Modular Vehicle Power Buses for Redundant Multi-Motor Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric supply systems for vehicles, such as rail and marine vessels, face maintenance challenges and inefficiencies due to large format batteries that cannot efficiently meet disparate power requirements, leading to potential system failures when one battery assembly fails.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle electric supply system with multiple power supply assemblies, each with its own battery assembly and bus, controlled by a common controller to vary electric current distribution based on operating conditions, allowing for independent operation and optimization of each motor, and enabling switching between battery assemblies for redundancy and charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If large format batteries are used to provide propulsion power, then the vehicle system can achieve sufficient power output, but the system becomes difficult to maintain and cumbersome to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple modular battery assemblies (first battery assembly, second battery assembly, etc.) that can be independently maintained and replaced. Each battery assembly connects to specific motors through dedicated buses, allowing segmented maintenance without shutting down the entire system.
2Power
If large format batteries are used to provide sufficient propulsion power, then power requirements are met, but the system becomes unreliable as failure in one battery assembly causes entire system failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into independent power supply pathways where each battery assembly can operate autonomously. When one battery assembly fails, the system redistributes power through remaining healthy assemblies, preventing total system failure and maintaining operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is configured to monitor the state of charge and health of each battery assembly in advance. When degradation is detected, the system proactively redistributes power loads to healthy assemblies before failure occurs, cushioning against potential system failures.
3Power
If large format batteries are used to meet high power requirements, then propulsion power is sufficient, but the batteries cannot efficiently supply disparate power needs of different electrical systems
Solution Approach 1:
Different battery assemblies are assigned to different motors and electrical systems based on their specific power requirements. The controller optimizes power distribution by matching battery output characteristics to the local needs of each motor, improving overall energy efficiency rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The power distribution system dynamically adjusts current flow from different battery assemblies to different motors based on real-time operating conditions. The controller varies conduction of electric current to match the instantaneous power needs of each motor, optimizing energy efficiency across varying load conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
An energy system for a vehicle system having a plurality of motors that may include a first power supply assembly that may also include a first battery assembly of a plurality of battery assemblies. The first power supply assembly also may include a first bus coupled to a first motor of the plurality of motors and coupled to the first battery assembly. A second power supply assembly may also be provided that includes a second battery assembly of the plurality of battery assemblies coupled to a second bus that is coupled to a second motor of the plurality of motors. A controller may also be provided that may be configured to vary conduction of electric current from the first battery assembly to the first motor by the first bus based on an operating condition of the second power supply assembly to provide a first input to the first motor that may be different than a second input provided to the second motor by the second battery assembly.