Systems and methods for intelligent charging and intelligent conditioning of a high voltage battery

• US 7,714,541 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2007
• Issued: 05/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG), Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Stamos, Euthemios Nicholas, Koziara, Christopher Richard, Glossmann, Tobias
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso; Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAMADAN, RAMY O
• Application Number:
  US11/770,137
• Publication Number:
  US 20090001927A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 320103-105, 320/132, 320134-136, 320/106, 307/10.1, 307/46, 307/66, 324/426
• US Class Current: 320/132
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/005 Detection of state of health [SOH]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007182 in response to battery voltage

Abstract

The technology described herein provides a stand-alone intelligent battery charger and intelligent conditioner for use with a high-voltage battery, such as those used in hybrid automotive vehicles. Additionally, in various exemplary embodiments, this technology provides a system and method for validating the capacity of a high voltage battery. Other comparable uses are also contemplated herein, as will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. A system for the intelligent charging and conditioning of a high voltage battery to a desired state of charge, the system comprising:

a high voltage source;

a battery conditioner, the battery conditioner being powered by the high voltage source and being configured to electrically attach to a high voltage battery and perform a plurality of battery diagnostics, the battery conditioner further being operable to automatically determine whether the high voltage battery is compatible with the intelligent charging and conditioning system;

a control interface, the control interface being powered by the high voltage source;

a low voltage source;

the low voltage source being located within the control interface and providing power to a battery conditioner control, and a data logging device; and

a power supply and discharge unit, the power supply and discharge unit being located within the battery conditioner and being configured to discharge and charge the high voltage battery to a desired state of charge.

2. The system for the intelligent charging and conditioning of a high voltage battery to a desired state of charge of claim 1, wherein the system is coupled to the high voltage battery to charge the high voltage battery to a desired state of charge.

3. The system for the intelligent charging and conditioning of a high voltage battery to a desired state of charge of claim 1, wherein when the system is coupled to a high voltage battery located in a hybrid or electric vehicle that is depleted to a charge level at which it is unable to start the vehicle, the battery conditioner is operable to charge the high voltage battery to a state of charge necessary to start the vehicle.

4. The system for the intelligent charging and conditioning of a high voltage battery to a desired state of charge of claim 1, further comprising:

a user interface, the user interface comprising a display screen and being configured to provide a user with battery diagnostic data, battery conditioner data, and state of charge data, and wherein the data is displayed to the user prior, during, and after battery conditioning.

5. The system for the intelligent charging and conditioning of a high voltage battery to a desired state of charge of claim 4, wherein the user interface further comprises:

an audible warning system, wherein the audible warning system informs a user of a critical battery status.

6. The system forte intelligent charging and conditioning of a high voltage battery to a desired state of charge of claim 1, wherein the battery conditioner, the control interface, the low voltage source, the data logging device, and the power supply and discharge unit comprise a portable, stand-alone system.

7. The system for the intelligent charging and conditioning of a high voltage battery to a desired state of charge of claim 1, further comprising updatable logic configured to:

use controller area network (CAN) parameters and/or diagnostic parameters for battery conditioning algorithms.

8. The system for the intelligent charging and conditioning of a high voltage battery to a desired state of charge of claim 1, wherein the data logging device records high voltage battery data prior, during, and after battery conditioning for engineering analysis and prints a paper receipt of logged activities.

9. The system for the intelligent charging and conditioning of a high voltage battery to a desired state of charge of claim 7, wherein the updatable logic is further configured to:

charge the high voltage battery to a predetermined nominal state of charge.

10. The system for the intelligent charging and conditioning of a high voltage battery to a desired state of charge of claim 7, wherein the updatable logic is further configured to:

charge the high voltage battery to a predetermined exact state of charge.

11. The system forte intelligent charging and conditioning of a high voltage battery to a desired state of charge of claim 1, wherein if the high voltage battery is determined to be incompatible with the battery conditioner, the battery conditioner is further operable to reject charging the high voltage battery.

12. The system for the intelligent charging and conditioning of a high voltage battery to a desired state of charge of claim 1, wherein the battery conditioner is further operable, if the high voltage battery is compatible with the battery conditioner, to set a target state of charge based on a known exact capacity of the high voltage battery.

13. The system for the intelligent charging and conditioning of a high voltage battery to a desired state of charge of claim 1, wherein the battery conditioner is further operable to quick charge the high voltage battery by:

determining a target state of charge;

charging or discharging the high voltage battery until the target state of charge has been reached; and

checking for a rational relationship between the target state of charge as determined by the battery conditioner and a state of charge retrieved from a battery management system located within the high voltage battery.

14. The system for the intelligent charging and conditioning of a high voltage battery to a desired state of charge of claim 1, wherein the battery conditioner is further operable to charge the high voltage battery to a target state of charge by:

discharging the high voltage battery to a lower voltage threshold;

charging the high voltage battery to an upper voltage threshold;

discharging the high voltage battery to the target state of charge as determined by the battery conditioner; and

checking for a rational relationship between the target state of charge as determined by the battery conditioner and a state of charge retrieved from a battery management system located within the high voltage battery.