Gateway Vehicle Power Distribution for Formation Energy Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle formations with electrical road systems, there is a risk that individual vehicles may not have sufficient energy to operate their prime movers due to low energy levels, especially when they cannot receive electric power from the charge surface along the road.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes a gateway vehicle with a charging component and a power distribution unit, connected to both the gateway and target vehicles, which manages energy distribution within the formation by receiving signals for current energy requirements and controlling power distribution to ensure that both the gateway and target vehicles maintain sufficient energy levels, even when the gateway vehicle cannot receive power from the charge surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vehicles in a formation rely solely on their own energy storage for propulsion, then each vehicle maintains operational independence, but the risk of energy depletion increases and overall formation reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the energy resources of multiple vehicles in a formation by enabling direct electrical power transfer between vehicles through their prime movers. The gateway vehicle's prime mover can function as a generator to supply power to target vehicles, effectively combining the energy capacity of the entire formation rather than each vehicle operating independently on its own energy storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway vehicle acts as an intermediary between the charge surface infrastructure and target vehicles. It receives charge current from the charge surface and can transfer this energy to target vehicles that cannot directly access the charge surface, mediating energy distribution within the formation.
2Reliability
If the gateway vehicle transfers energy to target vehicles, then target vehicles maintain sufficient energy levels, but the gateway vehicle's own energy may become depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the energy levels of both gateway and target vehicles, using this feedback information to dynamically control power distribution. The control circuitry adjusts the amount of power transferred from the gateway vehicle to target vehicles based on real-time energy status, ensuring that the gateway vehicle maintains sufficient energy for its own operations while still supporting target vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The power distribution system is dynamic rather than static. The gateway vehicle's prime mover can dynamically switch between motor mode and generator mode, and the control system continuously adjusts power flow directions and magnitudes based on changing energy requirements and availability within the formation.
3Reliability
If all vehicles are equipped with charging components to receive power from charge surfaces, then each vehicle achieves energy independence, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway vehicle's prime mover serves multiple functions: it can operate as a motor to propel the gateway vehicle, as a generator to supply power to target vehicles, and as an interface to the charge surface infrastructure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate charging components in each vehicle, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining energy security.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging function is segmented and concentrated in specific gateway vehicles within the formation rather than being distributed to all vehicles. This segmentation allows target vehicles to rely on gateway vehicles for charging operations, reducing the number of charging components needed in the overall system.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a control system configured to control electrical power distribution of a vehicle formation, the vehicle formation comprising at least one gateway vehicle comprising a gateway prime mover for propelling the gateway vehicle, and at least one target vehicle comprising a target electric motor for propelling the target vehicle, wherein the gateway vehicle comprises a charging component electrically connectable to a charge surface along a road operable by the vehicle formation, the gateway vehicle further comprising a power distribution unit connected to the charging component and the target vehicle, the power distribution unit being configured to control electrical power distribution within the vehicle formation, wherein the control system comprises control circuitry connected to the gateway vehicle, the target vehicle and the power distribution unit, the control circuitry being configured to receive a signal indicative of a current energy requirement for the gateway vehicle and the target vehicle; and control, based on the current energy requirement, the power distribution unit to distribute electric power within the vehicle formation.