IP Library Granted Patent US 9,809,128
Granted Patent B2
US 9,809,128 · App. 14/562,042 · Granted Nov 7, 2017

System for multiple energy storage and management and method of making same

Inventors: Irene Michelle Berry (Schenectady, NY); Robert Dean King (Schenectady, NY); Paul Robert Gemin (Nishayuna, NY)
Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
B60L11/1879B60L11/005B60L11/1861B60L11/1868B60L11/1877B60L2200/26B60L2210/14H02J7/0013H02J7/345H02M3/155Y02T10/705Y02T10/7005Y02T10/7022Y02T10/7044Y02T10/7055Y02T10/7225Y10T29/49117Y10T307/511Y10T307/516Y10T307/685
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 9,809,128
App. No.
14/562,042
Granted
Nov 7, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A propulsion system includes an electric drive, a first energy storage system electrically coupled to the electric drive through a DC link, and a second energy storage system electrically coupled to the first energy storage system in a series connection. The first energy storage system comprises a high specific-energy storage device and the second energy storage system comprises a low specific-power storage device. The propulsion system also includes a third energy storage system comprising a high specific-energy storage device electrically coupled to the second energy storage system. A bi-directional boost converter is electrically coupled to the second and third energy storage systems such that a terminal of the third energy storage system is electrically coupled to a low voltage side of the bi-directional boost converter and a terminal of the second energy storage system is coupled to a high voltage side of the bi-directional boost converter.

Claims (35)

1. An energy storage arrangement for an electrically powered vehicle, the energy storage arrangement comprising:

a bi-directional boost converter;

a first energy storage system coupled to a high-voltage side of the bi-directional boost converter, the first energy storage system comprising a first and second energy storage device coupled in series;

and

a second energy storage system coupled to a low-voltage side of the bi-directional boost converter, the second energy storage system comprising a third energy storage device;

wherein the first energy storage device is a different type of energy storage device than the second energy storage device.

2. The energy storage arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first energy storage device has a lower voltage than the second energy storage device.

3. The energy storage arrangement of claim 2 wherein the voltage of the second energy storage device is at least three times greater than the voltage of the first energy storage system.

4. The energy storage arrangement of claim 1 wherein the third energy storage device has a lower voltage than the second energy storage device.

5. The energy storage arrangement of claim 1 further comprising a second bi-directional boost converter coupled to the first energy storage system.

6. The energy storage arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first energy storage device comprises a first battery having a specific power less than or equal to 200 W/kg.

7. The energy storage arrangement of claim 6 wherein the second energy storage device comprises an ultracapacitor.

8. The energy storage arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first energy storage device comprises a high specific-energy device, the second energy storage device comprises a high specific-power device, and the third energy storage device comprises a high specific-energy device.

9. A method of manufacturing an energy storage arrangement for an electrically powered vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a bi-directional boost converter;

coupling a first energy storage system to a high-voltage side of the bi-directional boost converter, the first energy storage system comprising a first and second energy storage device coupled in series;

and

coupling a second energy storage system to a low-voltage side of the bi-directional boost converter, the second energy storage system comprising a third energy storage device;

wherein the first energy storage device comprises a different type of energy storage device than the second energy storage device.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising coupling a second bi-directional boost converter to the first energy storage system.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the second energy storage device has a higher voltage than the first energy storage device.

12. A propulsion system comprising:

a first bi-directional boost converter having a low-voltage side and a high-voltage side;

a first energy storage system coupled to the high-voltage side of the first bi-directional boost converter, the first energy storage system comprising a first and second energy storage device coupled in series;

a second energy storage system coupled to the low-voltage side of the first bi-directional boost converter, the second energy storage system comprising a third energy storage device;

a DC link coupled to the first energy storage system;

a second bi-directional boost converter coupled to the DC link; and

an electric drive coupled to the second bi-directional boost converter;

wherein the first energy storage device comprises a different type of energy storage device than the second energy storage device.

13. The propulsion system of claim 12 wherein the first energy storage device has a lower voltage than the second energy storage device.

14. The propulsion system of claim 12 wherein a negative terminal of the first energy storage device is coupled in series to a positive terminal of the second energy storage device.

15. The propulsion system of claim 12 wherein the second energy storage device comprises a battery having a specific power of at least 350 W/kg.

16. The propulsion system of claim 12 wherein a specific power of the first energy storage device is lower than a specific power of the second energy storage device.

17. The propulsion system of claim 12 wherein the first energy storage device comprises a first battery, the second energy storage device comprises an ultracapacitor, and the third energy storage device comprises a second battery.

18. The propulsion system of claim 12 wherein the first energy storage device comprises one of a lithium ion battery, a sodium metal halide battery, a sodium sulfur battery, a nickel metal halide battery, and a lead acid battery.

Assignments (5)
QUITCLAIM ASSIGNMENT Recorded Apr 9, 2026
From: EDISON INNOVATIONS LLC
To: BUNKER HILL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 074326/0549 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 26, 2025
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: GE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LICENSING, LLC
Reel/Frame 070636/0815 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 26, 2025
From: GE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LICENSING, LLC
To: DOLBY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LICENSING, LLC
Reel/Frame 070643/0907 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 20, 2025
From: DOLBY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LICENSING, LLC
To: EDISON INNOVATIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 070293/0273 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2014
From: BERRY, IRENE MICHELLE; KING, ROBERT DEAN; GEMIN, PAUL ROBERT
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 034394/0825 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 13283983 · Oct 28, 2011
Continuation In Part 13224669 · Sep 2, 2011
Continuation 12539056 · Aug 11, 2009
Related Publication 20150115708A1 · Apr 30, 2015