SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDLE MITIGATION ON A UTILITY TRUCK WITH AN ELECTRICALLY ISOLATED HYDRAULICALLY CONTROLLED AERIAL WORK PLATFORM

Abstract

An idle mitigation system for a bucket truck which includes an alternate source of power for the vehicle air conditioner which is coupled to the hydraulic system of the bucket truck which is hydraulic system is alternately powered by an electric motor which when run in reverse can charge batteries.

Claims

1. A method associated with an idle managed and air conditioned truck-mounted, hydraulically manipulated and electrically insulated aerial work platform, the method comprising the steps of: providing an alternate source of rotary power for driving an air conditioning compressor on a vehicle where a primary source of rotary power for driving the air conditioning compressor has a first engine connection with an engine of the vehicle; driving an auxiliary hydraulic pressure generator which has a first electrical connection to a source of stored electric energy; causing said alternate source of rotary power for driving an air conditioning compressor to drive said air conditioning compressor when said primary source of rotary power for driving the air conditioning compressor is unavailable; and said alternate source of rotary power for driving said air conditioning compressor is configured to utilize said primary source of rotary power for driving the air conditioning compressor, when said engine of the vehicle is running, to charge said source of stored electric energy.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said alternate source of rotary power for driving an air conditioning compressor comprises: a hydraulic pump.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said alternate source of rotary power for driving an air conditioning compressor further comprises a hydraulic motor.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said alternate source of rotary power for driving an air conditioning compressor further comprises a first electric motor.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said alternate source of rotary power for driving an air conditioning compressor comprises said first electrical connection.

6. A system associated with an idle managed and air conditioned truck-mounted, hydraulically manipulated and electrically insulated aerial work platform, the system comprising: a compressor drive system for providing an alternate source of rotary power for driving an air conditioning compressor 11 on a vehicle where a primary source of rotary power for driving the air conditioning compressor has a first engine connection with an engine of the vehicle; a compressor drive system controller configured to cause said compressor drive system to drive said air conditioning compressor 11 when said primary source of rotary power is unavailable; a battery 162 for providing electric energy to said compressor drive system; a PTO pump 40 with a primary source of driving the PTO pump 40 having a second engine connection to the engine of the vehicle; and a tandem hydraulic pump 125 with a primary driving source having a first electrical connection to a source of stored electric energy.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said tandem hydraulic pump 125 comprises a plurality of hydraulic pumps, 120 and 100.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said plurality of hydraulic pumps 120, 100 are driven by a single electric motor 110.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein said compressor drive system comprises: a hydraulic motor 127 coupled through a valve 820 to hydraulic pump 100.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said compressor drive system further comprises a motor clutch 150 disposed between said hydraulic motor 127 and said air conditioning compressor 11.

11. A system associated with an idle managed and air conditioned truck-mounted, hydraulically manipulated and electrically insulated aerial work platform, the system comprising: a compressor drive system for providing an alternate source of rotary power for driving an air conditioning compressor on a vehicle where a primary source of rotary power for driving the air conditioning compressor has a first engine connection with an engine of the vehicle; a compressor drive system controller configured to cause said compressor drive system to drive said air conditioning compressor when said primary source of rotary power is unavailable; a battery for providing electric energy to said compressor drive system; a primary hydraulic pressure generator with a primary source of driving the hydraulic pressure generator has a second engine connection to the engine of the vehicle; and an auxiliary hydraulic pressure generator with a primary source of driving the auxiliary hydraulic pressure generator has a first electrical connection to a source of stored electric energy.

12. The idle management system of claim 11 wherein said first engine connection with an engine of the vehicle transmits rotary power solely through a plurality of mechanical connections.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein said compressor drive system comprises said first electrical connection.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein said source of stored electrical energy comprises said battery.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein said compressor drive system is configured to, utilize said primary source of rotary power for driving the air conditioning compressor, when said engine of the vehicle is running, to charge said source of stored electric energy.

16. A method of communicating vehicle start engine commands from an electrically isolated bucket to a vehicle comprising the steps of: providing a first source of hydraulic pressure: providing a hydraulic controller coupled to the source of hydraulic pressure by a hydraulic fluid line, where the hydraulic controller is configured to cause a bucket to be manipulated when said hydraulic controller is manipulated; providing a pressure sensor located and configured to measure variable pressures in said hydraulic fluid line; manipulating said controller and causing said bucket to be manipulated and further causing an increase in pressure in said hydraulic fluid line; using said pressure sensor to detect said increase in pressure in said hydraulic fluid line; and generating an electric signal in response to detection of said increase in pressure.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said electric signal is a signal to a second source of hydraulic pressure 120 and said electric signal is used to improve a pressure constancy characteristic in said hydraulic fluid line during times when a vehicle engine 20 is being transitioned between on and off operational states.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein said electric signal is a signal to command a starting of a vehicle engine 20.

19. A method of providing auxiliary hydraulic pressure and air conditioning in an idle managed bucket truck comprising the steps of: providing an auxiliary hydraulic pump; providing an auxiliary drive for an air conditioning compressor; providing a single source of electric rotary power for powering said auxiliary hydraulic pump and said auxiliary drive for an air conditioning compressor; and sharing said single source of electric rotary power in a manner where operation of the auxiliary hydraulic pump has priority over the auxiliary drive of an air conditioning compressor.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of utilizing a operator presence detector in one of a vehicle cab and a bucket to reduce a commanded provisioning of air conditioning to the vehicle cab.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system of the present invention.

[0046] FIGS. 2A and 2B is a simplified schematic diagram of a data communication relationship and operational logic configuration which could be used with a system as shown in FIG. 1.

[0047] FIGS. 3A and 3B is an additional depiction of an operational configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 4 is an additional depiction of an operational configuration of an embodiment of the present invention which relates to temperature of a battery during a charging process.

[0049] FIG. 5 is an additional depiction of an operational configuration of an embodiment of the present invention relating to control of restarting after a shutdown.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an alternate rapid recharging embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a portion of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 but with a first fluid flow path.

[0052] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the same portion as shown in FIG. 7 but with a second fluid flow path.

[0053] FIG. 9 is a more detailed schematic representation of hydraulic portions of the present invention.

[0054] FIG. 10 is a detailed schematic view of a battery management system of the present invention, which provides information including safety information for a particular embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] FIG. 11 is a detailed schematic representation which relates to desired cab temperatures based upon operator presence in the cab.

[0056] FIG. 12 is a spatial representation of the proper orientations of FIGS. 12A-121 which are in combination an overall decision matrix on how the present invention could be made to operate.

[0057] FIGS. 13-38 are schematic representations of operation parameters of the present invention.

[0058] FIGS. 39-42 show representations of an actual implementation of portions of the present invention.

[0059] FIG. 43 represents the bucket truck of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0060] Now referring to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like structure shown in the drawings and text included in the application throughout. The description below is directed to hydraulically controlled and air conditioned bucket trucks but the benefits of the present invention are applicable to vehicles which are equipped with on demand hydraulics which are not bucket trucks and to air conditioned vehicles of all types. The following detailed description is intended to be an example of the many possible uses for the present invention. The invention described in detail below is for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that variations can be made therein by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims, including all equivalents thereof.

[0061] The present invention in one embodiment is a bucket truck as shown in FIG. 43 which is built on a commercially available truck chassis such as a Dodge 5500 but any appropriate truck chassis could be used. In the past it has been well know to start the manufacture of a bucket truck with such a factory built road ready vehicle. Many components such as the boom and the bucket have been added to the OEM chassis to make a finished bucket truck.

[0062] Now referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic representation of a portion of the present invention. The upper right portion of this figure is the preferably unchanged OEM truck air conditioning system 10. Immediately below this is a representation of more unchanged OEM truck components but also mixed with new components. In one embodiment, the following components below the system 10 in the figure are unchanged OEM components: 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 40, and 13. Everything in the figure to the left of the air conditioning compressor 152 is not a part of the OEM chassis except for the following components: 40 (however it could be ordered with the chassis). Note that tank 126 (is included not with the chassis but with is found in other hydraulic bucket trucks.)

[0063] The present invention may begin with the OEM chassis with a commercially available idle management system having been added to it such as one made by GRIP Idle Management.

[0064] The present invention attempts to provide the operator in the bucket, at a time when the engine 20 is not running, with the ability to initiate the operation of the hydraulic controls 42 in the bucket by merely grasping them and manipulating them in the normal manner for operation of these controls. To accomplish this ability when the engine 20 and therefore the PTO pump 40 are not running, an electric auxiliary hydraulic pump 120 is included which provides hydraulic pressure to the pressure lines 42 of the hydraulic system which would run to and from the hand controls in the bucket. In a prior art bucket truck, the PTO pump 40 would be coupled directly to lines 42 and would provide the needed hydraulic pressure and flow to the bucket to provide typical functions when the engine is running.

[0065] In the present invention, the auxiliary hydraulic pump 120 is used to provide hydraulic pressure together with electric motor 110, and controllers 130 and 134. In general, the pressure transducers 121 and 124 detect when the PTO 40 is off and a demand is applied to the system through the system 42 (e.g. manipulation of the control handles in the bucket). A more thorough understanding of the hydraulic portions of the present invention can be achieved by utilizing details shown in FIG. 9. The capacity of the auxiliary battery 162 limits the amount of time that the electric motor can run without being recharged. See FIG. 10 for more details on battery. See Tables 1 and 2 below for additional duty cycle information.

[0066] Returning now to FIG. 1, when it is necessary to turn the engine 20 back on, the transition needs to be made so that the operator in the bucket truck does not experience problems with lag or excess flow, etc. (lag or overspeed of the boom). The transition could function as follows: When the engine 20 is deactivated by the idle management functions, the mechanical PTO pump 40 is deactivated while the auxiliary pump 120 is in standby mode.

[0067] This provides the system with low flow-low pressure. When the operator demands movement by activating the hydraulic valves 42, a load is detected by an increase in the pressure of the working fluid by pressure transducer 121. The controllers 130 and 134 of the system signals the electric motor 110 to provide maximum flow. The auxiliary pump 120 is then responsible for full movement and a signal is sent via line 135, controller 136 and a line to the engine 20 to start. During this transition, the engine responds and achieves designated RPM, the mechanical PTO 40 is activated and provides an additional flow. By monitoring the pressures (121 and 124) of the mechanical PTO 40 and auxiliary pump 120, the system then signals the electric motor 110, which causes the auxiliary pump 120 to deactivate so the boom speed is maintained.

[0068] Consequences of shutting the auxiliary pump 120 off too early or late are a change in boom speed. Testing shows the auxiliary pump 120 needs to be deactivated within 50 milliseconds. Too late and the boom over speeds, too early and the boom movement lags.

[0069] The engine 20 will initialize shutdown upon two conditionsa load is not detected 124 in the working fluid and the predetermined engine run time has exceeded. If no load is detected, the engine 20 is shutdown with the goal of reducing idle time. If a load is detected 124 while the engine 20 is being deactivated, the controller is triggered by a percentage of the prior engine speed and detection of a pressure greater than the low state pressure created by the mechanical PTO. The auxiliary pump is activated and is responsible for full flow of the working fluid.

[0070] The percentage drop in RPM before the system responds is roughly 4%. The system needs to respond to roughly 5% change in low state pressure. This provides an adequate response for the pump to build the pressure and flow required.

[0071] Now referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, there is shown detail relating to the standby and operational speeds of the electric motor (110). Based on PTO pump pressure (123) and ePump Pressure (121) will determine the state of the electric motor for Motor Speed Low (110), Motor Speed High (110). If the motor speed (110) and ePump Pressure (121) meet the criteria, the truck engine will start (136) and the electric pump speed will change to off based on the PTO pump pressure (124). The truck engine can also be started (136) when the Ba:MD3[0] (162) falls below the Low Battery Level (141).

[0072] Now referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, there is shown details relating to the charging rates of Rated Torque (110) and Acutal Velocity (110) can be varied to change to the charging rate of the electric motor. Inverter Temp (134) and Battery Voltage (162) are monitored to ensure safe charging conditions.

[0073] Now referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a representation of factors involved in regulating charging of a battery based upon temperature of that battery.

[0074] Now referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a representation of factors including dwell time involved in controlling restarting the engine after a shut down.

[0075] During times that the engine 20 is off, the auxiliary battery controllers 130 and 134 drive the electric motor 110 which has mechanical connection to BOTH the auxiliary hydraulic pump 120 and the hydraulic motor 100, which the three in combination can be viewed as a tandem hydraulic pump 125. This eliminates the need for a separate electric motor for auxiliary hydraulics and auxiliary air conditioning. An air conditioning compressor clutch 150 which couples the mechanical rotary power being supplied to the air conditioning compressor 11 from the normal belt 24 in the vehicle air conditioning system to the belt 151 and pulley driven alternately by the electric motor 110.

[0076] This configuration allows for operation of the air conditioning system without the need for changing anything in the vehicle air conditioning refrigerant system including items 11-16.

[0077] Now referring to FIG. 6, there is shown an alternate version of the present invention which provides for the ability to charge and/or increase the rate of charging the auxiliary battery 162 without using capacity from the alternator 40 and/or without the need to add an additional alternator. Instead, the electric motor 110 is driven backwards to generate a DC charging current to the auxiliary battery 162.

[0078] The electric motor 110 is driven backward when the vehicle engine 20 is running and the air conditioning compressor 17 is turning and the motor clutch 150 is engaged causing the hydraulic motor/pump 127 to turn. A valve 820 is included between the existing tank 126 and the hydraulic pump 127, when closed the valve 820 blocks flow in one direction while permitting flow in the opposite direction. When the valve 820 is open, fluid is free to move in either direction.

[0079] The hydraulic pump 100 would be caused to turn in an opposite direction from the direction it turns when the auxiliary battery 162 is used to turn the air conditioning compressor 17. The hydraulic motor 100 then turns the electric motor 110 and provides power for charging the auxiliary battery 162.

[0080] FIGS. 7 and 8 show the direction of flow around the fluid path defined by the pump 127, hydraulic motor 100 and valve 820. When the valve 820 is closed, (FIG. 8) the direction of flow reverses and the hydraulic motor 100 is turned in reverse. In FIG. 6, there is shown a clutch 810 between the electric motor 110 and the hydraulic pump 120 which, in normal operation of the idle management system is used to provide an alternate source of hydraulic pressure for the PTO system of the vehicle during engine off times. An electronic control line 800 to the clutch 810 switches (on and off) the connection between the electric motor 110 and the hydraulic pump 120. Also shown is an electronic control line from control 130 to valve 820.

[0081] The result is that without the need for another alternator, the auxiliary battery is charged at a much higher rate than in the original system of FIG. 1. The DC charger 163 and the connection to the alternator 40 could be left in place or removed.

[0082] FIGS. 9 and 10 are included to provide more specific details of a particular embodiment of the invention as mentioned above.

[0083] Now referring to FIG. 11, there is shown a detailed representation showing that the auxiliary air conditioning system can be turned on based on items 161, 150, 136, 125 and 20. Item 138 will vary the desired temperature setting based on the operator presence in the cab, buck or in a certain proximity to the machine. Using this setting, difference in cab temperatures can be adjusted to achieve the maximum operator satisfaction versus energy consumed to cool the cab.

[0084] Now referring to FIG. 12, there is shown a spatial representation of the proper orientations of FIGS. 12A-121, which are in combination an overall decision matrix on how the present invention could be made to operate.

[0085] Now referring to FIG. 13, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to how E-pump delay off is used to determine when the electric motor needs to shut down. This parameter is needed to keep constant motion on the bucket to not over or under speed the boom since the total flow to the boom is a combination of the PTO pump and electric motor/pump output.

[0086] Now referring to FIG. 14, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to how Air Conditioning Motor Speed High is used to determine the operational condition of the electric motor to match the desired compressor speed used to cool the cab. This parameter is updated in real time to maximize the overall cooling performance while minimizing the energy consumed.

[0087] Now referring to FIG. 15, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to how Motor Speed High is used to achieve the desired output of the electric pump to match the boom performance of the PTO pump.

[0088] Now referring to FIG. 16, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to how Motor Speed Low is used to determine the standby speed to minimize the power consumption when the boom is not in use. This speed must allow the pump to build pressure to ensue no noticeable lag to the operator when boom functionality is required.

[0089] Now referring to FIG. 17, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to how High PSI kick in is used and that when boom operation is required, this parameter set the requirement for when the electric pump needs to be at operational speeds.

[0090] Now referring to FIG. 18, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to actively monitoring the pressure output of the electric motor.

[0091] Now referring to FIG. 19, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to how Start Motor uses various inputs to determine when the auxiliary air conditioning or hybrid boom operation is required. This parameter also sets the condition when the motor should be shutdown.

[0092] Now referring to FIG. 20, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to how Motor Speed is taking various input to determine if the operation or standby motor condition is required by the electric motor.

[0093] Now referring to FIG. 21, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to how PTO Pump is used to determine the conditions when the PTO pump is fully active and leading to the ability to shut down or start up the electric motor.

[0094] Now referring to FIG. 22, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to how Run HP TMR sets the requirement of how long the pressure signal needs to be high before the system will respond, it also sets the requirement of when high pressure conditions should be ignored.

[0095] Now referring to FIG. 23, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to how Motor Speed Command is used to determine the appropriate Speed Command of the electric motor.

[0096] Now referring to FIG. 24, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to how Ok to Charge this is using inputs to determine if the system is in an acceptable condition to active charging.

[0097] Now referring to FIG. 25, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to Low Pressure Timer is used to determine the required time the system needs to see low pressure before it responds.

[0098] Now referring to FIG. 26, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to E-pump off Run Time is used to actively set the desired time the system needs low pressure before the electric motor speed is changed.

[0099] Now referring to FIG. 27, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to Enable cab comfort is used to determine the conditions when cab comfort operation is required.

[0100] Now referring to FIG. 28, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to Node 2 Torque Scaled is used to determine the desired torque output of the electric motor, this can be adjusted to decrease power consumption.

[0101] Now referring to FIG. 29, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to Node 2 Velocity Scaling is used to set the velocity to all positive since the system can run the electric motor in positive or negative direction.

[0102] Now referring to FIG. 30, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to how used to determine safe operating or charging conditions of the battery.

[0103] Now referring to FIG. 31, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to how DC Charger enable IDC this enables the output to active the charging conditions.

[0104] Now referring to FIG. 32, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to how Engine hold at zero speed holds the engine in the off state for a determined time before it can be restarted.

[0105] Now referring to FIG. 33, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to how A/C high PSI tmr is used to ensure safe start conditions when the air conditioning system pressure is below a certain threshold.

[0106] Now referring to FIG. 34, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to how Min A/C PSI to start is used to provide air conditioning compressor protection in the event of a system leak or failure.

[0107] Now referring to FIG. 35, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to how Want cab Comfort IDC is used to determine the auxiliary air conditioning operation based on the presence of an operator.

[0108] Now referring to FIG. 36, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to how Run A/C is used to active or deactivate the auxiliary air conditioning system based on operational conditions if the engine is started or the system pressure is too high.

[0109] Now referring to FIG. 37, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to how Run Comp fan IDC is used to determine the operational conditions of the air conditioning condenser fan. This is varied to maximize system performance while minimizing energy consumption.

[0110] Now referring to FIG. 38, there is shown a schematic representation of details relating to how Start the truck uses various parameters to determine if the truck engine is required to be activated.

[0111] Now referring to FIGS. 39-42, there is shown representations of an actual implementation of portions of the present invention.

[0112] Now referring to FIG. 43, there is shown a bucket truck of the present invention.

[0113] One embodiment of the present invention includes the ability to conserve electric power consumed by the electric motor 110 and also can reduce idle time if the presence of the operator is detected by OPS 138 and/or by a similar device inside the bucket and during time when there is no one in the cab of the vehicle and there is someone in the bucket the normally set cab temperature can be used upwardly for air conditioning and downwardly for heat by a preset amount, for example 20 degrees Fahrenheit. This will allow for less running of the engine and less running of the electric motor 110 but can then command the normal temperature once the operator presence is detected or the operator is detected as having exited the bucket.

[0114] Another embodiment of the present invention allows for improving the constancy of the operation of the hydraulic bucket controls during times when the vehicle engine is in transition from off to on and one to off. The pressure sensor can detect e.g. an increase of pressure generated by the PTO pump 40 during start up and can provide a signal to the controller 130 which can immediately reduce the pressure generated by pump 120. This leveling or maintaining of a constant pressure results in a more constant, smooth and predictable operation of the movement of the manipulation of the bucket.

[0115] In yet another embodiment of the present invention the use of the output of electric motor 110 can be shared on a prioritized basis to reduce a need for oversized or dual electric motors. It is contemplated that the hydraulic controls could in some instance be given a priority over air conditioner operation to reduce the need for such oversized electric motors.

[0116] It is thought that the method and apparatus of the present invention will be understood from the foregoing description, and that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construct steps, and arrangement of the parts and steps thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, or sacrificing all of their material advantages. The form herein described is merely a preferred exemplary embodiment thereof.