Method for allocating high voltage electrical energy to vehicle systems during propulsion

• US 8,049,359 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2009
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Marus, James D., Kinser, Christopher A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Deberadinis; Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US12/581,563
• Publication Number:
  US 20110089758A1
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/04 fed by the power supply line
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2045 for optimising the use of energy
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/30 AC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/34 Cabin temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/525 Temperature of converter or components thereof
• 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 53/14 Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/20 having different nominal voltages
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/26 by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/27 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/18 including control of braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/20 including control of steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/30 including control of auxiliary equipment, e.g. air-conditioning compressors or oil pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0098 Details of control systems ensuring comfort, safety or stability not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• 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 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 : Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A method is disclosed that defines a protocol for distributing power to high voltage components when two conditions exist: they being when the vehicle is being propelled or operated and when the power requested of the power supply is less than what the power supply can provide. The method determines which high voltage components can receive reduced or intermittent voltage and still allow the vehicle to operate in a proper manner. Calibrations of the usage and energy loss are based on parameters that dictate how important it is that a particular high voltage component receives as much of its requested power as possible. The critical function components will be weighted differently than those less critical components.

Claims

1. A method for calibrating the amount of power distributed to a vehicle having high voltage components, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) calculating a power needed to operate the high voltage components;

(b) measuring an amount of power available to operate the high voltage components;

(c) determining whether the amount of power available is less than the power needed;

(d) identifying a parameter for each of the high voltage components;

(e) calibrating a dynamic distribution of power based on the parameter when the amount of the power available is less than the amount of the power needed, such that the distribution of power maintains an optimal operation of the high voltage components in a manner that optimizes operation of the vehicle; and

(f) recalibrating the dynamic distribution of power as the parameter for each of the high voltage components changes during the operation of the vehicle.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of calculating the power needed includes the step of defining a current operating condition of the vehicle.

3. A method as set forth in claim 2 including the step of identifying each of the high voltage components requesting power.

4. A method as set forth in claim 3 including the step of identifying a parameter for each of the high voltage components and each subsystem used to control each of the high voltage components.

5. A method as set forth in claim 4 including the step of calibrating energy loss of the high voltage components based on the parameters.

6. A method as set forth in claim 5 including the step of providing uncalibrated power to all of the high voltage components when the amount of the energy available exceeds the energy needed.

7. A method as set forth in claim 5 further including the step of increasing the amount of power distributed to a high voltage component when the amount of energy available increases.

8. A method as set forth in claim 7 including the step of measuring a difference between the amount of power needed and the amount of power distributed to the high voltage components.

9. A method as set forth in claim 8 wherein the step of calculating the power needed includes the step of defining a current operating condition of the vehicle.

10. A method as set forth in claim 9 including the step of measuring a difference between the amount of power needed and the amount of power distributed to the high voltage components.

11. A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein one of the high voltage components is a high voltage power train used to propel the vehicle.

12. A method as set forth in claim 11 further including the step of increasing the amount of power distributed to one of the high voltage components by reducing the amount of power available to the high voltage power train.

13. A method as set forth in claim 12 wherein the step of identifying the parameter includes identifying a plurality of parameters for a plurality of conditions.

14. A method as set forth in claim 13 including the step of calibrating energy loss based on the parameters.

15. A method as set forth in claim 14 including the step of avoiding the step of measuring the difference if the step of increasing the calibration maximizes the calibration value.

16. A method as set forth in claim 11 including the step of limiting the amount of power delivered to one of the high voltage components other than the high voltage power train to increase the power available to the high voltage power train based on dynamic conditions and the parameters.

17. A method as set forth in claim 16 including the step of selecting one of the plurality of parameters when one of the plurality of conditions exists.

18. A method as set forth in claim 17 further including the step of increasing the amount of power distributed to a high voltage component when the amount of power available increases.

19. A method for calibrating the amount of power distributed to a vehicle having high voltage components, including a high voltage power train, a high voltage steering assembly and a high voltage braking assembly, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) calculating a power needed to operate the high voltage components;

(b) measuring an amount of power available to operate the high voltage components;

(c) determining whether the amount of power available is less than the power needed;

(d) identifying a parameter for each of the high voltage components; and

(e) calibrating a distribution of power based on the parameter when the amount of the power available is less than the amount of the power needed, such that the distribution of power maintains the operation of the high voltage power train, the high voltage steering assembly and the high voltage braking assembly in a manner that optimizes the operation of the vehicle.

20. A method as set forth in claim 19 including the step of identifying each of the high voltage components requesting power.

21. A method as set forth in claim 20 including the step of increasing a calibration value when the parameter measured identifies a lack of need for the high voltage component.

22. A method for calibrating the amount of power distributed to a vehicle having high voltage components, including a high voltage power train, a high voltage cabin thermal system and a high voltage battery thermal system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) calculating a power needed to operate the high voltage components;

(b) measuring an amount of power available to operate the high voltage components;

(c) determining whether the amount of power available is less than the energy needed; and

(d) calibrating a distribution of power when the amount of the power available is less than the amount of the power needed, such that the distribution of energy maintains the operation of the high voltage power train, the high voltage cabin thermal system and the high voltage battery thermal system in a manner that optimizes the operation of the vehicle.