Hybrid electric vehicle battery thermal management

• US 8,616,312 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2009
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Connolly, Thomas R., Kang, Xiaosong, Brunemann, George A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, HAU VAN
• Application Number:
  US12/549,790
• Publication Number:
  US 20110048823A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,586 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.2, 180/65.23, 180/65.25, 180/65.235, 180/65.245, 180/65.28, 180/65.29, 180/65.265
• US Class Current: 180/65.29
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/486 Operating parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/08 including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/13 in order to stay within battery power input or output limits; in order to prevent overcharging or battery depletion
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/1015 Input shaft speed, e.g. turbine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/907 Electricity storage, e.g. battery, capacitor

Abstract

A method of operating a vehicle powertrain system where the powertrain system includes a fuel controlled engine, an electric motor, and a battery, the fuel, controlled engine and the electric motor capable of powering the powertrain system. The powertrain system is capable of operating in a plurality of operational modes. The method includes detecting a current value representative of a current flowing through a portion of the battery, calculating a first value representative of the current over a predetermined amount of time, and de-rating at least one of the plurality of operational modes in response to the calculated first value.

Claims

1. A method of operating a vehicle powertrain system, the powertrain system including a fuel controlled engine, an electric motor, and a battery, the fuel controlled engine and the electric motor capable of powering the powertrain system, the powertrain system capable of operating in a plurality of operational modes, the method comprising:

detecting a current value representative of a current flowing through a portion of the battery;

calculating a first value representative of the current over a predetermined amount of time; and

de-rating at least one of the plurality of operational modes in response to the calculated first value;

determining a battery torque capability value based upon the first value;

wherein the de-rating of the at least one of the plurality of operational modes is based upon the battery torque capability value and wherein de-rating the at least one of the plurality of operational modes includes comparing the battery torque capability value to a first preselected limit for each operational mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein de-rating the at least one of the plurality of operational modes includes comparing the battery torque capability value to a second preselected limit for each operational mode.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein sequentially de-rating the plurality of operational modes includes sequentially rendering inoperable the plurality of operational modes in response to the battery torque capability value.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein de-rating at least one of the plurality of operational modes includes sequentially de-rating the plurality of operational modes in response to the battery torque capability value.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising prioritizing the plurality of operational modes in an order.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the plurality of operational modes are de-rated in accordance with the prioritized order of the plurality of operational modes, starting with the least important operational modes.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the de-rating of the plurality of operational modes includes rendering inoperable the plurality of operational modes in accordance with the prioritized order of the plurality of operational modes.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein de-rating at least one of the plurality of operational modes includes reducing the performance capacity of the operational mode until the operational mode is rendered inoperable.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising de-rating at least a second of the plurality of operational modes in response to the calculated first value.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising prioritizing the plurality of operational modes in an order.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of operational modes are de-rated in accordance with the prioritized order of the plurality of operational modes, starting with the least important operational modes.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the de-rating of the plurality of operational modes includes rendering inoperable the plurality of operational modes in accordance with the prioritized order of the plurality of operational modes.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein de-rating at least one of the plurality of operational modes includes reducing the performance capacity of the operational mode until the operational mode is rendered inoperable.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising de-rating at least a second of the plurality of operational modes in response to the calculated first value.

15. A method of operating a vehicle powertrain system, the powertrain system including a fuel controlled engine, an electric motor and a battery, the fuel controlled engine and the electric motor capable of powering a drive train system, the powertrain system operating in a plurality of operational modes, the method comprising:

supplying torque from the motor to the powertrain system;

determining a first value representative of thermal energy associated with a current flow through a portion of the battery over a predetermined amount of time; and

de-rating at least one of the plurality of operational modes in response to the determined first value; and

determining a battery torque capability value based upon the determined first value;

wherein the de-rating of the at least one of the plurality of operational modes is based upon the battery torque capability value.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein de-rating the at least one of the plurality of operational modes includes comparing the battery torque capability value to a first preselected limit for each operational mode.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein de-rating the at least one of the plurality of operational modes includes comparing the battery torque capability value to a second preselected limit for each operational mode.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein de-rating at least one of the plurality of operational modes includes sequentially de-rating the plurality of operational modes in response to the battery torque capability value.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein sequentially de-rating the plurality of operational modes includes sequentially rendering inoperable the plurality of operational modes in response to the battery torque capability value.