US 8,914,173 B2 · Method and system for conditioning an energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle

Abstract

A method and system for conditioning an energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle, like a high-voltage battery or a fuel cell used for vehicle propulsion. It may be detrimental for a high-voltage battery in a parked vehicle to be exposed to extreme temperatures for an extended period of time. Thus, the method and system may be used to condition such a battery—for example, by heating it up if it is too cold or by cooling it down if it is too hot—so that the performance, durability, lifespan and/or other aspects of the battery are improved. In an exemplary embodiment, the method predicts if the battery will need conditioning the next time the vehicle is parked and, if such conditioning is needed, then the method predicts if the battery has sufficient charge to perform this conditioning. If the charge appears insufficient, then the method operates an energy generator that provides additional charge to the battery in anticipation of the needed conditioning.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of conditioning an energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle, the method comprises the steps of:

(a) predicting with a control module if the energy storage system (ESS) is likely to need future conditioning the next time that the vehicle is parked;
(b) predicting with a control module if the energy storage system (ESS) is likely to have enough charge to perform the future conditioning the next time that the vehicle is parked, wherein at least one of steps (a) or (b) is performed while the vehicle is being driven so that future conditioning needs can be anticipated before the vehicle is parked;
(c) if step (b) predicts that the energy storage system (ESS) is likely to have enough charge to perform the future conditioning, then enabling the future conditioning for the next time that the vehicle is parked;
and
(d) if step (b) predicts that the energy storage system (ESS) is not likely to have enough charge to perform the future conditioning, then operating an energy generator that provides the energy storage system (ESS) with additional charge in preparation for the future conditioning.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and system for conditioning an energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle

Life of this patent

Method and system for conditioning an energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18