Tesla Motors Patent Grants

Method and system for determining concentration of electrolyte components for lithium-ion cells

Granted: October 13, 2020
Patent Number: 10804562
A computer-implemented method for determining a concentration of a component of an electrolyte in a lithium-ion or for a lithium-ion cell is provided. The method includes providing, to a spectrometer, instructions to capture a spectrum of a sample solution of the electrolyte and generate a signal. The method includes analyzing the signal to determine one or more spectral features of the spectrum. The method includes preparing a database of spectra corresponding to solutions having…

Multi-port valve with multiple operation modes

Granted: July 9, 2019
Patent Number: 10344877
A multi-port, multi-mode valve includes: a valve housing; multiple ports on the valve housing, a spacing between first and second ports being smaller than a spacing between third and fourth ports; and a stemshell positioned at least partly inside the valve housing, the stemshell having at least two channels configured for selectively coupling one or more of the ports to a selected at least other one of the ports.

Energy storage system with dual-active-bridge converter

Granted: April 30, 2019
Patent Number: 10277029
An energy storage device includes: a number of cells; and a dual-active-bridge converter connected to the cells, wherein the cells are floating relative to the system and are galvanically isolated therefrom. The energy storage device can be included in an energy storage system that includes: a grid tie unit comprising at least one DC/AC converter; and multiple pods connected to the grid tie unit, each pod including: a number of cells; and a power electronics unit, wherein the cells are…

Impact protection structures for vehicles and vehicles incorporating the same

Granted: November 28, 2017
Patent Number: 9828039
Impact protection structures for vehicles are described. An impact protection structure includes a support structure of the vehicle, an interior rail coupled to the support structure, and an exterior rail coupled to the interior rail. The exterior rail has an inboard boundary wall positioned between an upper mounting region and a lower mounting region. The upper and the lower exterior mounting region of the exterior rail are coupled to an upper and a lower mounting region of the interior…

Self-discharge for high voltage battery packs

Granted: April 4, 2017
Patent Number: 9614383
A system and method for providing energy management and maintenance of a high energy battery pack through use self-discharge features and processes. A battery pack is configured with self-discharger enabled-components that selectively discharge energy from the battery pack without the battery pack providing operational power.

Vehicle trunk lid

Granted: March 7, 2017
Patent Number: D780653

Cell module assemblies

Granted: February 21, 2017
Patent Number: 9577227
A method includes: assembling a thermal-exchange tube in a module housing for an energy storage pack; assembling cells in the module housing, wherein the thermal-exchange tube runs between rows of the cells; applying an adhesive that affixes the cells and the thermal-exchange tube to the module housing; curing a first portion of the adhesive by radiation, wherein a second portion of the adhesive is shielded from the radiation by the cells or the thermal-exchange tube; and curing at least…

Battery electronics system

Granted: February 14, 2017
Patent Number: 9568534
A system and method for low-cost, fault tolerant, EMI robust data communications, particularly for an EV environment.

Energy storage device

Granted: January 31, 2017
Patent Number: D777663

Charge rate modulation of metal-air cells as a function of ambient oxygen concentration

Granted: January 31, 2017
Patent Number: 9559532
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.

Hazard mitigation through gas flow communication between battery packs

Granted: January 17, 2017
Patent Number: 9548616
A system and method for mitigating the effects of a thermal event within a non-metal-air battery pack is provided in which the hot gas and material generated during the event is directed into the metal-air cells of a metal-air battery pack. The metal-air cells provide a large thermal mass for absorbing at least a portion of the thermal energy generated during the event before it is released to the ambient environment. As a result, the risks to vehicle passengers, bystanders, first…

Transient detection of an exceptional charge event in a series connected battery element

Granted: December 27, 2016
Patent Number: 9529048
A system and method for identifying and responding to exceptional charge events of series-connected energy storage elements.

Integrated vehicle-end structure

Granted: December 27, 2016
Patent Number: 9527450
An integrated end structure for a vehicle comprises: a storage compartment module that comprises a shell forming a storage compartment therein, the storage compartment module configured to sit onto a frame rail of the vehicle; and a vehicle end module configured to be mounted onto a bracket in the vehicle that provides adjustability of the vehicle end module in a z-direction, the vehicle end module configured for holding a light unit of the vehicle. The storage compartment module is…

Charging station providing thermal conditioning of electric vehicle during charging session

Granted: December 27, 2016
Patent Number: 9527403
A method of thermally conditioning an energy storage of a vehicle while charging includes: receiving, at a charging station, thermal information about the energy storage; supplying, by the charging station, electric energy to the energy storage in a charging session; and providing, by the charging station and based on the thermal information, thermal conditioning of the energy storage during at least part of the charging session.

Motor vehicle front bumper with hood

Granted: December 27, 2016
Patent Number: D775006

Motor vehicle front bumper with hood

Granted: December 27, 2016
Patent Number: D775005

Vehicle wheel

Granted: December 20, 2016
Patent Number: D774435

Seat

Granted: December 6, 2016
Patent Number: D773197

Methodology for charging batteries safely

Granted: November 29, 2016
Patent Number: 9506990
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…

Electric motor using multiple reference frames for flux angle

Granted: November 29, 2016
Patent Number: 9509240
A drive unit includes: an electric motor; a flux estimator circuit configured to estimate at least a flux angle; a synchronous frame generator coupled to a rotor of the AC induction motor and configured to detect a rotor mechanical angle; and a switch configured to selectively provide either the flux angle or the rotor mechanical angle for controlling the motor.