Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110240386 | ELECTRIC VEHICLE WITH STRUCTURALLY INTEGRATED COMPONENTS - An electric vehicle (EV) includes EV components utilized as structural members within the vehicle, as a so-called stressed member. The EV component itself acts as a load-bearing structural member, thereby reducing the amount and/or mass of structural members otherwise forming the vehicle structure alone, and ultimately reducing vehicle weight. | 10-06-2011 |
20110256431 | BATTERY TEMPERATURE CONTROL - Systems and methods are provided for controlling battery temperature, for example those used in electric vehicles. | 10-20-2011 |
20110256432 | BATTERY HUMIDITY CONTROL - Systems and methods are provided for controlling humidity in gases exposed to batteries, which can be applied to humidity control in climate control gases in battery packs, for example those used in electric vehicles. | 10-20-2011 |
20120013113 | AERODYNAMIC PERFORMANCE IN PASSENGER VEHICLES - Systems and methods providing improved aerodynamic performance in passenger vehicles are generally described. The underbody of the passenger vehicle can be, in some cases, relatively smooth to reduce aerodynamic drag on the vehicle. In addition, the contour of the underbody can include one or more recessed portions that maintain relatively constant air pressure as air passes under the vehicle. The wheel fairings of the vehicle can also include one or more features that reduce aerodynamic drag. For example, the vehicle can include wheel fairings comprising one or more contours adjacent the interface between the wheel well and the underbody that serve to reduce pressure buildup adjacent the wheel well. In some embodiments, one or more wheels can include a wheel well cover that at least partially encloses the outside of the wheel well, such that air can pass smoothly along the side of the vehicle. In some embodiments, such as when the wheel well cover at least partially encloses a movable wheel, the wheel well cover can be adjustable such that contact between the tire (or any other part of the wheel) and the wheel well cover is avoided. The wheel well cover can include one or more curves (e.g., along 1-dimension as in a cylinder or along 2-dimensions as in a sphere), in some instances, which can accommodate a turning wheel such that the need to displace the wheel well cover in response to a turning wheel is reduced. | 01-19-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110281145 | BATTERY THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods for temperature control of a battery pack at, below, or above a target temperature, and/or within a temperature range. Systems and methods for battery pack thermal management having a thermally conductive interstitial member between battery cells and a thermally conductive plate or plates coupled to the interstitial member along which fluid flows to effect the temperature of the battery pack by drawing heat generated by the battery pack away from the battery pack in multiple directions, and/or by imparting heat to the battery pack in multiple directions. Systems and methods for battery pack thermal management having a thermally conductive interstitial member between cells of the battery pack and a plate coupled to the interstitial member along which fluid can flow in multiple directions to maintain the battery pack at, above, or below a target temperature, within a temperature range, and/or to minimize the pack temperature gradient. | 11-17-2011 |
20110301818 | ROTARY ENCODER GEAR SELECTOR FOR VEHICLE - Gear selector apparatus for a vehicle includes a rotary encoder having detents at positions corresponding to driving modes of the vehicle, the rotary encoder outputting at least one encoder signal in response to rotation of the rotary encoder by a driver of the vehicle, a display assembly configured to indicate a driving mode of the vehicle, and gear selector logic, responsive at least in part to the encoder signal, to control the driving mode of the vehicle and the display assembly. The rotary encoder may be rotatable in either direction without limits on rotation. The gear selector logic may define one or more conditions for changing from an actual driving mode to a target driving mode selected by the driver. | 12-08-2011 |
20110304202 | BATTERY DISCONNECTION IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES - Systems and methods for disconnection of battery power from vehicular components in an electric vehicle upon the occurrence of a crash event are described. In an embodiment of an electric vehicle, upon detection of a crash event, an appropriate signal is transmitted through a controller area network (CAN). A battery management unit (BMU) detects the signal and then severs a power connection between the battery and one or more vehicular components of the electric vehicle. In another embodiment of an electric vehicle, a crash event is detected and a signal to deploy an airbag and/or a pretensioner is emitted. Once a decision is made to deploy the airbag and/or the to pretensioner, the BMU then cuts off battery power to one or more vehicular components of the electric vehicle. | 12-15-2011 |
20110307130 | SELECTABLE DRIVING MODES - Electric vehicle driving modes and methods of use thereof are described. A vehicle includes a driving mode selection unit. The driving mode selection unit can be used to select a particular driving mode from amongst a plurality of driving modes. A vehicle may be capable of using more energy in a first driving mode than in a second driving mode. A driving mode may comprise at least three vehicle system operating profiles comprising at least three of motor torque curve profile, regenerative braking level profile, electronic power steering profile, electronic stability control profile, antilock braking system profile, and top speed. | 12-15-2011 |
20120015242 | BATTERY WITH IMPROVED TERMINALS - A battery or battery cell may include a casing, a battery cell core housed within the casing and at least one terminal electrically connected to the cell core. The battery or cell may also include a lid or sealing plate to seal the cell core within the casing. The terminal may be mounted to the lid with a pair of fasteners, such as rivets, that are aligned along a longitudinal axis that is offset relative to the terminal so that a portion of the terminal on one side of the axis is larger than a portion of the terminal on the other side of the axis. Such an arrangement may provide a relatively large surface portion for connection to the terminal. The battery or cell may include a pair of terminals that are each mounted to the lid by a pair of fasteners. One terminal may be mounted with fasteners having a size and/or spacing that is different from the size and/or spacing of the fasteners mounting the other terminal. Such an arrangement may provide a keying-like feature for the terminals. A seal and/or insulator may be provided for sealing and/or electrically insulating each terminal. | 01-19-2012 |
20120244397 | BATTERY ASSEMBLY - Battery assemblies for automobiles include cell trays for holding battery cells within a battery enclosure. In some embodiments, battery assemblies described may incorporate the ability to monitor the temperature of one or more battery cells in the assembly where a thermal sensing strip is positioned between battery cells. In other embodiments, battery assemblies may employ a plurality of tensioned straps that may be used to firmly fix battery cells relative to one another and/or allow a user to carry a number of battery cells together. In further embodiments, battery assemblies may include cell trays that are adjustable in configuration to receive varying arrangements of battery cells. Battery assemblies may include a battery module having an upper cell tray and a lower cell tray where battery cells are disposed in receptacles of the upper and lower cell trays such that the battery cells are spaced from one another allowing for air to flow between battery cells. | 09-27-2012 |
20120315510 | BATTERY PACK WITH BREATHABLE MEMBRANE - A battery pack is provided which includes at least one electrochemical rechargeable battery cell, and a housing enclosing the battery cell. At least one inlet is formed in the housing configured such that gas can enter into the housing, and at least one outlet is formed in the housing configured such that gas can exit the housing. The outlet includes a breathable membrane configured such that water vapor can pass through the membrane and outside the housing. | 12-13-2012 |
20120321928 | MECHANISM TO REDUCE THERMAL GRADIENTS IN BATTERY SYSTEMS - A device and method are disclosed for providing substantially uniform temperatures to at least a first and second battery cell in a battery pack. A heat transfer control element is operatively coupled to the at least first and second battery cells. The heat transfer control element is adapted to transfer heat between the battery cells and insulate the battery cells from a flow of heat transfer medium. The first battery cell is insulated to a greater amount than the second battery cell. | 12-20-2012 |
20130162009 | ELECTRIC VEHICLE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM - A method and system for braking a vehicle are disclosed. The vehicle has at least one of an electronic stability control system and an antilock brake system. The vehicle may also include a regenerative brake adapted to apply a regenerative braking torque to slow the vehicle. The vehicle may further include a pressure sensor adapted to sense pressure in a hydraulic brake line. The pressure sensor may be a component of the at least one of the electronic stability control system and the antilock brake system. The vehicle may also include a controller adapted to control the regenerative braking torque of the regenerative brake based on at least the sensed pressure. | 06-27-2013 |