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US 8,552,682 B2Granted
Battery charging system for hybrid vehicles
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorMichael Potter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A user-operated switch is provided to enable an engine to operate a generator to charge a battery while the vehicle is parked.
Claims5
A battery charging system for a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
- a battery arranged to supply power to an electric motor;
- an engine capable of driving a generator to supply power to the battery;
- a controller arranged to automatically activate the engine in response to a charge state level of the battery;
- a switching element that activates the engine to charge the battery;
- and
- an interlock device that prevents an actuation of the engine by the switching element operation of the hybrid vehicle when the electric motor is on and the hybrid vehicle is non-stationary, and prevents an activation of the engine unless the electric motor is off and the hybrid vehicle is stationary.
3 more elements
A method of charging a battery of a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
- sensing a battery charge state level with a sensor when the hybrid vehicle is driven;
- charging the battery with an engine when the battery charge state level is less than a predetermined threshold;
- detecting an activation of a switch element indicating a request to operate the engine to charge the battery when the hybrid vehicle is parked and the electric motor is off;
- and
- operating the engine to charge the battery upon the detecting the activation of the switch element for a period of time determined by a user when the hybrid vehicle is parked.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.