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  • Systems, methods, and apparatus for battery charging
    Patent number: 7683570
    Abstract: An apparatus including a rechargeable battery pack installed in an electric vehicle, the rechargeable battery pack coupled to a power supply, the power supply operable to provide a charge voltage to perform charging operations on the battery pack, a heating element to heat a fluid to be circulated through the rechargeable battery pack, a comparator circuit to compare a battery voltage of the rechargeable battery pack to a line source voltage, the comparator circuit operable to compare the battery voltage to the line source voltage and to provide an output signal when the battery voltage is less than a line voltage offset value, and a control circuit coupled to receive the output signal of the comparator, and to couple the line source voltage to the power supply, an to bypass the heating element if the comparator is not providing the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Krauer, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Troy Adam Nergaard, Ian Craven, Arthur Joseph Hebert
  • AC CURRENT CONTROL OF MOBILE BATTERY CHARGERS
    Publication number: 20120091953
    Abstract: A charging system and method that improves utilization of available AC power during onboard charging of energy storage systems of electric vehicles. An onboard charging method for an energy storage system of an electric vehicle, the method using an AC power source, includes a) establishing a maximum DC charging current for the energy storage system responsive to a control signal indicating real-time available current/power from the AC source; and b) controlling a charging system to provide an actual DC charging current, up to the maximum DC charging current, to the energy storage system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Anil Paryani, Troy A. Nergaard, Andrew Baglino
  • AC current control of mobile battery chargers
    Patent number: 8638063
    Abstract: A charging system and method that improves utilization of available AC power during onboard charging of energy storage systems of electric vehicles. An onboard charging method for an energy storage system of an electric vehicle, the method using an AC power source, includes a) establishing a maximum DC charging current for the energy storage system responsive to a control signal indicating real-time available current/power from the AC source; and b) controlling a charging system to provide an actual DC charging current, up to the maximum DC charging current, to the energy storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Anil Paryani, Troy A. Nergaard, Andrew Baglino
  • LOW TEMPERATURE FAST CHARGE
    Publication number: 20130234648
    Abstract: An automated charge preparation method periodically determines critical parameters for the set of relevant operating conditions, determines whether fast charging is possible, applies fast charging when possible, otherwise applies a dynamically scaled charging rate that is optimized based upon current critical parameters (while optionally heating the individual battery cells as long as fast charging is not available) to reduce/eliminate a risk of lithium-plating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Russell Kelty, Clay Hajime Kishiyama, Sarah G. Stewart
  • TRICKLE CHARGER FOR HIGH-ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20110254512
    Abstract: A voltage converter for charging an energy storage module from an alternating current line voltage, includes a first charging stage, coupled to the energy storage module, converting the line voltage to a first rectified direct current module charging voltage communicated to the energy storage module, the first rectified direct current module charging voltage greater than the line voltage, the first charging stage including an inductance for communicating a first charging current to the energy storage module; a second charging stage, switchably coupled serially with the first charging stage, down-converting the alternating current line voltage to a second rectified direct current module voltage, the second rectified direct current module voltage less than the first rectified direct current module charging voltage, wherein the second charging stage produces a second charging current not greater than the first charging current; and a controller for selectably switching the second charging stage serially with the
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Troy A. Nergaard
  • NOISE REDUCING POWER GENERATION DEVICE
    Publication number: 20140026558
    Abstract: The application of a Tesla turbine as an exhaust system that provides power to vehicle electrical systems or for charging an onboard battery that includes harnessing energy from the system exhausts. A Tesla turbine is implemented using the compressed gas/fluid to operate a generator. The generator is connected to appropriate systems (battery, electrical components, etc.) to provide power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventor: Nathan Heuvel
  • Low temperature fast charge of battery pack
    Patent number: 9694699
    Abstract: An automated charge preparation method periodically determines critical parameters for the set of relevant operating conditions, determines whether fast charging is possible, applies fast charging when possible, otherwise applies a dynamically scaled charging rate that is optimized based upon current critical parameters (while optionally heating the individual battery cells as long as fast charging is not available) to reduce/eliminate a risk of lithium-plating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt R. Kelty, Clay H. Kishiyama, Sarah G. Stewart
  • Low temperature fast charge
    Patent number: 8901885
    Abstract: An automated charge preparation method periodically determines critical parameters for the set of relevant operating conditions, determines whether fast charging is possible, applies fast charging when possible, otherwise applies a dynamically scaled charging rate that is optimized based upon current critical parameters (while optionally heating the individual battery cells as long as fast charging is not available) to reduce/eliminate a risk of lithium-plating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Russell Kelty, Clay Hajime Kishiyama, Sarah G. Stewart
  • Trickle charger for high-energy storage systems
    Patent number: 8324863
    Abstract: A voltage converter for charging an energy storage module from an alternating current line voltage, includes a first charging stage, coupled to the energy storage module, converting the line voltage to a first rectified direct current module charging voltage communicated to the energy storage module, the first rectified direct current module charging voltage greater than the line voltage, the first charging stage including an inductance for communicating a first charging current to the energy storage module; a second charging stage, switchably coupled serially with the first charging stage, down-converting the alternating current line voltage to a second rectified direct current module voltage, the second rectified direct current module voltage less than the first rectified direct current module charging voltage, wherein the second charging stage produces a second charging current not greater than the first charging current; and a controller for selectably switching the second charging stage serially with the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Troy A. Nergaard
  • Charge rate optimization
    Patent number: 9197091
    Abstract: An electric charging system for a battery pack of an electric vehicle, including a charging station electrically coupled to the battery pack, the charging station transferring charging energy to the battery pack at a maximum fast charge rate in a first operational mode and transferring charging energy to the battery pack at a slower charge rate in a second operational mode; a data collection system acquiring a set of data indicating a state of charge (SOC) of the battery pack and one or more desired charge optimization parameters; and a station control, responsive to the set of data and to the desired charge optimization parameters, automatically establishing a charging profile for the battery pack to assert a control signal and operate the charging station in the second operational mode whenever the charging station is able to transfer sufficient energy to the battery pack at the slower charge rate to meet an SOC target and a charge completion time target, otherwise asserting the control signal and operate t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Clay H. Kishiyama, Kurt R. Kelty
  • Method of Operating a Recharging System Utilizing a Voltage Dividing Heater
    Publication number: 20110267004
    Abstract: A method of charging a rechargeable battery pack installed in an electric vehicle is provided in which the charging system includes a switching circuit that is operable in at least a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode the switching circuit couples the power supply and an external power source to both a heater and the charging circuit, the heater providing a voltage divider circuit within the charging circuit. In the second mode the switching circuit couples the power supply and the external power source only to the charging circuit, bypassing the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Krauer, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Troy Adam Nergaard, Ian Craven, Arthur Joseph Hebert
  • Leakage current reduction in combined motor drive and energy storage recharge system
    Patent number: 8242739
    Abstract: A charging system and method that accommodates and reduces potential residual or leakage current when electrical grounds of a charger and an energy storage system are equalized at the moment of initiating charging. The charging system using an alternating current (AC) line voltage for conductive charging of an energy storage system (ESS) coupled to a polyphase motor drive circuit communicated to a polyphase motor, and converting the line voltage to a charging voltage communicated to the energy storage system using a set of the plurality of driver stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Krauer, Nick Kalayjian
  • Method of operating a recharging system utilizing a voltage dividing heater
    Patent number: 8450966
    Abstract: A method of charging a rechargeable battery pack installed in an electric vehicle is provided in which the charging system includes a switching circuit that is operable in at least a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode the switching circuit couples the power supply and an external power source to both a heater and the charging circuit, the heater providing a voltage divider circuit within the charging circuit. In the second mode the switching circuit couples the power supply and the external power source only to the charging circuit, bypassing the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Krauer, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Troy Adam Nergaard, Ian Craven, Arthur Joseph Hebert
  • System for optimizing battery pack cut-off voltage
    Publication number: 20100188043
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to control the charging system, and in particular the battery pack charging level, of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle based on expected use is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn
  • Charge rate optimization
    Patent number: 8963494
    Abstract: A charging system for a battery pack, including a charging station transferring energy to the battery pack at a maximum fast charge rate in a first operational mode and transferring energy to the battery pack at a slower charge rate in a second operational mode; a data collection system acquiring data indicating a state of charge of the battery pack and one or more desired charge optimization parameters; and a station control, responsive to the data and to the desired charge optimization parameters, automatically establishing a charging profile for the battery pack to assert a control signal and operate the charging station in the second operational mode whenever the charging station is able to transfer sufficient energy to the battery pack at the slower charge rate to meet an SOC target and a charge completion time target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Clay Hajime Kishiyama, Kurt Russell Kelty
  • CHARGE RATE OPTIMIZATION
    Publication number: 20130307475
    Abstract: A charging system for a battery pack, including a charging station transferring energy to the battery pack at a maximum fast charge rate in a first operational mode and transferring energy to the battery pack at a slower charge rate in a second operational mode; a data collection system acquiring data indicating a state of charge of the battery pack and one or more desired charge optimization parameters; and a station control, responsive to the data and to the desired charge optimization parameters, automatically establishing a charging profile for the battery pack to assert a control signal and operate the charging station in the second operational mode whenever the charging station is able to transfer sufficient energy to the battery pack at the slower charge rate to meet an SOC target and a charge completion time target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Clay Hajime Kishiyama, Kurt Russell Kelty
  • State of charge range
    Patent number: 8536825
    Abstract: A system and method for improving cycle lifetimes for a lithium-ion battery pack, particularly for adapting to a dynamic use profile for a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Clay Hajime Kishiyama, Vineet Haresh Mehta, Christopher David Gadda
  • Charge Rate Modulation of Metal-Air Cells as a Function of Ambient Oxygen Concentration
    Publication number: 20130328531
    Abstract: A 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: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, David G. Beck
  • STATE OF CHARGE RANGE
    Publication number: 20110156641
    Abstract: A system and method for improving cycle lifetimes for a lithium-ion battery pack, particularly for adapting to a dynamic use profile for a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Clay H. Kishiyama, Vineet H. Mehta, Christopher D. Gadda
  • Charge Rate Modulation of Metal-Air Cells as a Function of Ambient Oxygen Concentration
    Publication number: 20130015823
    Abstract: A 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, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, David G. Beck
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