Pumps – Condition responsive control of pump drive motor – With plural separate drive motors for single pump unit
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-07
2003-12-09
Thorpe, Timothy S. (Department: 3746)
Pumps
Condition responsive control of pump drive motor
With plural separate drive motors for single pump unit
C417S374000, C701S053000, C318S152000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06659727
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to the control of a dual mode drive arrangement for an automotive refrigerant compressor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Dual mode compressor drive arrangements have been utilized to maintain continuous climate control operation in automotive powertrains, with the dual mode drive arrangement allowing a refrigerant compressor of the climate control system to be selectively driven by the powertrain internal combustion engine or an electric motor. For example, the engine may be coupled to the compressor drive shaft through an electromagnetic clutch, and the armature of the electric motor may be coupled to (or integral with) the compressor drive shaft. Typically, the drive arrangement is configured so that the compressor is driven by the engine when the engine is running, and by the electric motor when the engine is not running. For example, if the engine is turned off under idle conditions to reduce fuel consumption, the electric motor may be activated to prevent interruption of the compressor drive. Similar considerations occur in hybrid powertrain configurations where the vehicle is selectively driven by an engine or an electric drive motor, or where an engine is intermittently operated to provide supplemental electric power to an electric drive motor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an improved control method for a dual mode drive arrangement coupling a climate control compressor to an electric machine and an engine, where the engine is turned on and off during operation of the vehicle, and where the electric machine is selectively operated as a motor or a generator during operation of the engine for improved efficiency and performance. In a preferred embodiment, the machine is operated as a generator to increase the available power for vehicle electrical loads when compressor operation is not needed or when the engine is driving the compressor. Conversely, the machine is operated as a motor to drive the compressor under heavy engine loading or when the engine speed is outside a desired operating range defined in terms of compressor speed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3941012 (1976-03-01), Mayer
patent: 4165795 (1979-08-01), Lynch et al.
patent: 4846327 (1989-07-01), Mayer
patent: 5105096 (1992-04-01), Waldschmidt et al.
patent: 5931884 (1999-08-01), Ochiai
patent: 5934089 (1999-08-01), Nakagawa et al.
patent: 5997431 (1999-12-01), Vukovich et al.
patent: 6230507 (2001-05-01), Ban et al.
patent: 6287081 (2001-09-01), Tamegai et al.
patent: 6321143 (2001-11-01), Phillips et al.
patent: 6373206 (2002-04-01), Morimoto et al.
patent: 6390214 (2002-05-01), Takahashi et al.
patent: 6464608 (2002-10-01), Bowen et al.
Spec sheet #ZXLCVAC3TT for a Zexel/Bosch compressor with integral electric motor, dated Dec. 14, 1999.
Claypole George M.
Major Gregory Alan
Miller Michael J.
Nemesh Mark D.
Ziehr Lawrence
DeVries Christopher
General Motors Corporation
Liu Han L
Thorpe Timothy S.
LandOfFree
Control method for a dual mode compressor drive system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Control method for a dual mode compressor drive system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Control method for a dual mode compressor drive system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3175729