Patents by Inventor Patrick E. Frost
Patrick E. Frost has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20220169237Abstract: A method controls an electrified powertrain having an electric traction motor and a traction power inverter module (TPIM). A controller determines a current component capability and use case of the electrified powertrain. In response to the current component capability being less than a capability threshold and the use case matching a predetermined approved use case, the controller determines whether a predetermined margin exists in the component capability for operating the electrified powertrain in a maximum performance mode (MPM) for a full duration of a boosted driving maneuver. When the predetermined margin exists, the controller temporarily applies an extended inverter limit (EIL) of the TPIM to enable the MPM. The EIL allows operation of the traction motor to occur above default torque and speed operating limits for the full duration of the boosted driving maneuver. MPM/EIL availability is communicated to the operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2020Publication date: June 2, 2022Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Yiran Hu, Brent S. Gagas, Kee Y. Kim, James S. Creehan, Brian A. Welchko, Patrick E. Frost
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Patent number: 10173548Abstract: A method of adjusting battery control software for a battery having a plurality of battery sections includes connecting the battery to a charging system and a discharging system. A charging operation or a discharging operation is then initiated while monitoring a voltage response of each battery segment during the charging operation or the discharging operation. The voltage response is then correlated to a calibration database for selecting a control algorithm for each battery segment from the calibration database.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2017Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Patrick E. Frost, Rory B. Fraga, Alexander K. Suttman
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Patent number: 10160340Abstract: A system for optimizing life of a battery pack in a plug-in vehicle includes sensors for measuring battery performance data, including an open-circuit voltage, charging current, and/or temperature of the battery pack, a GPS receiver, a user interface, and a controller. The controller executes a method to monitor degradation of the battery pack using the performance data, and determines driving and charging histories for an operator of the vehicle using the measured battery performance data and a position signal from the GPS receiver. The histories identify the days, hours, and locations at which the operator has driven the vehicle and charged the battery pack. The controller identifies a state of charge data bin missing performance data or containing old performance data. The controller then controls a charging operation of the battery pack via a charging control signal, and records the measured battery performance data for the identified SOC data bin.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Todd P. Lindemann, Rory B. Fraga, Patricia M. Laskowsky, Patrick E. Frost
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Patent number: 10160342Abstract: A method for dynamically adjusting a battery current limit in a system having a battery pack includes determining a battery pack current as a charge current flowing into or a discharge current flowing from the battery pack, and also calculating a time-windowed average current for each of the charge current, the discharge current, and an RMS current of the battery pack. The battery current limit may be dynamically adjusted when any or all of the calculated time-windowed averages exceeds a corresponding calibrated control threshold. The battery current limit is a window-specific current limit that is greater than the calibrated control threshold and less than a static/fixed current limit for the battery pack. A system includes the battery pack, a sensor operable for measuring a current inflow/outflow to/from the battery pack, and a controller programmed to dynamically adjust the battery current limit using the above method.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Robert C. Baraszu, Daniel R. Brouns, Patrick E. Frost, Kurt M. Johnson
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Publication number: 20180345818Abstract: A method of adjusting battery control software for a battery having a plurality of battery sections includes connecting the battery to a charging system and a discharging system. A charging operation or a discharging operation is then initiated while monitoring a voltage response of each battery segment during the charging operation or the discharging operation. The voltage response is then correlated to a calibration database for selecting a control algorithm for each battery segment from the calibration database.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2017Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Patrick E. FROST, Rory B. FRAGA, Alexander K. SUTTMAN
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Patent number: 10101402Abstract: A method for estimating battery power capability in a torque-generating system having a battery pack with battery cells includes calculating a voltage spread as a difference between an average and minimum cell voltage of the battery pack. The method also includes increasing a calibrated voltage control limit by an offset that is based on a magnitude of the voltage spread, doing so when the minimum cell voltage is less than the control limit, and recording the offset in a memory location referenced by pack operating conditions. Further, the power capability is estimated using the recorded offset when the battery pack operates under conditions that are the same as the operating conditions, and then executing a control action of the system using the estimated power capability. A torque-generating system includes the battery pack, an electric machine, and a controller programmed to execute the above-described method.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Patrick E. Frost, Rory B. Fraga, Patricia M. Laskowsky, Alexander K. Suttman
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Publication number: 20170343613Abstract: A method for estimating battery power capability in a torque-generating system having a battery pack with battery cells includes calculating a voltage spread as a difference between an average and minimum cell voltage of the battery pack. The method also includes increasing a calibrated voltage control limit by an offset that is based on a magnitude of the voltage spread, doing so when the minimum cell voltage is less than the control limit, and recording the offset in a memory location referenced by pack operating conditions. Further, the power capability is estimated using the recorded offset when the battery pack operates under conditions that are the same as the operating conditions, and then executing a control action of the system using the estimated power capability. A torque-generating system includes the battery pack, an electric machine, and a controller programmed to execute the above-described method.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2016Publication date: November 30, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Patrick E. Frost, Rory B. Fraga, Patricia M. Laskowsky, Alexander K. Suttman
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Publication number: 20170282746Abstract: A method for dynamically adjusting a battery current limit in a system having a battery pack includes determining a battery pack current as a charge current flowing into or a discharge current flowing from the battery pack, and also calculating a time-windowed average current for each of the charge current, the discharge current, and an RMS current of the battery pack. The battery current limit may be dynamically adjusted when any or all of the calculated time-windowed averages exceeds a corresponding calibrated control threshold. The battery current limit is a window-specific current limit that is greater than the calibrated control threshold and less than a static/fixed current limit for the battery pack. A system includes the battery pack, a sensor operable for measuring a current inflow/outflow to/from the battery pack, and a controller programmed to dynamically adjust the battery current limit using the above method.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2016Publication date: October 5, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Robert C. Baraszu, Daniel R. Brouns, Patrick E. Frost, Kurt M. Johnson
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Publication number: 20170267116Abstract: A system for optimizing life of a battery pack in a plug-in vehicle includes sensors for measuring battery performance data, including an open-circuit voltage, charging current, and/or temperature of the battery pack, a GPS receiver, a user interface, and a controller. The controller executes a method to monitor degradation of the battery pack using the performance data, and determines driving and charging histories for an operator of the vehicle using the measured battery performance data and a position signal from the GPS receiver. The histories identify the days, hours, and locations at which the operator has driven the vehicle and charged the battery pack. The controller identifies a state of charge data bin missing performance data or containing old performance data. The controller then controls a charging operation of the battery pack via a charging control signal, and records the measured battery performance data for the identified SOC data bin.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2016Publication date: September 21, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Todd P. Lindemann, Rory B. Fraga, Patricia M. Laskowsky, Patrick E. Frost
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Patent number: 9586579Abstract: A system for use with a battery and sensors operable for measuring battery data includes an interactive user interface and a controller programmed with battery degradation monitoring logic for estimating a state of the battery. As part of a method, the controller identifies data bins for which measured state of charge range-based battery performance data is missing or dated/stale, and automatically prompts an operator to execute an assigned task corresponding to the identified data bins. The controller records the battery performance data for the identified data bins upon completion of the assigned task, estimates the state of the battery using the recorded battery performance data and the battery degradation monitoring logic, and executes a control action with respect to the system using the estimated state. A virtual or actual reward feature may be displayed in response to completion of the assigned task.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Patricia M. Laskowsky, Patrick E. Frost, Rory B. Fraga, Eugenie T. Abboud, Todd P. Lindemann, Mark D. Miller