Abstract: Presented are traction battery pack balancing systems, methods for making/operating such systems, and multi-pack, electric-drive motor vehicles with battery pack balancing capabilities.

Abstract: Presented are traction battery pack balancing systems, methods for making/operating such systems, and multi-pack, electric-drive motor vehicles with battery pack balancing capabilities.

Abstract: A vehicle including an energy storage device and a powertrain system configured to effect regenerative braking is described. A method for controlling the vehicle includes determining an expected increase in a state of charge of the energy storage device achieved through opportunity charging by employing regenerative braking during an anticipated next trip of the vehicle. A preferred setpoint for the state of charge of the energy storage device is determined based upon the expected increase in the state of charge achieved through opportunity charging, and charging of the energy storage device is controlled during a remote charging event based upon the preferred setpoint for the state of charge of the energy storage device.

Abstract: Methods of controlling a contactor in a high voltage electrical circuit of a vehicle include delaying a contactor opening if a valid open command is not received, inhibiting closing of a contactor if a low voltage circuit voltage is not sufficient to close the contactor, and determining a fault in the opening of a contactor based on voltages sensed on the contacts of the contactor.

Abstract: A method of controlling positive and negative contactors in a high voltage electrical system includes sensing current flowing through each contactor prior to opening of the contactor and/or after closing of the contactor. A negative contactor weighted value is computed based at least partially on the sensed current flowing through the negative contactor during opening and/or closing. A positive contactor weighted value is computed based at least partially on the sensed current flowing through the positive contactor during opening and/or closing. The order of opening and/or closing of the contactors is determined utilizing at least one of the negative contactor weighted value and the positive contactor weighted value.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a first reprogramming identification module and a first diagnostic module. The first reprogramming identification module identifies when a first control module of a vehicle is reprogrammed. The first diagnostic module sets a first diagnostic trouble code (DTC) when the first control module is reprogrammed and selectively clears the first DTC when an instruction to clear a second DTC stored in a second control module of the vehicle is received.

Abstract: A method of controlling positive and negative contactors in a high voltage electrical system includes sensing current flowing through each contactor prior to opening of the contactor and/or after closing of the contactor. A negative contactor weighted value is computed based at least partially on the sensed current flowing through the negative contactor during opening and/or closing. A positive contactor weighted value is computed based at least partially on the sensed current flowing through the positive contactor during opening and/or closing. The order of opening and/or closing of the contactors is determined utilizing at least one of the negative contactor weighted value and the positive contactor weighted value.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a first reprogramming identification module and a first diagnostic module. The first reprogramming identification module identifies when a first control module of a vehicle is reprogrammed. The first diagnostic module sets a first diagnostic trouble code (DTC) when the first control module is reprogrammed and selectively clears the first DTC when an instruction to clear a second DTC stored in a second control module of the vehicle is received.

Abstract: Methods of controlling a contactor in a high voltage electrical circuit of a vehicle include delaying a contactor opening if a valid open command is not received, inhibiting closing of a contactor if a low voltage circuit voltage is not sufficient to close the contactor, and determining a fault in the opening of a contactor based on voltages sensed on the contacts of the contactor.

Abstract: A vehicle including an energy storage device and a powertrain system configured to effect regenerative braking is described. A method for controlling the vehicle includes determining an expected increase in a state of charge of the energy storage device achieved through opportunity charging by employing regenerative braking during an anticipated next trip of the vehicle. A preferred setpoint for the state of charge of the energy storage device is determined based upon the expected increase in the state of charge achieved through opportunity charging, and charging of the energy storage device is controlled during a remote charging event based upon the preferred setpoint for the state of charge of the energy storage device.

Abstract: A method of identifying a non-communicative battery Cell Sensing Board (CSB) within a plurality of battery CSBs arranged in a serial chain includes sequentially reconfiguring the serial chain of the battery CSBs to sequentially define each of the plurality of battery CSBs as a last battery CSB in a temporary test serial chain. Communication with the last battery CSB of each temporary test serial chain is sequentially established with a loopback feature of the battery CSBs. When a disruption in communication between the battery system manager controller and the last battery CSB of the current temporary test serial chain is detected, the last battery CSB of the current temporary test serial chain is identified as the non-communicative battery CSB.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a user of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) more flexibility and control regarding the selection of heating modes, without adversely affecting vehicle engine emissions. According to one embodiment, when the HEV is in a normal heating mode, the user is able to switch to an economy or deferred heating mode, so long as the switch takes place during the following ignition cycle. When the HEV is in an economy heating mode the user is able to switch to a normal heating mode right away, but is only allowed to do so once per ignition cycle. In both instances, the switch between heating modes is initiated by the user through a non-emissions related system, such as a vehicle infotainment module or climate control module.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a performance level of a battery of a vehicle having an electronic control unit (ECU) includes enabling a charging diagnostic module (CDM) and determining, with the CDM, a charging status of the battery. The method also includes enabling a discharging diagnostic module (DDM) and determining, with the DDM, a discharging status of the battery. The charging status and the discharging status are recorded in a memory location of the ECU.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, battery capacity of an electric vehicle can be automatically determined. In an exemplary method, an instruction is received to determine a battery capacity value and one or more vehicle accessories are activated to discharge the battery to a first charge level. When the first charge level is reached, a generator in the vehicle is started and used to charge the battery to a second charge level, after which the battery capacity value can be determined and stored. In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, the vehicle comprises a controller adapted to cause a battery to be discharged and charged to determine a capacity value of the battery. A plurality of accessories are configured to activate and deactivate responsive to the controller to discharge the battery, while a generator is responsive to the controller to charge the battery so that the controller can determine the battery capacity value.

Abstract: A method of identifying a non-communicative battery Cell Sensing Board (CSB) within a plurality of battery CSBs arranged in a serial chain includes sequentially reconfiguring the serial chain of the battery CSBs to sequentially define each of the plurality of battery CSBs as a last battery CSB in a temporary test serial chain. Communication with the last battery CSB of each temporary test serial chain is sequentially established with a loopback feature of the battery CSBs. When a disruption in communication between the battery system manager controller and the last battery CSB of the current temporary test serial chain is detected, the last battery CSB of the current temporary test serial chain is identified as the non-communicative battery CSB.

Abstract: A method for isolating voltage sensor errors from contactor errors in an electrical system includes measuring a voltage between ground and a voltage bus rail when a contactor is open, and comparing the measured voltage to a first threshold voltage corresponding to a calibrated voltage reading that is expected when the contactor is closed. A first diagnostic code is recorded with a stuck-in-range status for the sensor when the measured voltage is greater than 0 and less than the first threshold voltage. A second diagnostic code is recorded with a stuck-closed status for the contactor when the measured voltage is equal to the first threshold voltage. The measured voltage may be compared to a second threshold voltage that exceeds the first threshold voltage, with a third diagnostic code recorded with a shorted value for the sensor when the measured voltage exceeds the first threshold voltage or is less than 0.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a user of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) more flexibility and control regarding the selection of heating modes, without adversely affecting vehicle engine emissions. According to one embodiment, when the HEV is in a normal heating mode, the user is able to switch to an economy or deferred heating mode, so long as the switch takes place during the following ignition cycle. When the HEV is in an economy heating mode the user is able to switch to a normal heating mode right away, but is only allowed to do so once per ignition cycle. In both instances, the switch between heating modes is initiated by the user through a non-emissions related system, such as a vehicle infotainment module or climate control module.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a performance level of a battery of a vehicle having an electronic control unit (ECU) includes enabling a charging diagnostic module (CDM) and determining, with the CDM, a charging status of the battery. The method also includes enabling a discharging diagnostic module (DDM) and determining, with the DDM, a discharging status of the battery. The charging status and the discharging status are recorded in a memory location of the ECU.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a battery module, an electric motor-generator unit (MGU), and a controller. The engine generates an engine torque. The battery module stores and outputs electrical energy. The MGU is in electrical communication with the battery module and is configured to generate a motor torque based, at least in part, on the electrical energy received from the battery module. The MGU generates electrical energy. The controller is in communication with at least one powertrain module. The controller is configured to receive a signal corresponding to a selected drive mode of the vehicle; adjust an account balance of a credit account as a function of the selected drive mode; and transmit a signal to at least one of the engine, the battery module, and the MGU to allow the vehicle to operate in the selected drive mode.

Abstract: A fault diagnostic system of a vehicle includes: a global positioning system (GPS) receiver and a diagnostic module. The GPS receiver determines a location of the vehicle. The diagnostic module diagnoses a fault in a component of the vehicle. In response to the diagnosis of the fault, the diagnostic module stores diagnostic data in a computer readable medium. The diagnostic data includes both a predetermined diagnostic trouble code associated with the fault diagnosed and the location of the vehicle when the fault was diagnosed.