Abstract: When a remaining capacity estimated by a calculator 13 is higher than a control upper limit, a charge-disabled mode is selected in that charging operation is disabled. When lower than a control lower limit lower than the control upper limit, a discharge-disabled mode is selected in that discharging operation is disabled. When higher than an upper limit of a given range having its center at a target value specified between the control upper and lower limits, an allowance mode is selected in that charging/discharging current limits are adjusted to allow a discharging amount to exceed a charging amount in a predetermined period. When not higher than the upper limit of the range, a restriction mode is selected in that charging/discharging currents are restricted so that the remaining capacity is held within the range.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle wherein such a situation that the residual capacity of a battery drops significantly below the lower limit of a reasonable range is avoided while fuel efficiency is enhanced. The hybrid vehicle, including an engine, a generator, a battery, and an electric motor for driving, is further provided with a converter for supplying the voltage of the battery that has been boosted to the electric motor, an eco-switch for selecting a first mode or a second mode in association with the boosting operation of the converter, and a hybrid ECU for changing the upper limit of the voltage boosted by the converter from a first upper limit in the first mode to a second upper limit lower than the first upper limit when the second mode is selected by the eco-switch, and changing the upper limit of the voltage boosted by the converter from the second upper limit to the first upper limit when the residual capacity of the battery drops below a threshold.

Abstract: A system for optimizing battery pack charging is provided. In this system, during charging the coupling of auxiliary systems (e.g., battery cooling systems) to the external power source are delayed so that the battery pack charge rate may be optimized, limited only by the available power. Once surplus power is available, for example as the requirements of the charging system decrease, the auxiliary system or systems may be coupled to the external power source without degrading the performance of the charging system.

Abstract: A structure for mounting a battery onto an electric vehicle comprises: a body member forming a body of the electric vehicle; a battery case containing a battery; a supporting member, which is connected to the body member, fixed to a bottom of the battery case; and a clash-proof block connecting between the battery case and the body member.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle comprises: a consumable fuel powered engine, a battery and an electric motor powered by the battery. The battery is rechargeable both from an external electric power source (such as an electric power grid) and from the consumable fuel powered engine. A computer receives data as inputs and providing outputs, wherein the input data includes an expected state of the electric power source at a time when the vehicle is expected to be coupled to the electric power source. The outputs include control signals to control the state of charge of the battery during the time the vehicle is expected to be coupled to the electric power source.

Abstract: A method is provided for supplying electrical power to a load, with a specific quantity of electrical power of different electrical power production types being drawn from an electrical power supply system by the load. The electrical power that is output by the electrical power supply system is identified in terms of its electrical power production type and the quantity of electrical power drawn by the load is detected separately in accordance with the electrical power production types. This provides the option of illustrating to the electrical power customer the origin of the electrical power which is drawn.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The hybrid vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine having a peak power rating and an electric motor coupled to the internal combustion engine for assisting the internal combustion engine in rotating a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. The electric motor has a continuous power rating that less than approximately one tenth of the peak power rating of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The hybrid vehicle comprises a prime mover having an output shaft. The output shaft has a first end and an opposite second end. The hybrid vehicle also comprises a transmission coupled to the first end of the output shaft, a first energy storage device, an alternator coupled to the second end of the output shaft and configured to power one or more electrical systems of the vehicle and charge the first energy storage device, a motor coupled to the second end of the output shaft and configured to assist the prime mover in rotating the output shaft, a second energy storage device configured to provide power to the motor and a motor control unit configured to control the amount of power delivered from the energy storage device to the motor.

Abstract: A method of converting a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a transmission, an alternator and a battery into a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises installing an electric motor to the vehicle that is configured to assist the internal combustion engine in rotating a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, installing an energy storage element configured to provide power to the electric motor, installing a motor control unit configured to control the amount of power delivered from the energy storage element to the electric motor and replacing an existing pulley on a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine with a new pulley configured to receive a first belt extending between the new pulley and an alternator pulley and a second belt extending between the new pulley and an electric motor pulley.

Abstract: An electric machine and a power supply system, in which a battery pack can be easily and safely replaced with another, and electric power can be transferred with high transfer efficiency. An electric machine of the present invention includes a driving electric motor, a battery pack for supplying electric power to the driving electric motor, and an energy transfer section for transferring electric energy output from the battery pack to the driving electric motor. The battery pack includes a first antenna for receiving electric power from a power supply source located outside the electric machine by coupling with a first resonant magnetic field generated by the power supply source, at least one secondary battery charged by the electric power received by the first antenna, an oscillator for producing radio-frequency power by DC power discharged from the secondary battery, and a second antenna for generating a second resonant magnetic field by the radio-frequency power.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicular electrical system for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) includes providing a high voltage electrical system having a high power electrical energy storage device (HPD) and a power inverter that cooperate to provide power to a hybrid electric vehicle propulsion system, providing a low voltage electrical system having a low voltage power source, at least one accessory power load, and a control switch, and toggling the control switch between an opened and a closed position to isolate the low voltage system from the high voltage system when the switch is opened and to charge the HPD when the control switch is closed.

Abstract: An ECU executes a program including the steps of: calculating regenerative power value P based on a brake pressure; calculating limit charging power WIN(B) to a battery; calculating limit charging power WIN(C) to a capacitor; when it is determined that regenerative power value P is larger than the sum of WIN(B) and WIN(C), estimating that a large regenerative energy sufficient to fully charge the capacitor even if the battery is charged with priority would be generated; and transmitting a control signal to set output voltage of a boost converter to be not higher than the voltage of the capacitor so as to charge the battery with priority.

Abstract: A system is provided for cooling an energy storage system of a hybrid electric vehicle. The energy storage system includes at least one energy storage device, including a maximum temperature storage device with a maximum temperature and a minimum temperature storage device with a minimum temperature. The system includes a cooling fluid duct in flow communication with an inlet and the at least one energy storage device, and a blower positioned within the cooling fluid duct to draw cooling fluid into the inlet and through the cooling fluid duct. The system further includes a controller coupled with the at least one energy storage device to increase the temperature of the at least one energy storage device having a temperature below the maximum temperature reduced by at least a predetermined threshold. The cooling fluid duct and blower are coupled to form a common cooling system for the at least one energy storage system.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for balancing a storage battery for an automotive vehicle. The battery is of the type including a plurality of storage cells. The system includes a thermoelectric device and a controller. The thermoelectric device receives thermal energy and converts the thermal energy into electric energy. The controller determines a subset of the storage cells in the battery to be charged based on an amount of electric charge in each of the storage cells. Furthermore, the controller causes the electric energy to be distributed to each storage cell in the subset in an effort to balance the battery in the vehicle.

Abstract: The power source apparatus is provided with a unit switch 16 connected in series with each battery unit 10, cell capacity equalizing circuits 20 to suppress variation in the remaining capacities of the battery cells 11 that make up each battery unit 10 based on the cell voltages, unit voltage detection circuits 45 to detect unit voltage that is the overall voltage of a battery unit 10, unit capacity equalizing circuits 40 to suppress variation in the remaining capacities of the battery units 10 based on the unit voltages detected by the unit voltage detection circuits 45, and a power source controller 30 that controls the cell capacity equalizing circuits 20 to equalize battery cell 11 remaining capacities in each battery unit 11 and subsequently controls the unit capacity equalizing circuits 40 to equalize battery unit 10 remaining capacities over the entire battery block 15.

Abstract: A hybrid energy management system that estimates the net regenerative energy that can be collected during the breaking action of the swing mechanism, then, since this is the net energy that can be used to recharge an energy storage device without using the engine to help recharge the energy storage device, the system limits the use of the energy storage device to that net amount predicted to be available from the recovery period. The net regenerative energy is calculated by considering motor and inverter efficiencies for transferring energy to the battery and changes in the boom/stick/bucket inertia moment.

Abstract: An electric vehicle charger determines the presence of an electric vehicle when the electric vehicle is in proximity to the charger. Validation of account data associated with the electric vehicle occurs over a network. A docking interface on the charger aligns to a receptacle on the electric vehicle. The docking interface and the receptacle are coupled when the docking interface is within a predetermined distance to the receptacle. The charger supplies power to the electric vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a battery are disclosed to charge the battery by a certain device or discharge the voltage charged in the battery to the certain device based on configuration information and status information of the battery.

Abstract: A battery system comprises a first battery cell and a first management unit which is connected in one-to-one correspondence to the first battery cell. The first management unit comprises a first parameter acquiring unit, a first calculating unit, and a first storage unit. The first parameter acquiring unit acquires a power consumption parameter of the first battery cell. The first calculating unit calculates a power consumption state value of the first battery cell on the basis of the power consumption parameter acquired by the first parameter acquiring unit. The first storage unit stores the power consumption state value calculated by the first calculating unit.

Abstract: A battery system manages a plurality of battery cells of an assembled battery. The battery system includes at least a plurality of battery cell management units which is connected to the battery cells and manages the connected battery cells. The battery cell management units are connected to each other. Each of the battery cell management units comprises at least an operation mode switching unit, a parameter-related data generating unit, a parameter data transmitting unit, a parameter data receiving unit, a minimum value specifying unit, a switching command data transmitting unit, and a switching command data receiving unit.

Abstract: A system for optimizing battery pack charging is provided. In this system, during charging the coupling of auxiliary systems (e.g., battery cooling systems) to the external power source are delayed so that the battery pack charge rate may be optimized, limited only by the available power. Once surplus power is available, for example as the requirements of the charging system decrease, the auxiliary system or systems may be coupled to the external power source without degrading the performance of the charging system.

Abstract: Apparatus for charging an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle are provided. Particularly, apparatus for charging a hybrid vehicle from a single-phase standard (110 volt, single-phase, 60 Hz in the U.S.) are provided. In one implementation, a single-phase phase locked loop (PLL) receives a single-phase power gird voltage and delays it by one-quarter cycle to create an orthogonal imaginary second power signal. These signals are then applied to a transform matrix within a PLL to phase lock an output signal to the incoming power grid voltage.

Abstract: Provided is an automated plug-in station for charging electric powered vehicles. The station includes a plug apparatus with a plug head that connects to an adapter on the electric powered vehicle and configured to pass electric charge to the battery of the electric powered vehicle. The plug apparatus extends automatically from a basin once proper alignment is established by a positioning system. Prior to charging, the plug apparatus is enclosed within the basin by a cover door which opens by an actuator when a vehicle enters the station; and when charging is complete, the plug automatically disconnects from the vehicle and withdraws back into the basin. The plug-in station also provides for receiving and processing payments at a payment system in the station.

Abstract: The object aims to prevent or reduce the deterioration of a secondary battery by charge with an undue pulse. Disclosed is a discharge control device (100) for a secondary battery, which comprises: a detection unit (110) for detecting the charge of the secondary battery with a pulse having a level equal to or higher than a predetermined level; and a discharge control unit (130) for so controlling that at least one pulse having almost the same level as that of the above-mentioned pulse is discharged from the secondary battery when the charge of the secondary battery with the above-mentioned pulse is detected.

Abstract: A charging system for a hybrid vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, an electric motor generator coupled to the internal combustion engine and operable to be driven as a generator to produce a charging voltage and a battery coupled to the electric motor generator and configured to receive a charge voltage. The charging system further comprises an engine control computer coupled to the internal combustion engine, the electric motor generator and the battery. The engine control computer is configured to determine a threshold for a charging specific fuel consumption (CSFC), calculate an instantaneous CSFC; and initiate active charging of the battery if the instantaneous CSFC is less than or equal to the threshold CSFC.

Abstract: A vehicle includes: rotatable wheels; a rotary electric machine that generates power for driving the wheels; a battery that supplies electric power to the rotary electric machine and that is fixed to the vehicle; and a detachable battery that supplies electric power to the rotary electric machine, that is detachable from the vehicle and that is arranged at a center in a width direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle powertrain system where the powertrain system includes a fuel controlled engine, an electric motor, and a battery, the fuel, controlled engine and the electric motor capable of powering the powertrain system. The powertrain system is capable of operating in a plurality of operational modes. The method includes detecting a current value representative of a current flowing through a portion of the battery, calculating a first value representative of the current over a predetermined amount of time, and de-rating at least one of the plurality of operational modes in response to the calculated first value.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for charging electrically powered devices. In accordance with the invention, the device is powered by two storage or charge receiving devices. One of these devices is capable of receiving a substantial charge very rapidly while the other device requires a longer time to receive a charge. The advantage is that the powered device can be used almost instantly and continually while at the same time rebuilding electrical charge. The present invention further relates to a system for protecting the charging device from being damaged from an electrical surge, such as from a lightening strike.

Abstract: A charging system detachably drawing from a power source comprising: (a) an electrical output configuration; (b) an electrical input configuration; and (c) an energy store configuration; and methods of provisioning the energy store, the charging system, and electric vehicle charger devices.

Abstract: An idle stop control device for determining on the basis of a charging state of a battery whether idle stop should be executed or not includes, as a unit for detecting the charge state of the battery, an optical fiber type battery solution concentration sensor including an optical fiber which is partially immersed in battery solution to measure the refractive index of the battery solution, thereby measuring the concentration of the battery solution.

Abstract: A motor generator is connected to a high voltage battery through an inverter. A voltage of the high voltage battery is decreased and is applied to a low voltage battery through a DC-DC converter. At time of starting an engine, a starting operation of a starter is executed by applying an output voltage of the DC-DC converter 36 to the starter. At this time, the output voltage of the DC-DC converter 36 may be adjusted based on the temperature of the engine, the voltage of the low voltage battery and/or the degree of degradation of lubricant oil of the engine.

Abstract: A plug-in vehicle includes a vehicle body having an outer panel, a propulsion unit such as an electric motor, a rechargeable battery, a recharging port supported on the outer panel to receive power from an external electric power source, and a display subassembly connected to the battery. The display subassembly has a plurality of lights positioned around the recharging port to illuminate the recharging port and to illuminate in a manner corresponding to a condition of the battery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety switch of a secondary battery for an electric vehicle and a charge and discharge system of a secondary battery for an electric vehicle using the same, and more particularly, to a technology capable of protecting a secondary battery by operating a switch of the secondary battery for the electric vehicle attached to the outside of the secondary battery in order to disconnect a driving motor for the electric vehicle to the secondary battery when the secondary battery expands or excessive short-circuit current flows into circuits of the secondary battery, due to a swelling phenomenon of the second battery expanding due to an abnormal status of the secondary battery, such as overcharge, heat exposure, a short circuit, a reverse connection, or the like, in using the secondary battery for the electric vehicle.

Abstract: An electric vehicle recharging station that can be readily incorporated into existing building electrical distribution systems during retrofit or new construction. The system has at least one enclosure and a vehicle charging connector. A circuit interrupter has line terminals for connection to respective first and second phases of the distribution system. A contactor relay has first and second phases coupled to the respective circuit interrupter and electric vehicle charging connector phases and separable contacts for each phase, for selective connection of electric power to the charging connector. A recharger controller is coupled to the contactor, for causing selective separation and closing of the separable contacts, so that electrical power is transferred to the electric vehicle. The recharging station system may also incorporate electric rate metering functions as well as communication capability from the controller to a remote controller. A human machine interface may be coupled to the controller.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a charging inlet for connection with a ground line and a pair of power lines used to charge an electrical storage device from outside the vehicle; a terminal of the charging inlet for connection with the ground line; and a GND relay that connects the terminal to a body earth of the vehicle. Desirably, the vehicle further includes an ECU that controls charging of the electrical storage device. Before charging of the electrical storage device is started after the pair of power lines and the ground line are connected to the charging inlet, the ECU opens the GND relay and then determines whether there is a disconnection in the ground line.

Abstract: The present teachings are directed toward a machine implemented method for estimating the state of charge of a battery. The machine implemented method includes providing measured and estimated cell terminal voltage to a model coefficient updater to update a model coefficient. Battery current information is provided to a battery state of charge estimator along with the updated model coefficient so that the estimated state of charge can be determined. A multi-layer model can be utilized to determine the states of charge for layers of the electrodes. The method can be implemented on a processing device, and is particularly applicable to Li-ion batteries.

Abstract: Within the scope of the method for calculating the efficiency of the energy store in a parallel hybrid vehicle, said energy store being connected to the electric machine of a parallel hybrid vehicle and comprising an internal combustion engine and at least one electric machine, the efficiency of the energy store is continuously calculated online or in real time in the energy storage module on the basis of an energy store model using known energy-store-specific parameters and energy-store-specific measured variables.

Abstract: A system for charging a battery within an at least partially electric vehicle. The system includes a charging device wherein the charging device configured to electrically connect to the at least partially electric vehicle and charge at least one battery by a predetermined amount. The system also includes a network configured to determine the location of the charging device.

Abstract: A quick economical re-energizing system of Electric Vehicles {EV}5 intended for replacing discharged electric batteries of Electric Vehicles by charged ones, when there are no “on-boared” means for the continuous charging of batteries, and provided said EV are suitable for the offered re-energizing system, the technique of replacing the discharged batteries by charged ones, automatically {or semi-automatically}, being equivalent to the regular known re-fueling of cars, as regarding the duration of the process and the convenience of drivers and passengers, said re-energizing being enabled due to unique capabilities deriving from a newly invented electric automotive system, like allowing all the four traveling wheels of EV to swivel about their steering axes, at 90 degrees from the travel direction, or like self-elevating and lowering the EVs body in relation to the traveling wheels, as required for the offered re-energizing process of Electric Vehicles.

Abstract: This invention concerns a vehicle with four wheels, automobile type, non polluting, propelled by electric engine, fed by batteries which take energy to recharge mainly from photovoltaic panels, passive wind rotors which work together with an aerodynamic accelerator (in air at a faster speed in compare to the speed of the wind in atmosphere also when the vehicle is still), and small hydroelectric rotors.

Abstract: One of first through fourth target state of charge levels, which are set at values that increase gradually over time, is selected on the basis of an ON/OFF state of a specific current consumer installed in the vehicle and a state of charge immediately preceding an engine stoppage. A target state of charge is set on the basis of the selected target state of charge level and an elapsed time after the lead storage battery is installed in the vehicle, whereupon the target state of charge is compared with the actual state of charge of the lead storage battery. The lead storage battery is charged in accordance with the comparative result.

Abstract: A charge instructing device installed in a space such as an indoor space in which the security is ensured reads key information (ID) stored in a vehicle key held in a key holding unit and transmits the read ID to an electric powered vehicle. Electric powered vehicle performs authentication by checking the ID transmitted from charge instructing device against registration information stored in advance. The result of the authentication is then transmitted from electric powered vehicle to charge instructing device. Charge instructing device permits a charger to charge electric powered vehicle according to the result of the authentication transmitted from electric powered vehicle.

Abstract: A method for charging a hybrid electric vehicle having a high voltage battery that both propels the vehicle and starts the vehicle. More specifically, if the high voltage battery has a depleted or diminished charge and is unable to start an internal combustion engine, then the method described herein may be used to charge the high voltage battery with energy from a low voltage external power source. In one embodiment, the low voltage external power source is a conventional car battery that is connected to the hybrid electric vehicle by way of jumper cables.

Abstract: A power management system is disclosed. Embodiments of the power management system may be configured for use with an electric generator that produces AC or DC voltage from an energy source, which may be intermittent or fluctuating. One embodiment of the power management system includes an energy storage reservoir configured to be electrically coupled to the electric generator. The energy storage reservoir includes at least one ultracapacitor and at least one rechargeable battery. The power management system also includes an electronic controller configured to control storage in the reservoir of energy generated by the electric generator and to control power usage from the reservoir and the generator. The electronic controller is configured to control energy storage and power usage in response to one or more control signals.

Abstract: A hybrid battery charger includes a control circuit and a power stage. The control circuit includes an error amplifier to generate a first error signal and a second error signal according to an output voltage and an output current of the hybrid battery charger, a linear controller to generate a first control signal according to the first error signal, a PWM controller to generate a second control signal and a third control signal according to the second error signal, and according to a mode signal, a multiplexer to select the first control signal for the power stage to operate the hybrid battery charger in a linear mode, or the second and third control signals for the power stage to operate the hybrid battery charger in a switching mode.

Abstract: Methods and associated devices are described for discharging the high-voltage network, particularly a DC voltage intermediate circuit, in which for discharging the capacitors of the high-voltage network, switching devices are used that lie between the capacitors and at least one precharging resistor and a high-voltage battery, and the switching devices are switches having a specifiable positioning of the switching contacts or switching units or relays or contactors, which are switchable with the aid of a control device. The operation of the switching units takes place in such a way that the at least one precharging resistor is used simultaneously for charging and discharging the DC voltage intermediate circuit.

Abstract: The present teachings are directed toward a machine implemented method for estimating the solid phase potentials of either positive or negative electrode of a battery. The machine implemented method includes providing battery voltage information and an estimated solid phase potential to a model coefficient updater to update a model coefficient. Battery current information is provided to a battery internal variable estimator along with the updated model coefficient so that the solid phase potentials can be determined. A multi-layer model can be utilized to determine the ion density of the electrodes. The method can be implemented on a processing device, and is particularly applicable to Li-ion batteries.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for charging electrically powered devices. In accordance with the invention, the device is powered by two storage devices. One storage device is capable of receiving a substantial charge very rapidly while the other storage device requires a longer time to receive a charge. The advantage is that the powered device can be used almost instantly and continually while at the same time rebuilding electrical charge.

Abstract: A vehicle charging station that includes a power receptacle compartment that includes a power receptacle to receive an electrical plug. The vehicle charging station also includes a door that is hingedly coupled with the power receptacle compartment to cover the power receptacle when the door is closed. The vehicle charging station includes a first locking means for locking and unlocking the door from a closed position without consuming power to control access to the power receptacle compartment such that the door remains locked in the closed position if the vehicle charging station loses power. The vehicle charging station also includes a second locking means for locking and unlocking the door from a charging position to control access to the electrical plug. The second locking means allows the door to be unlocked from the charging position if the vehicle charging station loses power.

Abstract: A highly energy efficient automobile that provides payload, safety and performance capacities similar to a comparable vehicle of a given vehicle class. The current invention is ideal for short to medium range urban and suburban driving. The current invention incorporates components in a unique and novel way, in which these components combine to form a system that produces an automobile that reduces overall air pollution while encouraging the commercialization of alternative energy sources. The current invention features an lightweight, low rolling resistance, digitally controlled and direct-drive electric propulsion system. A lightweight spaceframe with a suspension system provides a structure for mounting a low-aerodynamic-drag body system and other components. An intelligent power and thermal management system coupled with a removable auxiliary power module supplies the electrical energy required.