Hybrid electromagnetic/friction actuation system
AssigneeVisteon Global Technologies, Inc.
InventorsSohel Anwar, Kevin J. Pavlov
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An actuation system controls the flow of electric power to electromagnetic actuators to control motion or movement of at least two shafts or bodies. The system is preferentially applied to braking systems in automobiles and trucks, and may also be applied to other areas, including clutches and drive systems for other power transmission purposes. The electromagnetic retarders may also be used in combination with friction brake systems. Principal advantages of the combination system are the reliability and simplicity of friction and hydraulic components, and the lower wear and longer life of electromagnetic components.
Claims20
An electromagnetic retarding system, comprising:
- a plurality of electromagnetic retarders, each retarder operably connected to a rotating shaft;
- a sensor for measuring a quantity indicative of at least one of a speed and a torque of the shaft;
- a brake controller receiving inputs from the sensors, the controller controllably connected to each of the plurality of electromagnetic retarders;
- and
- means for supplying power to each of the electromagnetic retarders, the means controllably connected to the controller,
- wherein the controller routes power to each of the plurality of electromagnetic retarders to oppose the rotating shafts connected to each retarder, and the power routed to each retarder depends on an error signal between an actual and a desired amount of at least one of a speed and a torque set by the controller for each of the plurality of retarders.
A method of braking a motor vehicle, the method comprising:
- providing an electromagnetic retarding system for providing a braking force to each axle of the motor vehicle;
- indicating an actual parameter and a desired parameter for each axle, said parameter selected from the group consisting of torque and deceleration;
- calculating a braking force needed for each axle of the vehicle;
- and
- applying the braking force to each axle of the vehicle via one or more electromagnetic retarders,
- wherein the force applied to each axle is dependent on the difference between the actual parameter and the desired parameter.
An electromagnetic retarding system for a motor vehicle, the system comprising:
- an electromagnetic retarder operatively coupled to each axle;
- at least one sensor for each axle operably connected to indicate at least one of an axle speed and an axle torque;
- a power source providing power for the electromagnetic retarders;
- at least one sensor operably connected to a brake pedal of the vehicle for indicating at least one of a brake pedal displacement and a brake pedal force;
- and
- a controller in operable communication with the electromagnetic retarders, the sensors, and the power source,
- wherein the controller applies power from the power source to the electromagnetic retarders to decelerate the vehicle, the controller controlling said application of power using at least one of a wheel speed, an axle torque, a brake pedal displacement, a brake pedal force, and a temperature.
A method of decelerating a moving object having at least two rotating shafts, the method comprising:
- providing an electromagnetic retarding system for each rotating shaft;
- indicating at least one of an actual deceleration, a desired deceleration, an actual torque and a desired torque, for each shaft;
- calculating a retarding force for each shaft;
- and
- applying an electromagnetic retarding force to each shaft, wherein the force applied to each shaft is dependent on at least one of a difference between the actual and desired deceleration, and a difference between the actual and desired torque of the shaft.
The method of claim 16, further comprising applying a friction braking force to at least one shaft.
A hybrid electromagnetic/friction retarding system for a motor vehicle, the system comprising:
- an electromagnetic retarder for each axle;
- a sensor for each axle, said sensor providing a signal indicative of at least one of an axle torque, an axle speed, and a wheel speed;
- at least one sensor operably connected to a brake pedal of the vehicle for indicating at least one of a brake pedal displacement and a brake pedal force;
- a power source for providing and regulating power to the retarders;
- at least one controller in controllable communication with the sensors, the retarders, and the power source;
- and
- a friction brake system for at least two wheels of the vehicle, the friction brake system in controllable communication with the at least one controller,
- wherein the controller applies power from the power source to the electromagnetic retarders to decelerate the vehicle, the controller controlling said application of power using at least one of a shaft speed, a wheel speed, a brake pedal displacement, a brake pedal force, and a temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.