Abstract:
A method of operating a refrigerant system 100 of a vehicle having an electric traction motor, wherein the refrigerant system includes a compressor (40). The method comprises driving the compressor towards a target compressor speed and circulating refrigerant compressed by the compressor through the refrigerant system to cool a thermal load (13,36), wherein the target compressor speed is selected based at least in part on the thermal load, and changing the compressor speed to a selected proportion of the target compressor speed when a compressor discharge pressure reaches a selected threshold pressure, wherein the selected proportion varies inversely with compressor discharge pressure.
Abstract:
In an aspect, an electric powertrain assembly is provided for a vehicle. A first version of the vehicle is driven by an internal combustion engine having a selected bounding volume and which is supported in the first version of the vehicle at a plurality of first support points. A second version of the vehicle is driven by the electric powertrain assembly. The electric powertrain assembly includes a cradle, an electric motor assembly that includes an electric motor and that is connected to the cradle, a plurality of brackets configured to mount to a plurality of second support points in the second version of the vehicle, which are substantially identical in position to the first support points in the first version of the vehicle. The cradle, the electric motor assembly and the plurality of brackets fit within the selected bounding volume.
Abstract:
A method of inhibiting a driver of an electric vehicle from being stranded along a route is provided. The method includes determining a plurality of routes to a selected destination, and determining a predicted total energy consumption associated with each route based on elevation changes determined to take place along each route, and based on actual power consumption data associated with the vehicle travelling at a plurality of speeds on a plurality of grades. In a particular embodiment the determination may further be based on information relating to speed limits along the route.
Abstract:
A process for charging a battery pack of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a cooling system that automatically turns on to cool the battery pack when its temperature reaches a high threshold temperature. The process involves determining an operating heating rise of the battery pack in the event the vehicle is driven at a predetermined operating condition. The process determines a target temperature for the battery pack at the end of charging which is set to prevent the cooling system from turning on if the vehicle is driven under the predetermined operating condition. The battery pack is then charged and the cooling system is operated during charging to prevent the battery pack from reaching the target temperature. By preventing the subsequent operation of the cooling system, the driving range provided by the battery pack may be extended.
Abstract:
A thermal management system for an electric vehicle includes a motor circuit for cooling a motor circuit thermal load, a cabin heating circuit for heating a cabin heater and a battery circuit for managing the temperature of a battery circuit thermal load. All of these circuits can fluidically communicate with each other and a single radiator can cool the fluid from all of these circuits.
Abstract:
An electric drive module for use in electric vehicles includes an electric traction motor, a geared reduction unit driven by the electric motor, a differential unit interconnecting a pair of axleshafts to a pair of wheels, and a disconnect mechanism for selectively coupling and uncoupling the geared reduction unit and the differential unit. The disconnect mechanism is configured to normally couple the geared reduction unit to the differential unit. The disconnect mechanism uncouples the geared reduction unit from the differential unit to prevent peak torque transients and torque reversals between the electric motor and the wheels.
Abstract:
A vehicle, such as a parallel or series hybrid vehicle, includes both an electric traction motor and a range extending device such as, for example, an internal combustion engine, or a fuel cell. In an embodiment, a thermal management system for the vehicle includes a passenger cabin heating circuit configured to circulate heat exchange fluid through a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger and a passenger cabin heating heat exchanger. A motor circuit can be configured to circulate heat exchange fluid through the electric traction motor, a transmission control module, and a DC/DC converter. The motor circuit can be selectably connected to the passenger cabin heating circuit by a valve. An engine circuit is configured to circulate heat exchange fluid through the internal combustion engine, a radiator, and the liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger. The liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat between heat exchange fluid of the passenger cabin heating circuit and heat exchange fluid of the engine circuit.
Abstract:
A cooling apparatus for a vehicle includes a compressor 40 and a condenser 38 arranged for flow of refrigerant. The condenser can be connected to a cabin cooling expansion valve 41 positioned between the condenser and a cabin cooling heat exchanger 50 used to cool a passenger cabin 13 of the vehicle. A battery cooling heat exchanger 32 is connected to the condenser and is used to cool a traction motor battery of the vehicle. A battery cooling expansion valve 31 is connected to the condenser and the battery cooling heat exchanger. At least one of the cabin cooling expansion valve 41 and the battery cooling expansion valve 31 is an electronic expansion valve. A controller 80 can control the one or more electronic expansion valves based on desired refrigerant flow rates through the cabin cooling heat exchanger and the battery cooling heat exchanger.
Abstract:
In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a wheel assembly for a vehicle, including a wheel, a brake, an electric motor, and optionally a gearbox, and a support structure that supports the motor, the wheel and the optional gearbox if a gearbox is provided. The brake includes a brake disk that rotates with the wheel, and a caliper, which is itself made up of first and second caliper portions. The first caliper portion is formed directly in the support structure.
Abstract:
A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a traction motor and a battery pack. The thermal management system comprises a battery circuit for cooling a battery circuit thermal load including the battery pack, a battery circuit temperature sensor positioned to sense a temperature relating to a temperature of the battery circuit thermal load, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the battery circuit to maintain the temperature sensed by the battery circuit temperature sensor below a first battery circuit temperature limit when the controller detects that the vehicle is not connected to an external electrical source, and to maintain the temperature sensed by the battery circuit temperature sensor below a second battery circuit temperature limit that is lower than the first battery circuit temperature limit when the controller detects that the vehicle is connected to the external electrical source.