Patent ID: 7091626

Claim:
A method for regulating a generator in a vehicle power supply system including a plurality of loads and at least one battery with a regulator, said method comprising: regulating the generator output voltage at the value of a nominal value voltage in one of a recuperation readiness mode and a recovery mode; setting the nominal value voltage in said recuperation readiness mode as a function of driving state variables such that, during braking or when the vehicle is overrunning, the generator and battery are operated in a recuperation operation, in which the generator converts kinetic energy of the vehicle to electric power that is fed into the vehicle power supply system and charges the battery; setting the nominal value voltage (U_nom) in the recovery mode such that the battery is regenerated from degradation due to stress caused by charging during a recuperation operation; and switching from the recuperation readiness mode to the recovery mode as a function of a characteristic variable that is indicative of a degree of cumulative battery stress resulting from charging during recuperation operation; wherein in said recuperation readiness mode, recuperation operation of said generator, wherein said generator is driven by vehicle kinetic energy and converts said vehicle kinetic energy to electric energy that is stored in said battery, is permitted under predefined conditions; in said recovery mode, recuperation operation is precluded, and said generator is controlled to charge said battery according to a predetermined charging pattern that at least partially reverses deterioration of the battery which results from stress due to recuperation operation.