Patents by Inventor Kevin Vander Laan
Kevin Vander Laan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Publication number: 20230219456Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller that, during a predefined period of time and responsive to an average current of the battery exceeding a first current threshold for a first period of time, reduces a maximum current threshold of the battery by a first amount, and during the predefined period of time and responsive to the average current exceeding a second current threshold for a second period of time, further reduces the maximum current threshold by a second amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2022Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventors: Gyouho CHO, Kevin VANDER LAAN, Richard D. LAGERSTROM, Allen Joseph GILBERT
-
Patent number: 11603011Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to dynamic resistance and capacity of the traction battery for a drive cycle differing from dynamic resistance and capacity of the traction battery for a previous drive cycle by threshold percentages, controlling the traction battery to reduce lithium plating.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2019Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Satish B. Chikkannanavar, Jonathan Tao, Matthew Allen Tomai, Christian Edward Shaffer, Kevin Vander Laan
-
Patent number: 11358584Abstract: A vehicle having an engine, a battery, and an electric machine configured to propel the vehicle and selectively coupled to the engine to start the engine includes a controller configured to prompt for input to activate a cold weather mode in response to an expected ambient temperature to be below a first temperature threshold for a time period during which a subsequent engine start is anticipated, and to operate the engine and electric machine to maintain a state of charge (SOC) of the battery above a first SOC threshold in response to activation of the cold weather mode, and a second SOC threshold lower than the first SOC threshold otherwise.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2019Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Marin Assaliyski, Connor McCann, Youssef El-Minyawi, Kevin Vander Laan, William David Treharne
-
Publication number: 20210155114Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to dynamic resistance and capacity of the traction battery for a drive cycle differing from dynamic resistance and capacity of the traction battery for a previous drive cycle by threshold percentages, controlling the traction battery to reduce lithium plating.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2019Publication date: May 27, 2021Inventors: Satish B. CHIKKANNANAVAR, Jonathan TAO, Matthew Allen TOMAI, Christian Edward SHAFFER, Kevin VANDER LAAN
-
Patent number: 10933768Abstract: A vehicle charging system includes a charger configured to adjust an output voltage to achieve a voltage request and output a measured output voltage. The vehicle charging system further includes a controller programmed to measure a terminal voltage of a traction battery being charged and receive the measured output voltage from the charger. The controller is further programmed to output the voltage request as a sum of a full charge voltage and an estimated voltage measurement error between the measured output voltage and the terminal voltage.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC.Inventors: Yuan Zhang, Jeffery R. Grimes, Navid Rahbari Asr, Lila Ghannam, Changjian Hu, Kevin Vander Laan, Matthew Roger Dedona
-
Patent number: 10921378Abstract: A system for monitoring battery cells of a battery includes a capacitor, a processor, and a controller. The controller is configured to connect the capacitor with a first battery cell to charge the capacitor to a voltage of the first battery cell and then (i) connect the capacitor with a second battery cell to form a circuit having an output that is a voltage difference of the capacitor and the second battery cell and (ii) connect the output to the processor for the processor to measure the voltage difference. The voltage difference is the voltage difference between the first battery cell and the second battery cell.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2019Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chingchi Chen, Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush, John Paul Gibeau, Kevin Vander Laan, Baojin Wang
-
Publication number: 20200317187Abstract: A vehicle having an engine, a battery, and an electric machine configured to propel the vehicle and selectively coupled to the engine to start the engine includes a controller configured to prompt for input to activate a cold weather mode in response to an expected ambient temperature to be below a first temperature threshold for a time period during which a subsequent engine start is anticipated, and to operate the engine and electric machine to maintain a state of charge (SOC) of the battery above a first SOC threshold in response to activation of the cold weather mode, and a second SOC threshold lower than the first SOC threshold otherwise.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2019Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: Marin ASSALIYSKI, Connor MCCANN, Youssef EL-MINYAWI, Kevin VANDER LAAN, William David TREHARNE
-
Publication number: 20200271728Abstract: A system for monitoring battery cells of a battery includes a capacitor, a processor, and a controller. The controller is configured to connect the capacitor with a first battery cell to charge the capacitor to a voltage of the first battery cell and then (i) connect the capacitor with a second battery cell to form a circuit having an output that is a voltage difference of the capacitor and the second battery cell and (ii) connect the output to the processor for the processor to measure the voltage difference. The voltage difference is the voltage difference between the first battery cell and the second battery cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2019Publication date: August 27, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chingchi Chen, Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush, John Paul Gibeau, Kevin Vander Laan, Baojin Wang
-
Publication number: 20190366852Abstract: A vehicle charging system includes a charger configured to adjust an output voltage to achieve a voltage request and output a measured output voltage. The vehicle charging system further includes a controller programmed to measure a terminal voltage of a traction battery being charged and receive the measured output voltage from the charger. The controller is further programmed to output the voltage request as a sum of a full charge voltage and an estimated voltage measurement error between the measured output voltage and the terminal voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Yuan ZHANG, Jeffery R. GRIMES, Navid RAHBARI ASR, Lila GHANNAM, Changjian HU, Kevin VANDER LAAN, Matthew Roger DEDONA
-
Patent number: 10389143Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes an engine and electric machine each configured to propel the vehicle, and a controller configured to, responsive to a resistance of a traction battery and a change in the resistance during battery discharge being greater than respective thresholds, reduce power to the electric machine and activate the engine.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2017Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Rutooj Deshpande, Satish Chikkannanavar, Bhaskara Boddakayala, Kevin Vander Laan, Xu Wang
-
Publication number: 20190181657Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes an engine and electric machine each configured to propel the vehicle, and a controller configured to, responsive to a resistance of a traction battery and a change in the resistance during battery discharge being greater than respective thresholds, reduce power to the electric machine and activate the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2017Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Rutooj DESHPANDE, Satish CHIKKANNANAVAR, Bhaskara BODDAKAYALA, Kevin VANDER LAAN, Xu WANG
-
Patent number: 9925933Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed comprising a pre-charge circuit, including a resistor, that selectively connects a traction battery to an electrical impedance. A controller is programmed to inhibit pre-charging for an amount of time when a predetermined number of pre-charge cycles have occurred within a preceding predetermined period of time. The predetermined number of pre-charge cycles may be based on a voltage or current magnitude across the resistor during the previous pre-charge cycles. The predetermined number of times may be modified based on prior successful and failed pre-charge cycles. A method of limiting a temperature increase of a pre-charge resistor is disclosed comprising counting a number of prior pre-charge cycles and inhibiting pre-charging when the number of prior pre-charge cycles within the preceding period of time exceeds a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2013Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Derek Hartl, Kevin Vander Laan
-
Patent number: 9733658Abstract: A primary current threshold is fit between an electrical capacity and electrical load for an electrical distribution component. When a first measured current exceeds the primary threshold, a power limit for the battery powering the component is reduced. When a second measured current is less than a secondary current threshold, the power limit is increased. The primary and secondary thresholds may be set for a plurality of time periods.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2014Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Kevin Vander Laan, Derek Hartl
-
Patent number: 9368841Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed comprising a battery and a controller. Projected battery impedance parameters are calculated based on predetermined parameter values and historical parameter values generated by a battery parameter estimation model. The values may be weighted according to time data associated with the historical impedance parameter values and a temperature of the battery. Recent historical impedance parameter values may affect the projected battery impedance parameter values more than older historical impedance parameter values. The model is initialized with projected parameter values at vehicle initialization. Battery power capability is calculated using the projected parameter values for a period of time following vehicle initialization. After the period of time following vehicle initialization, battery power capability is calculated using impedance parameters generated by the model. The period of time following vehicle initialization may end when the model output has converged to a stable solution.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2013Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xu Wang, Yonghua Li, Richard Dyche Anderson, Kevin Vander Laan, Xiaoguang Chang
-
Patent number: 9114714Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2012Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thanh D. Pham, Tuyen Quoc Tran, Ben A. Tabatowski-Bush, Shane Schulze, Kevin Vander Laan, Jesus Cardosa, Richard Kai Wong
-
Publication number: 20150109707Abstract: A vehicle high voltage system may include contactors/relays, wires, a traction battery, electrical components, and at least one controller. The at least one controller may open the contactors to interrupt current flow to the components if anyone of a plurality of amp?hour measurement associated with the traction battery exceeds a corresponding predetermined threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Kevin VANDER LAAN, Derek HARTL
-
Patent number: 9013839Abstract: A vehicle high voltage system may include contactors/relays, wires, a traction battery, electrical components, and at least one controller. The at least one controller may open the contactors to interrupt current flow to the components if anyone of a plurality of amp?hour measurement associated with the traction battery exceeds a corresponding predetermined threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Vander Laan, Derek Hartl
-
Publication number: 20150064510Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed comprising a battery and a controller. Projected battery impedance parameters are calculated based on predetermined parameter values and historical parameter values generated by a battery parameter estimation model. The values may be weighted according to time data associated with the historical impedance parameter values and a temperature of the battery. Recent historical impedance parameter values may affect the projected battery impedance parameter values more than older historical impedance parameter values. The model is initialized with projected parameter values at vehicle initialization. Battery power capability is calculated using the projected parameter values for a period of time following vehicle initialization. After the period of time following vehicle initialization, battery power capability is calculated using impedance parameters generated by the model. The period of time following vehicle initialization may end when the model output has converged to a stable solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Xu Wang, Yonghua Li, Richard Dyche Anderson, Kevin Vander Laan, Xiaoguang Chang
-
Publication number: 20150061376Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed comprising a pre-charge circuit, including a resistor, that selectively connects a traction battery to an electrical impedance. A controller is programmed to inhibit pre-charging for an amount of time when a predetermined number of pre-charge cycles have occurred within a preceding predetermined period of time. The predetermined number of pre-charge cycles may be based on a voltage or current magnitude across the resistor during the previous pre-charge cycles. The predetermined number of times may be modified based on prior successful and failed pre-charge cycles. A method of limiting a temperature increase of a pre-charge resistor is disclosed comprising counting a number of prior pre-charge cycles and inhibiting pre-charging when the number of prior pre-charge cycles within the preceding period of time exceeds a threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Derek Hartl, Kevin Vander Laan
-
Publication number: 20150025703Abstract: A primary current threshold is fit between an electrical capacity and electrical load for an electrical distribution component. When a first measured current exceeds the primary threshold, a power limit for the battery powering the component is reduced. When a second measured current is less than a secondary current threshold, the power limit is increased. The primary and secondary thresholds may be set for a plurality of time periods.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Kevin Vander Laan, Derek Hartl