Patent ID: 7963264

Claim:
A vehicle comprising: an engine; a motor connected to the engine, the motor being operable for selectively cranking and starting the engine; an energy storage system (ESS) having a first voltage level; a DC-DC converter configured to boost the first voltage level; a supercapacitor module having a second voltage level; a first electrical switch configured to close immediately upon detection of a commanded cranking and starting of the engine, wherein closing of the first electrical switch connects the supercapacitor module to the motor and thereby delivers the second voltage level to the motor; a second electrical switch connected in electrical parallel with the DC-DC converter, and configured to selectively close when the second voltage level drops below a threshold during the cranking and starting of the engine, thereby placing the ESS in electrical parallel with the supercapacitor module, and thereby providing the first voltage level and the second voltage level to the motor; and wherein the supercapacitor module is chargeable to the second voltage level by the ESS when the engine is running.