Telematic Method and Apparatus with Integrated Power Source

• US 20090312896A1
• Filed: 08/13/2009
• Published: 12/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dennis Fernandez
• Original Assignee: Dennis Fernandez
• Inventors: Fernandez, Dennis S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,221,356 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/00 Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of vehicles circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2045 for optimising the use of energy
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/622 by satellite navigation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/10 by alarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/30 by voice
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/30 for monitoring or controlling fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/33 by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/34 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/944 Characterized by control of fuel cell

Abstract

Telematic method and apparatus adaptively uses fuel cell power source in vehicle with integrated power system, electrical system, telematic system, and body/powertrain system. Telematic communications systems including internet, digital video broadcast entertainment, digital audio broadcast, digital multimedia broadcast, global positioning system navigation, safety services, intelligent transportation systems, and/or universal mobile telecommunications system. Network-accessible software enables integrated modular function for automated control and provision of fuel cell resources for telematic appliance and/or other vehicle electro-mechanical devices.

Claims

1. Electric vehicle power system comprising:

at least one lithium-ion battery; and

a traction motor;

wherein a controller causes electricity from one or more lithium-ion battery to be provided adaptively to the traction motor according to a predicted vehicle function proactively in response to sensed vehicle condition.

2. System of claim 1 wherein the controller causes the lithium-ion battery to be recharged programmably in an emergency vehicle having an on-board traffic-light controller that enables efficient travel during sensed emergency condition.

3. System of claim 1 further comprising a fuel cell stack or portable modular fuel cell comprising one or more phosphoric acid, proton exchange membrane, solid oxide, alkaline electrolyte or molten carbonate fuel cell, wherein the controller causes electricity from the fuel cell stack or portable modular fuel cell to be provided to the traction motor adaptively according to another predicted vehicle function proactively in response to another sensed vehicle condition.

4. System of claim 3 wherein controller software causes electricity from the lithium-ion battery to be provided to warm-up the fuel cell stack or portable modular fuel cell automatically in response to a thermometer that senses temperature condition of such fuel cell.

5. System of claim 3 wherein controller software monitors fuel flow and stops such flow automatically in response to an optical or magnetic sensor that senses fuel leak condition in or from the fuel cell stack or portable modular fuel cell.

6. System of claim 1 wherein controller software monitors vehicle driver or user automatically in response to a micro-electromechanical biosensor chip that senses biometric verification or authorization condition of such driver or user to enable operation of the traction motor or lithium-ion battery.

7. System of claim 1 wherein controller software enables vehicle situational awareness automatically in response to a radar sensor or camera that senses acceleration or deceleration of other nearby vehicle condition to enable active cruise control, lane departure warning, blind-spot detection, pre-crash sensing, or parking slot measurement or reversing aid.

8. System of claim 1 wherein the controller programmably couples electricity from the lithium-ion battery via an inverter or DC-DC converter to one or more mobile or wireless appliances to enable GPS, router telecommunication, or telematic multimedia service.

9. In an electric vehicle power system having at least one lithium-ion battery and a traction motor, an automated power management method comprising step:

providing by a controller electricity from one or more lithium-ion battery adaptively to the traction motor according to a predicted vehicle function proactively in response to sensed vehicle condition.

10. Method of claim 9 wherein the controller causes the lithium-ion battery to be recharged programmably in an emergency vehicle having an on-board traffic-light controller that enables efficient travel during sensed emergency condition.

11. Method of claim 9 wherein the controller causes electricity from a fuel cell stack or portable modular fuel cell, comprising one or more phosphoric acid, proton exchange membrane, solid oxide, alkaline electrolyte or molten carbonate fuel cell, to be provided to the traction motor adaptively according to another predicted vehicle function proactively in response to another sensed vehicle condition.

12. Method of claim 11 wherein controller software causes electricity from the lithium-ion battery to be provided to warm-up the fuel cell stack or portable modular fuel cell automatically in response to a thermometer that senses temperature condition of such fuel cell.

13. Method of claim 11 wherein controller software monitors fuel flow and stops such flow automatically in response to an optical or magnetic sensor that senses fuel leak condition in or from the fuel cell stack or portable modular fuel cell.

14. Method of claim 9 wherein controller software monitors vehicle driver or user automatically in response to a micro-electromechanical biosensor chip that senses biometric verification or authorization condition of such driver or user to enable operation of the traction motor or lithium-ion battery.

15. Method of claim 9 wherein controller software enables vehicle situational awareness automatically in response to a radar sensor or camera that senses acceleration or deceleration of nearby vehicle condition to enable active cruise control, lane departure warning, blind-spot detection, pre-crash sensing, or parking slot measurement or reversing aid.

16. Method of claim 9 wherein the controller programmably couples electricity from the lithium-ion battery via an inverter or DC-DC converter to one or more mobile or wireless appliances to enable GPS, router telecommunication, or telematic multimedia service.