Abstract: A method of regulating thermal dissipation from a vehicle battery pack is provided in which a by-pass valve is used to control the amount of battery pack coolant either passing through, or by-passing, a heat exchanger, where the coolant passing through the heat exchanger is cooled by a refrigeration system. The vehicle's HVAC system is controlled to insure that HVAC operation does not compromise maintaining the battery pack within an acceptable range of temperatures.

Abstract: An energy storage system includes: a grid tie unit comprising at least one DC/AC converter; and multiple pods connected to the grid tie unit, each pod including: a number of cells; and a power electronics unit, wherein the cells are floating relative to the system and are galvanically isolated therefrom. The multiple pods may be organized into packs, with a pack including a thermal management system.

Abstract: An energy storage device includes: a number of cells; and a dual-active-bridge converter connected to the cells, wherein the cells are floating relative to the system and are galvanically isolated therefrom. The energy storage device can be included in an energy storage system that includes: a grid tie unit comprising at least one DC/AC converter; and multiple pods connected to the grid tie unit, each pod including: a number of cells; and a power electronics unit, wherein the cells are floating relative to the system and are galvanically isolated therefrom.

Abstract: An energy storage system includes: a grid tie unit comprising at least one DC/AC converter; and multiple pods connected to the grid tie unit, each pod including: a number of cells; and a power electronics unit, wherein the cells are floating relative to the system and are galvanically isolated therefrom. The multiple pods may be organized into packs, with a pack including a thermal management system.

Abstract: An energy storage device includes: a number of cells; and a dual-active-bridge converter connected to the cells, wherein the cells are floating relative to the system and are galvanically isolated therefrom. The energy storage device can be included in an energy storage system that includes: a grid tie unit comprising at least one DC/AC converter; and multiple pods connected to the grid tie unit, each pod including: a number of cells; and a power electronics unit, wherein the cells are floating relative to the system and are galvanically isolated therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus in an electric vehicle including a propulsion electric motor powered by energy from an energy storage system, including a field oriented motor controller generating motor control signals for the electric motor, the motor control signals responsive to a flux command signal and a torque command signal; a torque command calculator, coupled to the motor controller, generating the torque command signal to command a desired torque; an optimal efficiency controller, coupled to the torque command calculator, generating an operating efficiency flux to operate the electric motor at a first determinable efficiency using a first power from the energy storage system while providing the desired torque; an excess dissipation controller generating an inefficient flux to operate the electric motor at a second determinable efficiency using a second power from the energy storage system independent of the desired torque wherein the second power is greater than the first power; and a mode controller setting the flux

Abstract: A system and method including a runtime thermal model that estimates individual component temperatures, permitting the system to only limit power when necessary or desirable. A power-limiting system for a vector-controlled AC induction motor includes a torque command system for generating a torque command; a thermal protection system determining a runtime estimate for a temperature of a component of a rotational electro-magnetic component of the vector-controlled AC induction motor; and a controller configured to generate a motor control signal for the vector-controlled AC induction motor responsive to the torque command, wherein the thermal protection system determines the runtime estimate responsive to a multi-node thermal model of the vector-controlled AC induction motor, and wherein the controller limits a power of the vector-controlled AC induction motor to maintain a component temperature below its critical temperature.

Abstract: A charge connector latching mechanism integrated into a vehicle's charge inlet is provided, where the latching mechanism includes a retractable latching pawl. The retractable pawl is configured to be positioned in at least a first, default position where the pawl extends through an inlet surface of the charge inlet, and a second position where the pawl is retracted and does not extend through the inlet surface. In the first position the retractable pawl prevents insertion of a charge connector into the charge inlet if the charge connector is uncoupled from the inlet, and prevents removal of the charge connector if the charge connector is coupled to the inlet. In the second position the retractable pawl allows insertion/withdrawal of the charge connector into/from the charge inlet. The front surface of the retractable pawl may include a nub configured to fit within a recess within the front face of the charge connector.

Abstract: A method of regulating thermal dissipation from a vehicle battery pack is provided in which a by-pass valve is used to control the amount of battery pack coolant either passing through, or by-passing, a heat exchanger, where the coolant passing through the heat exchanger is cooled by a refrigeration system. The vehicle's HVAC system is controlled to insure that HVAC operation does not compromise maintaining the battery pack within an acceptable range of temperatures.

Abstract: A charge connector latching mechanism integrated into a vehicle's charge inlet is provided, where the latching mechanism includes a retractable latching pawl. The retractable pawl is configured to be positioned in at least a first, default position where the pawl extends through an inlet surface of the charge inlet, and a second position where the pawl is retracted and does not extend through the inlet surface. In the first position the retractable pawl prevents insertion of a charge connector into the charge inlet if the charge connector is uncoupled from the inlet, and prevents removal of the charge connector if the charge connector is coupled to the inlet. In the second position the retractable pawl allows insertion/withdrawal of the charge connector into/from the charge inlet. The front surface of the retractable pawl may include a nub configured to fit within a recess within the front face of the charge connector.

Abstract: A dual mode, thermal management system for use in a vehicle is provided. At a minimum, the system includes a first coolant loop in thermal communication with a battery system, a second coolant loop in thermal communication with at least one drive train component (e.g., electric motor, power electronics, inverter), a dual mode valve system that provides means for selecting between a first mode where the two coolant loops operate in parallel and a second mode where the two coolant loops operate in series, and a coolant reservoir that is coupled to both coolant loops when the two coolant loops are operating in series and only coupled to the drive train coolant loop when the two coolant loops are operating in parallel.

Abstract: An apparatus in an electric vehicle including a propulsion electric motor powered by energy from an energy storage system, including a field oriented motor controller generating motor control signals for the electric motor, the motor control signals responsive to a flux command signal and a torque command signal; a torque command calculator, coupled to the motor controller, generating the torque command signal to command a desired torque; an optimal efficiency controller, coupled to the torque command calculator, generating an operating efficiency flux to operate the electric motor at a first determinable efficiency using a first power from the energy storage system while providing the desired torque; an excess dissipation controller generating an inefficient flux to operate the electric motor at a second determinable efficiency using a second power from the energy storage system independent of the desired torque wherein the second power is greater than the first power; and a mode controller setting the flux

Abstract: A dual mode, thermal management system for use in a vehicle is provided. At a minimum, the system includes a first coolant loop in thermal communication with a battery system, a second coolant loop in thermal communication with at least one drive train component (e.g., electric motor, power electronics, inverter), and a dual mode valve system that provides means for selecting between a first mode where the two coolant loops operate in parallel, and a second mode where the two coolant loops operate in series.

Abstract: A dual mode, thermal management system for use in a vehicle is provided. At a minimum, the system includes a first coolant loop in thermal communication with a battery system, a second coolant loop in thermal communication with at least one drive train component (e.g., electric motor, power electronics, inverter), a dual mode valve system that provides means for selecting between a first mode where the two coolant loops operate in parallel and a second mode where the two coolant loops operate in series, and a coolant reservoir that is coupled to both coolant loops when the two coolant loops are operating in series and only coupled to the drive train coolant loop when the two coolant loops are operating in parallel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining when a battery, or one or more batteries within a battery pack, undergoes an undesired thermal event such as thermal runaway. The system uses an insulated conductive member mounted in close proximity to, or in contact with, an external surface of the battery or batteries to be monitored. A voltage measuring system is coupled to the conductive core of the insulated conductive member, the voltage measuring system outputting a first signal when the temperature corresponding to the battery or batteries is within a prescribed temperature range and a second signal when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature that falls outside of the prescribed temperature range.

Abstract: A system and method including a runtime thermal model that estimates individual component temperatures, permitting the system to only limit power when necessary or desirable. A power-limiting system for a vector-controlled AC induction motor includes a torque command system for generating a torque command; a thermal protection system determining a runtime estimate for a temperature of a component of a rotational electro-magnetic component of the vector-controlled AC induction motor; and a controller configured to generate a motor control signal for the vector-controlled AC induction motor responsive to the torque command, wherein the thermal protection system determines the runtime estimate responsive to a multi-node thermal model of the vector-controlled AC induction motor, and wherein the controller limits a power of the vector-controlled AC induction motor to maintain a component temperature below its critical temperature.

Abstract: A dual mode, thermal management system for use in a vehicle is provided. At a minimum, the system includes a first coolant loop in thermal communication with a battery system, a second coolant loop in thermal communication with at least one drive train component (e.g., electric motor, power electronics, inverter), and a dual mode valve system that provides means for selecting between a first mode where the two coolant loops operate in parallel, and a second mode where the two coolant loops operate in series.

Abstract: A method for accurately estimating battery capacity based on a weighting function is provided. The disclosed system monitors battery current and uses the monitored battery current to calculate the state of charge (SOCbyAh) of the battery. The system also measures the open circuit voltage (OCV) of the battery when the system is at rest, rest being determined by achieving a current of less than a preset current value for a period of time greater than a preset time period. The state of charge of the battery is calculated from the OCV (SOCbyOCV). The weighting function is based on ?SOCbyAh and ?SOCbyOCV, where ?SOCbyAh is equal to SOCbyAhFirst time minus SOCbyAhSecond time, and where ?SOCbyOCV is equal to SOCbyOCVFirst time minus SOCbyOCVSecond time. The weighting function also takes into account the errors associated with determining SOCbyAh and SOCbyOCV.

Abstract: A motor in an electric vehicle can be controlled by receiving a torque command value, calculating a first flux value corresponding to a determinable efficiency of the electric vehicle at the torque command value, calculating a first torque-producing current value as a function of the torque command value and of the first flux value, and using the first flux value and the first torque-producing current value to control the motor to propel the electric vehicle.

Abstract: A voltage estimation system for motor control feedback is described. The system may include one or more control modules which may generate voltage commands. An overmodulation or “clipping” module receiving a voltage command can generate a clipped voltage. Rather than measuring directly, a voltage estimator may estimate the clipped voltage based on the duty cycle command to the inverter. This estimated voltage may then be used by a flux estimator to estimate a flux value. Other embodiments are described and claimed.