Methods and apparatus are provided for charging a high-voltage battery of
a hybrid electric vehicle. The high-voltage battery charging apparatus
comprises a battery charger configured to provide electrical energy, a
battery module configured to store the electrical energy provided by the
battery charger, and a high-voltage bus coupled to the battery charger
and the battery module, which is configured to transmit the electrical
energy from the battery charger and battery module to the electrical
system of the hybrid electric vehicle. In addition, the high-voltage
battery charging apparatus comprises a bus contactor interposed between
the high-voltage bus and the battery charger, which is bus contactor
configured to provide a first substantial electrical isolation between
the battery charger and the high-voltage bus during a charging period of
the battery module. Furthermore, the high-voltage battery charging
apparatus comprises an isolation mechanism interposed between the battery
charger and the high-voltage bus and also interposed between battery
charger and the battery module, which is configured to provide a second
substantial electrical isolation between the battery charger, the battery
module, and the high voltage bus during a non-charging period of the
battery module.