Claims
- 1. A power supply for a vehicle, comprising:
a) a plurality of first batteries; b) a plurality of second batteries being connected in parallel with said plurality of first batteries, said plurality of first batteries and said plurality of second batteries being configured to provide and receive a source of power from an electric machine.
- 2. A power supply as in claim 1, wherein said electric machine is a motor/generator being configured, dimensioned, and positioned to provide either a negative or positive torque force to a vehicle drivetrain.
- 3. A power supply as in claim 1, wherein said first plurality of batteries are nickel metal hydride batteries and said second plurality of batteries are thin film lead acid batteries.
- 4. A power supply as in claim 1, wherein said first plurality of batteries are thirty nickel metal hydride cells, each having a 1.2-volt output, and said second plurality of batteries are three thin film lead acid batteries, each having a 12-volt output.
- 5. A power supply for a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
a) an electrical storage medium having a first plurality of batteries being connected in parallel with a second plurality of batteries, said electrical storage medium providing power for an electric motor drivably connected to at least one ground-engaging drive wheel of said vehicle, said electric motor selectively having a function of rotating said drive wheel, said electrical storage medium selectively powering said electric motor; b) a liquid-fueled engine drivably connected to at least one ground-engaging wheel, said liquid fueled engine selectively having a function of rotating said drive wheel; and c) a generator coupled for selectively recharging said electrical storage medium.
- 6. A power supply as in claim 1, wherein said first plurality of batteries are nickel metal hydride batteries, and said second plurality of batteries are thin film lead acid batteries.
- 7. A power supply as in claim 6, wherein said first plurality of batteries are thirty nickel metal hydride cells, each having a 1.2-volt output, and said second plurality of batteries are three thin film lead acid batteries, each having a 12-volt output.
- 8. The power supply as in claim 1, wherein said vehicle is a hybrid vehicle.
- 9. A method for providing and storing power and a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
connecting a first set of batteries to a second set of batteries, said first set of batteries having a similar open circuit voltage as said second set of batteries, said first set of batteries being connected in parallel with said second set of batteries; drawing power from either said first set of batteries or said second set of batteries; and storing power in either said first set of batteries or said second set of batteries.
- 10. The method as in claim 9, wherein said first set of batteries are nickel metal hydride.
- 11. The method as in claim 10 wherein said second set of batteries provide high power output at low temperatures.
- 12. The power supply as in claim 5, further comprising:
e) an inverter for converting AC power to DC power, said inverter being electrically coupled between said generator and said electric storage medium.
- 13. A power supply for a vehicle, comprising:
a) a plurality of first batteries; b) a plurality of second batteries being connected in parallel with said plurality of first batteries to form an electric storage medium, said plurality of first batteries and said plurality of second batteries being configured to provide and receive a source of power from an electric machine, said electric machine providing either a driving force or a stopping force to at least one ground engaging drive wheel of said vehicle.
- 14. The power supply as in claim 13, wherein said first plurality of batteries are nickel metal hydride.
- 15. The power supply as in claim 14, wherein said second plurality of batteries are capable of providing high power output at colder temperatures.
- 16. The power supply as in claim 15, wherein said second plurality of batteries are lead acid batteries.
- 17. The power supply as in claim 15, wherein said electric storage medium is in fluid communication with an exhaust plenum of said vehicle's heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
- 18. The power supply as in claim 13, wherein said electric storage medium weighs less than ninety pounds and is configured for use with a 42 volt system.
- 19. The power supply as in claim 15, wherein said second plurality of batteries is maintained at a high state of charge.
- 20. The power supply as in claim 15, wherein said second plurality of batteries has a low energy density with respect to said first set of batteries.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application it is related to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,081,365 and 6,044,922, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.