Portable range extender operable in automatic and manual modes
First Claim
1. A portable range extender for an electric vehicle having a vehicle controller, and an electric traction motor powered by a battery, the portable range extender comprising:
- an engine,a dynamoelectric machine coupled to the engine by a shaft and electrically connectable to the vehicle, anda range extender controller for controlling operations of the range extender independently of the vehicle controller, the range extender controller monitoring voltage of the battery to automatically activate the range extender when the battery voltage is less than a first threshold value and automatically deactivate the range extender when the battery voltage reaches a second threshold value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable range extender is provided for an electric vehicle having a vehicle controller, and an electric traction motor powered by a battery. The portable range extender has an engine, a dynamoelectric machine coupled to the engine by a shaft and electrically connectable to the vehicle, and a range extender controller for controlling operations of the range extender independently of the vehicle controller. The range extender controller monitors voltage of the battery to automatically activate the range extender when the battery voltage is less than a first threshold value and automatically deactivate the range extender when the battery voltage reaches a second threshold value. The dynamoelectric machine operates as a motor for starting the engine when the battery voltage is less than the first threshold value. In response to prescribed engine conditions, the range extender controller operates the dynamoelectric machine as a generator driven by the engine to generate electric power supplied to the vehicle.
51 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A portable range extender for an electric vehicle having a vehicle controller, and an electric traction motor powered by a battery, the portable range extender comprising:
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an engine, a dynamoelectric machine coupled to the engine by a shaft and electrically connectable to the vehicle, and a range extender controller for controlling operations of the range extender independently of the vehicle controller, the range extender controller monitoring voltage of the battery to automatically activate the range extender when the battery voltage is less than a first threshold value and automatically deactivate the range extender when the battery voltage reaches a second threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A range extender for an electric vehicle having a vehicle controller, and an electric traction motor powered by a battery, the range extender comprising:
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an engine, a dynamoelectric machine structurally coupled to the engine by a shaft and electrically connectable to the vehicle, a battery voltage sensor for sensing voltage of the battery, and a range extender controller responsive to the sensed voltage battery for delaying activation of the range extender by a predetermined waiting period when the battery voltage decreases below a first threshold value, the range extender controller controlling operations of the range extender independently of the vehicle controller. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A portable range extender for an electric vehicle having an electric traction motor powered by a battery, the portable range extender comprising:
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an engine, a dynamoelectric machine structurally coupled to the engine by a shaft and electrically connectable to the vehicle, a mode selection circuit for selecting between an automatic operating mode and a manual operating mode, and a range extender controller for controlling operations of the range extender independently of operation of the traction motor, wherein in the automatic mode, the range extender controller monitors voltage of the battery to automatically activate the range extender when the battery voltage is less than a first threshold value and automatically deactivate the range extender when the battery voltage reaches a second threshold value, and in the manual mode, the range extender is activated by a user but is automatically deactivated when the battery voltage reaches the second threshold value.
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19. A method of controlling a range extender for an electric vehicle having a vehicle controller, and an electric traction motor powered by a battery, the range extender comprising an engine, and a dynamoelectric machine coupled to the engine, the method comprising the steps of:
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sensing voltage of the battery, in response to the sensed battery voltage decreasing below a first threshold value, and independently of the vehicle controller, controlling the operation of the dynamoelectric machine as a motor for starting the engine, and in response to a prescribed engine condition, and independently of the vehicle controller, controlling the operation of the dynamoelectric machine as a generator driven by the engine to generate electrical power supplied to the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of controlling a range extender for an electric vehicle having a vehicle controller, and an electric traction motor powered by a battery, the method comprising the steps of:
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sensing voltage of the battery at a first moment of time, if the battery voltage is less than a first threshold value, sensing the battery voltage again after a predetermined waiting period, and if the battery voltage is less than the first threshold value after the predetermined waiting period, and independently of the vehicle controller, automatically activating the range extender. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification