Patent ID: 8400112

Claim:
A method for managing power limits for a battery having a power capability that is a function of at least a state of charge (S.O.C.) of the battery, the battery further having an operating S.O.C. range defined by a minimum operating S.O.C. and a maximum operating S.O.C., and a discharge power limit that is a function of at least the S.O.C., an initial discharge power limit being set below an initial power capability such that a predefined full discharge power is available at states of charge above an initial minimum operating S.O.C., the method comprising: determining whether the full discharge power is available at the initial minimum operating S.O.C. after the initial power capability has decreased; determining a new S.O.C. at which the battery can supply the full discharge power when it is determined that the full discharge power is not available at the initial minimum operating S.O.C.; determining whether the new S.O.C. is greater than a maximum low limit S.O.C.; and setting the minimum operating S.O.C. to the new S.O.C. if it is determined that the new S.O.C. is not greater than the maximum low limit S.O.C.