METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CHARGING HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY PACKS

• US 20150171650A1
• Filed: 12/17/2013
• Published: 06/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Wong, Richard Kai, Pham, Thanh D., Gauthier, Greg Edward, Willi, Gene
• Granted Patent: US 9,520,730 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/20 having different nominal voltages
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0049 Detection of fully charged condition
• 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 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A method and system for charging high voltage battery packs includes connecting a charger to a power source, connecting the charger to a battery pack, connecting a computer to a battery energy control module of the battery pack and charging the battery pack from the power source through the charger by running a software program on the computer and a system for conducting the method.

Claims

1. A method for charging a battery pack, comprising:

connecting a charger to a power source;

connecting the charger to a battery pack;

connecting a computer to a battery energy control module of the battery pack; and

charging the battery pack from the power source through the charger by running a software program on the computer.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein running a software program on the computer comprises indicating a state of charge of the battery pack on the computer.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein running a software program on the computer comprises indicating a pack voltage on the computer.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein running a software program on the computer comprises indicating a pack current on the computer.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein running a software program on the computer comprises indicating a battery pack contactor status on the computer.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein running a software program on the computer comprises indicating an elapsed charging time on the computer.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein running a software program on the computer comprises termination of charging the battery pack by an operator.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein running a software program on the computer comprises automatic termination of charging the battery pack after a preselected criteria is met.

9. A method for charging a battery pack, comprising:

connecting a charger to a power source;

connecting the charger to a battery pack;

connecting a computer to a battery energy control module of the battery pack;

determining whether the battery pack is in satisfactory condition for charging by running a software program on the computer; and

charging the battery pack from the power source through the charger if the battery pack is in satisfactory condition for charging by running the software program on the computer.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein running a software program on the computer comprises indicating a state of charge of the battery pack on the computer.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein running a software program on the computer comprises indicating a pack voltage on the computer.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein running a software program on the computer comprises indicating a pack current on the computer.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein running a software program on the computer comprises indicating a battery pack contactor status on the computer.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein running a software program on the computer comprises indicating an elapsed charging time on the computer.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein running a software program on the computer comprises termination of charging the battery pack by an operator.

16. The method of claim 9 wherein running a software program on the computer comprises automatic termination of charging the battery pack after a preselected criteria is met.

17. A method for charging a battery pack, comprising:

connecting a charger to a power source;

connecting the charger to a battery pack;

connecting a computer to a battery energy control module of the battery pack;

determining whether the battery pack is in satisfactory condition for charging by running a software program on the computer;

charging the battery pack from the power source through the charger if the battery pack is in satisfactory condition for charging by running the software program on the computer; and

indicating a state of charge of the battery pack, a pack voltage of the battery pack, a pack current of the battery pack, a battery pack contactor status and an elapsed charging time of the battery pack on the computer by running the software program on the computer.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein running a software program on the computer comprises termination of charging the battery pack by an operator.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein running a software program on the computer comprises automatic termination of charging the battery pack after a preselected criteria is met.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein running a software program on the computer comprises automatic termination of charging the battery pack after a preselected criteria is met comprises running a software program on the computer comprises automatic termination of charging the battery pack after a predetermined state of charge of the battery pack is attained.

21. A kit for charging a vehicle battery pack, comprising:

a charger adaptable for connection to a power source and to a vehicle charging port; and

a controller connected to the charger and configured to controllably charge a vehicle battery pack.

22. The kit of claim 21 wherein the controller is connected to a battery energy control module of the battery pack.

23. The kit of claim 21 wherein the controller is a portable computer.

24. The kit of claim 23 wherein the computer is operated by a software program.

25. The kit of claim 24 wherein a portion of the software produces a human-machine interface for setting parameters for charging the battery pack.

26. The kit of claim 21 further comprising a switch and a light adapted for connection to the vehicle battery pack.

27. A system for charging a vehicle battery pack, comprising:

a controller connected to an off-vehicle charger and configured to controllably charge a vehicle battery pack via a battery energy control module.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the controller is a portable computer.

29. The system of claim 27 wherein the computer is operated by a software program.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein a portion of the software produces a human-machine interface for setting parameters for charging the battery pack.

31. The system of claim 27 further comprising a switch and a light adapted for connection to the vehicle battery pack.