Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Andrew Hudson

David Celinske

John Anthony DeMarco

Farouq Mozip

David Jeffeory Berels

Hamed Babazadehrokni

A method and an apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a high voltage battery pack comprised of a least a first module comprised of a plurality of first battery cells, a second module comprised of a plurality of second battery cells, and a third module comprised of a plurality of third battery cells. A first passive battery management system monitors and balances the plurality of first battery cells, a second passive battery management system monitors and balances the plurality of second battery cells, and a third passive battery management system monitors and balances the plurality of third battery cells. A pack manager measures a voltage of each of the first, second, and third modules, compares measured voltages of the first, second, and third modules, and actively balances a lower charged module from the first, second, and third modules with energy from a higher charged module of the first, second, and third modules.

Hybrid cell balancing for high voltage battery packs

An automotive electrical system provides power from two DC sources each connected to a separate group of integrity-protected (ASIL) loads. A third group of non-ASIL loads are connected to both power sources through a controllable isolator with first and second transistor arrays. The connection through the isolator also connects each ASIL group to the other DC source. A control circuit includes a plurality of drivers for driving the first and second transistor arrays into conduction. The control circuit is configured to cease driving at least a respective one of the first and second transistor arrays when a fault condition is detected in which current flow in at least one of the transistor arrays exceeds a threshold.

Dual-supply automotive electrical system with protection of motion control components

Vehicles and vehicle power circuits are disclosed for providing multiple different voltages from the same power source. An example vehicle includes a power source, a plurality of electrical loads, and a power circuit. The power circuit is electrically connected to the power source and the plurality of electrical loads. The power circuit includes a plurality of power segments connected in parallel to the power source, each power segment comprising a DC to DC converter and an ultra capacitor in series with the DC to DC converter, wherein the ultra capacitors of the plurality of power segments are connected in series.

Vehicle power control systems

A vehicle power system includes loads, a battery coupled to the loads, an ultra-capacitor coupled to the battery, and a bypass circuit. The loads, the ultra-capacitor, and the battery are electrically coupled in series. The bypass circuit monitors the ultra-capacitor and prevents the ultra-capacitor from over-discharging and reversing in polarity.

Vehicle power system including ultra-capacitor for mitigating transient current events

A power distribution system for a vehicle includes a switching circuit configured to selectively enable power flow between a first bus and a second bus operable within a common voltage range. The power distribution system further includes a controller programmed to, in response to power flow being inactive and a current flowing through the first bus exceeding a current threshold, operate the switching circuit to enable power flow from the second bus to the first bus.

Control of redundant power architecture for a vehicle

A vehicle includes an electric power converter, a power source, a detection circuit, at least one processor, and at least one memory. The electric power converter filters voltage ripple generated by the electric power converter. The detection circuit determines an unfiltered measurement of the power source and a filtered measurement of the power source and generates a differential signal by comparing the unfiltered measurement and the filtered measurement. Said memory stores instructions executable by said processor. The instructions causes said processor to determine a state of health of the power source based at least in part on the differential signal.

System and method for detecting degradation of power source in vehicles

A power distribution system for a vehicle includes a plurality of switching devices arranged in a circuit to selectively control power flow between a plurality of buses operating within a same voltage range. The power distribution system further includes a controller programmed to, in response to the switching devices being in a state to transfer power between the buses and a current flowing through one of the buses exceeding a predetermined current, operate the switching devices to isolate the buses.

Short-circuit protection for vehicle redundant power architecture

A computer that includes at least one processor and memory. The processor of the computer can be programmed to execute instructions stored on the memory that include controlling, based on a temperature, which of a plurality of power sources of a vehicle battery are coupled to a starter circuit during a vehicle ignition event.

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Sterling Heights, MI, United States of America

Andrew Hudson