Energy storage device for loads having variable power rates

An energy storage device for storing electrical energy to be delivered to an electrical load, said energy storage device comprising:

• a rechargeable battery having a first energy density and electrically connectable to an external power source;
• a rechargeable electrical device having a second energy density, less than the first energy density, said second battery being electrically connectable to the first battery and electrically connectable to the load;
• wherein, during operation, the rechargeable electrical device is connected in parallel to each of the load and the battery, and wherein the rechargeable electrical device supplies electrical energy to the load while the battery substantially continuously recharges the rechargeable electrical device and supplies electrical energy to the load;
• and
• wherein the battery is periodically connected to the external source for recharging as required.

A method for storing electrical energy for an electrical load drawing electrical power at different rates, said method comprising:

• charging a rechargeable energy battery having a first total impedance;
• charging a rechargeable power battery having a second total impedance, less than the first total impedance;
• supplying electrical energy from the energy battery and the power battery to the electrical load;
• substantially continuously recharging the power battery from the energy battery with electrical energy not required by the electrical load.

A power source system for providing power to a load, the system comprising:

• a first battery having a first energy density, with the first battery being rechargeable;
• a second battery having a second energy density, with the second energy density being greater than the first energy density;
• and
• a battery connection device structured and located to electrically connect the first battery, the second battery and the load to each other so that:
• the first battery and second battery can both supply electrical power to the load through the battery connection device;
• the second battery can recharge the first battery through the battery connection device;
• the voltage drop across the first battery and second battery is substantially equal when the first battery and the second battery are supplying power to the load through the battery connection device.

A power source system for providing power to a load, the system comprising:

• a first battery having a first energy density, with the first battery being rechargeable;
• a second battery having a second energy density, with the second energy density being greater than the first energy density;
• and
• a battery connection device structured and located to electrically connect the first battery, the second battery and the load to each other so that the load will at least sometimes simultaneously draw current from both the first battery and the second battery.

A vehicle comprising:

• a vehicle housing;
• a motor structured and located so that operation of the motor can drive the vehicle into motion;
• a first battery having a first energy density, with the first battery being rechargeable;
• a second battery having a second energy density, with the second energy density being greater than the first energy density;
• and
• a battery connection device structured and located to electrically connect at least the first battery to the motor and the second battery;
• wherein the motor, the first battery and the second battery are all fixed to the vehicle housing so that the first battery is spatially proximate to the motor and the second battery is spatially remote from the motor.