US5842534A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Charge depletion control method and apparatus for hybrid powered vehicles
Assignee: University of California
•
Filing: 1997-11-03
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Granted: 1998-12-01
•
Expires: 2017-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A charge depletion method and apparatus for operating the electric motor and small auxiliary power unit, such as an internal combustion engine, in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) separately or together depending upon the driving conditions. Operation of the electric motor and auxiliary power unit are coordinated so that the vehicle operates as zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) or electric car at all speeds below a highway cruising threshold, unless the depth of discharge of the batteries exceeds a charge threshold in which case the vehicle operates in an HEV mode. Further, the vehicle operates in an HEV mode at speeds above the cruising threshold. The batteries are depleted during operation and are not charged by the auxiliary power unit, except during emergencies in which case the batteries are only charged enough to provide a performance enhancement to the small auxiliary power unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew A. Frank
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:37
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60L; B60L58/00; B60L58/10; B60L58/12; B60L58/14; B60K; B60K6/00; B60K6/20; B60K6/42; B60K6/48; B60K6/50; B60K6/54; B60L15/00; B60L15/20; B60L15/2009; B60L3/00; B60L3/0023; B60L3/0046; B60L50/00; B60L50/10; B60L50/16; B60L58/18; B60L58/21; B60L7/00; B60L7/10; B60L7/14; B60T; B60T13/00; B60T13/10; B60T13/58; B60T13/585; B60T13/586; B60T7/00; B60T7/02; B60T7/04; B60T7/042; B60W; B60W10/00; B60W10/02; B60W10/04; B60W10/06; B60W10/08; B60W10/10; B60W10/24; B60W10/26; B60W20/00; B60W20/10; B60W20/13; B60L2210/00; B60L2210/40; B60L2240/00; B60L2240/10; B60L2240/12; B60L2240/40; B60L2240/42; B60L2240/421; B60L2240/423; B60L2250/00; B60L2250/10; B60L2250/26; B60W2540/00; B60W2540/10; B60W2540/103; B60W2540/12; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/40; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/62; Y02T10/64; Y02T10/70; Y02T10/7072; Y02T10/72; Y10; Y10S; Y10S903/00; Y10S903/902; Y10S903/903; Y10S903/904; Y10S903/915; Y10S903/917; Y10S903/945; Y10S903/946
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of controlling the operation of a hybrid electric vehicle having an electric motor, a battery powering the electric motor, and an auxiliary power unit, comprising the steps of: (a) sensing the speed of the vehicle; (b) sensing the level of the depth of discharge of the battery; (c) at vehicle speeds above a threshold speed, activating the auxiliary power unit to power the vehicle and using the electric motor to supplement the auxiliary power unit when required; (d) at vehicle speeds below the threshold speed, deactivating the auxiliary power unit and using the electric motor to power the vehicle; and (e) automatically and dynamically adjusting the threshold speed as a function of said level of the depth of discharge.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of controlling the operation of a hybrid electric vehicle having an electric motor, a battery powering the electric motor, and an auxiliary power unit, comprising the steps of: (a) sensing the speed of the vehicle; (b) sensing the level of the depth of discharge of the battery; (c) at vehicle speeds above a threshold speed, activating the auxiliary power unit to power the vehicle and using the electric motor to supplement the auxiliary power unit when required; (d) at vehicle speeds below the threshold speed, deactivating the auxiliary power unit and using the electric motor to power the vehicle; and (e) automatically and dynamically adjusting the threshold speed as a function of said level of the depth of discharge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of discharging the battery by operation of the electric motor and charging the battery from the auxiliary power unit when said battery is substantially depleted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of charging the battery during regenerative braking of the electric motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said battery is never recharged by said auxiliary power unit during operation of said vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said battery is charge depleted during operation of said vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said threshold speed is dynamically reduced as the depth of discharge increases.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of operating a hybrid electric vehicle having an electric motor, a battery powering the electric motor, and an auxiliary power unit, comprising the steps of: (a) sensing the speed of the vehicle; (b) sensing the level of the depth of discharge of the battery; (c) at vehicle speeds above a first threshold speed, activating the auxiliary power unit to power the vehicle and using the electric motor to supplement the auxiliary power unit when required; (d) at vehicle speeds below a second threshold speed, deactivating the auxiliary power unit and using the electric motor to power the vehicle; and (e) automatically and dynamically adjusting at least one of said first and second threshold speeds as a function of said level of the depth of discharge.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of operating a hybrid electric vehicle having an electric motor, a battery powering the electric motor, and an auxiliary power unit, comprising the steps of: (a) sensing the speed of the vehicle; (b) sensing the level of the depth of discharge of the battery; (c) at vehicle speeds above a first threshold speed, activating the auxiliary power unit to power the vehicle and using the electric motor to supplement the auxiliary power unit when required; (d) at vehicle speeds below a second threshold speed, deactivating the auxiliary power unit and using the electric motor to power the vehicle; and (e) automatically and dynamically adjusting at least one of said first and second threshold speeds as a function of said level of the depth of discharge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said first and second threshold speeds are the same and deactivation of said auxiliary power unit is delayed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said second threshold speed is lower than said first threshold speed, said first and second threshold speeds selected to reduce on/off cycling of said auxiliary power unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as recited in claim 7, further comprising the steps of discharging the battery by operation of the electric motor and charging the battery from the auxiliary power unit when said battery is substantially depleted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as recited in claim 7, further comprising the step of charging the battery during regenerative braking of the electric motor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said battery is never recharged by said auxiliary power unit during operation of said vehicle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said battery is charge depleted during operation of said vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said threshold speeds are dynamically reduced as the depth of discharge increases.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a hybrid powered vehicle having an electric motor, a battery powering said electric motor, and an auxiliary power unit, comprising: (a) means for sensing the speed of the vehicle; (b) means sensing the level of the depth of discharge of the battery; (c) means, at vehicle speeds above a threshold speed, for activating said auxiliary power unit to power said vehicle and for using said electric motor to supplement said auxiliary power unit when required; (e) means, at vehicle speeds below said threshold speed, for deactivating said auxiliary power unit and using said electric motor to power said vehicle; (f) means for automatically dynamically adjusting said threshold speed as a function of said level of the depth of discharge.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a hybrid powered vehicle having an electric motor, a battery powering said electric motor, and an auxiliary power unit, comprising: (a) means for sensing the speed of the vehicle; (b) means sensing the level of the depth of discharge of the battery; (c) means, at vehicle speeds above a threshold speed, for activating said auxiliary power unit to power said vehicle and for using said electric motor to supplement said auxiliary power unit when required; (e) means, at vehicle speeds below said threshold speed, for deactivating said auxiliary power unit and using said electric motor to power said vehicle; (f) means for automatically dynamically adjusting said threshold speed as a function of said level of the depth of discharge.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said battery is never recharged by said auxiliary power unit during operation of said vehicle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said battery is charge depleted.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said threshold speed is dynamically reduced as the depth of discharge increases.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
133 words
A control apparatus for a hybrid powered vehicle having an electric motor, a battery powering the electric motor, and an auxiliary power unit, comprising: (a) means for sensing the speed of the vehicle; (b) means for sensing the level of the depth of discharge of the battery; (c) means for, at vehicle speeds above a first threshold speeds activating the auxiliary power unit to power the vehicle and using the electric motor to supplement the auxiliary power unit when required; (d) means for, at vehicle speeds below a second threshold speed, deactivating the auxiliary power unit and using the electric motor to power the vehicle; (f) means for automatically and dynamically adjusting at least one of said first and second threshold speeds as a function of said level of the depth of discharge.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
133 words
A control apparatus for a hybrid powered vehicle having an electric motor, a battery powering the electric motor, and an auxiliary power unit, comprising: (a) means for sensing the speed of the vehicle; (b) means for sensing the level of the depth of discharge of the battery; (c) means for, at vehicle speeds above a first threshold speeds activating the auxiliary power unit to power the vehicle and using the electric motor to supplement the auxiliary power unit when required; (d) means for, at vehicle speeds below a second threshold speed, deactivating the auxiliary power unit and using the electric motor to power the vehicle; (f) means for automatically and dynamically adjusting at least one of said first and second threshold speeds as a function of said level of the depth of discharge.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 19, wherein said first and second threshold speeds are the same and deactivation of said auxiliary power unit is delayed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 19, wherein said second threshold speed is lower than said first threshold speed, said first and second threshold speeds selected to reduce on/of cycling of said auxiliary power unit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein said battery is never recharged by said auxiliary power unit during operation of said vehicle.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein said battery is charge depleted.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein said threshold speeds are dynamically reduced as the depth of discharge increases.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of controlling the operation of a hybrid electric vehicle having an electric motor, a battery powering the electric motor, and an auxiliary power unit, comprising the steps of: (a) charging the battery from a power source external to the vehicle; (b) sensing the speed of the vehicle; (c) sensing the level of the depth of discharge of the battery; (d) at vehicle speeds above a threshold speed, automatically activating the auxiliary power unit to power the vehicle and using the electric motor to supplement the auxiliary power unit when required; (e) at vehicle speeds below the threshold speed, automatically deactivating the auxiliary power unit and using the electric motor to power the vehicle until the battery charge is substantially depleted; and (f) recharging the battery from at least one of the following: (i) said auxiliary power unit; (ii) regenerative braking; and (iii) a power source external to the vehicle.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of controlling the operation of a hybrid electric vehicle having an electric motor, a battery powering the electric motor, and an auxiliary power unit, comprising the steps of: (a) charging the battery from a power source external to the vehicle; (b) sensing the speed of the vehicle; (c) sensing the level of the depth of discharge of the battery; (d) at vehicle speeds above a threshold speed, automatically activating the auxiliary power unit to power the vehicle and using the electric motor to supplement the auxiliary power unit when required; (e) at vehicle speeds below the threshold speed, automatically deactivating the auxiliary power unit and using the electric motor to power the vehicle until the battery charge is substantially depleted; and (f) recharging the battery from at least one of the following: (i) said auxiliary power unit; (ii) regenerative braking; and (iii) a power source external to the vehicle.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as recited in claim 25, wherein said threshold speed is dynamically adjusted as a function of depth of discharge of said battery.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as recited in claim 26, wherein said dynamic adjustment of the threshold speed is automatic.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 26, wherein said threshold speed is dynamically reduced as the depth of discharge increases.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as recited in claim 28, wherein the dynamic reduction of said threshold speed is automatic.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of controlling the operation of a hybrid electric vehicle having an electric motor, a battery powering the electric motor, and an auxiliary power unit, comprising the steps of: (a) sensing the speed of the vehicle; (b) sensing the level of the depth of discharge of the battery; (c) at vehicle speeds above a threshold speed, activating the auxiliary power unit to power the vehicle and using the electric motor to supplement the auxiliary power unit when required; (d) at vehicle speeds below the threshold speed, deactivating the auxiliary power unit and using the electric motor to power the vehicle; (e) automatically and dynamically reducing the threshold speed as the depth of discharge increases, wherein the charge on said battery is depleted by operation of said electric motor; and (f) recharging the battery under a condition selected from the group comprising: (i) when said battery is in a substantially depleted state; (ii) when said battery is in a fully depleted state.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of controlling the operation of a hybrid electric vehicle having an electric motor, a battery powering the electric motor, and an auxiliary power unit, comprising the steps of: (a) sensing the speed of the vehicle; (b) sensing the level of the depth of discharge of the battery; (c) at vehicle speeds above a threshold speed, activating the auxiliary power unit to power the vehicle and using the electric motor to supplement the auxiliary power unit when required; (d) at vehicle speeds below the threshold speed, deactivating the auxiliary power unit and using the electric motor to power the vehicle; (e) automatically and dynamically reducing the threshold speed as the depth of discharge increases, wherein the charge on said battery is depleted by operation of said electric motor; and (f) recharging the battery under a condition selected from the group comprising: (i) when said battery is in a substantially depleted state; (ii) when said battery is in a fully depleted state.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as recited in claim 30, further comprising the step of recharging the battery from at least one of the following: (i) said auxiliary power unit; (ii) regenerative braking; and (iii) a power source external to the vehicle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-30 | 2002-06-01 | 2002-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-30 | 2006-06-01 | 2006-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-30 | 2010-06-01 | 2010-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |