# US 12,759,419 B2 · Vehicle with power conversion unit

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- Number: US 12,759,419 B2
- Document ID: US12759419B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/802,750
- Filed: 2024-08-13
- Published: 2024-12-05
- Granted: 2026-10-13
- Earliest claimed: 2024-01-16
- Assignees: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
- Applicants: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
- Inventors: Christopher Archambo; Matthew Acton; Nicholas Kopec
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12759419B2

## CPC

- B60L 53/22: Constructional details or arrangements of charging converters specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
- B60L 1/12: Methods and devices for control or regulation
- B60L 50/52: characterised by DC-motors
- B60L 50/60: using power supplied by batteries (in combination with fuel cells B60L50/75)
- B60L 55/00: Arrangements for supplying energy stored within a vehicle to a power network, i.e. vehicle-to-grid [V2G] arrangements
- H02J 3/322: {the battery being on-board an electric or hybrid vehicle, e.g. vehicle to grid arrangements [V2G], power aggregation, use of the battery for network load balancing, coordinated or cooperative battery charging}
- B60L 2210/10: DC to DC converters
- B60L 2210/30: AC to DC converters
- B60L: PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of electrical propulsion units or of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion in vehicles B60K1/00, B60K6/20; arrangements or mounting of electrical gearing in vehicles B60K17/12, B60K17/14; preventing wheel slip by reducing power in rail vehicles B61C15/08; dynamo-electric machines H02K; control or regulation of electric motors H02P); SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (electric coupling devices combined with mechanical couplings of vehicles B60D1/64; electric heating for vehicles B60H1/00); ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL (control or regulation of electric motors H02P); MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY

## Abstract

A power conversion unit can include a housing, a first converter module, and a second converter module. The housing can define a shape of the power conversion unit, provide a first slot to receive the first converter module, provide a second slot to receive the second converter module. The first converter module can electrically couple with a first power source, and the first converter module can establish a first bi-directional flow of electrical power between a voltage bus of the power conversion unit and the first power source. The second converter module can electrically couple with a second power source, and establish a second bi-directional flow of electrical power between the voltage bus of the power conversion unit and the second power source.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A vehicle, comprising:
a first power source configured to supply electrical power to one or more components of the vehicle;
a frame; and
a power conversion unit coupled with the frame, the power conversion unit comprising:
a housing configured to:
define a shape of the power conversion unit;
provide a first slot dimensioned to (i) receive a first converter module and (ii) align the first converter module with one or more first interfaces to couple the first converter module with the power conversion unit; and
provide a second slot dimensioned to (i) receive a second converter module and (ii) align the second converter module with one or more second interfaces to couple the second converter module with the power conversion unit;
the first converter module electrically coupled with the first power source, and the first converter module configured to establish a first bi-directional flow of electrical power between a voltage bus of the power conversion unit and the first power source;
the second converter module configured to:
electrically couple with a second power source; and
establish a second bi-directional flow of electrical power between the voltage bus of the power conversion unit and the second power source; and
the voltage bus configured to establish a third bi-directional flow of electric power such that power flows between the first converter module and the second converter module.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first power source is one or more batteries configured to store electrical power, wherein the second power source is an electrical grid, and comprising:
the second converter module further comprising:
a first power converter configured to:
receive, from the electrical grid, an alternating current signal having a first voltage level;
convert, responsive to receipt of the alternating current signal, the alternating current signal to a direct current signal having a second voltage level; and
provide, responsive to conversion of the alternating current signal, the direct current signal to the first converter module via the voltage bus; and
the first converter module further comprising:
a second power converter configured to:
receive, via the voltage bus, the direct current signal having the second voltage level;
convert, responsive to receipt of the direct current signal, the direct current signal from the second voltage level to a third voltage level; and
provide, responsive to conversion of the direct current signal, the direct current signal having the third voltage level to the one or more batteries to charge the one or more batteries.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, the power conversion unit further comprising:
an input/output device configured to receive one or more inputs to control at least one of the first bi-directional flow of electrical power or the second bi-directional flow of electrical power; and
one or more control modules configured to receive, from the input/output device, the one or more inputs to activate one or more relays to control at least one of the first bi-directional flow of electrical power or the second bi-directional flow of electrical power.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, the power conversion unit configured to decouple from the frame such that the power conversion unit is removable from the vehicle with the first converter module electrically coupled with the first power source.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first power source includes one or more batteries configured to store electrical power, and the first converter module further comprising:
a power converter configured to:
receive, from the first power source, a direct current signal having a first voltage level;
convert, responsive to receipt of the direct current signal, the direct current signal from the first voltage level to a second voltage level; and
provide, responsive to conversion of the direct current signal, the direct current signal having the second voltage level to a first component configured to receive the second voltage level.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first power source includes a generator, and the first converter module further comprising:
a power converter configured to:
receive, from the first power source, an alternating current signal having a first voltage level;
convert, responsive to receipt of the alternating current signal, the alternating current signal to a direct current signal having a second voltage level; and
provide, responsive to conversion of the alternating current signal, the direct current signal having the second voltage level to a first component configured to receive the second voltage level.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first bi-directional flow of electrical power between the voltage bus of the power conversion unit and the first power source includes:
the first power source providing electrical power to the voltage bus with the first power source serving as a power supply; and
the first power source receiving electrical power from the voltage bus with the first power source serving as an electrical load.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the second bi-directional flow of electrical power between the voltage bus of the power conversion unit and the second power source includes:
the second power source providing electrical power to the voltage bus with the second power source serving a second power supply; and
the second power source receiving electrical power from the voltage bus with the second power source serving as a second electrical load.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, the power conversion unit further comprising:
a third converter module electrically coupled with an electrical load; and
the third converter module configured to establish a fourth bi-directional flow of electrical power between the voltage bus and the electrical load.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the electrical load includes one or more high-voltage thermal systems.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The vehicle of claim 10, the third converter module comprising:
a power converter configured to:
receive, via the voltage bus, a signal from at least one of the first power source or the second power source, the signal having a first voltage level;
convert, responsive to receipt of the signal, the signal from the first voltage level to a direct current signal having a second voltage level; and
provide, responsive to conversion of the signal, the direct current signal having the second voltage level to the one or more high-voltage thermal systems.

### Claim 12

A system, comprising:
a vehicle, including:
a first power source configured to supply electrical power to one or more components of the vehicle; and
a frame; and
a power conversion unit coupled with the frame, the power conversion unit comprising:
a housing configured to:
define a shape of the power conversion unit;
provide a first slot dimensioned to (i) receive a first converter module and (ii) align the first converter module with one or more first interfaces to couple the first converter module with the power conversion unit; and
provide a second slot dimensioned to (i) receive a second converter module and (ii) align the second converter module with one or more second interfaces to couple the second converter module with the power conversion unit;
the first converter module electrically coupled with the first power source, and the first converter module configured to establish a first bi-directional flow of electrical power between a voltage bus of the power conversion unit and the first power source;
the second converter module configured to:
electrically couple with a second power source; and
establish a second bi-directional flow of electrical power between the voltage bus of the power conversion unit and the second power source; and
the voltage bus configured to establish a third bi-directional flow of electric power such that power flows between the first converter module and the second converter module.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the first power source is one or more batteries configured to store electrical power, wherein the second power source is an electrical grid, and comprising:
the second converter module further comprising:
a first power converter configured to:
receive, from the electrical grid, an alternating current signal having a first voltage level;
convert, responsive to receipt of the alternating current signal, the alternating current signal to a direct current signal having a second voltage level; and
provide, responsive to conversion of the alternating current signal, the direct current signal to the first converter module via the voltage bus; and
the first converter module further comprising:
a second power converter configured to:
receive, via the voltage bus, the direct current signal having the second voltage level;
convert, responsive to receipt of the direct current signal, the direct current signal from the second voltage level to a third voltage level; and
provide, responsive to conversion of the direct current signal, the direct current signal having the third voltage level to the one or more batteries to charge the one or more batteries.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, the power conversion unit further comprising:
an input/output device configured to receive one or more inputs to control at least one of the first bi-directional flow of electrical power or the second bi-directional flow of electrical power; and
one or more control modules configured to receive, from the input/output device, the one or more inputs to activate one or more relays to control at least one of the first bi-directional flow of electrical power or the second bi-directional flow of electrical power.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the first power source includes one or more batteries configured to store electrical power, and the first converter module further comprising:
a power converter configured to:
receive, from the first power source, a direct current signal having a first voltage level;
convert, responsive to receipt of the direct current signal, the direct current signal from the first voltage level to a second voltage level; and
provide, responsive to conversion of the direct current signal, the direct current signal having the second voltage level to a first component configured to receive the second voltage level.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the first power source includes a generator, and the first converter module further comprising:
a power converter configured to:
receive, from the first power source, an alternating current signal having a first voltage level;
convert, responsive to receipt of the alternating current signal, the alternating current signal to a direct current signal having a second voltage level; and
provide, responsive to conversion of the alternating current signal, the direct current signal having the second voltage level to a first component configured to receive the second voltage level.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the first bi-directional flow of electrical power between the voltage bus of the power conversion unit and the first power source includes:
the first power source providing electrical power to the voltage bus with the first power source serving as a power supply; and
the first power source receiving electrical power from the voltage bus with the first power source serving as an electrical load.

### Claim 18

A power conversion unit, comprising:
a housing configured to:
define a shape of the power conversion unit;
provide a first slot dimensioned to (i) receive a first converter module and (ii) align the first converter module with one or more first interfaces to couple the first converter module with the power conversion unit; and
provide a second slot dimensioned to (i) receive a second converter module and (ii) align the second converter module with one or more second interfaces to couple the second converter module with the power conversion unit;
the first converter module electrically coupled with a first power source, and the first converter module configured to establish a first bi-directional flow of electrical power between a voltage bus of the power conversion unit and the first power source;
the second converter module configured to:
electrically couple with a second power source; and
establish a second bi-directional flow of electrical power between the voltage bus of the power conversion unit and the second power source; and
the voltage bus configured to establish a third bi-directional flow of electric power such that power flows between the first converter module and the second converter module.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The power conversion unit of claim 18, wherein the first power source is one or more batteries configured to store electrical power, wherein the second power source is an electrical grid, and comprising:
the second converter module further comprising:
a first power converter configured to:
receive, from the electrical grid, an alternating current signal having a first voltage level;
convert, responsive to receipt of the alternating current signal, the alternating current signal to a direct current signal having a second voltage level; and
provide, responsive to conversion of the alternating current signal, the direct current signal to the first converter module via the voltage bus; and
the first converter module further comprising:
a second power converter configured to:
receive, via the voltage bus, the direct current signal having the second voltage level;
convert, responsive to receipt of the direct current signal, the direct current signal from the second voltage level to a third voltage level; and
provide, responsive to conversion of the direct current signal, the direct current signal having the third voltage level to the one or more batteries to charge the one or more batteries.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The power conversion unit of claim 18, further comprising:
an input/output device configured to receive one or more inputs to control at least one of the first bi-directional flow of electrical power or the second bi-directional flow of electrical power; and
one or more control modules configured to receive, from the input/output device, the one or more inputs to activate one or more relays to control at least one of the first bi-directional flow of electrical power or the second bi-directional flow of electrical power.