Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

Toyota Motor North America, Inc.

Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha

Luke Alan Rippelmeyer

Daniel Charles Folick

Christopher M Bulpitt

Laura E Bower

Scott A Friedman

Arlo C Eitzer

Daniel K Lim

Jonathan J Sander

Jared Michael Farnsworth

Christopher Lee Rovik

Takehito Yokoo

Hiroki Yasui

Andrew G Sata

Nicholas Vernon

Brady James Gambatese

Ronald J Toth

Patrick Francis Lawless

Ron J Toth

Jeremy L Cummings

Rathin Karhu

Yohei Okamoto

Systems and methods are provided to modularizing a device. In various embodiments, the harness in provided that accommodates many different configurations of the modules. The harness may function as a single element that needs to be replaced and/or connected to accommodate different configurations of modules. The harness may be modular. In various embodiments, unused lines of the harness are capped. In various embodiments, the cap completes a circuit, so that the control system interprets the systems as functioning despite the unused line, whereas the control system may shutdown the system is the unused line is left uncapped. In various embodiments, the harness is used to send control signals to elements of parallel power systems that have high voltage systems that are electronically isolated from one another.

Modular fuel cell system architecture and harness

Systems and methods are provided for monitoring and controlling pump speeds to maintain a balanced pressure drop between each of the multiple fuel cell systems or circuits. In systems where a single radiator is used to maintain desired temperatures of multiple fuel cells, back flow can nevertheless be avoided. Control maps may be used to meet minimum pump speeds as a function of a flow splitting valve position and target flow rate (to prevent or avoid fluid back flow through a fuel cell stack). Control maps may also be used to determine a minimum pump speed as a function of three-way valve position (to prevent fluid back flow across a radiator path).

Multiple fuel cell radiator system

Disclosed are systems, methods, and devices for configuring the output provided by an inverter to an electric motor based on the position of the electric motor with respect to another electric motor.

Systems and methods for providing power to an electric motor from an inverter

Systems and methods are provided for modularizing a system. Parallel power systems having electronically isolated high voltage systems facilitate modulization. A control system is provided that optimizes the distribution of a power demand and/or a torque request so as to keep the efficiency, durability, drivability and/or safety of the system within an optimum range. In some cases, the distribution of power is uneven, so as to extend the battery life, while in other cases, the power draw on battery systems are kept equal and constant so as to properly manage the state of charge of the parallel power systems. In still other cases, the chosen power distribution keeps the power demand and/or torque request between minimum and maximum levels/capacity, and the power distribution avoids on/off of an individual power system.

Modular fuel cell system architecture and a control system for distributing power to the modules

A system for controlling DC-to-DC converters connected in parallel can include a first DC-to-DC converter, a second DC-to-DC converter, and a controller. The first DC-to-DC converter can be connected between a first node and a second node. The first DC-to-DC converter can be configured to maintain a voltage level at the second node. The second DC-to-DC converter can be connected between the first node and the second node. The controller can be configured to measure a current through the first DC-to-DC converter. The controller can be configured to cause, in response to a measure of the current being in a specific relationship with respect to a threshold current, a change in electric power being conveyed through the second DC-to-DC converter to cause the second DC-to-DC converter to respond to a subsequent change in electric power being conveyed through the second node.

Controlling DC-to-DC converters connected in parallel

Systems and methods provide a drive system control architecture that comprises a seamless interface between original equipment manufacturer (OEM) vehicle systems or components (e.g., accelerator pedal, brake pedal, accessory components, etc.) and third-party (or non-OEM) vehicle systems or components (e.g., motor/generator (MG) and inverter systems, fuel cell and battery systems, transmission, etc.). A universal interface implemented in a vehicle may receive a request for a specified amount of torque from one or more components of a first set of vehicle components, and may determine a balance between one or more components of a second set of vehicle components for delivering the specified amount of torque. The universal interface may then instruct the one or more components of the second set of vehicle components to deliver a commensurate portion of the specified amount of torque.

Drive system controls architecture for OEM interface and services

A system for managing storage of electrical energy can include an electromagnetic machine and a controller. The electromagnetic machine can have a rotor and a stator. The rotor can be configured to be connected to a shaft. One of the rotor or the stator can have first windings and second windings. The controller can be configured to control first circuitry and second circuitry. The first circuitry can be configured to cause energy to flow from a first energy storage device to the first windings to cause the shaft to rotate. The second circuitry can be configured to cause energy to flow selectively: (1) from a second energy storage device to the second windings to cause the shaft to rotate or (2) from the second windings to the second energy storage device to cause the second energy storage device to be charged.

Managing storage of electrical energy

Embodiments of systems and methods of operating a vehicle include operating at least one fuel cell stack, whereupon a heat exchanger for the at least one fuel cell stack counter-balances heat therefrom with heat rejected therefrom, and operating a water system to pump water from the at least one fuel cell stack into a water reservoir. Moreover, in response to high water levels in the water reservoir, the embodiments include increasing electrical energy loads on at least one battery operable to store electrical energy from the at least one fuel cell stack, operating the at least one fuel cell stack for higher output, whereupon the heat exchanger under-balances heat therefrom with heat rejected therefrom, and operating the water system to apply water from the water reservoir onto the heat exchanger, whereupon the heat exchanger restoratively counter-balances heat therefrom with heat rejected therefrom.

Fuel cell vehicle with a water system

A vehicle includes at least one fuel cell stack, a water reservoir housed higher than the at least one fuel cell stack, a first water pump, a second water pump and a control module. The at least one fuel cell stack is operable to generate electrical energy and water. The water reservoir is operable to store water. The first water pump is operable to pump water from the at least one fuel cell stack into the water reservoir against gravity. The second water pump is operable to dispense water from the water reservoir under assistance from gravitational potential energy of water in the water reservoir. The control module is configured to operate the second water pump on an on-demand basis, and operate the first water pump on a time-selective basis.

A transmission apparatus and associated methods for a transportation system. The transmission apparatus includes a clutch assembly and a planetary gear assembly. The clutch assembly includes a clutch hub, a first clutch sleeve, and a second clutch sleeve. The first clutch sleeve is axially movable relative to the clutch hub to selectively engage a first component of a planetary gear assembly. The second clutch sleeve is axially movable relative to the clutch hub to selectively engage a second component of the planetary gear assembly. The planetary gear assembly includes a plurality of planet gears and a planet carrier. Each of the plurality of planet gears is supported in a rotatable manner by the planet carrier. In some embodiments, the first component of the planetary gear assembly is a first sun gear that engages each of the plurality of planet gears.

Transmission apparatus including clutch and planetary gear assembly for a transportation system

A continuously variable transmission, a vehicular powertrain that includes a continuously variable transmission and a method of limiting belt slippage in a continuously variable transmission in a vehicle. The continuously variable transmission includes a pulley assembly, shafts, a clutch and hydraulic system. The hydraulic system is cooperative with both the clutch and the pulley assembly so that hydraulic pressures and associated clamping forces sent to both allow the clutch to preferentially absorb any driving load coming from the axle and wheels that is in excess of the normal load experienced at the continuously variable transmission. This in turn means that any additional load that would ordinarily cause slippage in the belt is instead experienced by the clutch. By providing such a clutch, the pump of the hydraulic system does not need to be oversized in order to provide excess clamping force, as any excess load experienced by the shaft that is coupled to the wheels of the vehicle will be taken up by slippage in the clutch so that slippage-related wear to the belt is avoided.

Downsized CVT oil pump achieved by slip device

A transmission includes a compound planetary gear set. The compound planetary gear set includes multiple sun gears and a non-input/output ring gear, a long pinion gear meshed therebetween, and an output planetary carrier carrying the long pinion gear. The long pinion gear includes multiple steps, and is meshed with the sun gears respectively at the steps and with the non-input/output ring gear at one step. With each sun gear alternatively being input-only or non-input/output, the sun gears are selectively input-only one at a time. Moreover, the non-input/output ring gear is anti-rotary and the output planetary carrier is output-only when the sun gears are input-only one at a time.

Multispeed automatic transmission for electrified vehicles

A transmission includes a first planetary gear set and a second planetary gear set that are the only planetary gear sets interconnected from an input to an output. The first planetary gear set includes an input-only first input gear and a first non-input/output gear, a first pinion gear meshed therebetween, and a first output planetary carrier carrying the first pinion gear. The first output planetary carrier is alternatively output-only or output-and-input. Moreover, the first non-input/output gear is alternatively held when the first output planetary carrier is output-only or released when the first output planetary carrier is output-and-input. The second planetary gear set includes an input-only second input gear and a grounded second non-input/output gear, a second pinion gear meshed therebetween, and an output-only second output planetary carrier carrying the second pinion gear.

A control apparatus and method for a two motor drive system of an electric vehicle A spline connects the two Motors, and a second spline connects a motor to a transmission. The control apparatus is configured to in positive driving traction, initiate torque change of the first motor and delay torque change of the second motor, in negative driving traction, initiate torque change of the second motor and delay torque change of the first motor, in downshift of the transmission, initiate torque change of the first motor and delay torque change of the second motor, and in upshift of the transmission, initiate torque change of the second motor and delay torque change of the first motor. The control of torque and the initiation sequence of torque change between the two motors is such that impacts from backlash are substantially reduced, and vibration and noise phenomena are minimal.

Method of drive quality control and shift management for electric vehicles involving multiple traction drive motors

Described herein are various embodiments of a clutch assembly and separator plates for a clutch assembly. The clutch assembly may comprise a first separator plate; a second separator plate; and a spring coupled to the first separator plate and contacting the second separator plate, such that when compressed the spring applies a repulsive force separating the first separator plate and the second separator plate.

Growing community of inventors

Canton, MI, United States of America

Luke Alan Rippelmeyer