Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090066495 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING DRIVER EFFICIENCY AND OPERATING MODES IN A HYBRID VEHICLE - A method for determining driver efficiency in a hybrid vehicle includes the steps of measuring a hybrid vehicle parameter, and calculating driver efficiency based, at least in part, on the hybrid vehicle parameter. The hybrid vehicle parameter is influenced, at least in part, by an action taken by a driver. | 03-12-2009 |
20090070027 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING DRIVER EFFICIENCY IN A VEHICLE - A method for determining driver efficiency in a vehicle includes the steps of measuring a vehicle parameter, and calculating the driver efficiency based, at least in part, on the vehicle parameter. The vehicle parameter is influenced, at least in part, by an action taken by a driver. | 03-12-2009 |
20100001582 | PRECHARGING A HIGH-VOLTAGE BUS USING A VOLTAGE-REGULATED POWER SUPPLY - Systems and methods are provided for precharging high-voltage buses. The precharge system comprises an energy source having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein a first voltage is equal to a potential difference between the first terminal and the second terminal. The precharge system further comprises a bus having a first rail and a second rail, wherein a second voltage is equal to a potential difference between the first rail and the second rail. A first contactor is coupled between the first terminal and the first rail and a second contactor is coupled between the second terminal and the second rail. A controller is coupled to the energy source, the bus, and the contactors. The controller is configured to activate the second contactor, and thereafter activate the first contactor if the magnitude of a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage is less than a threshold tolerance. | 01-07-2010 |
20100156355 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHARGING A PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A battery charging system and method for charging a plug-in electric vehicle with power from an external power source, such as a standard 110 volt or 220 volt AC wall outlet. The method senses various internal and external conditions and uses this information to charge the plug-in electric vehicle in an optimum fashion that reduces charging time yet avoids damage to components of the charging system. In one embodiment, the battery charging system includes an external power source, a battery charger with sensors for monitoring the external power source and the charger, a battery unit with sensors for monitoring the battery, a battery charging control module for processing the information, and a user interface that allows user-specified custom charging constraints. All of these components, with the exception of external power source, may be located on the vehicle. | 06-24-2010 |
20100250194 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INTEGRITY TESTING METHODS AND APPARATUS - Embodiments include methods and apparatus for testing an electrical system (e.g., of an electric vehicle) that includes a high voltage (HV) energy storage system, HV contactors, one or more energy consuming components, one or more energy supplying components, an HV bus, discharge circuitry, and a control system. The control system is adapted to perform a method that includes performing a first diagnostic test to test the functionality of the HV contactors, and performing a second diagnostic test to test the functionality of the discharge circuitry. When the first and second tests have passed, the control system allows the HV contactors to be closed to enable an exchange of energy between the HV energy storage system, the one or more energy consuming components, and the one or more energy supplying components. | 09-30-2010 |
20100270980 | BATTERY CHARGING CONTROL METHODS AND APPARATUS - Embodiments include methods for charging a battery of an electrical system. The electrical system includes the battery, a battery charger, and a controller. The battery charger is adapted to produce an output power in response to a control signal from the controller. The controller is adapted to control a battery charging process by determining a temperature of the battery pack, determining a voltage setpoint for the battery charger based on the temperature, and providing the control signal to the battery charger. According to an embodiment, when the temperature of the battery exceeds a first temperature value, the battery charging process is temporarily suspended prior to satisfying a charging termination criterion. Determining the temperature of the battery is repeated, and when the temperature of the battery is less than a second temperature value, the battery charging process is resumed. | 10-28-2010 |
20120203421 | DATA ASSOCIATION FOR VEHICLES - Methods, systems, and program products for associating data for a vehicle are provided. On-vehicle data pertaining to operation of the vehicle is obtained. Off-vehicle data pertaining to a condition that is irrespective of the operation of the vehicle is also obtained. A determination is made that an event has occurred using the on-vehicle data. An association is generated between the event and the condition using the off-vehicle data. | 08-09-2012 |
20130175974 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHARGING A PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A charging system and method that may be used to automatically apply customized charging settings to a plug-in electric vehicle, where application of the settings is based on the vehicle's location. According to an exemplary embodiment, a user may establish and save a separate charging profile with certain customized charging settings for each geographic location where they plan to charge their plug-in electric vehicle. Whenever the plug-in electric vehicle enters a new geographic area, the charging method may automatically apply the charging profile that corresponds to that area. Thus, the user does not have to manually change or manipulate the charging settings every time they charge the plug-in electric vehicle in a new location. | 07-11-2013 |
20130234664 | METHOD FOR CHARGING A PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE - An exemplary charging system and method for controlling a fast charging process involving an external power source (e.g., a high-voltage charging station providing 10 kW-300 kW of power) and a plug-in electric vehicle. In one embodiment, the charging method uses a costing function to estimate the negative impact each fast charging session has on battery life. If the overall negative impact of past and/or present charging sessions has exceeded some threshold, then the charging method may reduce charging parameters (e.g., limit the charging amperage, voltage, power, duration, etc.) in an effort to avoid further diminishing the battery life. Thus, the charging system and method enable a user to frequently engage in fast charging sessions with an external power source, yet minimize the impact that such sessions have on the battery. | 09-12-2013 |