Electrical storage device heater for vehicle
First Claim
1. A system for heating an electrical storage device in a vehicle, the system being connectable to an external power source, comprising:
- a heater coupled to the electrical storage device;
a switch for selectively coupling the external power source to the heater;
a controller that receives an input corresponding to a temperature of the electrical storage device and operates the switch based on at least the electrical storage device temperature.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A heater system for an electrical storage device, such as a high voltage traction battery, is connectable to an external AC power source maintain a proper temperature of the battery as long as the system remains connected to the external power source. The battery temperature can be maintained at a level that ensures that the vehicle will start even in extremely cold climates. The heater system includes a heater disposed within the battery itself. Other system components, such as an AC/DC converter and a control module, may be connected to the battery heater system outside of the battery, allowing the battery heater system to act as a modular component that can be easily included in or excluded from a vehicle as an option, either alone or in a package with an engine block heater. The battery heater system is designed so that it can be connected along with the engine block heater to the AC power source using a single common connector.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for heating an electrical storage device in a vehicle, the system being connectable to an external power source, comprising:
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a heater coupled to the electrical storage device;
a switch for selectively coupling the external power source to the heater;
a controller that receives an input corresponding to a temperature of the electrical storage device and operates the switch based on at least the electrical storage device temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A vehicle, comprising:
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an engine block heater;
an electrical storage device heater system, wherein the engine block heater and the electrical storage device heater system are jointly connectable to an external power source, and the electrical storage device heater system having a heater for heating an electrical storage device in the vehicle, a switch that selectively couples the heater to the external power source, and a controller that receives an input corresponding to an electrical storage device temperature and operates the switch based on at least the electrical storage device temperature. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of regulating an electrical storage device temperature in an electrical storage device heater system that is connectable to an external power source, the method comprising:
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checking an electrical storage device temperature;
checking whether the system is connected to the external power source;
closing the switch to connect the heater to the external power source if the electrical storage device temperature when the electrical storage device temperature falls below the temperature threshold and when the system is connected to the external power source; and
opening the switch to disconnect the heater from the external power source if the electrical storage device temperature falls above the temperature threshold. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification