System and method for configuration and management of an energy storage system for a vehicle

• US 9,056,556 B1
• Filed: 02/25/2014
• Issued: 06/16/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Tuckerman, David B., Weaver, Thomas Allan, Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): To, Tuan C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hilgendorf, Dale W
• Application Number:
  US14/188,890
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 701/123, 701/22, 701/29.1, 701/29.3, 701/29.6, 701/31.4, 701/34.4
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/70 Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/72 Charging station selection relying on external data
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/54 Energy consumption estimation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/10 for monitoring or controlling batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/19 Switching between serial connection and parallel connection of battery modules
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/20 having different nominal voltages
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/21 having the same nominal voltage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A system and method for management of an energy storage system for a vehicle is disclosed. The energy storage system may comprise a battery system for a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or hybrid-electric vehicle. Vehicles may be in a group or fleet. The management system may be configured to use data and information available from data sources over a network or by instrumentation/sensors for vehicle systems. Data and information could be used in a system to manage the configuration and operation of the energy storage system and components, manage/control inventory and use/life-cycle of components, and/or aggregated/analyzed in analytics function for system and components. Predictive control of the battery system may be implemented through a management system using data sources external to the vehicle. Inventive concepts and features of the systems and methods are indicated in the specification and FIGURES.

Claims

1. A system for configuration of an energy storage system of a vehicle having vehicle systems including the energy storage system which comprises interchangeable components comprising:

(a) a computing system configured to determine a recommended configuration for the energy storage system;

(b) connectivity by the computing system with an interface to report the recommended configuration for the energy storage system;

(c) connectivity by the computing system to at least one data source on the vehicle providing data relating to the vehicle and the energy storage system;

(d) a predictive controller configured to predict conditions of operation of the vehicle and further configured to manage operation of the energy storage system based on the predicted conditions of operation, wherein the predictive controller is in communication with the computing system;

wherein the computing system is configured to use data from data sources to determine the recommended configuration of interchangeable components of the energy storage system based on considerations including objectives and the predicted conditions of operation of the vehicle; and

wherein data from data sources available to the computing system for configuration of the energy storage system of the vehicle comprise at least data relating to (a) the vehicle, (b) a duty to be performed by the vehicle, (c) conditions of operation of the vehicle, and (d) components of the energy storage system;

wherein data relating to a component of the energy storage system comprises at least data relating to (a) identity of the component;

(b) type of the component;

(c) status of the component;

so that configuration of the energy storage system of the vehicle is based on data and information available from data sources including at least one data source on the vehicle; and

wherein the recommended configuration of interchangeable components of the energy storage system includes instructions for including at least two different specific interchangeable components with different performance characteristics in the energy storage system.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein data from the data sources available to the computing system for configuration of the energy storage system comprises at least data from components of the energy storage system.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising connectivity by the computing system to at least one data source external to the vehicle providing data for configuration of the energy storage system of a vehicle.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the configuration of the energy storage system is based on data and information available from connectivity to data sources external to the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a management system for the energy storage system so that performance of the vehicle and the energy storage system in operation of the duty can be managed according to a management plan and the conditions of operation.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein data relating to components comprises at least data relating to (d) history of the component.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the data relating to interchangeable components comprises data relating to interchangeable components available to be installed in the energy storage system for the recommended configuration.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the predicted conditions comprise operating conditions of the vehicle in the duty.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the predicted conditions comprise environmental conditions in which the vehicle is expected to be operated.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the energy storage system comprises at least one modular component, and wherein the data sources comprise a data model for the component stored on memory associated with the component.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the computing system is configured to provide a signal to a controller for the energy storage system to manage use of energy by vehicle systems.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the energy storage system comprises at least two packs each comprising at least one interchangeable component.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the energy storage system comprises at least two interchangeable components.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein objectives for the recommended configuration of the energy storage system comprise at least one of

energy efficiency;

total operating cost;

energy availability;

emissions; and

extending component life.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the predictive controller is configured to predict the conditions of operation of the vehicle based on at least one of a driver identity, an anticipated duty of the vehicle, an anticipated use of the vehicle, a location of the vehicle, a route of the vehicle, a time of day, traffic conditions, weather conditions, an operation regulation, an operation restriction, local fuel availability information, local fuel cost information, grade information corresponding to a route, and/or topographical information.

16. A system for configuration of a battery system of a vehicle having vehicle systems including the battery system which comprises interchangeable battery modules comprising:

(a) a computing system configured to determine a recommended configuration for the battery system;

(b) connectivity by the computing system with an interface to report the recommended configuration for the battery system;

(c) connectivity by the computing system to at least one data source on the vehicle providing data relating to the vehicle and the battery system;

(d) a predictive controller configured to predict conditions of operation of the vehicle and further configured to manage operation of the battery system based on the predicted conditions of operation, wherein the predictive controller is in communication with the computing system;

wherein the computing system is configured to use data from data sources to determine the recommended configuration of interchangeable battery modules of the battery system based on considerations including objectives and the predicted conditions of operation of the vehicle; and

wherein data from data sources available to the computing system for configuration of the battery system of the vehicle comprise at least data relating to (a) the vehicle, (b) a duty to be performed by the vehicle, (c) conditions of operation of the vehicle, and (d) battery modules of the battery system;

wherein data relating to a battery module of the battery system comprises at least data relating to (a) identity of the battery module;

(b) type of the battery module;

(c) status of the battery module;

so that configuration of the battery system of the vehicle is based on data and information available from data sources including at least one data source on the vehicle; and

wherein the recommended configuration of interchangeable battery modules of the battery system includes instructions for including at least two different specific interchangeable battery modules with different performance characteristics in the battery system.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the predictive controller is configured to predict the conditions of operation of the vehicle based on at least one of a driver identity, an anticipated duty of the vehicle, an anticipated use of the vehicle, a location of the vehicle, a route of the vehicle, a time of day, traffic conditions, weather conditions, an operation regulation, an operation restriction, local fuel availability information, local fuel cost information, grade information corresponding to a route, and/or topographical information.

18. A method of configuring a battery system in a vehicle having vehicle systems, the battery system having battery modules, the method comprising:

(a) obtaining, by a processor, data relating to the vehicle in data categories from data sources;

(b) determining a route and duty;

(c) determining, using the processor, the configuration of vehicle systems;

(d) evaluating, using a predictive controller, data to predict anticipated conditions for the route and duty, wherein the predictive controller is in communication with the processor and is configured to manage operation of the battery system based on the predicted anticipated conditions;

(e) determining, using the processor, a recommended configuration of the battery system based on data for operation of the vehicle and vehicle systems including at least the predicted anticipated conditions;

wherein the recommended configuration comprises instructions regarding the type and number of at least two different battery modules to be installed in the battery system of the vehicle.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein further comprising the steps of:

configuring the battery system of the vehicle;

operating the vehicle; and

monitoring, using the processor, the operation of the vehicle.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of reconfiguring the vehicle.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein further comprising the steps of (e1) comparing, using the processor, route and duty information with a set of recommended uses of the battery module;

(e2) determining the recommended configuration of the battery system based on the recommended use of the battery module.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein the battery system comprises a battery pack comprising a set of battery modules, and wherein the data sources comprise a data model of anticipated performance of each battery module.

23. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of providing a report and recommendation for the battery system using the processor.

24. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of overriding the recommended configuration of the vehicle.

25. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of assessing a status of vehicle systems using the processor.

26. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of modifying the route or duty.

27. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of providing a modified plan for operation using the processor.

28. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of obtaining data from a network using a network connection.

29. An energy storage system for a vehicle comprising:

a pack comprising a set of interchangeable modules for energy storage, the pack configured to provide power to the vehicle;

wherein each module in the pack comprises;

an identifier; and

at least one specified characteristic;

wherein the pack can be selectively configured by selection and installation of at least two different individual modules that each provide a characteristic so that the pack provides a composite characteristic based on a combination of characteristics of each module in the set of modules,

wherein the characteristic includes at least one of a battery type, a phase of operation, a battery cell chemistry, a battery module cost or warranty information, and

wherein the energy system is configured to be coupled to a predictive controller and operate based on predicted conditions of operation determined by the predictive controller.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the predictive controller is configured to predict the conditions of operation based on at least one of a driver identity, an anticipated duty of the vehicle, an anticipated use of the vehicle, a location of the vehicle, a route of the vehicle, a time of day, traffic conditions, weather conditions, an operation regulation, an operation restriction, local fuel availability information, local fuel cost information, grade information corresponding to a route, and/or topographical information.