422results about "Fluid hybrid vehicles" patented technology

A hybrid propulsion system (100) for use in road vehicle operations, which propulsion system includes a power splitting mechanical transmission (108), suitably a three shaft epicyclic gearbox (117, 118, 119), for coupling to a tailshaft (115) of the vehicle; a first drive unit (105) arranged for regenerative operation and coupled to the power splitting mechanical transmission (108); a second drive unit (110) arranged for regenerative operation and coupled, independently of said first drive unit, to the power splitting mechanical transmission (108); a non-regenerative third drive unit (113) for coupling, in parallel to said power splitting mechanical transmission, to the tailshaft; and a propulsion control system (122) for coordinating operation of the drive units in accordance with a plurality of predetermined modes corresponding to a drive cycle of the vehicle. Two forms of the invention are disclosed, being suited to non-transit and transit operations, respectively. Methods for the optimal control of the hybrid propulsion system of each form of the invention are also disclosed.

One embodiment relates to a hybrid vehicle drive system for a vehicle including a first prime mover, a first prime mover driven transmission, a rechargeable power source, and a PTO. The hybrid vehicle drive system further includes a hydraulic motor in direct or indirect mechanical communication with the PTO and an electric motor in direct or indirect mechanical communication with the hydraulic motor. The electric motor can provide power to the prime mover driven transmission and receive power from the prime mover driven transmission through the PTO. The hydraulic motor can provide power to the prime mover driven transmission and receive power from the prime mover driven transmission through the PTO.

This invention relates to a Start-Stop method for a heavy-duty hybrid vehicle that turns off the internal combustion engine when the vehicle stops or, optionally, when the vehicle travels downhill. The Stop-Start method automatically restarts the internal combustion engine when the vehicle starts accelerating or is no longer traveling downhill. The software instructions for the Stop-Start method reside within the programming of the hybrid vehicle control computer as a subset of the hybrid vehicle control strategy in hybrid-electric or hybrid-hydraulic heavy-duty vehicle. During the time the internal combustion engine is turned off the necessary vehicle accessories operate from the available power of the hybrid high power energy storage.

A start-stop or idle-stop method for a heavy-duty hybrid vehicle that turns off the fuel supply while maintaining the crankshaft rotation of the internal combustion engine when the vehicle stops or, optionally, when the vehicle travels downhill, travels in a noise sensitive location, travels in an exhaust emissions sensitive location, or operates in an emergency situation. The stop-start or idle-stop method automatically turns on the engine fuel supply to restart combustion when the vehicle starts accelerating, is no longer traveling downhill, is no longer traveling in a noise sensitive or exhaust sensitive location, is no longer in an emergency situation, or has dropped below the minimum energy storage restart level.

The invention relates to systems and methods for rapidly and isothermally expanding gas in a cylinder. The cylinder is used in a staged hydraulic-pneumatic energy conversion system and includes a gas chamber (pneumatic side) and a fluid chamber (hydraulic side) and a piston or other mechanism that separates the gas chamber and fluid chamber while allowing the transfer of force / pressure between each opposing chamber. The gas chamber of the cylinder includes ports that are coupled to a heat transfer subassembly that circulates gas from the pneumatic side and exchanges its heat with a counter flow of ambient temperature fluid from a reservoir or other source.

A drive train for a hybrid vehicle having first, second and third motors includes a first variable transmission, having an input shaft, and an output shaft coupled to a drive wheel of the vehicle, and first, second, and third clutched rotational drive connections. The rotational drive connections selectively interconnect an output shaft of the first, second and third motors, respectively, with the input shaft of the first transmission, whereby torque from each of the three motors can be selectively combined through the variable transmission to drive the drive wheel.

The invention relates to systems and methods for rapidly and isothermally expanding gas in a cylinder. The cylinder is used in a staged hydraulic-pneumatic energy conversion system and includes a gas chamber (pneumatic side) and a fluid chamber (hydraulic side) and a piston or other mechanism that separates the gas chamber and fluid chamber while allowing the transfer of force / pressure between each opposing chamber. The gas chamber of the cylinder includes ports that are coupled to a heat transfer subassembly that circulates gas from the pneumatic side and exchanges its heat with a counter flow of ambient temperature fluid from a reservoir or other source.

A vehicle engine has a system of valves that permits various engine cylinders to operate in different modes of operation. During braking, some of the engine cylinders receive atmospheric air, compress it, and transfer it to an intermediate air-container. Other cylinders receive compressed air from the intermediate air-container, further compress it, and transfer it to a high-pressure air-reservoir for storage. During acceleration, some of the engine cylinders receive compressed air from the high-pressure air-reservoir, expand it to a lower level of pressure, and transfer it to the intermediate air-container. Other cylinders receive air from the intermediate air-container, further expand it, and use it for combustion in an internal-combustion cycle. During short stops, the engine is shut down, for the duration of the stop, and, then, it is restarted with compressed air. During cruise, the engine operates as a conventional internal-combustion engine.

One embodiment relates to a hybrid vehicle drive system for a vehicle including a first prime mover, a first prime mover driven transmission, a rechargeable power source, and a PTO. The hybrid vehicle drive system further includes a hydraulic motor in direct or indirect mechanical communication with the PTO and an electric motor in direct or indirect mechanical communication with the hydraulic motor. The electric motor can provide power to the prime mover driven transmission and receive power from the prime mover driven transmission through the PTO. The hydraulic motor can provide power to the prime mover driven transmission and receive power from the prime mover driven transmission through the PTO.

A lightweight, optimally efficient, easily serviced, piston-in-sleeve high pressure accumulator is provided. The accumulator includes one or more cylindrical composite pressure vessel separate end cap manifolds. A piston slidably disposed in a thin impermeable internal sleeve in the accumulator separates two chambers, one adapted for containing a working fluid and the other adapted for containing gas under pressure. Gas is provided in a volume between the impermeable internal sleeve and the composite pressure vessel wall. Additional gas is optionally provided in gas cylinders. Further components are provided for withstanding harmful effects of radial flexing of the composite vessel wall under high pressures, and from stresses present in use in mobile applications such as with a hydraulic power system for a hydraulic hybrid motor vehicle.

A powertrain system is provided that includes a prime mover and a change-gear transmission having an input, at least two gear ratios, and an output. The powertrain system also includes a power shunt configured to route power applied to the transmission by one of the input and the output to the other one of the input and the output. A transmission system and a method for facilitating shifting of a transmission system are also provided.

A work vehicle having a hydrostatic drive system provides for the recovery and reuse of the vehicle's kinetic energy by conducting pressurized hydraulic fluid out of the hydrostatic drive system into an accumulator during vehicle deceleration, and conducting the pressurized fluid back into the drive system during vehicle acceleration to assist the vehicle's engine in accelerating the vehicle.

An engine control device capable of improving engine efficiency by operating the engine in an area where fuel consumption is small (good) while allowing high responsivity of the engine to be maintained. The object can be achieved by operating to match at a point on a target torque line of a torque diagram and operating an electric motor when a matching point moves on the target torque line in a direction in which a load applied to the engine output shaft becomes large.

A hybrid hydraulic drive system for a vehicle comprises a prime mover, a transmission connecting the prime mover to drive wheels, a fluid energy storage accumulator, and a reversible hydraulic machine in fluid communication with the energy storage accumulator and drivingly coupled to the prime mover upstream of the transmission. The hybrid hydraulic drive system is arranged such that in a retarding mode the reversible hydraulic machine retards the drive wheels of the vehicle by pumping fluid into the accumulator. In a driving mode the reversible hydraulic machine supplies a supplementary power to the drive wheels of the vehicle using the pressurized fluid from the accumulator to assist propulsion of the vehicle. In a neutral mode the reversible hydraulic machine is disconnected from the prime mover to render the reversible hydraulic machine substantially inoperative to exert any significant driving or retarding influence on the drive wheels.

A control valve assembly (43) for use in a system in which a pump-motor unit (35) can either receive drive torque from a drive-line (17) or transmit torque thereto. The system includes a high pressure accumulator (41) and the control valve assembly is disposed between the pump-motor unit and the accumulator, and includes a mode valve (45) normally biased closed by pressure in a control cavity (89), the fluid pressure in which is controlled by a pilot valve assembly (49) in response to an electrical signal (133). A step-orifice valve (47) associated with the mode valve poppet member (79) provides a relatively larger orifice (115) into the control cavity (89) when pressure therein is high, and a relatively smaller orifice (119) into the control cavity when pressure therein is low, i.e., when the pilot valve assembly (49) is open. Thus, a large volume of flow can occur from the accumulator to the unit (35) in a motoring mode, with a relatively low pressure drop, while the poppet member is able to have softer, relatively longer opening time, but a relatively faster closing time.

A hybrid electro-hydraulic drive system is provided for a vehicle and comprises a hydraulic transmission including a first hydraulic machine and at least one second hydraulic machine drivingly connected to drive wheels of the motor vehicle for driving thereof, an electric motor / generator operatively connected to the first hydraulic machine, and at least one energy storage device operable to store and release a hydraulic fluid energy or an electrical energy. The second hydraulic machine is a reversible hydraulic pump / motor unit capable to function both as a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor. The energy storage device is operatively connected to either the hydraulic transmission or the electric motor / generator. In a retarding mode the hydraulic transmission and / or the electric motor / generator retard the vehicle, while in a driving mode they supply a supplementary power to the drive wheels to assist propulsion of the vehicle.

A fluid drive system that can be used to drive a vehicle and has energy regeneration and storage capabilities. The fluid drive system includes an electrical energy supply source mounted on the vehicle, at least one electrical motor electrically connected to the electrical supply source, and a hydraulic pump driven that may be of the variable displacement type by the electrical motor. The fluid drive system may also include a low pressure hydraulic fluid supply tank supplying fluid to the hydraulic pump, at least one pneumatically charged accumulator tank for storing pressurized hydraulic fluid, a combination hydraulic motor and pump that may also be of the variable displacement type being alternately driven by the hydraulic pump and the pneumatically charged accumulator tank; and an electrical regeneration system for regenerating the electrical energy supply. The electrical regeneration system may be powered by hydraulic fluid from the combination electrical motor and pump. The combination hydraulic motor and pump propels the vehicle during acceleration and speed maintaining operations and may also serves as a braking mechanism during deceleration of the vehicle. The combination hydraulic motor and pump may also pump hydraulic fluid into the pneumatically charged accumulator tank during at least a portion of the time that the vehicle is decelerating. The combination hydraulic motor and pump may further pump hydraulic fluid for powering the electrical regeneration system when the pneumatically charged accumulator tank is fully pressurized. The electrical regeneration system also has the ability to recharge the electrical energy supply while the vehicle is stopped using stored recovered kinetic energy.

The present invention generally relates to hybrid power systems for vehicles. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to hybrid power systems for various types of transportation vehicles where the hybrid power systems is partially, or even totally, based on the use of at least one hydraulic system to provide supplemental, or even the primary, motion power for a hybrid vehicle. In another embodiment, the hybrid power systems of the present invention are capable of providing both motion power as well as cabin comfort heating and / or cooling. In still another embodiment, a hybrid vehicle according to the present invention comprises a power generating system and passenger cabin comfort system, wherein the power generating system comprises a thermodynamic working fluid (FA) in a first thermodynamic cycle (C1), a pump (P1), a motor (M1), a high pressure accumulator, a low pressure reservoir, and at least one heat exchanger, wherein the thermodynamic working fluid (FA) is concurrently operable to create either vehicle motion through the motor (M1) or electricity through a generator and is operable to create passenger cabin cooling or heating through the expansion or contraction of the thermodynamic working fluid (FA).

The invention is directed toward methods for operating a parallel hybrid vehicle in a manner that responds to the operator's demand for power output, while maximizing engine efficiency and minimizing disruptions in vehicle drivability. According to principles of the present invention, when the driver of a hybrid vehicle makes a demand for power output immediately after a braking event, the power provided to meet the initial demand is from either an ICE or a secondary power source. Which power source is used, and when it is engaged and disengaged, depends on various vehicle operating conditions. Also, the ICE is selectively turned off and on in response to various operating conditions.

A hybrid input differential engine system comprising a planetary gear set. Preferably, an ICE is connected to the planet gear carrier, the output shaft is connected to the ring gear, and the sun gear is connected to a supercharger / expander and an electric or hydraulic motor / generator. As engine torque increases, the supercharger speeds up, increasing torque still further, enabling a small displacement engine to have very high torque at low RPM. In cruise conditions, the sun gear direction is reversed by the motor / generator, causing the supercharger to act as an expander for efficiently throttling the engine. The motor / generator modulates the speed / torque relationships between the engine and the supercharger / expander. A second motor / generator may be used on the output shaft. The electric machines and electric storage may be downsized because less electrical power is needed for the operation of the system.

A hydraulic energy storage system (comprising a hydraulic pump / motor, a high pressure hydraulic accumulator, a low pressure hydraulic accumulator / reservoir, and interconnecting hydraulic lines) is incorporated into a EV, HEV, or PHEV to provide hydraulic regenerative braking and propulsive assistance for the vehicle. Implementation of the low cost and long-lasting hydraulic energy storage system in the vehicle, together with the electric energy storage system (comprising a motor / generator and battery pack) of the vehicle, allows significantly reduced demands and higher operating efficiencies for the battery pack, thereby facilitating a more cost-effective, efficient and / or durable overall energy storage system for the vehicle.

One embodiment relates to a hybrid vehicle drive system for a vehicle including a first prime mover, a first prime mover driven transmission, a rechargeable power source, and a PTO. The hybrid vehicle drive system further includes a hydraulic pump in direct or indirect mechanical communication with the PTO. The hybrid vehicle drive system further includes an electric motor in direct or indirect mechanical communication with the hydraulic pump. The electric motor can receive power from the prime mover driven transmission through the PTO. The hydraulic pump can receive power from the electric motor when the electric motor rotates, the electric motor using power from the rechargeable energy source, or from the prime mover driven transmission through the PTO.

A system for transmitting power hydraulically to and from the wheels of a motor vehicle includes an accumulator containing fluid at relatively high pressure, a reservoir containing fluid at lower pressure, and a pump / motor driveably connected to the wheels and having a variable volumetric displacement for pumping fluid between the accumulator and the reservoir. A first circuit connects the inlet to the reservoir and the outlet to the accumulator. A second circuit includes a first path having a low flow rate capacity, a second path having a higher flow rate capacity. A controller switches between pumping operation and motoring operation, opens and closes the first path during motoring operation, and reduces the displacement before switching between pumping operation and motoring operation.

A motor vehicle kinetic energy recovery system uses one or more cylinders of an internal combustion engine as the first or primary stage in a multi-stage high pressure air compression system, a compressed air storage system, compressed air operated drive train boosters and vehicle management electronics to provide cooperation between the air compression, storage and booster systems. The multi-stage, high pressure air compressor system is operable through engine compression braking allowing kinetic energy of a vehicle to be recaptured during retardation of vehicle speed.

A variable transmission comprises a first fluid working machine (1) for connection to a prime mover (2), a second fluid working machine (5) for connection to a mechanical load (6) and a fluid system linking the first and second working machines, the fluid system having a high-pressure side (3) and a low-pressure side (4) each connected to both said first and said second fluid working machines (1, 5), a fluid accumulator (7) on the high-pressure side, a means to admit fluid from the reservoir to the low-pressure side and a pressure control valve to maintain the correct pressure in the low-pressure side, wherein the second fluid working machine (5) includes chambers of variable volume having electronically controllable valves such that each of said chambers has pumping, motoring and idling modes of operation, and the second fluid working machine (5) is operable to both source fluid to and sink fluid from each of said high-pressure side (3) and said low-pressure side (4).