Configuration and method for switching off at least one stationary-vehicle current apparatus

• US 20030135313A1
• Filed: 12/26/2002
• Published: 07/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Joachim Grosse, Jorg-Roman Konieczny, Meike Reizig, Rolf Bruck
• Original Assignee: Joachim Grosse, Jorg-Roman Konieczny, Meike Reizig, Rolf Bruck
• Inventors: Reizig, Meike, Bruck, Rolf, Konieczny, Jorg-Roman, Grosse, Joachim
• Application Number:
  US10/329,972
• Publication Number:
  US 20030135313A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/30 The power source being a fuel cell
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/46 for ICE-powered road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/002 in which a reserve is maintained in an energy source by disconnecting non-critical loads, e.g. maintaining a reserve of charge in a vehicle battery for starting an engine

Abstract

The invention relates to a configuration and to a method for disconnecting at least one fixed electric device such as a fixed electric consumer or a fixed electric generator in a motor vehicle. Fixed electric generators, in particular, require fuel. The invention enables the operator of a motor vehicle to be protected against an unpleasant surprise caused by a running fixed electric device that empties the tank. A device for disconnecting fixed electric devices is connected to a measuring device for determining the contents of the tank.

Claims

1. A configuration, comprising:

a tank for storing fuel;

at least one stationary-vehicle current apparatus directly or indirectly requiring the fuel from said tank;

a switching device for switching off said stationary-vehicle current apparatus; and

a measuring device for determining an amount of the fuel in said tank;

said switching device being automatically activated by information relating to the amount of the fuel in said tank when a predefined value is reached.

2. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said stationary-vehicle current apparatus is a stationary-vehicle current generator or a stationary-vehicle current load.

3. The configuration according to claim 2, wherein said stationary-vehicle current apparatus is a fuel cell system and/or a fuel cell module with or without a reformer.

4. The configuration according to claim 1, comprising a device for indicating, to an operator of a vehicle before the operator leaves the vehicle, that said stationary-vehicle current apparatus is running and/or activated.

5. The configuration according to claim 4, wherein said device includes a communications network.

6. The configuration according to claim 1, comprising a display for indicating, to an operator of a vehicle before the operator leaves the vehicle, that said stationary-vehicle current apparatus is running and/or activated.

7. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein the predefined value is between 2 and 20% of the amount of the fuel in said tank.

8. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein the predefined value is between 5 and 15% of the amount of the fuel in said tank.

9. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said tank is a storage cylinder.

10. A method for switching off at least one stationary-vehicle current apparatus, the method which comprises providing a device for switching off the stationary-vehicle current apparatus as a function of contents of a tank.

11. The method according to claim 10, which comprises informing a predefined entity before performing a switching-off operation with the device.

12. The method according to claim 10, which comprises:

performing the step of switching off the stationary-vehicle current apparatus in a plurality of steps; and

finally switching off a stationary-vehicle and/or an on-board power supply while preserving emergency functions.

13. The method according to claim 12, which comprises performing the step of switching off the stationary-vehicle current apparatus after making an inquiry to a predefined entity.

14. The method according to claim 14, wherein the predefined entity is a driver and/or a keeper of the vehicle.