Control Of Battery Specific To Hybrid Operation Patents (Class 180/65.29)
  • Patent number: 8651209
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology are directed toward a kinetic energy storage system for capturing kinetic energy of a vehicle, converting the captured kinetic energy into another form, and storing the converted energy in a portable energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond Hartjen, III
  • Patent number: 8649926
    Abstract: A construction machine comprises an electric motor/generator; an engine; an epicyclic gearing for rotating the electric motor/generator reversely when speed of a rotation output to a drive wheel is zero during running of the engine; a transmission configured to switch between a forward driving gear position and a backward driving gear position; and a controller for controlling the engine, the electric motor/generator and the transmission, based on at least an accelerator opening, and a state of charge in an electric storage device; the controller being configured to switch the forward driving gear position or the backward driving gear position to a direction opposite to a direction in which the construction machine is moving, and cause the electric motor/generator to generate reverse torque in a power running mode, when the electric storage device is in a fully charged state and the accelerator has been pressed down by a driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignees: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha KCM
    Inventors: Makoto Baino, Soichirio Bando, Hidekazu Matsuba
  • Patent number: 8645049
    Abstract: A motor generator is connected to a high voltage battery through an inverter. A voltage of the high voltage battery is decreased and is applied to a low voltage battery through a DC-DC converter. At time of starting an engine, a starting operation of a starter is executed by applying an output voltage of the DC-DC converter 36 to the starter. At this time, the output voltage of the DC-DC converter 36 may be adjusted based on the temperature of the engine, the voltage of the low voltage battery and/or the degree of degradation of lubricant oil of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kazunari Izumi
  • Patent number: 8639413
    Abstract: A power supply system comprises a chargeable power storage device; a charging device configured to perform external charging for charging the power storage device using alternating-current power supplied from an external power supply; an air conditioner receiving electric power from the charging device and the power storage device and air-conditioning a compartment in a vehicle; an auxiliary machinery load; and an ECU. The ECU controls at least one of the charging device and the auxiliary machinery load so as to increase the electric power output from the power storage device in a case where overcharging of the power storage device is expected when the air conditioner is intermittently operated during external charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroki Endo
  • Patent number: 8622160
    Abstract: A universal steering and charger system is disclosed for a dual motor vehicle comprising a socket having socket terminals. A coupling defines a socket insert having socket insert terminals. A sensor is connected to the socket insert terminals with a hand control enabling an operator to manipulate the sensor. The socket insert is receivable within the socket for electrically connecting the socket insert to the socket. A motor drive control is connected to the socket for powering the first and second motors from a storage battery for steering the dual motor vehicle. A mast has mast terminals connected to a low voltage power source. The coupling is removable from the socket for enabling insertion of the mast into the socket for charging the storage battery. A plurality of sockets may be mounted at multiple location on the dual motor vehicle for steering the dual motor vehicle from multiple locations on the dual motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Flowers IP LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Flowers
  • Publication number: 20140005872
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a charging unit for externally charging a power storage unit with electric power received from an external power supply, and an electric power generation unit capable of generating electric power from drive force received from an engine. The power storage unit is configured to be internally chargeable with electric power received from the electric power generation unit. The vehicle travels in selected one of EV priority mode restricting internal charging of the power storage unit and HV priority mode controlling internal charging such that a state of charge of the power storage unit is kept within a predetermined range. When a predetermined operating condition is satisfied while the vehicle is traveling, a control apparatus generates an operation request to the engine. The control apparatus changes the operating condition of the engine depending on whether the mode is EV priority mode or HV priority mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuta Teraya
  • Patent number: 8616312
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle powertrain system where the powertrain system includes a fuel controlled engine, an electric motor, and a battery, the fuel, controlled engine and the electric motor capable of powering the powertrain system. The powertrain system is capable of operating in a plurality of operational modes. The method includes detecting a current value representative of a current flowing through a portion of the battery, calculating a first value representative of the current over a predetermined amount of time, and de-rating at least one of the plurality of operational modes in response to the calculated first value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Connolly, Xiaosong Kang, George A. Brunemann
  • Patent number: 8615342
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a road condition acquisition portion (40, 41) that acquires information on an actual road condition; a storage portion (42) where road data is stored; a route setting portion (40) that sets a route to a destination, based on the road data stored in the storage portion (42); a travel pattern setting portion (30) that sets a travel pattern on the route set by the route setting portion (40), based on the road data stored in the storage portion (42); an operation schedule setting portion (30) that sets an operation schedule that is a schedule of operations of the engine and the motor, based on the travel pattern set by the travel pattern setting portion (30); and a control portion (30) that controls the operations of the engine and the motor based on the information on the actual road condition acquired by the road condition acquisition portion (40, 41) and the operation schedule set by the operation schedule setting portion (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Suganuma, Mamoru Kuraishi, Kazunao Yamada, Takashi Naitou, Toshiaki Niwa, Masatoshi Takahara, Fumiharu Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20130338862
    Abstract: A method of providing an electrical charge to a vehicle traction battery using a power inverter module includes sensing a temperature of the power inverter module and sensing a temperature of the traction battery. From the sensed temperatures, an engine control unit may determine an expected voltage oscillation amplitude of the electrical charge. This amplitude may be used to calculate a maximum allowable nominal voltage of the electrical charge by subtracting the expected voltage oscillation amplitude from a maximum allowable voltage of the traction battery. The maximum allowable nominal voltage of the electrical charge may then be used to limit the available power provided to the traction battery by the power inverter module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John T. Guerin, Kris S. Sevel
  • Patent number: 8612077
    Abstract: A path-dependent control of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) includes segmenting an original route into segments. A virtual route based on the remaining portion of the original route is generated once the HEV reaches a current segment of the original route. The virtual route includes a first segment corresponding to the current segment of the original route and a last segment representing at least two other segments of the remaining portion of the original route. Battery SoC set-points for the segments of the virtual route are generated. The vehicle is controlled according to the battery SoC set-point for the first segment of the virtual route as the vehicle travels along the current segment of the original route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Mark Phillips, Georgia-Evangelia Katsargyri, Ming Lang Kuang, Ilya Vladimir Kolmanovsky, John Ottavio Michelini, Munther Abdullah Dahleh, Michael David Rinehart
  • Patent number: 8602140
    Abstract: Circuits, systems, and methods are disclosed to eliminate the requirement for an external electromechanical contactor. Integrating contactor circuits with a motor controller reduces cost. Additionally, the cost of the contactor circuit may be reduced by providing transistors designed to block current in only one direction in the event of an electrical fault corresponding to an electrical drive direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Curtis Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger White, Stephen Post
  • Patent number: 8606449
    Abstract: A method for protecting a battery of a hybrid vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for a hybrid vehicle which selectively drives a motor by electricity of the battery and selectively charges the battery by electricity generated by driving of the motor. More specifically, the present invention provides a method and system that determines whether the motor is running at a speed that is greater than or equal to a predetermined speed, determines whether the motor has malfunctioned; determines a target shift speed by applying overcharge protection shift map in response to a determination that the motor is operating a speed greater than or equal to the predetermined speed and the that the motor is malfunctioning. Upon making this determination, the present invention performs a shift to the target shift speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Seok Young Yun
  • Publication number: 20130325214
    Abstract: A system for controlling power of a hybrid vehicle may include a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of a commanded acceleration for the hybrid vehicle and determine a potential for each of a power source, a generator, and an energy storage device to supply energy to achieve the commanded acceleration. The controller may be further configured to determine a cost associated with using each of the power source, the generator, and the energy storage device to achieve the commanded acceleration, and determine a combination of the power source, the generator, and the energy storage device that achieves the commanded acceleration at a lowest total cost. The controller may also be configured to provide a signal to at least one of the power source, the generator, and the energy storage device to achieve the commanded acceleration based on the determined combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: David W. VOS
  • Patent number: 8596392
    Abstract: A method for operation of a hybrid vehicle is provided. The hybrid vehicle has a first drive apparatus for driving the wheels on a first axle by an internal combustion engine, a second drive apparatus having two electrical machines for driving the wheels on a second axle, and at least one electrical energy store that can be discharged when an electrical machine is being operated as a motor and can be charged when an electrical machine is being operated as a generator. The method includes operating at least one driver-operated control for causing at least one of the electrical machines to output additional electrical drive torque to the axle that is not driven by the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Hennings, Jochen Schmid, Daniel Armbruster
  • Publication number: 20130317685
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a first electric storage device for supplying an electric power to an electric rotating machine, a second electric storage device with a lower voltage than the first electric storage device for supplying an electric power to an electric component, a converter, and a control unit. The control unit controls the converter such that a voltage of a electric power supplied from the first electric storage device to the second electric storage device becomes equal to a target voltage. Further, the control unit sets the target voltage to a first voltage if a system stop period for a system of the vehicle is longer than a first period, and sets the target voltage to a second voltage, which is lower than the first voltage, if the system stop period is equal to or shorter than the first period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Gohki Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 8594877
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and a generator motor, a capacitor, and a driving force assisting unit. Further, the control device includes a switching unit that selects an appropriate traveling range from a plurality of traveling ranges including at least a normal traveling range and a charging priority range for preferentially charging the capacitor and switches the range, and a threshold value increasing unit that increases, when the charging priority range is selected by the switching unit, the predetermined determination threshold value as compared to when the normal traveling range is selected by the switching unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Goto, Toshihiko Fukuda, Yohei Okagawa, Hiroshi Ito
  • Patent number: 8593101
    Abstract: A power converting device is disclosed that can reduce switching loss occurring in a voltage source inverter that drives an AC motor. It is possible to supply DC power to the voltage source inverter from both a voltage source rectifier, which converts AC power from an AC generator into DC power, and a battery. A first switching circuit is inserted between the voltage source rectifier and the AC generator, and the battery is connected to the output side of the voltage source rectifier. A second switching circuit is inserted between the battery and the voltage source inverter. A third switching circuit and a reactor are inserted in series between the input side of the voltage source inverter and the input side of the voltage source rectifier. At least one of an upper arm and a lower arm of the voltage source rectifier can be chopper controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michio Iwahori
  • Patent number: 8583307
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a main power storage device and a plurality of sub power storage devices. A converter is connected to a selected one of the sub power storage devices to convert voltage between the selected sub power storage device and an electric power feeding line bidirectionally. Connection of the sub power storage device is switched and, when the last sub power storage is used, a request to disconnect the sub power storage device is generated based on the SOC of the sub power storage device and the vehicle state. Specifically, where the SOC is included in a disconnection forced region in which the SOC is smaller than a reference lower limit, the sub power storage device is forced to be disconnected regardless of the vehicle state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiko Kato, Masaya Yamamoto, Haruki Sato
  • Patent number: 8577566
    Abstract: A driving instability determination device is provided to improve the precision in detecting the driving instability. The driving state determination section determines whether the state is a prescribed driving state by determining whether the information of the operation state of the driving operation unit and the vehicle state as the running state data is disturbed. Based on the running state data for detecting the unstable state of the driver, the running state distribution computing section excludes the running state data when the state is determined to be the prescribed driving state, and the running state distribution computing section computes the first and second running state distributions in different time ranges. The driving instability determination section determines the instability of the driving from the difference between the two computed running state distributions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Kondoh
  • Patent number: 8577533
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle that includes a battery includes a controller that controls a charge amount of the battery. The controller limits the charge amount of the battery at a time of low vehicle speed even when a state of charge of the battery has fallen. The controller relaxes a limitation on the charge amount when a power driving mode, in which higher priority is given to responsiveness of a driving force than at a time of a normal driving mode, is selected as a driving mode of the hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eiji Fukushiro
  • Publication number: 20130289815
    Abstract: A GPS, a map information, and a communication unit which are included in a vehicle control apparatus acquire road information on a road on which a vehicle travels, and a hybrid ECU sets a battery residual capacity target value which is a target value of residual capacity of a battery which is a power source driving the vehicle. In addition, the hybrid ECU predicts a vehicle driver's operation, based on the road information acquired by the GPS and the like. Furthermore, the hybrid ECU modifies the battery residual capacity target value which has been set, based on the road information, according to the predicted vehicle driver's operation. Therefore, it is possible to more appropriately set the battery residual capacity target value according to the road information on the road, and the driver's operation performed on the road.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naoto Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8565956
    Abstract: A cranking torque control apparatus (100) is mounted on a hybrid vehicle provided with: an engine (11), a motor (MG1) coupled with the engine and capable of cranking the engine, and a battery (21) capable of supplying an electric power to the motor. The cranking torque control apparatus is provided with: a setting device (22) capable of setting an output limit value which is a limit value for the electric power outputted from the battery in accordance with an electric power deviation when the motor cranks the engine; and a controlling device (22) for controlling said setting device not to set the output limit value under a condition that a voltage of the battery falls below a lower limit voltage associated with the battery due to resonance of the engine or due to a first fire of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Miwa, Takashi Kawai
  • Patent number: 8565952
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a power source, and a motor. The power source outputs electrical energy in accordance with an actual state of charge, and the motor generates electrical energy when provided with torque from the engine. A position sensor generates a route signal representing drive cycle data between a present location of the vehicle and a selected destination. A controller determines a reference state of charge of the power source at the present location from the drive cycle data and commands the engine to charge the power source if the actual state of charge is below the reference state of charge determined for the present location. A method includes receiving the selected destination, generating the route signal, determining the reference state of charge from the drive cycle data, and commanding the engine to charge the power source in accordance with the reference state of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Daniel K. Mehr, Matthew Simonini, Paul S. Lombardo, Christopher M. Haliburton
  • Patent number: 8558512
    Abstract: An electrical generator has an engine that provides a mechanical output that is converted to electrical current by an alternator. The engine is started by a battery-powered motor starter. The battery is charged during running of the electrical generator by a portion of the electrical current output by the alternator. The battery is charged according to a charging profile based on the temperature of the battery at start up of the electrical generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Iles, Alan Dietrich, Steven Wilcox, Greg Wischstadt, David Thimmesch
  • Patent number: 8549838
    Abstract: A method includes providing an internal combustion engine having an output shaft and producing an exhaust gas stream, providing an electric motor operatively coupled to the output shaft, and determining a regeneration state of an aftertreatment component that treats the exhaust gas stream. The method further includes determining an engine torque requirement such that, when the internal combustion engine achieves the engine torque requirement at a present set of operating conditions, a temperature of the exhaust gas stream will achieve an exhaust gas temperature threshold. The method further includes commanding the electric motor to apply a counter torque to the output shaft in response to the regeneration state indicating an active thermal regeneration event, where the counter torque comprises is high enough for the internal combustion engine to achieve the engine torque requirement. The exhaust gas temperature threshold may be a hold-warm temperature and/or a regeneration temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek Anand Sujan, Martin T. Books, Morgan Andreae, Patrick Djan-Sampson
  • Publication number: 20130253745
    Abstract: A charge utilization control system for an electric vehicle includes a controller, an electric motor connected to the controller, a battery connected to the electric motor and an internal combustion engine connected to the controller. The controller is adapted to minimize electric charge stored in the battery as the electric vehicle approaches a charging destination for the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Lewis Booth, Dale Scott Crombez, Daniel A. Gabor
  • Patent number: 8543270
    Abstract: A method of optimizing the operation of the power source of an electric vehicle is provided, where the power source is comprised of a first battery pack (e.g., a non-metal-air battery pack) and a second battery pack (e.g., a metal-air battery pack). The power source is optimized to minimize use of the least efficient battery pack (e.g., the second battery pack) while ensuring that the electric vehicle has sufficient power to traverse the expected travel distance before the next battery charging cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Russell Kelty, Vineet Haresh Mehta, Jeffrey Brian Straubel
  • Patent number: 8541972
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for suppressing a speed ripple occurring during an operation of an AC motor by using a torque compensator based on an activation function. The method includes the steps of calculating a speed error ?err based on a reference speed ?ref and an actual speed ?act; calculating a controller output Trm by using the speed error ?err as an input of a PI control and an operation of a compensated torque Tcom; and determining a torque variation based on the controller output Trm and a reference torque Tref and operating the torque variation in relation to an anti-windup gain Ka to use torque variation as an input of an integral (I) control. The method suppresses the speed ripple by compensating for the torque ripple through a controller which calculates the compensated torque by taking the signs of the speed error and the differential speed error into consideration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Kyungsung University Industry Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Dong Hee Lee, Jin Woo Ahn
  • Publication number: 20130245874
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a hybrid automotive vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine, and an electric machine connected to an energy storage system. Each of the internal combustion engine and the electric machine are adapted to deliver torque to a driveline of the vehicle. This method includes a) during a mission of the vehicle, estimation of the temperature of the energy storage system at the beginning of a next mission of the vehicle, and b) if the temperature estimated at step a) is below a threshold value, recharging, before the end of the current mission of the vehicle, the energy storage system on the basis of the temperature estimated at step a). In a step c), if the energy storage system has been recharged at step b), then, at the beginning of the next operating period of the vehicle, the energy storage system is heavily discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: RENAULT TRUCKS
    Inventors: Christophe Magnet, Michael Millet
  • Patent number: 8536825
    Abstract: A system and method for improving cycle lifetimes for a lithium-ion battery pack, particularly for adapting to a dynamic use profile for a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Clay Hajime Kishiyama, Vineet Haresh Mehta, Christopher David Gadda
  • Patent number: 8532854
    Abstract: A vehicle includes first and second battery packs having respective first and second banks of contactors. The packs are wired in electrical parallel. A propulsion system is driven using electrical power from the packs. A controller determines which pack has the highest state of charge (SOC), and balances the SOC of the packs by controlling an open/closed state of the contactors. Contactors open to disconnect the pack having the highest SOC, and close again when a voltage difference between the packs is approximately zero. A system for use in the vehicle includes the packs, contactors, and controller. A method for controlling power flow in the vehicle includes determining which pack has the highest SOC, opening designated contactors during a near zero current event to disconnect the battery pack having the highest SOC, and closing the designated contactors when a voltage difference between the packs is approximately zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Edward D. Tate, Jr., Alan G. Holmes
  • Publication number: 20130231808
    Abstract: A vehicle energy management system for gathering, storing the energy, and distributing the stored energy supports various subsystems on the vehicle such as driver comfort systems, payload refrigeration, liftgate mechanisms, and roof de-icing, for example. The system harvests energy from various sources available to the vehicle, such as solar panels, regenerative braking and shock absorbers. The harvested energy is gathered for battery storage. Management logic allocates the stored electricity to various vehicle loads defined by the subsystems, based on factors such as time of day, ambient temperature, and weather conditions, which are used to predict the electrical demand called for by the loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Flath, Robert Doane, John Mallon, Theodore B. Howell, Gary T. Wenger, Philip R. Pierce
  • Patent number: 8521408
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for estimating a distance to empty (DTE) from the present amount of remaining fuel (the amount of remaining electricity) in an electric vehicle. In particular, the present invention provides a method for estimating a remaining travel distance of an electric vehicle, which can efficiently and accurately estimate a remaining travel distance by setting the relationship of a DTE with a state of charge (SOC) of a battery which changes in real time under various load conditions, in consideration of the present travel pattern, in addition to the SOC of a battery and accumulated fuel efficiency for the amount of remaining fuel of the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Il Cho, Woo Sung Kim, Ho Gi Kim, Ki Taek Sung, Dong Gil Ha, Do Sung Hwang
  • Patent number: 8513953
    Abstract: A power supply device includes: a power supply; a first contactor and a second contactor that are connected between the power supply and a load; a voltage detection circuit that detects a voltage between a load side of the first contactor and a power supply side of the second contactor; and a control unit that sets the contactors to an open/closed state. In a state in which electrical power has not been supplied to the load, a voltage which is greater than zero and less than a voltage at the power supply is applied between a positive electrode and a negative electrode on the load side; and after controlling the contactors to an open state, the control unit makes a decision as to whether or not one of the contactors is welded based upon detection results of the voltage detection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Myoen, Hiroyuki Yamai
  • Publication number: 20130211642
    Abstract: An electric battery of a hybrid vehicle can be heated by alternately discharging and charging the battery during a cold start, wherein the battery initially does not supply power to drive the vehicle. Heating the battery can also be used to simultaneously change the charge state of the battery. The heating can be started immediately at the cold start, without the need to first bring the electric battery to a specific charge state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Boris Blasinski, Rene Kasteneder
  • Patent number: 8502498
    Abstract: The described method and system provide for managing the charging of individual electric vehicles with respect to local substations or grids to lower the load on a given substation or grid. When the load on a substation or grid reaches a warning threshold, a call center may facilitate the implementation of a charging plan to reduce the load. The call center may locate and identify vehicles that are being charged in the relevant area and may further manage the charging of the located vehicles to reduce the load through a charging plan. The plan may be based on the current state of charge of each vehicle, the historical use and projected use of each vehicle, vehicle charging patterns, and the severity of the load on the substation or grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventor: Dana B. Fecher
  • Patent number: 8504232
    Abstract: A charging state estimation unit estimates a remaining capacity of a power storage device. A charge/discharge control unit controls charging and discharging of the power storage device based on the remaining capacity estimate value. The charge/discharge control unit includes a charge instruction unit for, in the case where the remaining capacity estimate value falls below a predetermined lower limit value, controlling the internal combustion engine to be in the load operation state to generate charge power and controlling the internal combustion engine to be in the no-load operation state when it is determined that a prescribed charge termination condition is satisfied. The charge instruction unit sets the charge termination condition such that the charging time for the power storage device is shortened as the charge power that can be received by the power storage device in the present state is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takanori Aoki
  • Patent number: 8502499
    Abstract: A charging device for an electrically-drivable vehicle comprises a power-supply connector (100), a power-receiving connector (200), a safety-charging-signal-generating unit provided in the charging device, a CAN control module receiving a safety-charging signal generated by the safety-charging-signal-generating unit. The charging device may be configured to be chargeable to the electrically-drivable vehicle when the charging terminal and the charging-terminal-accommodating chamber are connected to each other. The power-supply connector and the power-receiving connector are engaged with the CAN module detecting the safety-charging signal. The personal safety during maintenance or other unexpected accidents is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Xiao, Li Zhan, Ye Yuan
  • Patent number: 8493025
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems relating to electric vehicle charging stations (“EVCSs”) and electric vehicle supply equipment (“EVSE”) that are configured to display advertisements to a user. For example, in one embodiment, advertisements are displayed on a display device of the EVCS or EVSE as the EVCS or EVSE awaits user interaction. An indication is received of user interaction with the EVCS or EVSE. A transaction is facilitated between a user and the EVCS or EVSE by which the user indicates that one or more electric vehicle batteries of an electric vehicle are to be charged via one of one or more charging ports of the EVCS or EVSE. A charging operation is performed that provides an electric charge to the one or more electric vehicle batteries of the electric vehicle via the one of the one or more charging ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Optimization Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dexter Turner
  • Patent number: 8494732
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission is operative to transfer power between an input member and a torque machine and an output member. A method for controlling the powertrain system during a braking event includes evaluating candidate input torques. An output torque reactable through the transmission to the driveline and limited within the range of permissible output torques is determined for the candidate engine input torque. A preferred input torque is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Daimler AG, Chrysler Group LLC, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Anthony H. Heap
  • Patent number: 8479849
    Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system and a method of its operation are described. As one example, the vehicle propulsion system includes a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The method may include starting the engine responsive to different criteria, including criteria related to potential degradation effects that may occur due to excessive durations of engine off vehicle operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • Patent number: 8479850
    Abstract: A fluid pressure brake unit generates a friction braking force by supplying an operating fluid to a wheel cylinder provided to each wheel of a vehicle so as to press a brake pad against the wheel. A regenerative brake unit generates a regenerative braking force by electric power regeneration to a motor that drives the wheel. A battery collects electric power from the motor. A low-temperature determination unit determines that the temperature of the battery is low when the temperature of the battery is below a predetermined temperature range. A battery temperature increasing unit generates, when the temperature of the battery is determined to be low, a braking force to the vehicle by at least either a fluid pressure brake unit or a regenerative brake unit during acceleration of the vehicle by the motor or the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Nakata
  • Patent number: 8473136
    Abstract: A power supply system for a hybrid vehicle includes a main power storage device and a plurality of sub power storage devices used selectively. When SOC of each power storage device decreases to an SOC control target, the running mode transitions from a CD mode of running with stored electric energy with an engine stopped to a CS mode of running while maintaining stored electric energy by power generation of the engine. An ECU determines a usage pattern of the power storage devices in the CS mode and the CD mode at startup of the power supply system following the start of vehicle driving. Further, in accordance with the determined usage pattern, the ECU appropriately sets an individual SOC target for each power storage device such that, upon ensuring stored electric energy available at the start of the CS mode, stored electric energy to be used in the CD mode is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiko Kato, Masaya Yamamoto, Haruki Sato
  • Patent number: 8473131
    Abstract: An electric vehicle charger determines the presence of an electric vehicle when the electric vehicle is in proximity to the charger. Validation of account data associated with the electric vehicle occurs over a network. A docking interface on the charger aligns to a receptacle on the electric vehicle. The docking interface and the receptacle are coupled when the docking interface is within a predetermined distance to the receptacle. The charger supplies power to the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: PowerHydrant LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Walter Leary
  • Patent number: 8471521
    Abstract: A power source comprised of a first battery pack (e.g., a non-metal-air battery pack) and a second battery pack (e.g., a metal-air battery pack) is provided, wherein the second battery pack is only used as required by the state-of-charge (SOC) of the first battery pack or as a result of the user selecting an extended range mode of operation. Minimizing use of the second battery pack prevents it from undergoing unnecessary, and potentially lifetime limiting, charge cycles. The second battery pack may be used to charge the first battery pack or used in combination with the first battery pack to supply operational power to the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah G. Stewart, Scott Ira Kohn, Kurt Russell Kelty, Jeffrey Brian Straubel
  • Patent number: 8457873
    Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that may be subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a possible consequential result related to a user-selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. Various accessible records may be maintained regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode. A further aspect may provide correlation between a selective operation mode of an electric/combustion hybrid vehicle during an applicable travel period and a preferred consequential result available to a qualified recipient associated with the hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Thomas J. Nugent, Jr., Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 8453773
    Abstract: The invention provides for a high occupancy or heavy-duty vehicle with a battery propulsion power source, which may include lithium titanate batteries. The vehicle may be all-battery or may be a hybrid, and may have a composite body. The vehicle battery system may be housed within the floor of the vehicle and may have different groupings and arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Proterra Inc
    Inventors: Dale Hill, Michael Walker, Shaun Onorato, Donald Morris, Stephen Misencik, John Winkel
  • Patent number: 8450974
    Abstract: A power source comprised of a first battery pack (e.g., a non-metal-air battery pack) and a second battery pack (e.g., a metal-air battery pack) is provided, wherein the second battery pack is only used as required by the state-of-charge (SOC) of the first battery pack or as a result of the user selecting an extended range mode of operation. Minimizing use of the second battery pack prevents it from undergoing unnecessary, and potentially lifetime limiting, charge cycles. The second battery pack may be used to charge the first battery pack or used in combination with the first battery pack to supply operational power to the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah G. Stewart, Scott Ira Kohn, Kurt Russell Kelty, Jeffrey Brian Straubel
  • Patent number: 8452471
    Abstract: A process for operating a hybrid vehicle in an internal-combustion-engine-driven mode and/or in an electric-motor-driven mode, wherein, on a route section to be traveled and considered for driving in the electric-motor-driven mode, a change to the electric-motor-driven mode will take place only when a threshold value is exceeded which represents, or correlates with the efficiency advantage achievable on the route section by a change from the internal-combustion-engine-driven mode to the electric-motor-driven mode. Starting from the instantaneous position of the hybrid vehicle, the route is examined in an anticipatory manner with respect to such a route section, wherein the threshold value is adapted when such a route section was recognized and a driving through the route section in the electric driving mode would likely lead to a lowering of the state of charge of an electric energy accumulator into a critical state of charge range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Wilde, Torsten Herzog
  • Patent number: 8447450
    Abstract: A method and a device are provided for specifying a boost control strategy of a hybrid vehicle drive. The method includes predefining a driving track (R) with a multiplicity of track sections (G1-G4; K1-K4); determining a dependency of a lap time gain (?t) on a boost energy quantity (Eboost) used, proceeding from a vehicle-specific lap time without boost assistance from the electric motor (G1, G2) for a plurality of predetermined track sections (G1-G4); and defining a respective partial boost energy quantity (EBoost1, EBoost2, EBoost3, EBoost4) for each track section (G1-G4) based on the determined dependencies, with a sum of the partial boost energy quantities (EBoost1, EBoost2, EBoost3, EBoost4) corresponding to a predefined available total boost energy quantity (EBoostm).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Hennings, Alexander Basler