US 12,214,844 B2
Endless track conveyance machines having a torque assist system for enhancing performance and a battery temperature assist
Barnabas LeBlanc, Meeker, CO (US)
Filed by Barnabas LeBlanc, Meeker, CO (US)
Filed on Feb. 9, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/171,049.
Prior Publication US 2022/0250715 A1, Aug. 11, 2022
Int. Cl. B62M 27/02 (2006.01); B60L 7/10 (2006.01); B60L 58/26 (2019.01); B62D 55/30 (2006.01); B62J 17/00 (2020.01); B62M 9/02 (2006.01); F01P 5/10 (2006.01); F01P 7/14 (2006.01); F01P 7/16 (2006.01); F28F 27/02 (2006.01); H01M 10/46 (2006.01); H01M 10/625 (2014.01); H01M 10/63 (2014.01); H01M 10/6556 (2014.01); H01M 10/6563 (2014.01); H01M 10/6568 (2014.01); H01M 10/663 (2014.01)
CPC B62M 27/02 (2013.01) [B60L 7/10 (2013.01); B60L 58/26 (2019.02); B62D 55/30 (2013.01); B62J 17/00 (2013.01); B62M 9/02 (2013.01); F01P 5/10 (2013.01); F01P 7/16 (2013.01); F28F 27/02 (2013.01); H01M 10/46 (2013.01); H01M 10/625 (2015.04); H01M 10/63 (2015.04); H01M 10/6556 (2015.04); H01M 10/6563 (2015.04); H01M 10/6568 (2015.04); H01M 10/663 (2015.04); B62M 2027/021 (2013.01); F01P 2007/146 (2013.01); H01M 2220/20 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A conveyance machine comprising:
an internal combustion engine having a drive system coupled to a track, the engine being configured to apply rotational force to the track through the drive system to propel said conveyance machine in a forward direction along the ground, the engine being configured to produce torque relative to its rotational speed in response to an engine throttle;
an engine cooling system filled with cooling fluid, the cooling system for pumping the cooling fluid through the engine during its operation to draw heat from the engine into the cooling fluid and further through a first heat exchanger by which to transfer the heat from the cooling fluid to ambient air, the engine cooling system having a source coolant line to conduct heated coolant fluid exiting the engine to the first heat exchanger;
an electric motor powered by a battery and being coupled to the track through a motor driver, the electric motor configured to apply rotational force to the track through the driver, in parallel with the engine, to turn the track and thereby propel the conveyance machine in either a forward or reverse direction, the motor being configured to produce peak torque relative to its rotational speed in response to a motor throttle, the battery and the first heat exchanger disposed in a heat isolating housing;
a motor controller, the motor controller being coupled to the battery and the motor to control the magnitude of current being delivered from the battery to the motor in response to a signal provided from the motor throttle to the controller and in accordance with a specified torque profile and
a battery temperature assist system including:
a secondary source coolant line in fluid communication with the source coolant line of the engine cooling system to divert a fraction of the heated cooling fluid therefrom;
a second heat exchanger in thermal communication with the battery, the second heat exchanger configured to receive the diverted fraction of the heated cooling fluid and to transfer the heat from the heated cooling fluid to the battery as it flows therethrough; and
a secondary return coolant line in fluid communication with the source coolant line of the engine cooling system to return the diverted fraction of the cooling fluid back to the engine cooling system,
wherein the torque that can be produced by the electric motor peaks over a range of rotational speed of the track that is different than the range of rotational speed of the track at which the torque that can be produced by the engine peaks.