Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100290115 | THROUGH-THE-LENS LOUPE ASSEMBLY WITH INTERPUPILLARY DISTANCE ADJUSTMENT - A medical/dental loupe assembly provides through-the-lens oculars with an inconspicuous interpupillary distance adjustment capability. The system includes a pair of lenses, each lens having a telemicroscopic ocular cemented therethrough, and an upper portion, one on each side of a wearer's nose. A generally horizontal slot is formed in the upper portion of one of the lenses, and a bridge member connects the upper portions of the two lenses. The bridge member has two ends, one end of which is coupled to the slot through a fastener that may be loosened and tightened, thereby allowing the distance between the oculars to be adjusted and locked into position in accordance with the interpupillary requirements of a user. | 11-18-2010 |
20110026258 | MEDICAL/DENTAL HEADLIGHT SYSTEM WITH INTERCHANGEABLE BEAM-FORMING OPTICS - A head-mounted light source particularly suited to medical and dental applications includes a base unit with a source of illumination directed through a distal opening in the base unit, and a plurality of interchangeable beam-forming units, each separately attachable to the distal opening of the base unit to produce a different light spot size at a given distance. The preferred embodiment includes a wide-field beam-forming unit, an intermediate beam-forming unit and a high-intensity beam-forming unit, such that the diameter of the spot size progressively decreases from the wide-field to the intermediate to the high-intensity unit. The interchangeable beam-forming units are attached to the base unit through a threaded connection. Each interchangeable beam-forming unit may itself include a distal threaded connection for attachment of a UV or other filter. In the preferred embodiment, the base unit includes a clip adapted for attachment to an ocular mounting assembly. | 02-03-2011 |
20110122598 | LED ILLUMINATOR WITH IMPROVED BEAM QUALITY - An improved illuminator with an adjustable beam pattern to be worn by medical and dental professionals includes a housing, a light-emitting diode (LED) disposed in the housing outputting light through a distal opening in the housing, an achromatic doublet lens mounted in the opening in the housing, and a singlet lens disposed between the LED and the achromatic lens. The distance between the singlet lens and the doublet lens may be adjustable, and/or distance between the LED and the singlet lens may be adjustable, through a threaded connections, for example. | 05-26-2011 |
20110305007 | LED ILLUMINATOR WITH IMPROVED BEAM QUALITY - An improved illuminator with an adjustable beam pattern to be worn by medical and dental professionals includes a housing, a light-emitting diode (LED) disposed in the housing outputting light through a distal opening in the housing, an achromatic doublet lens mounted in the opening in the housing, and a singlet lens disposed between the LED and the achromatic lens. The distance between the singlet lens and the doublet lens may be adjustable, and/or distance between the LED and the singlet lens may be adjustable, through a threaded connections, for example. In the preferred embodiment, the achromatic doublet lens, the singlet lens, or both the singlet and the doublet lens have a planar surface. | 12-15-2011 |
20120320454 | HEAD-WORN ILLUMINATORS AND MAGNIFIERS WITH OPTICAL REJECTION COATINGS TO ASSIST MEDICAL AND DENTAL PROFESSIONALS - An improved head-mounted optical illuminator or magnifier of the type worn by a medical or dental professional includes an optical coating applied to one or more optical surfaces associated with the illuminator or magnifier, and wherein the optical coating is a rejection coating operative to blocks wavelengths in the green, blue, violet and/or ultraviolet portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, depending upon the embodiment. Short-wavelength coatings (blue/violet/uv) may be applied to the surface of a lens used in a head-worn illuminator, for example to the beam-forming optics. The head-worn illuminator may be an LED illuminator, xenon illuminator, or other high-intensity source. In the case of the green notch filter coatings, these would typically only be applied to a head-worn magnifier, including flip-up and through-the-lens styles. In all embodiments, the optical coating may be a multilayer dielectric coating, a holographic filter, or utilize other optical filter technology. | 12-20-2012 |
20120320568 | MEDICAL/DENTAL HEADLIGHT SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED COLOR RENDITION - A head-mounted light source particularly suited to medical and dental applications includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The LEDs include at least one cool white LED; at least one warm white LED; and at least one red LED. By combining a cool white, warm white and red LED, a more natural spectrum is produced. In one preferred embodiment, the system includes a single cool white LED, a single warm white LED, and a single red LED. In an alternative embodiment, the system includes 3 warm white LEDs, 2 cool white LEDs and 2 red LEDs which may be arranged in a hexagonal close-packed pattern. | 12-20-2012 |
20130094081 | MECHANICALLY STABILIZED OPTICAL MOUNTING ASSEMBLY - An ocular mounting assembly with mechanical stabilization includes a housing with a through-bore having an interior and opposing open ends, the interior of the through-bore being defined in part by an upper wall having a lower surface interior to the through-bore, and a lower wall having an upper surface interior to the through-bore. A pair of support arms are provided, each arm being slidingly received by a respective one of the open ends of the through-bore of the housing. A pair of stabilizing bodies are also provided, each body being positioned between a respecting one of the support arms and the interior of the housing. In contrast to existing designs, both stabilizing bodies are either positioned between a support arm and the lower surface of the upper wall of the housing, or between a support arm and the upper surface of the lower wall of the housing. | 04-18-2013 |
20140247582 | HIGH-EFFICIENCY LED ILLUMINATOR WITH IMPROVED BEAM QUALITY - An improved illuminator with an adjustable beam pattern to be worn by medical and dental professionals includes a housing, a light-emitting diode (LED) disposed in the housing outputting light through a distal opening in the housing, an achromatic doublet lens mounted in the opening in the housing, and a singlet lens disposed between the LED and the achromatic lens. The distance between the singlet lens and the doublet lens may be adjustable, and/or distance between the LED and the singlet lens may be adjustable, through a threaded connections, for example. In the preferred embodiment, the achromatic doublet lens, the singlet lens, or both the singlet and the doublet lens have a planar surface. A conical mirror may be disposed between the LED and the singlet lens to increase the light collection efficiency of the LED. | 09-04-2014 |
20140293588 | HIGH-EFFICIENCY LED ILLUMINATOR WITH IMPROVED BEAM QUALITY AND VENTILATED HOUSING - An improved illuminator with an adjustable beam pattern to be worn by medical and dental professionals includes a housing, a light-emitting diode (LED) disposed in the housing outputting light through a distal opening in the housing, an achromatic doublet lens mounted in the opening in the housing, and a singlet lens disposed between the LED and the achromatic lens. The distance between the singlet lens and the doublet lens may be adjustable, and/or distance between the LED and the singlet lens may be adjustable, through a threaded connections, for example. In the preferred embodiment, the achromatic doublet lens, the singlet lens, or both the singlet and the doublet lens have a planar surface. A conical mirror may be disposed between the LED and the singlet lens to increase the light collection efficiency of the LED. | 10-02-2014 |
20150146290 | THROUGH-THE-LENS (TTL) LOUPES WITH IMPROVED DECLINATION ANGLE - Dental/medical/surgical loupes have an improved declination angle to reduce neck and back strain. Eyeglass frames are provided with carrier lenses having bottom edges. A hole is provided in each carrier lens, each hole having an outer periphery that extends below the bottom edge of the carrier lens, resulting in a pair of opposing pointed ends. A pair of ocular devices are cemented in a respective one of the holes, such that a portion of the ocular body also extends below the bottom edge of the carrier lens. Each ocular is then cemented or otherwise permanently affixed into position to achieve a desired declination angle. For added stability, a pair of holes may be formed into the body of each ocular, each pair of holes being physically aligned with the two opposing pointed ends of the carrier lens associated with that ocular. | 05-28-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100030537 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PREDICTING VERY HIGH CYCLE FATIGUE PROPERTIES IN METAL ALLOYS - A system and method for predicting fatigue life in metal alloys for very high cycle fatigue applications. The system and method are especially useful for cast metal alloys, such as cast aluminum alloys, where a fatigue endurance limit is either non-existent or hard to discern. Fatigue properties, such as fatigue strength in the very high cycle fatigue region, are based on a modified random fatigue limit model, where the very high cycle fatigue strength and infinite life fatigue strength are refined to take into consideration the sizes of the discontinuities and microstructure constituents since the fatigue life scatter depends upon the presence of discontinuities and microstructure constituents. The sizes of the discontinuities and microstructure constituents that can initiate fatigue cracks can be determined with extreme value statistics, then input to the modified random fatigue limit model. | 02-04-2010 |
20100292966 | Methods of predicting residual stresses and distortion in quenched aluminum castings - Computational systems, methods, and articles of manufacture to predict at least one of residual stresses and distortion in quenched aluminum castings. Residual stresses and distortion may be predicted through incorporating thermal strains induced during quenching with the nonlinear constitutive behavior of quenched microstructures of a quenched aluminum casting, wherein thermal strains arise generally from non-uniform transient temperature distribution of the casting during quenching. The transient temperature distribution of the aluminum casting during quenching may be calculated based on heat transfer coefficients specific to one or more nodes, elements and/or zones on the surfaces of the aluminum casting. The nonlinear constitutive behavior of the quenched aluminum casting may be modeled as functions of temperatures, strain rates, and microstructure variations. A material constitutive model accounts for not only strain hardening and creep, but also precipitate hardening. Thereby, residual stresses and distortion in the quenched aluminum castings can be predicted using the embodiments. | 11-18-2010 |
20120041726 | METHOD FOR SIMULATING TRANSIENT HEAT TRANSFER AND TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION OF ALUMINUM CASTINGS DURING WATER QUENCHING - The invention relates to a method for estimating heat transfer during water quench of an aluminum part. The method includes:
| 02-16-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090260987 | METHOD OF MAKING GAS SENSOR ELEMENT, AND GAS SENSOR DERIVED THEREFROM - Disclosed herein is a method of making a gas sensor element, comprising calcining a NOx sensor electrode material at a NOx sensor electrode material calcination temperature of about 1200 to about 1600° C. to form a calcined NOx sensor electrode material, disposing the calcined NOx sensor electrode material on a substrate to form a substrate comprising a NOx sensor electrode, and firing the substrate comprising the NOx sensor electrode at a gas sensor element firing temperature to form a gas sensor element comprising a NOx sensor electrode. Also disclosed is a gas sensor comprising the gas sensor element. | 10-22-2009 |
20110020535 | SENSING ELEMENT AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - Disclosed herein is a method of making a sensing element comprising forming an electrically conductive element, wherein the sensing element comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of Pd and alloys and combinations comprising Pd; and wherein the electrically conductive element is thermally stable at temperatures as high as 1,200° C. | 01-27-2011 |
20120094205 | COMPLIANT GLASS SEAL FOR FUEL CELL STACK - A solid oxide fuel cell stack having a plurality of cassettes and a compliant glass seal disposed between the sealing surfaces of adjacent cassettes, thereby joining the cassettes and providing a hermetic seal therebetween. The compliant glass seal may include a glass, at least one metal selected from Groups 9, 10, and 11 of the periodic table, and fibers of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) to enhance the desirable properties of the compliant glass seal. The combined weight percentage of the at least one metal and YSZ in the compliant glass seal is 30 to 42.5 weight percent, preferably 37.5 percent. | 04-19-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090106934 | Vehicle Closure Check Link - A check link for a closure of a vehicle pivotally connected to vehicle structure, and a method of operation, are disclosed. The check link may include a main rod having a first end pivotally engaging one of the vehicle structure and the closure, and an end cap fixed to an opposed second end. A support may be mounted on the other of the vehicle structure and the closure, with the main rod extending through the support. Also, a shock absorber is mounted to the support and located between the end cap and the support. The shock absorber is configured to absorb energy of motion of the closure when compressed between the end cap and the support. | 04-30-2009 |
20090230723 | VEHICLE CLOSURE ASSEMBLY WITH SHAPE MEMORY POLYMER SEAL - A closure assembly with a shape memory polymer seal is provided for use with a vehicle. The closure assembly includes a frame member configured for attachment to the vehicle body to selectively transition from a closed position to an open position. The seal structure includes a base portion elongated along and attached to a peripheral edge of the frame member or the vehicle body, and a flexible contact portion extending integrally from the base portion and configured for sealing communication with an opposing surface. A thermally-activated smart material (TASM), namely a shape memory polymer member, is disposed inside a cavity within the contact portion. A thermoelectric device is in thermal communication with the TASM, and is characterized by a thermal differential when current flows therethrough. The TASM is activated in response to the thermal differential of the thermoelectric device, thereby altering at least one physical property of the TASM. | 09-17-2009 |
20100019535 | Fuel Door Interlock for Vehicle Sliding Door - An interlock system for a vehicle body with a sliding door and a fuel fill door includes a housing, a first member, a second member, and a spring. The first member is mounted with respect to the housing, defines a cam portion, and is selectively rotatable with respect to the housing in a first direction from a retracted position to an extended position. The second member is mounted with respect to the housing and is selectively rotatable with respect to the housing in the first direction between a first position and a second position. The spring interconnects the first and second members such that movement of the second member from the first position to the second position causes the first member to move from the retracted position to the extended position. | 01-28-2010 |
20100276949 | Inertia Balanced Vehicle Outside Door Handle - A door handle assembly for use with a vehicle door comprising a door paddle including an actuation arm, supported to pivot about a first axis such that lateral acceleration of the paddle and actuation arm relative to the door produces a first moment about the first axis, and masses engaged with the actuation arm and supported to pivot about a second axis, the masses being arranged such that lateral acceleration of the masses relative to the door produces a second moment about the first axis that is substantially equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the first moment. | 11-04-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130018927 | USER-DRIVEN MENU GENERATION SYSTEM WITH DYNAMIC GENERATION OF TARGET FILES WITH PLACEHOLDERS FOR PERSISTENT CHANGE OR TEMPORARY SECURITY CHANGE OVER CLOUD COMPUTING VIRTUAL STORAGE FROM TEMPLATE FILES - Dynamic generation of target files is described. A user can select a template file. The template file includes: at least first and second changeable fields configured to be changed persistently, and a third changeable field. The second changeable field is configured to receive a security-related value. A third changeable field includes a first value configured to be changed temporarily to receive an encrypted version of the first value. The template file is parsed to generate a user interface, including: a first prompting label, corresponding to the first changeable field, requesting the user to enter the user content value, a second prompting label, corresponding to the second changeable field, requesting that the user enter audit data and/or access control data. An encrypted version of the first value corresponding to the third changeable field is generated. The first value is temporarily replaced with the encrypted value. The target file is then generated. | 01-17-2013 |
20130138947 | USER-DRIVEN MENU GENERATION SYSTEM WITH DYNAMIC GENERATION OF TARGET FILES WITH PLACEHOLDERS FOR PERSISTENT CHANGE OR TEMPORARY SECURITY CHANGE OVER CLOUD COMPUTING VIRTUAL STORAGE FROM TEMPLATE FILES - Dynamic generation of target files is described. A user can select a template file. The template file includes: at least first and second changeable fields configured to be changed persistently, and a third changeable field. The second changeable field is configured to receive a security-related value. A third changeable field includes a first value configured to be changed temporarily to receive an encrypted version of the first value. The template file is parsed to generate a user interface, including: a first prompting label, corresponding to the first changeable field, requesting the user to enter the user content value, a second prompting label, corresponding to the second changeable field, requesting that the user enter audit data and/or access control data. An encrypted version of the first value corresponding to the third changeable field is generated. The first value is temporarily replaced with the encrypted value. The target file is then generated. | 05-30-2013 |
20130179477 | Dynamic Generation of Target Files from Template Files and Tracking of the Processing of Target Files - Target file generation systems and methods are described, which are optionally for use by ordinary computer users enable those users to readily generate target files without the requirement that they know the internal layout structures of the target files. A user is enabled to select a template file from a plurality of template files via a user interface configured to be displayed on a computer display to the user, wherein the template files include changeable fields associated with corresponding field delimiters and prompting labels. An incomplete software program file containing variable name locations is accessed from memory. The program file is parsed to locate the variable name locations. The label names obtained from the template file selected by the user are inserted into the variable name locations to further complete the software program file. The software program file is stored in computer memory. | 07-11-2013 |
20140351682 | DYNAMIC GENERATION OF TARGET FILES FROM TEMPLATE FILES AND TRACKING OF THE PROCESSING OF TARGET FILES - Target file generation systems and methods are described, which are optionally for use by ordinary computer users enable those users to readily generate target files without the requirement that they know the internal layout structures of the target files. A user is enabled to select a template file from a plurality of template files via a user interface configured to be displayed on a computer display to the user, wherein the template files include changeable fields associated with corresponding field delimiters and prompting labels. An incomplete software program file containing variable name locations is accessed from memory. The program file is parsed to locate the variable name locations. The label names obtained from the template file selected by the user are inserted into the variable name locations to further complete the software program file. The software program file is stored in computer memory. | 11-27-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20150079455 | BATTERY MODULE AND BATTERY CELL - A battery module having first and second battery cells is provided. The first battery cell has a housing and first and second electrical terminals. The housing extends longitudinally along a first axis and vertically along a second axis. The housing has first, second, third and fourth ends. The first and second ends extend parallel to the first axis. The third and fourth ends extend parallel to the second axis. The first electrical terminal extends from the third end in a direction parallel to the first axis, and has first and second edges extending parallel to the first axis. The first edge is disposed closer to the first end than the second edge of the first electrical terminal. A distance from the second end of the housing to the second edge of the first electrical terminal is greater than a distance from the first end of the housing to the first edge of the first electrical terminal. | 03-19-2015 |
20150086845 | BATTERY MODULE AND BATTERY CELL - A battery module having first and second battery cells is provided. The first battery cell has a housing and first and second electrical terminals. The housing extends longitudinally along a first axis and vertically along a second axis. The housing has first, second, third and fourth ends. The first and second ends extend parallel to the first axis. The third and fourth ends extend parallel to the second axis. The first electrical terminal extends from the third end in a direction parallel to the first axis, and has first and second edges extending parallel to the first axis. The first edge is disposed closer to the first end than the second edge of the first electrical terminal. A distance from the second end of the housing to the second edge of the first electrical terminal is greater than a distance from the first end of the housing to the first edge of the first electrical terminal. | 03-26-2015 |
20150244043 | BATTERY MODULE - A battery module includes a first battery cell having a first housing and first and second electrical terminals. The first housing has first, second, third and fourth ends. The first and second electrical terminals extend outwardly from the third and fourth ends, respectively. A distance from the second end of the first housing to a second edge of the first electrical terminal is greater than a distance from the first end of the first housing to a first edge of the first electrical terminal A distance from the second end of the first housing to a second edge of the second electrical terminal is greater than a distance from the first end of the first housing to a first edge of the second electrical terminal. The battery module further includes a cooling fin disposed adjacent to the first battery cell, and a cooling plate coupled to the cooling fin. | 08-27-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110193633 | BIOAMPLIFIER FOR NEURAL INTERFACES - A bioamplifier that includes a high pass filter, open-loop amplifier, and low pass filter in an area efficient design that can be used in implantable neural interfaces. The high pass filter can be implemented by using a switch-capacitance resistor coupled with parasitic capacitance of the electrode. The amplifier can be chopper stabilized and can include a high gain, current-ratio first stage followed by one or more dimension-ratio stages. The low pass filter utilizes the output impedance of the open-loop amplifier to form an embedded g | 08-11-2011 |
20120218137 | LOW-POWER AREA-EFFICIENT SAR ADC USING DUAL CAPACITOR ARRAYS - An analog to digital converter that comprises a successive approximation register (SAR) having an n bit binary output, a first capacitor array connected to receive some of the bits of the binary output, a second capacitor array connected to receive the remaining bits of the binary output, and a comparator including an output connected to the SAR. The first and second capacitor arrays each have an analog output indicative of the charge stored by capacitors of that array. The comparator includes a pair of inputs, one of which is connected to the analog output of the first capacitor array and the other of which is connected to the analog output of the second capacitor array. | 08-30-2012 |
20120302856 | DISTRIBUTED, MINIMALLY-INVASIVE NEURAL INTERFACE FOR WIRELESS EPIDURAL RECORDING - A neural interface for measuring or stimulating brain neural activity, either as a standalone unit or as a part of a larger system of similar neural interfaces. The neural interface includes a bolt-shaped housing having a tool-engaging head and threaded shank with internal circuitry and at least one electrode. In use, the housing is threaded into a cranial bore such that the electrode contacts the outer surface of the meninges. The neural interface circuitry includes an SAR ADC that provides at least rail-to-rail operation to convert received signals from the electrode(s) into digital data that can be modulated and wirelessly transmitted by intra-skin or other suitable communication. | 11-29-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090046923 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING SURFACE DEFECTS ON A WORKPIECE SUCH AS A ROLLED/DRAWN METAL BAR - The present invention is directed to solving the problems associated with the detection of surface defects on metal bars as well as the problems associated with applying metal flat inspection systems to metal bars for non-destructive surface defects detection. A specially designed imaging system, which is comprised of a computing unit, line lights and high data rate line scan cameras, is developed for the aforementioned purpose. The target application is the metal bars (1) that have a circumference/cross-section-area ratio equal to or smaller than 4.25 when the cross section area is unity for the given shape, (2) whose cross-sections are round, oval, or in the shape of a polygon, and (3) are manufactured by mechanically cross-section reduction processes. The said metal can be steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, bronze, titanium, nickel, and so forth, and/or their alloys. The said metal bars can be at the temperature when they are being manufactured. A removable cassette includes various mirrors. A protection tube isolates the moving metal bar from the line light assembly and image acquisition camera. A contaminant reduction mechanism applies a vacuum to remove airborne contaminants. | 02-19-2009 |
20100109659 | SURFACE FLAW DETECTION AND VERIFICATION ON METAL BARS - An inspection system for detecting flaws on a moving metal (e.g., steel) bar coordinates the operation of an eddy current testing (ECT)-based flaw detection apparatus and an imaging-based flaw detection apparatus. The ECT-based flaw detection apparatus and the imaging-based flaw detection apparatus are disposed along a movement path in a predetermined relationship with each other, for example, as a predetermined fixed offset distance therebetween. A synchronizing mechanism synchronizes the output data streams from the two flaw detection apparatuses based on the predetermined relationship, so as to align the data streams as function of the axial position on the metal bar. A processing unit is configured to process the synchronized data streams for the detection of flaws, which are then also synchronized (axial position). The synchronization permits a variety of cross-referencing operations, such a flaw verification as to the existence of flaws, as well augmenting imaging-based flaws with flaw depth information from the ECT-based apparatus. | 05-06-2010 |
20110075159 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF A PORTABLE IMAGING-BASED MEASUREMENT WITH SELF CALIBRATION - A portable imaging-based measurement device is developed to perform 2D projection based measurements on an object that is difficult or dangerous to access. This device is equipped with self calibration capability and built-in operating procedures to ensure proper imaging based measurement. | 03-31-2011 |
20140132793 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR UNIFORMLY FOCUSED RING LIGHT - An apparatus and method for the function to control the lighting direction onto an object surface, focus the light, and maintain the lighting uniformity. A ring light system takes advantage of a contoured reflector to match with the uniform, non-focused ring light source, and converting the non-focused ring light source into a focused uniform ring light source. | 05-15-2014 |
20140152771 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF PROFILE MEASUREMENT - A system and method for profile measurement based on triangulation involves arrangement of an image acquisition assembly relative to an illumination assembly such that an imaging plane is parallel to a light plane (measurement plane defined by where the light plane impinges on the object), which supports uniform pixel resolution in the imaging plane. The image acquisition assembly includes an imaging sensor having a sensor axis and a lens having a principal axis, wherein the lens axis is offset from the imaging axis. | 06-05-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20150063404 | BATTERY PACK LEAK DETECTION ASSEMBLY AND METHOD - A method of detecting a leak in a battery pack according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, calculating a predicted amount of thermal energy at a position, measuring an actual amount of thermal energy at the position, and comparing the predicted amount to the actual amount to identify if a battery pack is leaking. | 03-05-2015 |
20150064510 | Battery Power Capability Estimation at Vehicle Start - A vehicle is disclosed comprising a battery and a controller. Projected battery impedance parameters are calculated based on predetermined parameter values and historical parameter values generated by a battery parameter estimation model. The values may be weighted according to time data associated with the historical impedance parameter values and a temperature of the battery. Recent historical impedance parameter values may affect the projected battery impedance parameter values more than older historical impedance parameter values. The model is initialized with projected parameter values at vehicle initialization. Battery power capability is calculated using the projected parameter values for a period of time following vehicle initialization. After the period of time following vehicle initialization, battery power capability is calculated using impedance parameters generated by the model. The period of time following vehicle initialization may end when the model output has converged to a stable solution. | 03-05-2015 |
20150066262 | IN-RANGE CURRENT SENSOR FAULT DETECTION - A current sensor fault detection system is disclosed which enables detection of a current sensor fault while the current sensor is operating and providing a current sensor output which is within a normal operating range. The current sensor is monitored by at least one controller which compares a change in battery state of charge error with a predetermined threshold. The change in battery state of charge error is a difference between a first change in battery state of charge calculated by integrating battery current with respect to a time and a second change in battery state of charge calculated based on the battery open circuit voltage during the time. | 03-05-2015 |
20150104680 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A BATTERY PACK - Systems and methods for operating a battery pack supplying power to propel a vehicle are disclosed. One example method comprises, determining a difference between an estimated battery pack temperature and a sensed battery pack temperature as a basis for adjusting battery pack output power. The method also includes adjusting a speed of a cooling fan based on the difference between estimated battery pack temperature and sensed battery pack temperature. | 04-16-2015 |
20150105947 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING BATTERY PACK STATE OF CHARGE LIMITS - Systems and methods for operating a battery pack supplying power to propel a vehicle are disclosed. One example method comprises, adjusting a battery pack state of charge window in response to vehicle mass. Adjusting the battery pack state of charge window in response to vehicle mass may allow the battery pack to provide an increased amount of energy to a motor so that the motor may provide torque to a driveline for a longer period of time and/or absorb more vehicle generator produced power during vehicle operations. | 04-16-2015 |
20150105948 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING BATTERY PACK STATE OF CHARGE THRESHOLDS - Systems and methods for operating a battery pack supplying power to propel a vehicle are disclosed. One example method includes, increasing a battery pack state of charge window in response to a negative grade of a section of road a vehicle is traveling. The method also includes decreasing the battery pack state of charge window in response to the vehicle transitioning from traveling down a section of road having a negative grade to traveling down a section of road that has a positive or zero grade. | 04-16-2015 |
20150191098 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EXTENDING BATTERY LIFE - A method for extending the life cycle of a battery includes receiving a storage mode status signal at a battery controller and incrementally adjusting a state of charge window over a period of time in response to receiving the storage mode status signal. | 07-09-2015 |
20150194712 | EV BATTERY PACK WITH BATTERY COOLING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD - An electric vehicle battery pack includes an array of battery cells each cell having an upper cell surface and a lower cell surface, the lower cell surface having a positive and a negative terminal; and a thermal assembly in thermally-conductive contact with the upper cell surfaces of the array. A battery pack cooling method is also disclosed. | 07-09-2015 |
20150276842 | DIAGNOSTIC METHOD FOR CONTACTOR RESISTANCE FAILURE - A diagnostic method for contact resistance failure includes estimating electrical contact surface resistance of at least one contactor, determining a faulted status of the at least one contactor and indicating the faulted status of the at least one contactor if the at least one contactor is in the faulted status. | 10-01-2015 |
20150285867 | MODEL-BASED DIAGNOSIS FOR BATTERY VOLTAGE - A hybrid or electric vehicle includes a traction battery. A battery measurement diagnostic system compares a measured voltage and an estimated voltage. The estimated voltage is based on impedance parameter estimates and an equivalent circuit model of a battery. When a magnitude of a difference between the measured and estimated voltages is greater than a threshold, the impedance parameter estimates are based on impedance parameter estimates from a previous time step. If the magnitude exceeds the threshold for a predetermined number of time steps, a voltage measurement diagnostic flag is output. The logic minimizes the impact of voltage measurement spikes on estimated quantities and may indicate the condition to an operator. | 10-08-2015 |
20150306971 | Method to Adjust Battery Minimum State of Charge Limits Based on Battery Power Capability - A hybrid-electric vehicle includes a traction battery. A controller may operate the traction battery within certain state of charge and voltage limits. The controller may define a minimum operating voltage or state of charge below which no power may be requested from the traction battery. The minimum voltage and state of charge may be based on an electrical resistance of the traction battery. The voltage may also be based on a minimum power level required to crank the engine while meeting emissions standards. As the battery ages, the minimum voltage level may be adjusted such that the minimum power level is available at the minimum voltage level. | 10-29-2015 |
20150333378 | TRACTION BATTERY LEAKAGE DETECTION SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIFIED VEHICLE - A leakage detection system for a battery pack of a vehicle may include detection circuitry having a first side connecting a positive terminal of the pack to ground and a second side connecting a negative terminal of the pack to ground, and including no more than one switch among the sides. The system may also include measurement circuitry configured to measure a voltage across a resistor of one of the sides when the switch is open and closed, and a controller programmed to output a leakage associated with the battery pack based on the voltage. | 11-19-2015 |