Hybrid vehicle drive system and method and idle reduction system and method

Abstract

One embodiment relates to a hybrid vehicle drive system for a vehicle including a first prime mover, a first prime mover driven transmission, a rechargeable power source, and a PTO. The hybrid vehicle drive system further includes a hydraulic motor in direct or indirect mechanical communication with the PTO and an electric motor in direct or indirect mechanical communication with the hydraulic motor. The electric motor can provide power to the prime mover driven transmission and receive power from the prime mover driven transmission through the PTO. The hydraulic motor can provide power to the prime mover driven transmission and receive power from the prime mover driven transmission through the PTO.

1 . A power supply for powering a hydraulic implement, the power supply comprising:
 an electric storage unit, an electric motor, an electric generator, a hydraulic pump and a control unit, the electric motor, the electric generator and the hydraulic pump abut against one another in direct contact; the electric motor adapted for receiving electric power and driving the hydraulic pump to power the hydraulic implement;   the electric generator adapted for translating mechanical energy from a power take off into the electric power; the electric storage unit also being adapted for providing the electric power; and   the control unit configured for automatically switching between electric power from the generator driven by an engine coupled to the power take off and electric power from the electric storage unit coupled to the electric motor, the electric motor driving the hydraulic pump unassisted by the engine.   
     
     
         2 . The power supply as in  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is adapted for directing at least a portion of the electric power from the generator to the electric storage unit. 
     
     
         3 . The power supply as in  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is adapted for automatically starting the engine to provide the mechanical energy based on the charge in the electric storage unit. 
     
     
         4 . The power supply as in  claim 3 , wherein the control unit is adapted for automatically shutting down the engine based on the charge in the electric storage unit. 
     
     
         5 . The power supply as in  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical connection for coupling to at least one of another separate electrical generator and an external power supply. 
     
     
         6 . The power supply as in  claim 1 , wherein the electric storage unit comprises at least one of a battery and a fuel cell. 
     
     
         7 . The power supply as in  claim 1  wherein the electric generator is adapted for coupling with a power take off. 
     
     
         8 . The power supply as in  claim 1 , wherein a single unit comprises the electric motor and the electric generator. 
     
     
         9 . The power supply as in  claim 1 , wherein the control unit comprises at least one of a processor, a memory, a storage, an interface, a wireless interface, a remote interface, a user input device, a display, an auditory input and an audible output. 
     
     
         10 . A method for powering a hydraulic implement, the method comprising:
 driving a hydraulic pump with an electric motor, the electric motor powered by electric power from an electric storage unit, the electric motor and the hydraulic pump abut against each other in direct contact, the hydraulic pump configured for driving the electric motor;   upon depletion of the electric storage unit, starting an engine to drive a power take off unit;   driving a generator with the power take off unit; and   charging the electric storage unit and powering the hydraulic pump from the power take off unit coupled to the engine.   
     
     
         11 . The method as in  claim 10 , further comprising shutting down the generator when the electric storage unit is adequately charged. 
     
     
         12 . The method as in  claim 10 , further comprising continuously monitoring the depletion. 
     
     
         13 . The method as in  claim 10 , further comprising at least one of tracking performance, obtaining diagnostic information and governing a setpoint for indication of at least one of depletion and adequate charge. 
     
     
         14 . The method as in  claim 10 , wherein starting the generator further comprises starting at least one of the engine and a separate electrical generator. 
     
     
         15 . A vehicle comprising at least one hydraulic system for powering a hydraulic implement, the vehicle comprising:
 a hybrid power supply for powering the hydraulic system, the hybrid power supply comprising an electric storage unit;   an electric motor, an electric generator, a hydraulic pump and a control unit, the electric motor, the electric generator and the hydraulic pump abut against one another in direct contact;   the electric motor adapted for receiving electric power and driving the hydraulic pump to power the hydraulic implement;   the electric generator adapted for translating mechanical energy from a power take off of the vehicle into the electric power; the electric storage unit also being adapted for providing the electric power; and   the control unit for automatically switching between electric power from the generator driven by an engine coupled to the power take off and electric power from the electric storage unit coupled to the electric motor, the electric motor driving the hydraulic pump unassisted by the engine.   
     
     
         16 . The vehicle as in  claim 15 , wherein the hybrid power supply is adapted for at least one of assisting an engine of the vehicle and braking the vehicle. 
     
     
         17 . A power supply for powering a hydraulic implement, the power supply comprising:
 a hydraulic pump hydraulically connected to the hydraulic implement;   an electric motor/generator and the hydraulic pump abut against one another in direct contact, the electric motor/generator configured to drive the hydraulic pump;   an electric storage unit coupled to the electric motor/generator for delivery of electric power thereto for driving the hydraulic pump;   a power take-off mechanically coupled to the electric motor/generator for delivery of mechanical power thereto and generation of electric power thereby for driving the hydraulic pump; and   a control unit configured to automatically switch the operation of the electric motor/generator between electric power from the electric storage unit and mechanical power from the power-take off, wherein the electric motor/generator is configured to drive the hydraulic pump unassisted by the power take-off, the control unit is adapted for automatically shutting down the engine based on the charge in the electric storage unit.