US 12,179,738 B2 · Drive train configurations for a vehicle with multiple reversible engines

Abstract

Systems and methods of providing a configurable powertrain in a vehicle are disclosed. The powertrain is capable of operating in a plurality of powertrain configurations and includes one or more reversible generators, a battery system, a motor/generator (M/G), and one or more drive axles. The generators generate and supply electrical power to the battery system, the M/G, an external power source, or a combination thereof. The battery system selectively supplies electrical power to the generators, the M/G, the external power source, or a combination thereof. The one or more generators also selectively supply cooling to the battery system, a cab of the vehicle, a trailer or external enclosure or structure of the vehicle, or a combination thereof. The powertrain configurations of the vehicle include operating the components of the powertrain in various combinations based on demands of the vehicle and/or external power sources or structures.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A powertrain for a vehicle, comprising:

a first generator configured to operate in a first mode to burn one or more fuels to generate electrical power and operate in a reverse cooling mode to receive electrical power to generate cooling;
a second generator individually operable from the first generator and configured to operate in the first mode to burn one or more fuels to generate electrical power and operate in the reverse cooling mode to receive electrical power to generate cooling;
a battery system configured to selectively receive the electrical power from the first generator, the second generator, or a combination thereof and provide electrical power to the first generator, the second generator, or a combination thereof to operate the first generator, the second generator, or the combination thereof in the reverse cooling mode;
and
a motor/generator (M/G) coupled to one or more drive axles and configured to selectively receive the electrical power from the first generator, the second generator, the battery system, or a combination thereof to provide rotational power to the one or more drive axles to propel the vehicle.

2 more elements

A method of operating a vehicle, comprising:

providing a powertrain for a vehicle, the powertrain comprising a first generator, a second generator individually operable from the first generator, a battery system coupled to each of the first generator and the second generator, and a motor/generator (M/G) coupled to one or more drive axles;
operating the first generator in one of a first mode to burn one or more fuels to generate electrical power or a reverse cooling mode to receive electrical power to generate cooling;
operating the second generator in the other of the first mode to burn one or more fuels to generate electrical power or the reverse cooling mode to receive electrical power to generate cooling;
and
selectively supplying electrical power from the first generator, the second generator, the battery system, or a combination thereof to the M/G to provide rotational power to the one or more drive axles to propel the vehicle.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Drive train configurations for a vehicle with multiple reversible engines

Life of this patent

Drive train configurations for a vehicle with multiple reversible engines

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20