Patent ID: 8602141
Filing Date: 2013-12-10
Classification: B60L,B60W,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A vehicle power system comprising: a plurality of electrical loads that consume electrical energy from the vehicle power system; an energy storage device for storing electrical energy from the vehicle power system and providing stored electrical energy to the vehicle power system, the energy storage device having a state of charge; an internal combustion engine; an alternator, the alternator comprising a first power mode wherein the alternator is driven by the engine to convert mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy that is provided to the vehicle power system, the alternator comprising a second non-power mode in which the alternator is not providing electrical energy to the vehicle power system; a fuel cell having a plurality of fuel cell modes comprising a Power Mode wherein the fuel cell converts fuel into electrical energy that is at least selectively provided to the vehicle power system, and at least a second mode wherein the fuel cell does not provide electrical energy to the vehicle power system; and a vehicle power system controller coupled to the alternator and to the fuel cell and operable to control the production and distribution of electrical energy in the vehicle power system, the controller being configured to, based upon the electrical energy consumption of the electrical loads and the state of charge of the energy storage device, shift the alternator between the first power mode and the second non-power mode and to shift the fuel cell between plural fuel cell modes.