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 |
20090114468 | Method for Vehicle Creep Torque Control - A vehicle and a method of operation is disclosed. The method of operating the vehicle may include a method of controlling a creep torque in a vehicle having a powertrain configured to provide variable creep torque. The method may comprise the steps of: detecting a vehicle creep torque condition, determining a brake torque, and adjusting a creep torque applied by the powertrain based on the brake torque. | 05-07-2009 |
20100305793 | METHOD FOR STARTING A HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A method of starting a hybrid electric vehicle when a low voltage battery used for starting the vehicle has a depleted charge and a high voltage battery used for propelling the vehicle has ample charge to share. Assuming that other factors are satisfied, the system and method described herein may enable the high voltage battery to provide the low voltage battery with enough charge so that it is able to start an internal combustion engine but not so much charge that it undesirably drains the high voltage battery to a point where it cannot be replenished. | 12-02-2010 |
20110269387 | Air-Based Hybrid Battery Thermal Conditioning System - A thermal conditioning system for the energy storage system of a hybrid vehicle. At least one auxiliary air source, other than a permanently open air source, has a selectively operable actuator door which either connects or disconnects the auxiliary air source to the energy storage system blower, the air flow being selected to optimally temperature condition the energy storage system. The auxiliary air source preferably includes the HVAC ducting. | 11-03-2011 |
20110288704 | METHOD FOR HEATING A HIGH VOLTAGE VEHICLE BATTERY - An exemplary system and method for use in cold environments in order to heat a high voltage vehicle battery, such as the type commonly found in hybrid vehicles. Some high voltage vehicle batteries—like those based on lithium-ion chemistries—perform better when their battery temperature is in a certain temperature range. In an exemplary embodiment, a battery heating system includes a switch, a battery heater and a high voltage vehicle battery, and initially uses electrical power from an external power source to heat the battery and then uses electrical power from an internal power source to heat the battery. The switch determines which power source is used to heat the battery, and may be dictated by whether the battery heating system is plugged into the external power source and/or a vehicle propulsion system is active, to cite several possibilities. | 11-24-2011 |
20120188068 | Vehicle Gauge for Displaying Electric Mode Status and Method of Doing the Same - A vehicle gauge and method for displaying an electric mode status of a vehicle that can operate in both an electric mode and one or more alternative modes. According to one exemplary embodiment, the method evaluates a number of throttle and non-throttle conditions and allocates portions of the total range of the vehicle gauge to these conditions. Based on these allocations, the method determines an overall vehicle gauge position that is representative of the electric mode status of the vehicle and provides this to the vehicle gauge so that the electric mode status can be displayed to the driver. | 07-26-2012 |
20120200257 | Method of Controlling a State-of-Charge (SOC) of a Vehicle Battery - A system and method for controlling a state-of-charge (SOC) of a vehicle battery, such as a high-voltage battery used by a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) for vehicle propulsion, so that the SOC is maintained within a desired SOC range that is temperature-dependent. In an exemplary embodiment, the system and method use a battery temperature prediction to determine a desired SOC range, and then control the amount of charge on the vehicle battery such that the SOC is maintained within the desired SOC range. As the battery temperature prediction goes lower (i.e., as it gets colder), the desired SOC range may need to be adjusted or shifted upwards in order to account for increased internal battery resistance and to ensure that the vehicle battery has enough power to start the vehicle. Similarly, as the battery temperature prediction goes higher (i.e., as it gets warmer), the desired SOC range may need to be adjusted or shifted downwards in order to reduce degradation effects and improve battery. The exemplary system and method control the SOC of the vehicle battery and may seek to optimize a number of different parameters, including battery life, battery performance and/or vehicle fuel economy. | 08-09-2012 |
20120261397 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR HEATING A VEHICLE BATTERY - A method and system for heating a vehicle battery, such as the type used for vehicle propulsion in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). Depending on the battery chemistry involved, such batteries may not perform well in extremely cold environments. For instance, a lithium-ion battery can exhibit a high internal resistance when the battery is extremely cold, which in turn can negatively affect the available power or other capabilities of the battery. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method and system take advantage of the high internal resistance in a cold vehicle battery by purposely cycling electrical current in and/or out of the battery so that heat is created. This heat warms up the vehicle battery and thereby improves its overall performance and capabilities. | 10-18-2012 |
20130027048 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A VEHICLE BATTERY - A method and system for manipulating, adjusting or otherwise controlling a state-of-charge (SOC) operating range for a high voltage vehicle battery, such as the type used for hybrid or electric vehicle propulsion. By providing a dynamic SOC operating range that changes in response to changing battery conditions, the battery performance may be improved so that the battery life is extended. Depending on the particular embodiment, the dynamic SOC operating range may have different combinations of hard and/or soft boundaries or limits. | 01-31-2013 |