US6518732B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for optimal battery usage in electric and hybrid vehicles
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 2001-03-26
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Granted: 2003-02-11
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Expires: 2021-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus (FIG. 1 ) for optimizing recharging of batteries ( 20 ) in an electric or hybrid vehicle that uses an electric motor ( 35 ) powered by the batteries ( 20 ) and having a regenerative system ( 10 ) that uses mechanical forces of the vehicle to generate current to recharge the batteries. The output of the regenerative system is controlled ( 15 and 35 ) to supply a maximum amount of current to recharge the batteries immediately after termination of a pulse or continuous discharge thereby to recapture a larger portion of the discharge current (FIG. 3 ) and the battery voltage is monitored ( 35 ) during recharge and the voltage is controlled ( 15 ) during charge so that it does not exceed a predetermined value at which battery gas evolution takes place (FIG. 2 ), thereby permitting the battery to be charged to a relatively high state of charge.
Inventors
- 👤 Thirumalai G. Palanisamy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 08:15
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60L; B60L50/00; B60L50/50; H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/14; B60L58/00; B60L58/10; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; H01M10/44; H02J7/1446; H02J7/90; H02J7/971; H02J7/973; H01M10/06; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/70; Y02T10/80; Y02T10/92
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for optimizing charging of a storage battery in an electric or hybrid vehicle having a motor that uses current from the battery and a regenerative current supply system, said method comprising the steps of: providing a recharging current to the battery from the regenerative system when the motor stops drawing current from the battery; monitoring at least one of the battery voltage and internal impedance to determine a gas evolution point when gas evolution occurs; and continuing the charging of the battery up to a point before the gas evolution point.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for optimizing charging of a storage battery in an electric or hybrid vehicle having a motor that uses current from the battery and a regenerative current supply system, said method comprising the steps of: providing a recharging current to the battery from the regenerative system when the motor stops drawing current from the battery; monitoring at least one of the battery voltage and internal impedance to determine a gas evolution point when gas evolution occurs; and continuing the charging of the battery up to a point before the gas evolution point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing the charging current includes supplying a maximum value of current consistent with system components and wiring and is carried out as soon as possible after the time that battery discharge stops.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising monitoring the battery voltage during charging and continuing charging with the battery voltage at a value below that at which gas evolution occurs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the battery is of the lead-acid type and further comprising the step of monitoring the battery voltage during charging and limiting the battery voltage to substantively between about 2.34 to 2.4 V/cell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of applying the charging current at a maximum value of current consistent with the system components and wiring and continuing charging with the battery voltage at a value below that at which gas evolution occurs.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for optimizing charging of a battery in an electric or hybrid vehicle, said system comprising: a regenerative element for producing current to recharge the battery from energy provided by a mechanical component of the vehicle; an electric motor connected to said battery and discharging current therefrom for operating the vehicle; and control means for sensing termination of a battery discharge and responsive to termination of battery discharge to activate said regenerative element and to supply current therefrom to recharge the battery, said control means including means for monitoring at least one of the battery voltage and impedance during recharging and responsive thereto for limiting the current recharge to a point before battery gas evolution occurs.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for optimizing charging of a battery in an electric or hybrid vehicle, said system comprising: a regenerative element for producing current to recharge the battery from energy provided by a mechanical component of the vehicle; an electric motor connected to said battery and discharging current therefrom for operating the vehicle; and control means for sensing termination of a battery discharge and responsive to termination of battery discharge to activate said regenerative element and to supply current therefrom to recharge the battery, said control means including means for monitoring at least one of the battery voltage and impedance during recharging and responsive thereto for limiting the current recharge to a point before battery gas evolution occurs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as in claim 6 wherein said control means comprises: a load controller connected between said regenerative element and said battery and operated to control the current supplied to said battery.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as in claim 7 wherein said control means further comprises: a micro-controller connected to receive data of the battery voltage, discharge current and charge current.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system as in claim 8 wherein said micro-controller is programmed with an algorithm that indicates the battery gas point and operates in response to the data acquired from said battery to control said load controller to maintain the battery voltage below a predetermined level during battery charging.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-02-10 | 2006-08-12 | 2007-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-02-10 | 2010-08-12 | 2011-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-02-10 | 2014-08-12 | 2015-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |