Abstract: A vehicle system includes a relay and coil of a contactor. The relay is configured to transfer current between a traction battery and an electrical load when closed. The system also includes a controller configured to operate a switch such that current flow from the traction battery through the coil and switch, and bypassing the relay, causes the relay to close to permit pre-charging of the load.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a contactor including a coil and relay, a traction battery, a load, and a controller configured to transfer current from the traction battery through the coil to pre-charge the load without causing the relay to close such that a voltage drop across the relay falls below a threshold value, and subsequently cause the relay to close.

Abstract: A traction battery of a vehicle includes a temperature compensated passive wireless surface acoustic wave sensor within the traction battery and a controller. The temperature compensated passive wireless surface acoustic wave sensor is configured to receive a broadcast signal and transmit a reflected signal. The controller is programmed to transmit the broadcast signal and receive the reflected signal, and based on a difference in phase and amplitude between the broadcast and reflected signals indicative of an increase in pressure within the traction battery, stop charging the traction battery.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing internal states of vehicle batteries are described. From this internal state information, various physical characteristics of the battery can be measured, calculated or inferred. A vehicle can include an electric motor, a battery to store electrical energy for the electric motor, and a sensor connected to the battery to sense a battery state, to receive an input signal, and to wirelessly transmit an output signal indicating the battery state. The vehicle can also include control circuitry to receive the output signal and to control the electric motor and the battery. In examples, the battery may have a physical property that changes based on a state of the battery. This physical property may be measured by the sensor. The sensor may be passive and built into the structure of the battery. The sensor can be a magnetic field sensor or a surface wave acoustic sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing internal states of vehicle batteries are described. From this internal state information, various physical characteristics of the battery can be measured, calculated or inferred. A vehicle can include an electric motor, a battery to store electrical energy for the electric motor, and a sensor connected to the battery to sense a battery state, to receive an input signal, and to wirelessly transmit an output signal indicating the battery state. The sensor may be passive and built into the structure of the battery. The sensor can be a surface wave acoustic sensor with a magnetic field sensor, which can be a magnetoimpedance sensing device and a temperature sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a traction battery and an electrical impedance connected by a contactor. A pre-charge circuit is disclosed that controls current flow from the traction battery through the pre-charge circuit to the electrical impedance to increase voltage at the electrical impedance such that as the voltage approaches a voltage of the traction battery, a duty cycle of the pre-charge circuit approaches a maximum value and a current through the pre-charge circuit approaches a minimum value. In response to current falling below a predetermined value, the contactor is closed. A current sensor is disclosed that is located in the pre-charge circuit. A method of operating the pre-charge circuit is disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle starter assembly includes a switching circuit configured to operate in a charging state and a discharging state, and a first energy storage device and a second energy storage device electrically connected to the switching circuit. The first energy storage device and the second energy storage device are connected in parallel to one another in the charging state and in series with one another in the discharging state. The processor is programmed to detect an engine start request and output a switch control signal that toggles the switching circuit between the charging state and the discharging state to start an internal combustion engine of a host vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a contactor including a coil and relay, a traction battery, a load, and a controller configured to transfer current from the traction battery through the coil to pre-charge the load without causing the relay to close such that a voltage drop across the relay falls below a threshold value, and subsequently cause the relay to close.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a relay and coil of a contactor. The relay is configured to transfer current between a traction battery and an electrical load when closed. The system also includes a controller configured to operate a switch such that current flow from the traction battery through the coil and switch, and bypassing the relay, causes the relay to close to permit pre-charging of the load.

Abstract: A traction battery of a vehicle includes a temperature compensated passive wireless surface acoustic wave sensor within the traction battery and a controller. The temperature compensated passive wireless surface acoustic wave sensor is configured to receive a broadcast signal and transmit a reflected signal. The controller is programmed to transmit the broadcast signal and receive the reflected signal, and based on a difference in phase and amplitude between the broadcast and reflected signals indicative of an increase in pressure within the traction battery, stop charging the traction battery.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine, a traction battery to power the electric machine, and a starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) battery. The vehicle also includes a galvanically isolated DC-DC converter connecting the batteries and having a bus capacitance in parallel therewith. The vehicle further includes a contactor to electrically connect the traction battery in parallel with the bus capacitance, and a controller. The controller, in response to a command to close the contactor, activates switches of the DC-DC converter to drive energy from the SLI battery to the bus capacitance before closing the contactor.

Abstract: A linear current regulator is provided for precharging a high voltage bus, such as within a hybrid electric vehicle, in a quick, efficient, and optimal manner. The linear current regulator can include a battery; a bus; a transistor having, a base, a collector coupled to the bus, and an emitter; a resistor coupled between a precharge switch and the base; the precharge switch coupled to the battery and the resistor; and a main contactor coupled to the battery, the emitter, and the bus. When the recharge switch is closed, the bus is connected to the battery through the resistor and the transistor so that the bus is charged. When the voltages of the bus and the battery are nearly equal, the transistor turns off, the precharge switch is opened, and the main contactor is closed for normal operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle starter assembly includes a switching circuit configured to operate in a charging state and a discharging state, and a first energy storage device and a second energy storage device electrically connected to the switching circuit. The first energy storage device and the second energy storage device are connected in parallel to one another in the charging state and in series with one another in the discharging state. The processor is programmed to detect an engine start request and output a switch control signal that toggles the switching circuit between the charging state and the discharging state to start an internal combustion engine of a host vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine, a traction battery to power the electric machine, and a starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) battery. The vehicle also includes a galvanically isolated DC-DC converter connecting the batteries and having a bus capacitance in parallel therewith. The vehicle further includes a contactor to electrically connect the traction battery in parallel with the bus capacitance, and a controller. The controller, in response to a command to close the contactor, activates switches of the DC-DC converter to drive energy from the SLI battery to the bus capacitance before closing the contactor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing internal states of vehicle batteries are described. From this internal state information, various physical characteristics of the battery can be measured, calculated or inferred. A vehicle can include an electric motor, a battery to store electrical energy for the electric motor, and a sensor connected to the battery to sense a battery state, to receive an input signal, and to wirelessly transmit an output signal indicating the battery state. The vehicle can also include control circuitry to receive the output signal and to control the electric motor and the battery. In examples, the battery may have a physical property that changes based on a state of the battery. This physical property may be measured by the sensor. The sensor may be passive and built into the structure of the battery. The sensor can be a magnetic field sensor or a surface wave acoustic sensor.

Abstract: An active isolated circuit is provided for precharging and discharging a high voltage bus, such as within a hybrid electric vehicle, in a quick, efficient, and optimal manner. The circuit can include a battery, a DC-DC converter coupled between the battery and a main contactor, the main contactor coupled between the converter and a bus for selectively connecting the battery to the bus through the converter, and a control module for controlling the converter to selectively precharge the bus from the battery and selectively discharge the bus to the battery. The converter can be configured to isolate the battery and the bus. When a precharge signal is generated, the bus can be precharged from the battery through a transformer in the converter. The bus can be discharged to the battery through the transformer in the converter when a discharge signal is generated.

Abstract: A linear current regulator is provided for precharging a high voltage bus, such as within a hybrid electric vehicle, in a quick, efficient, and optimal manner. The linear current regulator can include a battery; a bus; a transistor having, a base, a collector coupled to the bus, and an emitter; a resistor coupled between a precharge switch and the base; the precharge switch coupled to the battery and the resistor; and a main contactor coupled to the battery, the emitter, and the bus. When the recharge switch is closed, the bus is connected to the battery through the resistor and the transistor so that the bus is charged. When the voltages of the bus and the battery are nearly equal, the transistor turns off, the precharge switch is opened, and the main contactor is closed for normal operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a traction battery and an electrical impedance connected by a contactor. A pre-charge circuit is disclosed that controls current flow from the traction battery through the pre-charge circuit to the electrical impedance to increase voltage at the electrical impedance such that as the voltage approaches a voltage of the traction battery, a duty cycle of the pre-charge circuit approaches a maximum value and a current through the pre-charge circuit approaches a minimum value. In response to current falling below a predetermined value, the contactor is closed. A current sensor is disclosed that is located in the pre-charge circuit. A method of operating the pre-charge circuit is disclosed.