Patent ID: 7982332

Claim:
A power device in combination with a vehicle electrical system comprised of a plurality of vehicle electronics and a power source electrically coupled with an electric machine of a vehicle to provide power to the electric machine, comprising: a housing installed within the vehicle; a voltage converter comprising an AC/DC converter and a DC/AC converter contained within the housing electrically coupled to the power source, wherein the voltage converter converts an electrical power signal having a first voltage greater than a voltage suitable for powering the plurality of vehicle electronics to electrical power having a second voltage lower than the first voltage and that is suitable for powering the plurality of vehicle electronics, and wherein the voltage converter is operable to reduce the voltage of the power signal from the first voltage to the second voltage, and is operable to convert a voltage from the charge-storing device from the second voltage to the first voltage; a charge-storing device contained within the housing and electrically coupled with the voltage converter storing electrical charge from the electrical power at the second voltage and providing steady-state electrical power to the vehicle electrical system for powering the plurality of vehicle electronics; wherein the power device and power source comprises a vehicle power system; and wherein the housing encloses the voltage converter and the charge-storing device together within the housing, has a size or volume of a standard automotive battery, and is installed in the same space within the vehicle in which a standard automotive battery is installed.