Method and apparatus for a hybrid battery configuration for use in an electric or hybrid electric motive power system

• US 7,049,792 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2004
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: King, Robert Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): TIBBITS, PIA FLORENCE
• Application Number:
  US10/823,200
• Publication Number:
  US 20040189226A1
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 320/126, 320/132, 429/9
• US Class Current: 320/126
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/14 Boost converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/20 AC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/18 Reluctance machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/547 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/549 Current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/51 characterised by AC-motors
• 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

A power system for an electric motor drive such as may be used in an electrically propelled vehicle incorporates the combination of a high power density battery and a high energy density battery to provide an optimal combination of high energy and high power, i.e., a hybrid battery system. The hybrid battery system in one form includes components which prevent electrical recharge energy from being applied to the high energy density battery while capturing regenerative energy in the high power density battery so as to increase an electric vehicle'"'"'s range for a given amount of stored energy. A dynamic retarding function for absorbing electrical regenerative energy is used during significant vehicle deceleration and while holding speed on down-hill grades, to minimize mechanical brake wear and limit excessive voltage on the battery and power electronic control devices. The high energy density battery coupled in circuit with a boost converter, a high power density battery, a dynamic retarder, and an AC motor drive circuit. The hybrid battery system is controlled by a hybrid power source controller which receives signals from a vehicle system controller using current and voltage sensors to provide feedback parameters for the closed-loop hybrid battery control functions.

Claims

1. A hybrid battery arrangement for an electrically powered system in which battery loading is subject to intermittent high power loading, the system including a hybrid battery coupled to supply electric power via a DC link to a load and a control system for controlling application of power to the load, the hybrid battery arrangement comprising:

a first battery coupled to the DC link, the first battery comprising an electrically rechargeable battery;

a second battery coupled to the DC link, the first battery having higher energy and lower power densities than the second battery; and

a boost converter coupled in circuit between the first battery and the second battery for selectively boosting the voltage from the first battery.

2. The hybrid battery arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first battery includes an assembly of first batteries and the boost converter includes a plurality of boost converters, each of the boost converters being coupled between a respective one of the first batteries and the second battery.

3. The hybrid battery arrangement of claim 1 further including a dynamic retarder coupled in circuit between the second battery and the first battery for controlling voltage of the DC link to within selected levels of the nominal operating voltage of the second battery.

4. The hybrid battery arrangement of claim 3 wherein the dynamic retarder comprises the serial combination of a power dissipating resistance and a second switch with the control system operable to selectively gate the second switch into and out of conduction in a manner to control the voltage across the second battery.

5. The hybrid battery arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first battery comprises a sodium-nickel-chloride battery, a lithium-ion battery, a nickle-cadmium battery, or a nickel-metal-hydride battery.

6. The hybrid battery of claim 1 further including a diode serially connected between the first battery and the boost converter, the diode being poled to block current from the boost converter to the first battery.