Control algorithm for low-voltage circuit in hybrid and conventional vehicles
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a low-voltage circuit of a hybrid vehicle having a generator and a hybrid circuit in communication with the low-voltage circuit, wherein the hybrid circuit includes a hybrid battery and the low-voltage circuit includes a low-voltage battery, the method comprising:
- monitoring operating conditions of the vehicle;
determining whether surplus generator load is available, wherein determining whether surplus generator load is available includes;
determining whether the hybrid battery is capable of accepting power generated through regenerative braking, anddetermining whether the low-voltage battery is capable of accepting power generated through regenerative braking;
capturing the available surplus generator load;
charging the low-voltage battery with the surplus generator load;
utilizing the surplus generator load for anti-sulfation of the low-voltage battery; and
powering the low-voltage circuit with the surplus generator load.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for controlling a low-voltage circuit of a vehicle having a generator includes monitoring operating conditions of the vehicle and determining whether surplus generator load is available. Available surplus generator load is captured and used to power the low-voltage circuit. The low-voltage circuit may include a low-voltage battery, which may be charged with the surplus generator load. The surplus generator load may be utilized for anti-sulfation of the low-voltage battery. The method is usable with both a hybrid vehicle and a conventional vehicle. The method may further include powering the low-voltage circuit with energy stored in the low-voltage battery as a result of charging the low-voltage battery with the surplus generator load.
6 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a low-voltage circuit of a hybrid vehicle having a generator and a hybrid circuit in communication with the low-voltage circuit, wherein the hybrid circuit includes a hybrid battery and the low-voltage circuit includes a low-voltage battery, the method comprising:
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monitoring operating conditions of the vehicle; determining whether surplus generator load is available, wherein determining whether surplus generator load is available includes; determining whether the hybrid battery is capable of accepting power generated through regenerative braking, and determining whether the low-voltage battery is capable of accepting power generated through regenerative braking; capturing the available surplus generator load; charging the low-voltage battery with the surplus generator load; utilizing the surplus generator load for anti-sulfation of the low-voltage battery; and powering the low-voltage circuit with the surplus generator load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for controlling a low-voltage circuit of a vehicle having a generator, wherein the vehicle is a hybrid vehicle and further includes a hybrid circuit in communication with the low-voltage circuit and having a hybrid battery, and wherein the low-voltage circuit includes a low-voltage battery, the method comprising:
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monitoring operating conditions of the vehicle for one of a negative torque request and a braking event; determining whether surplus generator load is available, wherein determining whether surplus generator load is available includes determining whether the hybrid battery is capable of accepting power generated through regenerative braking, and determining whether the low-voltage battery is capable of accepting power generated through regenerative braking; capturing the available surplus generator load; powering the low-voltage circuit with the surplus generator load; charging the low-voltage battery with the surplus generator load; and powering the low-voltage circuit with energy stored in the low-voltage battery as a result of charging the low-voltage battery with the surplus generator load. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification