Systems and methods for diagnosing battery voltage mis-reporting
Granted: October 25, 2011
Patent Number:
8044786
Systems and methods for diagnosing battery voltage misreporting is described. According to various embodiments, battery voltage may be monitored with respect to a state of charge and/or time. Based on this monitored information, battery charge state data may be generated by computing time derivatives of the monitored battery voltage across a voltage range. This battery charge state data may be compared with an expected set of charge state data if substantial differences exist, an error…
AC motor winding pattern
Granted: September 13, 2011
Patent Number:
8018113
A motor winding arrangement that is capable of delivering relatively flat torque over a wide range of speeds, thus achieving increasing power throughout its operating range, is provided. In a multi-phase, e.g., three-phase, motor utilizing the winding arrangement of the invention, each winding layer corresponds to one phase of the motor and occupies every slot of the stator. The poles for each winding layer consist of concentric and non-overlapping coils.
Triple layer winding pattern and methods of manufacturing same
Granted: August 30, 2011
Patent Number:
8008827
A triple-winding layer arrangement for a three-phase, four pole motor is provided as well as a method of manufacturing the same.
Battery capacity estimating method and apparatus
Granted: August 23, 2011
Patent Number:
8004243
A method for accurately estimating battery capacity based on a weighting function is provided. The disclosed system monitors battery current and uses the monitored battery current to calculate the state of charge (SOCbyAh) of the battery. The system also measures the open circuit voltage (OCV) of the battery when the system is at rest, rest being determined by achieving a current of less than a preset current value for a period of time greater than a preset time period. The state of…
Flux controlled motor management
Granted: June 14, 2011
Patent Number:
7960928
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.
System and method for interconnection of battery packs
Granted: June 7, 2011
Patent Number:
7956574
A system and method interconnects battery packs using a flexible bus bar to prevent vibration from breaking or damaging the connections therebetween.
Early detection of battery cell thermal event
Granted: May 10, 2011
Patent Number:
7939192
A battery module for use in an electric vehicle is disclosed. The battery module includes a plurality of cells arranged in a predetermined pattern within the module. The battery module also includes an optical pyrometer arranged inside the module. The optical pyrometer is installed within the module after being tuned to detect a predetermined frequency or band of frequencies. The pyrometer will be used to detect an increase in short wave radiation density from one of the battery cells…
Thermal energy transfer system for a power source utilizing both metal-air and non-metal-air battery packs
Granted: May 10, 2011
Patent Number:
7940028
A power source comprised of a metal-air battery pack and a non-metal-air battery pack is provided, wherein thermal energy from the metal-air battery pack is used to heat the non-metal-air battery pack. In one aspect, a thermal energy transfer system is provided that controls the flow of thermal energy from the metal-air battery pack to the non-metal-air battery pack. In another aspect, the flow of thermal energy from the metal-air battery pack to the non-metal-air battery pack is…
Battery charging time optimization system
Granted: April 19, 2011
Patent Number:
7928699
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…
Tunable frangible battery pack system
Granted: April 12, 2011
Patent Number:
7923144
A tunable frangible battery pack system for use in an electric vehicle is disclosed. The tunable frangible battery pack system includes a two piece clamshell housing. The system also includes a plurality of battery cells arranged within the housing and a collector plate secured to each piece of the housing. The system also includes a wire conductor arranged between each of the battery cells and collector plates to create a frangible disconnect system when the battery pack system and…
Battery charging time optimization system
Granted: March 22, 2011
Patent Number:
7911184
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…
Centralized multi-zone cooling for increased battery efficiency
Granted: February 15, 2011
Patent Number:
7890218
A system for managing battery temperature is described. The system may include a cooling system which may include a fluid. A cabin circulation subsystem may be coupled to the cooling subsystem and may utilize the fluid for cabin cooling. A separate battery circulation subsystem may also may also be coupled to the cooling subsystem so that it may additionally utilize the fluid for battery cooling. A control may be present in order to regulate movement of the fluid to the cabin circulation…
Varying flux versus torque for maximum efficiency
Granted: December 7, 2010
Patent Number:
7847501
A motor in an electric vehicle can be controlled by receiving a torque command value, calculating a first flux value corresponding to a determinable efficiency of the electric vehicle at the torque command value, calculating a first torque-producing current value as a function of the torque command value and of the first flux value, and using the first flux value and the first torque-producing current value to control the motor to propel the electric vehicle.
Electric vehicle thermal management system
Granted: November 30, 2010
Patent Number:
7841431
A method for managing thermal loads within an electric vehicle using an efficient thermal management system (100) that utilizes a single heat exchanger (133) is provided. A refrigeration subsystem (103) cools the heat exchanger (133). A first coolant loop (139) in thermal communication with the heat exchanger (133) is used to cool the energy storage system (137). A second coolant loop (151) corresponding to the HVAC subsystem (107) is also in thermal communication with the heat exchanger…
Cell thermal runaway propagation resistant battery pack
Granted: October 26, 2010
Patent Number:
7820319
A means for inhibiting the propagation of thermal runaway within a plurality of batteries is provided, wherein the means is comprised of a layer of intumescent material covering the interior surfaces of the battery pack.
Voltage estimation feedback of overmodulated signal for an electrical vehicle
Granted: October 26, 2010
Patent Number:
7821224
A voltage estimation system for motor control feedback is described. The system may include one or more control modules which may generate voltage commands. An overmodulation or “clipping” module receiving a voltage command can generate a clipped voltage. Rather than measuring directly, a voltage estimator may estimate the clipped voltage based on the duty cycle command to the inverter. This estimated voltage may then be used by a flux estimator to estimate a flux value. Other…
Electric vehicle thermal management system
Granted: September 7, 2010
Patent Number:
7789176
An efficient thermal management system (100) that utilizes a single heat exchanger (133) is provided. A refrigeration subsystem (103) cools the heat exchanger (133). A first coolant loop (139) in thermal communication with the heat exchanger (133) is used to cool the energy storage system (137). A second coolant loop (151) corresponding to the HVAC subsystem (107) is also in thermal communication with the heat exchanger (133). Preferably a third coolant loop (109) corresponding to the…
System for battery charging based on cost and life
Granted: August 31, 2010
Patent Number:
7786704
One embodiment of the present subject matter includes a system that includes a battery, an electric vehicle, the battery coupled to the electric vehicle to propel the electric vehicle, and a charging circuit to charge the battery. The embodiment includes a charging cost circuit to estimate a charging cost rate and to turn on the charging circuit. The embodiment also includes a timer circuit to provide a time signal to the charging cost circuit. The embodiment is configured such that the…
Cell thermal runaway propagation resistance using an internal layer of intumescent material
Granted: August 24, 2010
Patent Number:
7781097
A means for inhibiting the propagation of thermal runaway within a plurality of batteries is provided, wherein the means is comprised of at least one layer of intumescent material interposed between the interior surface of the casing of a battery and the corresponding electrode assembly.
Battery charging based on cost and life
Granted: August 24, 2010
Patent Number:
7782021
One embodiment of the present subject matter includes a system that includes a battery, an electric vehicle, the battery coupled to the electric vehicle to propel the electric vehicle, and a charging circuit to charge the battery. The embodiment includes a charging cost circuit to estimate a charging cost rate and to turn on the charging circuit. The embodiment also includes a timer circuit to provide a time signal to the charging cost circuit. The embodiment is configured such that the…
