Electrical storage device heater for vehicle
First Claim
1. A battery heater system for a vehicle, comprising:
- an external power source;
a battery system that is powered by said external power source, wherein said battery system includes a battery cell, a heater that selectively heats said battery cell, and a switch that selectively couples said heater to said external power source; and
a controller that controls the operation of said heater by selectively operating said switch to couple said heater to said external power source, wherein said controller is powered by a second power source that is separate from said external power source.
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Abstract
A heater system for an electrical storage device, such as a high voltage traction battery, is connectable to an external AC power source maintain a proper temperature of the battery as long as the system remains connected to the external power source. The battery temperature can be maintained at a level that ensures that the vehicle will start even in extremely cold climates. The heater system includes a heater disposed within the battery itself. Other system components, such as an AC/DC converter and a control module, may be connected to the battery heater system outside of the battery, allowing the battery heater system to act as a modular component that can be easily included in or excluded from a vehicle as an option, either alone or in a package with an engine block heater. The battery heater system is designed so that it can be connected along with the engine block heater to the AC power source using a single common connector.
24 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A battery heater system for a vehicle, comprising:
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an external power source; a battery system that is powered by said external power source, wherein said battery system includes a battery cell, a heater that selectively heats said battery cell, and a switch that selectively couples said heater to said external power source; and a controller that controls the operation of said heater by selectively operating said switch to couple said heater to said external power source, wherein said controller is powered by a second power source that is separate from said external power source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A battery heater system for a vehicle, comprising:
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an external power source; a battery system that is powered by said external power source, wherein said battery system includes a battery cell, a heater that selectively heats said battery cell, and a switch that selectively couples said heater to said external power source; a controller that controls the operation of said heater by selectively operating said switch to couple said heater to said external power source, wherein said controller is powered by a second power source that is separate from said external power source; and an engine block heater that is coupled to said battery system and is powered by said external power source, wherein said engine block heater and said battery system are connected to said battery system through a single connector. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method for controlling a battery heater system for a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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checking whether a key is in a vehicle ignition of the vehicle; checking a temperature of the battery heater system; checking whether the battery heater system is receiving an AC/DC active signal; closing a switch to heat a battery cell of the battery heater system if the temperature of the battery heater system falls below a temperature threshold; opening the switch to stop heating the battery cell of the battery heater system if the temperature of the battery heater system is above the temperature threshold; and periodically awakening from a sleep mode to re-check the temperature of the battery heater system. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification