Method and a device for controlling the operation of an energy storage system in a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of an energy storage system (10) in a vehicle (30), preferably an electric or hybrid electric vehicle, said energy storage system (10) comprising at least two battery packs (12) connected in parallel, said energy storage system (10) being adapted to provide at least a nominal power functionality for propulsion of said vehicle (30) using an allowed operating extent of all of said battery packs (12) of said energy storage system (10), said allowed operating extent being a nominal working range of said battery packs (12); said method comprising disconnecting at least one battery pack (12); and setting said allowed operating extent for said remaining connected and active battery pack(s) (12) to an increased working range so as to enable said energy storage system (10) to provide said nominal power functionality to said vehicle (30), the method further comprising monitoring at least one accumulated parameter indicative of the operation of said energy storage system (10) from the time of disconnection of said at least one battery pack (12), and when said accumulated parameter reaches a threshold value, setting said allowed operating extent for said remaining battery pack(s) (12) to a decreased working range. The invention also relates to a control unit for controlling the operation of an energy storage system (10).

Claims

1. A method for controlling an operation of an energy storage system in a vehicle, preferably an electric or hybrid electric vehicle, said energy storage system comprising at least two battery packs connected in parallel, said energy storage system being adapted to provide at least a nominal power functionality for propulsion of said vehicle using an allowed operating extent of all of said battery packs of said energy storage system, said allowed operating extent being a nominal working range of said battery packs; said method comprising disconnecting at least one battery pack; and setting said allowed operating extent for said remaining connected and active battery pack(s) to an increased working range so as to enable said energy storage system to provide said nominal power functionality to said vehicle, characterised by monitoring at least one accumulated parameter indicative of the operation of said energy storage system from the time of disconnection of said at least one battery pack, and when said accumulated parameter reaches a threshold value, setting said allowed operating extent for said remaining battery pack(s) to a decreased working range, wherein said allowed operating extent is expressed in terms indicative of at least one of a state of charge, a charging current, a discharging current, and a power output of said battery pack(s).

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising monitoring at least a first and a second accumulated parameter indicative of said operation of said energy storage system, and, when said first accumulated parameter reaches a first threshold value, or said second accumulated parameter reaches a second threshold value, setting said allowed operating extent of said remaining battery packs to said decreased working range.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said accumulated parameter is indicative of the time passed after disconnection of said at least one battery pack, an electrical work performed by said energy storage system after disconnection of said at least one battery pack and/or an energy throughput of said energy storage system after disconnection of said at least one battery pack.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said accumulated parameter is indicative of an energy throughput of said energy storage system after disconnection of said at least one battery pack, and said threshold value is greater than 200 kWh and said threshold value is less than 10 000 kWh.

5. The method according to claim 1, comprising, when said threshold value is reached, setting said allowed operating extent of said remaining battery pack(s) to said decreased working range being such that provision of said nominal power functionality from said energy storage unit to said vehicle is disabled.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said nominal power functionality corresponds to a set or sets of function parameters to be provided by said energy storage system, said function parameters comprising electrical work output and/or energy throughput, and/or duration.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said threshold value is adapted to enable the completion of an intended use schedule of said vehicle requiring the provision of an intended power functionality from said energy storage system to said vehicle for a scheduled interval.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said scheduled interval is at least 4 h and less than 36 h.

9. The method according to claim 1, comprising determining that said at least one battery pack is faulty before disconnecting said battery pack from said remaining battery pack(s).

10. A non-transitory computer readable medium carrying a program comprising program code means for performing the steps of claim 1 when said program is run on a computer.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium carrying a computer program comprising program code means for performing the steps of claim 1 when said program product is run on a computer.

12. A control unit for controlling an operation of an energy storage system in a vehicle, preferably an electric or hybrid electric vehicle, said energy storage system comprising at least two battery packs connected in parallel, said energy storage system being adapted to provide at least a nominal power functionality for propulsion of said vehicle using an allowed operating extent of all of said battery packs of said energy storage system said allowed operating extent being a nominal working range of said battery pack(s); said control unit being adapted to disconnect at least one battery pack from said remaining, connected and active, battery pack(s); and to set said allowed operating extent of said remaining battery pack(s) to an increased working range so as to enable said energy storage system to provide said nominal power functionality to said vehicle characterised by said control unit being adapted to monitor at least one accumulated parameter indicative of the operation of said energy storage system from the time of disconnection of said at least one battery pack, and, when said accumulated parameter reaches a threshold value, setting said allowed operating extent for said remaining battery pack(s) to a decreased working range, wherein said allowed operating extent is expressed in terms indicative of at least one of a state of charge, a charging current, a discharging current, and a power output of said battery pack(s).

13. The control unit according to claim 12, being adapted to monitor at least a first and a second accumulated parameter, and to, when said first accumulated parameter reaches a first threshold value, or when said second accumulated parameter reaches a second threshold value, set said allowed operating extent for said remaining battery pack(s) to said decreased working range.

14. The control unit according to claim 12, wherein said first and/or second accumulated parameter are/is indicative of the time passed after disconnection of said at least one battery pack from said energy storage system, the electrical work performed by said energy storage system after disconnection of said at least one battery pack, and/or an energy throughput of the energy storage system after disconnection of said at least one battery pack.

15. A vehicle comprising the control unit according to claim 12.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples.

(2) In the drawings:

(3) FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of an energy storage system connected to a vehicle,

(4) FIG. 2 is a schematic flow chart of a method for controlling an energy storage system,

(5) FIG. 3 is a more detailed schematic drawing of an embodiment of an energy storage system connected to a vehicle,

(6) FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate embodiments of vehicles comprising an energy storage system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(7) FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of an energy storage system 10, comprising a plurality of battery packs 12.

(8) The battery packs 12 are connected in parallel in the energy storage system 10. Each battery pack 12 is arranged to be disconnectable from the other battery packs 12. Accordingly, if desired, a battery pack 12 may be disconnected and the energy storage system 10 may continue its operation using the remaining, interconnected battery packs 12.

(9) A control unit 20 is arranged to control operation of the battery packs 12. Moreover, the battery packs 12 are connected so as to provide power for propulsion of a vehicle 30.

(10) Although the control unit 20 is preferably to be arranged on-board the vehicle 30, the control unit 20 may alternatively be a remote unit with which the energy storage system 10 is arranged to communicate e.g. via a wireless connection such as via an internet connection.

(11) The energy storage system is adapted to provide at least a nominal power functionality for propulsion of the vehicle 30 using a nominal working range of the battery packs 12.

(12) The nominal power functionality of the vehicle may be determined as a required functionality to ensure an intended use of the vehicle. To this end, it is necessary that the battery packs are able to provide sufficient electrical work output and/or energy throughput for a sufficient duration.

(13) To establish a nominal power functionality of a vehicle, a set or sets of function parameters such as the above mentioned electrical work output, energy throughput and/or duration may be established, where the nominal power functionality is said to be ensured if all such sets may be provided by the energy storage system.

(14) The sets of function parameters may be determined by studying specific use situations of the vehicle. For example a set of function parameters may be determined by considering what is necessary in order to enable continued propagation of the vehicle at a certain speed when loaded with a specific load, and/or to enable a desired acceleration, and/or to enable e.g. propagation uphill a steep slope at a minimum speed.

(15) For a vehicle for which the intended use is not known, the use situations selected in order to determine the nominal working range may be made based on assumptions of normal use of such a vehicle and/or general vehicle requirements.

(16) For a vehicle for which the intended use is known (e.g. a bus on a specific tour, a taxi in a specific neighbourhood, etc.) it may be conceivable to select specific use situations for the individual vehicle, and to adapt the set of function parameters accordingly. For example, some working vehicles, such as a bus serving a specific bus tour or a truck performing regular loading and discharging activities, may be determined to follow a very specific work schedule. In this case, the sets of function parameters may be determined from situations occurring along the vehicle's individual work schedule, and the nominal power functionality of the vehicle may hence be determined so as to relatively accurately reflect a power functionality required to fulfil the working schedule of the vehicle.

(17) The nominal power functionality should be achievable from the energy storage system 10 using only a nominal working range of the battery packs 12. The nominal working range of the battery packs 12 may be set considering the optimum working conditions of the battery packs in order to achieve an expected lifetime thereof.

(18) The nominal working range may be expressed e.g. in an allowable state of charge (SOC). A typical nominal allowed working range may for example be 40 to 60%. Accordingly, excessive loading and depletion of the battery packs are avoided, which is generally beneficial for the long term function of the battery packs.

(19) Alternatively, the nominal working range may be set in terms of e.g. maximum discharge current or discharge power.

(20) Upon disconnection of at least one battery pack 12, the allowed operating extent for the remaining and connected battery packs 12 is to be increased from the nominal working range to an increased working range so as to enable the energy storage system 10 to continue providing the nominal power functionality to the vehicle.

(21) Accordingly, by setting the allowed operating extent to the increased working range, the remaining battery packs 12 of the energy system is allowed to work also outside of the nominal working range. For example, if the nominal working range is measured in State of Charge, a nominal working range may be 40 to 60%, whereas an increased working range may be 30 to 70%.

(22) Alternatively, the working ranges may be set in different terms, such as in terms of power output of the energy storage system, discharge current etc.

(23) The increased working range may be selected so as to enable continued provision of the nominal power functionality to the vehicle, i.e. the vehicle may perform “as usual”. However, the remaining battery packs are at risk of becoming impaired if working within such an increased working range, at least if the over-use of the battery packs takes place during a considerable period of time.

(24) Accordingly, the interval during which the energy system is allowed to provide the increased working range should be restricted.

(25) To this end, at least one accumulated parameter indicative of the operation of the energy storage system 10 is to be monitored from the time of disconnection of the battery pack 12 from the remaining, active and functioning, battery packs 12.

(26) When the accumulated parameter reaches a threshold value, the allowed operating extent of the remaining battery packs is to be set to a decreased working range. With “decreased working range” is meant that the possible power output is decreased in relation to the previous increased working range, and not necessarily in relation to the nominal working range. However, it may be preferred that the decreased working range is equal to the nominal working range, or that it may be narrower than the nominal working range.

(27) With the decreased working range and using the remaining battery packs 12 only, it will generally no longer be possible for the energy storage system 10 to provide the nominal power functionality for propulsion of the vehicle 30.

(28) However, as is understood from the above, the method results in an interval between the time of disconnection of the battery pack 12 and the setting of the decreased working range, during which interval the increased working range ensures that the nominal power functionality may still be achieved.

(29) This interval may suitably be adapted e.g. to drive the vehicle to a service station for replacement of the faulty battery 12.

(30) Alternatively, the time period may be adapted to complete a work schedule of the vehicle. In particular, for a vehicle having an intended use involving a predetermined work schedule, the threshold of the accumulated parameter may be set taking the predetermined work schedule into account.

(31) For example, the threshold may be set so as to enable a bus to finish its intended route, or to finish a working day, with continued provision of the nominal power functionality, that is, without any impaired function of the vehicle.

(32) Accordingly, when setting the threshold value for the accumulated parameter, the interest of keeping the batteries in a good condition may be balanced with the need for acquiring a certain interval during which the nominal power functionality for propulsion of the vehicle may still be achieved.

(33) The interval may be at least 4 h, preferably at least 8 h, more preferred at least 10 h. Such a time period may also be less than 36 h, preferably less than 24 h, most preferred less than 15 h.

(34) Once the allowed operating extent of the remaining battery packs 12 is set to the decreased working range, the vehicle 30 may no longer be provided with the nominal power functionality. Still, some power functionality may be provided to the vehicle 30, for example enabling driving at relatively slow speed.

(35) In particular, it is intended that a scheduled interval enabling the completion of a work schedule may be accomplished. To this end, the threshold for the accumulated parameter may be established taking the work schedule of the vehicle into account.

(36) Accordingly, it may be ensured e.g. that a bus may complete its intended route before requiring service.

(37) In practice, when setting the threshold value, it may be considered what is necessary in order to maintain the nominal power functionality for the desired interval.

(38) With reference to FIG. 2, the method described in the above may be presented as a number of steps including: disconnecting at least one battery pack 100, setting the allowed operating extent for the remaining connected and active battery pack(s) to an increased working range so as to enable the energy storage system to provide the nominal power functionality to the vehicle 200, monitoring at least one accumulated parameter indicative of the operation of the energy storage system from the time of disconnection of the at least one battery pack 300, and when the accumulated parameter reaches a threshold value, setting the allowed operating extent for the remaining battery pack(s) to a decreased working range 400.

(39) It will be understood that additional steps may be added to the method. For example, prior to disconnecting the at least one battery pack 100, a step of determining whether a battery pack shall be disconnected may be performed.

(40) Also, the step of monitoring at least one accumulated parameter may be modified so as to include monitoring at least two different accumulated parameters, each having a different threshold value. The method may continue to setting the decreased working range 400 if at least one out of the two accumulated parameters reaches its corresponding threshold value.

(41) The energy storage system 10 with its battery packs 12 may be designed in numerous manners to accomplish the necessary control thereof and the transmittal of the stored energy of the battery packs 12 to the propulsion system of the vehicle 30.

(42) FIG. 3 illustrates an example embodiment of such an energy storage system 10.

(43) The battery packs 12 may comprise any kind of electricity storing device 13 capable of storing and discharging electricity, such as a lithium ion cell, a nickel-hydrogen cell, a lead accumulator, or an electric double layer capacitator. The number of electricity storing devices 13 in a battery pack 12 may be in the range of hundreds to thousands.

(44) Typically, each battery pack 12 may comprise a module comprising a plurality of individual electricity storing devices 13.

(45) The energy storage system 10 may advantageously comprise measuring means 17 for measuring properties of the battery packs 12, and/or disconnection means 15 for enabling disconnection of a battery pack 12 from the remainder of the battery packs 12.

(46) Measuring means 17 and/or disconnection means 15 may be arranged in connection to each battery pack 12, such that each battery pack 12 comprises electricity storing devices 13 and corresponding measuring means 17 and disconnection means 15, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

(47) Alternatively, measuring means 17 and/or disconnection means 15 could be arranged separate from the battery packs 12.

(48) The measuring means 15 may be arranged to measure any property of the battery pack 12, e.g. the discharge current and/or the voltage of the battery pack 12 and/or the temperature thereof.

(49) On the basis of the measurements performed by the measuring means 17, a state of the battery pack 12 may be determined. For example, the state of charge (SOC), state of health (SOH), as well as abnormalities in the battery pack 12 may be detected.

(50) Advantageously, the control unit 20 may perform the determination of the state of the battery packs 12, and/or a determination that a battery pack 12 is to be disconnected. To this end, the control unit 20 may transmit and receive control signals from and to the various components 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 of the battery packs 12.

(51) Optionally, the determination of the state of the battery packs 12 may take place e.g. in sub-control units 14 arranged in connection with each individual battery pack 12.

(52) Typically, the determination of the state of the battery packs 12 may be performed in order to determine whether a battery pack 12 is faulty or not.

(53) Generally, a determination that a battery pack 12 is faulty may be made using any known method for detecting errors in battery packs 12, for which any necessary measurement equipment may be provided.

(54) If the battery pack 12 is determined to be faulty, it will be disconnected from the remaining battery packs 12.

(55) A fault in a battery pack 12 may be permanent, i.e. requiring replacement of the battery pack 12 by a new battery pack. Such a fault may for example be a fault in the electronics of the battery pack 12, a fault in an energy storage device 13, a fault in a sensor device in the battery pack.

(56) Alternatively, a fault in a battery pack 12 may be temporary, e.g. it may be determined that the temperature in or surrounding a specific battery pack 12 is such that the functioning of the battery pack 12 is impaired, but that the battery pack 12 will recover as soon as a more suitable temperature is established.

(57) If a battery pack 12 is determined to be faulty, the battery pack will be disconnected from the remaining battery packs 12, preferably using the disconnection means 15.

(58) It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

(59) For example, the battery packs 12 may be arranged in various manners, and may comprise various means serving different purposes in the energy storage system, such as climatisation means for controlling the temperature of the energy storage devices 13. To this end, a cooling system may advantageously be arranged in communication with the battery packs 12.