IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,781,475
Granted Patent B2
US 11,781,475 · App. 17/930,437 · Granted Oct 10, 2023

Prime mover systems including multi-accessory drives and methods of controlling same

Inventors: Kieran J. Richards (West Haddon, GB); David George Sharpe (Daventry, GB)
Assignee: Cummins Inc.
F02B67/06F16D13/76F16D27/04F16D27/112F16D27/14H02J7/1423F16D2300/12F16H55/36H02P2101/45
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,781,475
App. No.
17/930,437
Granted
Oct 10, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

One embodiment is a system comprising an internal combustion engine including an output shaft, a pulley system structured to be driven by the output shaft, a first alternator and a second alternator structured to be driven by the pulley system, and an electromagnetic clutch integrated within one of the pulley system, the first alternator and the second alternator and structured to selectably couple and decouple at least one of the first alternator and the second alternator from the output shaft. The system includes a controller in operative communication with the internal combustion engine system and structured to evaluate power demand and power production capability parameters of the system and to control the electromagnetic clutch to engage or disengage in response to the evaluation.

Claims (23)

1. A method comprising:

operating a system including internal combustion engine including an output shaft, a pulley system structured to be driven by the output shaft, a first alternator and a second alternator structured to be driven by the pulley system, and an electromagnetic clutch integrated within one of the pulley system, the first alternator and the second alternator and structured to selectably couple and decouple at least one of the first alternator and the second alternator from the output shaft in response to control commands from an electronic control system operatively coupled with the first alternator and the second alternator;

evaluating with the electronic control system an electrical power requirement of the system and an electrical power capacity of the system;

commanding with the electronic control system engagement of the electromagnetic clutch effective to operate the second alternator in response to the evaluation to indicating a need for increased electrical power; and

commanding with the electronic control system disengagement of the electromagnetic clutch effective to disengage the second alternator in response to the evaluation not indicating a need for increased electrical power.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of evaluating an electrical power requirement of the system comprises receiving information of electrical power demand for a plurality of systems or components.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of systems or components comprise or more of an aftertreatment system catalyst heater and an aqueous urea solution heater.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of evaluating an electrical power capacity of the system comprises determining an alternator electrical power generating capacity as a function of engine speed.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the determining an alternator electrical power generating capacity as a function of engine speed is performed using a lookup table.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of commanding engagement of the electromagnetic clutch comprises energizing a conductive coil.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the act of commanding disengagement of the electromagnetic clutch comprises de-energizing a conductive coil.

8. A system comprising:

an internal combustion engine including an output shaft, a pulley system structured to be driven by the output shaft, a first alternator and a second alternator structured to be driven by the pulley system, and an electromagnetic clutch integrated within one of the pulley system, the first alternator and the second alternator and structured to selectably couple and decouple at least one of the first alternator and the second alternator from the output shaft; and

an electronic control unit configured to perform the acts of:

evaluating an electrical power requirement of the system and an electrical power capacity of the system;

commanding engagement of the electromagnetic clutch effective to operate the second alternator in response to the evaluation to indicating a need for increased electrical power; and

commanding disengagement of the electromagnetic clutch effective to disengage the second alternator in response to the evaluation not indicating a need for increased electrical power.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the act of evaluating an electrical power requirement of the system comprises receiving information of electrical power demand for a plurality of systems or components.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the plurality of systems or components comprise or more of an aftertreatment system catalyst heater and an aqueous urea solution heater.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the act of evaluating an electrical power capacity of the system comprises determining an alternator electrical power generating capacity as a function of engine speed.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the determining an alternator electrical power generating capacity as a function of engine speed is performed using a lookup table.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein the act of commanding engagement of the electromagnetic clutch comprises energizing a conductive coil.

14. The system of claim 8 wherein the act of commanding disengagement of the electromagnetic clutch comprises de-energizing a conductive coil.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 8, 2022
From: RICHARDS, KIERAN J.; SHARPE, DAVID GEORGE
To: CUMMINS INC.
Reel/Frame 061021/0437 →
Continuity (4)
Division 16194499 · Nov 19, 2018
Continuation PCTUS2017033779 · May 22, 2017
Provisional Application 62342238 · May 27, 2016
Related Publication 20230003167A1 · Jan 5, 2023