Systems and methods for locking an electric propulsion system
AssigneeBeta Air, LLC
InventorsChristopher Woodall, Nathan Ward
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A locking system for an electric propulsion system is disclosed. The system includes a propulsor configured to propel an electric vehicle and a motor operatively connected to the propulsor configured to power the propulsor. The motor includes a rotor connected to the propulsor and a stator configured to rotate the rotor. A propulsor sensor is configured to determine a motion parameter of the propulsor. A lock is configured to prevent a movement of the propulsor. A controller is configured to receive a signal from the propulsor sensor and control the motor as a function of the signal from the propulsor sensor, wherein controlling the motor includes allowing the propulsor to slow at a desired rate for parking.
Claims20
A locking system for an electric propulsion system, the system comprising:
- a propulsor configured to propel an electric vehicle;
- a motor operatively connected to the propulsor, the motor configured to power the propulsor, the motor comprising:
- a rotor connected to the propulsor and having a rotor shaft;
- and
- a stator configured to rotate the rotor;
- a propulsor sensor configured to determine a motion parameter of the propulsor, wherein the propulsor sensor comprises a proximity sensor configured to generate a signal based on a proximity between the proximity sensor and a proximity sensor target, wherein:
- the proximity sensor is located on the stator;
- and
- the proximity sensor target is located on the rotor shaft, wherein the proximity sensor target has an asymmetrical shape that is asymmetrical along an axis parallel to a length of the rotor shaft;
- a lock configured to prevent a movement of the propulsor;
- and
- a controller in the electric vehicle, the controller configured to:
- receive the signal from the propulsor sensor;
- control the motor as a function of the signal from the propulsor sensor, wherein controlling the motor comprises:
- allowing the propulsor to slow at a desired rate for parking.
A method for locking an electric propulsion system, the method comprising:
- receiving, at a controller in an electric vehicle, a signal from a propulsor sensor configured to determine a motion parameter of a propulsor, wherein the propulsor sensor comprises a proximity sensor and the signal is based on a proximity between the proximity sensor and a proximity sensor target;
- controlling, by the controller, a motor as a function of the signal from the propulsor sensor, the motor operatively connected to the propulsor, wherein controlling the motor comprises allowing the propulsor to slow at a desired rate for parking, wherein:
- the proximity sensor target is located on a rotor shaft of a rotor of the motor, wherein the proximity sensor target has an asymmetrical shape that is asymmetrical along an axis parallel to a length of the rotor shaft, wherein the rotor is connected to the propulsor;
- and
- the proximity sensor is located on a stator of the motor, wherein the stator is configured to rotate the rotor;
- and
- engaging, by the controller, a lock configured to prevent a movement of the propulsor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.