Having Energy Storing Means (e.g., Battery, Capacitor) (epo/jpo) Patents (Class 903/903)
  • Publication number: 20120211286
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid variant automobile drive which improves a fuel efficiency of the automobile while retaining an acceleration profile of the automobile. In one embodiment, the present invention includes an engine, wheels, and/or a supplemental motor. The engine primarily drives the wheels, but can be aided by the supplemental motor. An amount of force supplied by the engine can be dependent on an amount of force supplied by the supplemental motor. The supplemental motor uses alternative energy sources aside from the fuel used by the engine to drive the wheels. The supplemental motor can be powered by a capacitor which is charged by an energy generation unit. The energy generation unit can generate energy using, for example, solar panels, a ram induction generator, a regenerative braking unit, and/or a heat exchange unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Woodson Wayne Samuel
  • Publication number: 20120215389
    Abstract: A machine for addition of motive force to a vehicle, with rotor-plate, rotor-arms, rotor permanent magnets, stator-plate, stator columns, stator electromagnets, and battery, cell, or other energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Charles Hampton Perry, Paul Walter Martin, III
  • Patent number: 8249769
    Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine, a planetary gear mechanism linked to the output shaft of the engine and to a driveshaft, a first motor linked the planetary gear, a second motor inputting and outputting power to and from the driveshaft, and a battery inputting and outputting electric power to and from the motors, when the battery temperature Tb is lower than the preset reference temperature Tbref, drive control prohibits the intermittent operation of the engine and controls the engine and the motors to output the torque demand to the driveshaft with warm-up control of the battery. When the battery temperature Tb is higher than or equal to the preset reference temperature Tbref and the cooling water temperature Tw is higher than or equal to the preset reference temperature Twref, drive control performs the intermittent operation of the engine and controls the engine and the motors to output the torque demand to the driveshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Itoh, Koji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8248221
    Abstract: An information display configured to display one or more energy efficiency values of a vehicle. The information display system may comprise an information display configured to display an energy recovered indicator corresponding to a ratio of the braking energy recovered using a regenerative braking system. The information display may include both an overall energy recovered indicator and an instantaneous energy recovered indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dale Scott Crombez
  • Publication number: 20120207620
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a hybrid vehicle drive system for a vehicle including a first prime mover, a first prime mover driven transmission, a rechargeable power source, and a PTO. The hybrid vehicle drive system further includes a hydraulic motor in direct or indirect mechanical communication with the PTO and an electric motor in direct or indirect mechanical communication with the hydraulic motor. The electric motor can provide power to the prime mover driven transmission and receive power from the prime mover driven transmission through the PTO. The hydraulic motor can provide power to the prime mover driven transmission and receive power from the prime mover driven transmission through the PTO.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas Dalum, Joseph Mario Ambrosio
  • Publication number: 20120209456
    Abstract: An unmanned air vehicle is provided, which includes an airframe and a parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system mounted on the airframe. The parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system includes an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. A hybrid controller is configured to control both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. A propeller is connected to a mechanical link. The mechanical link couples the internal combustion engine and the electric motor to the propeller to drive the propeller. An alternate unmanned air vehicle includes a second propeller driven by the electric motor. In this alternate unmanned air vehicle, the internal combustion engine is decoupled from the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Frederick G. Harmon, Ryan M. Hiserote, Matthew D. Rippl, Joseph K. Ausserer
  • Publication number: 20120209463
    Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid vehicle, particularly one that includes both a primary and an auxiliary power source. According to one exemplary embodiment, the method seeks to decouple or disassociate a driver's engagement of an accelerator pedal with activation of an auxiliary power source, such as an internal combustion engine. This way, if the driver aggressively engages the accelerator pedal while the hybrid vehicle is being propelled by a battery and an electrical motor, the method will delay activation of the internal combustion engine so that the two events do not appear to be linked or connected to one another. Delaying activation of the internal combustion engine while the electric motor is under a heavy stress load may also improve the drive quality of the hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James C. Gibbs, Kevin A. Dietrich, Larry D. Laws, Keith W. Weishuhn, John P. Blanchard
  • Publication number: 20120203414
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is driven by a power unit which includes: a first rotating machine including a first rotor, a first stator, and a second rotor, wherein the number of magnetic poles generated by an armature row of the first stator and one of the first rotor and the second rotor are connected to a drive shaft; a power engine, wherein an output shaft of the power engine is connected to the other of the first rotor and the second rotor; a second rotating machine; and a capacitor. A traveling mode of the hybrid vehicle includes an EV traveling mode and an ENG traveling mode, wherein the hybrid vehicle travels with a motive power from at least one of the first rotating machine and the second rotating machine in the EV traveling mode, and the hybrid vehicle travels with a motive power from the power engine in ENG traveling mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigemitsu Akutsu, Noriyuki Abe, Kota Kasaoka, Masashi Bando, Satoyoshi Oya
  • Publication number: 20120199406
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has an electrical drive machine that is supplied with electrical energy by an electrical energy storage device, and has an underbody region or surface (5). The electrical energy storage device is accessible for maintenance and/or installation work via a maintenance cover (10) in the underbody surface (5) to reduce time required for maintenance and/or installation work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Stefan Bender, Guan Chew, Steffen Maurer
  • Publication number: 20120197468
    Abstract: Location information may be used to adjust the engine start/stop characteristics of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) in order to increase the amount of electric vehicle (EV) mode driving, particularly near a destination in which an ignition-off event may occur. Common ignition-off locations may be learned and stored in a database along with the number of ignition-off occurrences associated with each learned location. The vehicle may calculate current distance to a nearest ignition-off location stored in the database using positioning system coordinates and may determine whether to adjust one or more engine pull-ups based at least in part on the distance and the corresponding number of ignition-off occurrences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Frederick, Matthew D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120197474
    Abstract: A motor vehicle comprising an electric motor, at least one battery, and an electronic regulation unit connected to a potentiometer of the accelerator to regulate the power supply of the electric motor. The stator of the electric motor is rotatably mounted on two fixed supports joined to the frame of the vehicle, an axle shaft of a wheel is connected to the stator and the axle shaft of the other wheel is connected to the rotor. The vehicle additionally comprises a rotation reversing device to reverse the rotation of one of the two axle shafts of the wheels with respect to the rotation of the rotor or stator, respectively, an endothermic motor, an electric generator connected to the battery and a three way clutch to couple the endothermic motor to the generator and/or stator of the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: PIERALISI MAIP SOCIETA' PER AZIONI
    Inventor: Gennaro Pieralisi
  • Publication number: 20120197472
    Abstract: A kinetic hybrid device and method for a vehicle may include a planetary gear system configured as a continuously variable transmission comprised of three or four ports. The kinetic hybrid device and method may include a flywheel connected to a first port of the system, a final drive connected to a second port of the system, and the variator for the flywheel connected to a third or fourth port of the system. The prime mover and/or other power sources may share a port with the flywheel, but do not share a port with the final drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Jing He, Hongping He
  • Publication number: 20120197473
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular power assisting system. In particular the present invention relates to a modular electric power assisting system that is adaptable to a vehicle/engine driven system so as to be operated/powered by electric system and/or its original power system. The synergistic combination of the motor system; motor control system and energy storage device coupled to the regenerative braking system of the present invention enables the power assisting system of the present invention to adapt to the vehicle/engine without involving substantial modifications in engine, power train, drive train and vehicle. The engine and electric motor exploits advantages of each of the power source based on the operating conditions of the vehicle/engine driven system by selectively responding to the engine's power demands so as to enhance fuel efficiency, reduce undesirable emissions and provide better drivability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Tejas Krishna Kshatriya
  • Patent number: 8232875
    Abstract: A degradation evaluating unit collects data related to a power storage device from a vehicle through a power cable, and based on the collected data, evaluates the state of degradation of the power storage device. A data processing unit reads data related to the state of degradation of the power storage device evaluated by degradation evaluating unit from a storage unit, and processes the read data related to the state of degradation to a first display item for a user, a second display item for a dealer and a third display item for a manufacturer. A display control unit controls display of the data processed by data processing unit on a display terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masatoshi Uchida
  • Publication number: 20120186391
    Abstract: A system of electric power management for a hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a first inverter, a first electric machine coupled to the engine and the first inverter, and a first transmission coupled between the engine and the first electric machine. The first transmission has a transmission speed ratio operable such that the first electric machine operating speed operates independent of an engine operating speed. A second electric machine is coupled to the second inverter and a wheel axle of the vehicle. A high voltage battery is coupled to both the first inverter and the second inverter. A switch box is disposed between the first electric machine and the second electric machine. The switch box includes switches adapted to switch open and closed to allow direct electrical connection from the first electric machine to the second electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Paul BOSKOVITCH, J. Axel Radermacher, Uday Deshpande, Michael Groene
  • Publication number: 20120187756
    Abstract: A disclosed hybrid-type construction machine includes a generator part configured to generate electric energy by the driving force of an engine; an inverter configured to control the generator part; an electric power accumulator configured to accumulate the electric energy generated by the generator part; a DC bus located between the generator part and the electric power accumulator; and a converter configured to control a voltage of the DC bus, wherein when the electric power accumulator having approximately zero electric energy is charged the inverter of the generator part is not controlled, and a reference value of a voltage command for the DC bus to charge the electric power accumulator is set to be smaller than an induced voltage of the generator part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Makoto YANAGISAWA
  • Publication number: 20120187758
    Abstract: A system for a hybrid vehicle includes an engine; a first inverter coupled to a second inverter; a first electrical machine coupled to the engine and the first inverter; a second electrical machine coupled to the second inverter and a wheel axle of the vehicle; a high voltage battery coupled to both the first inverter and the second inverter; and a switch box disposed between the first electrical machine and the second electrical machine. The switch box includes switches adapted to switch open and closed to allow direct electrical connection from the first electrical machine to the second electrical machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Paul BOSKOVITCH, J. Axel RADERMACHER
  • Publication number: 20120187753
    Abstract: An electrical system for a fuel cell hybrid vehicle where the vehicle includes a fuel cell stack and a high voltage battery. A traditional bi-directional DC/DC power converter is provided in a high voltage bus that couples the fuel cell stack voltage and the battery voltage. Further, a traditional power inverter module is provided that converts the high voltage DC power signal on the high voltage bus to an AC signal suitable for an electric traction motor on the vehicle. The present invention proposes using the already existing bi-directional DC/DC power converter and the PIM as part of an electric power take out (EPTO) circuit that provides AC power for external vehicle loads while the fuel cell stack and battery are not being used to power the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Jochen Schaffnit
  • Patent number: 8229612
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine, a planetary gear mechanism linked to the output shaft of the engine and to a driveshaft, a first motor linked to the planetary gear, a second motor inputting and outputting power to and from the driveshaft, and a battery inputting and outputting electric power to and from the motors. When a cooling water temperature Tw of the engine is lower than a threshold Twref, the intermittent operation of the engine is prohibited, and a controller performs a warm-up control on a condition that a battery temperature Tb is a preset reference temperature T?, while performing a low state of charge control on condition that a battery temperature Tb is higher than or equal to a preset reference temperature T? and lower than a preset reference temperature T?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Itoh, Koji Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20120185117
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and method of control are associated with the following operation. A quantized previous engine power command based on a previous engine power command is obtained. A current engine power command is quantized. The quantized current engine power command is maintained if the magnitude of the difference between the current engine power command and the quantized previous engine power command is larger than a threshold. The quantized current engine power command is set equal to the quantized previous engine power command if the magnitude of the difference between the current engine power command and the quantized previous engine power command is smaller than the threshold. An output engine power command based on the quantized current engine power command is generated. An engine of the hybrid vehicle is operated based on the output engine power command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Fazal Urrahman Syed, Qing Wang, Carol Louise Okubo, Ryan Abraham McGee, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Publication number: 20120179311
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of displaying vehicle range includes receiving input corresponding to a level of charge remaining in a vehicle having at least a partial electric power source usable for vehicle locomotion. The method also includes determining a maximum remaining range which the vehicle can travel based at least on the level of charge. The method further includes displaying a maximum range boundary overlaid on a map, including at least an indicator at the center of the range indicating a current location of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Skaff, Derek Hartl, Paul Aldighieri, Jeffrey Allen Greenberg, David L. Watson, Dale Gilman, Craig Sandvig, Leslie Bodnar, Leann Kridner, Angela L. Watson
  • Publication number: 20120179313
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes displaying a plurality of power consuming and producing vehicle components. The method also includes determining what components are currently consuming power and what components are currently delivering power, and to what magnitude the power is flowing between components. The method additionally includes displaying one or more arrows showing a powerflow from at least one power producing component to at least one power consuming or producing component. The method further includes displaying an indicia indicating the magnitude of the powerflow associated with the one or more arrows. Also, the method includes, for at least one power consuming component, displaying a gauge relating to a level of power being consumed by the at least one power consuming component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Hartl, Ryan Skaff, Angela L. Watson
  • Publication number: 20120173059
    Abstract: A machine includes a power system. The power system may include a prime mover drivingly connected to an electric generator. The power system may also include a power line operably connected to the electric generator. Additionally, the power system may include a first electrical energy storage device operable to exchange electricity with the power line. The power system may also include a second electrical energy storage device. The power system may further include power-system controls. The power-system controls may include a first power regulator. The power-system controls may also include at least one information processor configured to receive information related to at least one operating parameter of the power system and control the first power regulator based on the received information, including selectively controlling the first power regulator to receive electricity from the second electrical energy storage device and supply the electricity to the first electrical energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Eric M. ANDRIS
  • Publication number: 20120173061
    Abstract: A charging station for use with a hybrid vehicle having at least one battery includes a communication interface configured to couple to the hybrid vehicle, a network interface configured to communicate with at least one fuel vendor and a utility, and a processor coupled to the communication interface and the network interface. The processor is configured to receive fuel requirements from the hybrid vehicle via the communication interface, receive a fuel price from the at least one fuel vendor the said network interface based on the fuel requirements, receive via the network interface an energy price from the utility that provides energy storable in the at least one battery, and calculate a price index for each of the at least one fuel vendor and the utility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: James Patrick Hanley, Jeffrey Richard Browne
  • Publication number: 20120173060
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed for hybrid power system braking. In one embodiment, a deceleration input is received. In response to receiving the deceleration input, a target negative torque trajectory is determined. To achieve the target negative torque trajectory, a regenerative braking device and an electrical energy dissipation device are activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Vivek Anand Sujan, Patrick Djan-Sampson, Martin T. Books, Morgan Andreae
  • Publication number: 20120173062
    Abstract: Some exemplary embodiments include hybrid vehicle systems including an engine operable to output exhaust, an exhaust aftertreatment system configured to receive the exhaust from the engine, the exhaust aftertreatment system including an SCR catalyst operable to reduce NOx in the exhaust and an electrical heater operable to heat the SCR catalyst, a motor/generator operable in a braking mode to receive torque to slow the vehicle and output electrical power, an energy storage device operable to output electrical power to drive the motor/generator and receive electrical power from the motor/generator, and a controller operable to control the electrical heater to heat the SCR catalyst using electrical power from the motor/generator in the braking mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Mahesh Madurai Kumar, Morgan M. Andreae, Neal W. Currier
  • Publication number: 20120166030
    Abstract: In an electrically driven vehicle equipped with a battery usable for running, a power generation unit of engine driven type that charges the battery is detachably mounted on the vehicle including a case where at least an engine of the power generation unit is detachably mounted, and the vehicle includes first stop means for bringing the power generation unit in a stopped state when the power generation unit is installed in or removed from the vehicle, and a generation stop switch for making an operation request to the power generation unit. More specifically, the first stop means stops an operation request signal to the power generation unit through low-voltage system wires when the generation stop switch is ON (no operation request is made).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shintaro Utsumi, Satoko Tofukuji, Atsunori Kumagai, Nobuhisa Jingu, Hirotsugu Ojima, Kazuhito Sakai, Hiroki Murata, Takanobu Arai
  • Publication number: 20120161708
    Abstract: A cell control device according to the present invention includes: a discharge circuit that discharges each unit cell selected by the first switches among a plurality of unit cells connected in series; a charging circuit that charges each unit cell selected by the second switches among the unit cells connected in series, and; a voltage detection unit that detects a voltage of each unit cell via voltage detection lines respectively connected to positive and negative electrodes of the unit cells; an oscillator that irradiates high frequency electromagnetic radiation upon the voltage detection lines; and a charging control unit that controls switching of the first switches, thereby performing discharge of the each unit cell, and a charging control unit that controls switching of the second switches, thereby performing charging of the unit cells, based on voltages of the unit cells that are detected by the voltage detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikaru MIURA, Akihiko KUDO
  • Patent number: 8207705
    Abstract: The present invention provides a charging apparatus capable of efficiently charging battery in view of power consumption and a charging method. The charging apparatus has a charging unit which charges a battery, a remaining capacity detecting unit which detects remaining capacity of the battery, a necessary charging capacity obtaining unit which obtains charging capacity necessary for use after completion of the charging of the battery, an additional charging capacity calculating unit which calculates additional charging capacity for additionally charging the battery based on the remaining capacity and the necessary charging capacity of the battery, a charging current determining unit which determines a charging current at the time when the charging unit charges for the additional charging capacity based on power consumption generated at the time of charging for the additional charging capacity, and a control unit which controls the charging unit based on the determined charging current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Nagashima, Kei Tashiro, Yoichi Miyajima, Toshio Takeshita
  • Publication number: 20120152634
    Abstract: The inventive concept is directed fifth wheel assembly having a tire thereon that makes contact with the ground the vehicle is traveling on. The fifth wheel is in driving contact with a generator located on said fifth wheel assembly to produce an electric current that is fed by way of a computer controlled system to a battery located on the vehicle. The frame assembly that supports the fifth wheel is hinged in a predetermined location on the vehicle and has a biasing system that biasses the fifth wheel downwardly to assure a continued contact of the fifth wheel with the ground the vehicle is traveling on. The fifth wheel can be mounted on various locations on the vehicle and under it and behind it. When behind the vehicle, the fifth wheel can be mounted on a small trailer which is pulled by a hitch on the vehicle. When mounted under the vehicle, the panel of the vehicle could be modified with an upwardly directed well to receive the tire when not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Matthew Skis
  • Patent number: 8198859
    Abstract: The E-Grid Sub-Network Load Manager operates to regulate the demands presented by vehicles to the associated Sub-Network thereby to spread the load presented to the service disconnect over time to enable controllable charging of a large number of vehicles. Load management can be implemented by a number of methodologies, including: queuing requests and serving each request in sequence until satisfaction; queuing requests and cycling through the requests, partially serving each one, then proceeding to the next until the cyclic partial charging service has satisfied all of the requests; ordering requests pursuant to a percentage of recharge required measurement; ordering requests on an estimated connection time metric; ordering requests on a predetermined level of service basis; and the like. It is evident that a number of these methods can be concurrently employed thereby to serve all of the vehicles in the most efficient manner that can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Lava Four, LLC
    Inventors: Richard M. Tyler, Daniel B. McKenna, James M. Graziano
  • Patent number: 8198855
    Abstract: Provided is a charging cable capable of detecting an abnormal state, such as a break, of a control line through which a pilot signal is transmitted, the charging cable including: a power cable through which an external power source feeds a power storage device; a signal generating circuit for generating a control signal to output to a vehicle; a control line L1 through which the control signal is transmitted to the vehicle; and a bypass circuit for changing a voltage applied from a vehicle side through the control line L1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignees: Fujitsu Ten Limited, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Fukui, Kenichi Ishii, Ryuichi Kamaga, Masahiro Karami
  • Patent number: 8200385
    Abstract: A power output apparatus includes a control unit that controls an internal combustion engine, a generator, and an electric motor such that a required driving force is output to a drive shaft. The control unit learns an idle control amount, which is a control amount obtained during an idle operation of the internal combustion engine, in accordance with establishment of a predetermined learning condition when a rotation variation amount of the drive shaft is within a predetermined range including a value of zero, and does not learn the idle control amount when the rotation variation amount of the drive shaft is not within the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daigo Ando, Takeshi Harada
  • Publication number: 20120143417
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a failure diagnosis device of a hybrid vehicle that detects and diagnoses a failure of a power module of a motor control device of a hybrid vehicle, and a method thereof. More specifically, a failure diagnosis device of a hybrid vehicle, which is provided along with an engine and a motor as a power source, and a motor control device for controlling operating speed and torque of the motor according to driving demand, is provided. The motor control device may include a control portion that controls a phase transformation such that DC voltage of a battery is transformed to voltage/current having a variable frequency, a power module that is provided with power switch elements to perform the phase transformation by the control portion, and a diagnosis module that independently diagnoses the current of each phase that is outputted by the power module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Tae Young Chung, Tae Hee Jung
  • Publication number: 20120143426
    Abstract: In a drive controller for a vehicle including: a drive source configured to output a drive force to a first axle serving as one of front and rear wheel axles; an electric motor configured to output a drive force to a second axle serving as the other of the front and rear wheel axles; a one-way power transmission device disposed on a power transmission pathway between the second axle and the electric motor so as to transmit a power drive force from the electric motor to the second axle; a two-way power transmission device that transmits a rotation power from the second axle to the electric motor or transmits the power drive force and a regeneration drive force from the electric motor to the second axle, the drive controller includes: a first detector that detects a speed of the vehicle or a rotation speed of the second axle; a target rotation speed determination section that determines a target rotation speed of the electric motor based on the speed of the vehicle or the rotation speed of the second axle; a se
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Yamamoto, Tomokazu Katayama, Yoshihiro Kanamaru, Sei Shinohara, Nobuyuki Hiramatsu
  • Publication number: 20120143425
    Abstract: When an accumulated charge amount of a first slave battery reaches a preset accumulated charge amount or less, the first slave battery is set as a used secondary battery, and when a master battery and a second slave battery are connected to sides of motors, accumulated charge amount differences of the master battery and the second slave battery are respectively set as allowable discharge electric energies E1 and E3, value 0 is set as an allowable discharge electric energy E2, and a sum of these allowable discharge electric energies is set as an EV priority allowable electric energy that is an electric energy that is allowed to be discharged as a whole of the master battery, and the two slave batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaya Yamamoto, Yuichi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20120143412
    Abstract: A method of starting an internal combustion engine of a vehicle with a hybrid-electric powertrain having an internal combustion engine, a generator, and a high-voltage battery pack, is provided. An internal combustion engine start input signal is received. A load on an electric motor and generator is determined. The internal combustion engine receives torque transmitted from the electric motor and generator when the load on the electric motor and generator is below a predetermined load threshold. The internal combustion engine receives torque from an exogenous starting device when the load on the electric motor and generator is above the predetermined load threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Jay E. Bissontz
  • Publication number: 20120143415
    Abstract: The present invention controls torque of a hybrid vehicle that calculates power and torque of each motor when the hybrid vehicle provided with two motors operates at a transient state are used. More specifically, target power of a battery is determined. Then calculations are performed to determine target torque of the first motor, target torque of the second motor, target torque of an engine, and target speed of the engine at a steady state. The torque of the first motor at a transient state is calculated from the target torque of the second motor at the steady state and speeds of the first and second motors. Finally, torque of the second motor at the transient state is calculated from the torque of the first motor at the transient state and the speeds of the first and second motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Joonyoung Park
  • Publication number: 20120136522
    Abstract: A hybrid dinghy pusher for pushing motorhomes is provided. A hybrid vehicle can be connected to a motorhome by a tow bar for towing the hybrid vehicle. When being towed behind a motorhome, the hybrid vehicle can be switched into hybrid dinghy pusher mode. In this mode, during acceleration of the motorhome, the electrical batteries and motors of the hybrid vehicle can provide a propulsive force through the tow bar to the motorhome, which assists the motorhome in accelerating and improves fuel efficiency. Additionally, the dinghy motors can act as generators when appropriate, creating energy which can be stored in batteries for later use during acceleration. The resistance created by the hybrid vehicle can also provide an additional braking force to the motorhome via the tow bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: William Steve Shepard, JR., William Steve Shepard, SR.
  • Publication number: 20120136531
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program including: steps of detecting an SOC and a temperature TB of a traction battery; when an EV switch is on, a step of calculating a temperature correction coefficient ? from TB; when EV switch not on, a step of calculating a temperature correction coefficient ? from TB; steps of calculating an EV traveling allowed power value WOUT based on the SOC and the temperature correction coefficients; and a step of transmitting EV traveling allowed power value WOUT to a meter ECU in order to indicate EV traveling allowed power value WOUT on a power meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kunihiko JINNO
  • Publication number: 20120133334
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for charging at least one motor vehicle battery (3) during the operation of the motor vehicle (1). According to the invention, the charging current for the motor vehicle battery (3) is obtained at least partially by converting mechanical power on the vehicle suspension (5a, 5b). The invention further relates to a charging apparatus for a motor vehicle battery (3) and to a motor vehicle (1) comprising such a charging apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: LI-TEC BATTERY GMBH
    Inventors: Walter Lachenmeier, Andreas Gutsch, Tim Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20120133332
    Abstract: A storage capacity management system includes an upper limit terminal voltage inducing part for inducing an upper limit terminal voltage which is a terminal voltage when the storage capacity of the battery is an upper limit storage capacity, a lower limit terminal voltage inducing part for inducing a lower limit terminal voltage which is a terminal voltage when the storage capacity of the battery is a lower limit storage capacity, an upper and lower limit voltage width calculating part for calculating an upper and lower limit voltage width by subtracting the lower limit terminal voltage from the upper limit terminal voltage, an intermediate voltage difference calculating part for calculating an intermediate voltage difference by subtracting the lower limit terminal voltage from a terminal voltage of the battery, an upper and lower limit voltage ratio calculating part for calculating an upper and lower limit voltage difference which is a ratio of the intermediate voltage difference to the upper and lower limit
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Ogane, Naoki Maruno, Yoshikazu Ohnuma
  • Publication number: 20120136520
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of controlling an engine fuel pump in a hybrid-electric vehicle. The method includes: cycling a vehicle powertrain between an electric mode, where an engine is commanded off, and a mechanical mode, where the engine is commanded on; and depowering an engine fuel pump when the engine is commanded off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Douglas Raymond Martin, Jesse D.L. Brunais, Kenneth L. Pither, Mike Paul Lindlbauer
  • Publication number: 20120135626
    Abstract: A self powered electric vehicle charging connector locking system for locking and unlocking a charging connector of an electric vehicle charging cord includes an electric vehicle charging station and an electric vehicle charging connector locking holster. The charging station includes an electricity control device to energize and de-energize the charging cord to control a supply of electricity available to flow through the charging cord. Current does not flow through the charging cord when it is de-energized and some amount of current is capable of flowing through the charging cord when it is energized. The locking holster includes a charging connector locking holster inlet to receive the charging connector of the charging cord and a locking unit to lock the charging connector in the locking holster when it is inserted into the locking holster inlet and unlock the charging connector from the locking holster responsive to the charging cord becoming energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Milton T. Tormey, Craig T. Matsuno, Carl F. Hagenmaier, JR., David Baxter
  • Patent number: 8190320
    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. Further optimization is achieved by setting at least one maximum speed limit based on vehicle efficiency and the state-of-charge (SOC) of the first and second battery packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Russell Kelty, Vineet Haresh Mehta, Jeffrey Brian Straubel
  • Patent number: 8187736
    Abstract: A cooling system for hybrid vehicles is provided with a battery case with a battery storage room for receiving a battery, a motor control unit for controlling an electric motor and a DC-DC converter for converting a voltage of the battery. The cooling system includes a blower for drawing an air existing in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, an introduction duct through which the air is introduced into the battery storage room to cool the battery, a first supply duct through which the air is supplied from the battery storage room to the DC-DC converter to cool the latter, a second supply duct through which the air is supplied from the battery storage room to the motor control unit to cool the latter, and an air distributor means for distributing the air flowing out of the battery storage room to the first supply duct and the second supply duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corp.
    Inventors: Min Woo Park, Dae Woong Lee, Hyung Joo Kim, Il Guk Son, Sung Je Lee
  • Patent number: 8186468
    Abstract: A porous, sound absorbing structural foam load floor support is provided that defines an integral duct. The duct is configured as a ventilation air passage from the air outlet of a heat-emitting component, such as an energy storage system in a hybrid vehicle, so that the load floor support serves both to support the load floor as well as to provide a route for heat dissipation. By integrating the duct within the load floor support, a separate duct, which would have to route around other vehicle components located under the load floor, is not required. The structural foam load floor support is configured to absorb noise of a cooling system for the energy storage system. A porous expanded polypropylene foam is especially well-suited for noise attenuation and load floor support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan V. Parrett, Kyle W. Stanforth, Hua He, Timothy J. Roggenkamp
  • Publication number: 20120126546
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to produce an electricity-producing unit that enables a motor vehicle of any conceivable design to be equipped with said invention and thus to produce a motor vehicle that is driven purely by one or more electric motors, wherein the electricity-generating unit works pollutant-free during operation, is environmentally friendly, generates little noise, and has a very small design. Said aim is achieved by a drive system comprising a turbine (1/1), a differential gear (1/2), a generator (1/3), a control unit (1/4), and a starter (1/5), wherein only electric motors are provided to drive the wheels of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Gerhard Walter Auer
  • Publication number: 20120130576
    Abstract: Provided is a working machine capable of decreasing a voltage of a DC busbar (DC bus) with a configuration suppressing a degradation in reliability. A hybrid type construction machine as a working machine includes: a DC bus which is connected to a rotation motor via an inverter circuit, a battery which is connected to the DC bus via a step-up/step-down converter and a switch, a controller which drives the inverter circuit and the step-up/step-down converter, a cooling liquid circulating system which includes a pump motor, and an inverter circuit which is connected to the DC bus and driving the pump motor. The controller includes a mode used for decreasing the voltage of the DC bus, and in that mode, the switch enters a disconnection state and the inverter circuit is operated to consume electricity in the pump motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicants: SUMITOMO (S.H.I.) CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD., SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuta Sugiyama, Hideaki Yuasa, Kiminori Sano
  • Publication number: 20120129651
    Abstract: A system for driving an assembly arrangement for a motor vehicle, which assembly arrangement having at least one auxiliary assembly and an electric machine which is configured independently of a drive unit of the motor vehicle. It is possible for the electric machine to be operated both as a motor for driving the auxiliary assembly and as a generator for generating electric power. If required, it is possible for a separate engine which is configured as an internal combustion engine to be connected or fastened releasably via an interface to the assembly arrangement and to be coupled to the assembly arrangement for drive action, in order to supply the at least one auxiliary assembly and/or the electric machine with rotational drive moment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: MAGNA E-CAR SYSTEMS GMBH & CO OG
    Inventors: Konstantin Erjawetz, Helfried Müller