Patent ID: 8217631
Filing Date: 2012-07-10
Classification: H02J,H02P

Abstract:
1. A generator control system that provides generator control for a vehicle power system, comprising: a battery; a generator that outputs power to charge the battery, the generator operable in one of two modes including a HI voltage output mode and a LO voltage output mode; a sensor that detects a state of charge (SOC) value, a health value, a voltage, a current, a temperature, and a charging voltage of the battery; and a controller that controls a voltage output mode of the generator in response to at least one of a state of charge (SOC) value, a health value, a voltage, a current, a temperature, and a charging voltage of the battery detected by the sensor, the voltage output mode is in response to the SOC and the temperature of the battery, wherein the controller provides a control signal to the generator based upon the SOC detected by the sensor, said control signal instructing the generator to operate in a selected one of the two modes when the SOC is outside a determined range, and wherein the control signal instructs the generator to operate in the LO voltage output mode when the SOC is above a first predetermined fixed threshold and instructs the generator to operate in the HI voltage output mode when the SOC is below a second predetermined fixed threshold, said first predetermined fixed threshold being greater than said second predetermined fixed threshold.