Battery current limits estimation based on RC model

Abstract

A method of estimating a battery current limit for operation of a battery cell over the course of a specified prediction time. The method includes generating a plurality of current limit estimations by means of a plurality of current limit estimation sub-methods, wherein at least one current limit estimation sub-method generates its current limit estimation based on an RC equivalent circuit model of the battery cell, and determining the charge current limit by finding the lowest magnitude current limit estimation in the plurality of current limit estimations. At least one parameter of the RC equivalent circuit model is set based on the specified prediction time and at least one variable from the set of: a state of charge (SOC) of the battery cell, a temperature of the battery cell, a state of health (SOH) of the battery cell, a capacity of the battery cell, and a current of the battery cell.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: a battery cell configured to power the vehicle over a specified prediction time; and a battery management system in communication with the battery cell, the battery management system configured to: generate, using a first current limit estimation sub-method, a first current limit estimation for operating the battery cell over the specified prediction time; generate, using a second current limit estimation sub-method, a second current limit estimation for operating the battery cell over the specified prediction time, the second current limit estimation sub-method separate from the first current limit estimation sub-method; determine a battery current limit by selecting the one of the first current limit estimation or the second current limit estimation associated with a lowest magnitude; and operate, based on the determined battery current limit, the battery cell to power the vehicle.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein: at least one of the first current limit estimation sub-method or the second current limit sub-method generates the respective one of the first current limit estimation or the second current limit estimation based on an RC equivalent circuit model of the battery cell; and at least one parameter of the RC equivalent circuit model is set based on the specified prediction time and at least one of a state of charge (SOC) of the battery cell, a temperature of the battery cell, a state of health (SOH) of the battery cell, a capacity of the battery cell, or a current of the battery cell.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the battery current limit comprises: a discharge current limit and each of the first and second current limit estimations each comprise a respective discharge current limit estimation; and a charge current limit and each of the first and second current limit estimations each comprise a respective charge current limit estimation.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein: the first current limit estimation sub-method comprises one of a Hybrid Pulse Power Characterization (HPPC) method, a State of Charge (SOC) Limitation method, or an RC Model method; and the second current limit estimation sub-method comprises another one of the HPPC method, the SOC Limitation method, or the RC Model method.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the Hybrid Pulse Power Characterization (HPPC) method generates a current limit estimation based on an internal resistance of the battery cell as modeled by an RC equivalent circuit model of the battery cell.

6. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the battery management system is further configured to: generate, using a third current limit estimation sub-method, a third current limit estimation for operating the battery cell over the specified prediction time, wherein: the third current limit estimation sub-method comprises another one of the HPPC method, the SOC Limitation method, or the RC Model method; and determining the battery current limit further comprises determining the battery current limit by selecting the one of the first current limit estimation, the second current limit estimation, or the third current limit estimation associated with the lowest magnitude.

7. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the RC Model method of current limit estimation comprises using parameters of an RC equivalent circuit model of the battery cell to find the at least one current limit estimation according to the following equation: $I_k=\frac{V_{t,k}-{\mathrm{OCV}}_k-U_{1,k-1}{e}^{-\Delta t/\left(R_1{C}_1\right)}-U_{2,k-1}{e}^{-\Delta t/\left(R_2{C}_2\right)}}{R_{0,k}+R_{1,k}\left(1-e^{-\Delta t/\left(R_1{C}_1\right)}\right)+R_{2,k}\left(1-e^{-\Delta t/\left(R_2{C}_2\right)}\right)}$ where U.sub.1,k-1 and U.sub.2,k-1 are the voltages across the first branch and the second branch of the RC equivalent model, Δt is the incremental sampling period of the battery cell measurement, k is the sampling step number, K is the number of sampling steps taken (such that 1≤k≤K and KΔt=t.sub.k), I.sub.k is the at least one current limit estimate, and V.sub.t is a final voltage after the prediction time has elapsed.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the current limit estimation of the RC Model method comprises a discharge current limit estimation and the final voltage comprises a minimum allowable battery cell voltage V.sub.min.

9. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the current limit estimation of the RC Model method comprises a charge current limit estimation and the final voltage comprises a maximum allowable battery cell voltage V.sub.max.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the value of the battery current limit is capped such that the magnitude of the battery current limit is less than or equal to a cap value.

11. A method for operation of a battery cell over a specified prediction time, the method comprising: generating, using a first current limit estimation sub-method, a first current limit estimation over the specified prediction time; generating, using a second current limit estimation sub-method, a second current limit estimation over the specified prediction time, the second current limit estimation sub-method separate from the first current limit estimation sub-method; determining the battery current limit by selecting the one of the first current limit estimation or the second current limit estimation associated with the lowest magnitude; and operating, based on the determined battery current limit, the battery cell to power the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein: at least one of the first current limit estimation sub-method or the second current limit estimation sub-method generates the respective one of the first current limit estimation or the second current limit estimation based on an RC equivalent circuit model of the battery cell; and at least one parameter of the RC equivalent circuit model is set based on the specified prediction time and at least one of a state of charge (SOC) of the battery, a temperature of the battery cell, a state of health (SOH) of the battery cell, a capacity of the battery cell, or a current of the battery cell.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the battery current limit comprises: a discharge current limit and each of the first and second current limit estimations are discharge current limit estimations; and a charge current limit and each of the first and second current limit estimations are charge current limit estimations.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein: the first current limit estimation sub-method comprises one of a Hybrid Pulse Power Characterization (HPPC) method, a State of Charge (SOC) Limitation method, or an RC Model method; and the second current limit estimation sub-method comprises another one of the HPPC method, the SOC Limitation method, or the RC Model method.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the Hybrid Pulse Power Characterization (HPPC) method generates a current limit estimation based on the internal resistance of the battery cell as modeled by the RC equivalent circuit model.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: generating, using a third current limit estimation sub-method, a third current limit estimation over the course of the specified prediction time, wherein: the third current limit estimation sub-method comprises another one of the HPPC method, the SOC Limitation method, or the RC Model method; and determining the battery current limit further comprises determining the battery current limit by selecting the one of the first current limit estimation, the second current limit estimation, or the third current limit estimation associated with the lowest magnitude.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the RC Model method of current limit estimation comprises using parameters of an RC equivalent circuit model to find the at least one current limit estimation according to the following equation: $I_k=\frac{V_{t,k}-{\mathrm{OCV}}_k-U_{1,k-1}{e}^{-\Delta t/\left(R_1{C}_1\right)}-U_{2,k-1}{e}^{-\Delta t/\left(R_2{C}_2\right)}}{R_{0,k}+R_{1,k}\left(1-e^{-\Delta t/\left(R_1{C}_1\right)}\right)+R_{2,k}\left(1-e^{-\Delta t/\left(R_2{C}_2\right)}\right)}$ where U.sub.1,k-1 and U.sub.2,k-1 are the voltages across the first branch and the second branch of the RC equivalent model, Δt is the incremental sampling period of the battery cell measurement, k is the sampling step number, K is the number of sampling steps taken (such that 1≤k≤K and KΔt=t.sub.k), I.sub.k is the at least one current limit estimate, and V.sub.t is a final voltage after the prediction time has elapsed.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the current limit estimation of the RC Model method comprises a discharge current limit estimation and the final voltage is a minimum allowable battery cell voltage V.sub.min.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the current limit estimation of the RC Model method comprises a charge current limit estimation and the final voltage is a maximum allowable battery cell voltage V.sub.max.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the value of the battery current limit is capped such that the magnitude of the battery current limit is less than or equal to a cap value.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The features, objects, and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle including a battery pack with use for a peak power estimation method.

(3) FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a battery pack with use for a peak power estimation method.

(4) FIGS. 3A and 3B are block diagrams of an exemplary embodiment of a current limit estimation method. FIG. 3A is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a discharge current limit estimation method. FIG. 3B is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a charge current limit estimation method.

(5) FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a two branches RC model equivalent circuit for a battery cell.

(6) FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an HPPC current limit estimation method.

(7) FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an SOC Limitation current limit estimation method.

(8) FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an RC model current limit estimation method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) One aspect of the disclosure is directed to a peak power estimation method.

(10) References throughout this document to “one embodiment,” “certain embodiments,” “an embodiment,” or similar term mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner on one or more embodiments without limitation. For example, two or more of the innovative methods described herein may be combined in a single method, but the application is not limited to the specific exemplary combinations of methods that are described herein.

(11) As used herein, the terms “a” or “an” shall mean one or more than one. The term “plurality” shall mean two or more than two. The term “another” is defined as a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having” are open ended (e.g., comprising). The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means “any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.

(12) The character “N” refers hereinafter to the last member of a set or the total count of members in a set. The character “X” refers hereinafter to a variable member of a set. The characters “A”, “B”, “C”, etc. refer to a specific but otherwise undefined member of a set.

(13) A detailed description of various embodiments is provided; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary and may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the disclosed embodiments.

(14) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle 100, including a battery pack 200 with use for a current limit estimation method 300. The vehicle 100 shown in FIG. 1 is exemplary. The current limit estimation method 300 may be used with any vehicle, including a battery pack 200.

(15) FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a battery pack 200 with use for a current limit estimation method 300. In one embodiment, the battery pack 200 includes a plurality of battery modules 210, and each battery module 210 may further include a plurality of battery cells 220. In one embodiment, the current limit estimation method 300 is applied on a per-cell basis. In another embodiment, the current limit estimation method 300 is applied on a per-module basis. In another embodiment, the current limit estimation method 300 is applied on a battery pack 200 basis.

(16) FIGS. 3A and 3B are block diagrams of an exemplary embodiment of a current limit estimation method 300. FIG. 3A is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a discharge current limit estimation method 310. In one embodiment, the discharge current limit estimation method 310 finds a maximum estimated discharge limit value I.sub.dischg,limit (wherein I.sub.dischg<0) from a set of at least three I.sub.dischg estimated discharge limits determined by separate estimation methods. In one embodiment, the discharge current limit estimation method 310 further limits the value of I.sub.dischg,limit by means of an I.sub.dischg,max value set by the designer, such that I.sub.dischg,limit≥I.sub.dischg,max. FIG. 3B is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a charge current limit estimation method 320. In one embodiment, the charge current limit estimation method 320 finds a minimum estimated charge limit value I.sub.chg,limit (wherein I.sub.chg>0) from a set of at least three I.sub.chg estimated charge limits determined by separate estimation methods. In one embodiment, the charge current limit estimation method 320 further limits the value of I.sub.chg,limit by means of an I.sub.chg,max value set by the designer, such that I.sub.chg,limit≤I.sub.chg,max.

(17) FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a two branches RC model equivalent circuit 400 for a battery cell 220. In several embodiments of the various estimation methods collated in the current limit estimation method 300, parameters of the RC model 400 are estimated based on experimental data from different cell tests. In one embodiment, the parameters of the RC model 400 include the open circuit voltage OCV (the electric potential of the battery cell 220 when the cell's terminals are not connected), resistance parameters R.sub.0, R.sub.1, and R.sub.2, capacitance parameters C.sub.1 and C.sub.2, and the terminal voltage V.sub.t. In one embodiment, the parameters of the RC model 400 are determined as functions of at least one of the following parameters: state of charge SOC, current I, temperature T.sub.cell, and state of health SOH.

(18) FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an HPPC current limit estimation method 500. In one embodiment, the HPPC current limit estimation method 500 calculates the maximum discharge/charge current estimates I.sub.dischg,HPPC and I.sub.chg,HPPC based on the battery internal resistance R.sub.0, R.sub.1, and R.sub.2 at each condition. In one embodiment, the method 500 assumes the final cell voltage will be a minimum allowable battery cell voltage V.sub.min after discharging the cell by the maximum discharge current I.sub.dischg,HPPC for a given prediction time, wherein V.sub.min is a battery parameter provided by the manufacturer. In one embodiment, for the charging process, the method 500 also assumes the final cell voltage will be a maximum allowable battery cell voltage V.sub.max after charging the cell 220 by the maximum charge current I.sub.chg,HPPC for a given prediction time, wherein V.sub.max is a battery parameter provided by the manufacturer. Then, the maximum discharge and charge currents I.sub.dischg,HPPC and I.sub.chg,HPPC are estimated by using the internal resistance as determined at the present time, as follows:

(19) $I_{\mathrm{dischg},\mathrm{HPPC}}=\frac{V_{\min }-\mathrm{OCV}}{R_0+R_1+R_2}$$I_{chg,\mathrm{HPPC}}=\frac{V_{\max }-\mathrm{OCV}}{R_0+R_1+R_2}$

(20) FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a SOC Limitation current limit estimation method 600. In one embodiment, the method 600 calculates the maximum discharge/charge current estimates I.sub.dischg,SOC and I.sub.chg,SOC by using a version of the current integration method, otherwise known as the Coulomb counting method. In one embodiment, the final SOC is considered to be SOC.sub.min after discharging the battery cell 220 by the maximum discharge current I.sub.dischg,SOC for a given prediction time, wherein SOC.sub.min is a predefined value marking the point at which the battery cell 220 is considered to be empty. Likewise, in one embodiment, the final SOC is considered to be SOC.sub.max after charging the battery cell 220 by the maximum charge current I.sub.chg,SOC for a given prediction time, wherein SOC.sub.max is a predefined value marking the point at which the battery cell 220 is considered to be fully charged. Then, in one embodiment, the maximum discharge and charge currents I.sub.dischg,SOC and I.sub.chg,SOC will be estimated based on battery cell 220 capacity, as follows:

(21) $I_{dis\mathrm{chg},\mathrm{SOC}}=\frac{\left({\mathrm{SOC}}_{\min }-{\mathrm{SOC}}_0\right)\times \mathrm{Capacity}}{t_K}$$I_{\mathrm{chg},\mathrm{SOC}}=\frac{\left({\mathrm{SOC}}_{\max }-{\mathrm{SOC}}_0\right)\times \mathrm{Capacity}}{t_K}$

(22) In one embodiment, the capacity block 610 determines a capacity of the battery cell 220 based on the state of health (SOH) of the battery cell 220. In one embodiment, the capacity is defined as the usable capacity of the battery cell 220 at 25° C. with 1C constant discharge rate and a given SOH value, with usable capacity measured from a full charge to a minimum charge defined by a cut-off voltage. Therefore, in one embodiment, the estimates will update at the SOC Limitation calculation block 620 based on the SOH value on the capacity block 610.

(23) FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an RC model current limit estimation method 700. In one embodiment, the method 700 predicts the discharge and charge current limits I.sub.dischg,RC and I.sub.chg,RC by using the RC model 400. In one embodiment, by using this RC model 400, the cell terminal voltage (V.sub.t) can be calculated as follows,
V.sub.t,k=OCV.sub.k+I.sub.k×R.sub.0,k+U.sub.1,k-1e.sup.Δt/(R.sup.1.sup.C.sup.1.sup.)+I.sub.k×R.sub.1,k(1−e.sup.−Δt/(R.sup.1.sup.C.sup.1.sup.))+U.sub.2,k-1e.sup.−Δt/(R.sup.2.sup.C.sup.2.sup.)+I.sub.k×R.sub.2,k(1−e.sup.−Δt/(R.sup.2.sup.C.sup.2.sup.))
and the cell voltage I.sub.k can be calculated as follows,

(24) $I_k=\frac{V_{t,k}-{\mathrm{OCV}}_k-U_{1,k-1}{e}^{-\Delta t/\left(R_1{C}_1\right)}-U_{2,k-1}{e}^{-\Delta t/\left(R_2{C}_2\right)}}{R_{0,k}+R_{1,k}\left(1-e^{-\Delta t/\left(R_1{C}_1\right)}\right)+R_{2,k}\left(1-e^{-\Delta t/\left(R_2{C}_2\right)}\right)}$
where U.sub.1,k-1 and U.sub.2,k-1 are the voltages across the first branch and the second branch of the RC model 400, Δt is the incremental sampling period of the battery cell 220 measurement, k is the sampling step number, K is the number of sampling steps taken (such that 1≤k≤K and KΔt=t.sub.K), and V.sub.t is considered as V.sub.min for discharge current limit calculations and V.sub.max for charge current limit calculations. In order to predict the discharge and charge current limits I.sub.dischg,RC and I.sub.chg,RC over the course of multiple seconds, it is necessary to discretize the equation by performing the calculation in multiple steps with several smaller Δt increments to find the results over the full prediction time t.sub.K.

(25) While this disclosure makes reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the claimed embodiments.