Patent ID: 7253584

Claim:
A high-voltage battery charging apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle having an electrical system, comprising: a battery charger configured to provide electrical energy; a battery module configured to store said electrical energy provided by said battery charger; a high-voltage bus coupled to said battery charger and said battery module, said high voltage bus configured to transmit said electrical energy from said battery charger and battery module to the electrical system of the hybrid electric vehicle; a bus contactor interposed between said high voltage bus and said battery charger, said bus contactor configured to provide a first substantial electrical isolation between said battery charger and said high-voltage bus and to thereby allow a charging period of said battery module during which said battery charger transmits electrical energy to said battery and not to said high-voltage bus; and an isolation mechanism interposed between said battery charger and said high-voltage bus and also interposed between said battery charger and said battery module, said isolation mechanism configured to provide a second substantial electrical isolation between said battery charger and said high-voltage bus, and also between said battery charger and said battery module during a non-charging period of said battery module.