Textron Innovations Inc.

Club Car, Inc.

Textron Corporation

Ingersoll-rand Company

Russell William King

Kevin Douglas Grove

Matthew D Wilson

David A Smith

Zekarias W Yohannes

George T Hummert

Paul Warren McLeod

Matthew Wilcox

Brian Moebs

Jonathan Daniel Bowen

Gregory August Theodosakis

Matthew S Brackx

Arthur James Harvey

Matthew James Zaremba

John Ledden

Norman R Padgett

Robert H Edwards

Luke Anthony O'Hara

Kenneth McClymonds

Michael Folger Grosso

Amy Jean Landau

Daniel J Harris

Dave Neal Schult

A technique is directed to controlling vehicle motion. The technique involves setting a set of motion control parameters which controls motion of the utility vehicle to a set of initial values. The technique further involves receiving stability control inputs which include a geolocation signal identifying a current location of the utility vehicle and a set of motion signals identifying a set of current motion characteristics of the utility vehicle. The technique further involves changing, based on the geolocation signal and the set of motion signals, at least one motion control parameter of the set of motion control parameters which controls motion of the utility vehicle from an initial value to an updated value which is different from the initial value.

Controlling vehicles based on current locations and current motion characteristics

Techniques are directed to charging a battery of a utility vehicle. Such techniques involve receiving a geolocation signal which identifies a current location of the utility vehicle. Such techniques further involve generating a geolocation assessment result indicating whether the utility vehicle is currently within an early charge termination geographic area based on the geolocation signal. Such techniques further involve charging the battery in accordance with the geolocation assessment result, the battery being charged to a first charge threshold when the geolocation assessment result indicates that the utility vehicle is currently not within the early charge termination geographic area, and the battery being charged to a second charge threshold when the geolocation assessment result indicates that the utility vehicle is currently within the early charge termination geographic area. The second charge threshold is different from the first charge threshold.

Selective early charge termination

A technique provides power-limiting regenerative braking to a utility vehicle. The technique involves detecting that the utility vehicle is moving in a forward direction at a first speed. The technique further involves applying a first regenerative braking power level to the utility vehicle in response to detecting that the utility vehicle is moving in the forward direction at the first speed. The technique further involves detecting that the utility vehicle is moving in the forward direction at a second speed which is less than the first speed. The technique further involves applying a second regenerative braking power level to the utility vehicle in response to detecting that the utility vehicle is moving in the forward direction at the second speed. The second regenerative braking power level is lower than the first regenerative braking power level.

Controlling regenerative braking to reduce skidding of a vehicle

A technique controls an electric brake of a vehicle. The technique involves continuously providing power to the electric brake of the vehicle to continuously disengage the electric brake and allow the vehicle to move. The technique further involves, while power is continuously provided to the electric brake and the vehicle is moving, sensing a fault condition. The technique further involves, in response to sensing the fault condition, providing electric pulses to the electric brake in place of continuously providing power to the electric brake, the electric pulses having varying pulse timing that controls braking of the vehicle. Accordingly, the vehicle is able to provide a more consistent braking response regardless of variations in certain factors such as brake calibration and/or current wear, the current weight in the vehicle, the current temperature, etc.

Emergency vehicle braking using closed-loop pulsing

A technique controls regenerative braking to reduce skidding of a vehicle. Such a technique involves imparting rotation to an alternating current (AC) electric motor to move the vehicle to a first commanded vehicle speed; applying a regenerative braking power to the AC electric motor to bring the vehicle to a second commanded vehicle speed; while applying the regenerative braking power, adjusting the level of regenerative braking power applied to follow a predetermined speed reduction rate; while adjusting the level of regenerative braking power applied, provide a limit to the maximum level of regenerative braking power available; and while providing the limit to the maximum level of regenerative braking power available, adjusting the limit to the maximum level of regenerative braking power available based on a current speed of the vehicle.

A prime mover for a lightweight vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, a starter motor integrally integrated with the internal combustion engine, and a housing for the prime mover. The prime mover additionally comprises a Hall Effect sensor and an prime mover control module structured and operable to communicate with the Hall Effect sensor, determine when operation of the internal combustion engine should cease, and upon the determination that operation of the internal combustion engine should cease, utilize the communication from the Hall Effect sensor to stop the internal combustion engine such that a piston of the internal combustion engine is positioned at between 15&#xb0; and 25&#xb0; after bottom-dead-center.

Integrated starter-generator

A technique is performed on a vehicle having a lithium battery and a temperature control apparatus. The technique involves receiving a temperature reading from temperature sensing circuitry. The technique further involves performing a comparison operation that compares the temperature reading from the temperature sensing circuitry to a target temperature range. The technique further involves, in response to a result of the comparison operation indicating that the temperature reading is outside the target temperature range, automatically providing electric power from an external battery charger to the temperature control apparatus of the vehicle. The external battery charger is distinct and separate from the vehicle. Additionally, the temperature control apparatus adjusts the temperature of the lithium battery of the vehicle in response to the electric power automatically provided from the external battery charger (e.g., heating or cooling the lithium battery to improve battery capacity and preserve battery life).

Performing temperature control on a lithium battery of a vehicle

A system controls charging of a rechargeable battery. The system includes a rechargeable battery configured to provide rechargeable battery power to a set of electrical loads (e.g., an electric motor of a utility vehicle). The system further includes a connector configured to connect to a charger, and control circuitry coupled with the rechargeable battery and the connector. The control circuitry is operative to (i) sense a charge management event, (ii) in response to the charge management event, connect the rechargeable battery to the connector and disconnect the rechargeable battery from the connector to provide a message to the charger through the connector (e.g., via opening and closing a contactor), and (iii) after communicating the message to the charger, manage connection between the rechargeable battery and the charger to control charging of the rechargeable battery through the connector (e.g., via opening and closing the contactor).

Communication to control charging of a rechargeable battery

Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of onboard battery charger systems are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a battery charging system comprising an isolation device and an electric vehicle charger. The isolation device includes an AC input terminal; an AC output terminal; two DC output terminals; a first portion of a detection circuit including a first sensor and a first resistor coupled in series; and a first controller. The charger includes an AC input terminal; two DC input terminals; and a second portion of the detection circuit including a second sensor and a second resistor coupled in series. The first controller is structured to isolate the AC input terminal of the isolation device from the AC output terminal of the isolation device when the two DC input terminals of the electric vehicle charger are not coupled to the two DC output terminals of the isolation device.

Onboard battery charging system

A technique controls charge on a lithium battery of a utility vehicle. The technique involves operating electronic circuitry of the utility vehicle in a normal operating mode in which the electronic circuitry charges the lithium battery to a normal charge level. The technique further involves, after operating the electronic circuity in the normal operating mode, transitioning the electronic circuitry from the normal operating mode to a storage mode in which the electronic circuitry is configured to set an amount of charge on the lithium battery to within a predefined storage range (or level) which is lower than the normal charge level. The technique further involves, in response to transitioning the electronic circuitry, adjusting the amount of charge on the lithium battery from an initial charge level which is outside the predefined storage range to an adjusted charge level which is within the predefined storage range.

Controlling charge on a lithium battery of a utility vehicle

An automatic battery fluid level monitoring system is provided. The automatic monitoring system includes a fluid consumption algorithm, programmed into a microprocessor based motor controller, connected through a communications link to a microprocessor based battery charger. The battery charger is electrically connected to a flooded type battery as well as a power connection such as being plugged into an outlet, the electrical connection from an alternator, or the like. Once the fluid consumption algorithm indicates that the fluid level is too low, a battery fluid indicator is activated utilizing a visual and/or audio display. After the battery is refilled, a fluid added reset is triggered, which deactivates the battery fluid indicator. Additional embodiments include utilizing a wired or wireless connection to a remote fleet management system, as well as alternative vehicle performance rules wherein the vehicle performance parameters can be purposefully altered to effect the ongoing performance of the vehicle.

Automatic battery fluid reminder system for vehicles with flooded lead acid batteries and method thereof

A unique method for charging a battery includes comparing a parameter to a limit, wherein the parameter relates to previous charging of the battery; determining a current state of the battery; and performing a next charging cycle based on the comparison and/or the current state of the battery. A unique system includes a vehicle, a battery, and a charging system for charging the battery. The charging system includes a controller for determining whether the battery is in short term storage or long term storage; starting a new charge cycle after a first amount of reduction in the charge of the battery if the battery is in short term storage; and starting the new charge cycle after a second amount of reduction in the charge of the battery if the battery is in long term storage.

Battery powered system and method for charging

A charging system is disclosed for charging a battery system of an electric vehicle. In one form, the charging system includes a first connector including a power control unit that is operable to selectively supply charging power from a power source. A second connector is connected with the first connector and includes a fault detection circuit. A controller is connected with the fault detection circuit and the power control unit. The controller is operable to control the power control unit to selectively supply charging power to a battery system if a fault is not detected from fault detection circuit. A cordset for use with the charging system is also disclosed that allows the cordset to perform certain electrical functions and connect the cordset to a connector of the vehicle in a breakaway manner.

Charging system for fleet golf

An electric vehicle battery recharging system is disclosed that is capable of generating an audible sound to indicate that the battery system of the vehicle is being recharged. The system includes an audible indicator that is connected or otherwise associated with a controller. The controller is configured to actuate the audible indicator in response to a voltage or current of a battery system rising a predetermined amount after recharging is initiated so as to provide audible confirmation to a recharging operator that the battery system is being recharged.

Growing community of inventors

Evans, GA, United States of America

Russell William King