A method for operating a vehicle that includes a DC/DC converter is described. In one example, the method includes adjusting an output voltage of the DC/DC converter after the DC/DC converter is used to crank an engine. The output voltage of the DC/DC converter may be adjusted responsive to a state of charge of an ultra-capacitor.

Engine systems which are easier starting and more resistant to degradation and discharge of their batteries are desirable in a wide range of equipment markets. The present engine systems utilize a selection module which selective switches from a first state when the battery is adequately charged to a second state which enables the use of auxiliary components such as special starting stators and regulators which can power the engine control module even when the battery is too discharged to power the engine control module directly.

Methods, apparatus and systems for reducing engine idling of fuel-driven equipment, for example found on a wellsite and/or including hydraulic pumping systems are provided. In particular, systems and methods are provided for controlling the starting and shutdown of equipment powered by a fuel-driven engine, the system comprising of an energy accumulator comprising or consisting of one or more supercapacitors. The transmission, transmission fluid, or other components can be warmed to prolong time between engine restarts.

A battery and supercapacitor system of a vehicle includes a lithium ion battery (LIB) disposed within a housing. The LIB includes: an electrolyte including lithium; and first and second electrodes disposed in the electrolyte. A supercapacitor is disposed within the housing and includes: the electrolyte; and third and fourth electrodes disposed in the electrolyte.

A self-contained, stand-alone power generator system comprising: an electric motor for applying torque to a shaft of a rotating mass, wherein the electric motor is powered by a dedicated power source; a battery for supplying additional power to the electric motor upon start up; at least one of a torque converter and a starter motor, for overcoming resting inertia of the rotating mass; a generator head coupled to the rotating mass, wherein the power generator is constructed such that when the generator head reaches operational speed, the generator head provides the additional power to the electric motor and recharges the battery.

A system and method includes a secondary energy storage system (SESS) and a control system. The SESS is configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle and conductively connected via switch devices to a primary battery and a cranking device of the vehicle. The control system is configured to control the switch devices to close a conductive path to discharge electric current from the SESS for powering the cranking device to rotate an engine shaft during a cranking operation. The control system is configured to control the switch devices to open the conductive path and prevent discharge of electric current from the SESS after the cranking operation is complete.

A vehicle control apparatus to be mounted on a vehicle including an engine includes an electric motor, an electricity storage device, and a motor controller. The electric motor is coupled to the engine and generates motor power. The electricity storage device is coupled to the electric motor through a power supply cable. The motor controller causes execution of an assistance mode. The assistance mode includes controlling the electric motor to a powering state to transmit the motor power to the engine in operation. The motor controller permits the execution of the assistance mode on the condition that a rotation speed of the electric motor is lower than a threshold. The motor controller prohibits the execution of the assistance mode on the condition that the rotation speed of the electric motor is higher than the threshold.

A control apparatus is used with a vehicle including an engine, a storage battery, and an electrical load. The control apparatus works as an automatic engine stop and restart system and calculates a SOC lower limit that is a minimum value of state of charge (SOC) of the battery required to continue to stop the engine in an idle stop mode. The control apparatus also calculates an amount of electric power expected to be consumed by the electrical load during the idle stop mode and determines an idle stop enable SOC at which the idle stop mode is entered and which is selected to be the sum of the SOC lower limit and a SOC of the battery which at least compensates for the consumed amount of electric power. This ensures chances to stop the engine in the idle stop mode and improves fuel economy.

A work machine determines, when a request to restart an engine is made, whether or not a reason indicated by stop information stored in a memory is a reason related to locking of the work portion. The machine sets an operation mode of the engine and a work portion to a safe mode if it determines that the reason indicated by the stop information is a reason related to locking of the work portion. The safe mode is an operation mode for lessening damage resulting from causing the engine and the work portion to work during the work portion locked or damage resulting from an object coming into contact with the work portion during the engine and the work portion working.

A mild-hybrid energy storage system architecture is provided, comprising: a battery; an ultracapacitor connected in parallel with the battery; a passive battery pre-charge circuit connected between a terminal of the battery and a DC bus; a battery main contactor connected in parallel with the battery pre-charge circuit between the terminal of the battery and the DC bus; a passive ultracapacitor pre-charge circuit connected between a terminal of the ultracapacitor and the DC bus; an ultracapacitor main contactor connected in parallel with the ultracapacitor pre-charge circuit between the terminal of the ultracapacitor and the DC bus; and a control module configured to independently control operation of the battery pre-charge circuit, the battery main contactor, the ultracapacitor pre-charge circuit and the ultracapacitor main contactor.