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US 2023/0286386 A1Published application
Propulsion System
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsPeteris K. Augenbergs, Dillon J. Thomasson, Scott Kenyon, Philip Steele
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A propulsion system includes a first portion and a second portion that are independently controlled from one another. The first portion includes a first inverter and a first electric motor. The second portion includes a second inverter, a second electric motor, and a second disconnect link. A control system is configured to detect a fault in the first portion, the second portion, or combinations thereof, and determine a response to the fault. In one example, on detection of the fault in the second portion, the second disconnect link is disengaged to reduce electromagnetic drag torque by the second electric motor.
Claims21
A propulsion system comprising:
- a battery that outputs direct current electrical power;
- a first drivetrain comprising:
- a first inverter that receives the direct current electrical power from the battery and generates a first alternating current electrical power output;
- a first electric motor that is configured to be operated by the first alternating current electrical power output from the first inverter to rotate a first motor output shaft to provide a first motor input torque;
- a first gearbox that receives the first motor input torque from the first motor output shaft and causes rotation of a first gearbox output shaft to provide a first gearbox output torque in response to the first motor input torque;
- a second drivetrain comprising:
- a second inverter that receives the direct current electrical power from the battery and generates a second alternating current electrical power output;
- a second electric motor that is configured to be operated by the second alternating current electrical power output from the second inverter to rotate a second motor output shaft to provide a second motor input torque;
- and
- a second gearbox that receives the second motor input torque from the second motor output shaft and causes rotation of a second gearbox output shaft to provide a second gearbox output torque in response to the second motor input torque.
7 more elements
A propulsion system comprising:
- a battery that outputs direct current electrical power;
- a first drivetrain comprising:
- a first inverter that is configured to generate a first alternating current electrical power output;
- a first electrical circuit connecting the battery to the first inverter;
- a first electric motor that is configured to be operated by the first alternating current electrical power output from the first inverter to rotate a first motor output shaft to provide a first motor input torque to a first gearbox;
- a second drivetrain comprising:
- a second inverter that receives the direct current electrical power from the battery and generates a second alternating current electrical power output;
- a second electrical circuit connecting the battery to the second inverter, the second electrical circuit independent of the first electrical circuit;
- a second electric motor that is configured to be operated by the second alternating current electrical power output from the second inverter to rotate a second motor output shaft to provide a second motor input torque;
- a second gearbox;
- a second disconnect link having an engaged position in which the second motor output shaft is connected to the second gearbox so that rotation of the second motor output shaft provides the second motor input torque to the second gearbox, and a disengaged position in which the second motor output shaft does not provide the second motor input torque to the second gearbox;
- and
- a control system configured to detect a fault in the first drivetrain, the second drivetrain, or combinations thereof, and determine a response to the fault detected.
10 more elements
A propulsion system comprising:
- one or more batteries that output direct current electrical power;
- a first drivetrain comprising:
- a first inverter that is configured to receive the direct current electrical power output from the one or more batteries and generates a first alternating current electrical power output;
- a first electric motor that is configured to be operated by the first alternating current electrical power output from the first inverter to rotate a first motor output shaft to provide a first motor input torque to a first gearbox;
- a second drivetrain comprising:
- a second inverter that receives the direct current electrical power from the one or more batteries and generates a second alternating current electrical power output;
- a second electric motor that is configured to be operated by the second alternating current electrical power output from the second inverter to rotate a second motor output shaft to provide a second motor input torque to a second gearbox;
- and
- a control system configured to alternate between a first drivetrain operating mode, a second drivetrain operating mode, and a third drivetrain operating mode, wherein:
- in the first drivetrain operating mode, the first electric motor provides the first motor input torque to the first gearbox, and the second electric motor does not provide the second motor input torque to the second gearbox,
- in the second drivetrain operating mode, the second electric motor provides the second motor input torque to the second gearbox, and the first electric motor does not provide the first motor input torque to the first gearbox, and
- in the third drivetrain operating mode, the first electric motor provides the first motor input torque to the first gearbox, and the second electric motor provides the second motor input torque to the second gearbox, the control system configured to alternate between the first drivetrain operating mode, the second drivetrain operating mode, and the third drivetrain operating mode.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.