Abstract: An automotive power inverter is provided. The power inverter includes a chassis, a microelectronic die coupled to the chassis and having an integrated circuit formed thereon, and an insulating region between the chassis and the microelectronic die.

Abstract: This invention is for a hybrid vehicle operated by fuel with a high-ethanol content, which synergistically combines independent sources of ethanol power to move toward renewable and environmental-friendly fuel to replace gasoline. The vehicle combines one or more electric motors powered by Direct-Ethanol Fuel-Cells (DEFCs) using either HYPERMEC™ or a similar-type catalyst, with 2 of the 4 Preferred Embodiments provided for the ethanol hybrid also including a flexible-fuel engine. The electric motors powered by DEFCs in all the Preferred Embodiments are coupled with energy-storage systems which can independently operate the motors. For 4-wheel vehicles, all of these embodiments can be operated either in 2 or 4-wheel mode for engagement of the transmission, for either the electric motor or for the engine in Preferred-Embodiments 1 and 2, and for either of the electric motors in Preferred-Embodiments 3 and 4.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems for prolonging battery life, such as maintaining battery cell temperatures in battery packs within specified limits, providing vibration and shock resistance, and/or electrically isolating groups of batteries from nearby conductive surfaces.

Abstract: A hybrid energy storage system suitable for use in a vehicle having an electrified drivetrain includes a first energy storage module and a second energy storage module that is different than the first energy storage module. The first energy storage module may have a cell configuration, a cell chemistry, a cell number, a controller or another characteristic different than a like characteristic of the second energy storage module.

Abstract: A method for charging an electric storage battery in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle through a power supply circuit, includes coupling the charger to the circuit, determining whether another appliance in the circuit other than the charger is drawing current, determining a maximum charge rate at which the battery can be charged using the charger, charging the battery at the maximum charge rate if no other appliance in the circuit is drawing current, and charging the battery at less than the maximum charge rate if another appliance in the circuit is drawing current.

Abstract: An energy storage unit has several storage elements (2, 2?) which are switched in series and a charge redistribution circuit (6, 6?). The latter is installed in such a manner that the voltage of the storage element (UELn, UEln?) is measured and compared with a voltage threshold value (UTHRn, UTHR, UTHRn?, UTHR?). When the threshold value is exceeded by a storage element, it removes charge from said storage element, thus reducing its voltage. According to one aspect, a storage-related temperature determination is conducted, and the threshold value is set variably in dependence on the determined temperature (Tn, T) in such a manner that it is reduced as the temperature increases. According to a further aspect, the threshold value is set variably in dependence on the current vehicle operating state, in such a manner that it is set higher for relatively brief periods of time when the storage or removal requirement is relatively high.

Abstract: An electrical energy system (1) in a hybrid car comprises an electrical motor (3), a capacitor (4) and a battery (5). The capacitor (4) is connected electrically to the electrical motor (3) and the capacitor (4) is switched in parallel with the battery (5) and the capacitor (4) has a rated voltage greater than 60V and the battery (5) has a rated voltage of less than 60V.

Abstract: To provide additional charge storage for an electric vehicle, an additional battery (100) is connected in parallel with a regenerative braking direct charged battery (22) through a current limiting circuit (104 or 120). The additional battery (100) is charged by an external charger such as a plug-in charger or a solar panel that supply minimal current to prevent generation of battery heat. Current flows from the additional battery (100) to the regenerative braking charged batteries (22) so that both batteries can be charged. However, when excessive charge is drawn to drive the vehicle electric motor (20), the current limiter circuit (104 or 120) serves to prevent the discharge of additional battery (100) from creating excessive heat in the additional battery (100).

Abstract: In a device for restraining the deterioration of a catalytic apparatus of an internal combustion engine of the present invention, when the temperature of the catalytic apparatus arranged in the engine exhaust system is higher than a predetermined temperature in a vehicle deceleration, a fuel-cut of the engine is prohibited and a first motor-generator MG2 connected with the vehicle drive shaft 6 is operated as a generator to charge an electrical accumulator 8.

Abstract: A battery quick-release structure for an electric mobility scooter includes a chassis, a battery case, hasps, retainers, connection rods, a handle, and elastic members. The battery case is mounted on the chassis. The retainers are disposed on the chassis. The battery case is provided with the hasps. The hasps are pivotally connected to the connection rods. The connection rods are connected to the handle. Both ends of each elastic member are respectively connected to the hasp and the battery case. The hasps are normally locked to the retainers. The battery case is released for portability by pulling up the handle for the connection rods are to free the hasps from the retainers.

Abstract: In a hybrid electric motor vehicle, a power supply system for storing and supplying electrical power includes a motor-generator located onboard the vehicle, driveably connected to the vehicle wheels and producing AC electric power, an energy storage device for alternately storing and discharging electric power, an inverter coupled to the motor-generator and the energy storage device for converting alternating current produced by the motor-generator to direct current transmitted to the energy storage device, and for converting direct current stored in the energy storage device to alternating current transmitted to the motor-generator, a source of AC electric power located external to the vehicle, and a charger coupled to said electric power source and the energy storage device for supplying DC electric power to the energy storage device from said AC electric power source.

Abstract: An electric drive unit is pre-assembled within a cradle housing that is to be mounted as a single unit on a vehicle structure to provide a hybrid vehicle. The electric drive unit includes a pair of inverters, a pair of battery packs, a pair of cooling units, and an electronic control unit (ECU) that are enclosed within the cradle housing. A transfer case with an associated pair of electric motors is also supported by the cradle housing. The cradle housing is mounted to a pair of vehicle frame rails and extends laterally across a vehicle.

Abstract: A structure of a hybrid vehicle includes a battery pack arranged on a floor panel and an exhaust pipe extending from an engine, passing below the floor panel, to an exhaust port. The battery pack has a secondary battery constituted by a plurality of battery cells stacked in a vehicle traveling direction for supplying electric power to a motor, and an intake chamber provided adjacent to the secondary battery in a substantially horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction along which the plurality of battery cells are stacked for supplying cooling air between each of the plurality of battery cells. The exhaust pipe is provided so that it passes immediately below the battery pack and passes a position displaced from a position immediately below the intake chamber. With such a configuration, a structure of a hybrid vehicle that suppresses reduction in the efficiency of cooling a secondary battery without placing a great limit on routing of an exhaust pipe is provided.

Abstract: A system includes a control module, a network interface module, and a charging module. The control module stores a first set of charging parameters for charging a battery in a vehicle. The network interface module transmits the first set of charging parameters to a utility company and receives a reply from the utility company. The control module generates a charge control signal based on the reply and the first set of charging parameters. The charging module charges the battery of the vehicle based on the charge control signal.

Abstract: A method for rapidly determining an initial diffusion voltage (Vdiff)initial as a starting point in calculating a diffusion voltage in an electro-chemical cell (e.g., a battery used in an automotive vehicle) includes obtaining a time difference toff between a time when the cell was last turned-OFF and a time when the cell was next turned-ON, selecting a starting diffusion voltage (Vdiff)start based on toff, determining a trial diffusion voltage Vdiff based on a diffusion circuit model and (Vdiff)start, calculating an error voltage Verror=(Vdiff)?|VOFF?VON| where VOFF and VON are cell voltages at turn-OFF and turn-ON respectively, repeating the foregoing determining and calculating steps using for each iteration (Vdiff)start=(Vdiff)previous+Verror until Verror is less than or equal to a first predetermined tolerance amount ?, storing in a memory a value of Vdiff corresponding to the condition Verror??, and setting (Vdiff)initial equal to the just stored value of Vdiff.

Abstract: A male coupler at an outside location of a hybrid automotive vehicle joins with a female coupler at a nesting site where the vehicle parks, and is there connected to an underground source of charging power for the vehicle's battery.

Abstract: A connection monitoring system and method for a vehicle high voltage energy storage system is disclosed. The method performs a check, at initial connection of the high voltage energy storage system, to insure that the vehicle high voltage wiring system is fully connected and without short circuits prior to allowing full current to the vehicle and normal vehicle operation. The method switches in a resistor to limit current flow between the high voltage energy storage system and the vehicle high voltage wiring, and measures the voltage and a voltage rise time across the resistor. The voltage and the voltage rise time across the resistor are used to determine if a short circuit is present, and if so the high voltage energy storage system is disconnected to protect the vehicle and its users.

Abstract: An energy storage car for a locomotive includes a hydraulic energy storage system designed to capture and reuse energy normally lost in dynamic braking. The energy storage car is preferably configured to provide functions sufficient to replace one of multiple locomotives used to pull a freight train. Braking methods, and methods to capture and reuse dynamic braking energy on long grades, for such trains are provided.

Abstract: This invention discloses a type of charging system for electric cars which includes an AC electric grid power supply system and an electric car charging equipment. The AC electric grid power supply system couples energy outputs to the electric car charging equipment; its characteristics are: it also includes an battery power system and an electrical energy control module. The electrical energy input of the battery power system is controlled by and connected to the AC electric grid power supply system. The output is controlled by the electrical energy control module and coupled to the electric car charging equipment. With the addition of one or more battery packs to the battery charging system, instantaneous current increase can be provided through the use of the battery packs in order to alleviate the demand on the electric grid. The design capacity of the battery charging system is more ideal and it reduces the instantaneous capacity overload.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a hybrid vehicle comprises an engine which is mounted in an engine room and serves as a driving force, a transmission which is disposed adjacent to the engine and incorporates at least one electric motor that serves as the driving source, an inverter disposed in the engine room, and at least one high voltage wire which is routed behind the engine with respect to a vehicle longitudinal direction and connects the inverter with the electric motor incorporated in the transmission.

Abstract: There is provided a method of thermally controlling an electric storage device. The method comprises increasing cooling medium supplied to the electric storage as an electric charge stored in the electric storage device increases. According to the method, by increasing the cooling medium supplied to the electric storage device as an electric charge stored in the electric storage device increases, the electric storage device may be kept at a temperature that increases the efficiency of charging or discharging the electric storage device. It is asserted to be more efficient to lower the temperature of the electric storage device when more electric charge is stored in the electric storage device. Also, an adequate amount of the cooling medium may be supplied to the electric storage. As a result, the overall efficiency of the electric system may be improved.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a powertrain having a retarded diesel engine, an electric machine and energy storage system. The engine and motor are operatively coupled through one or more planetary gearsets and selective coupling paths in accordance with application and release of various torque transfer devices to a drivetrain via an output. Regenerative and retarded engine braking are coordinated to provide priority to energy return to an energy storage system in accordance with predetermined power flow limits.

Abstract: A structure for mounting electrical components to a vehicle. The structure includes a rear floor pan incorporating a U-shaped part transversely centered in the vehicle. Floor pan wing panels extend from each end of the U-shaped part and connect to vehicle side panels. An electrical component mounting rack includes a first frame attached to the U-shaped floor panel part, and a second frame attached to the top of the first frame and also to the floor pan wing panels. An electrical inverter device is mounted to the first frame and batteries are mounted to the second frame. The first and second frames form a structure that reinforces the rear floor pan in a manner capable of adequately supporting heavy electrical drive train components.