Patent ID: 7658247

Claim:
A power management system configured for use with an electric generator disposed in or on a non-self-propelled wheeled vehicle, the electric generator configured to produce electric power from rotational motion of a wheel of the non-self-propelled vehicle, the power management system comprising: an energy storage reservoir configured to be electrically coupled to the electric generator disposed in or on the non-self-propelled wheeled vehicle, the electric generator configured to produce electric power from rotational motion of the wheel of the non-self-propelled vehicle, the energy storage reservoir comprising at least one ultracapacitor and at least one rechargeable battery; and an electronic controller configured to control storage in the reservoir of energy generated by the electric generator and to control power usage from the reservoir and the generator, the electronic controller further configured to supply power to an electrical component disposed in or on the non-self-propelled vehicle; wherein the electronic controller is configured to control energy storage and power usage in response to at least one control signal; and wherein the electronic controller is further configured to control energy storage in the at least one rechargeable battery based, at least in part, on battery chemistry of the at least one rechargeable battery.