Power supply for an automotive vehicle

• US 6,930,404 B1
• Filed: 09/06/2002
• Issued: 08/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Gale, Allan Roy, Degner, Michael W., Nicastri, Paul Raymund
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US10/064,987
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 290/7, 290/40.C, 290/40.D, 322/7, 322/8, 320/117, 307/45
• US Class Current: 290/40.00C
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/51 characterised by AC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/19 Switching between serial connection and parallel connection of battery modules
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/21 having the same nominal voltage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

An electrical system (12) is provided for an automotive vehicle (10) having a first power source (14) with a first positive terminal (16) and first negative terminal (18). A second power source (20) having a second positive terminal (22) and a second negative terminal (24) is also provided. A common electrical node N₂ is coupled to the first negative terminal and the second positive terminal. A first load (26) is coupled between the first positive terminal and the second node N₂. A second load (30) is coupled to the positive terminal. A switch (SW3) is coupled to the second positive terminal (22), the second negative terminal (24) and the second load (30). The switch (SW3) has a first position electrically coupling the second load to the second positive terminal and a second position electrically coupling the second negative terminal to the second load (30).

Claims

1. A power supply system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a first power source having a first positive terminal and a first negative terminal;

a second power source having a second positive terminal and a second negative terminal;

a common electrical node between the first power source and the second power source;

a first load coupled between said first positive terminal and said common node;

a second load coupled to said first positive terminal;

an inverter;

a switch coupled to said second positive terminal, said second negative terminal and said inverter, said switch having a first position electrically coupling said second load to said second positive terminal and a second position electrically coupling said second negative terminal to said second load; and

a controller coupled to said switch controlling the switching of said switch in response to a predetermined condition.

2. A power supply system as recited in claim 1 wherein the predetermined condition comprises the second power source being charged.

3. A power supply system as recited in claim 2 further comprising a sensor coupled to said first terminal of said second power source and said controller.

4. A power supply system as recited in claim 1 wherein the first power source and the second power source are disposed with an enclosure.

5. A power supply system as recited in claim 4 wherein said switch is disposed within the enclosure.

6. A power supply system as recited in claim 1 wherein the second power source comprises a capacitor.

7. A power supply system as recited in claim 6 wherein said capacitor comprises an ultra capacitor.

8. A power supply system as recited in claim 6 further comprising a service discharge circuit coupled to said capacitor.

9. A power supply system as recited in claim 8 wherein said service discharge circuit is coupled in parallel to said capacitor.

10. A power supply system as recited in claim 8 wherein said service discharge circuit comprises a switch selectively coupling an inverter capacitor to said capacitor.

11. A power supply system as recited in claim 1 wherein the common node is coupled to a chassis ground.

12. A power supply system as recited in claim 1 wherein the second terminal of the first power source is coupled to a chassis ground.

13. A power supply system as recited in claim 1 wherein said second load comprises an inverter and a motor.

14. A power supply system as recited in claim 1 wherein said first power source has a first voltage rating and said second power source has a second voltage rating equal to said first voltage rating.

15. A method of operating an electrical system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

operating a first load with a first power source;

electrically coupling said first power source and a second power source; and

selectively coupling a first terminal or a second terminal of a second power source to an inverter in response to a sensed condition.

16. A method as recited in claim 15 wherein selectively coupling comprises selectively coupling in response to a charge of the second power source.

17. A method as recited in claim 15 wherein electrically coupling the first power source and the second power source comprises forming a common node between said first power source, said second power source.

18. A method as recited in claim 15 further comprising discharging the second power source prior to servicing.

19. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein discharging comprises coupling the second power source to a load.

20. A power supply system for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a first power source having a first positive terms and a first negative terminal;

a second power source having a second positive terminal and a second negative terminal;

a common electrical node between the first power source and the second power source;

a first load coupled between said first positive terminal and said common node;

an inverter coupled to said first positive terminal;

an integrated motor generator coupled to said inverter;

a switch coupled to said second positive terminal, said second negative terminal and said inverter, said switch having a first position electrically coupling said inverter to said second positive terminal and a second position electrically coupling said second negative terminal to said inverter; and

a controlled coupled to said switch controlling the switching of said switch in response to a predetermined condition.