Integrated Energy Absorbing Vehicle Crash Structure
Granted: March 28, 2013
Application Number:
20130076051
A crash structure is provided that is integrated within a vehicle side rail, the crash structure providing relatively level loading during a collision. The structure includes an actuator member coupled to the bumper, the actuator member passing into, and slidably disposed within, a hollow housing of the crash structure. The hollow housing contains a plurality of deformable members that at least partially surround a first portion of the actuator member. A second portion of the actuator…
Charge Port Door with Electromagnetic Latching Assembly
Granted: March 28, 2013
Application Number:
20130076059
A door latching system for the door covering the charge port of an electric vehicle, or for the door covering the fuel filler port of a conventional vehicle, is provided. The door latching system is comprised of a ferromagnetic member attached to an interior surface of the door, and a latching assembly integrated into the port housing, where the latching assembly includes an assembly case, an electromagnet, and a permanent magnet that maintains the door in a closed position when the…
Angled Front Hood Sealing Assembly
Granted: March 28, 2013
Application Number:
20130076076
A seal assembly for use with the front trunk, motor or engine compartment of an automobile is provided, the seal assembly including a sealing flange, a sealing member attached to an end portion of the sealing flange, and a hood assembly that includes an upper panel and an inner surface comprised of a sealing surface. The sealing surface of the hood assembly is configured to form a seal with the sealing member when the hood assembly is in a closed position. The sealing surface of the hood…
Rigid Cell Separator for Minimizing Thermal Runaway Propagation within a Battery Pack
Granted: March 28, 2013
Application Number:
20130078494
A spacer assembly, comprised of a plurality of rigid spacers, is provided that is configured for use with a cell mounting bracket within a battery pack. The spacer assembly maintains the positions of the batteries within the battery pack during a thermal event and after the cell mounting bracket loses structural integrity due to the increased temperature associated with the thermal event. By keeping the battery undergoing thermal runaway in its predetermined location within the battery…
Funnel Shaped Charge Inlet
Granted: March 28, 2013
Application Number:
20130078839
A vehicle charge inlet integrated into a port assembly surface is provided. The charge inlet includes an inlet housing with a perimeter that is curvilinear, non-cylindrical and shaped so that only a single orientation of a complementary sized and shaped electrical connector may be inserted into the inlet. A plurality of electrical contacts, a latching mechanism and a divider are also integrated into the charge inlet housing, the divider extending from the bottom surface of the inlet…
Electromechanical Pawl for Controlling Vehicle Charge Inlet Access
Granted: March 28, 2013
Application Number:
20130078841
A charge connector latching mechanism integrated into a vehicle's charge inlet is provided, where the latching mechanism includes a retractable latching pawl. The retractable pawl is configured to be positioned in at least a first, default position where the pawl extends through an inlet surface of the charge inlet, and a second position where the pawl is retracted and does not extend through the inlet surface. In the first position the retractable pawl prevents insertion of a charge…
Air Outlet Directional Flow Controller with Integrated Shut-Off Door
Granted: March 28, 2013
Application Number:
20130078900
A vehicle air vent is provided that includes a plurality of air control vanes, the orientation of which determines the direction of air flow exiting the air vent; a shut-off door that allows air to flow through the air vent when it is in a first position and blocks air flow through the air vent when it is in a second position; a control tab mechanically coupled to the plurality of air control vanes; and a linkage assembly mechanically coupling the control tab to the shut-off door.…
Vehicle Port Door with Wirelessly Actuated Unlatching Assembly
Granted: March 28, 2013
Application Number:
20130074985
A port door unlatching system is provided that may be used to open the door covering the charge port of an electric vehicle, or the door covering the fuel filler port of a conventional vehicle. The system includes a fuel delivery subsystem with a fuel coupler (e.g., a charging connector or a gas nozzle) designed to transfer fuel from the source to the vehicle via the vehicle's fuel port. The fuel coupler includes a switch that when toggled, causes a control signal to be wirelessly…
Detection of High Voltage Electrolysis of Coolant in a Battery Pack
Granted: March 21, 2013
Application Number:
20130073229
An apparatus and method providing for detecting and responding to high voltage electrolysis within an electric vehicle battery enclosure to limit possible excessive thermal condition of the individual battery cells and modules. The present invention includes embodiments directed towards detection algorithms and apparatus for promoting the use of voltage, current, humidity, temperature, and pressure sensors for the purpose of detecting high voltage electrolysis. Additionally, the present…
Response to Low Voltage Electrolysis in a Battery Pack
Granted: March 21, 2013
Application Number:
20130073234
An apparatus and method providing for detecting and responding to low voltage electrolysis within an electric vehicle battery detecting and responding to low voltage electrolysis within an electric vehicle battery enclosure to limit a possible hazard condition of battery enclosure. A microprocessor-implemented response system for low voltage electrolysis in a battery pack, includes an evaluator to monitor, using the microprocessor, a low voltage electrolysis flag indicative of a possible…
Detection of Low Voltage Electrolysis in a Battery Pack
Granted: March 21, 2013
Application Number:
20130073233
An apparatus and method providing for detecting and responding to low voltage electrolysis within an electric vehicle battery detecting and responding to low voltage electrolysis within an electric vehicle battery enclosure to limit a possible hazard condition of battery enclosure. The present invention includes embodiments directed towards detection algorithms and apparatus for promoting the use of sensors (e.g., hydrogen, voltage, current, and immersion sensors) for the purpose of…
Response to High Voltage Electrolysis of Coolant in a Battery Pack
Granted: March 21, 2013
Application Number:
20130071701
An apparatus and method providing for detecting and responding to high voltage electrolysis within an electric vehicle battery enclosure to limit possible excessive thermal condition of the individual battery cells and modules. A microprocessor-implemented response system for high voltage electrolysis in a battery pack an evaluator to monitor, using the microprocessor, a high voltage electrolysis flag indicative of a possible high voltage electrolysis within an enclosure including a…
Rotor Design for an Electric Motor
Granted: March 21, 2013
Application Number:
20130069476
A rotor assembly is provided in which a solid rotor ring is formed at either end of a stack of laminated discs, the solid rotor rings yielding improved electrical and mechanical characteristics in a low weight assembly. The solid rotor rings are fabricated by brazing slugs between the end portions of the rotor bars, the braze joints contacting a large percentage (at least 90%) of the rotor bar end portions.
Dual Mode Range Extended Electric Vehicle
Granted: March 14, 2013
Application Number:
20130066504
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…
Dual Mode Range Extended Electric Vehicle
Granted: March 14, 2013
Application Number:
20130066505
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…
Dual Mode Range Extended Electric Vehicle
Granted: March 14, 2013
Application Number:
20130066506
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…
Multiport Vehicle DC Charging System with Variable Power Distribution
Granted: March 7, 2013
Application Number:
20130057209
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…
Method of Operating a Multiport Vehicle Charging System
Granted: March 7, 2013
Application Number:
20130057210
A method of distributing charging power among a plurality of charge ports of a battery charging station is provided, where the battery charging station includes a plurality of power stages where each power stage includes an AC to DC converter and provides a portion of the charging station's maximum available charging power, the method comprising the steps of (i) monitoring battery charging station conditions and operating conditions for each charging port; (ii) determining current…
Battery Cap Assembly with High Efficiency Vent
Granted: March 7, 2013
Application Number:
20130059181
A battery cell design is disclosed that provides a predictable pathway through a portion of the cell (e.g., the cell cap assembly) for the efficient release of the thermal energy that occurs during thermal runaway, thereby reducing the chances of a rupture in an undesirable location. Furthermore the disclosed design maintains the functionality of the cell cap as the positive terminal of the cell, thereby having minimal impact on the manufacturability of the cell as well as its use in a…
Battery Thermal Event Detection System Utilizing Battery Pack Isolation Monitoring
Granted: February 28, 2013
Application Number:
20130049971
A system for detecting cell failure within a battery pack based on variations in the measured electrical isolation resistance of the battery pack is provided. The system includes an electrical isolation resistance monitoring subsystem for monitoring the electrical isolation resistance of the battery pack; a system controller coupled to the isolation resistance monitoring subsystem that detects when the electrical isolation resistance falls below a preset value; and a cell failure…
