Auxiliary Inverter Voltage-Based Motor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrically driven systems used in mining and rail vehicles, communication failures between electrical components can disrupt the control of cooling systems, leading to potential vehicle immobilization due to the inability to manage cooling effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system with a power source, controller, converter, and auxiliary inverter system that converts voltage for electric motors in accessories, allowing the system to control motor speed based on secondary voltage levels even if primary communication links are interrupted, ensuring accessories like blowers operate commensurate with the vehicle's operational mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If communication links between controller and auxiliary inverter system are used to control accessory operation, then control precision and operational coordination are improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to potential communication interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary inverter system is designed to autonomously determine accessory operation based on secondary voltage levels when communication with the controller is interrupted. The system serves itself by using voltage level detection to automatically adjust motor speed without external communication commands, thereby maintaining reliability during communication failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary voltage level serves as an intermediary signal that conveys operational mode information from the power source to the auxiliary inverter system. This voltage-level-based communication pathway provides a redundant control mechanism that operates independently of the primary digital communication links, ensuring continuous control capability.
2Reliability
If the auxiliary inverter system autonomously controls motor speed based on secondary voltage levels, then system reliability is improved during communication failures, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary voltage, originally serving solely as a power transmission medium, is dual-purpose: it both powers the auxiliary inverter system and serves as a control signal for determining accessory operation mode. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate communication hardware, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex digital communication systems with a simpler voltage-level-based control mechanism. By using the existing electrical power transmission infrastructure to also convey control information, the system eliminates the need for separate communication protocols and hardware, thereby reducing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables continuous operation of accessories like blowers at appropriate speeds for vehicle modes, even during communication link failures, maintaining vehicle functionality and preventing overheating by using secondary voltage as a communication medium and power indicator.
Implementation Method 1
a converter configured to receive a first voltage from the power source and to convert the first voltage to a second voltage
Implementation Method 2
the auxiliary inverter system configured to convert the second voltage received from the converter for powering the electric motor
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a power source, a controller, a converter configured to receive a first voltage from the power source and to convert the first voltage to a second voltage, an auxiliary inverter system electrically coupled to an output of the converter and to an accessory having an electric motor, the auxiliary inverter system configured to convert the second voltage received from the converter for powering the electric motor, and a first communication link between the controller and the auxiliary inverter system. The auxiliary inverter system is further configured, responsive to interruption of the first communication link, to control a speed of the electric motor based on a level of the second voltage.