Integrated power converter to support power outputs at different potential for vehicles with a heated catalyst
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsDavid Cox, Anthemios Philemon Petridis, David Hesketh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle includes a power converter that receives power, and has first and second outputs, a low voltage battery that receives power from the power converter via the first output, and a heating element that receives power from the power converter via the second output, and provides heat to a catalyst of an exhaust system. The vehicle also includes a controller that commands the converter to provide power to the heating element via the second output according to a temperature of the catalyst.
Claims17
A vehicle comprising:
- a power converter configured to receive power, and having first and second outputs;
- a low voltage battery configured to receive power from the power converter via the first output;
- a heating element configured to receive power from the power converter via the second output, and to provide heat to a catalyst of an exhaust system;
- and
- a controller programmed to command the converter to provide power to the heating element via the second output according to a temperature of the catalyst such that a value of the power provided to the heating element via the second output increases as the temperature decreases.
A method for controlling a vehicle power system, comprising:
- commanding a power converter to provide power to a low voltage battery via a first output and to provide power to a heating element of an exhaust system that includes a catalyst via a second output according to a temperature of the catalyst.
An automotive power system comprising:
- a high voltage electrical bus network configured to receive electrical energy from a generator in mechanical communication with an internal combustion engine, wherein the high voltage electrical bus network is in electrical communication with both a low voltage electrical bus network configured to charge a low voltage battery via a first output of a converter, and a secondary electrical bus network configured to provide electrical energy to a catalytic thermal regulator via a second output of the converter;
- a pump configured to receive electrical energy from one of the low voltage electrical bus network and high voltage electrical bus network, to pump coolant between the pump and a high voltage battery in electrical communication with the high voltage electrical bus network;
- and
- a controller programmed to,
- in response to a catalyst temperature being within a first predetermined range, command the converter to provide a first electrical parameter to the secondary bus, and
- in response to the catalyst temperature being within a second predetermined range, command the converter to provide a second electrical parameter to the secondary bus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.