Hybrid Power Control for Transport Climate Loads at Low Demand
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Solution Overview
Problem
In transport climate control systems, prime movers experience rapid formation of exhaust deposits during low load demand operations, leading to decreased performance and increased maintenance needs, as they continue to run even when there is no significant load, causing inefficiency and wear on components like injector tips, EGR coolers, and exhaust manifolds.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a power system that includes a prime mover, an electrical machine, a battery source, and an inverter, where the power system controller monitors demand and inactivates the prime mover during low demand periods, using the battery source to supply power and reactivates it during high demand periods to maintain peak efficiency and prevent deposit formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the prime mover continues to run during low load demand periods, then the equipment remains ready to provide power immediately, but exhaust deposits form rapidly on components leading to decreased performance and increased maintenance needs
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between prime mover operation and battery power based on real-time power demand conditions. The controller monitors load requirements and activates the prime mover only when power demand exceeds battery capacity, otherwise relying on battery power. This dynamic operation eliminates prolonged low-load running that causes exhaust deposits, while maintaining readiness to switch to prime mover power when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery system serves itself by automatically providing power during low-demand periods without requiring prime mover operation. The controller detects when battery power suffices and allows the prime mover to shut down, with the battery independently handling power supply until demand increases beyond its capacity threshold.
2Reliability
If the prime mover is operated continuously to ensure immediate power availability, then power supply reliability is maintained, but energy efficiency decreases due to unnecessary fuel consumption during low demand periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic power source selection where the controller continuously monitors power demand and switches between battery and prime mover based on real-time conditions. During low-demand periods, the battery independently supplies power without prime mover fuel consumption. When demand exceeds battery capacity, the prime mover activates to supplement power, optimizing fuel usage while maintaining continuous power supply reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the prime mover operates at low load demand, then the system can meet varying power requirements, but maintenance intervals decrease due to increased wear on components like injector tips and exhaust manifolds
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts power source configuration based on demand levels, using battery power during low-demand periods to eliminate prime mover operation and associated component wear. When power demand increases beyond battery capacity, the prime mover activates to provide supplemental power. This dynamic switching maintains power demand flexibility while significantly reducing maintenance intervals by preventing prolonged low-load operation that causes component degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery system acts as an intermediary power source between the prime mover and the load. During low-demand periods, the battery mediates by independently supplying power, allowing the prime mover to remain inactive and protecting its components from wear. When demand exceeds battery capacity, the battery continues to mediate by working in conjunction with the activated prime mover to meet the increased power requirements.
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
This approach reduces the formation of exhaust deposits, enhances prime mover efficiency, and extends maintenance intervals by ensuring the prime mover operates only when necessary, thereby maintaining performance and reducing wear on critical components.
Implementation Method 1
a battery source, an inverter coupled to the battery source
Implementation Method 2
an inverter coupled to the battery source, wherein the inverter is configured to convert the second electrical power from the battery source into the first electrical power that is supplied to the load
Implementation Method 3
an electrical machine coupled to the prime mover, wherein the electrical machine is configured to convert the mechanical power from the prime mover into a first electrical power for powering the load
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a power system that powers a load is provided. The power system includes a prime mover, an electrical machine coupled to the prime mover, a battery source, an inverter coupled to the battery source, and a power system controller configured to control operation of the power system. The method includes monitoring a power demand on the power system from the load. The method also includes comparing the monitored power demand with a load threshold value. Also, the method includes determining that the monitored power demand is less than the load threshold value. Further, the method includes upon determining that the monitored power demand is less than the load threshold value: inactivating the prime mover, and instructing the battery source with the inverter to supply power to the load.