Control of regeneration energy from an electric motor
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsAllan Roy Gale, William Lester Kelledes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling regenerative energy from an induction motor. The induction motor is connected to a battery, which is intended to capture the regenerative energy of the induction motor. Normally, the induction motor is operated at peak efficiency, to capture as much energy as possible. However, when the battery becomes nearly fully charged, the induction motor is operated at reduced efficiency to prevent overcharging of the battery. The operating point of reduced efficiency of the induction motor is a point at which electrical losses are relatively more located in the stator of the motor than in the rotor of the motor. The stator of an induction motor is generally better cooled than the rotor.
Claims14
A method for controlling regeneration energy from an electric motor, said electric motor having a stator and a rotor, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) operating said electric motor in a regeneration mode at a first operating point;
- and
- (b) operating said electric motor in a regeneration mode at a second operating point of reduced efficiency with respect to said first operating point in response to a regeneration current generated by said electric motor.
A method for controlling regeneration energy from an electric motor, said electric motor having a stator and a rotor, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) operating said electric motor in a regeneration mode at a first operating point;
- (b) providing a battery to receive regeneration current from said motor;
- (c) operating said electric motor in a regeneration mode at a second operating point of reduced efficiency with respect to said first operating point in response to a regeneration current flowing into said battery and a variable representing a state of charge of said battery.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.