AUTOMOTIVE POWER SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME

• US 20090051325A1
• Filed: 08/21/2007
• Published: 02/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Sankaran, Venkateswa Anand, Chorian, Steven F.
• Granted Patent: US 9,007,031 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/136
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1423 with multiple batteries

Abstract

A power source is electrically connected with a battery and an electrical load. The power source has an output voltage and provides current for the battery and electrical load. A charging voltage for the battery is determined based on temperature of the battery. An offset voltage is determined based on the provided current to the battery. The output voltage is determined based on the charging and offset voltages.

Claims

1. A power system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a power source for presenting a voltage and providing a current based on the presented voltage;

a power storage unit configured to receive at least a portion of the provided current;

an electrical load having a variable demand for current and configured to receive at least a portion of the provided current; and

a control system for setting the presented voltage based on a temperature associated with the power storage unit and the provided current.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature associated with the power storage unit.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a sensor for sensing a parameter indicative of the provided current.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the power storage unit comprises a battery.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the power source comprises a power converter.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the power converter comprises a direct current to direct current power converter.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the power source comprises an alternator.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrical load comprises at least one of a climate control system, a lighting system, and an audio system.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the control system comprises at least one control module.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the at least one control module comprises a powertrain control module.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the at least one control module is integrated with the power source.

12. A power system for an alternatively powered vehicle comprising:

a power converter having an output voltage and configured to provide current based on the output voltage;

a battery configured to receive at least a portion of the provided current;

an electrical load having a variable demand for current and configured to receive at least a portion of the provided current; and

one or more controllers configured to set the output voltage based on a temperature associated with the battery and the provided current.

13. The system of claim 12 further comprising a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature associated with the battery.

14. The system of claim 12 further comprising a sensor for sensing a parameter indicative of the provided current.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the electrical load comprises at least one of a climate control system, a lighting system, and an audio system.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least one of the one or more controllers is integrated with the power converter.

17. A method for setting an output voltage of a power source for an automotive vehicle wherein the power source is configured to provide a current based on the output voltage and wherein the automotive vehicle includes a power storage unit configured to receive at least a portion of the current, the method comprising:

determining a desired charge voltage for the power storage unit;

determining an offset voltage based on the current; and

setting the output voltage of the power source based on the desired charge and offset voltages.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the desired charge voltage for the power storage unit is determined based on a temperature associated with the power storage unit.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising sensing the temperature associated with the power storage unit.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising sensing a parameter indicative of the current.