Regenerative Patents (Class 318/376)
  • Publication number: 20130033204
    Abstract: A control system for controlling an electrical device of a nacelle, the device having at least one element that is movable to a closed position and an open position. The control system includes at least one electromechanical member for actuating the movable element, a unit for electrically driving the electromechanical actuation member, and a controlling and monitoring unit for controlling the electrical drive unit so as to move the movable element to the closed and/or open position. The control system further includes a system for recovering braking power from the electrical drive unit during the movement of the movable element to the closed and/or open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventor: AIRCELLE
  • Patent number: 8368330
    Abstract: The invention relates to a variable speed drive comprising a direct-current power bus having a positive line (16) and a negative line (17), and an inverter module (14) supplied by the direct-current bus in order to supply a variable voltage to an electric load (M). The drive comprises an energy-recovery device (10) comprising a first direct-current/direct-current converter (20), the output stage of the first converter (20) being connected in series to the positive line of the direct-current bus, a second direct-current/direct-current converter (30), the input stage of the second converter (30) being connected between the positive line and the negative line of the direct-current bus, and an electric energy storage module (Cs) connected in parallel with the input stage of the first converter (20) and with the output stage of the second converter (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Toshiba Inverter Europe SAS
    Inventors: Philippe Baudesson, Petar Grbovic, Philippe Le Moigne
  • Publication number: 20130026956
    Abstract: An injection molding machine according to the invention includes a motor, a driver circuit that drives the motor; and a rectifying part that supplies electric power to the driver circuit. A regenerative line for regenerative electric power of the motor is connected to the rectifying part in parallel. A converting part and a harmonics component reducing part are provided in the regenerative line. The converting part converts direct electric power between the driver circuit and the rectifying part into alternating electric power which is input to the harmonics component reducing part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Atsushi KATO, Hiroshi MORITA, Hiroyuki MIZUNO, Noritaka OKADA
  • Patent number: 8362721
    Abstract: A battery powered raise climber system is provided that uses Lithium ion batteries to drive a single or double electric drive for an existing raise climber. The batteries offer a faster, safer, quieter and cleaner way to move workers and their equipment to and from the work face in a raise and eliminates the need for adding lengths of hose as the raise climber ascends and eliminates the emission of harmful inhalants. The battery powered system also enables high efficiency area lighting to be used at the work face, and as the raise climber descends in the raise, the electric drives can reverse operation to recharge the batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: J.S. Redpath Limited
    Inventor: Rick T. Jylha
  • Publication number: 20130015791
    Abstract: A regeneration control device of an electrically powered vehicle includes a motor generator which performs electric power regeneration by braking a driving wheel of the electrically powered vehicle, and a battery to which electric power regenerated by the motor generator is supplied. Monitoring means includes at least one of charging rate detection means configured to detect a charging rate of the battery and voltage value detection means configured to detect a voltage value of the battery. Control means controls the electric power regeneration of the motor generator according to at least one of the charging rate and the voltage value of the battery detected by the monitoring means. The control means is configured to decrease regenerative electric current of the motor generator as at least one of the charging rate and the voltage value is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Norihiko HATSUMI, Yoshiaki Sano, Toshiyuki Matsumi, Takanori Sugimoto, Hiroaki Miyamoto, Yasuyuki Hatsuda, Akira Hashizaka, Masanori Watanabe, Nobuaki Ohta
  • Publication number: 20130002176
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for reducing vibrations caused by a motor during braking of a vehicle, More specifically, the disclosed technique detects an actual rotational speed of a drive motor, calculates a target rotational speed of the drive motor by filtering the actual rotational speed, calculates a speed difference between the actual rotational speed and the target rotational speed, calculate an offset value by filtering the speed difference, calculate a speed vibration by deducting the offset value from the speed difference, and reduce the speed vibration of the motor by applying a compensated torque in an opposite direction of the speed vibration based on the calculated speed vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sang Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 8339075
    Abstract: Consistent with an example embodiment there is a method for controlling a deceleration process of a DC motor, wherein the DC motor is driven by a bridge driver coupled to a power supply intended to provide a supply voltage VDD at a power supply output. The method comprises applying a deceleration PWM signal to the bridge driver for decelerating the DC motor, and controlling the bridge driver such that a motor-induced back current is reduced, if the voltage at the power supply output exceeds a first voltage threshold which is higher than VDD. In accordance with the example embodiment, the method includes the following: if the voltage at the power supply output falls below a second voltage threshold which is lower than the first voltage threshold, control of the bridge driver is terminated such that the motor-induced back current is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Gian Hoogzaad
  • Patent number: 8310180
    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: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Rodwan Tarek Adra
  • Patent number: 8310196
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the failsafe monitoring of an electromotive drive without additional sensors, including a drive having a three-phase control of an electric motor, detection of the current and voltage profiles of each of the three phases, as they are forwarded to the motor by drive electronics, determination of the load speed while using the detected current and voltage values, where the determination of the load speed takes place by calculating an observer model with reference to the detected current, to the detected voltage, to the frequency preset by the control and to the characteristic data of the motor and generation of a failsafe switch signal for the motor when the calculated load speed does not correspond to a preset desired speed within the framework of preset tolerances. The load torque can also be determined and monitored with reference to the observer model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Sick AG
    Inventor: Mathias Ams
  • Patent number: 8305018
    Abstract: If it is determined that excess power is generated based on overcharge information of a power storage device, a controller starts an operation of consuming the excess power by an excessive power consuming circuit. The controller counts elapsed time from the time point when the power consuming operation started, and if the counted elapsed time exceeds a minimum on-time set in advance, switches the excessive power consuming circuit from active to inactive state. The minimum on-time is set based on a pattern that is expected to cause generation of excessive regenerative power from an AC electric motor because of abrupt change in running status of an electric powered vehicle mounting a motor drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Okamura
  • Publication number: 20120273285
    Abstract: A method of utilizing potential energy at a worksite comprising providing an energy storage machine including an energy storage system at a first rendezvous height above a working area, coupling the energy storage machine to a first work machine, generating energy while commuting the energy storage machine and first work machine down the first height, storing the generated energy in the energy storage system and decoupling the energy storage machine and the first work machine at a second rendezvous point adjacent to the working area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Jensen, Larry M. Slone
  • Patent number: 8299739
    Abstract: [Task] A high-speed driving is possible, a utilization of a power supply having a low voltage is possible, and a regeneration is easy to be carried out. [Means to solve the task] A first buck-boost chopper portion is provided on an output side of a battery 10 to boost a voltage across battery 10 during a drive of a motor, a second buck-boost chopper portion is provided on an output side of the first buck-boost chopper portion to boost the voltage from an inverter portion 20 during a regeneration, inverter portion 20 of a 120-degree conduction current source inverter is provided on the output side of the second buck-boost chopper portion, and a motor 38 is provided on an output side of inverter portion 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Meidensha Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Kakebayashi, Takashi Yamaguchi, Yugo Tadano
  • Patent number: 8299738
    Abstract: A multi-tasking power processor (104) for a vehicle electric system (100) is provided. The multi-tasking power processor (104) includes a low voltage direct current bus interface (201), a high voltage direct current bus interface (202), and a motor interface (203). The multi-tasking power processor (104) also includes converter circuitry (200) selectively configurable as a direct current boost converter and a direct current buck converter between the low voltage direct current bus interface (201) and the high voltage direct current bus interface (202). The multi-tasking power processor (104) is further configurable as a motor drive between the motor interface (203) and the high voltage direct current bus interface (202).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Vietson M. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20120268045
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for braking an electric motor. The apparatus includes an electric motor, an electric generator, and an electrical circuit arrangement capable of connecting the electric generator to the electric motor. The electric generator generates an instantaneous generator electromotive force at substantially equal magnitude and opposite polarity to an instantaneous motor electromotive force present in the electric motor. The electrical circuit arrangement is capable of supplying the instantaneous generator electromotive force to the electric motor. The instantaneous generator electromotive force is supplied in response to connecting the electric generator and the electric motor. The instantaneous generator electromotive force substantially negates the instantaneous motor electromotive force, thereby braking the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Omar Eyas Abdel Rahim El-Qawasmeh
  • Patent number: 8294394
    Abstract: A braking system for an aircraft provided with undercarriage, wherein an axial-flux reversible electric machine is set between the wheel and the frame of the undercarriage; current-dissipating resistors are provided, which can be connected to the windings of the axial-flux reversible electric machine during rotation of said wheel for dissipating by the Joule effect the induced currents generated by the axial-flux electric machine, which behaves as current generator, and producing a braking effect that slows down the movement of the wheel, thus exerting a braking action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Alenia Aeronautica S.p.A.
    Inventor: Vincenzo Anastasio
  • Patent number: 8288974
    Abstract: A power supply control device controls a power supply connected to a motor and includes: an AC/DC converter that makes a first DC power supply; a DC/DC converter that makes a second DC power supply out of the first DC power supply; a first rectifying element that allows current to flow from the first DC power supply toward the motor; a second rectifying element that allows current to flow from the first DC power supply toward the DC/DC converter; and a third rectifying element that allows current to flow from the motor toward the DC/DC converter. In this way, a power supply connected to a motor can be suitably controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikiyuki Aoki, Kunio Furukawa
  • Patent number: 8283880
    Abstract: A motor drive device including a converter for a power running operation and a power regenerative operation. The converter has power switching elements, a first power regenerative control unit for controlling the power switching elements in the power regenerative operation by using pulse width modulation signal whose pulse width changes with a value indicated by a command signal; a second power regenerative control unit for controlling the power switching elements in the power regenerative operation to generate respective power regenerative currents in a phase representing the maximum potential among three phases of a three-phase AC power supply and a phase representing the minimum potential among the three phases, and a power regenerative operation switching unit for switching a control of the power switching elements in the power regenerative operation between a control by the first power regenerative control unit and a control by the second power regenerative control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: FANUC Corporation
    Inventors: Yasusuke Iwashita, Shinichi Horikoshi, Takashi Harada, Shinichi Mizukami
  • Publication number: 20120235607
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide novel techniques for using a switched converter to provide for three-phase alternating current (AC) rectification, regenerative braking, and direct current (DC) voltage boosting. In particular, one of the three legs of the switched converter is controlled with a set of pulse width modulation (PWM) control signals so that the input AC phase having the highest voltage is rectified and one of the switches in the two other legs is turned on to allow for added voltage. This switching activity allows for voltage from multiple AC line mains to be combined, resulting in an overall boost of the DC voltage of the rectifier. The DC voltage boost can then be applied to the common DC bus in order to ameliorate voltage sags, help with motor starts, and increase the ride-through capability of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lixiang Wei, Richard A. Lukaszewski, Russel Kerkman, Brian J. Seibel
  • Patent number: 8269446
    Abstract: When an electric vehicle outputs a torque instruction, firstly, a request torque is acquired and a judged whether the acquired request torque is positive or negative. Regardless of the sign of the request torque, it is judged whether the eco-switch is ON. If the request torque has a positive sign and the eco-switch is OFF, a map A is selected. If the eco-switch is ON, a map B which limits the maximum torque to a low value for the map A is selected. If the request torque has a negative sign, a map C is selected regardless of the eco-switch ON/OFF state and the maximum torque is not limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Suhama, Hideto Hanada, Masaki Okamura, Hiroaki Kioka, Ken Iwatsuki
  • Publication number: 20120229055
    Abstract: A power converter includes a first electric power conversion unit having an inverter for converting a first DC electric power to an AC electric power, an AC circuit connected to the first electric power conversion means; a second electric power conversion unit for receiving the first DC electric power and converting the same to a second DC electric power having a voltage level that differs from the voltage level of the first DC electric power, a power storage unit for storing the second DC electric power of the second electric power conversion unit; and a ripple suppressor having a first inductance for guiding the second DC electric power of the second electric power conversion unit to the power storage means and a second inductance for suppressing the ripple component included in the second DC electric power arranged between the second electric power conversion unit and the power storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Tetsu SUGIURA, Masahiro Nagasu, Motomi Shimada, Ryoichi Oishi, Tadanori Sato, Toshio Sekine
  • Patent number: 8258727
    Abstract: The regenerative torque shifter is a system for electric/hybrid electric vehicles that includes a driver-operated control device mounted in the vehicle and a control unit linked to a motor controller. The driver sets a level of regenerative braking desired by manipulating the control device. Based on output from the control device, the control unit directs the motor controller to apply a corresponding level of regenerative braking action by varying the amount of load seen by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventor: Randy Dunn
  • Publication number: 20120217075
    Abstract: In the hybrid vehicle driving device including an engine drive system transmitting a drive force of an engine to a transmission through a one-way clutch and transmitting a drive force after shifting by the transmission to a rear wheel and a motor drive system transmitting a drive force of a motor to the rear wheel, the drive force of the motor of the motor drive system is joined to a point upstream the transmission and downstream the one-way clutch in the engine drive system. The transmission includes a twin clutch capable of shifting between neighboring shift gears by alternately switching the connection state of a clutch on one side and a clutch on the other side, and is automatically shifted so as to produce an optional rotational speed and motor torque at which the electric power generation efficiency becomes high at the time of regeneration control of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akifumi Nomura, Kenichi Ohmori
  • Patent number: 8253359
    Abstract: A control system includes an electric rotating machine; a driving circuit that is connected to a DC power supply, the driving circuit includes a frequency conversion unit configured such that, when the electric rotating machine is to be driven in a power running mode, the frequency conversion unit converts an output of the DC power supply into AC electric power, and when the electric rotating machine is to be driven in a regenerative operation mode, the frequency conversion unit converts an output of the electric rotating machine into DC electric power; and a control unit that controls the driving circuit, wherein the control unit judges whether a connection between the DC power supply and the driving circuit is being maintained, and is configured such that, when the connection is not being maintained, regenerative electric power generated by the electric rotating machine is reduced by controlling the driving circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Tanaka, Daisuke Ogino, Subrata Saha, Jin Izawa
  • Publication number: 20120212161
    Abstract: An electromechanical device includes a first drive member having a magnetic coil, a second drive member capable of moving relatively to the first drive member, and a control section adapted to drive the magnetic coil and to perform regeneration of energy from the magnetic coil when decelerating the second drive member, and the control section includes a first regeneration mode of setting a first regenerative interval centered on a zero crossing point of an induced voltage caused in the magnetic coil, and performing the regeneration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kesatoshi TAKEUCHI, Takahiro AMARI
  • Publication number: 20120206071
    Abstract: A centrifuge includes a regenerative braking safety system including an electrical system reversibly coupled to a power source. A motor is coupled to the electrical system. The motor is capable of driving a rotor using power delivered through the electrical system, and is further capable of supplying the electrical system with recovered energy. The recovered energy is electrical energy converted from kinetic energy of the rotor during regenerative braking of the motor. The safety system includes a power cut-off configured to disable the effect of regenerative braking of the motor when the electrical system is decoupled from the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Ronald T. Keen, Jason L. Hessler
  • Patent number: 8244419
    Abstract: A marine power system comprises a motor for providing propulsion. It also comprises an energy storage unit (ESU) for storing and supplying energy to the motor. A prime power system is connected to the ESU and motor for selectively providing energy to these subsystems through a bus. The motor selectively receives energy from the prime power system and the ESU and can supply regenerative braking energy to the bus. The system can also accommodate multiple generator sets providing system power. The ESU can also provide starting power for the prime power system. Alternately, the prime power system drives a mechanical power system output shaft connected to the motor, and the marine system comprises an alternator driven by the prime power system output shaft. The ESU can transmit energy to the alternator. The prime power system can be located on a tugboat displacing a barge carrying the energy storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Mi-Jack Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Wegner-Donnelly, John David Watson
  • Publication number: 20120200243
    Abstract: Included are a power converter for driving an induction machine, a control unit for controlling the power converter, and a brake force command computing unit for computing a brake force command. The control unit includes a regenerative brake force computing unit. The regenerative brake force computing unit computes a first regenerative brake force that can be determined based on a d-axis current detected value, a q-axis current detected value, a d-axis voltage command, a q-axis voltage command, and speed information and also computes a second regenerative brake force that can be determined based on phase current information signals, the d-axis voltage command, the q-axis voltage command, and the speed information, and then selects any one of the first regenerative brake force and the second regenerative brake force according to the speed information and outputs the selected one to the brake force command computing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Kono, Keita Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 8235693
    Abstract: A power supply device for supplying an electric power to a servo amplifier is configured by an AC/DC converter and a power accumulating device. Among a molding cycle, during a process where an amount of consumed power is small, a DC voltage is supplied to the servo amplifier from the AC/DC converter and a power is accumulated in the power accumulating device. In a process such as an injection process where a large power is required, a high DC voltage is supplied to the servo amplifier from the power accumulating device in place of the AC/DC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Ochi
  • Publication number: 20120187875
    Abstract: An electric power converter of an electric rolling stock includes: a converter unit (a first electric-power converting unit) that receives a direct-current voltage and outputs a direct-current voltage controlled to a predetermined value; and an inverter unit (a second electric-power converting unit) that is connected to the output side of the converter unit and drives an electric motor. The converter unit includes a converter control unit (a first control unit) that, based on the input voltage thereof, generates an output voltage command that is a control command for controlling the condition of the output voltage of the converter unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Kitanaka
  • Publication number: 20120181956
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for storing electrical energy, comprising a plurality of storage cells (12). A switch (16) and an electrical resistor (14) connected in series thereto are connected in parallel to each of the storage cells. At least one switching unit (T) closes each individual switch as soon as the storage cell located parallel to said switch exceeds a specified voltage. There is additionally a time-switch unit (T) that holds each closed switch closed for a specified time after closing has once occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Conrad Rossel
  • Publication number: 20120181957
    Abstract: In order to store excess kinetic energy, an energy storage device and an operating method are described, in which the kinetic energy can be partially converted into electrical energy by a first electric machine using at least two electric machines arranged on a shaft and can be partially converted into additional kinetic energy, such as rotational energy, by a second electric machine. The method for energy storage of excess kinetic energy provides for converting kinetic energy partially into electric energy and partially into additional kinetic energy, such as rotational energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georg Bachmaier, Dominik Bergmann, Matthias Gerlich, Guillaume Pais, Christian Tump
  • Patent number: 8217617
    Abstract: A power supply appliance of a transport system is provided. The appliance includes a power rectifier of the motor, an AC voltage circuit, a control voltage circuit, a power supply circuit of the safety devices, an AC/DC transformer fitted between the AC voltage circuit and the control voltage circuit to supply power from the AC voltage circuit to the control voltage circuit, and a power shaping circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventor: Pekka Jahkonen
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120160124
    Abstract: Designs for a battery-powered, all-electric locomotive and related locomotive and train configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a locomotive may be driven by a plurality of traction motors powered exclusively by a battery assembly which preferably comprises rechargeable batteries or other energy storage means. The locomotive carries no internal combustion engine on board and receives no power during operation from any power source external to the locomotive. A battery management system monitors and equalizes the batteries to maintain a desired state of charge (SOC) and depth of discharge (DOD) for each battery. A brake system may be configured to prioritize a regenerative braking mechanism over an air braking mechanism so that substantial brake energy can be recovered to recharge the battery assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Gibson V. Barbee, Gerhard A. Thelen, Robert S. Runyon, Derick Vander Klippe
  • Patent number: 8207631
    Abstract: The power control of a transport system comprises an electric motor for moving the transport appliance as well as a power supply appliance of the motor, which comprises an intermediate circuit. The power supply appliance of the motor is fitted between the power source and the electric motor. The transport system further comprises a network rectifier, which is fitted between the power source and the intermediate circuit of the power supply appliance of the motor for supplying braking power returning from the motor of the transport appliance to the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventor: Pekka Jahkonen
  • Publication number: 20120158245
    Abstract: A first DC/DC converter is connected to a higher-voltage output terminal of a rectifier by alternator wiring, a battery that supplies electric power to an on-board load is connected to the first DC/DC converter, a second DC/DC converter is connected to the higher-voltage output terminal of the rectifier by alternator wiring, and an electrical double-layer capacitor is connected to the second DC/DC converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Yoshizawa, Masaya Inoue, Takahiro Urakabe, Tatsuya Okuda, Yuuya Tanaka, Takayoshi Nagai, Shigeki Harada
  • Publication number: 20120153880
    Abstract: The system has a driving circuit for the motor of the electric fan, coupled to the electrical system of a motor vehicle and having a plurality of controlled electronic switches, and an electronic control unit arranged to control the driving circuit in such a way as to cause the flow in the motor of a variable average current capable of producing a required speed of rotation, in accordance with a predetermined relationship or function. The control unit is designed to store a predetermined threshold of rotation speed, and to control the motor through the associated driving circuit in such a way that when the rotational speed of the motor exceeds the threshold the driving circuit causes electrical braking of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Davide CERRATO, Pierfranco Pangella
  • Patent number: 8203294
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a flight control actuator and method for assembling the same is provided. The apparatus includes a motor drive system and a control unit. The motor drive system includes a capacitor-based energy storage configured to store and provide energy within or proximate to the actuator. The control unit is coupled to the motor drive system and is configured to facilitate managing power within or proximate to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: GE Aviations Systems LLC
    Inventors: Hao Huang, David Dimitri Karipides, Arthur Vorwerk Radun
  • Publication number: 20120146558
    Abstract: An electric braking device for printing material processing machines includes at least one electric drive to be braked that is supplied by a power converter in motor operation and is braked by the power converter in generator operation. A control unit switches on a redundant electric braking device in the case of a failure of the power converter by using a switch. The braking device has at least two braking stages, an additional switch for actuation in at least two stages, and at least one brake resistor. In the circuit of the redundant electric braking device, a braking current is measured and the measured value is fed to a comparator for comparing the actual braking current to a desired braking current. A printing press having the braking device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
    Inventors: REINER VILLHAUER, KLAUS-DIETER KLEIBAUMHÃœTER, JOSEF REITER, ANDREAS SCHULZ
  • Publication number: 20120133310
    Abstract: A reconfigurable battery has at least one bank of statically joined series connected battery cells, each cell including a positive and a negative pole. The poles connect through switches to respective output connections. Activating a set of processor controlled switches reconfigures at least some of the battery cells into a configuration to provide a voltage across the output connections. The output battery voltage may vary intermediately between open circuit voltage and the maximum voltage produced by the series connected battery cells. An alternative configuration of switches divides groups of series connected battery cells into separate battery banks that permit other battery cell configurations. Duty cycle modulation of the switches allows intermediate control of output voltage with reduced switching transients. Reconfigurable battery cells used in combination with an electric motor permit selectable speed control and battery regeneration schemes matched to motor output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventor: Chong Uk Lee
  • Publication number: 20120133249
    Abstract: Particular embodiment of the invention relates to motors that produce reaction force cancellation and are thus well suited to applications where accelerations and reaction forces are relatively large. Such motors are particularly well suited to precision machinery that can benefit from fast accelerations with short settling times. In particular, the motors include movable and counter-movable motor members, where the counter-movable motor member has a reaction mass to counter the reaction force of the first movable motor member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: EYEKON SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventor: Paul T. Konkola
  • Patent number: 8188701
    Abstract: There are provided a smoothing capacitor (71) for storing an induced electromotive force generated by a three-phase induction motor (5), a regenerative transistor (81 to 86) for switching a terminal voltage of the smoothing capacitor to carry out a power regenerating operation over a three-phase AC power supply (3), a line voltage detecting portion (6) for detecting a line voltage of the three-phase AC power supply, a fundamental waveform generating portion (10) for generating, from a signal output from the line voltage detecting portion, a fundamental waveform defined to be a line voltage waveform of the three-phase AC power supply in which a source voltage distortion component is not mixed, a base driving signal creating portion (7) for creating a base driving signal to be used for an ON/OFF control of the regenerative transistor based on a signal output from the fundamental waveform generating portion, and a base driving signal output portion (9) for outputting the base driving signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Hayashi, Akihiko Iwata
  • Patent number: 8188693
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide novel techniques for using a switched converter to provide for three-phase alternating current (AC) rectification, regenerative braking, and direct current (DC) voltage boosting. In particular, one of the three legs of the switched converter is controlled with a set of pulse width modulation (PWM) control signals so that the input AC phase having the highest voltage is rectified and one of the switches in the two other legs is turned on to allow for added voltage. This switching activity allows for voltage from multiple AC line mains to be combined, resulting in an overall boost of the DC voltage of the rectifier. The DC voltage boost can then be applied to the common DC bus in order to ameliorate voltage sags, help with motor starts, and increase the ride-through capability of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lixiang Wei, Richard A. Lukaszewski, Russel Kerkman, Brian J. Seibel
  • Patent number: 8188692
    Abstract: A propulsion system is provided. The system includes: a first propulsion vehicle unit including a first tractive bank having at least one traction motor; a second propulsion vehicle unit including: a second tractive bank having at least one traction motor, a contactor electrically coupling the first propulsion vehicle unit and the second propulsion vehicle unit, and an electrical power modulation device coupled between the first tractive bank and the second tractive bank, the electrical power modulation device having an electrical current threshold that causes the electrical power modulation device to transition to an open state to reduce or prevent transfer of electrical power between the first propulsion unit and the second propulsion unit in response to an electrical current at the electrical power modulation device being above the electrical current threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar
  • Patent number: 8179063
    Abstract: The invention relates to a traction drive for the driving and generative braking of a rail vehicle or a combination of rail vehicles, a permanent-field synchronous motor and a traction current converter being respectively associated with at least two axles of the rail vehicle or combination of rail vehicles. The traction current converter includes at least one pulse current converter on the engine side, and the clamps of the permanent-field synchronous motor are connected to a change-over switch such that the permanent-field synchronous motor can be connected to a load circuit containing at least one load element, in order to drive the pulse current converter or for generative braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fur Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Falk Hähle, Ulf Friesen
  • Publication number: 20120116628
    Abstract: A drive system is provided for a utility vehicle and includes an alternating-current (AC) motor for providing a drive torque. An AC motor controller receives a battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, forward/neutral/reverse (FNR) signal, and run/tow signal indicative of the utility vehicle being configured to be driven and being configured to be towed. The AC motor controller generates an AC drive signal for the AC motor, wherein the AC drive signal is based on the battery voltage signal, throttle pedal position signal, brake pedal position signal, key switch signal, FNR signal, and run/tow signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Warren Clark, Oliver A. Bell
  • Publication number: 20120104988
    Abstract: A power converter having a first switch and a first unidirectional current device that conducts current unidirectionally. The first switch and first unidirectional current device are interconnected such that when interconnected with a dc voltage supply, battery, and first phase winding of an electrical machine: (1) a first operational state exists in which a conductive state of the first switch causes the dc voltage supply to conduct current through the first switch and first phase winding, so as to store energy within the first phase winding and (2) a second operational state exists in which a non-conductive state of the first switch causes the first phase winding to discharge its stored energy by conducting current through the first unidirectional current device and battery, so as to store energy in the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Krishnan RAMU
  • Patent number: 8164283
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for capturing and using power generated by the application of an external force or by an inertial force on a vehicle control device that back-drive or forward-drive an actuator coupled to the control device. An actuator is coupled to a control device configured to apply a force related to operation of a vehicle. A bus is configured to conduct power to the actuator. An actuator control system is configured to receive power from a power source via an electrical bus and direct the power to the actuator. The actuator control system is also configured to monitor an actuator power level to determine when the actuator power level does not meet an anticipated power level. When the actuator power level exceeds the anticipated power level, the excess power generated is directed to an energy storage device. When the actuator power level is less than the anticipated power level, supplemental power is distributed from the energy storage device to the bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James J. Sheahan, Jr., Thomas W. Omohundro, James L. Peck, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120086183
    Abstract: A green bike comprises a frame, two wheels, a first internal-gear module and a second internal-gear module and a transmission element. The frame has a pedal, a front supporting unit, a rear supporting unit, and a seat unit. The two wheels are attached to the front supporting unit and the rear supporting unit, respectively. The transmission element is disposed in the frame or a tube shield linking to the frame. The first internal-gear module and the second internal-gear module are coupled with the pedal and at least one of the wheels. The transmission element links the first and the second internal-gear modules for delivering power to the at least one of the wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Weng-Dah Ken
  • Publication number: 20120086369
    Abstract: A propulsion control apparatus for an electric motor car includes: an inverter apparatus connected to a DC power supply; a motor connected to an output of the inverter apparatus; a converter apparatus connected to an input of the inverter apparatus; and a power storage apparatus connected to an output of the converter apparatus, is configured to charge/discharge a part of power running power or regenerative power of the motor to/from the power storage apparatus. The converter apparatus includes a converter control unit that generates, based on a regeneration state signal as a signal indicating a suppression state of the regenerative power or regenerative torque or regenerative current equivalent to the regenerative power, a charging current command value, generates a charging and discharging current command value of the converter apparatus based on the charging current command value, and performs control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kitanaka, Toshiaki Takeoka, Keita Hatanaka