ELECTRICAL STORAGE DEVICE HEATER FOR VEHICLE

• US 20140037998A1
• Filed: 09/30/2013
• Published: 02/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: ZHU, Douglas X., MATHEWS, Jacob, MAGUIRE, Patrick Daniel, PADGETT, Patrick L.
• Granted Patent: US 10,594,005 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/50
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/008 with means for heating the electrical propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/28 characterised by the electric energy storing means, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/30 AC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/24 for controlling the temperature of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/27 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/244 Charge state
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/246 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0862 characterised by the electrical power supply means, e.g. battery
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0866 comprising several power sources, e.g. battery and capacitor or two batteries
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/14 Starting of engines by means of electric starters with external current supply F02N11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 19/02 Aiding engine start by thermal means, e.g. using lighted wicks
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/064 Battery temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/615 Heating or keeping warm
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/63 Control systems charging or discharging in response to temperature H01M10/44 , H01M10/443; measurement of temperature H01M10/48 , H01M10/486
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

An electrical storage device heater system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an electrical storage device, a heater configured to regulate a temperature of the electrical storage device and a controller configured to actuate the heater using power sourced from a location separate from the electrical storage device.

Claims

1. An electrical storage device heater system, comprising:

an electrical storage device;

a heater configured to regulate a temperature of said electrical storage device; and

a controller configured to actuate said heater using power sourced from a location separate from said electrical storage device.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said electrical storage device is a battery cell.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said electrical storage device is an ultra-capacitor.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, comprising a converter connected between an external power source that powers said heater and said electrical storage device.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said controller controls operation of said heater between an OFF and an ON condition.

6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said controller is configured to actuate a switch to couple or decouple an external power source to said heater.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, comprising an external power source separate from said electrical storage device and configured to power said heater but not said electrical storage device.

8. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein said external power source includes a battery located on-board of a vehicle.

9. The system as recited in claim 1, comprising an external power source for powering said heater that is completely remote from said electrical storage device.

10. The system as recited in claim 1, comprising a connector configured to connect said heater to an external power source.

11. A vehicle, comprising:

a power source located on-board said vehicle;

a battery system powered by said power source, wherein said battery system includes an electrical storage device, a heater that selectively heats said electrical storage device, and a switch that selectively couples said heater to said power source; and

a controller that controls the operation of said heater by actuating said switch to couple said heater to said power source.

12. The vehicle as recited in claim 11, wherein said controller is powered by an alternative power source that is separate from said power source.

13. The vehicle as recited in claim 11, wherein said controller is configured to actuate said switch based on at least one of a temperature of said electrical storage device, an output from a converter, and a key on/off condition of said vehicle.

14. The vehicle as recited in claim 11, comprising an engine block heater that is coupled to said battery system by said power source.

15. The vehicle as recited in claim 11, wherein said power source is a battery separate from said battery system.

16. A method, comprising:

connecting a heater to an electrical storage device of a battery system if a temperature is below a temperature threshold; and

disconnecting the heater from the electrical storage device if the temperature is above the temperature threshold or the battery system is disconnected from an external power source.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, comprising checking whether a vehicle is in a key ON or key OFF condition.

18. The method as recited in claim 16, comprising periodically awakening from a sleep mode to check the temperature of the electrical storage device.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, comprising:

remaining in the sleep mode for a selected time period;

awakening from the sleep mode after the selected time period; and

rechecking whether the battery system is connected to the external power source after the step of awakening from the sleep mode.

20. The method as recited in claim 16, comprising:

checking whether the battery system is connected to the external power source; and

checking the temperature of the electrical storage device of said battery system.