Method and System for Conditioning an Energy Storage System (ESS) for a Vehicle
First Claim
1. A method of conditioning an energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle, the method is at least partially performed while the vehicle is being driven and comprises the steps of:
- (a) determining if the energy storage system (ESS) is likely to need conditioning the next time that the vehicle is parked;
(b) determining if the energy storage system (ESS) is likely to have enough charge to perform the conditioning the next time that the vehicle is parked;
(c) if step (b) determines that the energy storage system (ESS) is likely to have enough charge to perform the conditioning, then enabling the conditioning for the next time that the vehicle is parked; and
(d) if step (b) determines that the energy storage system (ESS) is not likely to have enough charge to perform the conditioning, then operating an energy generator that provides the energy storage system (ESS) with additional charge.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for conditioning an energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle, like a high-voltage battery or a fuel cell used for vehicle propulsion. It may be detrimental for a high-voltage battery in a parked vehicle to be exposed to extreme temperatures for an extended period of time. Thus, the method and system may be used to condition such a battery—for example, by heating it up if it is too cold or by cooling it down if it is too hot—so that the performance, durability, lifespan and/or other aspects of the battery are improved. In an exemplary embodiment, the method predicts if the battery will need conditioning the next time the vehicle is parked and, if such conditioning is needed, then the method predicts if the battery has sufficient charge to perform this conditioning. If the charge appears insufficient, then the method operates an energy generator that provides additional charge to the battery in anticipation of the needed conditioning.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A method of conditioning an energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle, the method is at least partially performed while the vehicle is being driven and comprises the steps of:
-
(a) determining if the energy storage system (ESS) is likely to need conditioning the next time that the vehicle is parked; (b) determining if the energy storage system (ESS) is likely to have enough charge to perform the conditioning the next time that the vehicle is parked; (c) if step (b) determines that the energy storage system (ESS) is likely to have enough charge to perform the conditioning, then enabling the conditioning for the next time that the vehicle is parked; and (d) if step (b) determines that the energy storage system (ESS) is not likely to have enough charge to perform the conditioning, then operating an energy generator that provides the energy storage system (ESS) with additional charge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of conditioning an energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle, the method is at least partially performed while the vehicle is parked and comprises the steps of:
-
(a) receiving an energy storage system (ESS) temperature; (b) predicting if the energy storage system (ESS) is likely to be exposed to extreme temperatures for an extended period of time while the vehicle is parked; and (c) if the energy storage system (ESS) temperature exceeds a temperature threshold and step (b) predicts that the energy storage system (ESS) is likely to be exposed to extreme temperatures for an extended period of time, then operating a cooling unit or a heating unit that influences the energy storage system (ESS) temperature. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A conditioning system for use in a vehicle, comprising:
-
a control module; a high-voltage battery for vehicle propulsion; an energy generator being coupled to the control module and the high-voltage battery; and at least one of a cooling unit or a heating unit being thermally coupled to the high-voltage battery and influencing a battery temperature; wherein the control module predicts if additional charge will be needed for the cooling unit or the heating unit to influence the battery temperature during a future park cycle, and the control module controls the energy generator based on the prediction.
-
Specification