SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ABSORBING WASTE ELECTRICITY FROM REGENERATIVE BRAKING IN HYBRIDIZED VEHICLES
First Claim
1. A system for absorbing electric energy from regenerative braking, comprising:
- a battery;
a thermoelectric module in thermally-conductive contact with the battery;
a generator for generating an electric current from regenerative braking, the generator connected to the battery via a first switch and connected to the thermoelectric module via a second switch;
a sensor for measuring a temperature and a charge state of the battery; and
a controller for deactivating the first switch and activating the second switch when the charge state is greater than a maximum charge state of the battery, wherein the electric current is transferred to the thermoelectric module and has a polarity that causes the thermoelectric module to cool the battery.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a system for absorbing electric energy from regenerative braking. The system comprises a battery, a thermoelectric module in thermally-conductive contact with the battery, a generator for generating an electric current from regenerative braking, the generator connected to the battery via a first switch and connected to the thermoelectric module via a second switch, and a sensor for measuring a temperature and a charge state of the battery. The system also comprises a controller for activating and deactivating the first switch and the second switch when certain conditions have been met.
34 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for absorbing electric energy from regenerative braking, comprising:
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a battery; a thermoelectric module in thermally-conductive contact with the battery; a generator for generating an electric current from regenerative braking, the generator connected to the battery via a first switch and connected to the thermoelectric module via a second switch; a sensor for measuring a temperature and a charge state of the battery; and a controller for deactivating the first switch and activating the second switch when the charge state is greater than a maximum charge state of the battery, wherein the electric current is transferred to the thermoelectric module and has a polarity that causes the thermoelectric module to cool the battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for absorbing electric energy from regenerative braking, comprising:
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a battery; a thermoelectric module in thermally-conductive contact with the battery; a generator for generating an electric current from regenerative braking, the generator connected to the battery via a first switch and connected to the thermoelectric module via a second switch; a first sensor for measuring a temperature of the battery; a second sensor for determining a charge state of the battery; a memory for storing a minimum operating battery temperature, a maximum operating battery temperature, and a maximum charge state of the battery; and a controller for (i) deactivating the first switch and activating the second switch when the charge state is greater than or equal to the maximum charge state of the battery, wherein the electric current is transferred to the thermoelectric module and the polarity of the electric current periodically or randomly alternates to cause the thermoelectric module to heat and cool the battery, (ii) deactivating the first switch and activates the second switch when the temperature of the battery is greater than or equal to the maximum operating battery temperature, wherein the electric current is transferred to the thermoelectric module and has a polarity that causes the thermoelectric module to cool the battery, and (iii) deactivating the first switch and activates the second switch when the temperature of the battery is less than or equal to the minimum operating battery temperature, wherein the electric current is transferred to the thermoelectric module and has a polarity that causes the thermoelectric module to heat the battery. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A method of absorbing electricity from regenerative braking, comprising:
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measuring an actual temperature of a battery using a first sensor; measuring a charge state of the battery using a second sensor; obtaining a maximum operating battery temperature and a maximum charge state from memory; transferring electric current from regenerative braking to a thermoelectric module using a controller wherein the controller sets a polarity of the electric current to cool the battery when the actual temperature is greater than or equal to the maximum operating battery temperature; and transferring electric current from regenerative braking to the thermoelectric module using the controller wherein the controller alternates a polarity of the electric current to heat and cool the battery when the charge state is greater than or equal to the maximum charge state. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification