US 2019/0168622 A1Published application

Hybrid powertrain system and method

AssigneePegasus Aeronautics Corporation

InventorsMatthew McRoberts, Joseph Kinsella, John Biskey, Carl Engelmann

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Abstract

A hybrid powertrain system and method includes a prime mover driving a generator/motor to produce an AC power output. The AC power output is applied to a rectifier which is controlled to transform the applied AC power to DC power to supply a DC Power bus at a selected voltage and current. An energy storage device is also connected to the DC power bus and the current flow between the energy storage device and the DC power bus is monitored and compared to preselected values and the results of that comparison are used to alter the operation of the rectifier to increase or decrease, as needed, the current provided to the DC power bus as electrical loads on the DC power bus change.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A hybrid powertrain system comprising:

an energy storage device;
a prime mover operable to combust a fuel and produce a rotational output;
an engine controller controlling the operating parameters of the prime mover, including at least its operating speed;
a generator/motor operable, in a first state, to produce an electrical alternating current when rotated by the rotational out of the prime mover and operable, in a second state, to produce a rotational output to rotate the prime mover when provided with an electrical alternating current input;
a rectifier operable in a first state to convert the electrical alternating current produced by the generator/motor into a direct current at a selected voltage and to provide that direct current to a power bus to the energy storage device is connected and operable in a second state to invert direct current energy provided from the energy storage device into an alternating current which can be provided to the generator/motor;
and
a generator control unit operable to select the state of the rectifier and to select the voltage of the direct current provided to the power bus.

4 more elements

A method of operating a hybrid powertrain including a prime mover which combusts a fuel, and engine control unit operable to control the prime mover, a generator/motor connected to the prime mover, a rectifier electrically connected between the generator/motor and a direct current power bus, a generator control unit operable to control the rectifier and an energy storage device connected to the direct current power bus, comprising the steps of:

(i) receiving a signal to start the powertrain;
(ii) the generator control unit configuring the rectifier to invert direct current power supplied to the power bus by the energy storage device into alternating current power;
(iii) providing the alternating current power to the generator/motor to rotate the prime mover;
(iv) the engine control unit starting the prime mover and the prime mover operating the generator/motor;
(v) the generator control unit configuring the rectifier to rectify the alternating current, produced by the rotation of the generator/motor, to a direct current at a selected voltage and providing that direct current to the direct current power bus;
and
(vi) the generator control unit monitoring the current flow between the energy storage device and direct current power bus and adjusting the operation of the rectifier to alter the voltage of the rectified direct current provided to the direct current power bus such that the monitored current flow is substantially equal to a preselected value.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/324,268Filed 10 Aug 2017
Priority: 10 Aug 2016
Published: 6 Jun 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification18 codes

B60L 50/15
Using propulsion power supplied by engine-driven generators, e.g. generators driven by combustion engines: with additional electric power supply
B60L 15/2045
For control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed: for…
B60L 50/16
Using propulsion power supplied by engine-driven generators, e.g. generators driven by combustion engines: with provision for separate direct…
B60W 20/00
Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles

Family

Application62/372,956Us provisional application · filed 10 Aug 2016
US 10,696,178 B2Related patent
US 2019/0168622 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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