Military Vehicle Power Export Driveline for Silent Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current military vehicles powered by internal combustion engines produce significant noise, making it difficult to operate quietly, especially in stealth missions.
Innovation Solution
A military vehicle design featuring an electrified driveline with a motor/generator and a clutch between the engine and motor/generator, allowing for independent operation of the engine and electric machine, and including a power export panel with a ring-bus system for power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If an internal combustion engine is used to power the military vehicle, then the vehicle can maintain operational power and mobility, but the vehicle produces significant noise that compromises stealth capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between engine-powered and electric-powered modes based on operational requirements. The electric machine can operate independently to provide propulsion and auxiliary power, allowing the vehicle to transition from noisy engine operation to silent electric operation when stealth is required, while maintaining the capability to switch back to engine power when higher performance is needed
Solution Approach 2:
The electric machine serves multiple functions: it can provide propulsion power to the drivetrain, generate electrical power for auxiliary systems, and operate in regenerative braking mode. This multi-functionality allows the vehicle to replace the engine in various operational scenarios, reducing noise while maintaining versatility in power delivery and energy management
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the engine is shut off to reduce noise, then the vehicle can operate quietly for stealth missions, but the vehicle loses the ability to provide high power output when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the power source parameter from engine-only to a hybrid configuration with an electric machine. The electric machine can deliver high torque and power output when required, matching or exceeding engine capabilities in certain operating ranges, while allowing silent operation at lower power levels when stealth is the priority
3Object-generated harmful factors
If an electrified driveline with independent engine and electric machine operation is implemented, then the vehicle can reduce noise and thermal signatures, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric machine is integrated with the existing drivetrain components, sharing mounting structures, control systems, and power transmission pathways. The electric machine couples to the drivetrain through the existing transfer case and differential, merging electric and mechanical power streams into a unified driveline architecture that reduces overall system complexity compared to a fully separate hybrid system
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 the vehicle to operate silently by shutting off the engine and using the electric machine, reducing noise and thermal signatures, while maintaining the capability to switch to engine power when needed.
Implementation Method 1
an electric machine positioned rearward of the rear wall of the cab and coupled to the generator output of the transfer case and generating electrical power
Data Source
AI summary
A military vehicle including a chassis, a cab mounted to the chassis and defining a rear wall, an engine mounted to the chassis, a transfer case coupled to the engine and including a driven output providing mechanical power to the military vehicle and a generator output, and an electric machine positioned rearward of the rear wall of the cab and coupled to the generator output of the transfer case and generating electrical power.