GB2612908A

GB2612908A - Vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2612908A
Application number: GB2214654.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wardlaw Paul; Riby Jason
Original assignee: Pearson Engineering Ltd
Current assignee: Pearson Engineering Ltd
Priority date: 2021-10-05
Filing date: 2022-10-05
Publication date: 2023-05-17
Also published as: GB202214654D0; GB202114269D0

Abstract

System for controlling power distribution from at least one power sources to one or more vehicle functions. The controller may make its decision based on received information from the power sources and may allocate only one power source for one function at any one time. The vehicle may be an armoured military fighting vehicle, e.g. a minefield breaching vehicle, including front end equipment such as a mine plough, dozer blade, a roller or an excavator arm; and lane marker, camera, high lift adapter, magnetic signature duplicator. Lane marker, camera, high lift adapter, and magnetic signature duplicator may be included. Power source may be electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical (fuel), or ICE. Vehicle may have a peripheral auxiliary power source. Diagnostic information and logic may inform decision making, and the controller may switch to an alternative power source should a failure be detected. Diagnostics may include video images from the cameras.

Description

VEHICLE

The present invention relates generally to power distribution for vehicles and particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, to a control and diagnostic system for vehicles.

Some aspects and embodiments of the present invention relate generally to an armoured fighting vehicle and particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, to a breaching vehicle.

A breaching vehicle is designed to clear pathways for troops and other vehicles through minefields. These vehicles are typically equipped with mechanical or other means for the breaching of man-made obstacles. Common types of breaching vehicles include mechanical flails, mine plough vehicles, and mine roller vehicles.

Some aspects and embodiments of the present invention seek to provide improvements in or relating to vehicles.

Some aspects and embodiments of the present invention seek to provide improvements in or relating to breaching vehicles.

An aspect of the present invention provides a power distribution system for a vehicle having at least one non-motive function and one or more power sources, the power distribution system comprising a control system for controlling power distribution from the or each power source to the or each function.

The term "non-motive function" means a function in addition to drive power.

An aspect of the present invention provides a power distribution system for a vehicle having one or more functions and a plurality of power sources, the power distribution system comprising a control system for controlling power distribution from the power sources to the or each function.

An aspect of the present invention provides a power distribution system for a breaching vehicle having one or more functions and a plurality of power sources, the power distribution system comprising a control system for controlling power distribution from the power sources to the or each function.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a centralised power control and diagnostics system for a vehicle having one or more functions and a plurality of power sources, the power distribution system comprising a control system for controlling power distribution from the power sources to the or each function.

Some aspects and embodiments are configured to provide a power distribution system for a breaching vehicle.

There may be multiple power sources.

Some aspects and embodiments provide or relate to centralised decision making on power usage. Decision making may be interlinked with diagnostic information in relation to power source/s and/or function/s.

A diagnostics module may be provided to receive information from each of a plurality of power sources. This information could, for example, relate to status (e.g. is an ICE running), power availability, faults, feedback, alerts, power availability, amount of power availability, remaining power, optimal power mode.

In some embodiments all power sources on a vehicle are linked to a diagnostic system. In other embodiments only some (which could be just one) source is linked to provide diagnostic information (which may be just an operation/non-operational status indication).

There may be multiple functions.

In some embodiments the control system can determine/suggest a function operating mode e.g. normal, low, high (e.g. power consumption).

User override functionality may be provided.

Overload prevention functionality may be provided.

Power sources may directly and/or indirectly power a function.

In some embodiments any of the functions can request power and/or a user can activate/operate any of the functions.

A control module may decide which power source to allocate to a function.

In some systems more than one function can request power at any one time i.e. more than one function can be active at the same time if required.

In some embodiments only one power source can be allocated to one function (i.e. there cannot be joining/combining of sources).

The control module makes its decision at least partly on the basis of information received from the diagnostics module.

Energy can, for example, be stored in one or more ways such as fossil fuel, electric batteries or capacitors or hydraulic/pneumatic accumulators. This energy can be converted into other forms by power sources e.g. an electrically-driven pump.

The power sources may be one or more of: one or more Internal Combustion (IC) engines supplied with a suitable fuel converts chemical energy to mechanical; one or more electric motors supplied with electricity converts electrical energy to mechanical; one or more hydraulic or pneumatic pumps which convert mechanical energy to hydraulic or pneumatic energy.

In some embodiments one or more of the power sources are IC engines that convert fossil fuel (the actual energy source) to mechanical then electrical / hydraulic / pneumatic energy; the rate of conversion may define the power.

In some aspects and embodiments the or each drive power / engine pack of the vehicle itself may be one of the power sources. For example a main engine may be a power source from which power can be (directly and/or indirectly) distributed to one or more functions. In other embodiments power sources are not directly involved with vehicle motion; it is still, however, possible in some embodiments for engine power to be used to power a different non-motion power source and that non-motion power source could be a power source for function/s (i.e. the motive power source only indirectly powers functions).

At least one power source may be an inherent part of the vehicle.

In some embodiments one or more auxiliary power sources are provided. The term "auxiliary" may mean that the source is not involved directly with motive drive power, or does not have that as its primary function.

The auxiliary power source may be a peripheral.

Auxiliary power sources may take/draw power from a main engine.

Examples of types of power sources: non-renewable (e.g. petroleum, hydrocarbon gas liquids, natural gas, hydrogen) or renewable (e.g. biomass, solar or wind); electrical, mechanical, chemical, hydraulic, pneumatic. One or more source types may be provided. One or more sources may be provided with different numbers and combinations of the or each source type.

In some embodiments the control system can select a power source operating mode.

In some embodiments the control system automatically chooses the appropriate power source depending on a required function.

The control system may be configured to apply logic to determine power distribution.

The control system may be configured to receive diagnostic information from one or more functions.

The control system may be capable of recognising failures within a power source and automatically switching to an alternative source to provide a reversionary capability or ability to complete a task.

In some embodiments a single control and diagnostics system also displays video images from cameras on vehicle and/or equipment fitted thereto.

The functions may include one or more of: lane marker, camera, high lift adapter, magnetic signature duplicator. The functions may comprise equipment. The equipment may be formed as an integral part of the vehicle, or may be provided/supplied separately.

Vehicles provided in accordance with the present invention may comprise front end equipment, for example a mine plough, a dozer blade or an excavator arm.

Some embodiments may provide or link to a display system, for example a central control screen. This could be used, for example, to show diagnostic information, power usage etc., activate/operate function/s.

The present invention also provides a breaching vehicle having a power distribution system as described herein.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a breaching vehicle comprising a plurality of functions, the vehicle comprising an onboard power source and a control system for controlling power distribution from the source to the functions.

The vehicle may further comprise an auxiliary power pack.

A further aspect provides a breaching vehicle comprising a plurality of functions, the vehicle comprising an onboard power source, an auxiliary power source and a control system for controlling power distribution from the power sources to the functions.

A high lift adapter (HLA) is a piece of equipment that allows the attachment of front end equipment (FEE), such as a mine plough, dozer blade or excavator arm. The adapter allows rapid interchange between the two pieces of equipment and in some embodiments possess an integral hydraulic jettison system should the equipment need to be removed in case of emergency. In some embodiments the HLA is able to adjust the position of the FEE, for example by raising or lowering it.

A magnetic signature duplicator (MSD) may be used in combination with front end equipment for minefield breaching, surface laid mine clearance and route proving and clearance. The duplicator provides enhanced protection against magnetically fused explosive threats.

A lane marker system (LMS) or obstacle marking system (OMS) is a vehicle mounted electro-pneumatic payload dispensing system most commonly used for marking the boundaries of routes and areas. Designed to fire marker poles, LEDs or other markers into or onto the ground at controlled intervals, the marking system gives a host vehicle the capability to clearly mark out hazardous areas such as the edges of a minefield breached lane. A dispenser unit enables marker poles to be fired pneumatically, either manually or automatically, into a variety of surfaces from sand and soil to asphalt and concrete at either timed or distance based intervals. 'Marker Missions' can be stored in the system menu to allow quick recall of settings for operations such as breach, funnel, handrail or exit marking. A display unit can be provided to give the operator feedback on the type of payload selected and the quantity of marker poles remaining in each dispenser unit The vehicle may further comprise optional front end equipment, such as a mine plough, dozer blade or excavator arm. The may be considered as functions in some embodiments.

The control system may automatically choose the appropriate power source/s depending on a required function.

The onboard power source may be an inherent part of the vehicle.

The auxiliary power source may be a peripheral.

In some embodiments all functions can be performed with any of the sources i.e. there may be a degree of redundancy built into the system. In other embodiments it may be possible to allocate only one or more possible sources to a particular function.

In some embodiments the control system can recognise failures within a power source, and automatically switch to an alternative source to provide a reversionary capability or ability to complete a task.

The control system may also provide diagnostics.

The control system may make decisions and restrict / permit operating / reversionary capabilities as necessary.

The control system may have the ability to take diagnostic information from all of the functions/equipment (which may be supplied with a new vehicle, retro-fitted to an existing vehicle, or supplied separately for integration with a vehicle having the power distribution system) and will provide simple user feedback to repair or service the function/equipment.

The system may be supplied with a new vehicle or may be retro-fittable to an existing vehicle.

Some aspects and embodiments of the present invention provide or relate to a centralised control and diagnostic system.

Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.

Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

The present invention is more particularly shown and described, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I -Schematic representation of a centralised control and diagnostic system.

Figure2 -Schematic representation of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 -Expands on the principles of Figure 2.

Figure 4-Example power distribution.

The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In the description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention.

Figure I There are multiple power sources (PSI to P54, in this example).

A diagnostics module receives information from each of the power sources (light blue arrows indicates information flow), which could be things like status (e.g. is an ICE running), power availability, faults There are multiple functions (F1 to F4, in this example).

Any of the functions can request power.

The control module decides which power source to allocate to a function -orange arrows. More than one function could be requesting power at any one time, but only one power source is ever allocated to a function.

Figure 2 shows a breaching vehicle generally indicated 10.

The vehicle 10 comprises an integral vehicle power pack PI which provides power to a plurality of integrated kit, which in this embodiment comprises: a lane marker 15, a camera 20, a high lift adapter 25, a magnetic signature duplicator 30. The duplicator 30 may be fitted to the vehicle or to a piece of kit (e.g. a plough). The duplicator may require hardware to be integrated into the vehicle also.

Optional front end equipment shown includes a mine plough 35 and a dozer blade 40, either of which can be fitted onto the vehicle via the adapter 25.

The vehicle also comprises an auxiliary power pack P2 On this embodiment the power pack P2 is part of the supplied equipment -it is not an inherent part of the base vehicle). The power pack P2 is a redundant power source and can provide power to a control system 50.

PI and P2 both provide their power to the control system 50 for distribution to the relevant equipment.

The control system 50 controls power (e.g. electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic) distribution to each piece of kit on the vehicle.

In this embodiment PI is a power pack in the vehicle; P2 is auxiliary. PI and P2 both send power to the control system. The control system determines incoming/outgoing power distribution i.e. it decides from which power source to draw power (it could be either or both at any given time) and where that power is distributed.

Figure 3 -within PI there may be a plurality of converters from the initial energy store, from for example, diesel fuel in to, for example, motive power from an Internal Combustion Engine, hydraulic power from an attached pump, electric power from an attached alternator and battery, pneumatic power from an attached compressor, etc. An example power distribution is illustrated in Figure 4.

The number indicated in each column is the ranked preference of power supply of each function.

Electrical Power The control system controls the electrical power distribution for all of the vehicle attachments / integrated hardware, but in this embodiment simply this is applying power when needed and doesn't contain any logic.

Hydraulic Power The vehicle with rear HPP has multiple hydraulic supplies which can be used as primary (I), secondary (2), or tertiary (3) energy sources for the equipment attached to the vehicle. These sources are:-PI a -vehicle's hydraulic pump driven directly by the vehicle IC engine, which is powered by diesel or other fuel.

PI b -vehicle's hydraulic pump driven by vehicle electric motor, which is driven by the vehicle electric supply.

P2a -hydraulic pump in the rear HPP driven directly by the HPP IC Engine, which is powered by diesel fuel.

P2b -hydraulic pump in the rear HPP driven by HPP electric motor, which is powered by the vehicle electric supply.

The control system will request hydraulic power from the appropriate hydraulic source, depending on the following.

HLA functions may, for example, operate from the PI source without any reversionary options.

Lane Marker System will operate from the auxiliary electrical HPP unless the aux IC engine HPP is already operating. Any faults in the auxiliary electrical and the system will automatically use the HPP IC engine.

Front end equipment may operate from the vehicle IC engine at very low power through the electric-hydraulic pump located on the auxiliary power pack (PI b). FEE will operate from the vehicle IC engine through the vehicle mechanic-hydraulic pump at low power requirements (PI a). At high power requirements the FEE will operate from the hydraulic pump driven directly by the HPP IC engine (P2a).

In the event of a fault with auxiliary engine and auxiliary electric HPPs the system is able to take hydraulic power from within the vehicle for reversionary operation or when the aux HPP is not fitted.

The control system will seamlessly make these decisions and restrict / permit the operating / reversionary capabilities as necessary.

The control system also has the ability to take diagnostic information from all of the functions/equipment (which may be supplied with a new vehicle, retro-fitted to an existing vehicle, or supplied separately for integration with a vehicle having the power distribution system) and will provide simple user feedback to repair or service the function/equipment.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMSI. A power distribution system for a vehicle having one or more functions and one or more power sources, the power distribution system comprising a control system for controlling power distribution from the or each power source to the or each function.
2. A system as claimed in claim I, in which the power sources are one or more of: one or more electrical power sources; one or more hydraulic power sources; one or more pneumatic power sources; one or more Internal Combustion Engine power sources; one or more chemical-based power sources.
3. A system as claimed in claim I or claim 2, in which at least one power source is an inherent part of the vehicle.
4. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which one or more auxiliary power sources are provided.
S. A system as claimed in claim 4, in which the auxiliary power source is a peripheral.
6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the control system can select a power source operating mode.
7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the control system automatically chooses the appropriate power source depending on a required function.
8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim in which the control system is configured to apply logic to determine power distribution.
9. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the control system can receive diagnostic information from one or more functions and/or one or more power sources.
10. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the control system can recognise failures within a power source and automatically switch to an alternative source to provide a reversionary capability or ability to complete a task.
II. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a single control and diagnostics system also displays video images from cameras on vehicle and/or equipment fitted thereto.
12. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the functions include one or more of: lane marker, camera, high lift adapter, magnetic signature duplicator.
13. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising front end equipment.
14 A system as claimed in claim 13, in which the front end equipment is a mine plough, a dozer blade, a roller or an excavator arm.
15. A vehicle having a power distribution system according to any preceding claim. 5 16. A vehicle as claimed in claim 15 and being fitted with one or more of: lane marker, camera, high lift adapter, magnetic signature duplicator.18. A vehicle as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16 and further comprising front end 10 equipment 19. A system as claimed in claim 18, in which the front end equipment is a mine plough, a dozer blade, a roller or an excavator arm.20. Equipment suitable for use with the system of any of claims 1 to 14 or with the vehicle of any of claims 15 to 19.21. Equipment adapted to be used with the system of any of claims 1 to 14 or with the vehicle of any of claims 15 to 19 22. Equipment as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21 comprising one or more of: lane marker, camera, high lift adapter, magnetic signature duplicator 23. Equipment as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21 comprising one or more of: a mine plough, a dozer blade, a roller or an excavator arm.24. A vehicle control and diagnostic system for a vehicle having a plurality of functions and a plurality of power sources, the power distribution system comprising a centralised control system for controlling power distribution from the power sources to the functions and a diagnostics module for receiving information from each of the power sources, the control module makes its decision at least partly on the basis of information received from the diagnostics module, and the control system is constrained to allocate only one respective power source to a respective function at any one time.A power distribution system for a vehicle having one or more functions and a plurality of power sources, the power distribution system comprising a control system for controlling power distribution from the power sources to the or each function.COC icr c:D