Patent ID: 8981710
Filing Date: 2015-03-17
Classification: B60L,G06F,H02J,H02M,Y02E,Y02T,Y04S

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling an energy management system that couples a system load to a first energy source and a second energy source, the system load being connected in parallel with the first energy source, the first energy source having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, the second energy source having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; the energy management system comprising an inductor extending from a first end to a second end, a first switch coupling the positive terminal of the first source to the first end of the inductor, a second switch coupling the negative terminal of the first source to the first end of the inductor, a third switch coupling the positive terminal of the second source to the second end of the inductor, and a fourth switch coupling the negative terminal of the second source to the second end of the inductor; the method comprising: evaluating conditions of the system load, the first energy source and the second energy source; determining the direction and proportion of energy flow between the first energy source, the second energy source and the system load; determining, based on the direction of energy flow between the first energy source, the second energy source and the system load, which of the first energy source, the second energy source and the system load is an energy flow source and which of the first energy source, the second energy source and the system load is an energy flow destination; selecting whether to use a two-switch state or a one switch state to move energy from the energy flow source to the energy flow destination; the two switch state closing either the first and fourth switches, the second and third switches or none of the switches at any one time; the one switch state closing only one of the switches or none of the switches at any one time; selecting whether to use a synchronous mode or an asynchronous mode to move energy from the energy flow source to the energy flow destination; and controlling the switching of the first, second, third and fourth switches to transfer energy from the energy flow source to the energy flow destination through the inductor using the selected one of the two-switch state or the one switch state, and of the synchronous mode or the asynchronous mode.