Methods of supplying energy to an energy bus in a hybrid electric vehicle, and apparatuses, media and signals for the same

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, media and signals for supplying energy to an energy bus in communication with an energy generating device and with a regenerative braking system in a hybrid electric vehicle are disclosed. One such method includes controlling power supplied by the energy generating device to the energy bus, in response to a braking signal indicative of user brake actuation. Another such method involves controlling energy contributions onto the energy bus from the energy generating device and from the regenerative braking system respectively, to prevent the contributions from exceeding a desired total energy contribution. The energy generating device may include an auxiliary power unit, such as fuel cell, or a generator coupled to a prime mover such as an internal combustion engine, for example.

Description

Technical field [0001] The present invention relates to vehicles, and more specifically to methods, devices, media, and signals for providing energy to an energy bus in a hybrid electric vehicle. Background technique [0002] Electric or hybrid electric vehicles typically use an electric traction engine connected to the drive wheels of the vehicle. The traction motor typically receives energy from the vehicle's energy bus, so that the motor applies a torque to the drive wheels, thereby accelerating the vehicle. [0003] In a "series" hybrid electric vehicle, there are typically two available power sources to provide energy to the traction motor to drive the vehicle: an auxiliary power supply unit or other energy generating device, and an energy storage device. [0004] The auxiliary power supply unit typically converts other forms of energy into electrical energy provided to the energy bus, but it is generally unable to extract electrical energy from the energy bus and convert it...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The excess power supplied to the energy bus by traction motors and auxiliary power supply units typically largely exceeds the charging capacity of the energy storage device, and the resulting overvoltage on the energy bus not only affects the use of the energy storage system have a detrimental effect on the lifetime and also potentially damage other electronic and / or electrical devices connected to the energy bus

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