Control Of Both The Generator And The Motor Patents (Class 318/153)
  • Patent number: 10214197
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling an operation mode of a hybrid electric vehicle and a hybrid electric vehicle are provided in the present disclosure. The method includes: detecting a current state of charge of a power battery and an expected torque at wheels in the hybrid electric vehicle; maintaining a current operation mode of the hybrid electric vehicle, if it is detected that the current state of charge enters a state hysteresis area or the expected torque at wheels enters a torque hysteresis area; obtaining a duration of the current operation mode and determining a next operation mode of the hybrid electric vehicle according to the duration, the current state of charge and the expected torque at wheels, if it is detected that the current state of charge exits the state hysteresis area and the expected torque at wheels exits the torque hysteresis area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: BORGWARD TRADEMARK HOLDINGS GMBH
    Inventor: Weibin Yang
  • Patent number: 9276426
    Abstract: An apparatus for charging a battery of an electric device that has a motor by not charging the battery before the electric device is used and a method of charging a battery of an electric device that has a motor by using the apparatus. The apparatus includes a load, a motor for driving the load, a battery that provides a power supply to the motor, a generator that converts a kinetic energy that is generated by the motor to an electric energy, and a control unit that senses an amount of the load of the load and, if the amount of the load is less than a reference value, charges the battery by a first charging mode by using the electric energy output from the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bong-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 8681457
    Abstract: Relays are inserted and connected between a battery and a boosting converter, and other relays are inserted and connected between another battery and another boosting converter. A controller outputs control signals that control opening/closing of the relays. When short-circuit of a switching element occurs in the boosting converters, the controller controls turning-off of the relays such that at least one of order and timing of turning off the relays is changed depending on which of the switching elements is short-circuited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichiro Minegishi, Masashi Yoshimi
  • Patent number: 8643227
    Abstract: A linear motor includes a slider unit having a magnet row in which plural permanent magnets are arranged in series so that the same poles are opposed to each other, a stator unit including electromagnetic coils for plural phases arranged along a movement direction of the slider unit, and plural magnetic detector devices, wherein the plural magnetic detector devices are provided in response to the phases of the electromagnetic coils for plural phases and detect magnetic flux radially extending in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the permanent magnets at boundaries between the permanent magnets of the magnet row and output signal waveforms for plural phases at phases equal to phases of waveforms of back electromotive forces generated in the respective electromagnetic coils for plural phases when the magnet row moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kesatoshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8494689
    Abstract: A method of controlling movement of an agent operating within an autonomous system includes determining, using a processing device associated with the agent, a highest attraction point for the agent on a line of optimal transmission between a detected event within an area of surveillance by the autonomous system and a base station within the autonomous system, and calculating an attraction force for the agent, based on the line of optimal transmission and location of the detected event; determining proximity of the agent to one or more additional agents operating within the autonomous system, and calculating a repulsion force for the agent so as to maintain a minimum separating distance between the agent and the one or more additional agents; calculating a resultant force for the agent based on the attraction force and the repulsion force; and changing a direction of the agent based on the resultant force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Geoffrey D. Ashton
  • Patent number: 8217599
    Abstract: In a regenerative braking apparatus that is connected to a power supply apparatus that supplies electric power to a load, and consumes regenerative power regenerated from a load side together with other regenerative braking apparatuses that are connected to the power supply apparatus, an operation-level changing unit calculates, as occasion demands, according to energization time of a consuming unit, a lower limit of an operation level for judging whether an energizing unit should be actuated and changing and outputting the calculated lower limit of the operation level, a comparing unit compares the lower limit of the operation level output from the operation-level changing unit and a monitor output of a monitoring unit, and the energizing unit operates when the monitor output exceeds the lower limit of the operation level by a driving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Nagataki
  • Patent number: 8164296
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described for determining a field current through a field winding in an electrical machine with a stator and a rotor. The electrical machine includes a field-circuit transformer to produce, by induction of an electrical current on the rotor side, field current with which a field winding is energized in order to generate an excitation magnetic field. The method includes driving the primary side of the field-circuit transformer to produce a field current in the rotor, which is derived from the current induced on the secondary side in the field-circuit transformer; measuring one or more phase currents in one or more primary-side phases of the field-circuit transformer; determining a maximum value depending on the one or more measured phase currents; determining the field current through the field winding depending on the determined maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventor: John Eckerle
  • Patent number: 8054016
    Abstract: A cooling system for a retarding system of an electric drive machine (100) includes a direct current (DC) link having first and second rails. A first resistor grid (214) is selectively placed in circuit between the rails by an automatic switch (216) in response to a switch (216) signal. A second resistor grid (218) is selectively placed in circuit between the rails by a chopper circuit (220) connected in series with the second resistor grid (218). The chopper modulates a current passing therethrough based on a duty cycle. A motor (336) is in parallel electrical connection across a portion of the first resistor grid (214) and operates in response to a motor (336) signal. An electronic controller (400) calculates a net energy during operation and adjusts the switch (216) signal, the duty cycle, and the motor (336) signal to close the automatic electrical switch (216) and operate the motor (336) when the net energy exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin P. Gottemoller, Benjamin Miller, Tamran H. Lengyel
  • Patent number: 7990085
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a generator control unit having improved voltage response in a system which is not provided with a battery in a DC output unit. In order to control the DC voltage of the DC voltage output terminal in a state where an electric load is connected to the DC voltage output terminal of a power generation unit, a PWM signal generation unit 429 generates a field voltage to be applied to a field winding terminal of the power generation unit. A feedback control unit 422 calculates a field voltage command value to be given to the PWM signal generation unit 429. Further, the feedback control unit 422 includes a PT control unit 423 which calculates a voltage deviation between a DC voltage detection value and a DC voltage command value to generate the field voltage command value through a PI operation based on the voltage deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimihisa Furukawa, Satoru Kaneko, Tokihito Suwa, Yuuichirou Takamune, Satoru Ohno, Kenta Katsuhama, Katsuyo Tsushima
  • Patent number: 7839101
    Abstract: A method and system for a control scheme for linear induction machines. The control scheme includes a maximum energy conversion ratio and a maximum acceleration and deceleration for linear induction machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Haidong Yu, Babak Fahimi
  • Patent number: 7812555
    Abstract: An electric powertrain for use with an engine and a traction device is disclosed. The electric powertrain has a DC motor/generator operable to receive at least a portion of a first mechanical output from the engine and produce a DC power output. The DC motor/generator is also operable to receive DC power and produce a second mechanical output. The electric powertrain further has a drivetrain operable to receive the DC power output and use the DC power output to drive the traction device. The drivetrain is also operable to generate DC power when the traction device is operated in a dynamic braking mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Rodwan Tarek Adra
  • Publication number: 20100219779
    Abstract: A system and method for variable drive of a propeller or fan of a gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine has a combustor and a turbine arranged to be driven by a combustion product from the combustor. The variable drive system comprises a primary shaft arranged for transmission of torque from said turbine to the propeller; an electric generator arranged to be driven by said turbine; and an electric motor arranged to be driven by the output of said generator. A clutch is mounted between the propeller and the primary rotor and is operable to mechanically disconnect the shaft from the propeller so that the propeller can be driven by any or any combination of the turbine and/or electric motor. The invention may be applied to a turboprop or turbofan engine having a gearing between the shaft and propeller or fan and may be particularly suited to unmanned aerial vehicle propulsion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Stephen J. BRADBROOK
  • Patent number: 7786631
    Abstract: A position-data converter and a motor-drive control device are connected. The position-data converter receives two-phase, sine-wave analog signals da and db from two first magnetic detectors, respectively, and converts these signals da and db to position data. On receiving a positioning instruction, the motor-drive control device calculates the value of current, from the current position signal generated by the position-data converter. The permanent magnets incorporated in a linear motor are used as components of a linear scale, as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Wako Giken Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Toshihiko Sasaki, Kazuo Watanabe, Katsumi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7667416
    Abstract: An electrical power supply system for an electrically powered motor vehicle, said vehicle including an electric motor, and a transmission device for transmitting energy between the drive wheels and the motor, said vehicle further including electrical accessories, in particular an air-conditioning device. Said system comprises a first rechargeable battery serving to power the electric motor and a second rechargeable battery serving to power the electrical accessories of the vehicle, the batteries being connected in parallel to the motor. The invention also relates to a method for controlling such a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Heuliez Electric
    Inventors: GĂ©rard Queveau, Patrick Largeau
  • Patent number: 7541756
    Abstract: An actuator, such as a motor of a power distribution switching device, may be operated by measuring at least one temperature parameter associated with an energy storage device (e.g., a battery) of the actuator, and establishing a recovery period and a reference voltage based on a measured temperature parameter. The reference voltage represents a sufficient terminal voltage of the energy storage device in the operational condition. During testing, a load is applied to the energy storage device for a predetermined time period, and the terminal voltage for the energy storage device is measured during the predetermined time period and compared with the reference voltage as a measure of the capability of the energy storage device to deliver an operational load. Following testing, actuator operation is inhibited for the established recovery period to allow the energy storage device to recover the capability to deliver the operational load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Jeanne Marie Parent, Yi Li, Patrick Damian Holinka
  • Patent number: 7541758
    Abstract: V-phase upper-arm open phase detecting circuit outputs a permission signal to allow U-phase lower-arm MOSFET to be conductive when the V-phase voltage is higher than the positive electrode potential. In response to this permission signal, U-phase lower-arm driver circuit drives U-phase lower-arm MOSFET. V-phase lower-arm open phase detecting circuit outputs a permission signal to allow U-phase upper-arm MOSFET to be conductive when the V-phase voltage is lower than the negative electrode potential. In response to this permission signal, U-phase upper-arm driver circuit drives U-phase upper-arm MOSFET. Thereby, a MOS rectifying device capable of rectifying even when an open phase occurs, a driving method thereof, and a motor vehicle using thereof can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamitsu Inaba, Shinji Shirakawa, Masahiro Iwamura
  • Patent number: 7134261
    Abstract: In the working machine wherein the output of an engine generator is directly supplied to a motor for travel without using the intermediary of a battery, preventing the engine from slowing down. The generator G is directly connected to the motor 7 and there is no battery that stores the output of the generator G. CPU 102 decreases the power supply for the motor 7 when it has been anticipated that the engine revolutions will be decreased. The number of the engine revolutions is detected according to the period of the waveform of an output of the generator G. The alternating current waveform that has been drawn out from one phase of the winding of the generator G is shaped into a rectangular waveform. CPU 102 detects the period of the shaped waveform. When the detected period has become larger, the CPU 102 determines that the engine revolutions is about to decrease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Inui, Hiroo Kanke, Tsutomu Wakitani, Toshiaki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 6987369
    Abstract: A motor assembly includes a keyed on-off switch and at least one 12-volt battery coupled to the existing DC electrical system of the vehicle. A D.C. speed control unit regulates the current to a DC drive motor. A housing is positionable adjacent to a front or rear portion of the vehicle and includes a D.C. motor connected to the DC speed control unit and a 12-volt D.C. alternator. An A.C. generator is operably connected to at least one AC breaker box via the electrical system. A converter is electrically coupled to the existing electrical system and the A.C. breaker box. The system further includes a plurality of electrical outlets and a power switch operably connected thereto and to the A.C. breaker box wherein the outlets conveniently allow a user to supply power to an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Inventor: Rodney O. Franks, II
  • Patent number: 6949898
    Abstract: The output of an engine driven generator G is directly supplied to a motor 7 for travel without the intermediary of a battery. The output capacity of each of the generator G and motor 7 is determined so that the maximum output of the generator G may substantially coincide with the maximum control electric power that is supplied to the motor 7. The over-current with respect to the motor is suppressed by the output impedance of the generator G. A CPU 102 performs output control so as for the output to conform to the load according to the electric current with respect to the motor. If the electric current increases, the voltage is varied to a level thereof that conforms to that electric current for ensuring sufficient torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tsutomu Inui, Tsutomu Wakitani
  • Patent number: 6912451
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control system for a redundant prime mover system to drive a machine having an engine coupled to the machine, and a motor/generator coupled to the machine and an electrical network connection. The controller operates the engine and the motor/generator in three or four operating modes. The first operating mode drives the machine with the engine. The second operating mode drives the machine with the motor/generator. The third operating mode drives the machine and the motor/generator with the engine such that the motor/generator generates electricity for delivery to the electrical network connection. Alternatively, the third operating mode drives the machine with both the engine and the motor/generator. This alternate operating mode can also be included as a fourth operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Energy Transfer Group, LLC
    Inventors: Darrell Poteet, Kelcy Lee Warren
  • Patent number: 6867560
    Abstract: A rotary electric machine having a plurality of rotors is driven by a compound current. A voltage to be applied to a stator of the rotary electric machine is in the form of a compound rectangular or stepwise voltage composed of a plurality of superposed components each of which is a rectangular or stepwise wave having a frequency corresponding to the revolution speed of a unique one of the rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Minoru Arimitsu
  • Patent number: 6864648
    Abstract: A motor that includes a stator that contains a first winding and a second winding driven by alternating currents. The rotor is arranged to rotate relative to the stator and contains a third winding and a fourth winding for generating a magnetic field with an amplitude and a phase angle relative to the alternating currents in the first and second windings of the stator. The motor includes a circuit in communication with the third and fourth windings for controlling the phase angle of the magnetic field and generating a rotating magnetic field that is in phase-lock with the alternating currents in the first and second windings of the stator. The motor also includes a control circuit and a comparator. The control circuit has an angular position feedback device for measuring the phase of the stator and the angular position and velocity of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Powersci, Inc
    Inventor: Ian D. Stedman
  • Patent number: 6803734
    Abstract: A dynamic braking system for a vehicle, the system comprising an engine, an alternator, a plurality of alternating current (AC) electric traction motors, each coupled in driving relationship to a respective one of a plurality of driven wheels, a plurality of power inverters where each of the traction motors has excitation windings coupled in circuit with a corresponding one of the plurality of power inverters, a fuel-free dynamic braking controller, a fuel-free dynamic braking transfer switch located between one of the plurality of traction motors and the one of the plurality of power inverters in circuit with the corresponding one of the plurality of power inverters, wherein the one of the plurality of traction motors in circuit with the corresponding one of the plurality of power inverters that is separated by the fuel-free dynamic braking transfer switch does not generate and does not consume power, and wherein the fuel-free dynamic braking controller commands one of the plurality of power inverters that i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Peter Loring Valentine
  • Patent number: 6768278
    Abstract: A rotating electrical machine, such as an aircraft starter-generator, includes an exciter that has its stator windings divided into a number of sections. A plurality of switches are electrically coupled to the exciter stator winding sections and are configured and controlled so that the exciter stator winding sections may be selectively coupled in series or in parallel with one another, and selectively coupled to receive either DC or AC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingzhou Xu, Wayne T. Pearson, Cristian E. Anghel, Jim Lengel
  • Patent number: 6611127
    Abstract: A drive circuit for a motor/generator, having a first rotating electrical machine which is mainly used as a motor and a second rotating electrical machine which is mainly used as a generator, is characterized in that a booster circuit is disposed at a position where the current for rotating the first rotating electrical motor cancels out with the current generated by the second rotating electrical machine. In this manner, the booster circuit comprising small capacity elements can be used in the drive circuit for the motor/generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Arimitsu, Masaki Nakano, Yuusuke Minagawa, Koji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6603277
    Abstract: A cooling fan control circuit drives a brushless motor to rotate a cooling fan to cool a condenser and a radiator mounted on a vehicle when a drive signal is activated. In a situation where the brushless motor rotates at a rotational speed equal to or higher than a predetermined value by flowing air in a situation that the drive signal is not activated and a charge state signal indicating that a battery is not in a fully charged state, the control circuit turns off MOSFETs in upper arms of an inverter circuit and simultaneously, synchronously switches MOSFETs in lower arms of the inverter circuit. With this configuration, an electric energy generated by the flowing air is stored from the brushless motor to a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 6573675
    Abstract: A series type hybrid electric vehicle and method including a generator set having an internal combustion engine and a generator, a battery array and at least one electric motor includes a controller for controlling propulsion of the vehicle. The controller generates a second signal having a value proportional to the value of a first signal, indicative of user demand, and indicative of a demand of the at least one electric motor, determines if the value of the first signal is larger than the value of the second signal, increases the value of a command signal to the at least one electric motor, if the value of the first signal is not larger than the value of the second signal, and decreases the value of the command signal, if the value of the first signal is larger than the value of the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Transportation Techniques LLC
    Inventors: Robert W. Schmitz, Thomas F. Wilton, Joshua J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6546320
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a control apparatus having an engine controller and a motor controller. A first battery and a second battery which has higher voltage than the first battery are provided. An electric power generator which is driven by the engine is provided for charging the first battery. The second battery and the electric motor are connected through the motor controller, and the first battery or the electric power generator is connected to the motor controller and the engine controller. In addition, the first battery or the electric power generator is connected to the engine controller for maintaining a power supply for operation maintenance of the engine controller. The second battery and the electric motor are connected through the motor controller. The second battery or the electric motor is connected to the motor controller through a DC/DC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Michinori Shimizu, Kazuhiko Morimoto
  • Patent number: 6472845
    Abstract: An inverter (23) generates a composite current comprising an electrical current for a first rotor (4) and an electrical current for a second rotor (3). A microprocessor (22) controls the inverter (23) so that the average value of the composite current is smaller than the sum of the average values of the respective currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuusuke Minagawa, Hisayuki Furuse, Minoru Arimitsu, Shoichi Maeda, Masaki Nakano
  • Patent number: 6429613
    Abstract: A generation control device of a hybrid electric vehicle is able to satisfactorily generate power with an excellent responsiveness with respect to a high output requirement from a motor. If a charge level SOC sensed by a charge level sensing device is not greater than a generation start value SOCsta, a generator starts a normal output generation (P(G)=P1). The normal output generation is continued until the charge level SOC reaches a generation end value SOCend larger than the generation start value SOCsta. If a required power consumption Pm of a traction motor sensed by a required power consumption sensing device is not less than Ph, a high output generation (P(G)=P2) with a higher output than the normal output generation is executed instead of the normal output generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yanase, Makoto Ogata
  • Patent number: 6201331
    Abstract: Two rotors (3,4) and one stator (2) are arranged coaxially. The stator (2) comprises a coil unit (6) which produces, by the supply of a first alternating current, the same number of rotating magnetic fields as the number of magnetic poles of said first rotor (3), and, by the supply of a second alternating current, the same number of rotating magnetic fields as the number of magnetic poles of said second rotor (4). A composite current of said first and second alternating currents is supplied to said coil unit (6), and a circuit (15) is provided for compensating torque fluctuation due to non-uniformity of the magnetic field accompanying the relative rotation of the two said rotors (3, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaki Nakano
  • Patent number: 6198176
    Abstract: An improved UPS/CPS system employs a high-efficiency uninterrupted power supply function integrated with an engine-generator set that combines both short term protection against momentary power interruptions with longer term power generation. Feedback from a controller provides for improved voltage regulation during abrupt load changes and flexibility of application. A number of features and operating modes are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system is useful as a kit to retrofit existing backup power facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Statordyne LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Gillette
  • Patent number: 6118237
    Abstract: A battery management for a hybrid drive system for a vehicle recovers input and output performance of a battery if the battery temperature is low. If the battery temperature is less than or equal to a predetermined value (or if the battery internal resistance is greater than or equal to a predetermined value), the battery needs to recover its input and output performance. Under this condition, the state of charge (SOC) of the battery is determined and compared with a predetermined value. The comparison result is used to determine whether the battery is capable of discharging or the battery needs charging. If SOC is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, a controller conducts forced discharge from the battery to operate an electric motor of the hybrid drive system in power mode. This forced discharge causes an increase ion the battery temperature, thus causing the battery to recover its input and output performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Kikuchi, Shinichiro Kitada, Yu Owada, Yutaro Kaneko
  • Patent number: 6107775
    Abstract: A controller for a starter/generator used with an aircraft engine, includes means for monitoring field return current in a generator field winding; means for monitoring generator voltage; and microprocessor control means for adjusting generator field current as a function of the field current and voltage and field return current. The field return current and output voltage monitoring functions allow for open field, field integrity, over voltage, field weakening and torque limiting functions to be realized in an integrated programmable system configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventors: Kevin E. Rice, Ronald W. Roseman, Charles A. Green
  • Patent number: 5939848
    Abstract: A control system controls a hybrid vehicle having an engine for rotating a drive axle, an electric motor for assisting the engine in rotating the drive axle, and electric energy storage unit for supplying electric energy to the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Yano, Yutaka Tamagawa, Yoshikazu Oshima, Motoshi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5929610
    Abstract: A shoot-through protection system for an electric power generating system including a synchronous generator, a bridge rectifier coupled to an output of the generator for converting alternating current (AC) from the generator to direct current (DC) at a rectifier output, and at least one inverter coupled to the rectifier output for converting the DC output to a controlled frequency AC output for application to a load. The generator has a separately excited field winding in which the magnitude of field excitation controls the voltage output of the generator. A microprocessor-based controller regulates generator field excitation in a manner to control the DC output of the rectifier. The generator is protected from a shoot-through in the inverter by detecting a sustained voltage drop in the rectifier DC output and reversing generator field excitation in response to such a voltage drop to rapidly drive generator output voltage to substantially zero volts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ariel Friedlander, Bret Dwayne Worden, Myron Lee Smith, Charles Earl Cooper, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar
  • Patent number: 5909094
    Abstract: A power output apparatus (20) of the invention includes an engine (50), a clutch motor (30), an assist motor (40), and a controller (80) for controlling the clutch motor (30) and the assist motor (40). In response to an engine stop signal to stop operation of the engine (50), the controller (80) successively lowers a torque command value of the clutch motor (30) and a target engine torque and a target engine speed of the engine (50) to make the engine (50) kept at an idle. The assist motor (40) is controlled to use power stored in a battery (94) and make up for a decrease in torque output to a drive shaft (22) accompanied by the decrease in torque command value of the clutch motor (30). When the engine (50) falls in the idling state, supply of fuel into the engine (50) is stopped to terminate operation of the engine (50). In this state, the drive shaft (22) is driven and operated only by the torque of the assist motor (40), which is generated by the power stored in the battery (94).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiji Yamada, Takao Miyatani, Yasutomo Kawabata, Masatoshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 5903130
    Abstract: A controller for a starter/generator used with an aircraft engine, includes means for monitoring field return current in a generator field winding; means for monitoring generator voltage; and microprocessor control means for adjusting generator field current as a function of the field current and voltage and field return current. The field return current and output voltage monitoring functions allow for open field, field integrity, over voltage, field weakening and torque limiting functions to be realized in an integrated programmable system configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Lucas Aerospace Power Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin E. Rice, Ronald W. Roseman, Charles A. Green, Dean A. Snider
  • Patent number: 5804947
    Abstract: A generator controller used in hybrid electric vehicle. The battery current is sampled and accumulated for T seconds. The obtained accumulated value is used to determine the control target of the generated power. Since the generated power is controlled according to the accumulated current of the battery which fits the battery's characteristic compared to the charged-and-discharged power, the battery's state of charge (SOC) can be more accurately controlled within the target zone. When the SOC of the battery is initially outside the target zone, the SOC is adjusted within the target zone by forcibly discharging or charging the battery. The precision of SOC control can be improved compared to when the SOC of the battery is controlled using the charged-and-discharged power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihide Nii, Nobuyuki Taki
  • Patent number: 5652485
    Abstract: A control system utilizing fuzzy logic adaptive control to control the operation of a wind turbine driven electric power generator to control power generator speed and hence power frequency while maximizing the power output of the power generator. Wind turbulence effects are eliminated and airgap magnetic flux of the power generator is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventors: Ronald J. Spiegel, Bimal K. Bose
  • Patent number: 5614809
    Abstract: When the remaining capacity of a battery on a hybrid vehicle is smaller than a threshold value or the battery is unable to output the amount of electric energy required to propel the hybrid vehicle with a propulsive electric motor, the engine is started by a generator which operates in a motor mode. After the engine has been warmed up, the generator operates in a generator mode to generate electric energy which is supplied to the battery and the propulsive electric motor. The threshold value for the remaining capacity of the battery is greater as the atmospheric pressure is lower. Therefore, if the hybrid vehicle is running under a low atmospheric pressure such as on a highland, the electric energy is supplied from the generator to the battery and the propulsive electric motor at an early stage where the capacity of the battery is relatively high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeo Kiuchi, Satoshi Taguchi, Katsunori Nakaya, Shigekazu Fueta, Kenji Fukuda
  • Patent number: 5608308
    Abstract: The opening of the intake air control valve of an engine which actuates a generator on a hybrid vehicle is basically controlled by an intake air control valve control assembly to cause the engine to produce a power output corresponding to a target generated output which is determined by a target generated output setting assembly based on an operating condition of the hybrid vehicle. When regenerative braking of a propulsive electric motor is detected by a regenerative braking detector, the opening of the intake air control valve is corrected in a direction to decrease. Even when the load on the engine drops sharply or is greatly reduced by regenerative braking of the propulsive electric motor, the engine is prevented from racing, and from discharging unwanted exhaust emissions and also from suffering undue vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeo Kiuchi, Shigeru Ibaraki
  • Patent number: 5606233
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Inventor: James W. Davis
  • Patent number: 5550445
    Abstract: A generator controller and controlling method of a hybrid vehicle. A battery voltage is compared with a predetermined value and when the battery voltage is lower than the predetermined value as a result of the comparison, an state of charge of the battery is discriminated. In the case of an state of charge of at least 70%, a generator output is controlled on the basis of a motor output, and in the case of an state of charge of less than 70%, while the generator output is controlled to a relatively high value, the motor output is limited. When the state of charge is restored to more than 75%, the voltage is controlled depending on the motor output. In the case of at least the predetermined value of the battery voltage, an idle control of an engine is carried out. As a result, the state of charge of the battery can be ensured and overcharging of the battery can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihide Nii
  • Patent number: 5091679
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension uses actuators between sprung and unsprung masses, each actuator comprising a brushless dynamoelectric machine having a low inertia rotor engaged with a rotary/linear motion converter or conversion between dynamoelectric machine torque and linear actuator force. A control circuit for each machine applies current from an electric power source to the dynamoelectric machine in response to rotor position sensors and an input control signal to produce a desired actuator force providing motoring or generating action by the dynamoelectric machine. A common supply bus connecting the electric power source and dynamoelectric machines allows the dynamoelectric machines in generating mode to provide electric power to the dynamoelectric machines in motoring mode. Transient storage capacitors across the supply bus, current limiting from the supply bus to the storage battery, a dump resistance and dump switch responsive to battery voltage, and a supplementary alternator are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Balarama V. Murty, Rassem R. Henry
  • Patent number: 4677354
    Abstract: The device comprises a variable frequency AC generator with means of exitation supplied by means for controlling exitation current, means for regulation of the frequency of the generator as a function of an index value, means for measuring actual speed of the mobile portion of the motor, and means for comparing actual speed with the index value. According to the invention, the means for controlling the exitation current are connected to the means for comparing actual speed with the index value, and the generator has a high internal reactance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: Etat Francais represente par le Delegue general pour l'armement
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Pascal, Jean-Luc Giovachini, Jacques Croizier
  • Patent number: 4567407
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Inventor: John W. Ecklin
  • Patent number: 3970858
    Abstract: An electrical propulsion control system for self-propelled traction vehicles of the type having a thermal prime mover-driven electric generator supplying energy to traction motors, wherein the electrical output of the generator is regulated within predetermined maximum voltage, current, and power limits and is independently reduced, without reducing the voltage or current limit, in response to the prime mover decelerating to speeds at which it is subject to bogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1976
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald Hammond Rist, Barry Jay Turley