Abstract: A battery for marine applications includes multiple battery cells, a sense module, a communications module, a network interface, and a battery management system, all disposed within a watertight housing. The sense module includes circuitry for generating battery status information indicative of the status of the battery cells. The communications module receives the battery status information and transmits network communication data containing the battery status information. The network interface is configured to connect directly to a standard NMEA 2000 network connector and communicate the battery status information via the standard NMEA 2000 network connector to an NMEA 2000 network. The battery management system measures the voltage of each battery cell and determines a voltage difference between a lowest-voltage cell and a highest-voltage cell and balances the charging of the plurality of battery cells to maintain the voltage difference at less than a predetermined maximum value.

Abstract: A battery for marine applications. The battery includes a plurality of battery cells, wherein the battery cells are designed to accommodate draining charge down to zero volts. The battery includes a battery management system (BMS). The BMS comprises one or more connectors, wherein the connectors are normally-closed. The BMS resides within a housing of the battery between the battery cells and one of the battery terminals. The BMS measures the voltage of each battery cell and determines a voltage difference between a lowest-voltage cell and a highest-voltage cell. The BMS may also balance the charging and discharging of the battery cells to maintain the voltage difference within a predetermined maximum value. The battery also includes a sense module designed to detect voltage changes within the battery.

Abstract: A method of charging a mechanical object using a charge storage device. The method includes determining that an initial battery has lost voltage, removing the initial battery, and installing a replacement battery. Installing the replacement battery places the replacement battery in electrical communication with an adjacent capacitor. In another embodiment, the method includes providing a capacitor in a locomotion machine, and energizing a starter in electrical communication using the capacitor. The method also includes starting an engine of the locomotion machine using a charge from the starter, and then re-charging the capacitor as the locomotion machine moves. The method further comprises determining that the capacitor has lost voltage due to insufficient recharge activity, and re-charging the capacitor with a portable power pack.

Abstract: A hybrid energy storage device is provided. The energy storage device represents a combined capacitor and battery in modular form. The capacitor and the battery may be individually selected based on application needs, and then mechanically combined into a single electrical energy storage device. A method of forming a charge storage device is also provided herein. The method includes selecting a size for a capacitor, and selecting a size for a battery. A module for the capacitor having the selected size and a separate module for the battery having the selected size are then mechanically and electrically connected to form an integral energy storage device.