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:
Mar. 27, 2018
Filed:
May. 12, 2014
Ford Global Technologies, Llc, Dearborn, MI (US);
Michael Edward Loftus, Northville, MI (US);
Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush, South Lyon, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
Methods and systems are described to control the use of electrical power when charging a traction battery. A vehicle module can drive the contactor coils with two set-points for controlling the power into the contactor coils, namely, a travel or vehicle 'on' set point and a charging, vehicle 'off' set point. In use, full power is initially applied to the coils to guarantee immediate closure of the contactor. During charging and after closing the contactor, the power is set at the charging, vehicle “off” set point. The travel or vehicle “on” set point is higher than the charging, vehicle “off” set point. Using the charging, vehicle “off” set point reduces electricity consumption. The vehicle “on” set point is at a higher electrical level as it must maintain closure under worst-case vibration and shock conditions considering mounting location, contactor orientation, as well as other characteristics of the vehicle and contactor.