ENGINE START AND BATTERY SUPPORT MODULE

摘要

An Engine Start and Battery Support Module (or a vehicle is provided that utilizes a bank of Ultra Capacitors (UCs) charged with or without running the vehicle's alternator to levels that support both engine starting assistance and hotel load support. The UCs' per-cell charge can be adjured and raided during periods of low temperatures and even higher during ultralow temperatures. The adjustment, which can be dynamic and/or automatic, increases the UC energy storage capability. Further, the release of energy from the UCs is controlled by a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller based on the DC bus voltage. The UCs can be charged either from an onboard DC/DC converter, an AC hook up, or from smartly switching the banks of UCs between parallel and serial configurations.

主权项

1. A method for regulating a voltage level of a vehicle battery in a vehicle, the method comprising:
determining if the voltage level is below a predetermined voltage threshold; if the voltage level is below the predetermined voltage threshold, initiating a discharge of at least one ultracapacitor in electrical communication with the vehicle battery; and modulating the discharge of the at least one ultracapacitor so as to raise the voltage level at least to the predetermined voltage threshold.