Invention Reference Number
Auxiliary power supplies are a critical part of the power system for heavy duty fuel cell electric vehicles. Auxiliary power comes from a 12 V and 24 V battery system that requires reliable charging systems, separate from the main power train. Heavy duty fuel cell electric vehicle power trains require multiple independent DC to DC converters to charge the auxiliary batteries. This adds weight, cost and complexity to the system. This technology is a multiport converter to charge the auxiliary batteries that integrates the DC-DC converters in a single unit.
Description:
Conventional auxiliary power architecture for heavy duty fuel cell electric vehicles has independent isolated DC-DC converter modules followed by independent non-isolated modules for charging the auxiliary batteries. Such an architecture increases cost, weight, and volume of the overall power train. This technology is a single charging architecture that allows the auxiliary converters for the 12 V and 24 V batteries to be integrated with the main DC-DC converter through a Multiport Converter (MPC), eliminating the need for two separate converters in addition to the main converter. The MPC is one unit rather than three that integrates the power electronic components of the main power train with the auxiliary battery charger to achieve reduction in volume, weight and cost without compromising the performance of the overall power train.
Benefits:
- Saves power
- Saves costs
- Fewer switches
- Improves power density
- Decreases volume and weight
Applications and Industries:
- Heavy duty truck manufacturers
- Heavy duty electric vehicle battery manufacturers
Contact:
To learn more about this technology, email partnerships@ornl.gov or call 865-574-1051.
