Patent ID: 7683569
Filing Date: 2010-03-23
Classification: B60L,Y02T,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling an energy storage system, said method comprising: providing a power unit and an electric energy storage system electrically coupled to an electric motor, said electric energy storage system adapted to recapture energy from the braking of said vehicle so as to be capable of discharging and recapturing energy through a series of discharge and energy recapture events, and having a maximum charge level and an actual minimum charge level; and wherein said power unit and said electric energy storage system provide electricity to said electric motor for powering said vehicle; and an electric energy storage controller programmed to control said electric energy storage system by setting an artificial minimum charge level to an initial level above said actual minimum charge level, and, during a series of discharge and energy recapture events, to be able to adjust said artificial minimum charge level such that: (a) in cases where a discharge and energy recapture event results in the recapture of insufficient energy to recharge said electric energy storage system to said maximum charge level, raising said artificial minimum charge level; and (b) in cases where a discharge and energy recapture event results in the recapture of sufficient energy to recharge said electric energy storage system to said maximum charge level, lowering said artificial minimum charge level.