US5215834A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Battery thermal control system and method
Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Co
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Filing: 1992-02-18
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Granted: 1993-06-01
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Expires: 2012-02-18
Abstract
Abstract A battery thermal control system and method is provided which selectively heats or cools a storage battery in accordance with the battery temperature and state of charge. The thermal control system includes a battery housing having an internal airspace between the battery and the housing which extends between two openings in the battery housing, a reversible fan configured to generate an airstream along the airspace, a temperature sensor mounted to detect the temperature of the battery, and a control circuit for monitoring battery temperature and voltage and for controlling the operation of the fan. Battery state of charge is approximated by measuring battery voltage and monitored to prevent excessive battery discharge by the thermal control system. When the battery voltage exceeds a predetermined voltage and the battery temperature is outside of a predetermined range of suitable operating and storage temperatures, the thermal control system operates the fan to heat or cool the battery, as needed.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael T. Reher
- 👤 Bradley N. Koeppel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:22
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/60; H01M10/62; H01M10/625; G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/36; G01R31/382; H01M10/61; H01M10/613; H01M10/615; H01M10/63; H01M10/637; H01M10/65; H01M10/656; H01M10/6561; B; B60; B60L; B60L2240/00; B60L2240/40; B60L2240/54; B60L2240/545; B60L2240/547; B60L2240/549; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A thermal control system for changing the temperature of a battery, comprising: a battery housing configured to hold the battery and having first and second openings, said housing having an air flow path extending between said first and second openings when the battery is placed in said housing, said first opening being disposed to receive air having a temperature sufficient to alter the temperature of the battery when the air is directed along said air flow path; air flow means for directing the air along said air flow path; sensor means for detecting the battery temperature; and control means responsive to said sensor means and the battery voltage for selectively operating said air flow means in accordance with said battery temperature detected by said sensor means and in response to said battery voltage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A thermal control system for changing the temperature of a battery, comprising: a battery housing configured to hold the battery and having first and second openings, said housing having an air flow path extending between said first and second openings when the battery is placed in said housing, said first opening being disposed to receive air having a temperature sufficient to alter the temperature of the battery when the air is directed along said air flow path; air flow means for directing the air along said air flow path; sensor means for detecting the battery temperature; and control means responsive to said sensor means and the battery voltage for selectively operating said air flow means in accordance with said battery temperature detected by said sensor means and in response to said battery voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 1 wherein said first opening is disposed to receive unheated air and said control means operates said air flow means to direct said unheated air into said first opening, along said air flow path, and out through said second opening in response to said battery temperature detected by said sensor means being above a first predetermined maximum temperature and said battery voltage exceeding a first predetermined voltage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 2 wherein said air flow means comprises a fan.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 2 wherein said air flow means comprises an air flow damper.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 2 wherein said control means terminates the operation of said air flow means in response to said battery voltage being less than a second predetermined voltage or said battery temperature detected by said sensor means being less than a second predetermined maximum temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 2 further comprising a first conduit having one end connected to said first opening and the other end positioned to receive said unheated air.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 6 further comprising a second conduit having one end connected to said second opening and the other end positioned to discharge the air away from said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 1 wherein said first opening is disposed to receive heated air and said control means operates said air flow means to direct said heated air into said first opening, along said air flow path, and out through said second opening in response to said battery temperature detected by said sensor means being below a first predetermined minimum temperature and the voltage of the battery exceeding a first predetermined voltage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 8 wherein said air flow means comprises a fan.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 8 wherein said air flow means comprises an air flow damper.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 8 wherein said control means terminates the operation of said air flow means in response to said battery voltage being less than a second predetermined voltage or said battery temperature detected by said sensor means being greater than a second predetermined minimum temperature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 8 further comprising a first conduit having one end connected to said first opening and the other end positioned to receive said heated air.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 12 further comprising a second conduit having one end connected to said second opening and the other end positioned to discharge the air away from said housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
151 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 1 wherein said first opening is disposed to receive heated air, said second opening is disposed to receive unheated air, and said control means causes said air flow means to operate in a forward mode directing said heated air into said first opening, along said air flow path, and out through said second opening in response to said battery temperature detected by said sensor means being below a first predetermined minimum temperature and said battery voltage exceeding a first predetermined voltage, and wherein said control means causes said air flow means to operate in a reverse mode directing said unheated air into said second opening, along said air flow path, and out through said first opening in response to said battery temperature detected by said sensor means being above a first predetermined maximum temperature and said battery voltage exceeding said first predetermined voltage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
96 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 14 wherein said control means terminates said forward mode of said air flow means in response to said battery voltage being less than a second predetermined voltage or said battery temperature detected by said sensor means being greater than a second predetermined minimum temperature, and wherein said control means terminates said reverse mode of said air flow means in response to said battery voltage being less than said second predetermined voltage or said battery temperature detected by said sensor means being less than a second predetermined maximum temperature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 14 wherein said air flow means comprises a reversible fan.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 14 wherein said air flow means comprises an air flow damper.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 15 further comprising a first conduit having one end connected to said first opening and the other end positioned to receive said heated air.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 15 further comprising a second conduit having one end connected to said second opening and the other end positioned to receive said unheated air.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 15 wherein said air flow means is disposed proximate said first opening.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 15 wherein said air flow means is disposed proximate said second opening.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
136 words
A thermal control system for changing the temperature of an automotive storage battery, comprising: a battery housing having first and second openings and an air flow path extending between said first and second openings, said air flow path being formed by the battery and said housing when the battery is placed in said housing, said first opening being disposed to receive air having a temperature sufficient to alter the temperature of the battery when the air is forced along said air flow path; sensor means for detecting the battery temperature; air flow means for generating an airstream along said air flow path; and electronic control means for operating said air flow means in accordance with the said battery temperature detected by said sensor means and in response to the battery voltage exceeding a first predetermined voltage.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
136 words
A thermal control system for changing the temperature of an automotive storage battery, comprising: a battery housing having first and second openings and an air flow path extending between said first and second openings, said air flow path being formed by the battery and said housing when the battery is placed in said housing, said first opening being disposed to receive air having a temperature sufficient to alter the temperature of the battery when the air is forced along said air flow path; sensor means for detecting the battery temperature; air flow means for generating an airstream along said air flow path; and electronic control means for operating said air flow means in accordance with the said battery temperature detected by said sensor means and in response to the battery voltage exceeding a first predetermined voltage.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
50 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 22 wherein said electronic control means terminates the operation of said air flow means in response to said battery voltage being less than a second predetermined voltage or said battery temperature detected by said sensor means being within a given temperature range.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
86 words
A thermal control system as defined in claim 22 wherein said air flow means comprises a reversible fan and, in response to the said battery voltage exceeding said first predetermined voltage, said electronic control means operates said fan in a forward direction in response to said battery temperature detected by said sensor means being less than a first predetermined minimum temperature and in a reverse direction in response to the said battery temperature detected by said sensor means being greater than a first predetermined maximum temperature.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
45 words
A method of changing the temperature of a battery, comprising the steps of: sensing the voltage and temperature of the battery; and generating an airstream of air that impinges upon the battery in accordance with said battery temperature and in response to said battery voltage.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
45 words
A method of changing the temperature of a battery, comprising the steps of: sensing the voltage and temperature of the battery; and generating an airstream of air that impinges upon the battery in accordance with said battery temperature and in response to said battery voltage.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 25, wherein said air is unheated air and further comprising the step of generating said airstream of said unheated air that impinges upon the battery when the temperature of the battery is above a first predetermined maximum temperature and the voltage of the battery is greater than a first predetermined voltage, to thereby lower the temperature of the battery.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of maintaining said airstream until the temperature of the battery is below a second predetermined maximum temperature or the voltage of the battery is less than a second predetermined voltage.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 25 wherein said air is heated air and further comprising the step of generating an airstream of said heated air that impinges upon the battery when the temperature of the battery is below a first predetermined minimum temperature and the voltage of the battery is greater than a first predetermined voltage, to thereby raise the temperature of the battery.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of maintaining said airstream until the temperature of the battery is above a second predetermined minimum temperature or the voltage of the battery is less than a second predetermined voltage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4468440A
Cited
US5141826A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-05-31 | 1996-11-30 | 1997-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-31 | 2000-11-30 | 2001-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-31 | 2004-11-30 | 2005-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |