Apparatus for controlling a power generation system, the apparatus comprising a controller configured to: identify a trigger indicative of a future change in electrical power output by the power generation system to a first power level; control the power generation system to change electrical power output to a second power level in response to the trigger, the second power level being equal to, or different to the first power level; and control supply of at least a portion of the electrical power output from the power generation system at the second power level to an electrical energy storage system to charge the electrical energy storage system.

A vehicle is equipped with an electric storage device, a drive motor, an auxiliary that can be driven by a regenerative electric power, and a control unit. The control unit performs a non-chargeable control for causing the auxiliary to consume the regenerative electric power when the electric storage device is in a non-chargeable state, and performs a specific maneuver control for causing the auxiliary to consume the regenerative electric power even when the electric storage device is in a chargeable state in the case where an operational maneuver for making a change to an operation mode in which a larger amount of the regenerative electric power is generated is performed with the regenerative electric power generated.

An overhead battery charger is disclosed. The overhead battery charger includes a source of electric power, for example an electrical outlet, as well as a power cord connected to the source of electric power. At least one battery connection device, such as alligator clamps, is attached to the power cord, and a controller adapted to adjust voltage, current, or both, is available at the battery connection device. In addition, a remote device, such as a smart phone, tablet, or computer, runs an app and sends signals to direct the adjustments made by the controller.

A vehicle capable of supplying power to an electrical device reliably is provided. The vehicle includes an electric steering device that changes a driving direction of the vehicle, a battery that supplies power to the electric steering device, and a generator that supplies power to at least one of the electric steering device and the battery. A controller determines at least one of a steering angle and a steering angle speed of the electric steering device based on the driving path of the vehicle, and adjust the generated power of the generator before operating the electric steering device based on at least one of the steering angle and the steering angle speed.

An on-board electrical network (4) of a motor vehicle (2) has a first voltage circuit (I) and a second voltage circuit (II), wherein the first voltage circuit has a first operating voltage higher than a second operating voltage in the second voltage circuit. The first voltage circuit is connected to the second voltage circuit via a DC voltage converter (8). The first voltage circuit has a battery (10) and the second voltage circuit has a main battery (12) and an auxiliary voltage source (14). By means of a first switching element (16) and a second switching element (18) at least one of transmission control unit (20) and/or integrated hybrid controller (22) are supplied with electrical energy from the main battery (12) and/or the auxiliary voltage source (14). Control unit (20) and/or hybrid controller (22) can be selectably disconnected from either the main battery (12) and/or the auxiliary voltage source (14).

A battery starting and charging system that monitors battery and other sensor readings; tracks vehicle state, determines a charging voltage based on battery temperature and vehicle state; sets the alternator to charge the battery with the charging voltage; determines current collected parameters based on the battery and other sensor readings; and makes vehicle start predictions based on the current collected parameters. The system can also determine whether the vehicle actually started; add the current collected parameters to a set of start events if it started, and to a set of no-start events if it didn't start. The start prediction can also be based on the sets of start and no-start events for one or multiple vehicles. The collected parameters and start predictions can also be based on collected weather data. The system can use a local interconnect network (LIN) alternator with a LIN network.

A vehicle control apparatus is to be provided in a vehicle including a wireless charger that charges a mobile device placed on the wireless charger. The vehicle control apparatus includes an interruption detector, a cause determination unit, and a notification controller. The interruption detector detects interruption of charging of the mobile device by the wireless charger, based on an operating state of the wireless charger. The cause determination unit determines whether a cause of the interruption of the charging is a first or second cause. The first cause is that the mobile device is moved by inertia during traveling. The second cause is that the mobile device is moved by a passenger. When the cause is determined as being the first cause, the notification controller notifies information about the interruption of the charging in a more prominent manner than when the cause is determined as being the second cause.

This disclosure describes a rechargeable battery for a light electric vehicle. More specifically, this disclosure describes a rechargeable battery and a rechargeable battery holster that may be used to removably couple the rechargeable battery to a light electric vehicle.

The invention relates to a method and device for managing the charging and discharging of ultracapacitors without control wiring, connected in parallel to the electrical system of a combustion engine, or any other device or process that needs a battery to supply or absorb strong electrical currents. The device is advantageous in that, for the operation thereof, it is not necessary to modify the electrical wiring of the engine and it allows the operation of the engine even when the battery is partially charged, completely discharged, or when there is no battery. The invention relates to a portable embodiment, an embodiment for permanent use and another embodiment in which the device is connected to an electrochemical battery forming an assembly, which is used to supply the engine with electrical energy.

Problem To maintain high fuel consumption performance also in the charging by a drive of an alternator at the non-deceleration in a power source management system that drives the alternator during vehicle deceleration to charge a battery. Solution A power generation cost of an alternator is found from a rotational speed and torque of an engine at the non-deceleration. The alternator is driven only when an SOC of a battery is in a drive permission zone Z in which, based upon the power generation cost, the SOC and the power consumption, the SOC is the lower as the power generation cost is the higher and the SOC is the higher as the power consumption is the higher. The fuel consumption performance is higher as compared to a conventional example of always driving the alternator when the SOC is equal to or less than a maximum upper limit value SOCm regardless of the power generation cost as an index of an engine efficiency.