System for multiple energy storage and management and method of making same

1. A propulsion system comprising:

an electric drive;

a first energy storage system electrically coupled to the electric drive through a direct current (DC) link, the first energy storage system comprising a high specific-energy storage device;

a second energy storage system electrically coupled to the first energy storage system in a series connection, the second energy storage system comprising a high specific-power storage device; and

a first bi-directional boost converter electrically coupled to the first and second energy storage systems such that a terminal of the first energy storage system is electrically coupled to a low voltage side of the first bi-directional boost converter and a first terminal of the second energy storage system is coupled to a high voltage side of the first bi-directional boost converter; and

wherein the series connection bypasses the first bi-directional boost converter.

2. The propulsion system of claim 1 wherein the first energy storage system comprises a low specific power battery.

3. The propulsion system of claim 2 wherein the first energy storage system comprises a lithium ion battery.

4. The propulsion system of claim 1 wherein the second energy storage system comprises a power battery.

5. The propulsion system of claim 1 wherein the second energy storage system comprises an ultracapacitor.

6. The propulsion system of claim 1 wherein the first bi-directional boost converter is configured to control an amount of energy transferred from the first energy storage system to the second energy storage system through the first bi-directional boost converter to maintain a state-of-charge (SOC) of the second energy storage system.

7. The propulsion system of claim 1 further comprising a second bi-directional boost converter, wherein a low voltage side of the second bi-directional boost converter is electrically coupled to the first terminal of the second energy storage system, and wherein a high voltage side of the second bi-directional boost converter is electrically coupled to the DC link.

8. The propulsion system of claim 7 wherein a power rating of the first bi-directional boost converter is lower than a power rating of the second bi-directional boost converter.

9. A method of assembling a control system for an electric drive comprising:

providing a first bi-directional boost converter;

coupling a first terminal of a high specific-energy storage device to a low-voltage side of the first bi-directional boost converter;

coupling a first terminal of a high specific-power storage device to a high-voltage side of the first bi-directional boost converter; and

coupling the high specific-energy storage device in series with the high specific-power storage device such that the first terminal of the high specific-energy storage device is electrically coupled to a second terminal of the high specific-power storage device.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein coupling the high specific-energy storage device to the high specific-power storage device further comprises providing an electrical link between the high specific-energy storage device and the high specific-power storage device that bypasses the first bi-directional boost converter.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

providing a second bi-directional boost converter having a power rating that is higher than a power rating of the first bi-directional boost converter; and

coupling the first terminal of a high specific-power storage device to a low voltage side of the second bi-directional boost converter.

12. An energy storage arrangement for an electrically powered system, the arrangement comprising:

a first bi-directional boost converter;

a first energy storage system electrically coupled to a first side of the first bi-directional boost converter, the first energy storage system comprising a high specific-energy storage device;

a second energy storage system electrically coupled to a second side of the first bi-directional boost converter, the second energy storage system comprising a high specific-power storage device;

an electrical link forming a series connection between a positive terminal of the first energy storage system and a negative terminal of the second energy storage system, wherein the electrical link bypasses the first bi-directional boost converter.

13. The energy storage arrangement of claim 12 wherein the first energy storage system comprises a low specific power battery.

14. The energy storage arrangement of claim 12 wherein the second energy storage system comprises a power battery.

15. The energy storage arrangement of claim 12 wherein the second energy storage system comprises an ultracapacitor.

16. The energy storage arrangement of claim 12 wherein the first bi-directional boost converter comprises an energy management system programmed to selectively transmit a charging voltage from the first energy storage system to the second energy storage system.

17. The energy storage arrangement of claim 16 wherein the energy management system is programmed to maintain a state-of-charge (SOC) of the second energy storage system between a predetermined lower threshold and a predetermined upper threshold.

18. The energy storage arrangement of claim 12 wherein a voltage of the first energy storage system is lower than a voltage of the second energy storage system.

19. The energy storage arrangement of claim 12 further comprising a second bi-directional boost converter having a low voltage side electrically coupled to a positive terminal of the second energy storage system.

20. The energy storage arrangement of claim 19 wherein a power rating of the second bi-directional boost converter is higher than a power rating of the first bi-directional boost converter.