Hybrid chemical battery system capable of fast charging

Abstract

A system for controlling power transfer includes a direct current (DC)-DC converter connected to a charging bus and selectively connected to a propulsion battery assembly having a first chemistry and configured to power an electric motor of a vehicle and a supplemental battery assembly, the supplemental battery assembly has a second chemical different from the first chemical. The system also includes a charger connected to the charging bus at a first side of the DC-DC converter, the charging bus connected to the load at a second side of the DC-DC converter, and a controller configured to control the DC-DC converter to perform a charging operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the storage and transfer of energy or power and, more particularly, to systems including multiple battery chemistries and methods for controlling the operation of multi-chemistry energy storage systems. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles, including gasoline and diesel powered vehicles, as well as electric and hybrid electric vehicles, have battery storage for purposes such as powering electric motors, electronic devices, and other vehicle subsystems. Battery systems provide power to various loads, including electric motors for propulsion, accessories, and components such as power control modules, heaters, and cooling systems. Various charging systems are provided for providing charge to the battery systems. It would be desirable to provide systems that can improve the charging performance of such systems, including rapid charging. Summary of the invention

[0003] In an exemplary embodiment, a system for controlling power transmission includes a direct current (DC)-DC converter connected to a charging bus and selectively connected to a propulsion battery assembly and a supplemental battery assembly, the propulsion battery assembly having a first chemistry and configured to power an electric motor of a vehicle, and the supplemental battery assembly having a second chemistry different from the first chemistry. The system also includes a charger connected to the charging bus on a first side of the DC-DC converter, the charging bus connected to a load on a second side of the DC-DC converter, and a controller configured to control the DC-DC converter to perform a charging operation.

[0004] In addition to one or more features described herein, the DC-DC converter is a bidirectional buck-boost converter.

[0005] In addition to one or more features described herein, the propulsion battery assembly and the supplemental battery assembly are connected to the charging bus on opposite sides of the DC-DC converter.

[0006] In addition to one or more features described herein, the supplemental battery assembly is a high energy battery assembly having an energy density greater than an energy density of the propulsion battery assembly.

[0007] In addition to one or more features described herein, the system includes a switch system controllable by the controller to place the system in a charging mode.

[0008] In addition to one or more features described herein, the switch system includes a first switch disposed between the propulsion battery assembly and the charging bus, and a second switch disposed between the supplemental battery assembly and the charging bus.

[0009] In addition to one or more features described herein, the controller is configured to place the system in a first charging mode by closing the first switch and opening the second switch, the first charging mode causing the charging current to bypass the supplemental battery assembly and charge the propulsion battery assembly through the DC-DC converter.

[0010] In addition to one or more features described herein, the controller is configured to place the system in a second charging mode by closing the first switch and closing the second switch, the second charging mode causing the charging current to charge the supplemental battery assembly and the propulsion battery assembly simultaneously.

[0011] In addition to one or more features described herein, the controller is configured to connect the supplemental battery assembly in parallel to the propulsion battery assembly during vehicle propulsion and provide charge to the propulsion battery assembly through the DC-DC converter to extend the vehicle's driving range.

[0012] In addition to one or more features described herein, the controller is configured to connect the supplemental battery assembly in parallel to the propulsion battery assembly during vehicle propulsion and provide power to the electric motor through the DC-DC converter, with power bypassing the propulsion battery assembly.

[0013] In another exemplary embodiment, a method of controlling power transmission includes receiving a charging request at a controller of a charging system, the charging system including a DC-DC converter connected to a charging bus and selectively connected to a propulsion battery assembly and a supplemental battery assembly, and performing a charging operation based on the charging request by controlling the DC-DC converter. The propulsion battery assembly has a first chemistry and is configured to power an electric motor of a vehicle, the supplemental battery assembly has a second chemistry different from the first chemistry, the charging system includes a charger connected to the charging bus on a first side of the DC-DC converter, and the charging bus is connected to a load on a second side of the DC-DC converter.

[0014] In addition to one or more features described herein, the DC-DC converter is a bidirectional buck-boost converter.

[0015] In addition to one or more features described herein, the charging system includes a switch system controllable by the controller to place the charging system in a charging mode.

[0016] In addition to one or more features described herein, the switch system includes a first switch disposed between the propulsion battery assembly and the charging bus, and a second switch disposed between the supplemental battery assembly and the charging bus.

[0017] In addition to one or more features described herein, performing a charging operation includes placing the charging system in a first charging mode by closing a first switch and opening a second switch, the first charging mode causing the charging current to bypass the supplemental battery assembly and charge the propulsion battery assembly through the DC-DC converter.

[0018] In addition to one or more features described herein, performing a charging operation includes placing the charging system in a second charging mode by closing the first switch and closing the second switch, the second charging mode causing the charging current to simultaneously charge the supplemental battery assembly and the propulsion battery assembly.

[0019] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a vehicle system includes a DC-DC converter connected to a charging bus and selectively connected to a propulsion battery assembly having a first chemistry and configured to power an electric motor of the vehicle, and a supplemental battery assembly having a second chemistry different from the first chemistry. The vehicle system also includes a charger connected to the charging bus on a first side of the DC-DC converter, the charging bus connected to a load on a second side of the DC-DC converter, and a controller configured to control the DC-DC converter to perform a charging operation.

[0020] In addition to one or more features described herein, the supplemental battery assembly is a high energy battery assembly having an energy density greater than an energy density of the propulsion battery assembly.

[0021] In addition to one or more features described herein, the vehicle system includes a switch system controllable by a controller to place the vehicle system in a charging mode, the switch system including a first switch disposed between the propulsion battery assembly and the charging bus, and a second switch disposed between the supplemental battery assembly and the charging bus.

[0022] In addition to one or more features described herein, the controller is configured to place the system in a first charging mode by closing the first switch and opening the second switch, the first charging mode causing the charging current to bypass the supplemental battery assembly and charge the propulsion battery assembly through the DC-DC converter, and the controller is configured to place the system in a second charging mode by closing the first switch and closing the second switch, the second charging mode causing the charging current to charge both the supplemental battery assembly and the propulsion battery assembly simultaneously.

[0023] The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description, which refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1is a top view of a motor vehicle including a hybrid chemistry battery system including battery assemblies having different chemistries according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0026] Figure 2 depicts a charging system connected to a battery assembly of a hybrid chemistry battery system;

[0027] Figure 3 depicts a charging system connected to a battery assembly of a hybrid chemistry battery system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0028] Figure 4 Depicted is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 A charging system including components of a bidirectional buck-boost converter;

[0029] Figure 5 Depicted is a first charging mode according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 3 Charging system;

[0030] Figure 6 Depicted is a second charging mode according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 3 Charging system;

[0031] Figure 7 is a flow chart describing aspects of a method of controlling a charging process for a hybrid chemistry battery system according to an exemplary embodiment; and

[0032] Figure 8 A computer system according to an exemplary embodiment is depicted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or use. It should be understood that in all figures, corresponding reference numerals represent the same or corresponding parts and features. As used herein, the term module refers to a processing circuit, which may include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated or group) and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit and / or other suitable components that provide the described functions.

[0034] According to exemplary embodiments, methods, devices, and systems for energy storage and / or energy transfer using a battery system having multiple chemistries are provided. An embodiment of a hybrid chemistry battery system for a vehicle includes a propulsion battery system having a first chemistry (e.g., lithium iron phosphate or LFP) and a supplemental battery system having a second chemistry. For example, the supplemental battery system includes a high energy density (compared to the propulsion battery system) battery assembly, such as a lithium metal battery (LMB) chemistry. The supplemental battery system is selectively connected in parallel to the propulsion battery system and is operable to perform functions such as providing additional power to the vehicle propulsion system and extending the vehicle's driving range.

[0035] An embodiment of a charging system includes a direct current (DC)-DC converter connected to a charging bus. A propulsion battery system includes a battery assembly, such as a propulsion battery pack, selectively connected to the charging bus, and a supplemental battery system includes a battery assembly, such as a supplemental battery pack, selectively connected to the charging bus. In one embodiment, the propulsion battery pack (or other propulsion battery assembly, such as a plurality of series-connected battery packs) and the supplemental battery pack are connected on opposite sides of the DC-DC converter.

[0036] The charging system includes or is connected to a charger that is part of or connected to a charging port. The charging system is also connected to one or more loads, such as electric motors, power electronics, and any other devices or components powered by the hybrid chemistry battery system. For example, a charging bus is connected to a propulsion bus for powering the vehicle's electric motors.

[0037] In one embodiment, the charger and one or more loads are connected to the charging bus on opposite sides of the DC-DC converter. For example, the DC-DC converter is connected to the charging bus between the charger and the propulsion bus.

[0038] Embodiments also include systems and methods for controlling charging of components of a hybrid chemistry battery system. In one embodiment, a system includes a controller configured to control a charging process. The controller can place the charging system in various charging modes.

[0039] The embodiments described herein present many advantages and technical effects. For example, the embodiments provide efficient use of advanced and high energy density batteries to supplement existing battery storage and improve vehicle performance and range. These embodiments take advantage of the advantages of different chemistries to improve overall performance.

[0040] Embodiments also provide improvements in charging efficiency and charging rate in hybrid chemistry battery systems. For example, existing charging system configurations for hybrid chemistry battery systems include a charging bus that connects a supplemental battery system in parallel with a propulsion battery system. The supplemental battery system has a greater energy density than the propulsion battery system and has a fast charging rate, but the charging rate is limited by the power rating of the DC-DC converter. By configuring the charging system as described herein, the charging rate of the supplemental battery system is no longer limited by the DC-DC converter. Therefore, the supplemental battery system can be charged faster than existing systems.

[0041] The embodiments are not limited to use with any particular vehicle and may be applicable in a variety of environments. For example, the embodiments may be used with automobiles, trucks, aircraft, construction equipment, farm equipment, automated factory equipment, and / or any other equipment or system for which additional thermal control may be required to augment existing thermal control capabilities or features of the equipment or system.

[0042] Figure 1 An embodiment of a motor vehicle 10 is shown that includes a body 12 that at least partially defines an occupant compartment 14. The body 12 also supports various vehicle subsystems, including a propulsion system 16 and other subsystems to support the functions of the propulsion system 16 and other vehicle components, such as a braking subsystem, a suspension system, a steering subsystem, and if the vehicle is a hybrid electric vehicle, a fuel injection subsystem, an exhaust subsystem, etc.

[0043] The vehicle 10 may be an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid vehicle, or any other vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle that includes one or more motors and one or more drive systems. For example, the propulsion system 16 is a multi-drive system including a first drive unit 20 and a second drive unit 30.

[0044] The first drive unit 20 includes a first electric motor 22 and a first inverter 24, as well as other components such as a cooling system 26. The second drive unit 30 includes a second electric motor 32 and a second inverter 34, as well as other components such as a cooling system 36. Inverters 24 and 34 (e.g., traction power inverter units or TPIMs) each convert direct current (DC) power from a high voltage (HV) battery system into multi-phase (e.g., two-phase, three-phase, six-phase, etc.) alternating current (AC) power to drive motors 22 and 32.

[0045] In propulsion system 16, drive unit 20 and drive unit 30 are electrically connected to a hybrid chemistry battery system 40. Battery system 40 or components thereof may be configured as a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS).

[0046] The hybrid chemistry battery system 40 includes one or more battery assemblies. For example, the battery system 40 includes one or more high voltage battery packs, such as a first battery pack 44 connected to the inverter 24 and a second battery pack 46 connected to the inverter 34. The battery packs 44 and 46 (and associated components such as a RESS or battery management system (BMS) controller) are the primary power source for the propulsion system 16 and are referred to as a propulsion battery system.

[0047] The battery pack 44 includes a plurality of battery modules 48, and the battery pack 46 includes a plurality of battery modules 50. Each module 48, 50 includes a plurality of individual battery cells (not shown). In one embodiment, the battery packs 44 and 46 can be charged independently and can be used to independently provide power for propulsion, power supply, and / or charging.

[0048] Each battery module 48, 50 includes a plurality of battery cells (not shown) having a selected chemistry. In one embodiment, each battery cell is a lithium-ion battery, such as a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. The battery packs 44 and 46 are not limited thereto and may have any suitable chemistry. Other examples include nickel metal hydride and lead acid chemistries.

[0049] The vehicle 10 includes a plurality of additional battery components (e.g., one or more additional battery cells, modules, battery packs, etc.). In one embodiment, the hybrid chemistry battery system 40 includes a supplemental battery system 60 that is connected in parallel or selectively connectable to the battery packs 44 and 46. The supplemental battery system 60 is provided to supplement the battery packs 44 and 46, for example, by providing additional power to the propulsion system 16 and / or providing energy to the battery packs 44 and / or 46 to increase the driving range of the vehicle 10. The supplemental battery system 60 includes at least one supplemental battery pack 62, which may have the same rated voltage as the battery packs 44 and 46 (e.g., 400V), but is not limited thereto.

[0050] The supplemental battery pack 62 is connected to the battery system 40 through a conversion device such as a DC-DC converter 64. Control of the DC-DC converter 64 and / or the supplemental battery system 60 may be performed using any suitable processing device or processor, such as a battery management system (BMS) controller or other controller associated with the battery packs 44 and 46, a charge controller, a motor controller, etc.

[0051] In one embodiment, the supplemental battery system 60 is a high energy density system (i.e., has a higher energy density than the battery packs 44 and 46). For example, the battery pack 62 includes a plurality of high energy density battery cells. Such battery cells have high energy density chemistries, such as lithium metal battery cells (e.g., LMB battery cells), Si anode battery cells (lithium ion battery cells with silicon-based anodes), etc.

[0052] The use of mixed chemistries described herein provides improved performance. For example, lithium-based cells such as LFP cells are low cost and have relatively high cycle life, but have relatively low energy density and are affected by low temperatures. Lithium metal cells such as NCM cells or other advanced battery chemistries have relatively high energy density, but generally have shorter life cycles and lower charging rates than typical propulsion battery chemistries. Combining battery chemistries can improve overall energy density, cycle life, and charging performance.

[0053] In one embodiment, the vehicle 10 includes one or more additional battery cells 54 that are connected in series to the battery pack 46 and / or the battery cells of the battery pack 44. Although the battery cells 54 are shown as being connected to the battery pack 46, one or more battery cells 54 may also be connected in series with the battery pack 44. Note that the embodiments are not limited to Figure 1 The number or configuration of battery cells 54 is shown.

[0054] In one embodiment, battery cell 54 has a different battery chemistry than battery packs 44 and / or 46. For example, battery cell 54 is an NCM battery cell and battery packs 44 and 46 have a lithium-ion chemistry, such as LFP.

[0055] The battery cells 54 may have various uses and functions. The battery cells 54 provide improvements in low temperature performance and may be used as a "virtual sensor" to facilitate estimating the SOC of the battery pack 46. The SOC estimation may be performed by estimating the SOC of the battery cells 54 and estimating the SOC of the battery pack 46, via known techniques such as coulomb counting. These estimates are combined to reduce the error in the SOC estimate of the battery pack 46 (e.g., to 3% or less). This estimate may be used to monitor progress during charging.

[0056] The vehicle 10 also includes a charging system that can be used to charge the battery packs 44 and 46 (and the battery cells 54), charge the supplemental battery system 60, and / or provide power to charge another energy storage system (e.g., vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and / or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) charging). The charging system includes one or more conversion devices for controlling aspects of charging and / or discharging. For example, at least one conversion device provides conversion between AC current and DC current and / or voltage control. The conversion device can be a bidirectional conversion device that allows the charging port to be used for charging or discharging.

[0057] In one embodiment, the charging system includes a charging control device 66 or a charger 66, such as an on-board charging module (OBCM). The charging control device 66 includes a conversion device in the form of a charger (charging circuit), which includes devices for alternating current (AC)-DC conversion and DC-DC conversion. For example, the charging control device 66 allows charging and discharging to and from an external power storage device (such as a battery system of another vehicle) (V2V charging). The charging control device 66 connects the battery system 40 to the charging port 68 for charging the vehicle battery system and / or providing charge to the external storage system.

[0058] The vehicle 10 also includes a computer system 70 that includes one or more processing devices 72 and a user interface 74. The various processing devices and units may communicate with each other via a communication device or system, such as a controller area network (CAN) or transmission control protocol (TCP) bus.

[0059] Figure 2 An example of a configuration of a charging system and a battery system 40 is depicted. As shown, a DC-DC converter 64 is connected to a charging bus 80. The DC-DC converter 64 may be a bidirectional buck-boost converter or a bidirectional buck-boost converter.

[0060] The battery pack 44 (also referred to herein as the "propulsion pack" 44) and the supplemental battery pack 62 (also referred to herein as the "energy pack" 62) are connected in parallel to the charging bus 80. The battery packs may be selectively connected to the charging bus 80 via various switching devices (not shown). A main negative switch 82 may be included on the negative side of the charging bus 80 to connect and disconnect the battery packs and charging system to and from the charger 66 and motors 22 and 32 (as well as other loads such as cooling, systems, power electronics, etc.).

[0061] Although only battery pack 44 is shown, the configuration is not limited thereto, as any type and number of propulsion battery packs may be connected. For example, series-connected battery packs 44 and 46 may be connected to charging bus 80. Thus, battery pack 44 may represent any number of series-connected battery assemblies. Likewise, energy pack 62 may represent any number of series-connected battery assemblies.

[0062] exist Figure 2 In the configuration of FIG. 5 , various loads and the charger 66 may be connected to the charging bus 80 on the same side of the DC-DC converter 64. Specifically, the DC-DC converter 64 has one end 64a connected to the bus 80 and the energy group 62, and an opposite end 64b connected to the bus 80, the propulsion group 44, and the loads.

[0063] Figure 2For example, although the energy pack 62 can be charged at a high charging rate, the charging rate that can be applied to the energy pack 62 is limited by the characteristics of the DC-DC converter 64.

[0064] Figure 3 An embodiment of a charging system is depicted that overcomes the above limitations. In this embodiment, the charger 66 and the load are connected to the charging bus 80 on opposite sides of the DC-DC converter 64 .

[0065] For example, Figure 3 As shown, charger 66 is connected to charging bus 80 on one side of DC-DC converter 64 (i.e., the side where charging bus 80 is connected to end 64a). Motor 22 (and other loads such as inverter 24 and cooling system 26) are connected to the opposite side of DC-DC converter 64 (i.e., the side where charging bus 80 is connected to end 64b).

[0066] The charging system includes other components for performing various functions related to providing power to a load, transferring power between battery packs 62 and 44, and facilitating the transfer of charge to battery pack 62 and / or battery pack 44 by charger 66. These components allow battery system 40 to transition between different operating modes and charging modes.

[0067] For example, the energy pack 62 may be selectively connected to the DC-DC converter 64 and the bus 80 via a main energy pack switch 84 (K2) that selectively connects the energy pack 62 to the positive side of the bus 80. The pre-charge circuit 86 includes a bypass resistor 90 connected in series with a switch 88 (K1), also referred to as an "energy pack pre-charge switch" 88.

[0068] The propulsion assembly 44 is selectively connectable to the DC-DC converter 64 (at end 64b) via a main propulsion assembly switch 92 (K4) which selectively connects the propulsion assembly 44 to the positive side of the bus 80. The pre-charge circuit 94 includes a bypass resistor 96 connected in series with a switch 98 (K3), also referred to as a "propulsion group pre-charge switch" 98.

[0069] Any switch described may be a switch of any suitable type. For example, switches 82, 84, and 92 may be mechanical relays. One or more switches may be electronic switches or solid-state switching devices. Any suitable solid-state or electronic device may be used as a switch. For example, the switch may include a solid-state relay or a transistor, such as a silicon (Si) insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) and a field effect transistor (FET). Examples of FETs include metal oxide semiconductor FETs (MOSFETs), Si MOSFETs, silicon carbide (Sic) MOSFETs, gallium nitride (GaN) high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs), and SiC junction gate FETs (JFETs). Other examples of switches that may be used include diamond, gallium oxide, and other power switching devices based on wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductors.

[0070] For example, when the supplemental battery pack 62 and / or the propulsion pack 44 are being charged, the DC-DC converter 64 is configured to step up or step down the voltage. When powering a load, the voltage may also be stepped up or down as needed.

[0071] In one embodiment, the DC-DC converter 62 is a bidirectional converter that can step up or step down the voltage in either direction. Such a converter is called a bidirectional buck-boost converter 62, which can transfer power in both directions.

[0072] In one embodiment, the propulsion group 44 and the energy group 62 have the same or similar rated voltage. In this embodiment, the propulsion group 44 and the energy group 62 can be charged simultaneously at a high charging rate (eg, a DC fast charging rate) without being limited by the power constraints of the DC-DC converter 64.

[0073] Figure 4 An embodiment of a battery system 40 and a charging system is depicted, including a bidirectional buck-boost converter 64. The converter 64 includes a first half-bridge having switches dp1 and dp3, which are connected in parallel to a second half-bridge formed by switches dp2 and dp4. The half-bridges are connected through an inductor L having a resistance RL. A capacitor Cin is connected in parallel to the first half-bridge, and a capacitor Cout is connected in parallel to the second half-bridge.

[0074] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment of the present invention, the switch 84 (K2) includes a negative side switch and a positive side switch, and the switch 92 (K4) includes a negative side switch and a positive side switch.

[0075] As described above, the hybrid chemistry battery system 40 is configured to operate according to various operating modes and charging modes.

[0076] Figure 5The battery system 40 and charging system are depicted in a first charging mode, referred to as a “propulsion group charging mode.” In this mode, only the propulsion group 44 (and any other propulsion battery groups, such as the battery group 46 ) are charged, while the energy group 62 is bypassed.

[0077] To place the vehicle 10 and battery system into the propulsion group charging mode, the main negative switch 82 and the main propulsion group switch 92 are closed. The main energy group switch 84 is opened. As shown, when charging begins, the charging current ic (indicated by the arrows) bypasses the energy group 62 and flows through the DC-DC converter 64 and the propulsion group 44.

[0078] Figure 6 The battery system 40 and charging system are depicted in a second charging mode, referred to as a “combined charging mode.” In this mode, both the energy pack 62 and the propulsion pack 44 are electrically connected to the charging bus 80 .

[0079] To put the vehicle 10 and battery system into combined charging mode, the main negative switch 82, the main propulsion assembly switch 92, and the main energy assembly switch 84 are all closed. When charging begins, the charging current i c At the same time, it flows through the energy group 62, the DC-DC converter 64 and the propulsion group 44. In this way, the battery packs are charged at the same voltage at the same time.

[0080] In addition to the charging mode, the battery system 40 can enter various operating modes or propulsion modes. The operating modes include, for example, a normal propulsion mode, a range assist mode, a power assist mode, and various charging modes.

[0081] In the normal propulsion mode, switch 84 is open and switch 92 is closed, thereby disconnecting energy pack 62 from charging bus 80. With switch 92 closed, propulsion assembly 44 operates normally to provide power for propulsion and / or to provide power for other loads. For example, in the normal propulsion mode, battery system 40 provides three-phase AC current to the vehicle propulsion system via propulsion bus 100 (and conversion devices such as DC-DC converters and inverters (not shown)), such as Figure 4 One or more propulsion bus switches 102 may be included to allow a propulsion system and / or other loads to be selectively connected to the charging bus 80 .

[0082] In power assist mode, both battery pack 44 and supplemental battery pack 62 are connected to bus 80 (switches 94 and 92 are closed). Battery pack 62 provides additional energy for propulsion, such as when the driver requests additional power.

[0083] Figure 7An embodiment of a method 110 for transferring power between and / or from battery systems having different chemistries is depicted. Aspects of the method 110 may be performed by one or more processors disposed in the vehicle, such as the charger 66. Note that the method 110 is not limited thereto and may be performed by any suitable processing device or system or combination of processing devices.

[0084] Method 110 includes a number of steps or phases represented by blocks 111 - 115. Method 110 is not limited to the number or order of steps therein, as some steps represented by blocks 111 - 115 may be performed in a different order than described below, or less than all steps may be performed in an order.

[0085] For the purpose of illustration, Figure 1 Vehicle 10 and Figure 3 The method 110 is described with reference to a topology of FIG. The method 100 is not limited thereto and may be used with any suitable vehicle battery system and any suitable hybrid chemistry battery system.

[0086] At box 111, the vehicle 10 is connected to an energy source, such as a charging station, another vehicle battery, or an electrical grid. In one embodiment, the vehicle 10 is connected to a fixed or mobile charging station, which may be configured for DC fast charging (DCFC).

[0087] A processing device such as charger 66 receives a power transfer request from a charging station (or other energy source). The request may be provided via wireless communication or by connecting charging port 68 to a charging cable of an appropriate port or interface of the charging station. Charger 66 determines various power transfer parameters, such as load requirements and / or charging parameters.

[0088] At block 112, the charger 66 controls components of the charging system to place the charging system and the battery system in a selected charging mode. For example, the charger 66 controls switches 84 and / or 86 to place the charging system in a reference mode. Figure 5 The first mode discussed, or combined Figure 6 The second charging mode is discussed.

[0089] At block 113, the charging process is initiated and a charging current is provided to the energy group 62 and / or the propulsion group 44. For example, depending on the selected charging mode, the propulsion group 44 is charged while bypassing the energy group 62, or the propulsion group 44 and the energy group 62 are charged simultaneously. In another example, the energy group 62 may be charged without charging the propulsion group 44 by charging when the switch 92 is open and the switch 84 is closed.

[0090] At box 114, various measurements are performed to monitor the progress of charging and monitor the battery condition. Examples of such measurements include current, voltage, and temperature. Monitoring also includes monitoring the state of charge (SOC). When the desired SOC is reached, the charging process ends.

[0091] At box 115, the vehicle 10 is disconnected from the charging station. The battery system 40 then enters a propulsion mode or an operating mode. As described herein, the operating mode may be a normal propulsion mode, a range assist mode, or a power assist mode.

[0092] Figure 8 Aspects of an embodiment of a computer system 140 are shown that can perform various aspects of the embodiments described herein. The computer system 140 includes at least one processing device 142, which typically includes one or more processors for performing various aspects of the image acquisition and analysis methods described herein.

[0093] Components of the computer system 140 include a processing device 142 (such as one or more processors or processing units), a memory 144, and a bus 146 that couples various system components including the system memory 144 to the processing device 142. The system memory 144 may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium and may include various computer system-readable media. Such media may be any available media that can be accessed by the processing device 142 and includes both volatile and non-volatile media, as well as removable and non-removable media.

[0094] For example, system memory 144 includes nonvolatile memory 148, such as a hard drive, and may also include volatile memory 150, such as random access memory (RAM) and / or cache memory. Computer system 140 may also include other removable / non-removable, volatile / nonvolatile computer system storage media.

[0095] The system memory 144 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g., at least one) of program modules configured to perform the functions of the embodiments described herein. For example, the system memory 144 stores various program modules that generally perform the functions and / or methods of the embodiments described herein. One or more modules 152 may be included to perform functions related to the power transmission control described herein. The system 140 is not limited thereto, as other modules may be included. As used herein, the term "module" refers to a processing circuit, which may include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and / or other suitable components that provide the functions.

[0096] Processing device 142 may also communicate with one or more external devices 156, which may be keyboards, pointing devices, and / or any device that enables processing device 142 to communicate with one or more other computing devices (e.g., network cards, modems, etc.). Communications with various devices may occur through input / output (I / O) interfaces 164 and 165.

[0097] The processing device 142 may also communicate with one or more networks 166, such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), a bus network, and / or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via a network adapter 168. It should be understood that, although not shown, other hardware and / or software components may be used in conjunction with the computer system 140. Examples include, but are not limited to, microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, and data archival storage systems, etc.

[0098] The terms "one" and "an" do not indicate a limitation of quantity, but rather indicate the presence of at least one of the referenced items. The term "or" means "and / or", unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. References to "an aspect" throughout the specification mean that a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, step, or characteristic) described in conjunction with that aspect is included in at least one aspect described herein, and may or may not be present in other aspects. In addition, it should be understood that the described elements may be combined in any suitable manner in various aspects.

[0099] When an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0100] Unless otherwise indicated herein, all test standards are the most recent standards in effect as of the filing date of the present application or, if priority is claimed, the filing date of the earliest priority application in which the test standards appear.

[0101] Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0102] Although the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for its elements without departing from the scope thereof. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt specific situations or materials to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope of the disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within its scope.

Claims

1. A system for controlling power transmission, comprising: a direct current (DC)-to-DC converter coupled to the charging bus and selectively coupled to a propulsion battery assembly having a first chemistry and configured to power an electric motor of the vehicle and a supplemental battery assembly having a second chemistry different from the first chemistry; a charger connected to a charging bus on a first side of the DC-DC converter, the charging bus connected to a load on a second side of the DC-DC converter; and The controller is configured to control the DC-DC converter to perform a charging operation.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The DC-DC converter is a bidirectional buck-boost converter.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The propulsion battery assembly and supplemental battery assembly are connected to the charging bus on opposite sides of the DC-DC converter.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The supplemental battery assembly is a high energy battery assembly having an energy density greater than that of the propulsion battery assembly.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a switch system controllable by the controller to place the system in a charging mode, wherein the switch system comprises a first switch disposed between the propulsion battery assembly and a charging bus, and a second switch disposed between the supplemental battery assembly and the charging bus.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein: The controller is configured to place the system in a first charging mode by closing the first switch and opening the second switch, the first charging mode causing the charging current to bypass the supplemental battery assembly and charge the propulsion battery assembly through the DC-DC converter, and wherein the controller is configured to place the system in a second charging mode by closing the first switch and closing the second switch, the second charging mode causing the charging current to charge both the supplemental battery assembly and the propulsion battery assembly simultaneously.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to connect the supplemental battery assembly in parallel to the propulsion battery assembly during vehicle propulsion and to provide charge to the propulsion battery assembly through the DC-DC converter to extend the driving range of the vehicle.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to connect the supplemental battery assembly in parallel to the propulsion battery assembly during vehicle propulsion and provide power to the electric motor through the DC-DC converter, the power bypassing the propulsion battery assembly.

9. A method of controlling power transmission, comprising: receiving a charge request at a controller of a charging system, the charging system including a DC-DC converter connected to a charging bus and selectively connected to a propulsion battery assembly having a first chemistry and configured to power an electric motor of the vehicle and a supplemental battery assembly having a second chemistry different from the first chemistry, the charging system including a charger connected to the charging bus on a first side of the DC-DC converter, the charging bus connected to a load on a second side of the DC-DC converter; and By controlling the DC-DC converter, a charging operation is performed based on a charging request.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The charging system includes a switch system that can be controlled by the controller to place the charging system in a charging mode, the switch system including a first switch disposed between the propulsion battery assembly and a charging bus, and a second switch disposed between the supplemental battery assembly and the charging bus.

Images