Energy storage system for electric or hybrid vehicle
First Claim
1. A battery load leveling system for an electrically powered system in which a battery is subject to intermittent high current loading, the electrically powered system including a first battery, a second, and a load coupled to the first and second batteries, said battery load leveling system comprising:
- a passive electrical energy storage device;
a unidirectional electrical conducting apparatus coupled to the passive storage device and to the load, and the unidirectional electrical coupling apparatus configured to conduct current only from the passive storage device to the load, and the passive storage device is in parallel with the first and second batteries to the load; and
a battery switching circuit that connects the first and second batteries in either a lower voltage parallel arrangement or a higher voltage series arrangement to allow a measurable terminal voltage of a circuit from the first and second batteries to the load to be switched from a first, higher voltage mode back and forth with a second lower voltage mode; and
when the battery switching circuit is in the second lower voltage mode, then the terminal voltage of the circuit from the first and second batteries to the load also is less than a measurable voltage of the passive storage device to the load, and the passive storage device responds to the battery switching circuit being in the second lower voltage mode by supplying electrical current to the load; and
further comprising a pre-charge circuit configured to charge said passive storage device using an external power source,wherein said external power source comprises a hybrid vehicle engine that charges said passive storage device through an electrical circuit with the drive configured to accept regenerative power from the load.
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Abstract
A battery load leveling system for an electrically powered system in which a battery is subject to intermittent high current loading, the system including a first battery, a second battery, and a load coupled to the batteries. The system includes a passive storage device, a unidirectional conducting apparatus coupled in series electrical circuit with the passive storage device and poled to conduct current from the passive storage device to the load, the series electrical circuit coupled in parallel with the battery such that the passive storage device provides current to the load when the battery terminal voltage is less than voltage on the passive storage device, and a battery switching circuit that connects the first and second batteries in either a lower voltage parallel arrangement or a higher voltage series arrangement.
64 Citations
58 Claims
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1. A battery load leveling system for an electrically powered system in which a battery is subject to intermittent high current loading, the electrically powered system including a first battery, a second, and a load coupled to the first and second batteries, said battery load leveling system comprising:
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a passive electrical energy storage device; a unidirectional electrical conducting apparatus coupled to the passive storage device and to the load, and the unidirectional electrical coupling apparatus configured to conduct current only from the passive storage device to the load, and the passive storage device is in parallel with the first and second batteries to the load; and a battery switching circuit that connects the first and second batteries in either a lower voltage parallel arrangement or a higher voltage series arrangement to allow a measurable terminal voltage of a circuit from the first and second batteries to the load to be switched from a first, higher voltage mode back and forth with a second lower voltage mode; and when the battery switching circuit is in the second lower voltage mode, then the terminal voltage of the circuit from the first and second batteries to the load also is less than a measurable voltage of the passive storage device to the load, and the passive storage device responds to the battery switching circuit being in the second lower voltage mode by supplying electrical current to the load; and further comprising a pre-charge circuit configured to charge said passive storage device using an external power source, wherein said external power source comprises a hybrid vehicle engine that charges said passive storage device through an electrical circuit with the drive configured to accept regenerative power from the load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A battery load leveling system for an electrically powered system in which a battery is subject to intermittent high current loading, the electrically powered system including a first battery, a second, and a load coupled to the first and second batteries, said battery load leveling system comprising:
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a passive electrical energy storage device; a unidirectional electrical conducting apparatus coupled to the passive storage device and to the load, and the unidirectional electrical coupling apparatus configured to conduct current only from the passive storage device to the load, and the passive storage device is in parallel with the first and second batteries to the load; and a battery switching circuit that connects the first and second batteries in either a lower voltage parallel arrangement or a higher voltage series arrangement to allow a measurable terminal voltage of a circuit from the first and second batteries to the load to be switched from a first, higher voltage mode back and forth with a second lower voltage mode; and when the battery switching circuit is in the second lower voltage mode, then the terminal voltage of the circuit from the first and second batteries to the load also is less than a measurable voltage of the passive storage device to the load, and the passive storage device responds to the battery switching circuit being in the second lower voltage mode by supplying electrical current to the load; and further comprising a pre-charge circuit configured to charge said passive storage device using an external power source, wherein said pre-charge circuit is configured to accept regenerative power from the load using a semiconductor switch. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A battery load leveling system for an electrically powered system in which a battery is subject to intermittent high current loading, the electrically powered system including a first battery, a second, and a load coupled to the first and second batteries, said battery load leveling system comprising:
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a passive electrical energy storage device; a unidirectional electrical conducting apparatus coupled to the passive storage device and to the load, and the unidirectional electrical coupling apparatus configured to conduct current only from the passive storage device to the load, and the passive storage device is in parallel with the first and second batteries to the load; and a battery switching circuit that connects the first and second batteries in either a lower voltage parallel arrangement or a higher voltage series arrangement to allow a measurable terminal voltage of a circuit from the first and second batteries to the load to be switched from a first, higher voltage mode back and forth with a second lower voltage mode; and when the battery switching circuit is in the second lower voltage mode, then the terminal voltage of the circuit from the first and second batteries to the load also is less than a measurable voltage of the passive storage device to the load, and the passive storage device responds to the battery switching circuit being in the second lower voltage mode by supplying electrical current to the load; and further comprising a pre-charge circuit configured to charge said passive storage device using an external power source, wherein said external power source comprises said first and second batteries, said battery switching circuit configured to couple said first and second batteries in either a lower voltage parallel arrangement or a higher voltage series arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A battery load leveling system for an electrically powered system in which a battery is subject to an intermittent high current loading, the system including a first battery, a second battery, and a load coupled to the first and second batteries, the system comprising:
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a passive storage device; a unidirectional conducting apparatus coupled in a series circuit with the passive storage device and poled to conduct current from the passive storage device to the load, the series circuit coupled in parallel with the first and second batteries; a battery switching circuit that connects the first and second batteries in a lower voltage parallel arrangement and a higher voltage series arrangement; a controller configured to automatically switch the first and second batteries between the lower voltage parallel arrangement and the higher voltage series arrangement; and a contactor in series with at least one of the first and second batteries. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A battery load leveling system for an electrically powered system in which a battery is subject to an intermittent high current loading, the system including a first battery, a second battery, and a load coupled to the first and second batteries, the system comprising:
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a passive storage device; a unidirectional conducting apparatus coupled in a series circuit with the passive storage device and poled to conduct current from the passive storage device to the load, the series circuit coupled in parallel with the first and second batteries; a battery switching circuit that connects the first and second batteries in a lower voltage parallel arrangement and a higher voltage series arrangement; and a controller configured to automatically switch the first and second batteries between the lower voltage parallel arrangement and the higher voltage series arrangement; wherein the battery switching circuit is free of a mechanical switching device; and wherein the controller is configured to switch between the lower voltage parallel arrangement and the higher voltage series arrangement based on one of a vehicle speed, a motor torque, and a motor speed. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43)
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44. A battery load leveling system for an electrically powered system in which a battery is subject to an intermittent high current loading, the system including a first battery, a second battery, and a load coupled to the first and second batteries, the system comprising:
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a passive storage device coupled in parallel with the first and second batteries; a battery switching circuit that connects the first and second batteries in a lower voltage parallel arrangement and a higher voltage series arrangement, wherein the battery switching circuit comprises at least one silicon controlled rectifier; and a controller coupled to the battery switching circuit, the controller configured to connect the first and second batteries in either a lower voltage parallel arrangement or a higher voltage series arrangement based on at least one of a motor speed, a torque command, a passive storage device voltage, and a battery unit voltage. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46)
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47. A battery load leveling system for an electrically powered system in which a battery is subject to an intermittent high current loading, the system including a first battery, a second battery, and a load coupled to the first and second batteries, the system comprising:
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a passive storage device; a unidirectional conducting apparatus coupled in a series circuit with the passive storage device and poled to conduct current from the passive storage device to the load, the series circuit coupled in parallel with the first and second batteries; a battery switching circuit that connects the first and second batteries in a lower voltage parallel arrangement and a higher voltage series arrangement; and a controller configured to automatically switch the first and second batteries between the lower voltage parallel arrangement and the higher voltage series arrangement; wherein the controller is configured to implement a time delay to enable a parallel mode contactor to be opened prior to a series mode contactor being closed.
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48. A battery load leveling system for an electrically powered system in which a battery is subject to an intermittent high current loading, the system including a first battery, a second battery, and a load coupled to the first and second batteries, the system comprising:
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a passive storage device; a unidirectional conducting apparatus coupled in a series circuit with the passive storage device and poled to conduct current from the passive storage device to the load, the series circuit coupled in parallel with the first and second batteries; a battery switching circuit that connects the first and second batteries in a lower voltage parallel arrangement and a higher voltage series arrangement; and a controller configured to automatically switch the first and second batteries between the lower voltage parallel arrangement and the higher voltage series arrangement; wherein the controller is configured to switch between the lower voltage parallel arrangement and the higher voltage series arrangement based on one of a vehicle speed, a motor torque, and a motor speed.
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49. A battery load leveling system for an electrically powered system in which a battery is subject to an intermittent high current loading, the system including a first battery, a second battery, and a load coupled to the first and second batteries, the system comprising:
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a passive storage device; a unidirectional conducting apparatus coupled in a series circuit with the passive storage device and poled to conduct current from the passive storage device to the load, the series circuit coupled in parallel with the first and second batteries; a battery switching circuit that connects the first and second batteries in a lower voltage parallel arrangement and a higher voltage series arrangement; a controller configured to automatically switch the first and second batteries between the lower voltage parallel arrangement and the higher voltage series arrangement; and a switch that couples the load to the series circuit; wherein the controller is configured to activate the switch such that current flows from the load, when the electrically powered system is operated in a regenerative braking mode, to the passive storage device, such that a voltage across the passive storage device is greater than a voltage across a parallel arrangement of the first and second batteries.
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50. A battery load leveling system for an electrically powered system in which a battery is subject to an intermittent high current loading, the system including a first battery, a second battery, and a load coupled to the first and second batteries, the system comprising:
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a passive storage device; a unidirectional conducting apparatus coupled in a series circuit with the passive storage device and poled to conduct current from the passive storage device to the load, the series circuit coupled in parallel with the first and second batteries; a battery switching circuit that connects the first and second batteries in a lower voltage parallel arrangement and a higher voltage series arrangement; a controller configured to automatically switch the first and second batteries between the lower voltage parallel arrangement and the higher voltage series arrangement; and a main contactor coupled between the first and second batteries and the load, wherein the controller operates the main contactor based on a voltage difference between a voltage on the parallel battery arrangement and a voltage on the passive storage device. - View Dependent Claims (51)
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52. A battery load leveling system for an electrically powered system in which a battery is subject to an intermittent high current loading, the system including a first battery, a second battery, and a load coupled to the first and second batteries, the system comprising:
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a passive storage device; a unidirectional conducting apparatus coupled in a series circuit with the passive storage device and poled to conduct current from the passive storage device to the load, the series circuit coupled in parallel with the first and second batteries; a battery switching circuit that connects the first and second batteries in a lower voltage parallel arrangement and a higher voltage series arrangement; and a controller configured to automatically switch the first and second batteries between the lower voltage parallel arrangement and the higher voltage series arrangement; wherein the controller is configured to maintain the parallel arrangement of the first and second batteries during a regenerative braking event of the electrically powered system based on a voltage level generated from the regenerative braking event.
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53. A battery load leveling system for an electrically powered system in which a battery is subject to an intermittent high current loading, the system including a first battery, a second battery, and a load coupled to the first and second batteries, the system comprising:
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a passive storage device; a unidirectional conducting apparatus coupled in a series circuit with the passive storage device and poled to conduct current from the passive storage device to the load, the series circuit coupled in parallel with the first and second batteries; a battery switching circuit that connects the first and second batteries in a lower voltage parallel arrangement and a higher voltage series arrangement; a controller configured to automatically switch the first and second batteries between the lower voltage parallel arrangement and the higher voltage series arrangement; and a pre-charge circuit configured to charge the passive storage device.
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54. A battery load leveling system for an electrically powered system in which a battery is subject to an intermittent high current loading, the system including a first battery, a second battery, and a load coupled to the first and second batteries, the system comprising:
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a passive storage device; a unidirectional conducting apparatus coupled in a series circuit with the passive storage device and poled to conduct current from the passive storage device to the load, the series circuit coupled in parallel with the first and second batteries; a battery switching circuit that connects the first and second batteries in a lower voltage parallel arrangement and a higher voltage series arrangement; and a controller configured to automatically switch the first and second batteries between the lower voltage parallel arrangement and the higher voltage series arrangement wherein the battery switching circuit is free of a mechanical switching device; and wherein the controller is configured to implement a time delay to enable a parallel mode operation of the battery switching circuit to be implemented prior to a series mode operation of the battery switching circuit being closed.
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55. A battery load leveling system for an electrically powered system in which a battery is subject to an intermittent high current loading, the system including a first battery, a second battery, and a load coupled to the first and second batteries, the system comprising:
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a passive storage device; a unidirectional conducting apparatus coupled in a series circuit with the passive storage device and poled to conduct current from the passive storage device to the load, the series circuit coupled in parallel with the first and second batteries; a battery switching circuit that connects the first and second batteries in a lower voltage parallel arrangement and a higher voltage series arrangement; a controller configured to automatically switch the first and second batteries between the lower voltage parallel arrangement and the higher voltage series arrangement; and a switch that couples the load to the series circuit; wherein the battery switching circuit is free of a mechanical switching device; and wherein the controller is configured to activate the switch such that current flows from the load, when the electrically powered system is operated in a regenerative braking mode, to the passive storage device, such that a voltage across the passive storage device is greater than a voltage across a parallel arrangement of the first and second batteries.
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56. A battery load leveling system for an electrically powered system in which a battery is subject to an intermittent high current loading, the system including a first battery, a second battery, and a load coupled to the first and second batteries, the system comprising:
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a passive storage device; a unidirectional conducting apparatus coupled in a series circuit with the passive storage device and poled to conduct current from the passive storage device to the load, the series circuit coupled in parallel with the first and second batteries; a battery switching circuit that connects the first and second batteries in a lower voltage parallel arrangement and a higher voltage series arrangement; a controller configured to automatically switch the first and second batteries between the lower voltage parallel arrangement and the higher voltage series arrangement; and a main contactor coupled between the first and second batteries and the load that is switchable based on a voltage difference between a voltage on the lower voltage parallel battery arrangement and a voltage on the passive storage device; wherein the battery switching circuit is free of a mechanical switching device. - View Dependent Claims (57)
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58. A battery load leveling system for an electrically powered system in which a battery is subject to an intermittent high current loading, the system including a first battery, a second battery, and a load coupled to the first and second batteries, the system comprising:
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a passive storage device; a unidirectional conducting apparatus coupled in a series circuit with the passive storage device and poled to conduct current from the passive storage device to the load, the series circuit coupled in parallel with the first and second batteries; a battery switching circuit that connects the first and second batteries in a lower voltage parallel arrangement and a higher voltage series arrangement; and a controller configured to automatically switch the first and second batteries between the lower voltage parallel arrangement and the higher voltage series arrangement; and wherein the battery switching circuit is free of a mechanical switching device; and wherein the controller is configured to maintain the lower voltage parallel arrangement of the first and second batteries during regenerative braking of the electrically powered system based on a voltage level generated from the regenerative braking.
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Specification