Abstract:
An electric power assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. An electric motor includes a stator and a rotor being rotatable about a pivot axis relative to the stator. An inverter is coupled to the electric motor and includes a power switching device that outputs an electrical signal from the inverter at a first frequency and having interference at a second frequency. The second frequency is a byproduct of the electrical signal creating the first frequency. The stator is electrically connected to the inverter to receive the first frequency such that the stator produces a first magnetic field. A frequency filter is attached to the rotor and directs the portion of the electrical signal having the second frequency to the rotor such that the rotor produces a second magnetic field that interacts with the first magnetic field to rotate the rotor about the pivot axis relative to the stator.
Abstract:
An electric drive unit (EDU) is configured for driving a first and second wheel of a vehicle. The EDU includes a rotor, a stator, a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, and a pair of engagement mechanisms. The first planetary gear set is operatively connected to the rotor and rotates about the drive axis in response to rotation of the rotor to transmit torque to the first wheel. The second planetary gear set is operatively connected to the rotor and rotates about the drive axis in response to rotation of the rotor to transmit torque to the second wheel. Rotation of the rotor causes each of the planetary gear sets to rotate about the drive axis. Each engagement mechanism is selectively engages a respective one of the planetary gear sets to vary the torque transmitted to the respective wheel.
Abstract:
A torque transmitting mechanism includes a drum attached to one of a first member and a second member, and a shell attached to another of the first member and the second member. The drum and the shell are concentrically disposed about a longitudinal axis, with the shell concentrically disposed about the drum. An electric motor includes a stator, and a first rotor rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the stator. A band is coupled to the shell, wrapped around the drum between four and twelve complete revolutions, and includes a first end attached to the first rotor for rotation with the first rotor. The band includes a second end attached to a reaction member. Rotation of the first rotor tightens the band against the drum to bias the drum against the shell, to transmit torque between the first member and the second member.
Abstract:
A hybrid powertrain has an engine, a starter motor, and a gear train that connects the starter motor with the engine, and a motor/generator. A belt drive train connects the motor/generator with the engine. The powertrain has a first energy storage device with a first operating range of voltage and a second energy storage device with a second operating range of voltage at least partially in common with the first operating range of voltage. A controller places a switching device in an on-state so that the first energy storage device is connected with the second energy storage device or in an off-state in which the first energy storage device is disconnected from the second energy storage device. The controller causes the switching device to be in the off-state and the starter motor and the motor/generator to be powered with energy from the first energy storage device to restart the engine.
Abstract:
A method of controlling a power inverter coupled to an electric motor in a vehicle powertrain having an engine is provided. The method includes generating a voltage waveform signal and a switching frequency signal for the inverter via a controller. At least one of the voltage waveform signal and the switching frequency signal is at least partially based on at least one commanded engine operating parameter. For example, the engine on/off state, engine torque, and engine speed can be considered. A vehicle having a controller configured to implement the method is also provided.
Abstract:
A rotor for mounting on a rotational axis in an axial flux electric motor includes a ferromagnetic rotor core. The rotor also includes a plurality of alternating south and north pole permanent magnets (PMs) arranged on the ferromagnetic rotor core symmetrically around the rotational axis and facing the stator. The ferromagnetic rotor core includes a plurality of core saliencies extending to the rotor exterior surface. Each of the core saliencies is arranged between one south pole PM and one north pole PM. The plurality of core saliencies is phase-angle shifted relative to the plurality of alternating south and north pole PMs to thereby alter magnetic reluctance of the electric motor. An axial flux electric motor employing the above-described rotor is also contemplated.
Abstract:
A cooled axial flux electric motor includes a rotationally-fixed stator defining a rotational axis and having a plurality of conductive stator magnetic poles arranged radially about the axis. The motor also includes a rotor spaced axially from one side from the stator and rotatably mounted coaxially with the rotational axis and defined by inside and outside diameters. The rotor has a first exterior surface facing the stator and a second exterior surface arranged opposite the first exterior surface. A ferromagnetic rotor core defines the rotor second exterior surface. The rotor also includes alternating south and north pole permanent magnets (PMs) arranged on the rotor core symmetrically around the axis and facing the stator. The rotor additionally includes channels extending radially outwardly across the rotor and configured to direct a coolant, via centrifugal force, from the inside diameter toward the outside diameter as the rotor rotates about the axis.
Abstract:
An axial flux motor may include a stator, a rotor including a rotor frame and having a rotational axis, an axial air gap separating the stator and the rotor, the axial air gap corresponding to an axial position of the rotor frame, and at least one hydraulic actuator including a variable volume hydraulic fluid chamber defined within the rotor frame, wherein a change in the volume of the variable volume hydraulic fluid chamber causes a change in the axial position of the rotor frame and a corresponding change in the axial air gap separating the stator and the rotor.
Abstract:
An integrated electrified propulsion system for a vehicle includes a single electric machine, a mechanical geartrain, a rechargeable energy storage device, an integrated cooling system, and a power electronics system. The single electric machine, the mechanical geartrain, the integrated cooling system, the rechargeable energy storage device, and the power electronics system are arranged in a single housing. The single electric machine is rotatably coupled to the mechanical geartrain to transfer mechanical power therebetween.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a permanent magnet for a rotor of an axial flux electric machine is described herein. The method includes forming multiple permanent magnet (PM) pieces to have the same shape. Each of the PM pieces has an inner radial surface, an outer radial surface, and a pair of side surfaces extending between the inner and outer radial surfaces. The method further includes attaching at least one of the side surfaces of each of the PM pieces to one of the side surfaces of another one of the PM pieces to form partitions configured to extend in a radial direction of the rotor.