Passive architectures for batteries having two different chemistries
First Claim
1. An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a 12 volt battery module, wherein the 12 volt battery module comprises;
a first battery electrically coupled between a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the 12 volt battery module, wherein the first battery comprises a first battery chemistry;
a second battery electrically coupled between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the 12 volt battery module in parallel with the first battery, wherein the second battery comprises a second battery chemistry that has a higher charge acceptance rate than the first battery chemistry; and
an alternator electrically coupled to the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the 12 volt battery module; and
a control unit communicatively coupled to the alternator, wherein the control unit is programmed to, while the automotive vehicle is accelerating or cruising, micro-cycle the 12 volt battery module by;
instructing the alternator to output electrical power used to charge the 12 volt battery module when a first state of charge of the first battery is depleted to a lower state of charge threshold; and
instructing the alternator to cease outputting electrical power to the 12 volt battery module when the first state of charge of the first battery is charged up to an upper state of charge threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A 12 volt automotive battery system includes a first battery coupled to an electrical system, in which the first battery include a first battery chemistry, and a second battery coupled in parallel with the first battery and selectively coupled to the electrical system via a first switch, in which the second battery includes a second battery chemistry that has a higher coulombic efficiency than the first battery chemistry. The first switch couples the second battery to the electrical system during regenerative braking to enable the second battery to capture a majority of the power generated during regenerative braking. The 12 volt automotive battery system further includes a variable voltage alternator that outputs a first voltage during regenerative braking to charge the second battery and a second voltage otherwise, in which the first voltage is higher than the second voltage.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An automotive vehicle comprising:
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a 12 volt battery module, wherein the 12 volt battery module comprises; a first battery electrically coupled between a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the 12 volt battery module, wherein the first battery comprises a first battery chemistry; a second battery electrically coupled between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the 12 volt battery module in parallel with the first battery, wherein the second battery comprises a second battery chemistry that has a higher charge acceptance rate than the first battery chemistry; and an alternator electrically coupled to the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the 12 volt battery module; and a control unit communicatively coupled to the alternator, wherein the control unit is programmed to, while the automotive vehicle is accelerating or cruising, micro-cycle the 12 volt battery module by; instructing the alternator to output electrical power used to charge the 12 volt battery module when a first state of charge of the first battery is depleted to a lower state of charge threshold; and instructing the alternator to cease outputting electrical power to the 12 volt battery module when the first state of charge of the first battery is charged up to an upper state of charge threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for operating a battery module implemented in an automotive vehicle, comprising:
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determining, using at least one processor, a first state of charge of a first battery electrically coupled in parallel with a second battery in the battery module, wherein the first battery comprises a first plurality of battery cells that each uses a first battery chemistry with a lower coulombic efficiency than a second battery chemistry used by each of a second plurality battery cells in the second battery; micro-cycling the battery module by instructing, using the at least one processor, an electrical generator in the automotive vehicle to periodically output first electrical power with a first voltage based at least in part on the first state of charge of the first battery while the automotive vehicle is accelerating or cruising; and capturing regenerative braking energy by instructing, using the at least on processor, the electrical generator in the automotive vehicle to continuously output second electrical power with a second voltage greater than the first voltage while the automotive vehicle is decelerating to facilitate increasing storage capacity of the battery module used to capture the regenerative braking energy. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An automotive battery module comprising:
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a positive terminal and a negative terminal disposed on a housing of the automotive battery module; a first plurality of battery cells disposed within the housing and electrically coupled to the negative terminal, wherein each of the first plurality of battery cells comprises a first battery chemistry; a second plurality of battery cells disposed within the housing and electrically coupled to the negative terminal, wherein each of the second plurality of battery cells comprises a second battery chemistry different from the first battery chemistry; a first relay electrically coupled between the positive terminal and the second plurality of battery cells, wherein the first relay is configured to enable charging the second plurality of battery cells, discharging the second plurality of battery cells, or both when in a closed position; and a battery control unit disposed within the housing and communicatively coupled to the first relay, wherein the battery control unit is programmed to; determine when a first overvoltage condition is expected to be produced in an electrical system coupled to the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the automotive battery module; and instruct the first relay to switch from the closed position to an open position to facilitate improving lifespan of the automotive battery module by blocking the first overvoltage condition from the second plurality of battery cells. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification