Patents by Inventor Robert Taenaka

Robert Taenaka 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).

  • Patent number: 11967683
    Abstract: A system and method for intelligent battery charging management to improve battery life and charging efficiency of high capacity batteries that may not be deeply discharged on a regular basis may learn driving habits automatically and/or with user input and select an ending state-of-charge (SOC) to limit battery charging to less than maximum capacity based on current and/or anticipated ambient temperature and battery health of life (HOL). An expected vehicle travel distance before the next charge may be learned or determined based on vehicle or user inputs. An ending SOC based on battery temperature, a delta SOC to meet propulsive energy for the expected travel distance, cycling effect (depth of discharge) on battery HOL for a given delta SOC, and/or battery working efficiency may be used to control charging of the vehicle battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaohong Duan, Yanan Zhao, Robert Taenaka
  • Publication number: 20220376313
    Abstract: A system and method for intelligent battery charging management to improve battery life and charging efficiency of high capacity batteries that may not be deeply discharged on a regular basis may learn driving habits automatically and/or with user input and select an ending state-of-charge (SOC) to limit battery charging to less than maximum capacity based on current and/or anticipated ambient temperature and battery health of life (HOL). An expected vehicle travel distance before the next charge may be learned or determined based on vehicle or user inputs. An ending SOC based on battery temperature, a delta SOC to meet propulsive energy for the expected travel distance, cycling effect (depth of discharge) on battery HOL for a given delta SOC, and/or battery working efficiency may be used to control charging of the vehicle battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaohong DUAN, Yanan ZHAO, Robert TAENAKA
  • Patent number: 11417916
    Abstract: A system and method for intelligent battery charging management to improve battery life and charging efficiency of high capacity batteries that may not be deeply discharged on a regular basis may learn driving habits automatically and/or with user input and select an ending state-of-charge (SOC) to limit battery charging to less than maximum capacity based on current and/or anticipated ambient temperature and battery health of life (HOL). An expected vehicle travel distance before the next charge may be learned or determined based on vehicle or user inputs. An ending SOC based on battery temperature, a delta SOC to meet propulsive energy for the expected travel distance, cycling effect (depth of discharge) on battery HOL for a given delta SOC, and/or battery working efficiency may be used to control charging of the vehicle battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaohong Nina Duan, Yanan Zhao, Robert Taenaka
  • Publication number: 20210218073
    Abstract: A system and method for intelligent battery charging management to improve battery life and charging efficiency of high capacity batteries that may not be deeply discharged on a regular basis may learn driving habits automatically and/or with user input and select an ending state-of-charge (SOC) to limit battery charging to less than maximum capacity based on current and/or anticipated ambient temperature and battery health of life (HOL). An expected vehicle travel distance before the next charge may be learned or determined based on vehicle or user inputs. An ending SOC based on battery temperature, a delta SOC to meet propulsive energy for the expected travel distance, cycling effect (depth of discharge) on battery HOL for a given delta SOC, and/or battery working efficiency may be used to control charging of the vehicle battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaohong Nina DUAN, Yanan ZHAO, Robert TAENAKA
  • Patent number: 10744885
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a thermal system for a battery; and a controller for the thermal system. The controller may be configured to, during vehicle motion, cool the battery when a temperature of the battery exceeds a lower threshold and inhibit transfer of power with the battery when the temperature exceeds an upper threshold, and while coupled with a charge station, heat the battery to a temperature between the lower threshold and the upper threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jacqueline Jammoul, Chi Paik, Joseph F. Freiman, Venkateswara Anand Sankaran, Robert Taenaka
  • Publication number: 20180141458
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a thermal system for a battery; and a controller for the thermal system. The controller may be configured to, during vehicle motion, cool the battery when a temperature of the battery exceeds a lower threshold and inhibit transfer of power with the battery when the temperature exceeds an upper threshold, and while coupled with a charge station, heat the battery to a temperature between the lower threshold and the upper threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Jacqueline JAMMOUL, Chi PAIK, Joseph F. FREIMAN, Venkateswara Anand SANKARAN, Robert TAENAKA
  • Patent number: 9205750
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed that includes a battery and a controller programmed to calculate a battery voltage characteristic from previously measured charge and discharge data. The battery voltage characteristic is based on differences between the previously measured values when state of charge falls in a range in which the differences are approximately equal. Outside of the range, the charge and discharge voltage data are corrected based on a square root of time to obtain the battery voltage characteristic. The characterization may be performed with a high-rate continuous charge and discharge cycle. Also disclosed is an apparatus for generating the battery characteristic that includes a bi-directional power supply. The battery voltage characteristic is obtained based on the differences of the charge and discharge voltage data and corrected data based on the square root of time. A method is also disclosed based on the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dawn Bernardi, Thomas J. Coupar, William T. Moore, Josephine S. Lee, Robert Taenaka
  • Publication number: 20150028808
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed that includes a battery and a controller programmed to calculate a battery voltage characteristic from previously measured charge and discharge data. The battery voltage characteristic is based on differences between the previously measured values when state of charge falls in a range in which the differences are approximately equal. Outside of the range, the charge and discharge voltage data are corrected based on a square root of time to obtain the battery voltage characteristic. The characterization may be performed with a high-rate continuous charge and discharge cycle. Also disclosed is an apparatus for generating the battery characteristic that includes a bi-directional power supply. The battery voltage characteristic is obtained based on the differences of the charge and discharge voltage data and corrected data based on the square root of time. A method is also disclosed based on the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dawn Bernardi, Thomas J. Coupar, William T. Moore, Josephine S. Lee, Robert Taenaka
  • Patent number: 7735331
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling temperature of an energy storage device of a vehicle via a movable device. The method includes determining a set of inputs, the set of inputs including a representative temperature of the energy storage device and a cabin temperature corresponding to an operator cabin. The method further includes generating a control signal based at least in part on the set of inputs, outputting the control signal to the movable device, and modifying a variable rate of movement of the movable device in response to the control signal such that a corresponding variable amount of operator cabin air is moved past the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas X. Zhu, Dharmendra Patel, Robert Taenaka
  • Publication number: 20080066476
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling temperature of an energy storage device of a vehicle via a movable device. The method includes determining a set of inputs, the set of inputs including a representative temperature of the energy storage device and a cabin temperature corresponding to an operator cabin. The method further includes generating a control signal based at least in part on the set of inputs, outputting the control signal to the movable device, and modifying a variable rate of movement of the movable device in response to the control signal such that a corresponding variable amount of operator cabin air is moved past the energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas X. Zhu, Dharmendra Patel, Robert Taenaka
  • Publication number: 20050196662
    Abstract: A method for heating a battery in a hybrid electric vehicle. The hybrid electric vehicle has an engine, a battery, a motor generator powered by the engine or the battery, and a control module. The method includes the steps of determining a battery temperature and determining whether a tip-in event, a tip-out event, or a terminal voltage event has occurred. The polarity of the battery is reversed if the battery temperature is below a predetermined value and if a tip-in event, a tip-out event, or a terminal voltage event has occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mukunda Prema, Shailesh Kozarekar, Christopher Ochocinski, Robert Taenaka, Vincent Freyermuth, Douglas Zhu