Patents by Inventor Tobias SMIDEBRANT
Tobias SMIDEBRANT 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: 11942858Abstract: A switching arrangement for reducing contactor wear of an energy storage system having a plurality of battery packs arranged in parallel for powering a load. The switching arrangement includes a contactor for each battery pack. The contactors connect and disconnect the battery packs relative to the load by closing and opening, respectively, an electric arc reducing circuitry associated to one of the contactors. The switching arrangement is configured to electrically disconnect the battery packs from the load by means of the contactors such that the contactor being associated with the electric arc reducing circuitry is opened last.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2022Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Anton Klintberg, Faisal Altaf, Tobias Smidebrant
-
Patent number: 11863000Abstract: An energy storage system for a vehicle, includes one or more battery units for storing electrical energy; at least one high voltage switch for connection and disconnection of the one or more battery units to at least one load, such as an electrical machine; a fuse for disconnection of the one or more battery units when the energy storage system experiences an overcurrent being above a predetermined overcurrent value. The energy storage system is configured to during use, identify if a condition has occurred which requires immediate shutdown of the energy storage system.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventor: Tobias Smidebrant
-
Patent number: 11831185Abstract: A method for operating a switching arrangement of an energy storage system, the energy storage system comprising a plurality of parallelly arranged battery packs and the switching arrangement comprising an associated contactor for each battery pack, the contactors being configured to connect and disconnect the battery packs relative a load by closing and opening, respectively. The method comprises disconnecting the battery packs from the load by means of the contactors such that the battery packs are disconnected in a sequence in which one contactor is opened last and thereby subject to increased disconnection wear, controlling the sequence in which the battery packs are disconnected in such a way that the increased disconnection wear is accounted for and used to distribute contactor wear among the contactors during subsequent disconnections of the battery packs from the load.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Anton Klintberg, Faisal Altaf, Tobias Smidebrant
-
Publication number: 20230273787Abstract: A computer-implemented method for scheduling a vehicle software update in a vehicle, for example, in heavy-duty vehicle which may be operating in a defined area or site, and/or along a defined trajectory, the method comprising associating a probability of the vehicle having an updateable operational state with one or more time periods, wherein the probability of the vehicle being updateable is determined based at least partly on data representing behavioural states of one or more similar vehicles, in other words, other vehicles which have usage characteristics which have a relationship to the usage characteristics of the vehicle; scheduling a pending software update until the next time period of the one or more time periods where the probability of the vehicle having an updateable operational states meets a software update condition; and, enabling the vehicle to perform the software update when the vehicle probability having the updateable operational state meets the software update condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Applicant: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Martin WILHELMSSON, Johan BJERNETUN, Tobias SMIDEBRANT, Linus NORDHOLM
-
Publication number: 20230097052Abstract: A method for operating a switching arrangement of a rechargeable energy storage system, RESS. The RESS includes parallelly arranged battery packs and the switching arrangement comprising an associated contactor for each battery pack. The contactors are configured to connect and disconnect the battery packs relative a traction voltage bus by closing and opening, respectively, the traction voltage bus being connected to at least one load. The method includes providing a window of opportunity in which no request for powering the load by the battery packs, and no request for charging the battery packs, are allowed to be implemented, in the window of opportunity, preventing the contactors to open enabling equalization due to current transfer between the battery packs, measuring the current transfer between the battery packs, and in response to the measured current transfer, preventing the contactors to open and/or opening the contactors.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Applicant: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Linus NORDHOLM, Tobias SMIDEBRANT
-
Publication number: 20220352814Abstract: A switching arrangement for reducing contactor wear of an energy storage system having a plurality of battery packs arranged in parallel for powering a load. The switching arrangement includes a contactor for each battery pack, the contactors being configured to connect and disconnect the battery packs relative the load by closing and opening, respectively, an electric arc reducing circuitry associated to one of the contactors, wherein the switching arrangement is configured to electrically disconnect the battery packs from the load by means of the contactors such that the contactor being associated with the electric arc reducing circuitry is opened last.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Applicant: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Anton KLINTBERG, Faisal ALTAF, Tobias SMIDEBRANT
-
Publication number: 20220352727Abstract: A method for operating a switching arrangement of an energy storage system, the energy storage system comprising a plurality of parallelly arranged battery packs and the switching arrangement comprising an associated contactor for each battery pack, the contactors being configured to connect and disconnect the battery packs relative a load by closing and opening, respectively. The method comprises disconnecting the battery packs from the load by means of the contactors such that the battery packs are disconnected in a sequence in which one contactor is opened last and thereby subject to increased disconnection wear, controlling the sequence in which the battery packs are disconnected in such a way that the increased disconnection wear is accounted for and used to distribute contactor wear among the contactors during subsequent disconnections of the battery packs from the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Applicant: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Anton KLINTBERG, Faisal ALTAF, Tobias SMIDEBRANT
-
Patent number: 11440433Abstract: The invention relates to a method (100) for determining an adjusted state-of-charge (SOC) operating window of a battery pack assembly in a vehicle. The method comprises the steps of determining (120) an energy throughput or an electrical current through put of the battery pack assembly; determining (130) a SOC operating window margin based on said determined energy throughput or electrical current through put of the battery pack assembly;adjusting (140) the SOC operating window in response to the determined SOC operating window margin.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Simon Brunet, Tobias Smidebrant
-
Publication number: 20220271551Abstract: An energy storage system for a vehicle, includes one or more battery units for storing electrical energy; at least one high voltage switch for connection and disconnection of the one or more battery units to at least one load, such as an electrical machine; a fuse for disconnection of the one or more battery units when the energy storage system experiences an overcurrent being above a predetermined overcurrent value. The energy storage system is configured to during use, identify if a condition has occurred which requires immediate shutdown of the energy storage system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Applicant: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventor: Tobias SMIDEBRANT
-
Patent number: 11332017Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of an energy storage system (10) in a vehicle (30), preferably an electric or hybrid electric vehicle, said energy storage system (10) comprising at least two battery packs (12) connected in parallel, said energy storage system (10) being adapted to provide at least a nominal power functionality for propulsion of said vehicle (30) using an allowed operating extent of all of said battery packs (12) of said energy storage system (10), said allowed operating extent being a nominal working range of said battery packs (12); said method comprising disconnecting at least one battery pack (12); and setting said allowed operating extent for said remaining connected and active battery pack(s) (12) to an increased working range so as to enable said energy storage system (10) to provide said nominal power functionality to said vehicle (30), the method further comprising monitoring at least one accumulated parameter indicative of the operation of said energyType: GrantFiled: June 14, 2016Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Niklas Legnedahl, Hanna Bryngelsson, Simon Brunet, Tobias Smidebrant
-
Publication number: 20220009374Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for controlling an electric energy system (1) for propulsion of a vehicle (100), wherein the electric energy system comprises: a traction voltage bus (2); a plurality of batteries (3?, 3?) electrically connectable to each other via the traction voltage bus (2), and wherein each battery is electrically connectable to the traction voltage bus by at least one contactor (A, B); wherein the control system comprises a respective battery control unit (BMU1, BMU2) for each one of the plurality of batteries, wherein the control system further comprises: a master electronic control unit (MECU) for controlling the plurality of batteries, wherein the master electronic control unit (MECU) is communicatively connected to each one of the battery control units (BMU1, BMU2), and wherein the master electronic control unit (MECU) is configured to provide a predefined electric interference to the traction voltage bus (2) after a signal to open the at least one contactor (A, B) of eachType: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2021Publication date: January 13, 2022Applicant: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventor: Tobias Smidebrant
-
Patent number: 11214208Abstract: A traction voltage system in a vehicle includes a junction box with multiple connectors for electrical components, which components include electrical supplies and electrical loads, and an electronic control unit arranged to monitor current flowing flow to or from the components. A controller or a circuit breaker is arranged to control the supply of power to each respective component, and at least all but one of the connectors are provided with a current sensor arranged to transmit a signal representing detected current values to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is arranged to determine an instantaneous current value flowing to or from each component, to compare the instantaneous current value with a predetermined limit value for each connector, and to take action in response to the comparison. A method for controlling the traction voltage system is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2013Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Jerker Lennevi, Tobias Smidebrant
-
Publication number: 20200406782Abstract: The invention relates to a method (100) for determining an adjusted state-of-charge (SOC) operating window of a battery pack assembly in a vehicle. The method comprises the steps of determining (120) an energy throughput or an electrical current through put of the battery pack assembly; determining (130) a SOC operating window margin based on said determined energy throughput or electrical current through put of the battery pack assembly;adjusting (140) the SOC operating window in response to the determined SOC operating window margin.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2018Publication date: December 31, 2020Applicant: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Simon BRUNET, Tobias SMIDEBRANT
-
Patent number: 10377261Abstract: A device/method for the control of a charge operation and the State Of Charge (SOC) of an electrical Energy Storage System (ESS), e.g. a battery, that includes a multitude of cells is provided. The ESS is electrically connected to a propulsion system of a vehicle in order to power an Electric Motor. The method includes charging the ESS from an electrical power source, e.g., the grid, when the vehicle is at standstill, stopping the charging when the SOC level of the ESS is above a maintenance limit for the SOC level of the ESS, monitoring the battery and/or performing a service operation of the ESS after the ESS has been charged to a SOC level above the maintenance limit for the SOC level of the ESS, deliberately discharging the ESS to lower the SOC level.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Volvo Truck CorporationInventor: Tobias Smidebrant
-
Publication number: 20190160948Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of an energy storage system (10) in a vehicle (30), preferably an electric or hybrid electric vehicle, said energy storage system (10) comprising at least two battery packs (12) connected in parallel, said energy storage system (10) being adapted to provide at least a nominal power functionality for propulsion of said vehicle (30) using an allowed operating extent of all of said battery packs (12) of said energy storage system (10), said allowed operating extent being a nominal working range of said battery packs (12); said method comprising disconnecting at least one battery pack (12); and setting said allowed operating extent for said remaining connected and active battery pack(s) (12) to an increased working range so as to enable said energy storage system (10) to provide said nominal power functionality to said vehicle (30), the method further comprising monitoring at least one accumulated parameter indicative of the operation of said energyType: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2016Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Niklas Legnedahl, Hanna Bryngelsson, Simon Brunet, Tobias Smidebrant
-
Patent number: 10065632Abstract: A method is provided for operating a hybrid electric vehicle including an internal combustion engine and an electrical system, which electrical system includes at least one electronic control unit, an engine-driven electric machine (operable as a motor for driving the vehicle or as a generator for supplying power to one or more electrical loads via a high voltage traction bus, and a high voltage battery pack coupled to the high voltage traction bus by at least one contactor arranged to connect the battery pack to the high voltage traction bus. If it is determined that the at least one parameter indicates a condition preventing the battery pack from being connected to the high voltage bus, the electric machine is operated in voltage control mode during operation of the vehicle until the condition is eliminated, whereafter the high voltage bus is pre-charged and the high voltage battery pack reconnected.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Volvo Truck CorporationInventors: Jerker Lennevi, Tobias Smidebrant
-
Patent number: 9937815Abstract: A method is provided for balancing an energy storage system that includes a plurality of connected battery cells in a vehicle including an electric machine arranged for propulsion of the vehicle. The method includes monitoring a need for balancing of the cells, initiating a request for the balancing based on the operational condition related to the battery cells, discharging or charging the energy storage system until the state of charge of the energy storage system has reached a predetermined level, and balancing the voltage of the battery cells. The method further includes allowing input instructions representing a time schedule for the balancing upon initiating the request for balancing, and initiating the discharging so that the energy storage system reaches the predetermined level of the state of charge in accordance with the input instructions. An arrangement for balancing an energy storage system is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Volvo Truck CorporationInventors: Tobias Smidebrant, Jerker Lennevi, Niklas Legnedahl
-
Patent number: 9868360Abstract: A method is provided for balancing the voltage of multiple series-connected electrochemical cells of an electrical storage system of a hybrid electric vehicle. The method includes discharging the electrical storage system by operating at least one large electrical machine of the vehicle at vehicle standstill until the state of charge of the electrical storage system or the cell having the lowest state of charge has reached a predetermined level, and subsequently balancing the voltage of the cells.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2013Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Volvo Truck CorporationInventors: Tobias Smidebrant, Jerker Lennevi
-
Publication number: 20170341527Abstract: A device/method for the control of a charge operation and the State Of Charge (SOC) of an electrical Energy Storage System (ESS), e.g. a battery, that includes a multitude of cells is provided. The ESS is electrically connected to a propulsion system of a vehicle in order to power an Electric Motor. The method includes charging the ESS from an electrical power source, e.g., the grid, when the vehicle is at standstill, stopping the charging when the SOC level of the ESS is above a maintenance limit for the SOC level of the ESS, monitoring the battery and/or performing a service operation of the ESS after the ESS has been charged to a SOC level above the maintenance limit for the SOC level of the ESS, deliberately discharging the ESS to lower the SOC level.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2014Publication date: November 30, 2017Applicant: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventor: Tobias SMIDEBRANT
-
Patent number: 9766298Abstract: A method for estimation of state-of-health (SOH) characteristics of a battery in hybrid vehicles includes charging and discharging the battery at least one time within an upper region of a state-of-charge (SOC) window, wherein the battery; charging and discharging the battery at least one time within a lower region of the SOC window, calibrating a battery management unit included in the hybrid vehicle by using the reached levels outside the SOC window, and estimating the SOH characteristics of the battery during the charge and discharge periods by using the battery management unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2014Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Volvo Truck CorporationInventors: Jerker Lennevi, Tommy Hjelle, Tobias Smidebrant, Niklas Legnedahl, Johanna Gustafsson, Hanna Bryngelsson