Capacitor-based powering system and associated methods
First Claim
1. A user-actuated ignition and powering system for starting and sustaining the operative functioning of an internal combustion engine in a vehicle and powering at least one electronic control unit positioned to control a predetermined function associated with the operation or use of the vehicle, the user-actuated ignition and powering system comprising:
- a starter responsive to the user and having an electrically driven motor to crank the engine;
a capacitor electrically connected to the starter to provide power to drive the motor of the starter and thereby enable the starter to crank the engine;
an alternator mechanically connected to the engine and electrically connected to the capacitor to convert mechanical energy generated by the engine when the engine is operatively functioning into electrical energy to provide power to the capacitor for maintaining the stored energy of the capacitor substantially at or above a first predetermined level;
power delivery controller connected to the capacitor and responsive to the alternator for controlling power delivery to and from the capacitor by permitting power to be delivered from the capacitor to the starter when the starter is engaged to crank the engine, permitting power to be delivered to the capacitor from the alternator when the alternator is operatively generating electrical current such that the stored energy of the capacitor is maintained at or above the predetermined level, and electrically isolating the capacitor from the at least one electronic control unit to thereby prevent discharge of power from the capacitor to the electrical system of the vehicle;
a voltage enhancer electrically connected to the capacitor and responsive to the power delivery controller to enhance voltage between the capacitor and the alternator when the alternator is operatively generating electrical current to thereby increase the power delivered from the alternator to the capacitor;
at least one battery electrically connected to the at least one electronic control unit of the vehicle to provide power to the electronic control unit and electrically connected to the alternator to receive power from the alternator to thereby maintain the energy of the battery substantially at or above a second predetermined level; and
a power delivery control override responsive to a user and electrically connected to each of the power delivery controller and the capacitor to override the power delivery controller and provide power to the electronic control unit from the capacitor.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system, capacitor having auxiliary cells, and associated methods for starting an engine is provided. The capacitor is an enhanced-power capacitor that provides enhanced cranking power. The capacitor is isolated from the battery and the rest of the engine'"'"'s electrical system at preselected times. The capacitor is electrically connected to the alternator when the engine is running and is charged by the alternator. When the engine is not running, the capacitor is electrically isolated to prevent the capacitor discharging by powering accessory devices; the battery can power devices while the capacitor remains electrically isolated. During starting, the capacitor provides all the power supplied to the starter solenoid. If the battery is too weak to energize the electrical system during starting, an override allows the capacitor to provide power for all starting functions.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A user-actuated ignition and powering system for starting and sustaining the operative functioning of an internal combustion engine in a vehicle and powering at least one electronic control unit positioned to control a predetermined function associated with the operation or use of the vehicle, the user-actuated ignition and powering system comprising:
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a starter responsive to the user and having an electrically driven motor to crank the engine;
a capacitor electrically connected to the starter to provide power to drive the motor of the starter and thereby enable the starter to crank the engine;
an alternator mechanically connected to the engine and electrically connected to the capacitor to convert mechanical energy generated by the engine when the engine is operatively functioning into electrical energy to provide power to the capacitor for maintaining the stored energy of the capacitor substantially at or above a first predetermined level;
power delivery controller connected to the capacitor and responsive to the alternator for controlling power delivery to and from the capacitor by permitting power to be delivered from the capacitor to the starter when the starter is engaged to crank the engine, permitting power to be delivered to the capacitor from the alternator when the alternator is operatively generating electrical current such that the stored energy of the capacitor is maintained at or above the predetermined level, and electrically isolating the capacitor from the at least one electronic control unit to thereby prevent discharge of power from the capacitor to the electrical system of the vehicle;
a voltage enhancer electrically connected to the capacitor and responsive to the power delivery controller to enhance voltage between the capacitor and the alternator when the alternator is operatively generating electrical current to thereby increase the power delivered from the alternator to the capacitor;
at least one battery electrically connected to the at least one electronic control unit of the vehicle to provide power to the electronic control unit and electrically connected to the alternator to receive power from the alternator to thereby maintain the energy of the battery substantially at or above a second predetermined level; and
a power delivery control override responsive to a user and electrically connected to each of the power delivery controller and the capacitor to override the power delivery controller and provide power to the electronic control unit from the capacitor.
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7. A user-actuated ignition system for starting an internal combustion engine in a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a starter responsive to the user and having an electrically driven motor to crank the engine;
a capacitor electrically connected to the starter to provide electric power for driving the motor of the starter and thereby enabling the starter to crank the engine;
an alternator mechanically connected to the engine and electrically connected to the capacitor to convert mechanical energy generated by the engine when the engine is operatively functioning into electrical energy to provide power to the capacitor for maintaining the stored energy of the capacitor substantially at or above a predetermined level; and
a power delivery controller connected to the capacitor and responsive to the alternator for controlling power delivery to and from the capacitor by permitting power to be delivered from the capacitor to the starter when the starter is engaged to crank the engine and permitting power to be delivered to the capacitor from the alternator when the alternator is operatively generating electrical current such that the stored energy of the capacitor is maintained at or above the predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A user-actuated ignition system for starting an internal combustion engine in a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a starter responsive to the user and having an electrically driven motor to crank the engine;
an alternator; and
an n-celled capacitor electrically connected to the starter to provide power for driving the motor of the starter and thereby enabling the starter to crank the engine and to the alternator for receiving power from the alternator when the alternator is generating electrical current, the number of cells, n, corresponding to the amount of power delivered to the starter by the capacitor and the amount of power delivered from the alternator to the capacitor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. An internal combustion engine starting system comprising:
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a starter to crank the engine when engaged;
an alternator mechanically connected to the engine to convert mechanical energy generated by the engine when the engine is operatively functioning into electrical energy;
a capacitor electrically connected to each of the starter and the alternator to provide power to the starter and receive power from the alternator, the capacitor having at least eleven cells which readily provides a voltage greater than 14.6 volts during normal operating conditions; and
a power delivery controller electrically connected to the capacitor and responsive the starter to prevent power from being delivered by the capacitor to the starter and permit power to be delivered to the capacitor from the alternator when the starter is disengaged and the alternator is operatively generating electrical current such that the energy level of the capacitor is maintained within a predetermined range while permitting power to be delivered to the starter when the starter is engaged. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for selectively providing power to an electrical system associated with an internal combustion engine connected to a starter, an alternator, and a battery, the method comprising:
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supplying power from a capacitor to the starter when the engine is being started, the capacitor having at least eleven cells to thereby readily provide a voltage greater than 14.6 volts during normal operating conditions;
preventing delivery of power from the capacitor to the electrical system when the engine is not being started; and
providing power from the alternator to the enhanced-power capacitor when the engine is running. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification