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US 12,418,191 B2Granted
Energy recovery using supercapacitors
AssigneeInternational Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
InventorsShouhao Wu, Weiying Yang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrical energy recovery, storage, and distribution system that may be used in a vehicle. The system may include a supercapacitor configured to quickly store large amounts of energy. The system may also include multiple circuits operating at different voltage levels, such that an output voltage from the supercapacitor is useful over a larger voltage range and the system is more energy efficient.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a controller;
- a high voltage electrical motor;
- a medium voltage system;
- a low voltage system;
- a capacitive storage system;
- a bidirectional direct current (DC)-to-DC converter comprising a first terminal connected to the high voltage electrical motor and a second terminal connected to the medium voltage system;
- a first switch connecting the first terminal to the capacitive storage system;
- a first unidirectional DC-to-DC converter comprising a third terminal and a fourth terminal, wherein the third terminal is connected to the second terminal;
- a second switch connecting the fourth terminal to the capacitive storage system;
- a second unidirectional DC-to-DC converter comprising a fifth terminal, a sixth terminal, and a seventh terminal, wherein the fifth terminal is connected to the medium voltage system, and wherein the sixth terminal is connected to the low voltage system;
- and
- a third switch connecting the seventh terminal to the capacitive storage system,
- wherein the controller controls the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch to selectively charge the capacitive storage system, power the high voltage electrical motor, power the medium voltage system, or power the low voltage system.
10 more elements
A system, comprising:
- a first switch;
- a first voltage circuit, comprising:
- an electric motor system, configured to convert electrical energy into kinetic energy during a drive mode, and to convert kinetic energy into electrical energy during a generator mode;
- and
- an electrical energy supply device, connected to the electric motor system, configured to supply electrical energy to the electric motor system during the drive mode;
- a capacitor device, connected to the electric motor system through the first switch;
- a second voltage circuit, comprising:
- a power distribution device connected to a battery;
- a bidirectional DC-to-DC converter configured to connect the power distribution device and the electric motor system;
- a second switch;
- and
- a unidirectional DC-to-DC converter configured to allow current to flow, via the second switch, from the capacitor device to the second voltage circuit.
9 more elements
A method comprising:
- charging, via a first switch and by an electric motor, a supercapacitor during a first interval;
- providing electrical power, via the first switch and by the supercapacitor, to the electric
- motor during a second interval;
- providing electrical power, via a second switch, via a first unidirectional direct current (DC)-to-DC converter, and by the supercapacitor, to a medium voltage accessory during a third interval;
- and
- providing electrical power, via the second switch, via a third switch, via a second unidirectional direct current (DC)-to-DC converter, and by the supercapacitor, to a low voltage accessory during a fourth interval.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.