IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,389,837
Granted Patent B2
US 7,389,837 · App. 10/691,332 · Granted Jun 24, 2008

Electric power control system for a hybrid vehicle

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,389,837
App. No.
10/691,332
Filed
Oct 20, 2003
Granted
Jun 24, 2008
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3618
USPC
180/65.2
Abstract

A vehicle powertrain control system including an electric motor drive system, a first battery coupled to the electric motor drive system, an electronically controlled switched coupled to the first battery, a second battery coupled to the electronically controlled switch, and where the electronically controlled switch applies power from the second battery to supplement the first battery.

Claims (32)

1. A vehicle powertrain control system comprising:

an electric motor drive system;

an internal combustion engine operatively coupled to said electric motor drive system;

a first battery coupled to said electric motor drive system;

an electronically controlled switch coupled to said first battery;

a second battery coupled to said electronically controlled switch, wherein said first and second battery are directly electrically coupled at a common voltage level when said electronically controlled switch is closed;

wherein said electronically controlled switch isolates said first battery from said second battery upon startup of said internal combustion engine; and

wherein said electronically controlled switch applies power from said second battery to supplement said first battery during select operating conditions.

2. The vehicle powertrain control system of claim 1 further comprising a DC/DC converter coupled to said electronically controlled switch, wherein said electronically controlled switch applies power from said DC/DC converter to supplement said second battery.

3. The vehicle powertrain control system of claim 1 wherein said electric motor drive system comprises an inverter coupled to an induction motor.

4. The vehicle control system of claim 1 wherein said first battery comprises a lead acid battery.

5. The vehicle control system of claim 1 wherein said second battery comprises a lead acid battery.

6. The vehicle control system of claim 1 wherein said electronically controlled switch comprises a silicon conducting rectifier.

7. The vehicle control system of claim 1 wherein said electronically controlled switch comprises a transistor.

8. The vehicle control system of claim 1 wherein said electronically controlled switch comprises an electromechanical relay.

9. A vehicle powertrain control system comprising:

an electric motor drive system;

an internal combustion engine operatively coupled to said electric motor drive system;

a first battery coupled to said electric motor drive system;

a second battery coupled to a vehicle accessory system;

an electronically controlled switch coupled to said first battery and said second battery;

a DC/DC converter coupled to said electronically controlled switch;

wherein said electronically controlled switch applies power from said DC/DC converter to supplement said first battery, and wherein said DC/DC converter, said first battery, and said second battery share a common electrical reference when said electronically controlled switch is closed; and

wherein said electronically controlled switch isolates said first battery from said second battery during staffing of said internal combustion engine.

10. The vehicle powertrain control system of claim 9 wherein said electric motor drive system includes an inverter.

11. A vehicle powertrain control system comprising:

an electric motor drive system;

a first battery coupled to said electric motor drive system;

an electronically controlled switch coupled to said first battery;

a second battery coupled to said electronically controlled switch, wherein said first and second battery operate at substantially the same voltage at a common electrical connection when said electronically controlled switch is closed;

wherein said electronically controlled switch applies power from said second battery to supplement said first battery during a first operating condition; and

wherein said electronically controlled switch isolates said first battery from said second battery upon startup of said internal combustion engine.