Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Emil Francu

Konking Wang

Shifang Li

Yue Fan

Garrett M Seeman

Russell K Steele

Kyle Holihan

Kris Sevel

Andres V Mituta

Li-Pen J Ho

David J Mifsud

Marjorie A Bassham

Andrew M Zettel

Kevin J Robinet

Rohit Singhal

A method of operating a motor vehicle includes a vehicle controller receiving, from a first feedback sensor of an HV component, a first feedback signal indicative of an electrical characteristic of the HV component, and then detecting an HV system fault if the first feedback signal is less than a predefined electrical threshold. Upon detecting the system fault, the controller commands the HV component to operate at a commanded set-point; after sending the command, the controller receives, from a second feedback sensor of the HV component, a second feedback signal indicative of an operating characteristic of the HV component. An HV pathway failure is detected if the second feedback signal is not equal to or within a predefined operating range of the commanded set-point. Upon detecting the pathway failure in an HV electrical pathway of the HV component, the vehicle controller transmits a command signal to take a remedial action.

Intelligent vehicle systems and control logic for intrusive detection of high-voltage pathway failures

A protection system for a high-voltage component includes a switching circuit and a protection controller. The switching circuit changes a variable arrangement of multiple battery packs between a parallel arrangement and a series arrangement. The protection controller commands the switching circuit into the series arrangement in response to a recharging session, commands a current flow in the recharging session, measures a measured voltage between an input node and a floating chassis ground of the high-voltage component, advances a timer while the measured voltage indicates a presence of an improper voltage, and cancels the recharging session in response to the presence of the improper voltage for greater than an exposure time. The recharging session provides a direct-current fast-charging voltage to battery packs in the series arrangement, and is greater than the battery voltage.

High-voltage component protection during vehicle recharging

A battery system and a method include an auxiliary power module configured to support auxiliary loads. A first contactor switch connected between first and second battery packs, and a second contactor switch is in series with the first contactor switch. A controller determines whether to open or close first and second contactor switches depending on whether the battery packs are being charged in a high voltage mode or a low voltage mode. The contactor switches are both closed when in the high voltage mode and at least one of the contactor switches is opened when in the low voltage mode. At least one of the first and second battery packs operate to power the auxiliary power module while charging at least one of the first and second battery packs regardless of whether the battery packs are in the high voltage mode or the low voltage mode.

Battery system and a method for use in the battery system

Dynamically monitoring of an electrically-isolated power bus for a DC power system is described, and includes dynamically monitoring voltage and current on the power bus to determine a variation in the voltage on the power bus. When the variation in the voltage on the power bus is less than a threshold, an active positive isolation resistance term and an active negative isolation resistance term are determined. A first voltage balance term is determined based upon a ratio of the active positive isolation resistance term and the active negative isolation resistance term. A dynamic positive isolation resistance term and a dynamic negative isolation resistance term are determined based upon the active negative isolation resistance term. A fault associated with the power bus is determined based upon the dynamic positive isolation resistance term and the dynamic negative isolation resistance term.

Method and apparatus for monitoring isolation of an electric power bus

An electrical system for a vehicle includes a high-voltage DC power source electrically connected to a high-voltage bus, a first controller disposed to control electric power flow between the high-voltage bus and a first actuator, and a second controller disposed to control electric power flow between the high-voltage bus and a second actuator. A communication link is disposed to effect communication between the first controller and the second controller. An inertial sensor communicates with the second controller. The second controller includes an instruction set to monitor and determine a request to discharge the high-voltage bus based upon communication from the sensor. Upon determining that the first controller is incapable of discharging the high-voltage bus, the second actuator is controlled to discharge the high-voltage bus.

Method and apparatus for discharging a high-voltage bus

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Northville, MI, United States of America

Emil Francu