Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Proterra Inc.

Proterra Operating Company, Inc.

Matthew Simonini

Keith D Buford

Jarred Vallbracht

Jonathan K Williams

Paul S Lombardo

Lawrence P Ziehr

Michael C Walker

Seamus McGrath

Keyur M Shah

Kyle Holihan

Jason J Nolte

Matthew J Martinchick

Roland Matthe

Stephen L Shen

Daniel K Mehr

Christopher M Haliburton

Robert F Oury, Jr

Mike Finnern

A method of operating an electric vehicle having multiple electric traction motors include receiving a signal indicative of a driver requested torque, and determining portions of the torque request to produce from each traction motor based on efficiency maps of the motors. The method may also include producing the determined portions of torque from each motor.

Efficiency optimization of multi-motor electric vehicles

The power train of an electric vehicle includes an electric motor and a gearbox coupling the electric motor to a drive wheel. A controller may be configured to initiate a gear shift in the gearbox, and activate one or both of (a) a torque jog in electric motor, or (b) a burst of a pressurized fluid in an actuator to assist with the gear shift.

Controlling the powertrain of a vehicle

An electric vehicle may include a powertrain including an axle having a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel, a first motor and a first gearbox operatively coupled to the first drive wheel, and a second motor and a second gearbox operatively coupled to the second drive wheel. The electric vehicle may also include a radiator including coolant, and an oil manifold including first and second oil inlets, first and second oil outlets, first and second coolant inlets, and at least one coolant outlet. The oil manifold may be fluidly connected to the first and second gearboxes, the first and second motors, and to the radiator.

Electric vehicle powertrain

The vehicle includes a powertrain having an axle having a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel. A first gearbox may couple a first power source to the first drive wheel, and a second gearbox may independently couple a second power source to the second drive wheel. And, a controller may be configured to initiate a gear shift in the first gearbox and the second gearbox at different times.

A method of docking an electric vehicle at a charging station may include identifying the vehicle as it approaches the charging station and transmitting a distance parameter from the charging station to the vehicle. The distance parameter may be a measure of distance. The method may also include determining a desired speed of the vehicle based on the distance parameter using an algorithm in the vehicle, and controlling the vehicle to attain the determined desired speed.

Method of docking an electric vehicle for charging

Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided that provide for thermal conditioning of a vehicle rechargeable energy storage system (RESS). A thermal conditioning system is coupled to the RESS, and is configured to thermally condition the RESS. A control system is coupled to the thermal conditioning system, and is configured to estimate a state of charge for the RESS and provide instructions for the thermal conditioning system to thermally conditioning the RESS based on the state of charge.

Rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) thermal conditioning based on RESS state of charge threshold

A method for charging an electric vehicle at a charging station may include electrically connecting the electric vehicle to the charging station, and determining a desired amount of energy to be provided to the electric vehicle at the charging station. The method may also include determining a layover time of the electric vehicle using a control system associated with the charging station. The layover time may be an amount of time the electric vehicle is expected to be positioned at the charging station. The method may also include calculating a charge current using the control system, wherein the charge current is a value of electric current that is needed to provide the desired amount of energy to the electric vehicle in a time period substantially equal to the layover time. The method may further include charging the electric vehicle using the calculated charge current.

Electric vehicle charging by adjusting charger current

Methods, systems, and vehicles provide for cooling of a vehicle rechargeable energy storage system (RESS). A control system is coupled to the RESS, and is configured to cool the RESS. The control system includes a passive cooling system for cooling the RESS, an active cooling system for cooling the RESS, and a controller. The controller is coupled to the passive cooling system and the active cooling system, and is configured to determine whether conditions are present for effective use of the passive cooling system, initiate cooling of the RESS using the passive cooling system if it is determined that the conditions are present for effective use of the passive cooling system, and initiate cooling of the RESS using the active cooling system if it is determined that the conditions are not present for effective use of the passive cooling system.

Rechargeable energy storage system cooling

Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided that provide for cooling of a vehicle rechargeable energy storage system (RESS). A cooling system is coupled to the RESS, and is configured to cool the RESS. A control system is coupled to the cooling system, and is configured to determine whether the RESS is charging, determine whether the vehicle is in a propulsion ready state, and initiate cooling of the RESS if the RESS is not charging and the vehicle is not in the propulsion ready state, provided further that one or more conditions are present that would promote faster than desired capacity loss for the RESS.

An electric vehicle includes an electric motor configured to provide traction and a control system. The control system may be configured to receive a signal indicative of a requested torque and determine an acceleration limit based on the requested torque. The electric vehicle may also include an inverter operatively coupled to the control system and the electric motor. The inverter may be configured to control the electric motor based at least on (a) a signal indicative of the requested torque, and (b) a signal indicative of the acceleration limit.

Acceleration control for an electric vehicle

A method of operating a RESS thermal system in a vehicle having a coolant loop for directing a coolant through a RESS and a refrigerant loop configured to selectively cool the coolant flowing through a chiller in the coolant loop, including: determining a current target temperature range for the RESS based on a current vehicle operating mode and ambient temperature; determining a temperature of the RESS; determining if the temperature of the RESS needs to increase or decrease to be within the current target temperature range; if the determination is made that the temperature of the RESS needs to increase, determining if an active heating or a passive heating of the coolant will be employed, the active heating using a greater amount of energy over a shorter time period than the passive heating; and activating the determined active heating or passive heating of the coolant.

Thermal management controls for a vehicle having a rechargeable energy storage system

A method of controlling a transmission of a vehicle powered by an electric motor may include initiating a gear engagement in the transmission. The method may also include activating a torque jog in the electric motor to assist with the gear engagement. The torque jog may include a fluctuation in the torque output of the electric motor.

Transmission control system for an electric vehicle

Systems and methods for determining the target thermal conditioning value to control a rechargeable energy storage system. Target thermal conditioning values are determined using a required thermal power value and a heat generation value in order to appropriately condition the RESS for heating and cooling.

Systems and methods for determining the target thermal conditioning value to control a rechargeable energy storage system

Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided that provide for thermal conditioning of a vehicle rechargeable energy storage system (RESS). A thermal conditioning system is configured to apply a plurality of thermal conditioning actions for the RESS. A control system is configured to determine a driving route for the vehicle for a drive cycle of the vehicle, select one of the plurality of thermal conditioning actions based at least in part on the driving route, and provide instructions for the thermal conditioning system to apply the selected one of the plurality of thermal conditioning actions for the RESS.

Growing community of inventors

Greenville, SC, United States of America

Matthew Simonini