US 10,207,592 B1 · Autonomous hybrid power generation platform

Abstract

A power generation platform for delivering power to an external load includes an electrical system mounted to an autonomously-controlled chassis. The chassis has a powertrain that is responsive to control signals from a controller. The electrical system includes a fuel cell or other clean power supply for propelling the chassis, a direct current (DC) charging unit, a turbojet, a battery pack, and one or more electric machines. The DC charging unit and the battery pack are selectively connectable to the external load to deliver power to the external load, e.g., a propulsion battery pack of a vehicle or other system. The turbojet has a compressor, combustion chamber, and turbine, and injects low-emissions fuel into and combusts the fuel in the combustion chamber. The electric machine(s) are rotatably coupled to the compressor and/or the turbine to generate and transmit electricity to the battery pack.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An autonomous power generation platform for powering or charging an external load, the platform comprising:

an autonomously-controlled chassis having a controller and a powertrain responsive to control signals from the controller;
and
an electrical system mounted to the autonomously-controlled chassis and including:
a power supply configured to output electricity to the powertrain at levels sufficient for propelling the chassis;
a battery pack;
a direct current (DC) charging unit that is connected to the battery pack and selectively connectable to the external load;
a turbojet having a compressor, a combustion chamber, and a turbine, the turbojet being configured to inject a low-emission fuel into and combust the low-emission fuel in the combustion chamber of the turbojet;
and
at least one electric machine rotatably coupled to one or both of the compressor and the turbine, the at least one electric machine being configured to generate and transmit electricity to the battery pack.

6 more elements

A method of powering an external load using an autonomous power generation platform, the method comprising:

controlling a state of a powertrain of an autonomously-controlled chassis via a controller, the chassis having an electrical system mounted thereto, the electrical system including a fuel cell stack, a direct current (DC) charging unit connected to an onboard battery pack, and a turbojet having a compressor, a combustion chamber, and a turbine, the turbojet being configured to inject a low-emission fuel into, and combust the low-emission fuel in, the combustion chamber of the turbojet;
using the fuel cell stack to output electricity to the powertrain at levels sufficient for propelling the chassis;
generating electricity via at least one electric machine rotatably coupled to one or both of the compressor and the turbine;
and
transmitting the generated electricity to the external load via the onboard battery pack and the DC charging unit in response to receipt of a power request by the controller.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Autonomous hybrid power generation platform

Life of this patent

Autonomous hybrid power generation platform

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17