US6154381A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High efficiency power system with plural parallel DC/DC converters
Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
•
Filing: 1999-06-30
•
Granted: 2000-11-28
•
Expires: 2019-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A distributed staged power system for use in electric and hybrid electric vehicles, and the like. The system comprises a plurality of parallel DC-to-DC power modules that are controlled by way of input and output control signal interfaces using a smart controller. The distributed staged power system provides higher efficiency because of smart staging of the power modules. The distributed staged power system enables or disables each of the modules as determined by a smart controller to provide the highest possible conversion efficiency.
Inventors
- 👤 Lateef A. Kajouke
- 👤 Steven E. Schulz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:55
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60L; B60L1/00; H; H02; H02J; H02J1/00; H02J1/10; H02J1/102; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/156; H02M3/158; H02M3/1584; B60L2270/00; B60L2270/10; B60L2270/14; B60L2270/147
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A high efficiency distributed staged power system comprising: an energy storage unit; a high voltage bus coupled to the energy storage unit; an input filter coupled to the high voltage bus; a parallel voltage converter comprising a plurality of parallel coupled power modules that is coupled to the input filter; an output filter coupled to the parallel voltage converter; a low voltage bus coupled between the output filter and one or more loads; an input control signal interface coupled to the parallel voltage converter; an output control signal interface coupled to the parallel voltage converter; and a smart controller coupled to the input and output control signal interfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A high efficiency distributed staged power system comprising: an energy storage unit; a high voltage bus coupled to the energy storage unit; an input filter coupled to the high voltage bus; a parallel voltage converter comprising a plurality of parallel coupled power modules that is coupled to the input filter; an output filter coupled to the parallel voltage converter; a low voltage bus coupled between the output filter and one or more loads; an input control signal interface coupled to the parallel voltage converter; an output control signal interface coupled to the parallel voltage converter; and a smart controller coupled to the input and output control signal interfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system recited in claim 1 further comprising a vehicle controller coupled to the smart controller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system recited in claim 2 wherein the energy storage unit comprises a battery pack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system recited in claim 2 wherein the smart controller processes signals and messages received from the input control signal interface, the output control signal interface, and the vehicle controller, and the modules are staged on or off as a function of load requirements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system recited in claim 2 wherein the smart controller processes signals and messages received from the input control signal interface, the output control signal interface, and the vehicle controller, and based upon the status of these signals, turns on or off selected power module so that the system operates at its optimum efficiency point.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein the energy storage unit comprises a motor and generator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein the power modules comprise high-efficiency switching power supplies.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein the power modules comprise high efficiency switchmode DC-to-DC converters.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein each module provides the same DC voltage gain.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein the input signal interface provides electrical isolation so that the smart controller and energy storage unit can be referenced to different grounds.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein the smart controller processes signals and messages received from the input control signal interface and the output control signal interface, and based upon the status of these signals, turns on or off selected power module so that the system operates at its optimum efficiency point.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein the energy storage unit comprises a super capacitor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein the smart controller processes signals and messages received from the input control signal interface and the output control signal interface, and the modules are staged on or off as a function of load requirements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein the energy storage unit comprises a fuel cell.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5530635A
Cited
US5768117A
Cited
US5821755A
Cited
US5923549A
Cited
US5803215A
Cited
US5875104A
Cited
US5883797A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-11-28 | 2004-05-29 | 2004-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-28 | 2008-05-29 | 2008-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-28 | 2012-05-29 | 2012-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |