Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Brandon R Jones

Andrew J Namou

Ryan M Ashby

James C Gibbs

Douglas S Cesiel

Matthew S Stout

Brian James Koch

Damon R Frisch

Aniket P Kothari

Patricia M Laskowsky

Garrett M Seeman

Russell K Steele

Jonathan R Schwarz

Bryan M Ludwig

Margaret C Richards

Gregory E Smith

Cody D Berman

William M Hare

Peter Kung Chiang

Jacob A St George

Joshua A Vallender

Jeanette C Kurnik

Bryan T Sauter

Matthew A Thomas

Natalie R Stokes

Tony Wingett

David A Lafave

Giovanni Spoleti

Jack M Williams

Bo Xie

A controller of a host system executes a method for detecting an external AC electrical device. While an AC charging inlet of the host system is electrically connected to the device via different vehicle-to-live (V2L) and jump-charge connections, the controller detects a control pilot voltage and a proximity voltage. When the control pilot voltage is 0V, the controller determines whether entry conditions are satisfied indicative of a desire to offload power from the host system to the device. When the entry conditions are satisfied, the proximity or control pilot voltage are modulated to generate a modulated voltage signal, which the controller compares to an expected voltage indicative of the device. Power is offloaded to the device when the modulated voltage signal matches the expected voltage.

Host system with AC charging inlet and method for identifying an electrical device connected thereto

An electric vehicle, and a system and method for charging the electric vehicle. The system includes a user locating system and a processor. The user locating system is configured to determine a location of the user. The processor is configured to charge the vehicle at a first charging rate and determine a location of a user of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle. The processor adjusts the charging of the vehicle from the first charging rate to a second charging rate when the location of the user is within a selected distance from the vehicle.

System and method for unlocking a power chord during charging of a vehicle based on a user location

System and method of controlling operation of a device having multiple rechargeable packs configured to store energy. The multiple rechargeable packs include at least one primary pack characterized by a first capacity and at least one auxiliary pack characterized by a second capacity, the first capacity being greater than the second capacity. A controller is configured to selectively command one or more of the multiple rechargeable packs to begin at least one of discharging and charging. When an estimated end of trip time is less than or equal to a discharging time of the at least one auxiliary pack, the discharging of the at least one auxiliary pack is begun. When the estimated end of trip time is greater than the discharging time, the discharging is delayed until the respective state of charge of the at least one primary pack reaches a first threshold.

Control of device having multiple rechargeable packs with different capacities for optimal energy delivery

A system and method are provided for preconditioning a rechargeable energy system (RESS) for a vehicle. The method includes monitoring one or more rechargeable energy storage system parameters; adjusting a rechargeable energy storage system precondition window based on one or more of the monitored rechargeable energy storage system parameters; and prompting for or activating thermal preconditioning of the rechargeable energy storage system at least partially depending on the adjusted rechargeable energy storage system precondition window.

Vehicle rechargeable energy storage system and method of preconditioning the rechargeable energy storage system

Disclosed are control algorithms and system architectures for arbitrating vehicle charging, e.g., for electric vehicles with rechargeable battery packs, wired and wireless charging capabilities, and control logic for governing such charging. A method is disclosed for managing charging of electrical storage units of motor vehicles at vehicle charging stations. The method includes determining if a wireless charging interface of the motor vehicle is available for wireless power transfer, and determining whether or not the vehicle charging station has an electrical connector coupled to a wired charging interface of the motor vehicle. Responsive to the charging station having an electrical connector coupled to the wired charging interface, the method initiates a wired (conductive) charge power mode. Conversely, if the wireless charging interface is available for power transfer and an electrical connector is not coupled to the wired charging interface, the method responsively initiates a wireless (inductive) charge power mode.

Vehicle architectures, electrical systems, and control algorithms for arbitrating vehicle charging

A delayed charging system for a vehicle implements an energy transfer efficiency check prior to the scheduled charge time to confirm sufficient grid power quality and wireless power quality. In addition to this, a foreign object check is performed prior to the scheduled charge. These checks are performed immediately after the customer sets up the delayed session as well as at specified intervals after that. If a power quality issue is detected, the customer will be alerted so they can remedy the situation.

Wireless power quality alert for delayed charging with electric vehicles

Disclosed are control algorithms and system architectures for managing wireless vehicle charging, including vehicles with rechargeable battery packs, wireless charging capabilities, and control logic for governing such charging. A method is disclosed for managing charging of an electrical storage unit of a motor vehicle at a wireless vehicle charging station. The method includes: receiving a sensor signal indicating detection of an obstruction within a predetermined proximity of the vehicle charging station; determining whether the detected obstruction is living or lifeless; initiating, via a vehicle controller responsive to the detected obstruction being a living object, a first remedial action strategy that commands the vehicle to generate a visual or audible cue to drive away the living object; and, initiating, via the vehicle controller responsive to the detected obstruction being a lifeless object, a second remedial action strategy that commands the motor vehicle to move and thereby avoid contact with the object.

Vehicle architectures, devices and control algorithms for managing wireless vehicle charging

A system of selecting charging modes for a rechargeable energy storage unit in an autonomous device includes a controller having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions. The controller is configured to determine availability of at least one charging station and at least one parking lot through a survey of local charging infrastructure and local parking infrastructure, respectively, within a predefined radius of the autonomous device. The controller is configured to determine if it is cost-effective during an excursion to incur a charging fee at the charging station or incur a parking fee at the parking lot. If it is cost-effective to incur the charging fee, then the controller is configured to selectively employ at least one of a plurality of charging modes, including an open-ended charging mode and a defined departure charging mode.

Selection of charging modes for autonomous device

An off-board charging device disposed to electrically charge an electric energy storage system via an electrical charging system on-board a vehicle is described. This includes an electric machine electrically connected to the electric energy storage system and is disposed to supply propulsion effort to the vehicle. A method for controlling the off-board charging device includes determining severity of a drive cycle that occurs prior to a charging event for the electric energy storage system. A charging profile is determined based upon the severity of the drive cycle. A controller commands operation of the off-board charging device based upon the charging profile.

Method and apparatus to control an off-board charging device

A method and system for manipulating, adjusting or otherwise controlling a state-of-charge (SOC) operating range for a high voltage vehicle battery, such as the type used for hybrid or electric vehicle propulsion. By providing a dynamic SOC operating range that changes in response to changing battery conditions, the battery performance may be improved so that the battery life is extended. Depending on the particular embodiment, the dynamic SOC operating range may have different combinations of hard and/or soft boundaries or limits.

Method and system for controlling a vehicle battery

Growing community of inventors

White Lake, MI, United States of America

Brandon R Jones