Centralized multi-zone cooling for increased battery efficiency
AssigneeTesla Motors, Inc.
InventorsDaniel Thomas Adams, David Frederick Lyons, Philip Wayne Luk, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Jeffrey Brian Straubel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for managing battery temperature is described. The system may include a cooling system which may include a fluid. A cabin circulation subsystem may be coupled to the cooling subsystem and may utilize the fluid for cabin cooling. A separate battery circulation subsystem may also may also be coupled to the cooling subsystem so that it may additionally utilize the fluid for battery cooling. A control may be present in order to regulate movement of the fluid to the cabin circulation subsystem and/or to the battery circulation subsystem.
Claims22
A system for managing battery temperature, comprising:
- a cooling subsystem including a fluid;
- a cabin circulation subsystem coupled to the cooling subsystem to utilize the fluid for cabin cooling;
- a battery circulation subsystem coupled to the cooling subsystem to utilize the fluid for battery cooling;
- and
- a control to regulate movement of the fluid to at least one of the cabin circulation subsystem and the battery circulation subsystem.
A method for cooling a battery, comprising:
- estimating the remaining operational time before depletion for the battery;
- allowing the battery temperature to rise;
- and
- requesting cooling for the battery to control the battery temperature rise to assure the battery is below a maximum allowable operating temperature threshold when it reaches depletion.
A system for cooling a battery, comprising:
- a cooling subsystem to provide cooling to at least two zones, one of the zones including the battery;
- a processor to estimate the remaining operational time before depletion for the battery;
- and
- a valve to regulate cooling of the zone including the battery, the valve controlled by the processor to cool the zone including the battery to maintain the battery is below a threshold temperature until the battery reaches depletion.
A method for cooling a battery, comprising:
- estimating the remaining operational time before depletion for the battery;
- allowing the battery temperature to rise;
- estimating the time before the battery temperature will rise above a threshold;
- and
- requesting cooling for the battery if the time before the battery temperature will exceed the threshold is less than the remaining operational time before depletion of the battery.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.