Thermal management of components in electric motor drive vehicles

• US 8,901,861 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2012
• Issued: 12/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
• Inventors: Luke, Hok-Sum Horace, Taylor, Matthew Whiting
• Primary Examiner(s): Ip, Paul
• Application Number:
  US13/559,259
• Publication Number:
  US 20130033203A1
• Time in Patent Office: 859 Days
• Field of Search: 318/376, 318/370, 318/139, 180/65.29, 123/142.5 E, 320/107, 320/150
• US Class Current: 318/376
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/02 to electric heating circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/14 to electric lighting circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2045 for optimising the use of energy
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/12 Bikes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/12 Buck converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/14 Boost converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/30 AC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/14 Synchronous machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/16 DC brushless machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/14 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/26 Vehicle weight
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/427 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/429 Current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/525 Temperature of converter or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/622 : by satellite navigation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/642 : Slope of road
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/645 : Type of road
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/662 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/70 : Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/10 : by alarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 : by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/18 : by enquiring driving style
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/20 : by driver identification
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/22 : by presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/44 : by parameter estimation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/52 : drive range estimation, e.g. of estimation of available travel distance
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/34 : of parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/46 : Heat pumps, e.g. for cabin heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/003 : relating to inverters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 : relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0061 : relating to electrical machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0069 : relating to the isolation, e.g. ground fault or leak current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 : using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/51 : characterised by AC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 : Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 : Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 : involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/665 : Methods related to measuring, billing or payment
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/68 : Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 : Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 55/00 : Arrangements for supplying energy stored within a vehicle to a power network, i.e. vehicle-to-grid [V2G] arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/10 : for monitoring or controlling batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/16 : responding to battery ageing, e.g. to the number of charging cycles or the state of health [SoH]
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/26 : by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/06 : for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/14 : for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/22 : Dynamic electric resistor braking, combined with dynamic electric regenerative braking
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/56 : Control of actuators
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3476 : using point of interest [POI] information, e.g. a route passing visible POIs
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3682 : output of POI information on a road map G01C21/3614, G01C21/3685 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0608 : Saving storage space on storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0638 : Organizing or formatting or addressing of data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0671 : In-line storage system
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 : Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0253 : During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0259 : based on store location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 : based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 : Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0639 : Item locations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/00 : Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 : wherein the data carrier is removable
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 : Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 : Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/441 : for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/482 : for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4278 : Systems for data transfer from batteries, e.g. transfer of battery parameters to a controller, data transferred between battery controller and main controller
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 : Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 : Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 : Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 : Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00045 : Authentication, i.e. circuits for checking compatibility between one component, e.g. a battery or a battery charger, and another component, e.g. a power source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 : acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007 : Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 : Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• 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 10/92 : Energy efficient charging or discharging systems for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors specially adapted for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 : Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/126 : the energy generation units being or involving electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV], i.e. power aggregation of EV or HEV, vehicle to grid arrangements [V2G]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/12 : Remote or cooperative charging
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 : Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/10 : Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/14 : Marketing, i.e. market research and analysis, surveying, promotions, advertising, buyer profiling, customer management or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 : Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]

Abstract

Thermal management of various components such as electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, super- or ultracapacitors), power converters and/or control circuits, in electrically powered vehicles may employ active temperature adjustment devices (e.g., Peltier devices), which may advantageously be powered using electrical energy generated by the traction electric motor during regenerative braking operation. Temperature adjustment may include cooling or heating one or more components. The adjustment may be based on a variety of factors or conditions, for instance sensed temperature, sensed current draw, sensed voltage, sensed rotational speed.

Claims

1. A power system for a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a traction electric motor coupled to drive at least one traction wheel of the vehicle;

a main electrical energy storage device to drive the traction electric motor;

at least one temperature adjustment device positioned and operable to adjust a temperature at least proximate the main electrical energy storage device; and

a control circuit that determines a rate at which the temperature adjustment device should be operated and causes electrical power generated by the traction electric motor operated regeneratively in a braking mode to be supplied to the temperature adjustment device, the supplied electrical power causing the temperature adjustment device to operate at the determined rate to adjust a temperature of the main electrical energy storage device.

2. The power system of claim 1 wherein the control circuit further causes electrical power to be supplied to the traction electrical motor from the main electrical energy storage device in a drive mode.

3. The power system of claim 2 wherein the main electrical energy storage device includes at least one secondary chemical battery cell.

4. The power system of claim 1 wherein the at least one temperature adjustment device includes at least one Peltier effect device.

5. The power system of claim 1 wherein the control circuit causes electrical power generated by the traction electric motor to be supplied to the temperature adjustment device via the main electrical energy storage device.

6. The power system of claim 1, further comprising:

an auxiliary electrical energy storage device, wherein the control circuit causes electrical power generated by the traction electric motor to be supplied to the temperature adjustment device via the auxiliary electrical energy storage device.

7. The power system of claim 1 wherein the control circuit causes electrical power generated by the traction electric motor to be supplied directly to the temperature adjustment device without any intermediary electrical energy storage devices.

8. The power system of claim 1 wherein the control circuit includes at least one temperature sensor positioned to sense temperature at least proximate the main electrical energy storage device, and wherein the control circuit controls the electrical power supplied to the at least one temperature adjustment device based at least in part on the sensed temperature.

9. The power system of claim 1 wherein the control circuit includes at least one of a voltage sensor or a current sensor coupled to sense at least one electrical characteristic of the main electrical energy storage device, wherein the control circuit controls the electrical power supplied to the at least one temperature adjustment device based at least in part on the at least one sensed electrical characteristic of the main electrical energy storage device.

10. The power system of claim 1 wherein the control circuit includes at least one of a voltage sensor or a current sensor coupled to sense at least one electrical characteristic of the traction electric motor, wherein the control circuit controls the electrical power supplied to the at least one temperature adjustment device based at least in part on the at least one sensed electrical characteristic of the traction electric motor.

11. The power system of claim 1 wherein the control circuit includes a rotation sensor coupled to sense a rate of rotation of a drive shaft of the traction electric motor, wherein the control circuit controls the electrical power supplied to the at least one temperature adjustment device based at least in part on the sensed rate of rotation of the traction electric motor.

12. The power system of claim 1 wherein the control circuit includes a temperature sensor positioned to sense a temperature at least proximate the traction electric motor, wherein the control circuit controls the electrical power supplied to the at least one temperature adjustment device based at least in part on the sensed temperature at least proximate the traction electric motor.

13. The power system of claim 1 wherein the control circuit includes a rectifier coupled to rectify an alternating current (AC) produced by the fraction electric motor when operating in the braking mode into a direct current (DC).

14. The power system of claim 13 wherein the control circuit includes at least one DC/DC converter electrically coupled to the at least one temperature adjustment device and operable to change a voltage level of electrical power transferred between the at least one temperature adjustment device and at least one other component of the power system.

15. The power system of claim 14 wherein the control circuit includes at least one temperature sensor positioned to sense a temperature at least proximate at least one of the rectifier or the DC/DC converter, wherein the control circuit controls the electrical power supplied to the at least one temperature adjustment device based at least in part on the sensed temperate at least proximate at least one of the rectifier or the DC/DC converter.

16. The power system of claim 1 wherein a first one of the at least one temperature adjustment devices is positioned and operable to adjust a temperature at least proximate one of the rectifier, the DC/DC converter, or the control circuit.

17. The power system of claim 1, further comprising:

a thermal dissipation resistor selectively electrically coupled to dissipate as heat, electrical energy generated by the traction electric motor in response to the generated electrical energy approaching a rated power of the at least one temperature adjustment device.

18. A method of operating a power system for a vehicle having a traction electric motor, the method comprising:

supplying electrical power from a main electrical energy storage device to the traction electrical motor of the vehicle in a drive mode;

generating electrical power by the traction electric motor that operates regeneratively in a braking mode;

determining a rate at which a temperature adjustment device shout be operated;

causing the temperature adjustment device to operate at the determined rate by supplying electrical power generated by the traction electric motor to the temperature adjustment device; and

adjusting a temperature of at least the main electrical energy storage device by the temperature adjustment device in response to the supply of power thereto.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein supplying electrical power from a main electrical energy storage device to the traction electrical motor includes supplying electrical power from at least one secondary chemical battery cell.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein supplying electrical power generated by the traction electric motor to a temperature adjustment device includes supplying electrical power to at least one Peltier effect device.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein supplying electrical power generated by the traction electric motor to a temperature adjustment device includes supplying the electrical power via the main electrical energy storage device.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein supplying electrical power generated by the traction electric motor to a temperature adjustment device includes supplying the electrical power via an auxiliary electrical energy storage device, different from the main electrical energy storage device which supplies power to the traction electric motor.

23. The method of claim 18 wherein supplying electrical power generated by the traction electric motor to a temperature adjustment device includes supplying the electrical power directly to the temperature adjustment device without any intermediary electrical energy storage devices.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving signals indicative of sensed temperature from at least one temperature sensor positioned to sense temperature at least proximate the main electrical energy storage device, and wherein the supplying electrical power to the at least one temperature adjustment device is based at least in part on the sensed temperature.

25. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving signals indicative of at least one sensed electrical characteristic of the main electrical energy storage device from at least one of a voltage sensor or a current sensor coupled to sense at least one electrical characteristic of the main electrical energy storage device, and wherein supplying electrical power to the at least one temperature adjustment device is based at least in part on the at least one sensed electrical characteristic of the main electrical energy storage device.

26. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving signals indicative of at least one sensed electrical characteristic of the traction electric motor from at least one of a voltage sensor or a current sensor coupled to sense at least one electrical characteristic of the traction electric motor, and wherein supplying electrical power to the at least one temperature adjustment device is based at least in part on the at least one sensed electrical characteristic of the traction electric motor.

27. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving signals indicative of a sensed rate of rotation of the traction electric motor from a rotation sensor coupled to sense a rate of rotation of a drive shaft of the traction electric motor, and wherein supplying electrical power to the at least one temperature adjustment device is based at least in part on the sensed rate of rotation of the traction electric motor.

28. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving signals indicative of a sensed temperate at least proximate the traction electric motor from a temperature sensor positioned to sense a temperature at least proximate the traction electric motor, and wherein supplying electrical power to the at least one temperature adjustment device is based at least in part on the sensed temperate at least proximate the traction electric motor.

29. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving signals indicative of a sensed temperature at least proximate a power converter, and wherein supplying electrical power to the at least one temperature adjustment device is based at least in part on the sensed temperature at least proximate the power converter to cool the power converter.

30. The method of claim 18, wherein causing the temperature adjustment device to operate at the determined rate by supplying electrical power generated by the traction electric motor to the temperature adjustment device comprises regulating the supply of electrical power to the temperature adjustment device.