Cell thermal runaway propagation resistance using dual intumescent material layers
Granted: July 27, 2010
Patent Number:
7763381
A means for inhibiting the propagation of thermal runaway within a plurality of batteries is provided, wherein the means is comprised of a pair of intumescent material layers coating the battery casing, or at least a portion thereof.
Method and apparatus for maintaining cell wall integrity during thermal runaway using a high yield strength outer sleeve
Granted: July 6, 2010
Patent Number:
7749647
A method and apparatus is provided in which a sleeve comprised of one or more layers of a high yield strength material surrounds the casing of a battery, the sleeve inhibiting the flow of hot, pressurized gas from within the battery through perforations formed in the battery casing during a thermal runaway event.
Method and apparatus for maintaining cell wall integrity during thermal runaway using multiple cell wall layers
Granted: July 6, 2010
Patent Number:
7749650
A method and apparatus is provided in which at least one layer pair comprised of an inner, thermally insulating layer and an outer, high yield strength layer, surrounds the casing of a battery, the at least one layer pair inhibiting the flow of hot, pressurized gas from within the battery through perforations formed in the battery casing during a thermal runaway event.
Traction control system for an electric vehicle
Granted: June 29, 2010
Patent Number:
7747363
A method and apparatus for optimizing the torque of the electric motor of an electric vehicle is provided, the torque adjustments taking into account wheel slip as well as other vehicular operating conditions.
Induction motor with improved torque density
Granted: June 22, 2010
Patent Number:
7741750
An induction motor embodiment includes a stator defining a stator bore, the stator including a stator yoke having a stator yoke thickness and a plurality of stator teeth, the teeth having a common length, with each of the stator teeth including a stator tooth center portion that extends from a stator tooth bottom portion proximal the yoke to a stator tooth tip portion, with adjacent stator teeth defining a stator slot between them, each stator slot having a stator slot bottom that…
System and method for battery preheating
Granted: June 22, 2010
Patent Number:
7741816
Some embodiments include a system, that includes an electric motor coupled to propel an electrical vehicle, a battery coupled to power the motor, a preheating system coupled to preheat the battery, a battery temperature comparator to compare a temperature of the battery to a target preheated temperature and to provide a battery below temperature signal when the battery temperature is below a specified temperature, a control circuit to determine the time remaining prior to a scheduled…
Control system for an all-wheel drive electric vehicle
Granted: June 22, 2010
Patent Number:
7742852
A method and apparatus for optimizing the torque applied to the primary and assist drive systems of an all-electric vehicle is provided, the torque adjustments taking into account wheel slip as well as other vehicular operating conditions.
Method and apparatus for maintaining cell wall integrity during thermal runaway using an outer layer of intumescent material
Granted: June 15, 2010
Patent Number:
7736799
A method and apparatus is provided in which a layer of an intumescent material surrounds the casing of a battery, the layer helping to prevent the formation of perforations in the battery casing during a thermal runaway event and, if a perforation is formed, inhibiting the flow of hot, pressurized gas from within the battery. A sleeve, surrounding the cell, may be used to contain the intumescent material during the thermal event.
Control system for an all-wheel drive electric vehicle
Granted: June 15, 2010
Patent Number:
7739005
A method and apparatus for optimizing the torque applied to the primary and assist drive systems of an all-electric vehicle is provided, the torque adjustments taking into account wheel slip as well as other vehicular operating conditions.
Method for battery charging based on cost and life
Granted: May 18, 2010
Patent Number:
7719232
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…
Electric vehicle communication interface
Granted: April 13, 2010
Patent Number:
7698078
A method of communicating with an electric vehicle wherein the method includes a step of installing a communication device in the electric vehicle. The method also includes establishing a connection from the vehicle to a network. The methodology also includes controlling and monitoring a battery in the electric vehicle.
Systems, methods, and apparatus for battery charging
Granted: March 23, 2010
Patent Number:
7683570
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…
Method and apparatus for identifying and disconnecting short-circuited battery cells within a battery pack
Granted: March 23, 2010
Patent Number:
7683575
A method and apparatus for deactivating a bad battery cell from a battery pack for an energy storage system of an electric vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus and methodology includes a clamshell member arranged at an end of the cells and a printed circuit board arranged adjacent to the clamshell member. A collector plate is arranged adjacent to the printed circuit board and a switch is arranged on the printed circuit board. A wire bond is arranged between the switch and one of the cells…
Battery pack and method for protecting batteries
Granted: March 2, 2010
Patent Number:
7671565
A system and method links batteries in parallel to conductors using wire bonds that act as fuses in the event of an overcurrent condition in a battery. To protect the wire bonds in the case of a larger overcurrent condition, a fuse may be added in series to the parallel batteries.
Multi-mode charging system for an electric vehicle
Granted: March 2, 2010
Patent Number:
7671567
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.
Method for interconnection of battery packs and battery assembly containing interconnected battery packs
Granted: February 23, 2010
Patent Number:
7667432
A system and method interconnects battery packs using a flexible bus bar to prevent vibration from breaking or damaging the connections therebetween.
Multi-mode charging system for an electric vehicle
Granted: December 8, 2009
Patent Number:
7629772
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.
Multi-mode charging system for an electric vehicle
Granted: December 8, 2009
Patent Number:
7629773
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.
Multi-mode charging system for an electric vehicle
Granted: November 24, 2009
Patent Number:
7622897
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.
Method of balancing batteries
Granted: October 13, 2009
Patent Number:
7602145
A methodology for balancing batteries for use in an electric vehicle. The methodology includes initializing a target balance voltage value to a predetermined voltage. Sampling a first voltage of the batteries at a predetermined interval. Sending the lowest voltage value to all of the batteries. Replacing the target value voltage with the lowest voltage if the lowest voltage is lower than the target balance voltage and bleeding the batteries if a sampled voltage is higher than the target…
