Vehicle Energy Management System and Related Methods
A vehicle is proposed to control regeneration and reuse of captured energy in a through-the-road hybrid configuration. The vehicle comprises a vehicle frame, an energy store, and a controller. The vehicle frame is configured for over-the-roadway travel under a power of plural drive axles. At least one of the plural drive axles is coupled via a primary drivetrain to a fuel-fed engine to drive at least a pair of wheels. At least one other of the plural drive axles is an electrically-powered drive axle configured to supply supplemental torque to additional wheels. The energy store is configured to supply the electrically-powered drive axle with electrical power in a first mode of operation and receive energy recovered using the electrically-powered drive axle in a second mode of operation. The controller is coupled between the electrically-powered drive axle and one or more sensor inputs to transition between different modes of operation.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 120 as a continuation of application Ser. No. 17/951,577, filed on Sep. 23, 2022, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 17/061,382, filed on Oct. 1, 2020, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 15/721,345, filed on Sep. 29, 2017, which claims priority to provisional application 62/460,734, filed on Feb. 17, 2017, and also claims priority to provisional application 62/403,026, filed on Sep. 30, 2016, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. The patent owner hereby rescinds any prior disclaimer of claim scope occurring in the prosecution of any priority application and advises the PTO that the claims of this application may be broader than any claim of any priority application.
BACKGROUND Field of the InventionThe invention relates generally to hybrid vehicle technology, and in particular to systems and methods to intelligently control the regeneration and reuse of captured energy in a through-the-road (TTR) hybrid configuration.
Description of the Related ArtThe U.S. trucking industry consumes about 51 billion gallons of fuel per year, accounting for over 30% of overall industry operating costs. In addition, the trucking industry spends over $100 billion on fuel annually, and the average fuel economy of a tractor-trailer (for example, an 18-wheeler) is only about 6.5 miles per gallon. For trucking fleets faced with large fuel costs, techniques for reducing those costs would be worth considering.
Hybrid technology has been in development for use in the trucking industry for some time, and some hybrid trucks have entered the market. However, existing systems are generally focused on hybridizing the drivetrain of a heavy truck or tractor unit, while any attached trailer or dead axles remain a passive load. Thus, the extent to which the fuel efficiency of a trucking fleet may be improved using these technologies may be limited to the fuel efficiencies obtained from the improvement of the hybrid drivetrain and the in-fleet adoption of such hybrid drivetrain technologies. Given the large numbers of heavy trucks and tractor units already in service and their useful service lifetimes (often 10-20 years), the improved hybrid drivetrains that are candidates for introduction in new vehicles would only address a small fraction of existing fleets. Improved techniques, increased adoption, and new functional capabilities are all desired.
SUMMARYIt has been discovered that a through-the-road (TTR) hybridization strategy can facilitate the introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (for example, a truck, a tractor unit, a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, at a tandem, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.
In general, through-the-road (TTR) designs using control strategies such as an equivalent consumption minimization strategy (ECMS) or adaptive ECMS are contemplated and implemented at the supplemental torque delivering electrically-powered drive axle (or axles) in a manner that follows operational parameters or computationally estimates states of the primary drivetrain and/or fuel-fed engine, but does not itself participate in the control of the fuel-fed engine or primary drivetrain. Instead, techniques of the present inventions rely on operating parameters that can be observed and/or kinematic variables that are sensed to inform its controller.
In some embodiments, an ECMS-type controller for an electrically-powered drive axle is not directly responsive to driver-, autopilot- or cruise-type throttle controls of the fuel-fed engine or gear selections by a driver or autopilot in the primary drivetrain. Instead, the controller is responsive to sensed pressure in a brake line for regenerative braking and to computationally-estimated operational states of the fuel-fed engine or of the drive train. In some cases, observables employed by the controller include information retrievable via a CANbus or SAE J1939 vehicle bus interface such as commonly employed in heavy-duty trucks. While the ECMS-type controller employed for the electrically-powered drive axle (or axles) adapts to the particular characteristics and current operation of the fuel-fed engine and primary drivetrain (for example, apparent throttle and gearing), it does not itself control the fuel-fed engine or of the primary drivetrain.
In some embodiments in accordance with the present invention(s), a vehicle includes a vehicle frame, an energy store on the vehicle, and a controller. The vehicle frame is configured for travel over a roadway under the power of plural drive axles, wherein at least one of the plural drive axles is coupled via a primary drivetrain to a fuel-fed engine to drive at least a pair of wheels, and wherein at least one other of the plural drive axles is a first electrically-powered drive axle configured to supply supplemental torque to one or more additional wheels of the vehicle. The energy store is on the vehicle and is configured to supply the first electrically powered drive axle with electrical power in a first mode of operation and further configured to receive energy recovered using the first electrically powered drive axle in a second mode of operation. The controller is operatively coupled between the first electrically-powered drive axle and one or more sensor inputs, including at least a brake line sensor, to transition between the first, the second, and at least a third mode of operation, wherein the controller is not coupled to control the fuel-fed engine or the primary drivetrain.
In some cases or embodiments, the controller is not directly responsive to controls of the fuel-fed engine and primary drivetrain, but instead computationally estimates operational states of the fuel-fed engine or primary drivetrain and supplies the supplemental torque in correspondence therewith. In some cases or embodiments, in the first mode of operation, the first electrically powered drive axle supplements primary motive forces applied through the primary drivetrain, and in the second mode of operation, the first electrically powered drive axle provides a regenerative braking force.
In some cases or embodiments, the vehicle includes a tractor unit for use in a tractor-trailer vehicle configuration, the vehicle frame is that of the tractor unit, and the primary drivetrain, the fuel-fed engine, and the first electrically-powered drive axle are each fixed to the vehicle frame of the tractor unit. In some embodiments, the vehicle further includes a trailer, the trailer including at least a second electrically-powered drive axle controlled in the same manner as the first electrically-powered drive axle on the tractor unit.
In some cases or embodiments, the vehicle includes a trailer for use in a tractor-trailer vehicle configuration with a tractor unit. The vehicle frame is that of the trailer and the first electrically-powered drive axle is fixed thereto, and the primary drivetrain and the fuel-fed engine are those of the tractor unit. In some embodiments, the vehicle further includes the tractor unit, which in turn includes a second electrically-powered drive axle controlled in the same manner as the first electrically-powered drive axle on the trailer.
In some cases or embodiments, the controller employs a parallel through-the-road equivalent consumption minimization strategy based on the computational estimates of the operational states of the fuel-fed engine or primary drivetrain.
In some embodiments, the vehicle further includes a heating, ventilation, or cooling (HVC) system, the heating, ventilation or cooling system coupled to receive electrical power from the energy store, wherein for stopover operation and without idling of the fuel-fed engine, the energy store powers the HVC system.
In some cases or embodiments, the tractor unit is a 6×2 tractor unit retrofitted to replace an otherwise dead axle of a tandem pair with the electrically-powered drive axle. In some cases or embodiments, the retrofitted electrically-powered drive axle is coupled to a brake line of the tractor unit for control of the regenerative braking mode of operation.
In some cases or embodiments, the energy store includes a battery; a battery management system for controllably maintaining a desired state of charge (SoC) of the energy store during the over-the-roadway travel; and a heat exchanger for at least moderating the temperature of the battery during the over-the-roadway travel. In some cases or embodiments, the heat exchanger includes a fluid-air heat exchanger exposed to airflow during over-the-roadway travel and coupled into a compressor-based loop for sub-ambient cooling of the battery at least during the over-the-roadway travel. The compressor-based loop is further coupled to supply sub-ambient cooling to the cabin of the tractor unit, at least selectively during the stopover operation, via a fluid-air heat exchanger of the HVC system. In some cases or embodiments, the energy store further includes at least one additional electrical storage device having discharge rate and/or capacity characteristics that differ from the battery; and the battery management system controllably maintains the desired SoC including states of charge of the battery and of the at least one additional electrical storage device. In some cases or embodiments, the at least one additional electrical storage device includes either or both of an ultracapacitor and additional battery-type storage.
In some embodiments in accordance with the present inventions, a vehicle energy management method includes receiving, from one or more on-board sensors, trailer data including at least one of trailer position data, trailer weight data, trailer speed data, and trailer acceleration data for the trailer traveling along a given trajectory; computing (based at least in part on the received trailer data) a total estimated torque to maintain movement of the trailer along the given trajectory at a substantially constant speed; computationally estimating a torque applied by a powered vehicle at least partially towing the trailer; and applying (based on the computationally estimated torque applied by the powered vehicle and on the computed total estimated torque) a specified trailer torque to one or more trailer axles, wherein the specified trailer torque is provided by an electric motor-generator coupled to the one or more trailer axles.
In some cases or embodiments, computing the total estimated torque includes computing one or more of a driver input torque, an air drag torque, a road drag torque, a road grade torque, an acceleration torque, and a braking torque. In some cases or embodiments, computationally estimating the torque includes computationally estimating the torque based on one or more of driver behavior, road conditions, traffic conditions, weather conditions, and roadway grade.
In some embodiments, the energy management method further includes installing, underneath the trailer, a hybrid suspension system including the electric motor-generator coupled to the one or more trailer axles; and operating the hybrid suspension system in one of a power assist mode, a regeneration mode, and a passive mode of operation to provide the specified trailer torque. In some cases or embodiments, the electric motor-generator provides, in the power assist mode of operation, an assistive motive force. In some cases or embodiments, the electric motor-generator provides, in the regeneration mode of operation, a regenerative braking force. In some cases or embodiments, the electric motor-generator provides, in the passive mode of operation, neither an assistive motive force nor a regenerative braking force.
In some embodiments, the energy management further includes providing a battery array from which stored energy is supplied to the electric motor-generator in the power assist mode of operation and to which regenerated braking energy is supplied in the regeneration mode of operation. The specified trailer torque is selected so as to optimize the energy usage of the battery array. In some cases or embodiments, the powered vehicle consumes fuel, wherein the specified trailer torque is selected so as to simultaneously optimize the fuel consumption of the powered vehicle and the energy usage of the battery array.
In some embodiments, the energy management method further includes determining a first plurality of torques that the powered vehicle is operable to provide; determining a second plurality of torques that the electric motor-generator is operable to provide; generating (based on the first plurality of torques) a first torque-to-fuel usage map for the powered vehicle; and generating (based on the second plurality of torques) a torque-to-energy usage map for the electric motor-generator.
In some embodiments, the energy management method further includes converting the torque-to-energy usage map into a second torque-to-fuel usage map; and computing a difference between the first and second torque-to-fuel usage maps, thereby providing a combined usage map. In some embodiments, the energy management method further includes determining, from the combined usage map, an index value corresponding to an optimal combined usage; and based on the index value, selecting the specified trailer torque. In some cases or embodiments, the specified trailer torque is selected, using the index value, from the torque-to-energy usage map.
In some embodiments, the energy management method further includes filtering (prior to computing the total estimated torque) the trailer data received from the one or more on-board sensors. In some cases or embodiments, the filtering is performed using at least one of a moving average and a Kalman filter.
In some embodiments in accordance with the present invention(s), a trailer for use in combination with a powered vehicle includes one or more onboard sensors, a control system, and an electric motor-generator. The one or more on-board sensors are configured to detect trailer data including at least one of trailer position data, trailer weight data, trailer speed data, and trailer acceleration data for the trailer traveling along a given trajectory. The control system is operable to compute, based at least in part on the trailer data, a total estimated torque to maintain the movement of the trailer along the given trajectory at a substantially constant speed. The electric motor-generator is coupled to one or more trailer axles, wherein the electric motor-generator is configured to provide a specified torque to one or more trailer axles. The control system is further operable to computationally estimate a torque applied by the powered vehicle at least partially towing the trailer, and based on the computationally estimated torque applied by the powered vehicle and on the computed total estimated torque, to apply the specified trailer torque to the one or more trailer axles.
In some embodiments, the trailer further includes a hybrid suspension system including the electric motor-generator coupled to the one or more trailer axles, wherein the hybrid suspension system is installed underneath the trailer, wherein the hybrid suspension system is configured to operate in one of a power assist mode, a regeneration mode, and a passive mode of operation to provide the specified trailer torque. In some embodiments, the trailer further includes a battery array configured to supply stored energy to the electric motor-generator in the power assist mode of operation and configured to receive regenerated braking energy in the regeneration mode of operation, wherein the specified trailer torque is selectable by the control system so as to optimize the energy usage of the battery array. In some cases or embodiments, the powered vehicle is configured to consume fuel, wherein the specified trailer torque is selectable by the control system so as to simultaneously optimize fuel consumption of the powered vehicle and the energy usage of the battery array. In some cases or embodiments, the trailer is combined with the powered vehicle.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation with reference to the accompanying figures, in which like references generally indicate similar elements or features.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements or features in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions or prominence of some of the illustrated elements or features may be exaggerated relative to other elements or features in an effort to help to improve understanding of certain embodiments of the present invention(s).
DESCRIPTIONThe present application describes a variety of embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.
In particular, the present disclosure describes designs and techniques for providing an energy management system and related methods in the context of systems and components typical in the heavy trucking industry. Some embodiments of the present invention(s) provide a hybridized suspension assembly (for example, an electrically driven axle, power source, controller, etc. that may be integrated with suspension components) affixed (or suitable for affixing) underneath a vehicle (for example, a truck, tractor unit, trailer, tractor-trailer or tandem configuration, etc.) as a replacement to a passive suspension assembly. In various non-limiting example configurations, a hybridized suspension assembly can be part of a trailer that may be towed by a powered vehicle, such as a fuel-consuming tractor unit. In additional non-limiting example configurations, a hybridized suspension assembly (or components thereof) may (alternatively or additionally) be included as part of a tractor unit or tandem. Configurations illustrated in
As described in more detail below, a hybridized suspension assembly is but one realization in which an electrically driven axle operates largely independently of the fuel-fed engine and primary drivetrain of a powered vehicle and is configured to operate in a power assist, regeneration, and passive modes to supplement motive/braking forces and torques applied by the primary drivetrain and/or in braking. In general, one or more electrically driven axles may supplement motive/braking forces and torques under the control of a controller (or controllers) that does not itself (or does not themselves) control the fuel-fed engine and primary drivetrain. Instead, the control strategy implemented by an electric drive controller seeks to follow and supplement the motive inputs of the fuel-fed engine and primary drivetrain using operating parameters that are observable (for example, via CANbus or SAE J1939 type interfaces), kinematics that are sensed and/or states that may be computationally estimated based on either or both of the foregoing. In some embodiments, based on such observed, sensed, or estimated parameters or states, the electric drive controller applies an equivalent consumption minimization strategy (ECMS) or adaptive ECMS type control strategy to modulate the motive force or torque provided, at the electrically driven axle(s), as a supplement to that independently applied using the fuel-fed engine and primary drivetrain of the powered vehicle.
By supplementing the fuel-fed engine and primary drivetrain of the powered vehicle, some embodiments of the present invention(s) seek to simultaneously optimize the fuel consumption of the powered vehicle, energy consumption of the hybrid suspension assembly, and/or state of charge (SOC) of on-board batteries or other energy stores. In some cases, such as during stopovers, embodiments of the present disclosure allow the fuel-fed engine to shut down rather than idle. In some cases, energy consumption management strategies may take into account a desired SOC at scheduled, mandated or predicted stopovers. Among other advantages, embodiments disclosed herein provide for a significant reduction in fuel consumption (for example, an average of about 30%), a built-in auxiliary power unit (APU), enhanced stability control, improved trailer dynamics, and a host of other benefits, at least some of which are described in more detail below.
Referring now to
Likewise, the “hybrid” or hybridizing character of a hybrid suspension system, such as hybrid suspension system 100, will be understood by persons of skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure in the context of its role in hybridizing the sources of motive force or torque available in an over-the-road vehicle configuration that includes it. Accordingly, a hybrid suspension system including an electrically-driven axle and controller for coordinating its supplementation of motive force or torques need not and typically does not itself include, the additional drive axles driven by the fuel-fed engine to which it contributes a hybrid or hybridizing source of motive force or torque. Thus, the tractor-trailer configuration (160) illustrated in
Likewise, and with reference to
In some though not all embodiments, a TTR hybrid system can take on the form or character commonly understood with reference to a configuration referred to the US trucking industry as a 6×2, but in which an otherwise dead axle is instead powered using an electrically-driven axle and controller for coordinating its supplementation of primary motive force or torques provided by a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine. Here too, the tractor-trailer configuration (160) illustrated in
In view of the foregoing, and without limitation, hybrid suspension system-type and TTR hybrid system-type embodiments are now described with respect to specific examples.
Hybrid Suspension SystemAs described in more detail below, the hybrid suspension system 100 may include a frame 110, a suspension, one or more drive axles (for example, such as a drive axle 120), at least one electric motor-generator (for example, such as an electric motor-generator 130) coupled to the at least one or more drive axles, an energy storage system (for example, such as a battery array 140), and a controller (for example, such as a control system 150). In accordance with at least some embodiments, the hybrid suspension system 100 is configured for attachment beneath a trailer. As used herein, the term “trailer” is used to refer to an unpowered vehicle towed by a powered vehicle. In some cases, the trailer may include a semi-trailer coupled to and towed by a truck or tractor (for example, a powered towing vehicle). By way of example,
To be sure, embodiments of the present disclosure may equally be applied to other types of trailers (for example, utility trailer, boat trailer, travel trailer, livestock trailer, bicycle trailer, motorcycle trailer, a gooseneck trailer, flat trailer, tank trailer, farm trailer, or other type of unpowered trailer) towed by other types of powered towing vehicles (for example, pickup trucks, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, buses, or other type of powered vehicle), without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Likewise, although components are introduced and described in the context of an example suspension assembly for a trailer, persons of skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure will appreciate adaptations of configurations and components introduced in the example trailer context to supplemental electrically driven axle applications such as affixed (or suitable for affixing) underneath a vehicle (for example, a truck, tractor unit, trailer, tractor-trailer or tandem configuration, etc.).
Vehicles may utilize a variety of technologies and fuel types such as diesel, gasoline, propane, biodiesel, ethanol (E85), compressed natural gas (CNG), hydrogen internal combustion engine (ICE), homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine, hydrogen fuel cell, hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid, battery electric, and/or other type of fuel/technology. Regardless of the type of technology and/or fuel type, the powered towing vehicle (or more generally the fuel-fed engine of a powered vehicle) may have a particular fuel efficiency. As described below, and among other advantages, embodiments of the present disclosure provide for improved fuel efficiency of the powered vehicle, as described in more detail herein. More generally, and in accordance with various embodiments, the hybrid suspension system 100 described herein is configured (or may be adapted) for use with any type of trailer or powered vehicle.
In addition, the hybrid suspension system 100 is configured to operate largely independently of the fuel-fed engine and primary drivetrain of a powered vehicle and, in some cases, autonomously from the engine and drivetrain controls of the powered vehicle. As used herein, “autonomous” operation of the hybrid suspension system 100 is the terminology used to describe the ability of the hybrid suspension system 100 to operate without commands or signals from the powered towing vehicle, to independently gain information about itself and the environment, and to make decisions and/or perform various functions based on one or more algorithms stored in the controller, as described in more detail below. “Autonomous” operation does not preclude observation or estimation of certain parameters or states of a powered vehicle's fuel-fed engine or primary drivetrain; however, in some embodiments of the present invention(s), electrically driven axles are not directly controlled by an engine control module (ECM) of the powered vehicle and, even where ECMS or adaptive ECMS-type control strategies are employed, no single controller manages control inputs to both the supplemental electrically driven axle(s) and the primary fuel-fed engine and drivetrain.
A trailer, as typically an unpowered vehicle, includes one or more passive axles. By way of example, embodiments of the present disclosure provide for replacement of the one or more passive trailer axles with one or more powered axles. For example, in at least some embodiments, the hybrid suspension system 100 may replace a passive tandem axle with a powered tandem axle, as shown in the example of
In providing powered axle(s) to the trailer (for example, by the hybrid suspension system 100), embodiments of the present disclosure result in a significant reduction in both fuel consumption and any associated vehicle emissions and thus a concurrent improvement in fuel efficiency, of the powered towing vehicle. In addition, various embodiments may provide for improved vehicle acceleration, vehicle stability, and energy recapture (for example, via regenerative braking) that may be used for a variety of different purposes. For example, embodiments disclosed herein may use the recaptured energy to apply the motive rotational force using the electric motor-generator and/or provide on-trailer power that may be used for powering a lift gate, a refrigeration unit, a heating ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, pumps, lighting, communications systems, and/or providing an auxiliary power unit (APU), among others. It is noted that the above advantages and applications are merely example, and additional advantages and applications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of this disclosure.
Referring again to
With reference to
In some embodiments, one or more aspects of the supplemental hybridizing system explained above with respect to hybrid suspension system 100 may be adapted for use as part of the tractor 165. With reference to
It is noted that the TTR hybrid system 101 may be used separately and independently from the hybrid suspension system 100 attached to the trailer. Thus, for example, advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein (for example, reduced fuel consumption and emissions, improved fuel efficiency, vehicle acceleration, vehicle stability, and energy recapture) may be realized by the TTR hybrid system 101 apart from the hybrid suspension system 100. This may be advantageous, for instance, when the tractor 165 is driven without the attached trailer. To be sure, when the tractor 165 is used to tow a trailer and in some embodiments, the hybrid suspension system 100 and the TTR hybrid system 101 may be cooperatively operated to provide a greater motive rotational force to, or recapture a greater amount of energy from, the tractor-trailer vehicle 160 than either of the hybrid suspension system 100 or the TTR hybrid system 101 may be able to provide or recapture on their own. In at least some embodiments, the TTR hybrid system 101 may be independently used (for example, apart from the hybrid suspension system 100) to recapture energy that can subsequently be used to provide power to tractor 165 systems and/or to trailer systems. For example, such power may be used to power a lift gate, a refrigeration unit, a heating ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, pumps, lighting, communications systems, and/or to provide an auxiliary power unit (APU), among others.
With reference to
Referring to
Referring to
Although TTR hybrid system configurations are described in the context of a tractor unit suitable for use in a tractor-trailer configuration, persons of skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure will appreciate configurations in which powered vehicles, including heavy trucks with a single effective frame, include the systems methods and/or techniques disclosed herein relative to tractor unit, trailer, tractor-trailer and/or tandem configurations.
Control System Architecture and ComponentsAs discussed above, the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101 are configured to operate autonomously and in at least three modes of operation: (i) a power assist mode, (ii) a regeneration mode, and (iii) a passive mode. In particular, and in various embodiments, the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101 are operated in one of these three modes by way of the control system 150 (for example, in conjunction with suitable program code, as discussed below). Various aspects of the control system 150, including system architecture and example components, are described in more detail below with reference to
Referring first to
In addition to the master control unit 228,
Referring specifically to
With reference now to
In particular, the CAN bus 300 is illustrated as a linear bus terminated at each end by 120O resistors. In some embodiments, the CAN bus 300 includes an ISO 11898-2 high-speed CAN bus (for example, up to 1 Mb/s). By way of example, the CAN bus 300 is shown as including nodes, for example, the AC motor controller 202, the BMS 242, the AHRS 246 (sensor), the master control unit 228, the DC-DC power supply 230 (actuator), and telematics unit 302 (smart sensor). In some embodiments, the telematics unit 302 may include a global positioning system (GPS), an automatic vehicle location (AVL) system, a mobile resource management (MRM) system, a wireless communications system, a radio frequency identification (RFID) system, a cellular communications system, and/or other telematics systems. In some embodiments, the telematics unit 302 may also include the AHRS 246. In accordance with various embodiments, at least some of the sensors, actuators, and other electronic components which are not included (for example, shown in
Referring now to
Various aspects of the hybrid suspension system 100 and the TTR hybrid system 101 have been described above, including aspects of the control system architecture and related components. In particular, it has been noted that the hybrid suspension system 100 and the TTR hybrid system 101 are operated, by way of the control system 150 and suitable program code, in at least three modes of operation: (i) a power assist mode, (ii) a regeneration mode, and (iii) a passive mode. In at least some embodiments, the program code used to operate the control system 150 may reside on a memory storage device within the master control unit 228 (
A variety of control systems designs are contemplated and will be appreciated by persons of skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, control system 150 is programmed to apply an equivalent consumption minimization strategy (ECMS) or adaptive ECMS type control strategy to modulate the motive force or torque provided, at an electrically driven axle(s), as a supplement to the motive force or torques that control system 150 estimates are independently applied using the fuel-fed engine and primary drivetrain of the powered vehicle. In some embodiments, control system 150 is programmed to operate in conjunction with an altitude and heading reference system (AHRS). Example ECMS-type and AHRS-type control strategies are now described.
Based on the current SOC for battery array 140, an array of possible options for amperage discharge and charge values are calculated. These possibilities are converted to kW power as potential battery power discharge and charge possibilities. Battery inefficiencies and motor controller inefficiencies are considered along with possible electric drivetrain gear ratios to arrive at the corresponding potential electric motor torques that can be applied and resultant wheel torques which can be applied to the vehicle using electric motor-generator 130. Using the battery power discharge and charge possibilities, a corresponding diesel usage table is calculated using a lookup table that stores values for battery power equivalence based on various SOC conditions of battery array 140.
Based on current operating parameters retrieved from the vehicle CANbus (for example, engine torque and current gear ratios in the primary drivetrain) or optionally based on estimates calculated based on a high-precision inertial measurement unit (IMU) effective torque delivered at vehicle wheels by the fuel-fed engine and the primary drivetrain is calculated or otherwise computationally estimated at controller 228. Potential supplemental torques that can be provided at wheels driven (or drivable) by electric motor-generator 130 are blended with those calculated or estimated for vehicle wheels driven by the fuel-fed engine and primary drivetrain in a calculation that back-calculates where the various additional supplemental torques would place the vehicle's engine. Then, based on these new values for the fuel-fed engine and primary drivetrain, a vehicle fuel usage consumption table is updated and, in turn, combined with (computationally summed) a charge/fuel usage table for electric motor-generator 130. Based on the current SOC, SOC targets, and SOC hysteresis, a minimum index value from the discharge fuel usage table or the charge fuel usage table is used. A motor torque at this index is retrieved from the motor torque possibilities table, and this torque demand is sent to electric motor-generator 130 via any local controller (for example, sevcon controller 202) to be applied as supplemental torque via the electric drivetrain in a TTR hybrid configuration.
Turning to
It is also noted that while performing the method 500, aspects of the present disclosure may additionally receive data from, send data to, actuate, other otherwise interact with various components of the control system circuit 200 and the CAN bus 300, described above. Thus, one or more aspects discussed above may also apply to the method 500. Moreover, additional process steps may be implemented before, during, and after the method 500, and some process steps described above may be replaced or eliminated in accordance with various embodiments of the method 500.
Referring now to the method 500, the method 500 begins at block 502 where trailer data is received from one or more onboard sensors. As used herein, the term “on-board sensors” may be used to describe sensors that are coupled to or part of the hybrid suspension system 100, sensors that are coupled to or part of a trailer to which the hybrid suspension system 100 is attached, as well as remote sensors that may communicate (for example, by way of cellular, wireless, RF, satellite, or other such communication) data to a receiver or transceiver that is coupled to or part of the hybrid suspension system 100 or the trailer. In some embodiments, the described sensors may be coupled to or part of the TTR hybrid system 101 and/or may be coupled to or part of the tractor 165 or other vehicle to which the TTR hybrid system 101 is attached. In various embodiments, the sensors may include one or more of a brake pressure sensor (for example, such as the brake pressure sensor 232), an altitude and heading reference system (for example, such as the AHRS 246), one or more smart sensors (for example, such as the telematics unit 302) which may include a global positioning system as well as other smart sensors and/or telematics systems as described above, a trailer weight sensor which may include an airbag pressure sensor (for example, provided in a suspension assembly of the towed vehicle) or other type of weight sensor, a speed sensor, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a lateral acceleration sensor, a torque sensor, an inclinometer, and/or other suitable sensor. In various embodiments, the sensed trailer data is sent to the master control unit 228 for further processing. For example, in some embodiments, the received trailer data (for example, the sensor output) may be filtered to smooth the sensor data and thereby mitigate anomalous sensor values. In some cases, such filtering and smoothing may be accomplished using moving averages and Kalman filters, although other smoothing and/or filtering techniques may also be used. In at least some examples, an estimated braking torque is obtained from the brake pressure sensor, an estimated weight of the trailer is obtained from the airbag pressure sensor, and a trailer acceleration and roadway incline are both obtained from the AHRS.
The method 500 then proceeds to block 504 where based at least in part on the trailer data, a total estimated torque is computed. In some embodiments, the total estimated torque includes an estimated torque to maintain movement of the hybrid suspension system 100, and a trailer to which the hybrid suspension system 100 is coupled, along their current trajectory at a substantially constant speed. In embodiments when the trailer is at least partially towed by a powered vehicle, the total estimated torque further includes an estimated torque to maintain movement of the hybrid suspension system 100, the coupled trailer, and the powered vehicle, along their current trajectory at a substantially constant speed. For purposes of this discussion, the hybrid suspension system 100, the coupled trailer, and the powered vehicle may be collectively referred to as “a hybrid trailer vehicle system (HTVS)”. Thus, in some embodiments, the tractor-trailer vehicle 160 of
In some embodiments, for example, when the tractor 165 is driven without the attached trailer, the total estimated torque may include an estimated torque to maintain the movement of the tractor 165 (for example, the powered vehicle) along its current trajectory at a substantially constant speed. In some embodiments, when the trailer is at least partially towed by a powered vehicle, one or more computations may be performed with respect to each of the hybrid suspension system 100 and the TTR hybrid system 101 so as to cooperatively determine an estimated torque to be applied at each of the hybrid suspension system 100 and the TTR hybrid system 101 to maintain movement of the HTVS along its current trajectory at a substantially constant speed.
In an embodiment of block 504, computing the total estimated torque may include computing one or more of a plurality of forces acting on the HTVS. For example, computing the total estimated torque may include computing a driver input torque (for example, throttle/braking of the powered vehicle), an air drag torque, a road drag torque, a road grade torque, and an acceleration torque, among others. In some embodiments, the air drag torque and the road drag torque may be dependent on the speed at which the HTVS is traveling. In some cases, the road grade torque may be dependent on an incline/decline of a roadway on which the HTVS is traveling. By way of example, the driver of the powered vehicle of the HTVS may actuate an air brake system. In such cases, embodiments of the present disclosure may utilize an air brake pressure to calculate a braking torque component of the total estimated torque. In some embodiments, the driver input torque may be substantially equal to the sum of the air drag torque, the road drag torque, the road grade torque, and the acceleration torque. In various embodiments, the total estimated torque computed at block 504 may include a currently applied (for example, instantaneous) HTVS torque. Based in part on the total estimated torque and an estimate and/or prediction of a driver-applied torque, as discussed in more detail below, a specified torque may be applied by way of the hybrid suspension system 100 to one or more trailer axles. Moreover, in some embodiments and based in part on the total estimated torque and an estimate and/or prediction of a driver-applied torque, a specified torque may be applied by way of one or both of the hybrid suspension system 100 and the TTR hybrid system 101.
The method 500 then proceeds to block 506 where a torque applied by a powered vehicle towing the trailer is computationally estimated (for example, by the control system 150). Stated another way, in embodiments of block 506, a torque applied by a driver of the powered vehicle (for example, by applying throttle or braking) is estimated, for example, as a result of the hybrid suspension system 100 being autonomous from the powered vehicle and thus not having direct feedback regarding driver inputs (for example, throttle/braking). In some embodiments, a driver-applied torque may also be estimated, for example, by the TTR hybrid system 101. In some embodiments, the driver-applied torque may also be predicted. Thus, in some examples, a currently-applied torque may be estimated and a subsequently applied torque may be predicted. In some embodiments, the estimated and/or predicted driver-applied torque may be based on a plurality of factors such as past driver behavior, current driver behavior, road conditions, traffic conditions, weather conditions, and/or a roadway grade (for example, road incline or decline). As used herein, the term “driver behavior” may be used to describe a driver's operation of the powered vehicle, for example, including the application of throttle, braking, steering, as well as other driver-controlled actions. Additionally, and in various embodiments, at least some of the factors used to estimate and/or predict the driver-applied torque may include data received from one or more of the on-board sensors, described above, including GPS or inclinometer data that may be used to determine a present roadway grade and/or predict an upcoming roadway grade. For example, if the upcoming roadway grade includes a positive grade (for example, an incline), the driver may in some embodiments be expected to apply additional throttle. In some cases, if the upcoming roadway grade includes a negative grade (for example, a decline), the driver may in some embodiments be expected to apply the brakes (for example, of the powered vehicle). In some embodiments, if the upcoming roadway grade is substantially flat, the driver may in some embodiments be expected to neither apply additional throttle nor apply the brakes. In some examples, at least some of the factors used to estimate and/or predict the applied torque may further include traffic data, weather data, road data, or other similar data. Similarly, if the upcoming roadway includes heavy traffic, poor road conditions (for example, potholes, unpaved sections, etc.), or if weather has caused hazardous driving conditions (for example, rain, flooding, strong crosswinds, etc.), the driver may in some embodiments be expected to apply the brakes. Thus, in accordance with some embodiments, knowledge of an upcoming roadway grade, combined with a plurality of other data (for example, traffic, weather, road data) and the driver's current and/or past behavior may be used to estimate and/or predict the driver-applied torque. It will be understood that the driver behaviors discussed above, with respect to roadway grade and road/weather conditions, are merely example. Various other behaviors (for example, apply throttle during a negative grade or apply brakes during a positive grade) are possible as well, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
The method 500 then proceeds to block 508 where based at least in part on the estimated and/or predicted torque (block 506) and the total estimated torque (block 504), a specified trailer torque is computed and applied to one or more of the trailer axles. In some cases, a torque to apply to the electric axle of the tractor 165 is computed and applied. In particular, the specified trailer torque is applied to the one or more of the trailer axles by way of the hybrid suspension system 100, as described herein. In some cases, based at least in part on the estimated and/or predicted torque (block 506) and the total estimated torque (block 504), a specified torque may be computed and applied to the electric axle of the tractor 165 by way of the TTR hybrid system 101. Additionally, in an embodiment of block 508, the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101 are operated in the appropriate one of the at least three modes of operation (for example, power assist, regeneration, or passive) in order to provide the specified trailer torque and/or torque to the electric axle of the tractor 165. In some embodiments, the specified trailer torque or torque to apply to the electric axle of the tractor 165 is computed, at least in part, by utilizing the estimated and/or predicted driver-applied torque in an energy optimization algorithm that utilizes an equivalent consumption minimization strategy (ECMS) to simultaneously optimize the fuel consumption of the powered vehicle and the energy usage (for example, battery charge) of the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101.
An aspect of the energy optimization algorithm is illustrated in more detail in
The method 550 then proceeds to block 554, where the first plurality of torques is mapped onto a fuel usage map. For example, in some embodiments, a difference between the total estimated torque (block 504) and the second plurality of torques (for example, each torque of a range of possible torque values which the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101 can provide) is determined, where the difference provides a set of corresponding torque values that would be provided by the powered vehicle (for example, by the fuel-fed engine of the powered vehicle). In various embodiments, the set of corresponding torque values may be used to generate a torque-to-fuel usage map for the powered vehicle. At block 556 of the method 550, the second plurality of torques may be used to similarly generate a torque-to-energy usage map for the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101.
Thereafter, at block 558 of the method 550, an optimal combination of a first torque from the first plurality of torques, and a second torque from the second plurality of torques is selected. By way of example, and in an embodiment of block 558, the torque-to-energy usage map may be converted to another torque-to-fuel usage map, so that mappings of the powered vehicle and the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101 may be more readily compared. In some cases, the torque-to-fuel usage map corresponding to the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101 is subtracted from the torque-to-fuel usage map corresponding to the powered vehicle (for example, the fuel-fed engine of the powered vehicle), thereby resulting in a combined powered vehicle/hybrid suspension system usage map. Thereafter, in some embodiments, an optimal (for example, minimum) fuel usage from the combined usage map is determined, including a corresponding index value. In some cases, the corresponding index value is then used to select an optimal torque value for the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101 from the torque-to-energy usage map, and the optimal torque value for the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101 is applied, in an embodiment of both blocks 508 and 558. In a more general sense, embodiments of the present disclosure may be used to estimate the current torque demand of the HTVS. Using the estimated torque demand, at least some embodiments may be used to determine an amount of fuel efficiency gain (for example, of the powered vehicle) and/or energy efficiency gain (for example, of the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101) that may be achieved by operating the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101 in a particular mode, while applying a particular torque, thereby providing for selection of the optimal torque value for the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101.
With reference now to
The autonomous nature of the hybrid suspension system 100 is further exemplified, in at least some embodiments, by the functional block diagram 600 including two separate control loops, a hybrid suspension system control loop 610, and a powered towing vehicle control loop 620. In the powered vehicle control loop 620, a driver 622 may apply a throttle 624 or a brake 626, which is then applied to the powered vehicle (for example, the tractor 165). In various embodiments, a response of the powered vehicle to the applied throttle 624/brake 626 (for example, acceleration/deceleration of the powered vehicle) may be provided as feedback to the driver 622, which the driver 622 may then further respond to by applying additional throttle 624 or brake 626, or neither throttle 624/brake 626. In some examples, the powered vehicle may also provide feedback (for example, to the driver 622) via throttle 624/brake 626 inputs.
Independent from the powered vehicle control loop 620, the hybrid suspension control loop 610 may operate in a substantially similar manner to the methods 500, 550 described above. For example, in at least some embodiments, the hybrid suspension control system 150 may receive trailer data from a trailer sensor system 602, which may include any of the one or more sensors discussed above. In some cases, the trailer sensor system 602 may include the onboard sensors discussed above. In some embodiments, the control system 150 may compute a total estimated torque and computationally estimate a torque applied by the powered vehicle (for example, which may include estimating throttle and/or braking). In some embodiments, based on the total estimated torque and the computationally estimated torque of the powered vehicle, a specified trailer torque may be computed and applied to the one or more trailer axles 120, by way of the electric motor-generator 130. In various examples, the driven one or more trailer axles 120 may provide feedback to the control system 150, for further computation and application of torque. In some cases, the one or more driven trailer axles 120 may also provide feedback to the electric motor-generator 130. In at least some embodiments, the hybrid suspension system 100 may sense one or more pneumatic brake lines from the powered vehicle.
Referring to
The loosely-coupled or generally autonomous nature of the TTR hybrid system 101 is further exemplified, in at least some embodiments, by the functional block diagram 630 including two separate control loops, an TTR hybrid system control loop 640, and the powered vehicle control loop 620, which is substantially as described above. Independent from the powered vehicle control loop 620, the TTR hybrid system control loop 640 may operate in a substantially similar manner to the methods 500, 550 described above. For example, in at least some embodiments, the control system 150 may receive tractor data from a sensor system 602 (for example, which may be part of the TTR hybrid system 101 and/or coupled to the tractor 165), which may include any of the one or more sensors discussed above. In some cases, the sensor system 602 may include the onboard sensors discussed above. In some embodiments, the control system 150 may compute a total estimated torque and computationally estimate a torque applied by the engine of the tractor 165. In some embodiments, based on the total estimated torque and the computationally estimated torque of the powered vehicle, a specified torque may be computed and applied to one or more electric axles of the tractor 165, by way of one or more electric motor-generators 130, as shown in
With reference to
In particular, the cooperative operation of the hybrid suspension system 100 and the TTR hybrid system 101, together with the powered vehicle engine, is illustrated by the functional block diagram 650. As shown in
In various embodiments, the control system 150 may compute a total estimated torque and computationally estimate a torque applied by the engine of the tractor 165. In some embodiments, based on the total estimated torque and the computationally estimated torque of the powered vehicle (for example, the engine of the tractor 165), a specified torque may be computed and applied to one or more electric axles of the tractor 165, as well as to the one or more trailer axles 120, by way of one or more electric motor-generators 130. In various examples, the electric axle of the tractor 165 and the one or more trailer axles 120 may provide feedback to the control system 150, for further computation and application of torque. In some cases, the one or more electric axles of the tractor 165 and the one or more trailer axles 120 may also provide feedback to the one or more electric motor-generators 130.
Control Methods, Examples, and Further DiscussionThe hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101 may be used, for example together with aspects of the control methods described above, to operate in a variety of different modes (for example, power assist, regeneration, and passive modes) and thus perform a variety of different functions. In various examples, the hybrid suspension system 100 may be used to provide a power boost (for example, to the HVTS) during acceleration and/or when going up an incline by operating in the power assist mode, thereby depleting energy from the energy storage system. In addition, the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101 may replenish that energy by operating in the regeneration mode (for example, using regenerative braking) when decelerating and/or when going down a decline. As discussed above, operation in one of the various modes may be determined according to a variety of inputs and/or data (for example, from sensors, calculated values, etc.) such as discussed above. In various examples, the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101 and associated methods may provide, among other benefits, optimal application of power (for example, as discussed in the example below), increased fuel mileage, decreased fuel emissions, and superior load stabilization. Of particular note, embodiments of the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101 described herein are configured to operate generally independently of the powered vehicle to which the trailer may be attached. Thus, any type of powered vehicle may hook up and tow a trailer, including the hybrid suspension system 100 attached thereunder, and the hybrid suspension system 100 will automatically adapt to the powered vehicle's behavior. Similarly, embodiments of the TTR hybrid system 101 are configured to replace a passive axle of any type of tractor with an electric axle, as described above, and operate generally independent of and adapt to the behavior (for example, throttle/braking) of the tractor.
With respect to the optimal application of power as discussed above, there are scenarios in which battery power could be used most effectively at a given time, for example, knowing that battery power may be (i) regenerated in the near future (for example, based on an upcoming downhill roadway grade) or (ii) needed in the near future (for example, based on an upcoming uphill roadway grade). Such information (for example, regarding the upcoming roadway) may be gathered from GPS data, inclinometer data, and/or other sensor data as described above. In some embodiments, the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101 may alternatively and/or additionally periodically query a network server, or other remote sever/database, to provide an upcoming roadway grade.
For purposes of illustration, consider an example where an HTVS is traveling along substantially flat terrain, while the battery array 140 of the hybrid suspension system 100 is at about a 70% state of charge (SOC). Consider also that there is an extended downhill portion of roadway coming up that would provide for regeneration of about 40% SOC of the battery array 140 (for example while operating the hybrid suspension system 100 in the regeneration mode). Absent knowledge of the upcoming extended downhill portion of the roadway, some embodiments may operate in the passive mode on the substantially flat terrain, while beginning to regenerate the battery array 140 once the HTVS reaches the extended downhill portion of the roadway. In such cases, about 30% SOC may be regenerated before the battery array 140 is fully charged. Thus, the system may not be able to regenerate further, and about 10% of SOC that could have been captured may be lost.
In some embodiments, the predictive road ability discussed herein provides knowledge of the upcoming extended downhill portion of the roadway. As such, the hybrid suspension system 100 may autonomously engage the power assist mode while traveling along the substantially flat terrain, such that about 10% SOC of the battery array 140 is used prior to reaching the extended downhill portion of the roadway, thereby improving fuel efficiency of the HTVS (for example, while on the substantially flat terrain), while still regenerating about 30% SOC while traveling along the extended downhill portion. Such system operation, including the predictive road ability, advantageously provides for both improved fuel efficiency of the HTVS and efficient use of the battery array 140 (for example, as it may be undesirable to have the battery array nearly full or nearly empty when there is an opportunity to regenerate or provide power assistance).
In another example, consider a case where the battery array 140 is at about 10% SOC, and the HTVS is traveling along substantially flat terrain. Consider also that an extended uphill portion of the roadway is coming up that would optimally be able to use about 20% SOC of the battery array 140 (for example while operating the hybrid suspension system 100 in the power assist mode). Once again, absent knowledge of the upcoming extended uphill portion of the roadway, some embodiments may operate in the passive mode on the substantially flat terrain, while beginning to use energy (for example, operating in the power assist mode) once the HTVS reaches the extended uphill portion of the roadway. Thus, in such an example, the battery array 140 may expend its 10% SOC before the hybrid suspension system 100 may not be able to assist further. Stated another way, about 10% SOC that could have been effectively used by the HTVS while traveling along the extended uphill portion of the roadway is not available.
As discussed above, the predictive road ability provides knowledge of the upcoming extended downhill portion of the roadway. As such, the hybrid suspension system 100 may autonomously engage the regeneration mode while traveling along the substantially flat terrain, such that about 10% SOC of battery array 140 is regenerated, for a total of about 20% SOC, prior to reaching the extended uphill portion of the roadway. While this may result in a temporary decrease in fuel efficiency, the efficiency gains afforded by operating the hybrid suspension system 100 in the power assist mode for the duration of the extended uphill portion of the roadway (for example, optimally using the 20% SOC of the battery array 140) outweigh any potential efficiency reductions that may occur by regenerating on the substantially flat terrain. While the examples above were described primarily with reference to the hybrid suspension system 100, it will be understood that similar predictive road ability, and associated benefits, may be similarly employed using the TTR hybrid system 101.
In addition to using the various sensors, data, networking capabilities, etc. to determine whether the HTVS is traveling along substantially flat terrain, uphill, or downhill, embodiments of the present disclosure may be used to determine whether the HTVS is hitting a bump or pothole, turning a corner, and/or accelerating. By accounting for the dynamics of the trailer and measuring angles and accelerations (for example, in 3-dimensional space), embodiments of the present disclosure may provide for measurement of: (i) acceleration, deceleration, and angle of inclination of the trailer (for example, by taking readings lengthwise), (ii) side-to-side (for example, turning force) motion and banking of a roadway (for example, by taking readings widthwise), (iii) smoothness of the roadway, potholes, and/or wheels riding on a shoulder (side) of the road (for example, by taking readings vertically). Utilizing such information, embodiments of the present disclosure may be used to brake wheels individually, for example, while still supplying power (for example, by the power assist mode) to other wheels, thereby increasing trailer stability. In addition, and in some embodiments, by monitoring the acceleration, axle speed, and incline of the roadway over time and by applying an incremental amount of torque and measuring the response in real time, the controller may back-calculate a mass of the trailer load. In some embodiments, a weight sensor may also be used, as described above. In either case, such information may be used by the system for application of a proper amount of torque to assist in acceleration of the HTVS without over-pushing the powered vehicle.
In some examples, the system may further be used to monitor one or more pneumatic brake lines, such that embodiments of the present disclosure provide a ‘fail safe’ mode where the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101 will not accelerate (for example, operate in a power assist mode) while a driver (for example of the powered vehicle) is actuating a brake system. In various embodiments, by monitoring the feedback pressure of each wheel's brake lines, as well as their respective wheel speeds, the present system can determine how each brake for a particular wheel is performing. Thus, in various examples, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide for braking and/or powering of different wheels independently from one another for increased trailer stability. In some cases, this may be referred to as “torque vectoring”. By way of example, such torque vectoring embodiments may be particularly useful when there are differences in roadway surfaces upon which each of a plurality of wheels of the HTVS is traveling (for example, when roadway conditions are inconsistent, slippery, rough, etc.).
In various embodiments, embodiments disclosed herein may further be employed to recapture energy via regenerative braking, as described above. In some examples, the application of the brakes, and/or various combinations of deceleration, axle speed, trailer weight, and incline/decline readings may dictate, at least in part, an ability and amount of regeneration possible by the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101. In various embodiments, regenerative braking may persist until the energy storage system is fully charged, until a predetermined minimum level of stored energy has been achieved, or until the powered trailer axle has reached a minimum threshold rotational speed. Additionally, for example in some extreme conditions, different amounts of braking may be applied to each wheel in order to reduce the potential of jack-knifing or other dangerous conditions during the operation of the HTVS. As a whole, regenerative braking may be used to lighten a load on a mechanical braking system (for example, on the powered vehicle and/or on the trailer), thereby virtually eliminating a need for a loud compression release engine brake system (for example, Jake brake system). In some cases, by applying both regenerative braking and friction braking, the HTVS may be able to brake much faster and have shorter stopping distances. In addition, and in various embodiments, the present system may be deployed with two pneumatic brake lines (for example, which may include existing brake lines), while an entirety of the controls (for example, including sensor input processing, mode of operation control, aspects of the various methods described above, and other decision-making controls) may reside entirely within the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101 itself (for example, and in many respects, within the control system 150).
Enemy Capture and Management, Further DiscussionWith respect to energy recapture, the above discussion is primarily directed to charging the energy storage system (for example, the battery array) by regenerative braking; however, other methods of energy recapture are possible and within the scope of this disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, a hydraulic system (for example, used to capture energy via air pressure or fluid pressure), flywheels, solar panels, or a combination thereof may be used for energy recapture. Additionally, in some cases, the HVTS, such as the tractor-trailer vehicle 160 of
Further, embodiments disclosed herein may use the recaptured energy not only to apply the motive rotational force using the electric motor-generator, but also to provide power that may be used for powering a host of devices and/or systems, both on the trailer and on the powered vehicle. For example, the recaptured energy may be used to power a lift gate, a refrigeration unit, a heating ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, pumps, lighting, appliances, entertainment devices, communications systems, other 12V-powered devices, and/or to provide an auxiliary power unit (APU), among others. Regardless of where the power is being provided, embodiments disclosed herein provide for energy storage and management to be on-trailer as part of the hybrid suspension system 100, and/or on the powered vehicle as part of the TTR hybrid system 101.
When configured to provide an APU, the HVTS may include an APU interface to provide power from the energy storage system (for example, the battery array) to the powered vehicle to power one or more devices and/or systems on the powered vehicle. In some embodiments, the APU interface may include an SAE J2891 interface. In various examples, the APU interface may physically couple to an electrical interface on the powered vehicle so that power from the energy storage system may be transferred to the powered vehicle. In some embodiments, an inverter, such as the inverter described above, may be coupled between the energy storage system and the APU interface to supply AC power to the powered vehicle. In some cases, a step-down DC-DC power supply may be coupled between the energy storage system and the APU interface to supply DC power to the powered vehicle. In some embodiments, an electrical cable may be used to transfer electrical power from the energy storage system (on the towed vehicle or on the powered vehicle) to the powered vehicle and for bi-directionally conveying data between the powered vehicle and at least a battery management system of the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101.
In at least some embodiments, a control interface is provided in the powered towing vehicle. By way of example, the control interface may be coupled to the battery management system of the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101. In various embodiments, the control interface may provide an in-towing-vehicle (for example, within a cab of the powered vehicle) display of the state of charge for the energy storage system of the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101, a switch or control of a switch to enable and disable supply of electrical power to the powered towing vehicle, and/or mode control for selectively controlling an operating mode of the battery management system. In some embodiments, and in at least one selectable mode of the battery management system, energy recovered using the drive axle in a regenerative braking mode (or energy recovered using one of the other methods described above) is used to bring the energy storage system to a substantially full state of charge. Further, in some embodiments, and in at least another selectable mode of the battery management system, a state of charge of the energy storage system is managed to a dynamically varying level based at least in part on uphill and downhill grades along a current or predicted route of travel of the HVTS. In at least some embodiments, the control interface may be integrated with the HVAC system on the powered towing vehicle, the HVAC system powered from the energy storage system of the hybrid suspension system 100 and/or the TTR hybrid system 101 at least during some extended periods of time during which an engine of the towing vehicle is off (for example, when the HVTS is stopped at a rest area, weigh station, pick-up location, drop-off location, or other location).
Computer System for Implementing the Various MethodsReferring now to
In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, computer system 700, such as a computer and/or a network server, includes a bus 702 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, which interconnects subsystems and components, such as a processing component 704 (for example, processor, micro-controller, digital signal processor (DSP), etc.), a system memory component 706 (for example, RAM), a static storage component 708 (for example, ROM), a disk drive component 710 (for example, magnetic or optical), a network interface component 712 (for example, modem or Ethernet card), a display component 714 (for example, CRT or LCD), an input component 718 (for example, keyboard, keypad, or virtual keyboard), a cursor control component 720 (for example, mouse, pointer, or trackball), a location determination component 722 (for example, a Global Positioning System (GPS) device as illustrated, a cell tower triangulation device, and/or a variety of other location determination devices known in the art), and/or a camera component 723. In one implementation, the disk drive component 710 may comprise a database having one or more disk drive components.
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the computer system 700 performs specific operations by the processor 704 executing one or more sequences of instructions contained in the memory component 706, such as described herein with respect to the control system 150 and methods 500, 550. Such instructions may be read into the system memory component 706 from another computer-readable medium, such as the static storage component 708 or the disk drive component 710. In other embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the present disclosure.
Logic may be encoded in a computer-readable medium, which may refer to any medium that participates in providing instructions to the processor 704 for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. In one embodiment, the computer-readable medium is non-transitory. In various implementations, non-volatile media includes optical or magnetic disks, such as the disk drive component 710, volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as the system memory component 706, and transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire, and fiber optics, including wires that comprise the bus 702. In one example, transmission media may take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave and infrared data communications.
Some common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, floppy disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, RAM, PROM, EPROM, FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer is adapted to read. In one embodiment, the computer readable media is non-transitory.
In various embodiments of the present disclosure, execution of instruction sequences to practice the present disclosure may be performed by the computer system 700. In various other embodiments of the present disclosure, a plurality of the computer systems 700 coupled by a communication link 724 to a network (for example, such as a LAN, WLAN, PTSN, and/or various other wired or wireless networks, including telecommunications, mobile, and cellular phone networks) may perform instruction sequences to practice the present disclosure in coordination with one another.
The computer system 700 may transmit and receive messages, data, information and instructions, including one or more programs (i.e., application code) through the communication link 724 and the network interface component 712. The network interface component 712 may include an antenna, either separate or integrated, to enable transmission and reception via the communication link 724. Received program code may be executed by processor 704 as received and/or stored in disk drive component 710 or some other non-volatile storage component for execution.
Where applicable, various embodiments provided by the present disclosure may be implemented using hardware, software, or combinations of hardware and software. Also, where applicable, the various hardware components and/or software components set forth herein may be combined into composite components comprising software, hardware, and/or both without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Where applicable, the various hardware components and/or software components set forth herein may be separated into sub-components comprising software, hardware, or both without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, where applicable, it is contemplated that software components may be implemented as hardware components and vice-versa.
Software, in accordance with the present disclosure, such as program code and/or data, may be stored on one or more computer readable mediums. It is also contemplated that software identified herein may be implemented using one or more general purpose or specific purpose computers and/or computer systems, networked and/or otherwise. Where applicable, the ordering of various steps described herein may be changed, combined into composite steps, and/or separated into sub-steps to provide features described herein.
Claims
1-24. (canceled)
25. A vehicle, comprising:
- a vehicle frame configured for over-the-roadway travel under a power of plural drive axles, wherein at least one of the plural drive axles is coupled via a primary drivetrain to a fuel-fed engine to drive at least a pair of wheels, and wherein at least one other of the plural drive axles is a first electrically-powered drive axle configured to supply supplemental torque to one or more additional wheels of the vehicle;
- an energy store on the vehicle, the energy store configured to supply the first electrically-powered drive axle with electrical power in a first mode of operation and further configured to receive energy recovered using the first electrically-powered drive axle in a second mode of operation; and
- a controller operatively coupled between the first electrically-powered drive axle and one or more sensor inputs, including at least a brake line sensor, to transition between the first, the second, and at least a third mode of operation, wherein the controller is not coupled to control the fuel-fed engine or the primary drivetrain.
26. The vehicle of claim 25, wherein the controller is not directly responsive to controls of the fuel-fed engine and primary drivetrain and instead generates computational estimates of operational states of the fuel-fed engine or primary drivetrain and supplies the supplemental torque based on the computational estimates.
27. The vehicle of claim 25 wherein, in the first mode of operation, the first electrically-powered drive axle supplements primary motive forces applied through the primary drivetrain; wherein, in the second mode of operation, the first electrically-powered drive axle provides a regenerative braking force.
28. The vehicle of claim 25, wherein the vehicle includes a tractor unit for use in a tractor-trailer vehicle configuration; wherein the tractor unit comprises the vehicle frame;
- wherein each of the primary drivetrain, the fuel-fed engine, and the first electrically-powered drive axle is fixed to the vehicle frame of the tractor unit.
29. The vehicle of claim 28, further comprising a trailer having at least a second electrically-powered drive axle controlled in a same manner as the first electrically-powered drive axle on the tractor unit.
30. The vehicle of claim 28, wherein the tractor unit is a 6×2 tractor unit having the electrically-powered drive axle in a position of a dead axle of a tandem pair.
31. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein the electrically-powered drive axle is coupled to a brake line of the tractor unit to facilitate control of a regenerative braking mode of operation.
32. The vehicle of claim 25, wherein the vehicle comprises a trailer in a tractor-trailer vehicle configuration with a tractor unit; wherein the trailer comprises the vehicle frame and the first electrically-powered drive axle is fixed to the vehicle frame; wherein the tractor unit comprises the primary drivetrain and the fuel-fed engine.
33. The vehicle of claim 32, wherein the tractor unit comprises a second electrically-powered drive axle controlled in a same manner as the first electrically-powered drive axle on the trailer.
34. The vehicle of claim 25, wherein the controller employs a parallel through a road equivalent consumption minimization strategy based on computational estimates of operational states of the fuel-fed engine or primary drivetrain.
35. The vehicle of claim 25, further comprising a heating, ventilation, or cooling (HVC) system that is coupled to the energy store to receive electrical power from the energy store in a stopover operation and without idling of the fuel-fed engine.
36. The vehicle of claim 36, wherein the energy store comprises:
- a battery;
- a battery management system for controllably maintaining a desired state of charge (SoC) of the energy store during the over-the-roadway travel; and
- a heat exchanger for at least moderating a temperature of the battery during the over-the-roadway travel.
37. The vehicle of claim 36, wherein the heat exchanger includes a fluid-air heat exchanger exposed to airflow during over-the-roadway travel and coupled into a compressor-based loop for sub-ambient cooling of the battery at least during the over-the-roadway travel; wherein the compressor-based loop is further coupled to supply sub-ambient cooling to a cabin of a tractor unit, at least selectively during the stopover operation, via a fluid-air heat exchanger of the HVC system.
38. The vehicle of claim 36, wherein the energy store further includes at least one additional electrical storage device having discharge rate and/or capacity characteristics that differ from the battery; wherein the battery management system is configured to controllably maintain the desired SoC including states of charge of the battery and of the at least one additional electrical storage device.
39. The vehicle of claim 38, wherein the at least one additional electrical storage device includes either or both of an ultracapacitor and additional battery-type storage.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 16, 2023
Publication Date: Feb 1, 2024
Inventors: Thomas Joseph Healy (Austin, TX), Wilson Sa (Pittsburgh, PA), Morgan Culbertson (Shadyside, PA), Eric Schmidt (Northville, MI), Roger Richter (Leander, TX)
Application Number: 18/450,866
