Electric vehicle drive train with contactor protection
Abstract
A drive train for an electric vehicle includes a traction battery, a power drive circuit, a main contactor for connecting and disconnecting the traction battery and the power drive circuit, a voltage detector across contacts of the main contactor, and a controller for controlling the main contactor to prevent movement of its contacts to the closed position when the voltage across the contacts exceeds a predetermined threshold, to thereby protect the contacts of the contactor. The power drive circuit includes an electric traction motor and a DC-to-AC inverter with a capacitive input filter. The controller also inhibits the power drive circuit from driving the motor and thereby discharging the input capacitor if the contacts are inadvertently opened during motoring. A precharging contactor is controlled to charge the input filter capacitor prior to closing the main contactor to further protect the contacts of the main contactor. 3 figures.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Ford Motor Company, Detroit, MI (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 6666791
- Patent Number(s):
- 5369540
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 8-016777
- Assignee:
- General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-90ID13019
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 11 Feb 1993
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS; ELECTRIC BATTERIES; SWITCHES; ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES; CONTROL SYSTEMS; EQUIPMENT PROTECTION DEVICES; ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT; ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS; EQUIPMENT; VEHICLES; 330300* - Advanced Propulsion Systems- Electric-Powered Systems
Citation Formats
Konrad, C E, and Benson, R A. Electric vehicle drive train with contactor protection. United States: N. p., 1994.
Web.
Konrad, C E, & Benson, R A. Electric vehicle drive train with contactor protection. United States.
Konrad, C E, and Benson, R A. Tue .
"Electric vehicle drive train with contactor protection". United States.
@article{osti_6666791,
title = {Electric vehicle drive train with contactor protection},
author = {Konrad, C E and Benson, R A},
abstractNote = {A drive train for an electric vehicle includes a traction battery, a power drive circuit, a main contactor for connecting and disconnecting the traction battery and the power drive circuit, a voltage detector across contacts of the main contactor, and a controller for controlling the main contactor to prevent movement of its contacts to the closed position when the voltage across the contacts exceeds a predetermined threshold, to thereby protect the contacts of the contactor. The power drive circuit includes an electric traction motor and a DC-to-AC inverter with a capacitive input filter. The controller also inhibits the power drive circuit from driving the motor and thereby discharging the input capacitor if the contacts are inadvertently opened during motoring. A precharging contactor is controlled to charge the input filter capacitor prior to closing the main contactor to further protect the contacts of the main contactor. 3 figures.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1994},
month = {11}
}