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
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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.
Claims18
A system for managing a battery within a vehicle, 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;
- a temperature sensor that monitors a battery temperature corresponding to the battery;
- and
- a processor to regulate operation of the cabin circulation subsystem and the battery circulation subsystem, wherein said processor estimates a remaining operational time before the battery reaches a state of depletion, wherein said processor estimates a time before said battery temperature reaches a threshold battery temperature, and wherein said processor prevents operation of said battery circulation subsystem if said remaining operational time is less than said time before said battery temperature reaches said threshold battery temperature.
A method for cooling a battery in a vehicle, comprising:
- monitoring a battery temperature corresponding to the battery;
- estimating a time before said battery temperature reaches a threshold battery temperature;
- estimating a remaining operational time before the battery reaches a state of depletion;
- comparing said remaining operational time with said time before said battery temperature reaches said threshold battery temperature;
- and
- preventing cooling for the battery if said remaining operational time is less than said time before said battery temperature reaches said threshold battery temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.