Method and system for extending life of a vehicle energy storage device

• US 8,063,609 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2008
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Iacovangelo, Charles, Salasoo, Lembit, Daum, Wolfgang, King, Robert Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): DIAO, M BAYE
• Application Number:
  US12/179,199
• Publication Number:
  US 20100019718A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,216 Days
• Field of Search: 320/103, 320/134, 320/128
• US Class Current: 320/134
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0092 with use of redundant elements for safety purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/61 by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/14 Preventing excessive discharging
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/15 Preventing overcharging
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/18 of two or more battery modules
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/21 having the same nominal voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/26 by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/06 for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• 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

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for controlling a power transfer rate in to and/or out of a vehicle energy storage device to affect a current state of charge of the energy storage device. The vehicle may be on a mission comprising a plurality of future power transfer opportunities. In one example, the method comprises adjusting the power transfer rate based on an estimated duration of a future power transfer opportunity. Further, the method may include, if the estimated duration of the future power transfer opportunity is different from a predetermined threshold, changing the power transfer rate at the future power transfer opportunity. The method allows the operating life of the energy storage device to be extended.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a power transfer rate in to and/or out of a vehicle energy storage device to affect a current state of charge of the energy storage device during a mission of the vehicle, the mission comprising a plurality of future power transfer opportunities, the method comprising:

controlling the power transfer rate into the vehicle energy storage device from a generator disposed onboard the vehicle; and

adjusting the power transfer rate based on an estimated duration of a future power transfer opportunity.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein if the estimated duration of the future power transfer opportunity is greater than a predetermined threshold, reducing the power transfer rate at the future power transfer opportunity.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein if the estimated duration of the future power transfer opportunity is different from a predetermined threshold, changing the power transfer rate at the future power transfer opportunity.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

adjusting the power transfer rate of a current power transfer opportunity based on an estimated duration of the current power transfer opportunity.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein adjusting the power transfer rate based on the estimated duration of the future power transfer opportunity further comprises:

adjusting the power transfer rate of a current power transfer opportunity based on an estimated duration of a succeeding, future power transfer opportunity, where the current power transfer opportunity immediately precedes the succeeding future power transfer opportunity.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein adjusting the power transfer rate of the current power transfer opportunity includes:

as the estimated duration of the succeeding, future power transfer opportunity increases, adjusting the power transfer rate in the preceding, current power transfer opportunity to achieve a first target state of charge at the end of the current power transfer opportunity; and

as the estimated duration of the succeeding, future power transfer opportunity decreases, adjusting the power transfer rate in the preceding, current power transfer opportunity to achieve a second target state of charge at the end of the current power transfer opportunity, said second target state of charge being higher than said first target state of charge.

7. The method of claim 1 where the vehicle is a locomotive, the method further comprising adjusting the power transfer rate in response to variation of the duration of the opportunity or based on a change in vehicle mission.

8. The method of claim 1 where the energy storage device is at least one of a battery, flywheel and ultracapacitor.

9. The method of claim 1 where the energy storage device is an energy storage system comprising a plurality of energy storage banks.

10. The method of claim 9 where the plurality of energy storage banks includes batteries.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

adjusting the power transfer rate of the energy storage device at a current power transfer opportunity and adjusting the power transfer rate at a future power transfer opportunity responsive to an operating condition of the energy storage device.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

adjusting the power transfer rate of at least one of the plurality of energy storage banks responsive to an operating condition of the energy storage bank.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the operating condition is an age of the device.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the operating condition is a temperature of the device.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein adjusting the power transfer rate responsive to a temperature of the device includes, as the temperature of the device increases, reducing the power transfer rate of the device at the future power transfer opportunity.

16. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

adjusting an upper and a lower threshold for the first target state of charge responsive to a temperature and age of the energy storage device.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein adjusting an upper and a lower threshold includes, as a temperature and age of the device increases, reducing the upper threshold and increasing the lower threshold for the first target state of charge.

18. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

in the event of a change in mission, differentially charging the energy storage banks.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein, differentially charging the energy storage banks includes, transferring power between the energy storage banks.

20. A system for controlling a power transfer rate into and/or out of an energy storage device of a locomotive, the system comprising:

an energy storage device disposed on the locomotive;

an electrical generator disposed on the locomotive; and

a control system coupled to the energy storage device and the generator, the control system configured to;

estimate a duration of a future power transfer opportunity, and adjust a power transfer rate to/from the energy storage device during a current power transfer opportunity to affect a current state of charge of the energy storage device based on the estimated duration of the future power transfer opportunity.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the energy storage device comprises at least one of a battery, flywheel and ultracapacitor.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein the control system further adjusts the power transfer rate responsive to an operating condition of the energy storage device.

23. The system of claim 21 wherein, in the event of a change in a mission of the vehicle, the control system is further configured to differentially charge the energy storage device.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein differentially charging the device includes transferring power between energy storage banks.