The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 15, 2016
Filed:
Aug. 14, 2014
Adam T Timmons, Birmingham, MI (US);
Carrie R Okma, Birmingham, MI (US);
Adam T Timmons, Birmingham, MI (US);
Carrie R Okma, Birmingham, MI (US);
FCA US LLC, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
An electrified powertrain for a vehicle includes a battery system configured to switch individual battery modules between series, parallel, and bypassed connections, thereby eliminating the need for a DC-DC converter. The battery system is also configured to generate (via a set of drive switches) AC voltages for an electric motor, thereby eliminating the need for an inverter. Control methods for the electrified powertrain, which could be implemented in a controller of the vehicle, include controlling the switches of the battery system to maintain a constant desired output voltage during both discharging and recharging. The control methods also include controlling the series, parallel, and/or bypass switches of the battery system to bypass malfunctioning battery modules and/or to decrease the output voltage of the battery system below a voltage threshold that requires electrical isolation.