Electric Vehicle Extended Range Hybrid Battery Pack System
First Claim
1. A method of extending driving range of an electric vehicle, the electric vehicle including at least a first battery pack and a second battery pack, wherein the first and second battery packs are comprised of different battery types, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) determining a current state-of-charge (SOC) of the first battery pack;
b) comparing said current SOC of the first battery pack with a first preset minimum SOC, wherein if said current SOC of the first battery pack is less than said first preset minimum SOC said method skips to step d), and wherein if said current SOC of the first battery pack is greater than said first preset minimum SOC, vehicle operational power is supplied to the electric vehicle from the first battery pack;
c) comparing said current SOC of the first battery pack with a second preset minimum SOC, wherein said second preset minimum SOC is greater than said first preset minimum SOC, wherein if said current SOC of the first battery pack is greater than said second preset minimum SOC said method returns to step a), and wherein if said current SOC of the first battery pack is less than said second preset minimum SOC said method further comprises the step of;
d) supplying vehicle operational power to the electric vehicle from both the first battery pack and the second battery pack.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power source comprised of a first battery pack (e.g., a non-metal-air battery pack) and a second battery pack (e.g., a metal-air battery pack) is provided, wherein the second battery pack is only used as required by the state-of-charge (SOC) of the first battery pack or as a result of the user selecting an extended range mode of operation. Minimizing use of the second battery pack prevents it from undergoing unnecessary, and potentially lifetime limiting, charge cycles. The second battery pack may be used to charge the first battery pack or used in combination with the first battery pack to supply operational power to the electric vehicle.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of extending driving range of an electric vehicle, the electric vehicle including at least a first battery pack and a second battery pack, wherein the first and second battery packs are comprised of different battery types, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) determining a current state-of-charge (SOC) of the first battery pack; b) comparing said current SOC of the first battery pack with a first preset minimum SOC, wherein if said current SOC of the first battery pack is less than said first preset minimum SOC said method skips to step d), and wherein if said current SOC of the first battery pack is greater than said first preset minimum SOC, vehicle operational power is supplied to the electric vehicle from the first battery pack; c) comparing said current SOC of the first battery pack with a second preset minimum SOC, wherein said second preset minimum SOC is greater than said first preset minimum SOC, wherein if said current SOC of the first battery pack is greater than said second preset minimum SOC said method returns to step a), and wherein if said current SOC of the first battery pack is less than said second preset minimum SOC said method further comprises the step of; d) supplying vehicle operational power to the electric vehicle from both the first battery pack and the second battery pack. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of extending driving range of an electric vehicle, the electric vehicle including at least a first battery pack and a second battery pack, wherein the first and second battery packs are comprised of different battery types, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing means for selecting between a normal mode of operation and an extended range mode of operation; wherein when said extended range mode of operation is selected, the method further comprises the steps of supplying vehicle operational power to the electric vehicle from the first battery pack and from the second battery pack; and wherein when said normal mode of operation is selected, the method further comprises the steps of supplying vehicle operational power to the electric vehicle from the first battery pack and not from the second battery pack. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification