Abstract: A system for comparing energy usage of different vehicle platforms is provided. The system may include a processor to execute routines stored in a memory device. Further, in one embodiment the routines include routines configured to receive selection of a driving style by a user and to select a virtual test drive based on the received selection. Also, the routines may include routines configured to output the selected virtual test drive and to output a comparison of multiple vehicles having different characteristics based on the selected virtual test drive. Other systems, methods, and manufactures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for comparing energy usage of different vehicle platforms is provided. The system may include a processor to execute routines stored in a memory device. Further, in one embodiment the routines include routines configured to receive selection of a driving style by a user and to select a virtual test drive based on the received selection. Also, the routines may include routines configured to output the selected virtual test drive and to output a comparison of multiple vehicles having different characteristics based on the selected virtual test drive. Other systems, methods, and manufactures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for providing power to a power network includes an energy storage device connected to the power network, a sensor connected with the energy storage device for measuring a state of the energy storage device during a rest period, which corresponds to a time span during which a current through the energy storage device is reduced to a level that enables an estimation of a state of the energy storage device. The system further includes a controller connected to the sensor for measuring a state of the energy storage device. The controller selectively establishes rest periods for the energy storage device. The rest periods are established by optimizing between minimization of disruption to normal operation and a need to update a measurement of the state of the energy storage device.

Abstract: An energy storage system for supporting dual electrical functions of a vehicle includes an energy storage unit having a plurality of energy storage modules connected in series, a plurality of sensing units for sensing state of charges of the plurality of energy storage modules, and a pair of primary voltage terminals. The series connected plurality of energy storage modules is connectable across the pair of primary voltage terminals during a key-on state of the vehicle to supply energy storage power at a first voltage level to support primary electrical functions of the vehicle. The energy storage system is further configured to select a subset of the plurality of energy storage modules during a key-off state of the vehicle to connect across a pair of secondary voltage terminals using a switch network to supply energy storage power at a second voltage level.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided including, but not limited to, a can having a side wall that is coupled to a first end and having a cover at a second end of the can to close the second end of the can, a cell element within the can, electrolyte within the can, and a safety device. The can forms a vent at the first end configured to allow gases and/or effluent to exit the can once the pressure inside the can reaches a predetermined amount. The safety device is provided adjacent a first end of the cell element and between the cell element and the first end of the housing. The safety device is configured to exert an additional force on the vent to aid in the deployment of the vent.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided. The electrochemical cell includes, but is not limited to, a can, a cell element within the can, electrolyte within the can, and a first suppressant container including suppressant and disposed within a void defined within the can. The suppressant is separated from the electrolyte by the first suppressant container.

Abstract: Provided herein are energy source systems for a vehicle. One energy source system for a vehicle includes a battery having a plurality of cells coupled in series with one another and adapted to be coupled to an alternator of the vehicle. The energy source system for the vehicle also includes one or more ultracapacitors coupled in series with one another and adapted to be coupled to starting components of the vehicle. The battery and the one or more ultracapacitors are coupled to one another in a parallel arrangement, and a combined voltage of the battery cells is substantially matched with a combined voltage of the one or more ultracapacitors.

Abstract: A battery system includes an enclosure conforming to a standard form factor, such as a group specified by the Battery Council International. A battery and at least one ultracapacitor are disposed in the enclosure and interconnected to provide electrical energy at battery terminals. Control and/or regulation circuitry may also be provided in the enclosure and interconnected with the battery and ultracapacitor. The battery system may be designed to retrofit existing batteries, such as in vehicular and other applications. The use of a standard form factor allows for little or no alteration of the physical and electrical systems into which the battery system is placed.

Abstract: System are described that include an energy storage device adapted to store and release energy and an ultracapacitor. The systems include a switching device coupled to the energy storage device to selectively connect and disconnect the energy storage device to a load, and a second switching device coupled to the ultracapacitor and adapted to connect and disconnect the ultracapacitor to the load. The systems may include a sensor adapted to sense the current draw at the load. The first switching device is activated to connect the energy storage device to the load when a rate of change of the current draw at the load is below a threshold, and the second switching device is activated to connect the ultracapacitor to the load when the rate of change of the current draw at the load is greater than or equal to the threshold.

Abstract: A system includes housing having a positive terminal and a negative terminal and one or more energy storage devices disposed therein. One system includes a first energy storage device that operates at a first state of charge level and a second energy storage device that operates at a second state of charge level. The second state of charge level is greater than the first state of charge level.

Abstract: A nonparametric imaging tracker is disclosed that first declares (10) a reference subimage comprising a plurality of image pixels, each pixel having a numerical light intensity level. The tracker then finds (12) a reference distribution of intensity levels in the reference subimage. A plurality of candidate subimages each having a plurality of pixels are then acquired (20). The intensity level distribution of each candidate subimage is compared to the reference distribution, and a statistic for each candidate subimage is computed based on this comparison (26, 28). One of the candidate subimages is then selected based on the value of its statistic (30, 36, 40). A preferred comparison and statistic calculation sequence includes the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test.