Ultracapacitor-based power source
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An ultracapacitor-based power source, for backup starting of a starter powered by a starter battery, comprising:
- an ultracapacitor (UC);
a charger associated with said UC, configured to charge said UC from an energy source;
a first and second output connection, configured to connect to said starter in parallel with said starter battery;
a power source controller associated with said UC, configured to connect said UC to said outputs so as to direct current flow from said UC to said starter, thereby starting said starter from said UC;
a first switch electrically connected between said UC and said first output, said first switch being controlled by said power source controller, wherein said power source controller directs and prevents current flow from said UC to said outputs by controlling a state of said first switch; and
a second switch electrically connected between said UC and said second output, said second switch being controlled by said power source controller, wherein said power source controller directs and prevents current flow from said UC to said outputs by controlling a state of said second switch in conjunction with said first switch.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An ultracapacitor-based power source includes an ultracapacitor, a charger, output connections and a power source controller. The ultracapacitor-based power source is suitable for backup starting of a starter powered by a starter battery. The charger charges the UC from an energy source. The output connections connect to the starter in parallel with the starter battery. When a start attempt failure occurs, the power source controller connects the UC to the outputs. The connection directs current flow from the UC to the starter, thereby starting the starter from the UC.
19 Citations
25 Claims
-
1. An ultracapacitor-based power source, for backup starting of a starter powered by a starter battery, comprising:
-
an ultracapacitor (UC); a charger associated with said UC, configured to charge said UC from an energy source; a first and second output connection, configured to connect to said starter in parallel with said starter battery; a power source controller associated with said UC, configured to connect said UC to said outputs so as to direct current flow from said UC to said starter, thereby starting said starter from said UC; a first switch electrically connected between said UC and said first output, said first switch being controlled by said power source controller, wherein said power source controller directs and prevents current flow from said UC to said outputs by controlling a state of said first switch; and a second switch electrically connected between said UC and said second output, said second switch being controlled by said power source controller, wherein said power source controller directs and prevents current flow from said UC to said outputs by controlling a state of said second switch in conjunction with said first switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method of starting a starter with a UC-based power source, wherein said starter is powered by a starter battery, said UC-based power source comprising:
-
i) an ultracapacitor (UC); ii) a charger associated with said UC, configured to charge said UC from an energy source; iii) a first and second output connection, configured to connect to said starter in parallel with said starter battery; and iv) at least one switch configured to connect and disconnect said UC and said outputs so as to control current flow from said UC to said starter, wherein said energy source comprises a DC energy source and said charger comprises a DC to DC converter, and said charger selectably operates in current limiter and current driver modes, said method comprising; charging said UC, from said energy source, to a level required for providing a current burst sufficient to start said starter; starting said starter from said UC by directing current flow from said UC to said starter; determining respective voltages of said DC energy source and said UC; and selecting an operating mode for said charger by; i) when a ratio of said UC voltage to said DC energy source voltage is lower than a first specified value, charging said UC in current limiter mode; ii) when said ratio of said UC voltage to said battery voltage is between said first specified value and a second specified value, charging said UC in current driver mode, wherein said second specified value is greater than said first specified value; and iii) when said ratio of said UC voltage to said battery voltage is greater than said second specified value, operating in standby mode. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method of starting a starter with a UC-based power source, wherein said starter is powered by a starter battery, said UC-based power source comprising:
-
i) an ultracapacitor (UC); ii) a charger associated with said UC, configured to charge said UC from an energy source; iii) a first and second output connection, configured to connect to said starter in parallel with said starter battery; and iv) at least one switch configured to connect and disconnect said UC and said outputs so as to control current flow from said UC to said starter, said method comprising; charging said UC, from said energy source, to a level required for providing a current burst sufficient to start said starter; starting said starter from said UC by directing current flow from said UC to said starter; and running a testing pulse sequence to update said battery and UC voltages, and selecting said charging mode in accordance with said updated battery and UC voltages.
-
-
21. An ultracapacitor-based power source, for backup starting of a starter powered by a starter battery, comprising:
-
an ultracapacitor (UC); a charger associated with said UC, configured to charge said UC from an energy source; a first and second output connection, configured to connect to said starter in parallel with said starter battery; and a power source controller associated with said UC, configured to connect said UC to said outputs so as to direct current flow from said UC to said starter, thereby starting said starter from said UC wherein said controller is further configured to alternate UC charging mode between current limiter mode and current source mode in accordance with voltage levels of said starter battery and said UC.
-
-
22. An ultracapacitor-based power source, for backup starting of a starter powered by a starter battery, comprising:
-
an ultracapacitor (UC); a charger associated with said UC, configured to charge said UC from an energy source; a first and second output connection, configured to connect to said starter in parallel with said starter battery; and a power source controller associated with said UC, configured to connect said UC to said outputs so as to direct current flow from said UC to said starter, thereby starting said starter from said UC, wherein said controller is configured to delay said connecting by a time period selected to maximize a reliability of said starting by said UC.
-
-
23. An ultracapacitor-based power source, for backup starting of a starter powered by a starter battery, comprising:
-
an ultracapacitor (UC); a charger associated with said UC, configured to charge said UC from an energy source; a first and second output connection, configured to connect to said starter in parallel with said starter battery; a power source controller associated with said UC, configured to connect said UC to said outputs so as to direct current flow from said UC to said starter, thereby starting said starter from said UC; and
a cable for electrically connecting one of said output connections to a terminal of said starter battery, said cable comprising a battery clamp having jaws for attaching to said battery terminal, wherein conductive portions on the interiors of said jaws are electrically connected when said clamp is attached to said terminal and are electrically disconnected when said clamp is detached from said terminal. - View Dependent Claims (24)
-
-
25. A method of starting a starter with a UC-based power source, wherein said starter is powered by a starter battery, said UC-based power source comprising:
-
i) an ultracapacitor (UC); ii) a charger associated with said UC, configured to charge said UC from an energy source; iii) a first and second output connection, configured to connect to said starter in parallel with said starter battery; and iv) at least one switch configured to connect and disconnect said UC and said outputs so as to control current flow from said UC to said starter, said method comprising; charging said UC, from said energy source, to a level required for providing a current burst sufficient to start said starter; starting said starter from said UC by directing current flow from said UC to said starter; and delaying said starting by a time period selected to maximize a reliability of starting said starter from said UC.
-
Specification