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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 8, 2009
Date of Patent:
August 23, 2011
Assignee:
Tesla Motors, Inc.
Inventors:
Anil Paryani, Scott Ira Kohn, Brian Boggs, Andrew David Baglino, Craig Bruce Carlson
Abstract: A motor in an electric vehicle can be controlled by receiving at least one of a user input or vehicle information, selecting one of a plurality of available flux modes using at least one of the user input or the vehicle information, and calculating a control signal, using the selected flux mode, to control the motor of the electric vehicle.
Abstract: A system and method interconnects battery packs using a flexible bus bar to prevent vibration from breaking or damaging the connections therebetween.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 12, 2010
Date of Patent:
June 7, 2011
Assignee:
Tesla Motors, Inc.
Inventors:
Dorian West, Eugene Berdichevsky, Scott Kohn
Abstract: A battery module for use in an electric vehicle is disclosed. The battery module includes a plurality of cells arranged in a predetermined pattern within the module. The battery module also includes an optical pyrometer arranged inside the module. The optical pyrometer is installed within the module after being tuned to detect a predetermined frequency or band of frequencies. The pyrometer will be used to detect an increase in short wave radiation density from one of the battery cells within the module wherein that battery cell has a temperature above a predetermined threshold. The optical pyrometer will be used to communicate an electric signal to a control system of the electric vehicle wherein that control system will implement a predetermined mitigation process to contain the thermal event of that one cell within the battery module.
Abstract: A power source comprised of a metal-air battery pack and a non-metal-air battery pack is provided, wherein thermal energy from the metal-air battery pack is used to heat the non-metal-air battery pack. In one aspect, a thermal energy transfer system is provided that controls the flow of thermal energy from the metal-air battery pack to the non-metal-air battery pack. In another aspect, the flow of thermal energy from the metal-air battery pack to the non-metal-air battery pack is controlled and used to heat the non-metal-air battery pack prior to charging the non-metal-air battery pack.
Abstract: A system for optimizing battery pack charging is provided. In this system, during charging the coupling of auxiliary systems (e.g., battery cooling systems) to the external power source are delayed so that the battery pack charge rate may be optimized, limited only by the available power. Once surplus power is available, for example as the requirements of the charging system decrease, the auxiliary system or systems may be coupled to the external power source without degrading the performance of the charging system.
Abstract: A tunable frangible battery pack system for use in an electric vehicle is disclosed. The tunable frangible battery pack system includes a two piece clamshell housing. The system also includes a plurality of battery cells arranged within the housing and a collector plate secured to each piece of the housing. The system also includes a wire conductor arranged between each of the battery cells and collector plates to create a frangible disconnect system when the battery pack system and electric vehicle are exposed to a predetermined mechanical or thermal force or event.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 31, 2007
Date of Patent:
April 12, 2011
Assignee:
Tesla Motors, Inc.
Inventors:
Scott Kohn, Gene Berdichevsky, Brian Charles Hewett
Abstract: A system for optimizing battery pack charging is provided. In this system, during charging the coupling of auxiliary systems (e.g., battery cooling systems) to the external power source are delayed so that the battery pack charge rate may be optimized, limited only by the available power. Once surplus power is available, for example as the requirements of the charging system decrease, the auxiliary system or systems may be coupled to the external power source without degrading the performance of the charging system.
Abstract: A system for managing battery temperature is described. The system may include a cooling system which may include a fluid. A cabin circulation subsystem may be coupled to the cooling subsystem and may utilize the fluid for cabin cooling. A separate battery circulation subsystem may also may also be coupled to the cooling subsystem so that it may additionally utilize the fluid for battery cooling. A control may be present in order to regulate movement of the fluid to the cabin circulation subsystem and/or to the battery circulation subsystem.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 18, 2007
Date of Patent:
February 15, 2011
Assignee:
Tesla Motors, Inc.
Inventors:
Daniel Thomas Adams, David Frederick Lyons, Philip Wayne Luk, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Jeffrey Brian Straubel
Abstract: A headset with an active crossover network is provided. The headset is coupleable to a first audio source using a wired connection and to a second audio source using a wireless connection. A controller is used to determine whether the first, or second, audio source is coupled to the active crossover network which, utilizing either analog or digital filtering, divides each channel of the incoming audio signal into multiple frequency regions sufficient for the number of drivers contained within the headphones of the headset. The output from the network's filters is amplified using either single channel or multi-channel amplifies. Preferably, gain control circuitry is used to control the gain of the amplifier(s) and thus the volume produced by the drivers. More preferably, the gain of the gain control circuitry is adjustable. The headset includes a power source that is coupled to the amplifier(s) and, if necessary, the network's filters.
Abstract: A headset with an active crossover network is provided. The headset is coupled to an audio source using either a wired connection or a wireless connection. The active crossover network, utilizing either analog or digital filtering, divides each channel of the incoming audio signal from the audio source into multiple frequency regions sufficient for the number of drivers contained within each headphone of the headset. The output from the network's filters is amplified using either single channel or multi-channel amplifies. Preferably, gain control circuitry is used to control the gain of the amplifier(s) and thus the volume produced by the drivers. More preferably, the gain of the gain control circuitry is adjustable. The headset includes a power source that is coupled to the amplifier(s) and, if necessary, the network's filters. The power source can be included within some portion of the headset or included within a wireless interface.
Abstract: A headset with an active crossover network is provided. The headset is coupleable to a first audio source using a wired connection and to a second audio source using a wireless connection. A controller is used to determine whether the first, or second, audio source is coupled to the active crossover network which, utilizing either analog or digital filtering, divides each channel of the incoming audio signal into multiple frequency regions sufficient for the number of drivers contained within the in-ear monitors of the headset. The output from the network's filters is amplified using either single channel or multi-channel amplifies. Preferably, gain control circuitry is used to control the gain of the amplifier(s) and thus the volume produced by the drivers. More preferably, the gain of the gain control circuitry is adjustable. The headset includes a power source that is coupled to the amplifier(s) and, if necessary, the network's filters.
Abstract: A headset with an active crossover network is provided. The headset is coupled to an audio source using either a wired connection or a wireless connection. The active crossover network, utilizing either analog or digital filtering, divides each channel of the incoming audio signal from the audio source into multiple frequency regions sufficient for the number of drivers contained within each in-ear monitor of the headset. The output from the network's filters is amplified using either single channel or multi-channel amplifies. Preferably, gain control circuitry is used to control the gain of the amplifier(s) and thus the volume produced by the drivers. More preferably, the gain of the gain control circuitry is adjustable. The headset includes a power source that is coupled to the amplifier(s) and, if necessary, the network's filters. The power source can be included within some portion of the headset or included within the wireless interface.
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 7, 2008
Date of Patent:
December 7, 2010
Assignee:
Tesla Motors
Inventors:
Andrew David Baglino, Heath Fred Hofmann, Greg Grant Solberg
Abstract: An extremely versatile diode laser assembly is provided, the assembly comprised of a plurality of diode laser subassemblies mounted to a stepped cooling block. The stepped cooling block allows the fabrication of a close packed and compact assembly in which individual diode laser subassembly output beams do not interfere with one another.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 30, 2008
Date of Patent:
December 7, 2010
Assignee:
nLight Photonics Corporation
Inventors:
Derek E. Schulte, Yu Yan, Robert J. Martinsen, Aaron L. Hodges, Scott R. Karlsen
Abstract: A method for managing thermal loads within an electric vehicle using an efficient thermal management system (100) that utilizes a single heat exchanger (133) is provided. A refrigeration subsystem (103) cools the heat exchanger (133). A first coolant loop (139) in thermal communication with the heat exchanger (133) is used to cool the energy storage system (137). A second coolant loop (151) corresponding to the HVAC subsystem (107) is also in thermal communication with the heat exchanger (133). Preferably a third coolant loop (109) corresponding to the drive motor cooling subsystem (101) is coupleable to the HVAC coolant loop (151), thus providing an efficient means of providing heat to the HVAC subsystem (107).
Abstract: A surface mountable transducer package is provided, the design of which allows a thin package profile to be achieved. An encapsulation layer bonds to a surface of each of the terminal pads and encapsulates a portion of the transducer and at least a portion of the signal processing IC.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 18, 2009
Date of Patent:
November 2, 2010
Assignee:
MWM Acoustics, LLC
Inventors:
John Charles Baumhauer, Jr., Alan Dean Michel, Joshua R. Barber, Christopher Todd Welsh, Jeffrey Phillip McAteer
Abstract: A means for inhibiting the propagation of thermal runaway within a plurality of batteries is provided, wherein the means is comprised of a layer of intumescent material covering the interior surfaces of the battery pack.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 25, 2009
Date of Patent:
October 26, 2010
Assignee:
Tesla Motors, Inc.
Inventors:
Vineet Haresh Mehta, Weston Arthur Hermann, Nicholas Robert Kalayjian
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 10, 2008
Date of Patent:
October 26, 2010
Assignee:
Tesla Motors, Inc.
Inventors:
Andrew David Baglino, Troy Adam Nergaard, Heath Hofmann
Abstract: A transducer package fabrication process is provided, the completed transducer package achieving a thin package profile. The fabrication process utilizes an encapsulation material to eliminate the need for a transducer support substrate, the encapsulation material isolating the terminal pads from one another while holding the transducer and signal processing IC in position.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 18, 2009
Date of Patent:
September 7, 2010
Assignee:
MWM Acoustics, LLC
Inventors:
John Charles Baumhauer, Jr., Alan Dean Michel, Joshua R. Barber, Christopher Todd Welsh, Jeffrey Phillip McAteer