Battery system
First Claim
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1. In a vehicle having an electric motor for starting an engine, an alternator driven by an engine to generate electricity, and accessory electrical loads;
- a battery system comprising;
a first battery for selectively powering the electric motor to start the engine, and having a first charge level;
a second battery to operate and maintain accessory electrical loads, and having a second charge level;
a charge maintenance device connecting the first battery to the second battery for maintaining a charge of the first battery to a predefined level; and
a controller coupled to the first battery to monitor the first charge level, and operating the charge maintenance device in response to the first charge level.
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Abstract
Battery powered equipment is provide with a controller which monitors the voltage supplied by the battery. Should the battery voltage drop below a preset level when the equipment is inactive, the controller disconnects non-essential loads of the equipment from the battery to conserve what charge remains in the battery. When used with a motor vehicle the controller may be tied into the security system and disable the ignition during inactive periods unless the proper reactivation signal is received.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. In a vehicle having an electric motor for starting an engine, an alternator driven by an engine to generate electricity, and accessory electrical loads;
- a battery system comprising;
a first battery for selectively powering the electric motor to start the engine, and having a first charge level;
a second battery to operate and maintain accessory electrical loads, and having a second charge level;
a charge maintenance device connecting the first battery to the second battery for maintaining a charge of the first battery to a predefined level; and
a controller coupled to the first battery to monitor the first charge level, and operating the charge maintenance device in response to the first charge level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- a battery system comprising;
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11. In a vehicle having an electric motor for starting an engine, an alternator driven by an engine to generate electricity, and accessory electrical loads;
- a battery system comprising;
a first battery for selectively powering the electric motor to start the engine, and having a first voltage level and a charge level;
a second battery to operate and maintain accessory electrical loads, and having a second voltage level;
a charging switch connecting the first battery to the alternator;
a charge maintenance device connecting the first battery to the second battery to maintain the charge level of the first battery to a predefined magnitude in response to a control signal; and
a controller coupled to both the first battery and the second battery to monitor the first voltage level and the second voltage level, and operating the charging switch and the charge maintenance device in response to the first voltage level and the second voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- a battery system comprising;
Specification