THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY PACK IN THE EVENT OF FAILURE OF BATTERY PACK HEATER
First Claim
1. A thermal management system for a vehicle having an electric traction motor for moving the vehicle, and a battery pack configured to provide power for driving the electric traction motor, the thermal management system comprising:
- a battery pack heater configured to transfer heat to the battery pack;
a second thermal load heater configured to transfer heat to a second thermal load, wherein the second thermal load heater is selectively thermally connectable to the battery pack to transfer heat from the second thermal load heater to the battery pack; and
a control system, wherein, when the vehicle is connected to an external energy source and the battery pack is at sufficiently low temperature, the control system is configured to control the temperature of the battery pack by activating the second thermal load heater and thermally connecting the second thermal load heater to the battery pack in response to a failure of the battery pack heater.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A thermal management system is provided for a vehicle having an electric traction motor and a battery pack. The thermal management system includes a battery pack heater configured to transfer heat to the battery pack, a second thermal load heater configured to transfer heat to a second thermal load, and a control system. The second thermal load heater is selectively thermally connectable to the battery pack to transfer heat from the second thermal load heater to the battery pack. When the vehicle is connected to an external energy source and the battery pack is at sufficiently low temperature, the control system is configured to control the temperature of the battery pack by activating the second thermal load heater and thermally connecting the second thermal load heater to the battery pack in response to a failure of the battery pack heater.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A thermal management system for a vehicle having an electric traction motor for moving the vehicle, and a battery pack configured to provide power for driving the electric traction motor, the thermal management system comprising:
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a battery pack heater configured to transfer heat to the battery pack; a second thermal load heater configured to transfer heat to a second thermal load, wherein the second thermal load heater is selectively thermally connectable to the battery pack to transfer heat from the second thermal load heater to the battery pack; and a control system, wherein, when the vehicle is connected to an external energy source and the battery pack is at sufficiently low temperature, the control system is configured to control the temperature of the battery pack by activating the second thermal load heater and thermally connecting the second thermal load heater to the battery pack in response to a failure of the battery pack heater. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A vehicle, comprising:
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a body; a plurality of wheels; an electric traction motor configured to drive at least one of the wheels; a battery pack configured to provide power to drive the electric traction motor; a battery pack heater configured to transfer heat to the battery pack; a second thermal load heater configured to transfer heat to a second thermal load, wherein the second thermal load heater is selectively thermally connectable to the battery pack to transfer heat from the second thermal load heater to the battery pack; and a control system, wherein, when the vehicle is connected to an external energy source and the battery pack is at sufficiently low temperature, the control system is configured to control the temperature of the battery pack by activating the second thermal load heater and thermally connecting the second thermal load heater to the battery pack in response to a failure of the battery pack heater. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for controlling the temperature of a battery pack in a vehicle having an electric traction motor, comprising:
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a) heating the battery pack with a battery pack heater while the vehicle is connected to an external energy source; and b) heating the battery pack with a second thermal load heater that is positioned to heat a second thermal load in response to detecting a failure of the battery pack heater. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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Specification