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US 2003/0191576 A1Published application
Soft hybrid-electric vehicle power supply circuit
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorShahram Zarei
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AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorShahram Zarei
Estimating the term…
A soft hybrid-electric vehicle power supply circuit (14) is provided. The circuit includes a load sensor (19), which generates a load signal. A high-voltage bus (26) supplies a high voltage for a high-voltage load (30) and a low-voltage bus (28) is electrically coupled to and supplying a low-voltage to a low-voltage load (32). A converter circuit (24) is electrically coupled to the high-voltage bus (26), the low-voltage bus (28), and a high-voltage load (30). The converter circuit (24) maintains a predetermined minimum voltage level on the high-voltage load (30) by switching between the high-voltage bus (26) and the low-voltage bus (28) in response to the load signal. A method of maintaining the predetermined minimum voltage level is also provided.
A soft hybrid-electric vehicle power supply circuit for a soft hybrid-electric vehicle comprising:
A soft hybrid-electric vehicle power supply system for a soft hybrid-electric vehicle comprising:
A method of maintaining a predetermined minimum voltage level on a high-voltage load for a soft hybrid-electric vehicle comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles
Parallel type: motor-assist type
Using propulsion power supplied by engine-driven generators, e.g. generators driven by combustion engines: with additional electric power supply
Including control of propulsion units: including control of combustion engines
Term end not estimated
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to hybrid electric vehicle systems, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for maintaining a minimum of 30 volts on a high-voltage load during vehicle engine high-loading periods.
2. Background of the Invention
For a more complete understanding of this invention reference should now be had to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying figures and described below by way of examples of the invention wherein:
FIG. 1 is a block diagrammatic view of a soft hybrid-electric vehicle power supply system for a soft hybrid-electric vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a soft hybrid-electric vehicle power supply circuit for the soft hybrid-electric vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
In each of the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same components. While the present invention is described with respect to a method and apparatus for maintaining a minimum of 30 volts on a high-voltage load during vehicle engine high-loading periods, the present invention may be adapted to be used in various systems including: automotive vehicle systems, control systems, hybrid-electric vehicle systems, or other applications requiring the maintenance of a predetermined minimum voltage.
In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for one constructed embodiment. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagrammatic view of a soft hybrid-electric vehicle power supply system 10 for a soft hybrid-electric vehicle 12 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The system 10 includes a soft hybrid-electric vehicle power supply circuit 14 and an engine controller 16 electrically coupled to an engine 18, which propels the vehicle 12. The supply circuit 14 provides electrical power to the engine 18 during vehicle engine high-loading periods. The engine controller 16 receives a load signal from a load sensor 19 and transmits the load signal to the circuit 14 as well as controlling the performance of the engine 18.