Search Patents
  • Dual Mode Range Extended Electric Vehicle
    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.
  • INTER-PROTOCOL CHARGING ADAPTER
    Publication number: 20160036256
    Abstract: An inter-protocol charging adapter for equipment to be charged via a bus includes: first connectors corresponding to a first charging protocol that requires the bus to be energized before the equipment closes onto the bus; second connectors corresponding to a second charging protocol that does not energize the bus before the equipment closes onto the bus; and a boost converter coupled to the bus and to at least one of the second connectors, wherein the boost converter uses energy from the second connector to energize the bus before the equipment closes onto the bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin SUKUP, Troy A. NERGAARD, Kristoffer J. Donhowe
  • Charging efficiency using selectable isolation
    Patent number: 8810208
    Abstract: The apparatus for charging an energy storage system (ESS) from an AC line voltage includes a boost stage for converting the AC line voltage to a first ESS charging voltage; an isolation stage, coupled to the boost stage, for converting the first ESS charging voltage to a second ESS charging voltage with the second ESS charging voltage less than the first ESS charging voltage, the isolation stage removing a common mode current between the ESS and the boost stage; a configurator, responsive to a control signal, to set a direct communication of the first ESS charging voltage to the ESS in a bypass mode and to open the direct communication of the first ESS charging voltage to the ESS in an isolation mode; and a controller, coupled to the configurator, for setting the modes responsive to a battery voltage, a peak of the AC line voltage, and a total leakage current at an input of the AC line voltage, the controller asserting the control signal to the configurator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Krauer, Nicholas Robert Kalayjian, Troy A. Nergaard
  • Multi-mode charging system for an electric vehicle
    Patent number: 7629773
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Forest Eberhard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Andrew Gregory Simpson, Craig Bruce Carlson
  • Fast charging of battery using adjustable voltage control
    Patent number: 8970182
    Abstract: A battery cell charger for rapidly charging a lithium ion battery cell (or string of series-parallel connected cells) having a maximum battery cell voltage the battery cell charging system including: a circuit for charging the battery cell using an adjustable voltage charging-profile to apply a charging voltage and a charging current to the battery cell wherein the adjustable voltage charging-profile includes: a first charging stage with a constant first stage charging current and an increasing battery cell voltage with the first stage charging current provided until the first stage charging voltage is about equal to a first stage complete voltage less than the maximum battery cell voltage; one or more intermediate charging stages, each intermediate stage selected from the group consisting of one or more of an intermediate constant voltage stage that provides a decreasing charging current, an intermediate constant current stage that produces an increasing battery cell voltage, and combinations thereof; and a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Anil Paryani, Clay H. Kishiyama, Scott I. Kohn, Vineet H. Mehta
  • Cooling of charging cable
    Patent number: 9701210
    Abstract: A charging system for an electric vehicle includes: a power supply; a cable having first and second ends, the first end attached to the power supply, the cable comprising a charging conductor and a cooling conduit, each of which extends from the first end to the second end; and a connector attached to the second end of the cable, the connector having a form factor corresponding to a charge port of the electric vehicle; wherein the cooling conduit is adapted to convey a fluid that cools the charging conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: TESLA, INC.
    Inventors: Yee Shan Woo, Christopher H. Van Dyke, Joseph Mardall, Christopher Newport, Joshua Willard Ferguson
  • Multi-mode charging system for an electric vehicle
    Patent number: 7629772
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Forest Eberhard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Andrew Gregory Simpson, Craig Bruce Carlson
  • Multi-mode charging system for an electric vehicle
    Patent number: 7622897
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Forest Eberhard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Andrew Gregory Simpson, Craig Bruce Carlson
  • Multiport Vehicle DC Charging System with Variable Power Distribution
    Publication number: 20130057209
    Abstract: A battery charging station is provided that includes a plurality of charge ports, a plurality of power stages where each power stage includes an AC to DC converter and where each power stage provides a portion of the charging station's maximum available charging power, a switching system that is used to couple the output of the power stages to the charging ports, a system monitor that determines current charging station and vehicle conditions, and a controller that controls operation of the switching system in accordance with a predefined set of power distribution rules and on the basis of the current charging station and vehicle conditions. Current charging station and vehicle conditions may include vehicle arrival time, usage fees, vehicle and/or customer priority information, battery pack SOC, and/or intended departure time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Troy Adam Nergaard, Martin Sukup, Kristoffer John Donhowe, Christopher Hugo Van Dyke, Warwick Ka Kui Wong
  • Multi-mode charging system for an electric vehicle
    Patent number: 7671567
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Forest Eberhard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Andrew Gregory Simpson, Craig Bruce Carlson
  • COOLING OF CHARGING CABLE
    Publication number: 20150217654
    Abstract: A charging system for an electric vehicle includes: a power supply; a cable having first and second ends, the first end attached to the power supply, the cable comprising a charging conductor and a cooling conduit, each of which extends from the first end to the second end; and a connector attached to the second end of the cable, the connector having a form factor corresponding to a charge port of the electric vehicle; wherein the cooling conduit is adapted to convey a fluid that cools the charging conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Yee Shan WOO, Christopher H. VAN DYKE, Joseph MARDALL, Christopher NEWPORT, Joshua W. FERGUSON
  • Multiport vehicle DC charging system with variable power distribution according to power distribution rules
    Patent number: 8810198
    Abstract: A battery charging station is provided that includes a plurality of charge ports, a plurality of power stages where each power stage includes an AC to DC converter and where each power stage provides a portion of the charging station's maximum available charging power, a switching system that is used to couple the output of the power stages to the charging ports, a system monitor that determines current charging station and vehicle conditions, and a controller that controls operation of the switching system in accordance with a predefined set of power distribution rules and on the basis of the current charging station and vehicle conditions. Current charging station and vehicle conditions may include vehicle arrival time, usage fees, vehicle and/or customer priority information, battery pack SOC, and/or intended departure time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Adam Nergaard, Martin Sukup, Kristoffer John Donhowe, Christopher Hugo Van Dyke, Warwick Ka Kui Wong
  • CHARGING STATION PROVIDING THERMAL CONDITIONING OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE DURING CHARGING SESSION
    Publication number: 20170096073
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an energy storage configured to store electric energy for at least propulsion of the vehicle, an energy storage thermal system configured to provide thermal conditioning of the energy storage, and a coupling configured to receive thermal conditioning of the energy storage from a thermal system external to the vehicle. The coupling provides thermal conditioning of the energy storage while charging when available from the thermal system external to the vehicle. The energy storage thermal system provides thermal conditioning of the energy storage while charging when the thermal system external to the vehicle is not available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Mardall, Christopher H. Van Dyke
  • METHODOLOGY FOR CHARGING BATTERIES SAFELY
    Publication number: 20170074918
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying a presence of a short circuit in a battery pack. A fault-detection apparatus for a charging system that rapidly charges a collection of interconnected lithium ion battery cells, the safety system includes a data-acquisition system for receiving a set of data parameters from the collection while the charging system is actively charging the collection; a monitoring system evaluating the set of data parameters to identify a set of anomalous conditions; and a controller comparing the set of anomalous conditions against a set of predetermined profiles indicative of an internal short in one or more cells of the collection, the controller establishing an internal-short state for the collection when the comparing has a predetermined relationship to the set of predetermined profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah G. Stewart, Christopher Dangler, Clay H. Kishiyama, Weston A. Hermann, Scott I. Kohn, Kurt R. Kelty
  • Methodology for charging batteries safely
    Patent number: 10534028
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying a presence of a short circuit in a battery pack. A fault-detection apparatus for a charging system that rapidly charges a collection of interconnected lithium ion battery cells, the safety system includes a data-acquisition system for receiving a set of data parameters from the collection while the charging system is actively charging the collection; a monitoring system evaluating the set of data parameters to identify a set of anomalous conditions; and a controller comparing the set of anomalous conditions against a set of predetermined profiles indicative of an internal short in one or more cells of the collection, the controller establishing an internal-short state for the collection when the comparing has a predetermined relationship to the set of predetermined profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah G. Stewart, Christopher Dangler, Clay H. Kishiyama, Weston A. Hermann, Scott I. Kohn, Kurt R. Kelty
  • Methodology for charging batteries safely
    Patent number: 9506990
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying a presence of a short circuit in a battery pack. A fault-detection apparatus for a charging system that rapidly charges a collection of interconnected lithium ion battery cells, the safety system includes a data-acquisition system for receiving a set of data parameters from the collection while the charging system is actively charging the collection; a monitoring system evaluating the set of data parameters to identify a set of anomalous conditions; and a controller comparing the set of anomalous conditions against a set of predetermined profiles indicative of an internal short in one or more cells of the collection, the controller establishing an internal-short state for the collection when the comparing has a predetermined relationship to the set of predetermined profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Sarah G. Stewart, Christopher Dangler, Clay H. Kishiyama, Weston A. Hermann, Scott I. Kohn, Kurt R. Kelty
  • METHODOLOGY FOR CHARGING BATTERIES SAFELY
    Publication number: 20110298417
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying a presence of a short circuit in a battery pack. A fault-detection apparatus for a charging system that rapidly charges a collection of interconnected lithium ion battery cells, the safety system includes a data-acquisition system for receiving a set of data parameters from the collection while the charging system is actively charging the collection; a monitoring system evaluating the set of data parameters to identify a set of anomalous conditions; and a controller comparing the set of anomalous conditions against a set of predetermined profiles indicative of an internal short in one or more cells of the collection, the controller establishing an internal-short state for the collection when the comparing has a predetermined relationship to the set of predetermined profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah G. Stewart, Christopher Dangler, Clay H. Kishiyama, Weston A. Hermann, Scott I. Kohn, Kurt R. Kelty
  • Methodology for charging batteries safely
    Patent number: 8866444
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying a presence of a short circuit in a battery pack. A fault-detection apparatus for a charging system that rapidly charges a collection of interconnected lithium ion battery cells, the safety system includes a data-acquisition system for receiving a set of data parameters from the collection while the charging system is actively charging the collection; a monitoring system evaluating the set of data parameters to identify a set of anomalous conditions; and a controller comparing the set of anomalous conditions against a set of predetermined profiles indicative of an internal short in one or more cells of the collection, the controller establishing an internal-short state for the collection when the comparing has a predetermined relationship to the set of predetermined profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah G. Stewart, Christopher Dangler, Clay Hajime Kishiyama, Weston Arthur Hermann, Scott Ira Kohn, Kurt Russell Kelty
  • LIQUID-COOLED CHARGING CONNECTOR
    Publication number: 20190291588
    Abstract: A charging connector includes a first electrical socket and a second electrical socket. A first sleeve and a second sleeve are provided, such that the first sleeve is concentrically coupled to the first electrical socket and the second sleeve is concentrically coupled to the second electrical socket. A manifold assembly is adapted to enclose the first and second electrical sockets and the first and second sleeves, such that the first and second sleeves and the manifold assembly create a hollow interior space there between. An inlet conduit and an outlet conduit within the manifold assembly such that inlet conduit, the interior space, and the outlet conduit together create a fluid flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Chuen Chou, Pascal-Andre Fortin
  • Liquid-cooled charging connector
    Patent number: 11084390
    Abstract: A charging connector includes a first electrical socket and a second electrical socket. A first sleeve and a second sleeve are provided, such that the first sleeve is concentrically coupled to the first electrical socket and the second sleeve is concentrically coupled to the second electrical socket. A manifold assembly is adapted to enclose the first and second electrical sockets and the first and second sleeves, such that the first and second sleeves and the manifold assembly create a hollow interior space there between. An inlet conduit and an outlet conduit within the manifold assembly such that inlet conduit, the interior space, and the outlet conduit together create a fluid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Chuen Chou, Pascal-Andre Fortin
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