of an electric vehicle to be backdriven. When the internal motor is backdriven, it operates as an electric generator to produce electric power used to charge the electric vehicle's battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alain T. Pellen
  • Patent number: 7525292
    Abstract: Compensator device, for the stabilisation of electromechanical oscillations destined to provide a reference signal to a voltage regulator device of a synchronous alternator for the delivery of electrical power to a distribution network, said device including: first processing means to receive electrical measurement signals representing operative parameters characteristics of said synchronous alternator and/or to generate an electrical signal to be controlled; and a first electrical signal corresponding to a sliding surface of a control of the “sliding modes” type, second processing means of the first signal to generate the reference signal so that it has a first order “sliding modes” profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Ansaldo Energia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Filippo Lombardi, Roberto Mastretta
  • Patent number: 7518254
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a control strategy for operating a plurality of prime power sources during propulsion, idling and braking and is applicable to large systems such as trucks, ships, cranes and locomotives utilizing diesel engines, gas turbine engines, other types of internal combustion engines, fuel cells or combinations of these that require substantial power and low emissions utilizing multiple power plant combinations. The present invention is directed at a general control strategy for multi power plant systems where the power systems need not be of the same type or power rating and may even use different fuels. The invention is based on a common DC bus electrical architecture so that prime power sources need not be synchronized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Railpower Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Donnelly, Andrew Tarnow, Bruce Wolff, John D. Watson
  • Patent number: 7506182
    Abstract: In a vehicle-mounted power supply system, the automotive generator generates a voltage for charging a first battery. Power conversion circuitry is connected between the first battery and a second battery that is connected to an electrical load to operate in a first mode or in a second mode when power consumption of the load is lower or higher than a specified value, respectively. In the first mode, the power conversion circuitry maintains the voltage at the second battery at a substantially constant level and in the second mode, the voltage at the second battery varies with the voltage at the first battery. In response to a vehicle speed variation, the automotive generator is controlled so that its output voltage is varied at a first rate when power conversion is performed in the first mode and varied at a second rate lower than the first rate when power conversion is performed in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Taniguchi, Katsunori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7462948
    Abstract: The present invention provides a midget gas turbine has: a casing; an irregular-shaped hollow disk rotationally attached to a casing; said irregular-shaped hollow disk having in a hollow portion constituting a bursiform space having a closed peripheral portion in which a guiding vane is provided, and having a radius changing with respect to the circumferential direction; a fuel conduit provided from a central portion towards a portion of the outer peripheral portion of the irregular-shaped hollow disk and communicated with a fuel nozzle provided in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the irregular-shaped hollow disk; and at least two combustion chambers each comprising a mixing portion for mixing a fuel injected from the fuel nozzle with an external air centrifugally compressed by the guiding vane, a combustor and a combustion gas discharge nozzle portion, said combustion chambers being provided at rotationally symmetric positions at the outer peripheral portion of the irregular-shaped hollow d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Thinktank PHOENIX Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Toriyama
  • Publication number: 20080271935
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides an electrical machine apparatus that includes a rotor coupled to an armature and a stator surrounding the rotor. The stator has a series of coils; the series of coils configured into a first group of coils and a second group of coils, the first group of coils electrically and magnetically isolated from the second group of coils. The electric machine is capable of simultaneously acting as an electric motor and generating electricity as an alternator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Erkan Mese
  • Patent number: 7436080
    Abstract: Device for supplying power to a two-voltage vehicle electrical system equipped with safety-relevant components with an integrated starter-generator mechanically coupled with an internal combustion engine BKM, a double-layer capacitor DLC, a first and second energy accumulator B1, B2, with power being able to be supplied to safety-relevant components V1s via three safety switches X1 to X3, alternately by the starter-generator ISG, the double-layer capacitor DLC, the first or the second energy accumulator B1, B2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Hackl, Rainer Knorr, Günter Lugert
  • Publication number: 20080246363
    Abstract: A controller able to efficiently operate an electric motor of an axial air-gap type as an electric motor and an electricity generator is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Atarashi, Shoei Abe, Keiichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7342382
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to determining and controlling the appropriate moment at which a combined starter/alternator should transition from start-up mode to alternator/generator mode following an IC engine start-up sequence. The method relies on battery voltage or battery current monitoring to establish the timing of the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Evart Blackburn, Eric Keith Manning
  • Patent number: 7329960
    Abstract: A propulsion system for a relatively large land-based vehicle, such as a locomotive or off-highway vehicle, is provided. The system may include a brushless dynamoelectric machine made up of a main alternator having a main rotor and a main stator, and an auxiliary alternator having an auxiliary rotor and an auxiliary stator, wherein the main rotor and the auxiliary rotor are disposed on a shaft for joint rotation with the shaft. The dynamoelectric machine is operable in a power generating mode, and in an engine cranking mode. A power source may be connected to pass current to one or more windings in the auxiliary stator to induce an alternating current flow in one or more windings in the auxiliary rotor. A rectifier may be connected to receive the alternating current flow from the one or more windings in the auxiliary rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ajith K. Kumar
  • Patent number: 7292008
    Abstract: An electric generation control apparatus for a vehicle alternator receives an electric generation control signal transferred from an ECU placed apart from the control apparatus through a data transfer line. The control apparatus has a voltage comparator, a communication state judgment circuit, a serial data communication receiver, a PWM communication receiver, and an electric generation control circuit. The voltage comparator acts as a receiver of receiving the electric generation control signal transferred through the data transfer line. The communication state judgment circuit judges whether the received signal is a PWM signal or a serial data signal. The serial data communication receiver and the PWM communication receiver demodulate an electric generation control parameter from the received control signal based on the judgment result. The electric generation control circuit controls the operation of the vehicle alternator based on the electric generation control parameter demodulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tadatoshi Asada
  • Patent number: 7285937
    Abstract: An electric generation control apparatus for a vehicle alternator receives an electric generation control signal transferred from an ECU placed apart from the control apparatus through a data transfer line. The control apparatus has a voltage comparator, a communication state judgment circuit, a serial data communication receiver, a PWM communication receiver, and an electric generation control circuit. The voltage comparator acts as a receiver of receiving the electric generation control signal transferred through the data transfer line. The communication state judgment circuit judges whether the received signal is a PWM signal or a serial data signal. The serial data communication receiver and the PWM communication receiver demodulate an electric generation control parameter from the received control signal based on the judgment result. The electric generation control circuit controls the operation of the vehicle alternator based on the electric generation control parameter demodulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tadatoshi Asada
  • Patent number: 7276804
    Abstract: This invention discloses a vehicle electrical system voltage regulator with improved electrical protection and warning means that discerns and responds to regulator, generator, or vehicle electrical system operation and malfunctions. The regulator includes monitoring, control, and protection circuits with a phase signal monitor, a field switching circuit that operates the field coil in response to electrical power demands, and a field enable switch in series with the field regulating switch. The phase monitor and protection circuit ascertains and transmits generator rotational motion for use by the monitoring and control circuit in discerning the various operating conditions. The monitoring and control circuit operates on the field switching circuit to meet the electrical power demands and provide multi level fault protection to include field switching circuit reconfiguration to continue operating under various fault conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventor: Issam Jabaji
  • Patent number: 7202637
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved control method and apparatus allowing units arranged at different spaced apart locations to be controlled without the need for a high bandwidth link between the units and the controller. This allows a single controller to control a number of remotely located units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: The Turbo Genset Company Limited
    Inventors: Tim Charles Green, Hassan Mansir, Milan Prodanovic
  • Patent number: 7180201
    Abstract: A starting apparatus for an engine has a plurality of cylinders and an output shaft. The apparatus includes a power supply, an inverter having a switching element, a motor generator, an ECU, A crank angle sensor. The motor generator is coupled to the output shaft and connected to the power supply through the inverter. The ECU energizes the motor generator by controlling the inverter when the engine is started. The ECU causes ignition to occur in a specific cylinder that contains air-fuel mixture and is in an expansion stroke in an engine stopping state. The crank angle sensor indirectly detects a rotational speed of the motor generator. After the ignition caused, the ECU prohibits the motor generator from being energized until the rotational speed detected reaches or exceeds a predetermined value. As a result, the apparatus curbs an excessive increase in the temperature of a switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kusumi, Kentarou Mitai
  • Patent number: 7105938
    Abstract: An electronically controlled electrical power generator comprises a generator driven by a heat engine, operated by control means, and carrying an electrical load. Operation of the heat engine is at wide open throttle. Control over engine operation and electrical output of the generator is achieved by electronically manipulating the electric load, and/or adjusting excitation levels at the generator's magnetic fields, so as to change engine/generator equilibrium speed. In a beneficial embodiment, the generator is powered by an energy storage unit, to temporarily act as a motor and rotate the engine when starting, and during power absorbing strokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Borealis Technical Limited
    Inventor: Jonathan Sidney Edelson
  • Patent number: 7102304
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for a reversible, multi-phased rotating electrical machine which can operate in alternator or motor mode. The inventive device comprises a main battery (4), an electric network (5) and a unit (3) for controlling and commanding an inverter and a rectifier bridge (P) for selection in alternator mode or starter mode. According to the invention, the machine is powered by the inverter which is connected to a start-up control unit which can provide a voltage greater than that provided by the main battery (4) over the network (5). The inverter is connected to the positive terminal of the secondary voltage source via a first switch (K1) in motor mode, while the rectifier bridge (P) is connected to the positive terminal of the main battery via a second switch (K2) in alternator mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur
    Inventors: Dominique Sebille, Eckart Westerholt
  • Patent number: 7053498
    Abstract: Electronic control for a hydraulic system driving an auxiliary power source is provided, with specific application as a system for controlling the operation of a hydraulically driven AC generator. The system may includes a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor drivably connected to the generator, a fluid circuit for circulating fluid from the pump to the motor and back. The fluid circuit may contain a bypass conduit to bypass the motor. The system also includes a proportional servo control valve assembly for controlling the fluid circuits and a control circuit for controlling the proportional control valve assembly. The control system can be capable of controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to the motor powering the electrical or mechanical system. Sensors for measuring the operating parameters of the system and an operator interface module can influence the operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Wartron Corporation
    Inventors: Mario P. Boisvert, Randall L. Perrin, Marvin E. Puska, John E. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6949902
    Abstract: A controller of a rotating electric machine for a vehicle has a magnetic field electric current command arithmetic device for commanding a magnetic field electric current by the command of a torque and electric power command arithmetic device, an electric power converter functioning as a rectifier or an inverter, and a magnetic field electric current command restraining device for restraining a three-phase line electric current by restraining and controlling an output of the magnetic field electric current command arithmetic device when the rotating electric machine functions as an electric generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masakazu Nakayama, Masaru Kobayashi, Masato Mori, Kiyoharu Anzai
  • Patent number: 6919648
    Abstract: A starter-generator (ISG) is mechanically connected to an internal combustion engine (BKM), comprises a bi-directional AC/DC converter (1), and can be connected to an accumulator (B1) by means of a first switch (S1), and connected to a double layer capacitor (DLC) by means of a second switch (S2). The accumulator (B1) is either connected to the double layer capacitor (DLC) by means of a control circuit (PWM), or the accumulator (B1) and the double layer capacitor (DLC) are connected to a bidirectional DC/DC converter (3) and to a second accumulator (B2) by means of a third switch (S3) and a fourth switch (S4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Bolz, Rainer Knorr
  • Patent number: 6894402
    Abstract: Method for control of a multi-phase, reversible, rotating electrical machine, called alternator/starter, for a motor vehicle with a heat engine capable of operating either as an electrical generator—alternator mode—or as an electric motor, especially in order to start the heat engine, characterised in that, during operation in electric-motor mode, the said machine is driven according to two modes corresponding to different speed/torque characteristic curves, namely a first mode, called starter mode, making it possible to drive the heat engine of the vehicle in order to start it with high torques for low speeds, while the second mode, called auxiliary-motor mode, makes it possible to drive at least one power-consumer unit, such as an accessory, and/or the heat engine, at higher speeds and lower torques than those of the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Equipments Electriques Moteur
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Dubus, Eckart Westerholt
  • Patent number: 6806687
    Abstract: A vehicle motor-generator apparatus based on a field winding type of synchronous machine coupled to a power inverter and a battery, wherein the synchronous machine is controlled to operate as a motor to perform engine starting and thereafter be driven by the engine as an electrical generator, wherein during a short time interval at the commencement of engine starting, the armature winding of the synchronous machine is driven by a current such that magnetic flux is produced by the armature winding acting in the same direction as magnetic flux produced by the field winding, to thereby achieve increased torque during the time when maximum torque is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kajiura
  • Patent number: 6801019
    Abstract: An electric power generating set which automatically varies its speed to match load variations at any time includes an engine driven generator G which provides a positive, Ga and a negative, Gb AC output voltage each of which is rectified by a respective rectifier Re3a, Re3b. Each rectifier Re3a,Re3b has one terminal connected to a common neutral line N. The DC output voltage of each rectifier Re3a, Re3b is boosted in a respective booster circuit which also has one terminal connected to the neutral line N. The combined output of the two booster circuits, Va+Vb is fed to an Inverter IN which converts it to the AC power output of the generating set. A DC load current between the booster circuits and the inverter IN is monitored and used to provide a speed demand feedback signal Srs to the speed control of the engine EN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Newage International Limited
    Inventors: Lawrence Haydock, Wlodzimierz Koczara, Nazar Al-Khayat, Neil Brown, Denis Hedley Dalby, Jawad Al-Tayie, Robert Pawel Dziuba, Jaroslaw Leonarski, George Williamson Laird
  • Patent number: 6784634
    Abstract: Processor-based field oriented control for brushless doubly-fed induction machine having first and second polyphase stator windings is programmed to operate the machine in various modes, as a motor or a generator, with bumpless switching between operating modes. An electronic power converter controls a current supplied to the first stator winding to control the torque of the machine, with the second stator winding selectively connected to an AC line. Stationary coordinates for in-phase and quadrature current commands are coordinate transformed using a voltage vector for voltage induced on the first polyphase stator winding to control current in the first stator winding, with or without a position sensor. The electronic power converter controls the voltage supplied to the first stator for generating, with the second stator selectively connected to a load. The machine can also be controlled to operate as a singly-fed motor at lower speeds, with the second stator winding shorted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Edwin A. Sweo
  • Patent number: 6774591
    Abstract: A motor/generator comprises a stator (2) having plural coils (C1-C14), and plural rotors (3, 4) disposed coaxially with the above-mentioned stator and driven by a compound current. The phase difference between the currents (70, 71) driving the rotors (3, 4) is arranged to be other than 180 degrees. Thereby, the utilization factor of the voltage of the direct current power supply (10) is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Arimitsu, Shouichi Maeda
  • Patent number: 6713888
    Abstract: A vehicle motor-generator apparatus based on a field winding type of synchronous machine coupled to a power inverter and a battery, wherein the synchronous machine is controlled to operate as a motor to perform engine starting and thereafter be driven by the engine as an electrical generator, wherein during a short time interval at the commencement of engine starting, the armature winding of the synchronous machine is driven by a current such that magnetic flux is produced by the armature winding acting in the same direction as magnetic flux produced by the field winding, to thereby achieve increased torque during the time when maximum torque is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kajiura
  • Patent number: RE38790
    Abstract: A power output apparatus 20 includes a clutch motor, an assist motor, and a controller. The clutch motor and the assist motor are controlled by the controller to enable the power output from an engine to a crankshaft 56, and expressed as the product of its revolving speed and torque, to be converted to the power expressed as the product of a revolving speed and a torque of a drive shaft and to be output to the drive shaft. The engine can be driven at an arbitrary driving point defined by a revolving speed and a torque, as long as the energy or power output to the crankshaft is identical. A desired driving point that attains the highest possible efficiency with respect to each amount of output energy is determined in advance. In order to allow the engine to be driven at the desired driving point, the controller controls the clutch motor and the assist motor as well as the fuel injection and the throttle valve position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoharu Maeda, Yoshihide Nii, Shoichi Sasaki, Takeshi Kotani, Eiji Yamada, Yasutomo Kawabata