SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING VEHICLE POWER GENERATION COSTS

• US 20150203093A1
• Filed: 01/22/2014
• Published: 07/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: WRIGHT, Robert, Kraska, Marvin Paul
• Application Number:
  US14/160,916
• Publication Number:
  US 20150203093A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/006 to power outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/10 Controlling the power contribution of each of the prime movers to meet required power demand
• 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 10/84 Data processing systems or methods, management, administration

Abstract

A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes controlling a vehicle in a Power Generation mode to supply power to equipment separate from the vehicle. The controlling step includes estimating a cost of operating the vehicle in the Power Generation mode.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

controlling a vehicle in a Power Generation mode to supply power to equipment separate from the vehicle, the controlling step including estimating a cost of operating the vehicle in the Power Generation mode.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV).

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the controlling step is only performed if the vehicle is in park.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the controlling step includes at least controlling an engine and an electric machine to generate the power supplied during the Power Generation mode.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising entering at least one billing rate associated with operating the vehicle.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the cost is estimated using the at least one billing rate.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising entering energy usage limits for limiting a total amount of energy consumed during the Power Generation mode.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising performing a series of periodic system checks to monitor a total energy usage of the vehicle during the GEN mode.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising shutting down the Power Generation mode in response to at least one of the following occurring:

exceeding a fuel consumption limit;

exceeding an energy consumption limit;

or

exceeding a time usage limit

10. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising displaying the costs associated with operating the vehicle in the Power Generation mode to an operator.

11. A vehicle control method, comprising:

operating a vehicle in a Power Generation mode;

supplying power to a power point of the vehicle during the Power Generation mode; and

estimating a cost associated with operating the vehicle in the Power Generation mode.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, comprising periodically measuring fuel consumption, energy consumption, and time usage during the step of operating.

13. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the step of estimating includes at least one of the following:

multiplying a total consumption by a fuel billing rate;

multiplying total energy consumption by an energy billing rate;

or

multiplying total run time by a time billing rate.

14. The method as recited in claim 11, comprising displaying the cost information to an operator of the vehicle.

15. A system, comprising:

a driver interface that provides selection of various vehicle operating modes including a Power Generation mode; and

a control unit in communication with said driver interface and configured to estimate a cost associated with operating said vehicle in said Power Generation mode.

16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein said driver interface includes a mode selector having a Power Generation mode button for selecting said Power Generation mode.

17. The system as recited in claim 15, comprising a sensor configured to measure voltage and current information associated with powering said vehicle in said Power Generation mode.

18. The system as recited in claim 15, comprising a converter configured to convert DC power from an electric machine to AC power supplied to a power point located on said vehicle.

19. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein said power point includes at least one power outlet.

20. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein said control unit is operable to communicate control signals to each of an engine, a battery and an electric machine for operating said vehicle in said Power Generation mode.