Environmental control system and method for a battery in a vehicle
First Claim
1. A method for controlling an environment for a battery in a vehicle, the vehicle including a transmission and an air conditioning system for the battery, the method comprising:
- executing a first battery environment control strategy, including determining at least one vehicle operating condition;
ventilating the battery environment with air from an ambient environment outside the vehicle when the execution of the first battery environment control strategy indicates that the battery environment requires ventilation;
executing a second battery environment control strategy when the first battery environment control strategy does not indicate that the battery environment requires ventilation, the second battery environment control strategy including at least one of determining a transmission gear and determining whether the battery air conditioning system is operating;
recirculating air around the battery when the second battery control strategy indicates that exchange of air from around the battery with air from the ambient environment outside the vehicle should be inhibited; and
executing a third battery environment control strategy when the second battery environment control strategy does not indicate that the exchange of air from around the battery with air from the ambient environment outside the vehicle should be inhibited, the execution of the third battery environment control strategy including determining a temperature of the battery and a temperature of the ambient environment outside the vehicle, and effecting a battery environment control based at least in part on the temperature of the battery and the temperature of the ambient environment outside the vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An environmental control system for a battery in a vehicle includes an air intake for receiving ambient air from outside the vehicle. A duct system provides communication between the air intake and the battery. The duct system includes a movable door which can facilitate or inhibit movement of air between the air intake and the battery. An air outlet facilitates air flow from the duct system to the ambient environment outside the vehicle. A fan cooperates with the duct system for moving the air through a heat exchanger in the duct system and across the battery. A control system controls operation of the fan and the movable door, and is configured to determine whether the battery environment requires fresh air or recirculated air.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for controlling an environment for a battery in a vehicle, the vehicle including a transmission and an air conditioning system for the battery, the method comprising:
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executing a first battery environment control strategy, including determining at least one vehicle operating condition; ventilating the battery environment with air from an ambient environment outside the vehicle when the execution of the first battery environment control strategy indicates that the battery environment requires ventilation; executing a second battery environment control strategy when the first battery environment control strategy does not indicate that the battery environment requires ventilation, the second battery environment control strategy including at least one of determining a transmission gear and determining whether the battery air conditioning system is operating; recirculating air around the battery when the second battery control strategy indicates that exchange of air from around the battery with air from the ambient environment outside the vehicle should be inhibited; and executing a third battery environment control strategy when the second battery environment control strategy does not indicate that the exchange of air from around the battery with air from the ambient environment outside the vehicle should be inhibited, the execution of the third battery environment control strategy including determining a temperature of the battery and a temperature of the ambient environment outside the vehicle, and effecting a battery environment control based at least in part on the temperature of the battery and the temperature of the ambient environment outside the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An environmental control system for a battery in a vehicle including a transmission, the system comprising:
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an air intake for receiving air from an ambient environment outside the vehicle; a duct system capable of providing communication between the air intake and the battery, the duct system including a first door movable between a first position for facilitating movement of air between the air intake and the battery, and a second position for inhibiting movement of air between the air intake and the battery; an air outlet configured to facilitate air flow from the duct system to the ambient environment outside the vehicle, the duct system further including a second door movable between a first position for facilitating movement of air between the battery and the air outlet, and a second position for inhibiting movement of air between the battery and the air outlet; a fan cooperating with the duct system for moving air through at least a portion of the duct system and across the battery; and a control system including at least one controller and configured to control operation of the fan and the first door, and to determine independently of temperature whether the battery environment requires ventilation, the control system being further configured to; command the first door into the first position and to operate the fan, thereby moving air in through the air intake, across the battery, and out through the air outlet when it is determined that the battery environment requires ventilation, and receive at least one signal related to the transmission gear, and to command the second door into the second position when the transmission is in a park or neutral gear and the battery environment does not require ventilation. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification