Vehicle propulsion system with multi-channel DC bus and method of manufacturing same
View Patent ↗An apparatus includes a multi-channel DC bus assembly comprising a first channel and a second channel, a first electromechanical device coupled to a positive DC link of the first channel, and a second electromechanical device coupled to a positive DC link of the second channel. A first DC-to-AC voltage inverter is coupled to the positive DC link of the first channel and a second DC-to-AC voltage inverter is coupled to the positive DC link of the second channel. The apparatus further includes a bi-directional voltage modification assembly coupled to the positive DC link of the second channel and a first energy storage system electrically coupled to the first electromechanical device.
1. A system for a vehicle, comprising:
an energy storage system;
a first traction motor coupled to the energy storage system;
a second traction motor coupled to the energy storage system;
a transmission device coupled to the first traction motor, the transmission device comprising an arrangement of planetary gears;
a gear assembly coupled between the second traction motor and the transmission device such that the output of the second traction motor bypasses the transmission device; and
a control system configured to selectively:
operate the first traction motor and second traction motor to drive the vehicle through the transmission device and gear assembly, respectively;
operate the first traction motor as a generator to generate electrical power while operating the second traction motor to drive the vehicle through the gear assembly; and
operate the second traction motor as a generator to generate electrical power.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a DC/DC converter coupled to the energy storage device.
3. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a second energy storage system coupled to the DC/DC converter.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the energy storage system comprises a battery.
5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a wheel/axle assembly coupled to the gear assembly.
6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first inverter coupled between the energy storage device and first traction motor; and
a second inverter coupled between the energy storage device and second traction motor.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical power generated by the first traction motor is provided to the second traction motor.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical power generated by the second traction motor is provided to the energy storage system.
9. A vehicle propulsion system, comprising:
an energy storage system;
a first traction drive system coupled to the energy storage system, the first traction drive system comprising a first inverter coupled to a first AC motor;
a second traction drive system coupled to the energy storage system, the second traction drive system comprising a second inverter coupled to a second AC motor;
a transmission device coupled to the first traction drive system, the transmission device comprising an arrangement of planetary gears;
a gear assembly coupled between the second traction drive system and the transmission device such that the output of the second traction motor bypasses the transmission device; and
a control system configured to selectively:
operate the first traction drive system and second traction drive system to drive the vehicle through the transmission device and gear assembly, respectively;
operate the first traction drive system to generate electric power while operating the second traction drive system to drive the vehicle through the gear assembly; and
operate the second traction drive system to generate electric power.
10. The system of claim 9 , further comprising a DC/DC converter coupled to the energy storage device.
11. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a second energy storage system coupled to the DC/DC converter.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the energy storage system comprises a battery.
13. The system of claim 9 , further comprising a wheel/axle assembly coupled to the gear assembly.
14. The system of claim 9 , wherein the electrical power generated by the first traction drive system is provided to the second traction drive system.
15. The system of claim 9 , wherein the electrical power generated by the second traction drive system is provided to the energy storage system.
16. A vehicle propulsion system, comprising:
an energy storage system;
a first electric motor coupled to the energy storage system;
a second electric motor coupled to the energy storage system;
a transmission device coupled to the first electric motor, the transmission device comprising an arrangement of planetary gears;
a gear assembly coupled between the second electric motor and the transmission device such that the output of the second electric motor bypasses the transmission device; and
a control system configured to selectively:
operate the first electric motor and second electric motor to drive the vehicle through the transmission device and gear assembly, respectively;
operate the first electric motor as a generator to generate electrical power while operating the second electric motor to drive the vehicle through the gear assembly; and
operate the second electric motor as a generator to generate electrical power.
17. The system of claim 16 , further comprising a DC/DC converter coupled to the energy storage device.
18. The system of claim 16 , further comprising a wheel/axle assembly coupled to the gear assembly.
19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the electrical power generated by the first electric motor is provided to the second electric motor.
20. The system of claim 16 , wherein the electrical power generated by the second electric motor is provided to the energy storage system.