METHOD OF OPERATING A PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE

• US 20080275600A1
• Filed: 05/03/2007
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Rask, Eric M., Theobald, Mark A., Burns, Robert D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,769,505 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/005 the electric storage means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/008 with means for heating the electrical propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2006/268 Electric drive motor starts the engine, i.e. used as starter motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/24 characterised by the combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/28 characterised by the electric energy storing means, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/485 Motor-assist type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/441 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/443 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/445 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/12 responding to state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/26 by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/27 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/50 Control strategies for responding to system failures, e.g. for fault diagnosis, failsafe operation or limp mode
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0638 : Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0657 : Engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0676 : Engine temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 : Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/112 : Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is provided including the steps of: A) determining whether the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is receiving power from an external power source; B) disabling the operation of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and executing a thermal program if the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is receiving power from the external power source, wherein the thermal program includes charging a high voltage battery and monitoring the state of charge of the high voltage battery; C) determining if the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle continues to receive power from the external power source; and D) enabling operation of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle if the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is no longer receiving power from the external power source.

Claims

1. A method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle comprising:

determining whether the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is receiving power from an external power source;

disabling the operation of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and executing a thermal program if the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is receiving power from said external power source;

wherein said thermal program includes charging a high voltage battery and monitoring the state of charge of said high voltage battery;

determining if the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle continues to receive power said external power source; and

enabling operation of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle if the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is not receiving power from said external power source.

2. The method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1, further comprising energizing at least one of a hybrid vehicle controller, engine controller, high voltage battery controller, and body controller if the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is receiving power from said external power source.

3. The method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein said thermal program includes:

energizing an engine oil heater to heat engine oil for use within an internal combustion engine of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle;

monitoring at least one of temperature and current of said engine oil heater; and

controlling said engine oil heater within at least one of current limits, temperature limits, and precedence of operation.

4. The method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein said thermal program includes:

energizing an engine coolant heater to heat engine coolant contained within an internal combustion engine of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle;

monitoring at least one of temperature and current of said engine coolant heater; and

controlling said engine coolant heater within at least one of current limits, temperature limits, and precedence of operation.

5. The method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle of claim 4, wherein said thermal program includes:

operating a coolant circulation pump to circulate said engine coolant;

monitoring current of said coolant circulation pump; and

controlling said coolant circulation pump within at least one of current limits and precedence of operation.

6. The method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein said thermal program includes:

operating a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle;

monitoring at least one of temperature and current of said heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system; and

controlling said heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system within at least one of current limits, temperature limits, and precedence of operation.

7. The method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein said thermal program includes one of heating and cooling said high voltage battery.

8. The method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein said thermal program includes:

energizing at least one of an intake air heater and a glow plug to heat a combustion chamber within an internal combustion engine of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle

monitoring at least one of temperature and current of said at least one of said intake air heater and said glow plug; and

controlling said at least one of said intake air heater and said glow plug within at least one of current limits, temperature limits, and precedence of operation.

9. The method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein said thermal program includes:

energizing an oxygen sensor heater to heat an oxygen sensor mounted with respect to an internal combustion engine;

monitoring at least one of temperature and current of said oxygen sensor heater; and

controlling said oxygen sensor heater within at least one of current limits, temperature limits, and precedence of operation.

10. The method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein said thermal program includes:

energizing at least one of a purge air scrubber heater and a catalyst heater operable to heat a catalyst mounted with respect to an internal combustion engine;

monitoring at least one of temperature and current of said at least one of said purge air scrubber heater and said catalyst heater; and

controlling said at least one of said purge air scrubber heater and said catalyst heater within at least one of current limits, temperature limits, and precedence of operation.

11. The method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein said thermal program includes

controlling an auxiliary power module;

charging a low voltage battery with said auxiliary power module; and

monitoring the state of charge of said low voltage battery.

12. The method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring said external power source; and

providing a warning if power from said external power source is interrupted while executing said thermal program.

13. The method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

charging a selectively dischargeable energy storage device in selective electrical communication with a catalyst heater;

determining if an internal combustion engine of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle will be commanded to start within a predetermined amount of time; and

energizing said catalyst heater to heat a catalyst by discharging said selectively dischargeable energy storage device if said internal combustion engine will be commanded to start within said predetermined amount of time.

14. The method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

filling a selectively dischargeable insulated container with one of heated engine coolant and heated engine oil;

wherein said selectively dischargeable insulated container is in selective fluid communication with an internal combustion engine of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle;

determining if said internal combustion engine will be commanded to start within a predetermined amount of time; and

heating said internal combustion engine by discharging said one of said heated engine coolant and said heated engine oil within said selectively dischargeable insulated container if said internal combustion engine will be commanded to start within said predetermined amount of time to warm said internal combustion engine.

15. A method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle having a purely electric mode of operation, wherein at least one electric motor and battery cooperate to provide driving force to the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, and a hybrid mode of operation, wherein an internal combustion engine is employed to charge the battery and/or provide driving force to the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the method comprising:

operating the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in the purely electric mode of operation;

monitoring the battery to determine a state of charge;

determining if the internal combustion engine will be commanded to start within a predetermined amount of time; and

performing at least one of heating the internal combustion engine by communicating heated engine coolant contained within a selectively dischargeable insulated container and energizing a catalyst heater to heat a catalyst mounted with respect to the internal combustion engine by discharging a selectively dischargeable energy storage device, if the internal combustion engine will be commanded to start within said predetermined amount of time.

16. The method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, further comprising:

starting the internal combustion engine; and

charging the battery using power generated by the internal combustion engine.

17. A method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle comprising:

determining whether an umbilical cord of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is plugged into an external power source;

energizing at least one of a hybrid vehicle controller, engine controller, and high voltage battery controller if said umbilical cord of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is plugged into said external power source;

disabling the operation of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and executing a thermal program if said umbilical cord of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is plugged into said external power source;

wherein said thermal program includes charging a high voltage battery and monitoring the state of charge of said high voltage battery;

determining if said umbilical cord of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle remains plugged into said external power source; and

enabling operation of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle if said umbilical cord of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is unplugged from said external power source.

18. The method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle of claim 17, further comprising:

charging a selectively dischargeable energy storage device in selective electrical communication with a catalyst heater;

determining if an internal combustion engine of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle will be commanded to start within a predetermined amount of time; and

energizing said catalyst heater to heat a catalyst by discharging said selectively dischargeable energy storage device if said internal combustion engine will be commanded to start within said predetermined amount of time.

19. The method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle of claim 17, further comprising:

filling a selectively dischargeable insulated container with heated engine coolant;

wherein said selectively dischargeable insulated container is in selective fluid communication with an internal combustion engine of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle;

determining if said internal combustion engine will be commanded to start within a predetermined amount of time; and

heating said internal combustion engine by discharging said heated engine coolant within said selectively dischargeable insulated container if said internal combustion engine will be commanded to start within said predetermined amount of time to warm said internal combustion engine.

20. The method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle of claim 17, wherein said thermal program includes:

operating at least one of an engine oil heater, engine coolant heater, coolant circulation pump, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, glow plug, high voltage battery heater, oxygen sensor heater, catalyst heater, and auxiliary power module;

monitoring at least one of temperature and current for said at least one of said engine oil heater, engine coolant heater, coolant circulation pump, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, glow plug, high voltage battery heater, oxygen sensor heater, catalyst heater, and auxiliary power module; and

controlling said at least one of said engine oil heater, engine coolant heater, coolant circulation pump, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, glow plug, high voltage battery heater, oxygen sensor heater, catalyst heater, and auxiliary power module within at least one of current limits, temperature limits, and precedence of operation.