Controlling end ring balance in pre-balancing spinning process
Granted: November 15, 2016
Patent Number:
9496775
A rotor includes: a shaft; a core around the shaft; at least one end ring connected to rotor bars that are at least partially enclosed in the core; and means for balancing the end ring around the shaft in a pre-balancing spinning process. A method includes: assembling rotor bars so that they are at least partially enclosed in a core of a rotor; connecting an end ring to ends of the rotor bars; inserting a shaft into the core; step for balancing the end ring around the shaft in a…
Method and system for servicing high voltage battery packs
Granted: October 11, 2016
Patent Number:
9466992
A system and method for providing energy management and maintenance of a high energy battery pack that does not require installation of the battery pack into an operational EV. A battery service unit has multiple access mechanisms to charge or discharge a high energy battery pack through a primary or secondary high voltage port of the pack, irrespective of whether the battery pack is installed into an operating environment by adding a capability of providing a signature duplicating…
Sunroof utilizing two independent motors
Granted: September 20, 2016
Patent Number:
RE46149
Continuous cross sectional profile guide tracks in an outer sliding sunroof/moonroof are provided where both the front and rear mechanism or mechanism links travel fore/aft in the same channels as each other and have fore/aft travel that is limited only by vehicle architecture. The guide track channel is partly or entirely outside/outboard of the primary water/wind sealing system of the sunroof.
Vehicle wheel
Granted: September 20, 2016
Patent Number:
D766802
Fast charging of battery using adjustable voltage control
Granted: August 16, 2016
Patent Number:
9419450
A method for charging at least one lithium ion cell the method includes: (a) applying, to the lithium ion cell, a constant first stage charging current until a first stage charging voltage is about equal to a first stage complete voltage less than a maximum cell voltage, the constant first stage charging current greater than about 1C; and thereafter (b) applying multiple constant second stage charging currents to the lithium ion cell at different current levels, wherein the constant…
Extrusion piece with dissimilar ends
Granted: August 9, 2016
Patent Number:
9409218
A method includes: determining a design for a longitudinal piece of a particular length, wherein first and second ends of the longitudinal piece have dissimilar shapes; extruding a piece that is at least twice the particular length, wherein a profile throughout the extruded piece has the first end shape; hydroforming the extruded piece to generate an expanded portion between ends of the extruded piece, wherein the ends retain essentially the first end shape; and cutting through the…
Electromagnetic switch with damping interface
Granted: June 21, 2016
Patent Number:
9373471
An electromagnetic switch includes: a stationary electrical contact; a moveable electrical contact; an actuated member to which the moveable electrical contact is attached for driving the moveable electrical contact into and out of contact with the stationary electrical contact; and a damping interface between the moveable electrical contact and the actuated member.
Adapter for crush rail and torque box
Granted: May 31, 2016
Patent Number:
9352784
An adapter for a vehicle includes: an adapter body configured to bridge between a crush rail at a vehicle end and a back-up structure, the adapter body having a socket configured to receive and enclose four sides of the crush rail, the adapter body having a plug configured to fit into the back-up structure; and an opening in the adapter body configured to have a drive shaft extend through the adapter.
Torque box with shear planes at inner joint
Granted: May 31, 2016
Patent Number:
9352789
A torque box for a vehicle includes: first and second clamshells joined to each other at respective top and bottom edges and configured to form at least first and second enclosures with an inner joint in between, the first and second enclosures configured to provide top and bottom shear planes at the top and bottom edges, respectively, and at least first and second shear planes at the inner joint.
Subframe configured to detach upon impact
Granted: May 31, 2016
Patent Number:
9352785
A subframe for a vehicle has a front attachment to a crush rail in the vehicle, and a rear attachment to the vehicle, the subframe comprising at least one initiator configured to cause the subframe to fold downward in event of impact, the subframe configured so that the front attachment detaches as a result of the impact and the subframe is deflected downward, while the rear attachment does not detach.
Vehicle crush rail with substantially square cells and initiators
Granted: May 31, 2016
Patent Number:
9352783
A vehicle crush rail includes: a body configured to be at least partially crushed along an axis between first and second ends thereof, the body having a cross section profile that comprises first, second and third cells that are substantially square, wherein at least one of the first, second and third cells extends from the first end to the second end, wherein the first, second and third cells have respective initiators arranged according to a crush pattern for the crush rail.
Response to detection of an overcharge event in a series connected battery element
Granted: May 17, 2016
Patent Number:
9343911
A system and method for identifying and responding to exceptional charge events of series-connected energy storage elements can include: a first charge imbalance detection system monitoring, using the microprocessor, the energy storage system for a charge imbalance using a first detection modality, said first charge imbalance detection system initiating a reduction of said charge imbalance using a first response modality; a second charge imbalance detection system monitoring, using the…
Extrusion piece with insert of dissimilar material
Granted: May 17, 2016
Patent Number:
9340232
A profile piece includes: an extruded piece of a first material having a mouth portion along at least part of its length; and an insert of a second material different than the first material, the insert attached to the extruded piece by the mouth portion, wherein the insert is configured for welding the profile piece to a component of a third material different than the first material.
Rotor assembly with heat pipe cooling system
Granted: May 3, 2016
Patent Number:
9331552
An electric motor cooling system is provided in which at least one heat pipe is captured within at least one hollow region within the motor's rotor shaft. An end of the heat pipe that extends out and away from the end of the rotor shaft is coupled to a heat exchanger, for example a heat sink in which the fins of the heat sink are shaped as fan blades. During motor operation, as the rotor heats up thermal energy is absorbed by the heat pipe within the rotor shaft and transferred to the…
Response to detection of an overdischarge event in a series connected battery element
Granted: April 19, 2016
Patent Number:
9318901
A system and method for identifying and responding to exceptional charge events of series-connected energy storage elements.
Self-activated draining system
Granted: March 22, 2016
Patent Number:
9293792
A method of managing leakage of liquid inside a battery system comprises: containing leaking liquid in a non-liquid sensitive region of the battery system so as to protect internal electrical components of the battery system from coming in contact with the leaking liquid; and in direct response to the leakage, expunging the leaking liquid from the battery system. A drain device includes: a body with a port therethrough, the body configured to be positioned in a wall of a container; means…
Air outlet directional flow controller with integrated shut-off door
Granted: March 8, 2016
Patent Number:
9278607
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.…
Controlling a compressor for air suspension of electric vehicle
Granted: March 1, 2016
Patent Number:
9272595
A method of controlling a compressor for an air suspension of an electric vehicle includes: determining a state of a reservoir in the electric vehicle, the reservoir coupled to drive air springs of a suspension system; determining whether the electric vehicle is connected to an external source of electric energy for charging an energy storage of the electric vehicle; in response to determining that the electric vehicle is connected to the external source, applying a first value as a…
Electric-vehicle connector post
Granted: February 16, 2016
Patent Number:
D749503
Secondary service port for high voltage battery packs
Granted: February 16, 2016
Patent Number:
9263901
A system and method for providing energy management and maintenance of a high energy battery pack that does not require installation of the battery pack into an operational EV. A secondary service port is provided to enable certain maintenance operations while by-passing battery pack interlocks and protection mechanisms used when the battery pack is installed into an operating environment.
