Low voltage electrical vehicle propulsion system using double layer capacitors
A hybrid vehicle propulsion system with a double-layer capacitor is provided. A low voltage double-layer capacitor energy storage system provides power to a hybrid vehicle propulsion system. A boost converter boosts the voltage of the double-layer capacitor system to a higher operating voltage to power at least one motor/generator of the propulsion system.
1 . A hybrid vehicle propulsion system comprising:
a transmission; and
a plurality of double-layer capacitors rated at about sixty volts DC, the capacitors coupled to the transmission to provide power to the transmission.
2 . The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1 wherein the transmission is configured in a compound split configuration.
3 . The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1 wherein the transmission is configured in a compound split configuration electronic continuously variable transmission system.
4 . The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1 wherein the transmission is configured in a single mode configuration.
5 . The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1 wherein the transmission is configured in a single mode configuration electronic continuously variable transmission system.
6 . The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1 further comprising a DC-DC converter used to raise the voltage of the capacitors to above about sixty volts DC.
7 . The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1 wherein a voltage level of the plurality of double-layer capacitors is provided to at least one motor/generator of the transmission via a converter.
8 . The hybrid propulsion system of claim 7 wherein the converter comprises a DC-DC converter.
9 . The hybrid propulsion system of claim 8 wherein the converter comprises a boost/buck DC-DC converter.
10 . The hybrid propulsion system of claim 8 further comprising an inverter disposed between the converter and the motor/generator.
11 . The hybrid propulsion system of claim 1 wherein a voltage level of the plurality of double-layer capacitors is raised via a floating bus.
12 . A hybrid propulsion system comprising:
an electrical propulsion system; and
a plurality of double-layer capacitors coupled to the electrical propulsion system, the capacitors rated to provide no more than about sixty volts DC.
13 . The hybrid propulsion system of claim 12 wherein the plurality of double-layer capacitors are configured in a double-layer capacitor module.
14 . A hybrid propulsion system comprising:
an internal combustion engine;
a transmission; and
a plurality of double-layer capacitors coupled to the transmission, the capacitors capable of providing no more than about sixty volts DC.
15 . The hybrid propulsion system of claim 14 further comprising a DC-DC converter, the converter coupled between the transmission and the plurality of capacitors.
16 . The hybrid propulsion system of claim 15 wherein the DC-DC converter is used to boost the voltage of the capacitors to a level above about sixty volts DC.
17 . The hybrid propulsion system of claim 15 wherein the DC-DC converter comprises a boost/buck DC-DC converter.
18 . A hybrid propulsion system for a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid propulsion system comprising:
an internal combustion engine;
a transmission rated to operate above a given voltage; and
a plurality of double-layer capacitors rated to provide less than the given voltage.
19 . The hybrid propulsion system of claim 18 wherein the given voltage is about sixty volts DC.
20 . The hybrid propulsion system of claim 18 wherein the given voltage is about 100 volts DC.
21 . The hybrid propulsion system of claim 18 wherein the given voltage is about 144 volts DC.