System, method, and apparatus for power distribution in an electric mobile application using a combined breaker and relay

A breaker/relay, comprising:

• a fixed contact electrically coupled to a power bus;
• a moveable contact selectively electrically coupled to the fixed contact;
• an armature operationally coupled to the moveable contact, such that the armature in a first position prevents electrical coupling between the moveable contact and the fixed contact, and the armature in a second position allows electrical coupling between the moveable contact and the fixed contact;
• a first biasing member biasing the armature into one of the first position or the second position;
• a current response circuit structured to determine a current in the power bus, and further structured to command the armature to the first position in response to the current in the power bus indicating a high current value.

A mobile application, comprising:

• a motive power circuit, the motive power circuit comprising a power storage device and an electrical load, wherein the power storage device and the electrical load are selectively electrically coupled through a power bus;
• a power distribution unit (PDU) electrically interposed between the power storage device and the electrical load, wherein the PDU comprises a breaker/relay positioned on one of a high side and a low side of the power storage device;
• wherein the breaker/relay comprises:
• a plurality of fixed contacts electrically coupled to the power bus;
• a plurality of moveable contacts corresponding to the plurality of fixed contacts, wherein the plurality of moveable contacts are selectively electrically coupled to the plurality of fixed contacts, and wherein the moveable contacts allow power flow through the power bus when electrically coupled to the fixed contacts, and prevent power flow through the power bus when not electrically coupled to the fixed contacts;
• an armature operationally coupled to at least one of the moveable contacts, such that the armature in a first position prevents electrical coupling between the at least one of the moveable contacts and the corresponding one of the fixed contacts, and the armature in a second position allows electrical coupling between the at least one of the moveable contacts and the corresponding one of the fixed contacts;
• a first biasing member biasing the armature into one of the first position or the second position;
• and
• an arc suppression assembly structured to guide and disperse an opening arc between each of the plurality of moveable contacts and the corresponding fixed contacts.

A system, comprising:

• a housing;
• a breaker/relay device positioned in the housing, wherein the breaker/relay device is configured to interrupt a motive power circuit for an electrical vehicle system, where the housing is disposed on the electrical vehicle system;
• wherein the breaker/relay device comprises a physical opening response portion responsive to a first current value in the motive power circuit, and a controlled opening response portion responsive to a second current value in the motive power circuit;
• and
• a precharge circuit electrically coupled in parallel to the breaker/relay device.

A system, comprising:

• a vehicle having a motive electrical power path;
• a power distribution unit comprising a current protection circuit disposed in the motive electrical power path, the current protection circuit comprising breaker/relay, the breaker/relay comprising:
• a fixed contact electrically coupled to a motive power circuit for a mobile application;
• a moveable contact selectively electrically coupled to the fixed contact, wherein the moveable contact in a first position allows power to flow through the motive power circuit, and the moveable contact in a second position does not allow power to flow through the motive power circuit;
• and
• a physical opening response portion responsive to a current value in the motive power circuit, wherein the physical opening response portion is configured to move the moveable contact to the second position in response to the current value exceeding a threshold current value;
• a current source circuit electrically coupled to the breaker/relay and structured to inject a current across the fixed contact;
• and
• a voltage determination circuit electrically coupled to the breaker/relay and structured to determine at least one of an injected voltage amount and a contactor impedance value, wherein the voltage determination circuit comprises a high pass filter having a cutoff frequency selected in response to a frequency of the injected current.

A multi-port power converter, comprising:

• a housing comprising a plurality of ports structured to electrically interface to a plurality of loads, the plurality of loads having distinct electrical characteristics;
• a plurality of solid state components configured to provide selected electrical power outputs and to accept selected electrical power inputs;
• and
• a plurality of solid state switches configured to provide selected connectivity between the plurality of solid state components and the plurality of ports.

An integrated inverter assembly, comprising:

• a main cover and an opposing back cover;
• a coolant channel disposed between a coolant channel cover and a coolant channel separating body;
• and
• wherein power electronics of the inverter assembly are thermally coupled to the coolant channel.

A method, comprising:

• operating a motor for an electric mobile application;
• determining a motor temperature value in response to at least one parameter selected from the parameters consisting of:
• a power throughput of the motor;
• a voltage input value to the motor;
• and a current input value to the motor;
• interpreting a sensed motor temperature value for the motor;
• and
• adjusting an operating parameter for the motor in response to the motor temperature value and the sensed motor temperature value.

A system, comprising:

• an electric mobile application having a plurality of electric motors, each one of the plurality of electric motors operationally coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of electric loads;
• a controller, comprising:
• an application load circuit structured to interpret an application performance request value;
• a performance servicing circuit structured to determine a plurality of motor commands in response to a motor capability description and the application performance request value;
• and
• a motor control circuit structured to provide the plurality of motor commands to corresponding motors of the plurality of electric motors;
• and
• wherein the plurality of electric motors are responsive to the plurality of motor commands.