Search Patents
  • Publication number: 20130066506
    Abstract: A dual mode battery charging system and method of use are provided for use in an electric vehicle. The system utilizes at least two user selectable, charging operational modes. In a first operational mode, a state of charge circuit powers on the engine/generator system whenever the battery state of charge falls below a first level and until the battery state of charge reaches a second level, where the second level is higher than the first level. In a second operational mode, the state of charge circuit powers on the engine/generator system whenever the battery state of charge falls below a third level and until the battery state of charge reaches the second level, where the third level is lower than both the first and second levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Tesla Motors, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130066504
    Abstract: A dual mode battery charging system and method of use are provided for use in an electric vehicle. The system utilizes at least two user selectable, charging operational modes. In a first operational mode, a state of charge circuit powers on the engine/generator system whenever the battery state of charge falls below a first level and until the battery state of charge reaches a second level, where the second level is higher than the first level. In a second operational mode, the state of charge circuit powers on the engine/generator system whenever the battery state of charge falls below a third level and until the battery state of charge reaches a fourth level, where the fourth level is higher than the third level, and where both the third and fourth levels are lower than both the first and second levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Tesla Motors, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130066505
    Abstract: A dual mode battery charging system and method of use are provided for use in an electric vehicle. The system utilizes at least two user selectable, charging operational modes. In a first operational mode, a state of charge circuit cycles an engine/generator system on/off between a first level and a second level, where the second level is higher than the first level. In a second operational mode, the state of charge circuit cycles the engine/generator system on/off between a third level and a fourth level. After the fourth state of charge has been reached once, the state of charge circuit cycles the engine/generator system on/off between a fifth level and the fourth level, where the fifth level is higher than the third level and lower than the fourth level, and where the fourth level is lower than both the first and second levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Tesla Motors, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140257613
    Abstract: Electric vehicles and, more particularly, a control system for an all-wheel drive electric vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Yifan Tang
  • Publication number: 20140121866
    Abstract: A system and method for early identification of an impending fast-charge or fast-charge opportunity and use of that information to prepare the battery cells for the fast-charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Dangler, Sarah G. Stewart, Clay Hajime Kishiyama
  • Publication number: 20100222953
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing the torque applied by each motor of a dual motor drive system of an all-electric vehicle is provided, the torque adjustments taking into account wheel slip as well as other vehicular operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventor: Yifan Tang
  • Patent number: 7747363
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing the torque of the electric motor of an electric vehicle is provided, the torque adjustments taking into account wheel slip as well as other vehicular operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Yifan Tang
  • Patent number: 8761985
    Abstract: A method for optimizing the torque applied by each motor of a dual motor drive system of an all-electric vehicle is provided, the torque adjustments taking into account wheel slip as well as other vehicular operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Yifan Tang
  • Patent number: 7742852
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing the torque applied to the primary and assist drive systems of an all-electric vehicle is provided, the torque adjustments taking into account wheel slip as well as other vehicular operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Yifan Tang
  • Publication number: 20120041628
    Abstract: A system and method for maintaining an ambient oxygen concentration below a preset concentration while charging a metal-air battery pack is provided, the system utilizing an on-board means for collecting and storing the oxygen-rich effluent generated during the charge cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Jeffrey Brian Straubel
  • Patent number: 7739005
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing the torque applied to the primary and assist drive systems of an all-electric vehicle is provided, the torque adjustments taking into account wheel slip as well as other vehicular operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Yifan Tang
  • Publication number: 20120041622
    Abstract: A system and method for charging a metal-air battery pack at the maximum possible rate while maintaining an ambient oxygen concentration below a preset concentration is provided, thereby minimizing the risks associated with generating oxygen during the charging cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, David G. Beck
  • Publication number: 20120041623
    Abstract: A system and method for charging a metal-air battery pack at the maximum possible rate while maintaining an ambient oxygen concentration below a preset concentration is provided, thereby minimizing the risks associated with generating oxygen during the charging cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, David G. Beck
  • Patent number: 8626369
    Abstract: A system and method for charging a metal-air battery pack at the maximum possible rate while maintaining an ambient oxygen concentration below a preset concentration is provided, thereby minimizing the risks associated with generating oxygen during the charging cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, David G. Beck
  • Patent number: 8423215
    Abstract: A system and method for charging a metal-air battery pack at the maximum possible rate while maintaining an ambient oxygen concentration below a preset concentration is provided, thereby minimizing the risks associated with generating oxygen during the charging cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, David G. Beck
  • Patent number: 7960928
    Abstract: A motor in an electric vehicle can be controlled by receiving at least one of a user input or vehicle information, selecting one of a plurality of available flux modes using at least one of the user input or the vehicle information, and calculating a control signal, using the selected flux mode, to control the motor of the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Yifan Tang
  • Patent number: 7698078
    Abstract: A method of communicating with an electric vehicle wherein the method includes a step of installing a communication device in the electric vehicle. The method also includes establishing a connection from the vehicle to a network. The methodology also includes controlling and monitoring a battery in the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Kelty, Marc Tarpenning, Scott Kohn
  • Publication number: 20120046815
    Abstract: A method for limiting the adverse effects of temperature on the electrical energy storage system (ESS) of an electric vehicle after the vehicle has been turned off is provided. In general, whether or not coolant is circulated through a coolant loop coupled to the ESS depends on the difference between the ambient temperature and a preset temperature, the preset temperature typically corresponding to the temperature of the ESS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Scott Ira Kohn, Kurt Russell Kelty, Vineet Haresh Mehta, Jeffrey Brian Straubel
  • Publication number: 20100138092
    Abstract: A system for optimizing battery pack charging is provided. In this system, during charging the coupling of auxiliary systems (e.g., battery cooling systems) to the external power source are delayed so that the battery pack charge rate may be optimized, limited only by the available power. Once surplus power is available, for example as the requirements of the charging system decrease, the auxiliary system or systems may be coupled to the external power source without degrading the performance of the charging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Ira Kohn
  • Patent number: 7911184
    Abstract: A system for optimizing battery pack charging is provided. In this system, during charging the coupling of auxiliary systems (e.g., battery cooling systems) to the external power source are delayed so that the battery pack charge rate may be optimized, limited only by the available power. Once surplus power is available, for example as the requirements of the charging system decrease, the auxiliary system or systems may be coupled to the external power source without degrading the performance of the charging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Ira Kohn