Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080300743 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A HYBRID POWERTRAIN SYSTEM - A control system for a hybrid powertrain determines operator demands, a powertrain operating state, and operating conditions based upon the inputs; selects an operating strategy based upon the operator demands, the powertrain operating state, and the operating conditions; determines a preferred powertrain operating state; and controls the powertrain to the preferred powertrain operating state based upon the selected operating strategy, the operator demands and the operating conditions. | 12-04-2008 |
20100274690 | METHOD TO FACILITATE OPPORTUNITY CHARGING OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A method for electrically charging a high-voltage battery of a subject vehicle includes resolving a geographic location of the subject vehicle at a remote charging site, electrically charging the high-voltage battery through a connection of the subject vehicle to an electric power outlet at the remote charging site, monitoring cumulative electric power flow to the high-voltage battery of the subject vehicle, communicating the cumulative electric power flow to a central server, and reconciling billing for the cumulative electric power flow between an owner of the subject vehicle and an owner of the remote charging site. | 10-28-2010 |
20100280675 | METHOD FOR MANAGING ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING LOADS ON A LOCAL ELECTRIC POWER INFRASTRUCTURE - A method for managing electrical charging of an electrical energy storage device for a subject vehicle using electric power originating from a stationary source of electrical power includes providing a database including respective geographic locations of a plurality of electric power distribution subsystems, receiving a request from the subject vehicle for electric charging power, resolving a geographic location of the subject vehicle to a subset of the plurality of electric power distribution subsystems, determining an electric power reserve capacity for each electric power distribution subsystem in the subset of the plurality of electric power distribution subsystems, and allocating a magnitude of electric power for charging the subject vehicle based upon the electric power reserve capacity for each electric power distribution subsystem in the subset of the plurality of electric power distribution subsystems. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280678 | METHOD TO RESOLVE A REMOTE ELECTRICAL OUTLET FOR AN ELECTRICALLY-POWERED VEHICLE - A method for operating a charging stall having a known geographic location configured to electrically charge an electrically-powered vehicle includes communicating a first message to a remote access server from a subject vehicle, the first message including geographic location information corresponding to the subject vehicle, detecting a presence of a parked vehicle at the charging stall with a monitoring system signally connected to a monitoring controller, communicating a second message to the remote access server from the monitoring controller, the second message comprising the detected presence of the parked vehicle at the charging stall, resolving that the parked vehicle at the charging stall comprises the subject vehicle based upon the first and second messages, and activating a power access control device at the charging stall to permit electric power flow through a corresponding electric power outlet. | 11-04-2010 |
20100280687 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING VEHICLE POWERTRAIN AND VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM - A method of controlling a vehicle powertrain and a corresponding vehicle control system are provided that enable operation in an electric-only operating mode for an extended range by adjusting the threshold minimum state of charge of the battery, i.e., the state of charge of the battery at which the engine will be started to allow the battery charge to be replenished, in accordance with vehicle location. The engine will also be started when the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of a long-term parking location. | 11-04-2010 |
20100286908 | ROUTE PLANNING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES - A navigation system includes a user-operable input device configured to receive a desired destination. A storage medium stores a map database that describes a road network comprising route segments. The map database includes, for each of the route segments, a respective attribute value and a respective energy cost. A processor is configured to analyze the route segments in the database in accordance with a predetermined optimization algorithm that considers both the attribute values and the energy costs of the route segments in order to select a combination of route segments from the database that interconnects a starting location and the destination. | 11-11-2010 |
20100286909 | ROUTE PLANNING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system for selecting a route from a starting location to a predetermined destination includes a vehicle having a battery, a data storage medium, and a processor. The data storage medium stores a map database that describes a road network defining a plurality of possible routes from the starting location to the predetermined destination. The processor is configured to determine whether any of the possible routes belong to a set of routes the vehicle can complete using only the energy in the battery. The processor is configured to select, of the routes belonging to the set, that route having an optimized value for the attribute. | 11-11-2010 |
20110212802 | HIGHLY CONFIGURABLE HYBRID POWERTRAIN AND CONTROL SYSTEM THEREFOR - A hybrid powertrain system for a vehicle includes an engine and a transmission. The transmission includes a transmission input member, first and second electric machines, first and second planetary gear sets, and a plurality of selectively engageable torque transfer devices enabling configuring the powertrain in variously to operate in electric drive, electrically variable, fixed gear and neutral charging operating states. | 09-01-2011 |
20110238257 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREDICTING VEHICLE ENERGY CONSUMPTION - A method is provided for generating projected vehicle energy consumption information for a second vehicle using statistical information describing a driving history of a driver of a first vehicle. Statistical information is determined from collected vehicle performance values while the driver operates the first vehicle, and is archived in at least one memory location. The archived statistical information is correlated with a vehicle specification describing a performance capability of the second vehicle. A message is processed that includes the projected vehicle energy consumption information for the second vehicle. A vehicle is provided for generating the projected vehicle energy consumption information, and includes at least one memory location, sensors for measuring vehicle performance values of the vehicle describing a driver history of the first vehicle, and a controller adapted for automatically determining the statistical information. A controller is also provided adapted for executing the method. | 09-29-2011 |
20110298640 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CALCULATING AND DISPLAYING TRAVEL RANGE INFORMATION - A display system for a vehicle includes a display screen and host machine operable for calculating a maximum theoretical range for a predetermined criterion, formulating a value function for each point in the maximum theoretical range, and calculating a solution to each of the value functions. The method also includes forming a polygon or a closed curve from the mathematical hull of all points in the maximum theoretical range having a value function solution less than corresponding limit, and displaying a perimeter of the closed curve via the display screen to indicate the effective range of the vehicle for the criterion. A vehicle includes an energy storage system, a motor/generator unit for propelling the vehicle in an electric-only (EV) mode, the display screen, and host machine, wherein the criterion is the EV mode. A method of operating the display system is also disclosed herein. | 12-08-2011 |
20110301830 | GEOMETRICALLY CONSTRAINING A TRAVEL ROUTE USING A NAVIGATION SYSTEM - A navigation system for use with a geospatial database includes a presentation device and a host machine in communication with the database. The host machine executes an algorithm to calculate a geometrically-constrained auxiliary travel route between a route origin and a route destination using mapping data from the geospatial database and a reference geometric path, wherein the auxiliary travel route is geometrically-constrained by minimizing a cost of deviating from the reference geometric path. The host machine then presents information describing the auxiliary travel route using the presentation device. The geometric path may be one of a straight line, an arc, and a set of road segments having a predetermined geometric feature. The cost of deviating includes at least one of a distance of deviating from the reference geometric path, and a number of crossings or switchbacks of the auxiliary travel route with respect to the reference geometric path. | 12-08-2011 |
20110320113 | GENERATING DRIVING ROUTE TRACES IN A NAVIGATION SYSTEM USING A PROBABILITY MODEL - A navigation system includes a display screen and a host machine operable for calculating and displaying a recommended travel route within a road network using a Markov or other probability model. The probability model statistically models a distribution pattern of speed or other actual driving behavior within a road network. An input device may record risk aversion of a user, with the host machine calculating the recommended travel route using the risk aversion. The host machine reduces the model to a single cost, and then uses the single cost in a Dijkstra algorithm or other costing function to calculate the recommended travel route. A method of operating the navigation system includes calculating the recommended travel route using a probability model, and displaying the recommended travel route via the display screen. The host machine may calculate the recommended travel route using risk aversion entered via an input device. | 12-29-2011 |
20120083948 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING MULTIPLE BATTERY PACKS IN A HYBRID OR ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A vehicle includes first and second battery packs having respective first and second banks of contactors. The packs are wired in electrical parallel. A propulsion system is driven using electrical power from the packs. A controller determines which pack has the highest state of charge (SOC), and balances the SOC of the packs by controlling an open/closed state of the contactors. Contactors open to disconnect the pack having the highest SOC, and close again when a voltage difference between the packs is approximately zero. A system for use in the vehicle includes the packs, contactors, and controller. A method for controlling power flow in the vehicle includes determining which pack has the highest SOC, opening designated contactors during a near zero current event to disconnect the battery pack having the highest SOC, and closing the designated contactors when a voltage difference between the packs is approximately zero. | 04-05-2012 |
20120158227 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAXIMIZING A DRIVING RANGE IN AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE HAVING AN AUXILIARY POWER UNIT - An electric vehicle maximizes an electric-only driving range. The vehicle includes a power source, an energy storage device, an auxiliary power unit (APU), and a controller. The power source propels the vehicle. The energy storage device supplies electricity to the power source. The APU supplies supplemental energy to the power source. The controller operates the vehicle in an electric-only driving mode to propel the vehicle and obtains a state of charge (SOC) of the energy storage device. The vehicle and at least one charging station are located. The controller determines a minimum required SOC of the energy storage device for the vehicle to reach at least one charging station. The controller activates the APU to operate the vehicle when the SOC of the energy storage device is below the minimum required SOC of the energy storage device for the vehicle to reach the location of at least one charging station. | 06-21-2012 |
20120158241 | Increasing Vehicle Range by Minimizing Trapped HVAC Energy - A method of increasing a range of a vehicle by decreasing trapped HVAC energy at an end of a trip. The method may include the steps of: determining a destination list based on locations where the vehicle may be parked in the future, the destination list accessible by a control module in the vehicle; determining HVAC reduction regions around each of the locations on the destination list, the HVAC reduction regions accessible by the control module; operating a HVAC system while the vehicle is moving; tracking the location of the vehicle relative to the locations on the destination list; and the control module automatically reducing the energy usage of the HVAC system when the vehicle enters one of the HVAC reduction regions. | 06-21-2012 |
20120179315 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING VEHICLE STATE INFORMATION FOR ROUTE MODELING - A vehicle includes a powertrain controller, an energy storage system (ESS), a traction motor, an electrical device such as an HVAC system and/or auxiliary system, and a navigation system. The navigation system generates a recommended eco-route or other travel route. The navigation system receives vehicle state information including a current powertrain state from the controller and a power load value from the device(s), including a state of charge of the ESS. The vehicle state information is used to select between a charge-depleting and a charge-sustaining costing model. The route is generated using the selected model, and then displayed. The navigation system includes a host machine which selects the model and generates the route, and a display screen for displaying the route. A method for generating the route includes receiving the current powertrain state and power load values, and using the state information to select between the charge-depleting and charge-sustaining models. | 07-12-2012 |
20120185118 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING A DRIVING ROUTE FOR A VEHICLE - A vehicle includes a power source, an energy storage device, a navigation system, and a controller. The power source is configured to drive the vehicle. The energy storage device is configured to supply energy to the power source. The navigation system includes a memory location. The controller is configured for determining an optimized route for the vehicle driving on a plurality of roads and road segments, as a function of powertrain limitations of the vehicle. The optimized rout for the vehicle may be presented to the driver of the vehicle on a visual display screen. | 07-19-2012 |
20120198875 | HVAC-APU SYSTEMS FOR BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLES - A HVAC-APU system is provided for a battery electric vehicle. The system includes, but is not limited to a refrigerant fluid. A power cycle loop section, a cabin heating cycle loop section, and a cabin refrigeration cycle loop section are in selective fluid communication with each other to advance the refrigerant fluid through the system. A compressor-expander train includes, but is not limited to a reversing compressor-expander and a high-pressure pump that are operably connected by a shaft. The high-pressure pump pressurizes the refrigerant fluid to form a high-pressure refrigerant fluid. An auxiliary fuel cell and combustion unit heats a heat transfer fluid. A heat exchanger transfers heat from the heated transfer fluid to the high-pressure refrigerant fluid to form a heated high-pressure refrigerant fluid. The reversing compressor-expander expands the heated high-pressure refrigerant fluid to rotate the shaft in a first direction to drive the high-pressure pump. | 08-09-2012 |
20120228076 | ELECTROMAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME - An electromagnetic (EM) clutch assembly includes input and output discs, a plunger, a control solenoid, and a controller. The input disc is connected to a rotatable input member, and defines an input face having a mechanical feature. The output disc is connected to a rotatable output member, and includes a bore wall defining a bore. The plunger is positioned at least partially within the bore. The controller transmits a time-varying electrical control signal to the solenoid to thereby resonate the plunger toward the input disc, and transmits a steady-state electrical control signal to capture the plunger in an engaged position. Rotation of the discs is controlled until the plunger encounters the mechanical feature, thereby placing the assembly in an engaged state. A vehicle having a transmission and the EM clutch assembly is also disclosed, as is a method for controlling the clutch assembly via the electrical control signals. | 09-13-2012 |
20120233077 | ELECTRIC CHARGING STATION RESERVATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method for reserving a vehicle charging station includes receiving a desired destination, and automatically verifying the availability of a designated station at an expected arrival time. The method further includes reserving the designated station when the designated station is available at the expected arrival time, and transmitting an electronic token to the client device. The token confirms the reservation and uniquely identifies the vehicle. A system for reserving the station includes a server in communication with the station, and with a client device configured for communicating a desired destination to the server. The server automatically verifies the availability of the designated charging station at an expected arrival time at the desired destination, reserves the designated station when it is available at the expected arrival time, and then generates and transmits the token to the client device. | 09-13-2012 |
20120234614 | ELECTRIC VEHICLE WITH RANGE-EXTENDING ENGINE AND CLIMATE CONTROL COMPRESSOR - A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a first motor disposed within the vehicle body, a second motor disposed within the vehicle body, and an engine removably disposed on the vehicle body and configured to selectively provide torque to the first motor when disposed on the vehicle body. A climate control compressor is disposed within the vehicle body and is selectively coupled to the first motor. A controller is configured to control the coupling of the climate control compressor to the first motor and to control the coupling of the engine to the first motor. The first motor is configured to generate electrical energy to operate the second motor when coupled to the engine. The controller is further configured to control operation of the engine. | 09-20-2012 |
20120249063 | INDUCTIVE CHARGING SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE - An electric vehicle includes a charging receiver unit. The charging receiver unit includes a plurality of core members, a plurality of biasing devices, and a receiver wire. The plurality of core members are disposed in spaced relationship to one another. Each of the plurality of core members is configured for alignment with a plurality of magnetic elements. The plurality of biasing devices longitudinally bias a respective one of the plurality of core members toward a respective one of the plurality of magnetic elements such that magnetic flux is transmitted between each of the plurality of magnetic elements and the respective one of the plurality of core members. The receiver wire is disposed in electrical communication with each of the plurality of core members. Magnetic flux in the plurality of core members induces electrical current in the receiver wire. | 10-04-2012 |
20120293116 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF FILLING AN AIR GAP BETWEEN A PAIR OF CORE SECTIONS OF A TRANSFORMER - An energy conversion system includes a first core section, a tank, a flexible structure, and an output coil. The tank contains a volume of fluid having a high magnetic permeability. The flexible structure is fluidly coupled to the tank and movable from a retracted to an extended position in response to the injection of the fluid from the tank. The output coil is in electrical communication with the first core section. A charging station includes a second core section and an input coil. The first and second core sections are in alignment to define an air gap therebetween. The air gap is reduced when the flexible structure is in the extended position within the air gap such that the flexible structure transmits magnetic flux between the second core section and the first core section. The magnetic flux in the first core section induces electrical current in the output coil. | 11-22-2012 |
20130024112 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING RECOMMENDED DRIVING ROUTES FOR AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A navigation system for a vehicle includes a display device and host machine. The host machine communicates with a map database containing information describing a geocoded road network. The network includes nodes each describing a point within the network, with some nodes describing charging waypoints. The host machine executes a method, including recording a destination, determining a remaining state of charge (SOC) of a battery, and calculating a remaining electric vehicle (EV) range of the vehicle using the remaining SOC for every node. The host machine generates a first recommended EV travel route to the destination using a shortest distance or travel time approach when the destination lies within the remaining EV range. The host machine generates a second recommended EV travel route to the destination through a charging waypoint(s) when the destination lies outside of the remaining EV range. The EV route is displayed via the display device. | 01-24-2013 |
20130038080 | STOWABLE UNDER-SEAT STORAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ORGANIZING A PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF A VEHICLE - A vehicle includes a seat moveable between a horizontal seating position and a vertical raised position. An under-seat space is defined between a floor surface of the vehicle and a bottom surface of the seat. A collapsible storage system is stowable under the seat, flat against the bottom surface of the seat when not needed for storage, and is positionable on the floor to define a lateral boundary wall to convert the under-seat space into an enclosed storage space. | 02-14-2013 |
20130041581 | COMMON POINT OF INTEREST ("POI") IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM - A system and method of determining a geographically reachable area is provided. A vehicle is in communication with a network. The network is in communication with at least one other vehicle. The method includes establishing communication between the vehicle and at least one other vehicle through the network. The method includes determining a travel range for the vehicle and a travel range for the at least one other vehicle. The method includes comparing the travel range for the at least one other vehicle with the travel range for the vehicle. The method includes determining where the travel range for the at least one other vehicle and the travel range for the vehicle overlap. The method further includes identifying the geographically reachable area by both the vehicle and the at least one other vehicle. | 02-14-2013 |
20130102162 | INTEGRATED STRUCTURAL AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR - An integrated electrical connector comprises one or more terminals housed within a connector body. The connector body is configured and arranged to structurally join an auxiliary component to a host vehicle to which the integrated electrical connector is mechanically fixed and electrically coupled. The connector body is configured to facilitate electrically coupling electrical circuitry of the auxiliary component to the host vehicle. The connector body is configured to facilitate transmission of information among the auxiliary component and the host vehicle. | 04-25-2013 |
20130151028 | MULTIPLE ENERGY ROUTING SYSTEM - Methods, systems, and automotive vehicles are provided for providing routing for an automotive vehicle from a first location to a second location. The automotive vehicle is configured to operate using a primary energy source and a secondary energy source. An energy indicator is configured to provide a measure of available energy from the primary energy source onboard the automotive vehicle. A processor is coupled to the energy indicator, and is configured to ascertain characteristics of a plurality of segments connecting the first location and the second location, and to select an optimized route between the first location and the second location using the measure of available energy and the characteristics of the plurality of segments. | 06-13-2013 |
20130226378 | METHOD TO TRIGGER ENGINE START OF A HYBRID VEHICLE BASED ON LOCAL TRAFFIC CONDITIONS - A method of operating a hybrid vehicle includes disengaging, i.e., turning off, an internal combustion engine when a brake pedal is disposed in a released position, i.e., non-depressed position, an accelerator pedal is disposed in a released position, i.e., non-depressed position, and a forward path of the hybrid vehicle is blocked, thereby conserving fuel. The method includes engaging, i.e., starting, the internal combustion engine when the brake pedal is disposed in the released position, the accelerator pedal is disposed in the released position, and the forward path of the hybrid vehicle is clear, thereby allowing for a quick launch of the vehicle. | 08-29-2013 |
20140074352 | PARK ASSIST SYSTEM - A park assist system for providing guidance to park a vehicle into a parking area is disclosed. The park assist system includes an imaging device, at least one indicator, and a control module. The imaging device acquires image data representative of a field of view (FOV). The indicator provides feedback to guide the vehicle into the parking area. The control module is in communication with the imaging device and the at least one indicator. The control module includes control logic for monitoring image data representative of the viewable area. The control module includes control logic for determining if a specific predetermined object is located within the FOV. The specific predetermined object indicates the presence of the parking area. The control module includes control logic for activating the at least one indicator to provide feedback regarding the parking area. | 03-13-2014 |
20140074391 | VEHICLE RANGE PROJECTION - Vehicle range projection is implemented by a host system having logic executable thereon. The logic identifies a starting location of a vehicle and identifies destination locations for the vehicle. The logic also builds routes from the starting location to the destination locations based on routing objectives and travel constraints. The logic further outputs at least a portion of at least one route and travel cost information associated with the at least a portion of at least one route. | 03-13-2014 |