Front End Motor-Generator for Hybrid Vehicle Platooning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In platooning operations of hybrid electric vehicles, there are challenges related to reduced airflow through vehicle cooling systems due to close proximity, leading to increased energy consumption for cooling, and inefficiencies in micro-adjustments and regenerative braking, which affect fuel savings and overall energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The Front End Motor-Generator (FEMG) system, with its switchable coupling and motor-generator, optimizes engine accessory speeds, manages cooling demands, and handles micro-adjustments, enabling efficient energy use and regenerative braking by decoupling from the engine crankshaft, allowing for precise control of vehicle speed and separation distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If vehicles operate in close proximity for platooning, then fuel savings are achieved due to decreased wind resistance, but airflow through the vehicle cooling systems is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical engine-driven cooling fan system with an electric motor-driven cooling fan system. This substitution allows the cooling fan to be independently controlled by the electric motor, enabling it to operate effectively even when airflow through the radiator is reduced due to close platooning proximity. The electric motor can compensate for reduced ram air flow by increasing fan speed as needed, while the hybrid system captures regenerative braking energy to power the motor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter of the cooling fan from being directly coupled to engine speed to being independently controllable via electric motor speed. This allows the cooling fan to operate at optimal speeds independent of engine RPM, adjusting airflow based on actual cooling demands rather than engine operating conditions. The system dynamically adjusts fan speed to maintain adequate cooling while minimizing energy consumption during platooning operations.
2Temperature
If the cooling fan is driven by the engine, then cooling is provided, but parasitic energy demand on the engine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical engine-driven cooling fan system with an electric motor-driven cooling fan system. This substitution allows the cooling fan to be independently controlled by the electric motor, enabling it to operate effectively even when airflow through the radiator is reduced due to close platooning proximity. The electric motor can compensate for reduced ram air flow by increasing fan speed as needed, while the hybrid system captures regenerative braking energy to power the motor.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid electric system serves itself by capturing regenerative braking energy and using it to power the electric motor-driven cooling fan. The system that would normally consume energy (cooling fan) is now powered by energy recovered from the braking process, creating a self-sufficient energy loop that reduces overall parasitic demand on the engine while maintaining adequate cooling performance.
3Temperature
If larger heat exchangers are provided to avoid insufficient cooling, then cooling capacity is improved, but vehicle aerodynamics are detrimental and fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic cooling solution where the electric motor adjusts fan speed based on real-time cooling demands rather than using a static, oversized heat exchanger. The system dynamically responds to varying thermal loads by modulating fan speed, providing adequate cooling capacity only when needed while maintaining streamlined vehicle aerodynamics. This dynamic approach eliminates the need for larger, drag-increasing heat exchangers.
4Temperature
If the following distance is increased to permit additional flow, then cooling is improved, but aerodynamic gains are substantially impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical engine-driven cooling fan system with an electric motor-driven cooling fan system. This substitution allows the cooling fan to be independently controlled by the electric motor, enabling it to operate effectively even when airflow through the radiator is reduced due to close platooning proximity. The electric motor can compensate for reduced ram air flow by increasing fan speed as needed, while the hybrid system captures regenerative braking energy to power the motor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter of the cooling fan from being directly coupled to engine speed to being independently controllable via electric motor speed. This allows the cooling fan to operate at optimal speeds independent of engine RPM, adjusting airflow based on actual cooling demands rather than engine operating conditions. The system dynamically adjusts fan speed to maintain adequate cooling while minimizing energy consumption during platooning operations.
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
The FEMG system enhances energy efficiency by reducing parasitic energy loads, increasing electrical energy storage, and improving vehicle control, thereby achieving better fuel savings and operational efficiency during platooning.
Implementation Method 1
an internal combustion engine is combined with a selectively-engageable motor-generator and an electrical energy storage system
Implementation Method 2
having the motor-generator coupled to the engine and operated as a motor to act as a supplemental vehicle propulsion torque source
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for controlling the operation of a vehicle equipped with a hybrid electric front end motor-generator system during vehicle platooning operations to maintain a predetermined separation distance between vehicles in the vehicle platoon. The motor-generator is operated to generate vehicle acceleration and deceleration by outputting torque to an engine crankshaft to accelerate the vehicle or generating a regenerative braking load via the crankshaft on the vehicle, in place of the vehicle's internal combustion engine and braking systems, when the required vehicle accelerations and/or decelerations needed to maintain the desired vehicle separation distance are small and within the torque output or torque load capacity of the motor-generator. If the required vehicle acceleration or deceleration is greater than the motor-generator's available capacity, the motor-generator may be operated to provide a portion of the required acceleration or deceleration, as a supplement to the acceleration provided by the engine or the deceleration provided by the braking system. The use of a front end motor-generator system in this manner increases overall vehicle energy efficiency by decreasing fuel consumption and increasing the amount of electrical energy captured for storage during vehicle platooning operations.