SEG (SMART ENERGY GATEWAY) FOR OPTIMIZED ENERGY FLOW CONTROL
First Claim
1. A controller for managing distribution of electrical energy within a vehicle having a solar energy source operable to generate electric energy from solar energy, a byproduct energy source operable to generate electric energy from “
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energy created by operation of the vehicle, an alternator operable to generate electric energy from operation of a fuel-driven engine, and at least one passive energy source operable to store electrical energy and output previously stored electrical energy, the controller being operable to;
determine an amount of current available from each of the solar energy source, the byproduct energy source, the alternator, and the passive energy source based on current vehicle operating conditions;
determine a cost to provide the amount of current from each of the solar energy source, the byproduct energy source, the alternator, and the passive energy source for the current vehicle operating conditions;
determine a current demand of one or more current consuming vehicle systems for the current vehicle operating conditions;
identify at least two schedules for meeting the current demand, each schedule including a different combination of at least one of the solar energy source, the byproduct energy source, the alternator, and the passive energy source providing at least a portion of the amount of current available therefrom; and
manage distribution of current according to the one of the at least two schedules having a lowest cost based on the cost to provide current determined for each of the solar energy source, the byproduct energy source, the alternator, and the passive energy source.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A smart energy gateway (SEG) operable to optimize energy consumption in a manner that optionally reduces user costs and/or emissions. The SEG may include a controller operable to manage energy distribution between one or more sources and one or more loads include within a vehicle according to one or more energy distribution schedules, such as but not limited to energy distribution schedules weight according to monetary and/or emission-based valuation metrics.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A controller for managing distribution of electrical energy within a vehicle having a solar energy source operable to generate electric energy from solar energy, a byproduct energy source operable to generate electric energy from “
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energy created by operation of the vehicle, an alternator operable to generate electric energy from operation of a fuel-driven engine, and at least one passive energy source operable to store electrical energy and output previously stored electrical energy, the controller being operable to;determine an amount of current available from each of the solar energy source, the byproduct energy source, the alternator, and the passive energy source based on current vehicle operating conditions; determine a cost to provide the amount of current from each of the solar energy source, the byproduct energy source, the alternator, and the passive energy source for the current vehicle operating conditions; determine a current demand of one or more current consuming vehicle systems for the current vehicle operating conditions; identify at least two schedules for meeting the current demand, each schedule including a different combination of at least one of the solar energy source, the byproduct energy source, the alternator, and the passive energy source providing at least a portion of the amount of current available therefrom; and manage distribution of current according to the one of the at least two schedules having a lowest cost based on the cost to provide current determined for each of the solar energy source, the byproduct energy source, the alternator, and the passive energy source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A controller for managing distribution of electrical energy within a vehicle having a plurality of energy sources and a plurality of loads, the plurality of loads being powered by energy from the plurality of energy sources, the controller being operable to:
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determine an amount of current available from each of the plurality of energy sources; determine an emissions cost to provide the amount of current from each of the plurality of energy sources; determine a current demand for each to be powered load; generate at least two schedules for meeting the current demand, each schedule including a different combination of at least one of the plurality of energy sources providing at least a portion of the amount of current available from each; and manage distribution of current according to the one of the at least two schedules having a lowest emissions cost based on the emissions cost to provide current determined for each of the plurality of energy sources. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A smart energy gateway (SEG) for use in a vehicle having a plurality of energy sources and a plurality of loads, the SEG comprising a plurality of power switches that are controlled by commands to control energy flow in the vehicle between the plurality of energy sources and the plurality of loads;
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a controller operable to; (i) determine an amount of current available from each of the plurality of energy sources; (ii) determine a cost to provide the amount of current from each of the plurality of energy sources; (iii) determine a current demand for each to be powered load; (iv) generate a plurality of schedules for meeting the current demand, each schedule including a different combination of at least one of the plurality of energy sources providing at least a portion of the amount of current available from each; and (v) command the plurality of power switches according to the one of the plurality of schedules having a lowest cost. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification