US5998885A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Propulsion system for a motor vehicle using a bidirectional energy converter
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
•
Filing: 1998-09-21
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Granted: 1999-12-07
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Expires: 2018-09-21
Abstract
Abstract A motor vehicle propulsion system includes an electrical energy source and a traction motor coupled to receive electrical energy from the electrical energy source. The system also has a first bus provided electrical energy by the electrical energy source and a second bus of relatively lower voltage than the first bus. In addition, the system includes an electrically-driven source of reaction gas for the electrical energy source, the source of reaction gas coupled to receive electrical energy from the first bus. Also, the system has an electrical storage device coupled to the second bus for storing electrical energy at the lower voltage. The system also includes a bidirectional energy converter coupled to convert electrical energy from the first bus to the second bus and from the second bus to the first bus.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Alan Tamor
- 👤 Allan Roy Gale
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:06
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60L; B60L58/00; B60L58/30; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T90/00; Y02T90/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A motor vehicle propulsion system comprising: an electrical energy source; a traction motor coupled to receive electrical energy from said electrical energy source; a first bus provided electrical energy by said electrical energy source; a second bus of relatively lower voltage than said first bus; an electrically-driven source of reaction gas for said electrical energy source, said source of reaction gas coupled to receive electrical energy from said first bus; means coupled to said second bus for storing electrical energy at said lower voltage; and a bidirectional energy converter coupled to convert electrical energy from said first bus to said second bus and from said second bus to said first bus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A motor vehicle propulsion system comprising: an electrical energy source; a traction motor coupled to receive electrical energy from said electrical energy source; a first bus provided electrical energy by said electrical energy source; a second bus of relatively lower voltage than said first bus; an electrically-driven source of reaction gas for said electrical energy source, said source of reaction gas coupled to receive electrical energy from said first bus; means coupled to said second bus for storing electrical energy at said lower voltage; and a bidirectional energy converter coupled to convert electrical energy from said first bus to said second bus and from said second bus to said first bus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A motor vehicle propulsion system as recited in claim 1, wherein said bidirectional energy converter is a bidirectional DC-to-DC converter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A motor vehicle propulsion system as recited in claim 2, wherein said bidirectional DC-to-DC converter includes exactly one transformer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A motor vehicle propulstion system as recited in claim 2, wherein said bidirectional DC-to-DC converter includes shared electromagnetic voltage conversion elements for performing voltage upconversion and voltage downconversion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A motor vehicle propulsion system as recited in claim 4, wherein said source of electrical energy is a fuel cell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A motor vehicle propulsion system as recited in claim 4, wherein means for storing electrical energy is a battery.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A motor vehicle propulsion system as recited in claim 4, wherein said source of reaction gas is a compressor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A motor vehicle propulsion system as recited in claim 1, wherein: said system further comprises a controller to control said electrically-driven source of reaction gas; and said controller also controls said bidirectional energy converter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A motor vehicle propulsion system as recited in claim 8, wherein said bidirectional energy converter is a bidirectional DC-to-DC converter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A motor vehicle propulsion system as recited in claim 9, wherein said bidirectional DC-to-DC converter includes exactly one transformer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A motor vehicle propulsion system as recited in claim 9, wherein said bidiretional DC-to-DC converter includes shared electromagnetic voltage conversion elements for performing voltage upconversion and voltage downconversion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-12-06 | 2003-06-07 | 2003-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-06 | 2007-06-07 | 2007-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-06 | 2011-06-07 | 2011-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |