Abstract: A method of adjusting battery control software for a battery having a plurality of battery sections includes connecting the battery to a charging system and a discharging system. A charging operation or a discharging operation is then initiated while monitoring a voltage response of each battery segment during the charging operation or the discharging operation. The voltage response is then correlated to a calibration database for selecting a control algorithm for each battery segment from the calibration database.

Abstract: A system for optimizing life of a battery pack in a plug-in vehicle includes sensors for measuring battery performance data, including an open-circuit voltage, charging current, and/or temperature of the battery pack, a GPS receiver, a user interface, and a controller. The controller executes a method to monitor degradation of the battery pack using the performance data, and determines driving and charging histories for an operator of the vehicle using the measured battery performance data and a position signal from the GPS receiver. The histories identify the days, hours, and locations at which the operator has driven the vehicle and charged the battery pack. The controller identifies a state of charge data bin missing performance data or containing old performance data. The controller then controls a charging operation of the battery pack via a charging control signal, and records the measured battery performance data for the identified SOC data bin.

Abstract: A method of adjusting battery control software for a battery having a plurality of battery sections includes connecting the battery to a charging system and a discharging system. A charging operation or a discharging operation is then initiated while monitoring a voltage response of each battery segment during the charging operation or the discharging operation. The voltage response is then correlated to a calibration database for selecting a control algorithm for each battery segment from the calibration database.

Abstract: A method for estimating battery power capability in a torque-generating system having a battery pack with battery cells includes calculating a voltage spread as a difference between an average and minimum cell voltage of the battery pack. The method also includes increasing a calibrated voltage control limit by an offset that is based on a magnitude of the voltage spread, doing so when the minimum cell voltage is less than the control limit, and recording the offset in a memory location referenced by pack operating conditions. Further, the power capability is estimated using the recorded offset when the battery pack operates under conditions that are the same as the operating conditions, and then executing a control action of the system using the estimated power capability. A torque-generating system includes the battery pack, an electric machine, and a controller programmed to execute the above-described method.

Abstract: A method for estimating battery power capability in a torque-generating system having a battery pack with battery cells includes calculating a voltage spread as a difference between an average and minimum cell voltage of the battery pack. The method also includes increasing a calibrated voltage control limit by an offset that is based on a magnitude of the voltage spread, doing so when the minimum cell voltage is less than the control limit, and recording the offset in a memory location referenced by pack operating conditions. Further, the power capability is estimated using the recorded offset when the battery pack operates under conditions that are the same as the operating conditions, and then executing a control action of the system using the estimated power capability. A torque-generating system includes the battery pack, an electric machine, and a controller programmed to execute the above-described method.

Abstract: A system for optimizing life of a battery pack in a plug-in vehicle includes sensors for measuring battery performance data, including an open-circuit voltage, charging current, and/or temperature of the battery pack, a GPS receiver, a user interface, and a controller. The controller executes a method to monitor degradation of the battery pack using the performance data, and determines driving and charging histories for an operator of the vehicle using the measured battery performance data and a position signal from the GPS receiver. The histories identify the days, hours, and locations at which the operator has driven the vehicle and charged the battery pack. The controller identifies a state of charge data bin missing performance data or containing old performance data. The controller then controls a charging operation of the battery pack via a charging control signal, and records the measured battery performance data for the identified SOC data bin.

Abstract: A system for use with a battery and sensors operable for measuring battery data includes an interactive user interface and a controller programmed with battery degradation monitoring logic for estimating a state of the battery. As part of a method, the controller identifies data bins for which measured state of charge range-based battery performance data is missing or dated/stale, and automatically prompts an operator to execute an assigned task corresponding to the identified data bins. The controller records the battery performance data for the identified data bins upon completion of the assigned task, estimates the state of the battery using the recorded battery performance data and the battery degradation monitoring logic, and executes a control action with respect to the system using the estimated state. A virtual or actual reward feature may be displayed in response to completion of the assigned task.

Abstract: System and methods for balancing a vehicle battery system are presented. In certain embodiments, a method for balancing a vehicle battery system including a plurality of sections may include calculating a plurality of quanta of energy required for each of the plurality of sections to reaching a balancing point. Based at least in part on the calculated plural of quanta of energy, it may be determined that the plurality of sections of the battery system are unbalanced. To balance the battery system, a balancing system may be selectively actuated to change the amounts of energy stored in one or more of the plurality of cells such that the plurality of quanta of energy are within a particular range.

Abstract: System and methods for balancing a vehicle battery system are presented. In certain embodiments, a method for balancing a vehicle battery system including a plurality of sections may include calculating a plurality of quanta of energy required for each of the plurality of sections to reaching a balancing point. Based at least in part on the calculated plural of quanta of energy, it may be determined that the plurality of sections of the battery system are unbalanced. To balance the battery system, a balancing system may be selectively actuated to change the amounts of energy stored in one or more of the plurality of cells such that the plurality of quanta of energy are within a particular range.