SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAXIMIZING A DRIVING RANGE IN AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE HAVING AN AUXILIARY POWER UNIT
First Claim
1. A method of maximizing an electric-only driving range of an electric vehicle including an energy storage device and auxiliary power unit (APU), the method comprising:
- operating the electric vehicle in an electric-only driving mode to selectively propel the electric vehicle;
obtaining a state of charge (SOC) of the energy storage device;
geographically locating the electric vehicle;
geographically locating at least one charging station;
determining a minimum required SOC of the energy storage device for the electric vehicle to reach the geographic location of the at least one charging station; and
activating the APU to at least partially operate the electric vehicle when the obtained SOC of the energy storage device is determined to be below the minimum required SOC of the energy storage device for the electric vehicle to reach the geographic location of the at least one charging station.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electric vehicle maximizes an electric-only driving range. The vehicle includes a power source, an energy storage device, an auxiliary power unit (APU), and a controller. The power source propels the vehicle. The energy storage device supplies electricity to the power source. The APU supplies supplemental energy to the power source. The controller operates the vehicle in an electric-only driving mode to propel the vehicle and obtains a state of charge (SOC) of the energy storage device. The vehicle and at least one charging station are located. The controller determines a minimum required SOC of the energy storage device for the vehicle to reach at least one charging station. The controller activates the APU to operate the vehicle when the SOC of the energy storage device is below the minimum required SOC of the energy storage device for the vehicle to reach the location of at least one charging station.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of maximizing an electric-only driving range of an electric vehicle including an energy storage device and auxiliary power unit (APU), the method comprising:
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operating the electric vehicle in an electric-only driving mode to selectively propel the electric vehicle; obtaining a state of charge (SOC) of the energy storage device; geographically locating the electric vehicle; geographically locating at least one charging station; determining a minimum required SOC of the energy storage device for the electric vehicle to reach the geographic location of the at least one charging station; and activating the APU to at least partially operate the electric vehicle when the obtained SOC of the energy storage device is determined to be below the minimum required SOC of the energy storage device for the electric vehicle to reach the geographic location of the at least one charging station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electric vehicle configured to maximize an electric-only driving range, the electric vehicle comprising:
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a power source configured to propel the electric vehicle; an energy storage device configured to supply electricity to the power source; an auxiliary power unit (APU) configured to selectively supply supplemental energy to the power source; and a controller configured for; operating the electric vehicle in an electric-only driving mode to selectively propel the electric vehicle; obtaining a state of charge (SOC) of the energy storage device; geographically locating the electric vehicle; geographically locating at least one charging station; determining a minimum required SOC of the energy storage device for the electric vehicle to reach the geographic location of the at least one charging station; and activating the APU to at least partially operate the electric vehicle when the obtained SOC of the energy storage device is determined to be below the minimum required SOC of the energy storage device for the electric vehicle to reach the geographic location of the at least one charging station. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A controller adapted for use in an electric vehicle, the controller comprising:
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at least one memory location; and an algorithm adapted for determining when an energy storage device of the electric vehicle does not have a sufficient state of charge (SOC) to reach at least one charging location; wherein the algorithm is adapted for; obtaining the SOC of the energy storage device; geographically locating the electric vehicle; geographically locating at least one charging station; determining whether the SOC obtained from the energy storage device is sufficient for the electric vehicle to travel to the geographical location of the at least one charging station; activating the APU to at least partially operate the electric vehicle when the obtained SOC of the energy storage device is determined to not be sufficient for the electric vehicle to travel to the geographical location of the at least one charging station; and deactivating the APU when the obtained SOC of the energy storage device is determined to be sufficient for the electric vehicle to travel to the geographical location of the at least one charging station. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification