Abstract: An electric-powered wheelbarrow in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a motor, a wheel, an electromagnetic brake, a control circuit, a signal-processing circuit, and a drive circuit. The electromagnetic brake includes an electromagnetic coil. The electromagnetic brake (i) applies a braking force to the wheel in response to the electromagnetic coil being de-energized and (ii) releases the braking force from the wheel in response to the electromagnetic coil being energized. The control circuit outputs a first control signal and a second control signal. The signal-processing circuit receives the first and second control signals to thereby output a deactivating signal. The drive circuit receives the deactivating signal and delivers an excitation current to the electromagnetic coil.

Abstract: An improved gas-electric power delivery system is provided. The invention provides an array of internal combustion engine-powered electric generators and an array of electric drive motors wherein each electric drive motor connects to a common shaft. The common shaft of the electric drive motor array connects to a mechanical load of varying power demand. The electric drive motors draw power from a battery in response to demands on the motors by the varying power demands of the external load. The array of electric generators charges the battery and each such generator turns on and off, as needed, to maintain the battery charge in response to demands on the battery by the electric drive motor array. Each electric motor connected to a common shaft in the electric motor array also turns on and off, as needed, to meet the varying power demands of the external load.

Abstract: Various control options are applied for selecting the number of operating power sources for a multi-power source vehicle having a number of prime power sources and, optionally including energy storage systems. This system and method are applicable to large vehicles such as locomotives, mining trucks, tugboats and large cranes. Selectable operating modes are provided for different locomotive speed ranges and work loads. The system and method are based on a common DC bus electrical architecture so that prime power sources need not be synchronized. Multiple-engine locomotives are included in which the engine systems may be electrically connected in parallel or in series or in combinations of parallel and series to a DC bus.

Abstract: The motor generator set described here has unique circuitry which allows for the combined electrical output of two generators to be paired up with one another as well as the output of a battery in a manner that maximizes there output. Diodes are provided in this circuitry to direct the flow of current effectively.

Abstract: A method of generating and controlling power for an alternating current (AC) motor by means of at least one controlled permanent magnet machine (PMM) with a permanent magnet (PM) rotor and a stator with a magnetic flux diverter circuit for controlling the output of the PMM, comprises the steps of: rotating the PM rotor at a velocity sufficient to develop a high frequency alternating current (HFAC) power output from the stator; transforming the HFAC output to produce a variable low frequency alternating current (AC) motor control output for the motor; sensing desired motor control parameters; generating a control signal responsive to the sensed parameters; and applying the control signal to the magnetic flux diverter circuit to control the motor control output.

Abstract: Power lines are connected to neutral points of motor generators, respectively, and an electric power is transmitted and received between a vehicle and a load outside the vehicle via the power lines. In this transmission, an ECU simultaneously PWM-controls all phases of one of inverters, and controls the other inverter to keep continuously the conducting state.

Abstract: An electric power supply system for driving an electric rotating machine has a generator supplied with driving power from an engine to generate alternating-current electric power and a matrix converter as an alternating-current to alternating-current direct converter supplied with the alternating-current electric power to output arbitrary alternating-current electric power. By driving a motor with the alternating-current electric power supplied from the matrix converter, only one time electric power conversion is carried out to provide high efficiency in the whole system. In addition, electric power loss can be reduced so as to enhance a motor output when the system is applied to a vehicle power supply system.

Abstract: A method of operating a power system is provided, the power system having power-system controls. The method may include automatically setting a priority ranking for a plurality of generator units of the power system with the power-system controls based at least in part on an operating parameter of each generator unit indicative of a quantity of work done by the generator unit. The method may also include automatically controlling which of the generator units run with the power-system controls based at least in part on the priority ranking of the generator units.

Abstract: In a four-wheel drive vehicle, front wheels 14L and 14R are driven by an engine 1, and rear wheels 15L and 15R are driven by an electric motor 5. A high-power alternator 2 is driven by the engine 1, and electric power generated from the alternator 2 drives the motor 5. In addition to controlling the power generation of the high-power alternator 2 and the driving of the motor 5, a 4WD CU 100 estimates an induced voltage E of the motor 5 from a voltage MHV of the motor and from an output current Ia of the high-power alternator, and estimates a rotating speed Nm of the motor from estimation results on the induced voltage E.

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle control apparatus, a motor control unit executes the input power control on a MG unit independently from a torque control on an AC motor so that the input power control and the torque control are stabilized. The motor control unit further executes a torque difference reduction control, which controls current vector of the AC motor, to reduce a torque difference to zero substantially thereby preventing uncomfortable torque variation in a transient condition of input power control of the MG unit. The torque difference is calculated based on a first estimated torque calculated from a detected motor torque of the AC motor and a second estimated torque calculated from a command current vector for torque control of the AC motor.

Abstract: Right after a system operation start but before a smoothing capacitor has been sufficiently pre-charged, conversion voltage control is executed to control a voltage boosting converter so that a system voltage is first raised to a target value. After the smoothing capacitor has been pre-charged, the conversion voltage control is changed over to conversion power control to control the output power of the voltage boosting converter, so that the output power of the voltage boosting converter is brought into agreement with a command value. While the conversion power control is being executed, system voltage control by operating the input power to the MG unit is prohibited.

Abstract: In an electric force transmission device employing two motor generators and a differential device having at least three rotating members and having two degrees of freedom, the first rotating member is coupled to the first motor generator, the second rotating member is coupled to the second motor generator, and the third rotating member is coupled to an output shaft and laid out to be located between the first and the second rotating members on an aligmnent chart. Also, a controller is configured to control the motor generators such that, when the output shaft is driven from its stopped state, before the driving is started, the first and second motor generators are rotated oppositely to each other, while keeping a rotational speed of the output shaft at the stopped state.

Abstract: A transition wiring system is provided. The transition wiring system may include one or more traction motors, a first generator, and a second generator. The transition wiring system may also include a first device, a second device, and a third device, each device configured to block reverse current flow. The transition wiring system may further include a single transition contactor disposed between the first generator and the second generator. The first generator and the second generator are configured to be selectively operable in-series and in-parallel.

Abstract: A first motor generator is linked to an engine and generates torque to start the engine. At time t1-t2 and time t3-t4, when current conducted to the first motor generator will exceed the upper limit value and the lower limit value due to the increase of the absolute value of a current component required to conduct alternating current across neutral points of first and second motor generators, a control device corrects a torque control value of the first motor generator such that the torque current component of the first motor generator directed to starting the engine is reduced.

Abstract: A method of operating a power system is provided. The method may include running one or more of a plurality of generator units that each include a power source, a first electric generator, and a second electric generator. Additionally, the method may include supplying electricity from one or more of the first electric generators of the one or more running generator units to a first set of one or more electric power loads. The method may also include supplying electricity from one or more of the second electric generators of the one or more running generator units to a second set of one or more electric power loads.

Abstract: A method of operating a power system is provided, the power system having power-system controls. The method may include automatically setting a priority ranking for a plurality of generator units of the power system with the power-system controls based at least in part on an operating parameter of each generator unit indicative of a quantity of work done by the generator unit. The method may also include automatically controlling which of the generator units run with the power-system controls based at least in part on the priority ranking of the generator units.

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle control apparatus, a motor control unit executes a system voltage stabilization control, in which an input power to a MG unit is controlled to suppress variations in the system voltage. The motor control unit executes the input power control on the MG unit independently from a torque control on an AC motor so that the input power control and the torque control are stabilized. Before a smoothing capacitor is sufficiently, a conversion voltage control is executed to control an output voltage of a voltage booster converter while prohibiting the system voltage stabilization control. After the pre-charging of the capacitor, the conversion voltage control is changed to the conversion power control.

Abstract: A device for compensation of voltage drop at light sources of a vehicle has light sources having a resistance R0 and connected to a vehicle battery. An auxiliary charging device with electric motor is provided. The electric motor has an on/off switch and is connected to the vehicle battery. The electric motor is connected parallel to the light sources. A resistor is serially connected upstream of the light sources and is selected, based on the resistance R0, such that a nominal current I flowing through the light sources causes a voltage drop &Dgr;E=I×R in the resistor that matches a voltage drop occurring when the electric motor is switched on. A first switch is connected parallel to the resistor for short-circuiting the resistor when the electric motor is switched on by the on/off switch.

Abstract: A system for generating electricity in a vehicle when the vehicle is not moving at a sufficient speed to drive the on board generators and when the wind is insufficient to drive the generators. In one embodiment, a control unit receives input signals from sensors which determine the vehicle speed and the speed and direction of the wind. In another embodiment, the control unit receives input signals from sensors which determine the total current produced by the generator. Based on these signals, the control unit controls the discharge of air from storage tanks on the vehicle to power the generators. The generators produce electricity which is stored on the vehicle and is used to run the vehicle.

Abstract: An electrically compensated constant speed drive (ECCSD) according to the present invention includes a pair of power transmission paths between the prime mover and a load wherein each power transmission path includes a mechanical differential having a first input coupled to the output of the prime mover and an output coupled to the load. A second input of each of the differentials is coupled to a permanent magnet machine and a power converter interconnects the electrical power windings of the permanent magnet machines. In operation, one of the permanent magnet machines is always operated as a generator while the other permanent magnet is operated as a motor so that power flow through the power converter is unidirectional. The ECCSD of the present invention results in a substantial reduction in the maximum control power and hence efficiency is increased and complexity is reduced.

Abstract: A unitized (single unit) motor and flux switch alternator having stationary field, armature and motor windings which provides a magnetic path for some of the motor input power to feed through and increase the alternating current (AC) generator output. A rotor formed from a material having a high magnetic permeability (solid or laminated soft steel) is controlled in speed by controlling the magnitude and timing of the pulsed direct current (DC) supplied to the motor windings which may be wound on the stationary legs or the rotor. The current flow in the motor windings can be controlled by a mechanical commutator if the motor windings are on the rotor or by a solid-state converter if the motor windings are on the legs in a manner normally associated with brushless DC motors. The DC windings of the flux switch alternator can be replaced by permanent magnets since the reversing field in the AC output windings are predominantly time stationary.

Abstract: The control of a quantity (voltage, phase) relating to a generator-motor pair in an electric power station is accomplished by generating a pulse sequence associated with the quantity to be controlled, generating a predetermined reference pulse sequence and detecting the relative phase shift between the two pulse sequences. This phase shift, or an integrated value of a number of successive phase shifts, controls a double ramp generator, the sign and slope of which are proportional to the detected phase shift. The integrated signal is employed to vary the magnetic induction of the rotor, i.e., field excitation of the generator, to balance the system.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmissionless drive system providing maximum torque at low speeds. The system is usable in a hybrid vehicle having a prime mover, such as an internal combustion engine, operated at its optimum rpm for efficiency. The prime mover drives a pair of amplidynes which in turn operate a pair of dc motors to produce rotation of the output shaft for driving the wheels of the vehicle via a novel differential drive system which drives the output shafts in which the effective gear ratio may be externally controlled to vary from a very high step down ratio producing very high torque to a one-to-one ratio for driving at a constant speed. Each drive motor is connected to a separate bevel gear in the differential and control of the output shaft speed and torque is obtained by controlling the speed and direction of rotating of the bevel drive gears.

Abstract: A power plant and drive system for an automotive vehicle includes a constant speed 120 volt 3 phase AC motor which is coupled to the drive shaft of the vehicle through a magnetic particle clutch. The 120 volt 3 phase AC motor receives energy from a 120 volt AC alternator which is coupled to the motor through a one to three phase converter and connected in tandem to three 12 V DC alternators. The system further includes a battery driven 12 volt DC motor and a 5 cubic inch gas motor. Some of the energy generated by the 12 volt DC alternators is used to recharge the batteries that power the 12 volt DC motor. In normal operation, the alternators are driven solely by the 12 volt DC motor; however, when the voltage in the batteries becomes lower than 6 volts the alternators are driven solely by the gas motor, thus allowing the batteries to recharge to their normal level. Speed control of the vehicle is achieved by varying the coupling strength of the magnetic particle clutch.

Abstract: A turret drive system for mobile and armored vehicles includes a turbo-geator for supplying power to an electric motor. The driveshaft of the motor is connected to the driveshaft of a rotary amplifier, with a flywheel mounted to the interconnecting driveshaft. The flywheel stores kinetic energy which is delivered via the amplifier to a D.C. motor which in turn drives the turret through gearing members. A portion of the large energy reservoir in the flywheel may be instantly transferred to the turret by suitable control signals, resulting in high instantaneous power being developed to drive the turret and consequent improvement of performance of weapons mounted in the turret. The system also provides regulated electric power for ancillary vehicle equipment.

Abstract: An electrical propulsion control system for self-propelled traction vehicles of the type having a prime mover-driven electric generator supplying energy to traction motors and regulating means for maintaining the electrical output of the generator within desired limits, wherein the limit of generator output voltage is varied between zero and a predetermined maximum level as a function of desired vehicle speed.