IP Library Granted Patent US 11,728,658
Granted Patent B2
US 11,728,658 · App. 17/127,547 · Granted Aug 15, 2023

Hybrid power system control and operating strategy based on power system state vector calculation

Inventors: Fang Guo (Dunlap, IL); Jay R Steffen (Washington, IL); Chad Palmer Koci (Washington, IL); Richard W. Kruiswyk (Dunlap, IL)
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
H02J3/46H02J3/30H02J3/381H02J2203/20H02J2300/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,728,658
App. No.
17/127,547
Granted
Aug 15, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

Controlling a hybrid power system includes calculating a power system state vector based on energy demand and a stored data array including a matrix defined by a power system hardware configuration. The control further includes producing a power request based on the power system state vector, and varying a flow of energy amongst energy devices using drive linkages in the hybrid power system based on the power request. Related apparatus, control logic and controller structure is disclosed.

Claims (43)

1. A method of controlling a hybrid power system comprising:

receiving state data for each of a plurality of energy devices coupled by drive linkages in the hybrid power system;

determining an energy demand of at least one of the plurality of energy devices based on the state data;

calculating a power system state vector based on the determined energy demand and on a stored data array defined by a hardware configuration of the hybrid power system;

producing a power request based on the power system state vector;

varying a flow of energy amongst the plurality of energy devices using at least one of the drive linkages based on the power request; and

the varying the flow of energy including varying a direction of the flow of energy between at least two of the plurality of energy devices;

wherein the stored data array includes an energy flow path matrix having a power supply axis and a power demand axis.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of energy devices includes a combustion engine and at least one regenerative energy device.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the receiving the state data further includes:

receiving state data indicative of whether the combustion engine is in an accelerating mode, a non-accelerating mode, a braking mode, or a starting mode; and

receiving state data indicative of a state of charge of the at least one regenerative energy device.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the varying the flow of energy includes initiating or increasing a flow of energy to the combustion engine in the accelerating mode.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the varying the flow of energy includes initiating or increasing a flow of energy from the combustion engine in the braking mode to the at least one regenerative energy device using one of the drive linkages.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the varying the flow of energy includes varying the flow of energy using a continuously variable transmission of one of the drive linkages.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining an energy demand vector, and calculating an energy supply vector based on the energy demand vector and the energy flow path matrix, wherein the calculating the power system state vector includes calculating the power system state vector based on the energy demand vector and the energy supply vector.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the power request is one of a plurality of power requests requesting power from more than one of the plurality of the energy devices, and further comprising splitting a requested power according to a desired power split ratio.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising limiting the requested power from one or more of the plurality of energy devices.

10. A hybrid power system comprising:

a plurality of energy devices;

a plurality of electronically controlled drive linkages connecting amongst the plurality of energy devices;

an energy flow controller structured to:

receive state data for each of the plurality of energy devices;

determine an energy demand of at least one of the plurality of energy devices based on the state data;

calculate a power system state vector based on the determined energy demand and on a stored data array defined by a hardware configuration of the hybrid power system;

produce a power request based on the power system state vector;

vary a flow of energy amongst the plurality of energy devices using at least one of the electronically controlled drive linkages based on the power request; and

the stored data array includes an energy flow path matrix having a power supply axis and a power demand axis.

11. The hybrid power system of claim 10 wherein the energy flow controller is further structured to determine an energy demand vector, and to calculate an energy supply vector based on the energy demand vector and the energy flow path matrix.

12. The hybrid power system of claim 11 wherein the energy flow controller is further structured to calculate the power system state vector based on the energy demand vector and the energy supply vector.

13. The hybrid power system of claim 10 wherein the energy flow controller includes a supervisory controller structured to output the power request to a supervised controller in control communication with each of the plurality of electronically controlled drive linkages.

14. The hybrid power system of claim 10 wherein:

the plurality of energy devices includes a combustion engine, a motor-generator unit, a flywheel, and a turbocharger; and

one of the plurality of electronically controlled drive linkages includes a continuously variable transmission coupling the turbocharger to the combustion engine.

15. A power control system for a hybrid power system including a plurality of energy devices and electronically controlled drive linkages connecting amongst the plurality of energy devices, the power control system comprising:

a computer readable memory storing a data array defined by a hardware configuration of the hybrid power system;

an energy flow controller in communication with the computer readable memory and structured to:

receive state data for each of the plurality of energy devices, the state data defining an energy demand vector in the hybrid power system;

calculate a power system state vector based on the energy demand vector and the stored data array, and based upon a product of the energy demand vector and an energy flow path matrix, wherein the stored data array includes the energy flow path matrix having a power supply axis and a power demand axis;

output a power request from the energy flow controller to a supervised controller to vary a flow of energy amongst the plurality of energy devices using at least one of the electronically controlled drive linkages; and

vary a direction of the flow of energy between at least two of the plurality of energy devices by the supervised controller based on the power request.

16. The power control system of claim 15 wherein the energy flow controller is further structured to calculate an energy supply vector based on the energy demand vector and the energy flow path matrix.

17. The power control system of claim 16 wherein the outputted power request includes a power request split according to a desired power split ratio between two regenerative energy devices in the hybrid power system.

Assignments (2)
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Jul 11, 2023
From: CATERPILLAR INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 064241/0364 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2020
From: GUO, FANG; STEFFEN, JAY R.; KOCI, CHAD PALMER; KRUISWYK, RICHARD W.
To: CATERPILLAR INC.
Reel/Frame 054711/0261 →
Continuity (1)
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