Abstract: A first fuel consumption value is determined for operating a host vehicle in a first lane on a road surface. A second fuel consumption value is predicted for operating the host vehicle in a second lane on the road surface based on acceleration data for a target vehicle operating in the second lane. A request to move the host vehicle from the first lane to the second lane is transmitted to the target vehicle based on the predicted second fuel consumption value being greater than the first fuel consumption value. After receiving an acknowledgement from the target vehicle, the host vehicle is operated from the first lane to the second lane.

Abstract: A voltage sensing system for a vehicle traction battery having a plurality of cells includes: a battery controller, a plurality of electrical circuits, each being respectively connected to at least one of the cells and including an electrical component for limiting current therethrough, and a plurality of wires, each being respectively connected to one of the electrical circuits in series with a respective one of the electrical components for limiting current and the controller.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are presented to transfer energy between an energy storage device (ESD) at an electrified vehicle (EV) and an AC or DC external load such as an electric grid, appliance or power tool. A portable EVETA can engage an EV charge inlet couple an EV, and can provide an AC outlet, a grid interface and a DC connector for coupling external loads. An EVETA can be used at a remote construction site or campsite to power high current equipment, obviating the need to transport an electric generator. An EVETA can be configured for data and control communication with the EV to coordinate energy transfer. An EVETA can receive a predetermined ESD state of charge limit so that the transfer process can be terminated to preserve sufficient charge for EV return to a desired destination. A human machine interface enables user input reception and information display.

Abstract: A battery simulator is configured to provide large energy pulses for hot plug testing while maintaining the ability to quickly respond during random order testing. A simulator can comprise a plurality of cell simulators “cellsims” coupled to a DC power supply. Each cellsim can include a bidirectional DC converter, a bulk capacitor on the primary side of the converter, and a switchable discharge capacitor on the secondary side of the converter. The bidirectional DC converter enables the simulator to cooperate with a battery control module (BCM) to perform active cell balancing. Energy received from the BCM can be stored at the bulk capacitor. The discharge capacitor can be coupled to an output link to provide a high energy pulse to the BCM to simulate hot plug conditions, and can be decoupled from the link during random order testing. Output link voltage and current can be monitored for fault detection.

Abstract: A monitor system for an inventoried battery includes at least one battery pack; at least one embedded monitor subsystem interfacing with the battery pack, the embedded monitor system adapted to acquire sensor data from the battery pack; and at least one archival data storage system interfacing with the embedded monitor subsystem, the archival data storage system adapted to archive the sensor data. A method of monitoring a stored battery is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-cell battery pack in an electric vehicle is monitored by multiple sensing modules. A primary controller is coupled to a first plurality of cells to measure a predetermined parameter of each cell. The primary controller determines a sampling moment recurring at a fixed frequency for sampling the predetermined parameter of each of the first plurality of cells. The primary controller generates a sync pulse at each sample moment. A secondary controller is coupled to a second plurality of cells to measure the predetermined parameter of each cell. The secondary controller receives the sync pulse to start a pulse generator operating at a frequency which is a predetermined multiple of the primary controller fixed frequency. The secondary controller counts pulses generated by the pulse generator and schedules a synchronized secondary sampling moment according to a predetermined pulse count.

Abstract: An electrical leakage detection circuit detects electrical leakage of a battery in an electric vehicle. A first transistor switch coupled between a first and second resistor is actuated for coupling the first resistor and the second resistor. A second transistor switch coupled between a third and fourth resistor is actuated for electrically coupling the third and fourth resistor. A controller generates control signals for actuation of the first transistor switch and the second transistor switch. A first voltage is measured across the traction battery cell string. A second voltage is measured across the second resistor. A third voltage is measured across the third resistor. The controller detects electrical leakage by measuring the first, second, and third voltages and applying them in equations utilizing these voltages with constants of the first, second, third, and fourth resistances.

Abstract: A battery simulator is configured to provide large energy pulses for hot plug testing while maintaining the ability to quickly respond during random order testing. A simulator can comprise a plurality of cell simulators “cellsims” coupled to a DC power supply. Each cellsim can include a bidirectional DC converter, a bulk capacitor on the primary side of the converter, and a switchable discharge capacitor on the secondary side of the converter. The bidirectional DC converter enables the simulator to cooperate with a battery control module (BCM) to perform active cell balancing. Energy received from the BCM can be stored at the bulk capacitor. The discharge capacitor can be coupled to an output link to provide a high energy pulse to the BCM to simulate hot plug conditions, and can be decoupled from the link during random order testing. Output link voltage and current can be monitored for fault detection.

Abstract: A portable charging device can provide controllable fast DC charging of an electric vehicle (EV) high voltage battery by a separate EV high voltage battery. The charging device can be configured to comply with universal standards for EV charging so as to be compatible with various automobile models of various manufacturers. The device can be configured to establish a communication link with a donor and recipient vehicle and conduct a voltage matching process between the batteries of the two vehicles prior to transferring power to the recipient vehicle battery. To prevent energy theft, control of a charging process can be shared among the charging device and the donor and receiver vehicles. A charger device can be configured to enable a charging process only when no faults are detected. A charger device can allow a motorist to quickly recharge a depleted high voltage battery at a convenient time and location.

Abstract: A portable high voltage charging apparatus (HVCA) can be configured to controllably charge a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) traction battery using energy provided by a low voltage (LV) lead acid vehicle battery. An HVCA can include a DCDC converter configured to boost a lower input voltage from the LV battery to a higher output voltage provided to the HV battery. The HVCA can be configured with a traction battery interlock, allowing offline charging of the traction battery. In an example embodiment, an HVCA can be configured to communicate with an HV battery control module via a CAN bus. An HVCA can be configured to transfer energy to the HV battery for a predetermined time period, then automatically stop the transfer process. An HVCA can be configured to receive user input to start and/or stop a charging process. An example embodiment can include a supplemental charger to boost LV battery voltage.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are presented to transfer energy between an energy storage device (ESD) at an electrified vehicle (EV) and an AC or DC external load such as an electric grid, appliance or power tool. A portable EVETA can engage an EV charge inlet couple an EV, and can provide an AC outlet, a grid interface and a DC connector for coupling external loads. An EVETA can be used at a remote construction site or campsite to power high current equipment, obviating the need to transport an electric generator. An EVETA can be configured for data and control communication with the EV to coordinate energy transfer. An EVETA can receive a predetermined ESD state of charge limit so that the transfer process can be terminated to preserve sufficient charge for EV return to a desired destination. A human machine interface enables user input reception and information display.

Abstract: A multi-cell battery pack in an electric vehicle is monitored by multiple sensing modules. A primary controller is coupled to a first plurality of cells to measure a predetermined parameter of each cell. The primary controller determines a sampling moment recurring at a fixed frequency for sampling the predetermined parameter of each of the first plurality of cells. The primary controller generates a sync pulse at each sample moment. A secondary controller is coupled to a second plurality of cells to measure the predetermined parameter of each cell. The secondary controller receives the sync pulse to start a pulse generator operating at a frequency which is a predetermined multiple of the primary controller fixed frequency. The secondary controller counts pulses generated by the pulse generator and schedules a synchronized secondary sampling moment according to a predetermined pulse count.

Abstract: An example contactor weld detection method for an electric vehicle includes detecting that a contactor is welded closed when the contactor is commanded closed.

Abstract: An electrical leakage detection circuit detects electrical leakage of a battery in an electric vehicle. A first transistor switch coupled between a first and second resistor is actuated for coupling the first resistor and the second resistor. A second transistor switch coupled between a third and fourth resistor is actuated for electrically coupling the third and fourth resistor. A controller generates control signals for actuation of the first transistor switch and the second transistor switch. A first voltage is measured across the traction battery cell string. A second voltage is measured across the second resistor. A third voltage is measured across the third resistor. The controller detects electrical leakage by measuring the first, second, and third voltages and applying them in equations utilizing these voltages with constants of the first, second, third, and fourth resistances.

Abstract: A voltage sensing system for a vehicle traction battery having a plurality of cells includes: a battery controller, a plurality of electrical circuits, each being respectively connected to at least one of the cells and including an electrical component for limiting current therethrough, and a plurality of wires, each being respectively connected to one of the electrical circuits in series with a respective one of the electrical components for limiting current and the controller.

Abstract: A monitor system for an inventoried battery includes at least one battery pack; at least one embedded monitor subsystem interfacing with the battery pack, the embedded monitor system adapted to acquire sensor data from the battery pack; and at least one archival data storage system interfacing with the embedded monitor subsystem, the archival data storage system adapted to archive the sensor data. A method of monitoring a stored battery is also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable charging device can provide controllable fast DC charging of an electric vehicle (EV) high voltage battery by a separate EV high voltage battery. The charging device can be configured to comply with universal standards for EV charging so as to be compatible with various automobile models of various manufacturers. The device can be configured to establish a communication link with a donor and recipient vehicle and conduct a voltage matching process between the batteries of the two vehicles prior to transferring power to the recipient vehicle battery. To prevent energy theft, control of a charging process can be shared among the charging device and the donor and receiver vehicles. A charger device can be configured to enable a charging process only when no faults are detected. A charger device can allow a motorist to quickly recharge a depleted high voltage battery at a convenient time and location.

Abstract: A portable high voltage charging apparatus (HVCA) can be configured to controllably charge a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) traction battery using energy provided by a low voltage (LV) lead acid vehicle battery. An HVCA can include a DCDC converter configured to boost a lower input voltage from the LV battery to a higher output voltage provided to the HV battery. The HVCA can be configured with a traction battery interlock, allowing offline charging of the traction battery. In an example embodiment, an HVCA can be configured to communicate with an HV battery control module via a CAN bus. An HVCA can be configured to transfer energy to the HV battery for a predetermined time period, then automatically stop the transfer process. An HVCA can be configured to receive user input to start and/or stop a charging process. An example embodiment can include a supplemental charger to boost LV battery voltage.

Abstract: A battery monitoring and control system and method of monitoring and controlling provides a redundant and independent symmetric secondary serial bus in addition to a primary serial bus within a battery monitoring and control system that includes a plurality of battery monitoring modules and associated IC battery monitor chips in serial communication with a system controller. Additionally, no two serial communication pins from an interface in operative communication with an associated one of a primary or a secondary serial bus are directly adjacent thereby allowing for continuous battery operation when a single pin in a series of battery monitoring modules becomes non operational failed. Additionally, the battery system remains operational when an open or short circuit occurs in only one of either the primary or secondary serial bus.

Abstract: A battery monitoring and control system and method of monitoring and controlling provides a redundant and independent symmetric secondary serial bus in addition to a primary serial bus within a battery monitoring and control system that includes a plurality of battery monitoring modules and associated IC battery monitor chips in serial communication with a system controller. Additionally, no two serial communication pins from an interface in operative communication with an associated one of a primary or a secondary serial bus are directly adjacent thereby allowing for continuous battery operation when a single pin in a series of battery monitoring modules becomes non operational failed. Additionally, the battery system remains operational when an open or short circuit occurs in only one of either the primary or secondary serial bus.