An electrical energy recovery, storage, and distribution system that may be used in a vehicle. The system may include a supercapacitor configured to quickly store large amounts of energy. The system may also include multiple circuits operating at different voltage levels, such that an output voltage from the supercapacitor is useful over a larger voltage range and the system is more energy efficient.

A system for discharging or charging a capacitor of a hybrid vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a target state of charge (SOC) module and a capacitor charge/discharge module. The target SOC module determines a target state of charge of the capacitor based on a speed of the vehicle. The capacitor charge/discharge module determines whether a state of charge of a capacitor is greater than a target state of charge. The capacitor charge/discharge module dissipates power from the capacitor to at least one of a battery of the vehicle and an electrical load of the vehicle when the state of charge of the capacitor is greater than the target state of charge.

A vehicle electric power supply apparatus includes a first electric power supply system, a second electric power supply system, an electric power fuse, a switch, a starter relay, an occupant operated unit, a starter control unit, and a switch control unit. The switch is controlled to be in one of an electrically-conductive state and a cutoff state. The starter relay is controlled to be in one of an electrically-conductive state or a cutoff state. The occupant operated unit is operated by an occupant. The starter control unit outputs an ON signal and the switch control unit outputs an OFF signal when the occupant operated unit is operated. The ON signal allows the starter relay to be controlled in the electrically-conductive state. The OFF signal allows the switch to be controlled in the cutoff state.

An apparatus for starting engine of mild hybrid electric vehicle may include: an ignition switch; an ambient temperature detector; a state of charge (SOC) detector; a mild starter & generator (MHSG) including a stator and a rotor mounted inside the stator; a starter which is configured to start the engine independently of the MHSG; a converter which is configured to voltage-drop an electric power of a high voltage battery and supply it to the low voltage battery or the starter; an MHSG wheel rotating integrally with the rotor; an MHSG position detector; and a controller configured for determining a top dead center (TDC) of a predetermined cylinder based on a signal of the MHSG position detector.

A system includes a virtual-driver module, a DC/DC converter electrically coupled to the virtual-driver module, a low-voltage battery electrically coupled to the virtual-driver module, a high-voltage battery electrically coupled to the DC/DC converter, and a computer communicatively coupled to the DC/DC converter. The computer is programmed to, in response to a request to start a vehicle including the virtual-driver module in a manual mode, the vehicle being in an off state at the time of the request, set a setpoint of the DC/DC converter at a first voltage; then perform at least one pre-drive test on the vehicle; and then set the setpoint of the DC/DC converter at a second voltage lower than the first voltage.

An engine start system of a hybrid vehicle includes a converter circuit unit converting voltage and outputting the converted voltage and a switch having a first terminal connected to an output terminal of the converter circuit unit and a second terminal selectively forming an electrical connection with the first terminal. A diode has an anode connected to the second terminal and a cathode connected to the first terminal. A battery is connected to the second terminal. A low-voltage starter connected to the battery and provides rotary power to start an engine in a stopped state by converting battery power into rotational energy. A controller opens the switch and supplies driving power to the low-voltage starter when the engine is started.

A power supply and an automotive topology that includes the power supply, the power supply having an integrated module, which includes in a common, shared module housing, a start-stop DC/DC converter, a DC/AC converter, and an auxiliary DC/DC converter, which bypasses stop/start during non-stop/start operation. A DC input port connected to the start-stop DC/DC converter, DC/AC converter, and the auxiliary DC/DC converter. A DC output port connected to the start-stop DC/DC converter to supply DC to critical loads of a motor vehicle, even during vehicle OFF mode. An AC output port connected to the DC/AC converter to supply AC to an external component.

In performing double drive startup for starting up an engine while cranking the engine by both a first motor and a second motor, the cranking of the engine by one of the first motor and the second motor is finished earlier than the cranking of the engine by the other of the first motor and the second motor.

An electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to an internal combustion engine (ICE) is operated as a motor with a first control strategy and as a generator with a second control strategy. In the first control strategy, electric power is delivered from a power source to the ETM selectively through at least one transistor of an electrical converter. After switching from the first control strategy to the second control strategy, the ETM delivers electric power to an accessory selectively through the at least one transistor of the electrical converter.

A starting module for a vehicle is provided. The starting module is configured to reside on-board the vehicle, and is used to start an engine associated with the vehicle in the event the battery on the vehicle is too weak to crank the engine. The engine starting module first comprises a housing. The housing resides proximate the vehicle battery and holds a plurality of super capacitors. The super capacitors reside within the housing, in series, and are electrically in parallel with the vehicle battery. The super capacitors store charge received from the electrical system of the vehicle. The starting module also includes control logic. The control logic controls the release of energy from the super capacitors. The engine starting module also comprises an isolation switch, which is configured to move between open and close positions in response to signals from the control logic.