SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING MULTIPLE STORAGE DEVICES

• US 20120235624A1
• Filed: 03/16/2012
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Wyatt, Perry M., Sisk, Brian C., Nguyen, Thanh T., Mascarenhas, Ryan S., Jang, Junwei
• Granted Patent: US 8,957,623 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/10 DC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/547 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/549 Current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/662 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/04 Cutting off the power supply under fault conditions protective devices and circuit arrangements in general H01H; H02H
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/14 Preventing excessive discharging
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/15 Preventing overcharging
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/20 having different nominal voltages
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/22 Balancing the charge of battery modules
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/14 Arrangements or processes for adjusting or protecting hybrid or EDL capacitors emergency protective circuit arrangements specially adapted for capacitors, and effecting automatic switching in the event of an undesired change from normal working conditions H02H7/16; emergency protective circuit arrangements for limiting excess current or voltages without disconnection H02H9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/06 Lead-acid accumulators semi-lead accumulators H01M10/20
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4264 with capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/441 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 : Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/00 : Structural combinations of different types of electrochemical generators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 : Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/209 : adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/216 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/296 : characterised by terminals of battery packs terminals of batteries H01M50/543
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0014 : Circuits for equalisation of charge between batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0031 : using battery or load disconnect circuits H02J9/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 : Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/005 : Detection of state of health [SOH]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1423 : with multiple batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/345 : using capacitors as storage or buffering devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/13 : Energy storage using capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 : Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 : Electric battery cell making

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling multiple storage devices are provided. A system may include a first storage device and a second storage device, each adapted to store and release electrical energy. The system may also include a controller coupled to the first storage device, the second storage device, and a load. The controller is adapted to optimize operation of the system relative to a first system parameter by controlling the channeling of electric charge in a variable manner between the first storage device, the second storage device, and the load.

Claims

1. A control system for a vehicle, comprising:

a first storage device configured to store and release electrical energy;

a second storage device configured to store and release electrical energy;

an electromechanical device for a vehicle coupled to the first storage device and the second storage device and configured to generate an energy demand and to utilize electrical energy from at least one of the first storage device and the second storage device to fulfill the energy demand; and

a controller coupled to the first storage device, the second storage device, and the electromechanical device and configured to optimize operation of the system relative to a first parameter by controlling a flow of electric charge between the first storage device, the second storage device, and the electromechanical system, wherein controlling the flow of electric charge comprises selectively controlling the amount of electrical energy that is received and released by each of the first storage device and the second storage device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first parameter comprises a condition of the first storage device, a condition of the second storage device, monetary cost of operation of the system, fuel efficiency of the system, or a sensed operational parameter.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle comprises an electric vehicle or a hybrid-electric vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first storage device and the second storage device comprises a charge storage device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first storage device and the second storage device comprises an energy storage device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first storage device and the second storage device comprises a capacitor, a bank of capacitors, a lithium-based battery, a nickel-based battery, a lead-based battery, a bank of substantially similar batteries, a fuel cell, a capacitive electrode, a carbon electrode, a lead-carbon composite electrode, a lithium-carbon electrode, an electrode comprising titanium, or a combination thereof.

7. The system of claim 1, comprising a sensor system configured to measure a parameter of the first storage device, a parameter of the second storage device, a surrounding environment, or a combination thereof, and to communicate measured data to the controller.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the parameter comprises a sensed temperature, a measured condition, or a combination thereof.

9. The system of claim 1, comprising a first switch coupled to the first storage device and a second switch coupled to the second storage device, and wherein the first switch and the second switch are each configured to be controlled by the controller to channel electric charge in a variable manner to and/or from the first storage device and the second storage device, respectively.

10. The system of claim 1, comprising a first communication device coupled to the first storage device and a second communication device coupled to the second storage device, and wherein the controller is configured to transfer measurement and control data between the first storage device and the second storage device via the first communication device and the second communication device.

11. A controller for a storage system configured to:

monitor a first parameter associated with a first storage device and a second parameter associated with a second storage device;

receive data corresponding to optimization criteria comprising one or more operational optimization parameters;

determine an optimal electric charge flow between the first storage device, the second storage device, and an electromechanical device for a vehicle based on the monitored first parameter and the monitored second parameter; and

produce a control signal to control the flow of electric charge in a variable manner to and/or from the first storage device and the second storage device in accordance with the determined optimal electric charge flow.

12. The controller of claim 11, further configured to receive one or more inputs corresponding to a driving pattern of a user, a driving history of a user, a user preference, a temperature measurement, a humidity measurement, a vehicle destination, weather data, or traffic data.

13. The controller of claim 11, wherein the first parameter comprises a temperature of the first storage device, a lifetime of the first storage device, or a condition of the first storage device.

14. The controller of claim 11, wherein the second parameter comprises a temperature of the second storage device, a lifetime of the second storage device, or a condition of the second storage device.

15. The controller of claim 11, wherein the operational parameters comprise performance based on weather conditions, fuel economy, life of the first storage device, life of the second storage device, monetary cost associated with electric charge draw from an electrical grid, or a combination thereof.

16. A control system for an electromechanical system of a vehicle, comprising:

a first storage device configured to store and release electrical energy;

a second storage device configured to store and release electrical energy; and

a controller coupled to the first storage device, the second storage device, and a load and configured to optimize operation of the system relative to a first system parameter by controlling the channeling of electric charge in a variable manner between the first storage device, the second storage device, and the load.

17. The system of claim 16, comprising a first switch coupled to the first storage device and a second switch coupled to the second storage device, wherein the first switch and the second switch are each configured to be controlled by the controller to channel electric charge in a variable manner to and/or from the first storage device and the second storage device, respectively.

18. The system of claim 16, comprising a first communication device coupled to the first storage device and a second communication device coupled to the second storage device, and wherein the controller is configured to transfer measurement and control data between the first storage device and the second storage device via the first communication device and the second communication device.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the load comprises an electromechanical system comprising an electric vehicle or a hybrid-electric vehicle.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the first parameter comprises a condition of the first storage device, a condition of the second storage device, a lifespan of the first storage device, a lifespan of the second storage device, monetary cost of operation of the system, fuel efficiency of the system, or a sensed operational parameter.