Abstract: Systems and methods provide for battery conditioning for high voltage (HV) electrical vehicles. Battery temperatures are monitored, and responsive to one or more battery temperatures falling within designated ranges, one or more battery temperatures may be increased via heating in order to provide for more uniform battery performance and conditioning.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 17, 2023
Date of Patent:
May 6, 2025
Assignee:
Nikola Corporation
Inventors:
Tyler Chapman, Michael Corona, Mayank Darji, Meet Kalola, T. Neil McLemore, Varoujan Sarkissian
Abstract: Improved catalyst layers for use in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies, and methods for making such catalyst layers, are provided. Catalyst layers can comprise structured units of catalyst, catalyst support, and ionomer. The structured units can provide for more efficient electrical energy production and/or increased lifespan of fuel cells utilizing such membrane electrode assemblies. Catalyst layers can be directly deposited on exchange membranes, such as proton exchange membranes.
Abstract: A pressure vessel mounting system for mounting a pressure vessel to a vehicle chassis is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes a first end frame; a second end frame spaced a distance from the first end frame, the distance being sufficient to receive a pressure vessel between the first end frame and the second end frame; a first side frame extending between the first end frame and the second end frame, the first side frame configured for coupling to a first chassis rail of the vehicle chassis via at least one of the first end frame and the second end frame; and a second side frame extending between the first end frame and the second end frame. Via use of the pressure vessel mounting system, impact damage to pressure vessels may be reduced and/or eliminated.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 11, 2021
Date of Patent:
January 14, 2025
Assignee:
Nikola Corporation
Inventors:
Livio Richard Gambone, Alexander Waldemar Grab, David Leigh Grottenthaler, Paul Benjamin Reidhead, Jesse Michael Schneider
Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for torque management in a multi-motor electric vehicle. The method may include receiving a total torque request value from a vehicle control module (VCM), determining a first torque split value associated with a first motor and a second torque split value associated with a second motor, the sum of the first torque split value and the second torque split value being equal to the total torque request value, monitoring a thermal parameter of at least one of the first motor or the second motor, and adjusting the first torque split value and the second torque split value in response to the thermal parameter exceeding a threshold.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 5, 2024
Date of Patent:
November 26, 2024
Assignee:
Nikola Corporation
Inventors:
Joshua L. Cunningham, T. Neil McLemore, Ashfaque B. Shafique
Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electric vehicle comprising a chassis, a front axle and a rear axle spaced apart and coupled to the chassis, and a battery frame assembly coupled to the chassis between the front axle and the rear axle. The battery frame assembly comprises a plurality of transversely extending members and a plurality of longitudinally extending members, wherein the plurality of transversely extending members and the plurality of longitudinally extending members define a matrix of battery pack receptacles configured to receive at least one battery pack. The battery frame assembly is configured to deflect torsionally in response to torsional deflection of the front axle relative to the rear axle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 8, 2024
Date of Patent:
November 26, 2024
Assignee:
Nikola Corporation
Inventors:
Cory Borghi, Saeid Emami, Umran Ashraf, Philipp Konold, Matthias Morath, Cihan Dere, Christian Krug
Abstract: Components and systems for mounting fuel tanks to a vehicle and vehicle chassis are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a vertically oriented structure for mounting multiple fuel tanks to outboard brackets of a vehicle chassis. Via use of the system, improved vehicle mechanical characteristics and improved impact absorption are obtained.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 17, 2023
Date of Patent:
November 19, 2024
Assignee:
Nikola Corporation
Inventors:
Vidya Sagar Avadutala, Frederik Tjonneland, Jared Trauernicht
Abstract: A vehicle provided with a frame (1) comprising two side members (2, 3) connected together at least by a cross member (4), an alternative fuel module (6) and a support system (5) connected to the frame (1) for supporting the alternative fuel module (6), the support system (5) comprising at least a first support element (7) and a second support element (8), both being configured to be fixedly connected to the alternative fuel module (6) via coupling portion (11, 9b?), the coupling portion (9b?) of the second support element (8) being connected to both the side members (2, 3) and the coupling portion (11) of the first support element (7) being connected to the cross member (4) via a movable connection.
Abstract: A battery pack including a battery pack housing, and a battery module disposed in the battery pack housing, Tire pack housing is sealed and flooded with a dielectric fluid. The battery module includes a module housing that is fluid permeable and includes a fluid passageway, and electrochemical cells disposed in the module housing in such a way that terminals of the cells are exposed to fluid disposed in the fluid passageway. The battery pack includes a thermal management system having an inlet plenum assembly disposed at a first end of the battery module, an outlet plenum assembly disposed at a second end of the battery module, and a fluid pump that directs fluid to the inlet plenum assembly via a fluid delivery line and receives fluid from the outlet plenum assembly via a fluid return line.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 29, 2020
Date of Patent:
October 1, 2024
Assignees:
Robert Bosch GmbH, Nikola Corporation
Inventors:
Mehul Botadra, David Sarazin, Kevin Mitchell Lynk, Anthony Albert Heaton
Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of managing thermal loads in the powertrain of an electric vehicle and controlling various electronic components of a powertrain thermal management system. The method may include heating a coolant of a powertrain coolant loop utilizing waste heat from a liquid-cooled powertrain component (e.g., an electric motor, a DC-DC converter, etc.), measuring a coolant temperature, and utilizing combined feedforward and feedback control methods for different components (pump(s), radiator fan(s), valve(s)) of the powertrain thermal management system.
Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery pack housing having a lid joined to an open end via a fluid-impermeable seal. The battery pack further includes a battery module disposed within the battery housing and comprising a plurality of electrochemical cells. In addition, the battery pack includes a pressure compensation device positioned within the battery pack housing, the pressure compensation device having a first bladder fluidly coupled to a second bladder by a primary fitting. The battery pack housing is filled with a dielectric fluid. And further, the pressure compensation device has a second fluid.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 29, 2020
Date of Patent:
September 3, 2024
Assignees:
Robert Bosch GmbH, Nikola Corporation
Inventors:
Mark Kotik, Adam Bisaro, Kevin Mitchell Lynk, Anthony Albert Heaton, Sebastian Schoch