Patent ID: 6172427
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: F02B,F02G,H01L,H02J,Y02T

Abstract:
An electric power control system for a vehicle, comprising:an internal combustion engine for driving vehicle, the engine having an exhaust gas passage;an electric load disposed in the vehicle;a first electric generator driven by kinetic energy output from a power output shaft of the engine, the first electric generator comprising an alternator mechanically driven by the engine;a second electric generator driven by energy of exhaust gas from the engine, the second electric generator comprising a thermoelectric converter that generates electricity from energy of engine exhaust gas, the thermoelectric converter being disposed in the exhaust gas passage so as to be exposed to exhaust gas flowing therethrough;a storage battery;an electric line connecting the electric load, the first and the second electric generators and the battery to conduct the electric power therebetween;an electricity storage condition judgment unit that determines a charge condition of the storage battery in accordance with both voltage of the storage battery and one of input of current to and output of current from the storage battery;a driving condition judgment unit that determines the driving condition of the vehicle; andan electric power control unit, coupled to the electricity storage condition judgment unit and the driving condition judgment unit, the electric power control unit controlling both the first electric generator and the second electric generator as a function of the determined storage condition of the battery and the determined driving condition of the vehicle in such a manner that the first electric generator and the second electric generator are activated under different conditions.