System and method for minimizing the charging time of a battery

• US 20060012347A1
• Filed: 07/16/2004
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Asset Intelligence LLC (PowerFleet, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Breen, Thomas B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,525,279 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 323/234
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/14 for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/903 having energy storing means, e.g. battery, capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/947 Characterized by control of braking, e.g. blending of regeneration, friction braking

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for charging a battery in the least possible time in the presence of competing energy demands. A single source of energy is used to charge a battery and also to provide energy to one or more devices. Circuitry insures that the maximum possible amount of energy is being delivered to the battery at all times, consistent with the energy demands of the other devices.

Claims

1. A system for charging a battery, comprising:

a source of electrical energy, wherein a first portion of said energy is used to charge a battery, and a second portion of energy is provided to one or more devices, said devices having varying demands for energy, and

circuitry for sensing said varying demands and generating, in response to said varying demands, a control signal, said control signal being fed to a regulator, said regulator responding to said control signal by varying said first and second portions so as to satisfy said varying demand while directing the maximum possible energy flow to said battery consistent with said demand.

2. The system of claim 1, additionally comprising circuitry which introduces a delay between the arrival of said control signal at said regulator and said responding of said regulator.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said circuitry which introduces a delay comprises an LC circuit.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said delay is introduced only when said demand for energy is decreasing over time.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said one or more devices comprises an anti-lock brake system operating on the brakes of a vehicle.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said source comprises the ACC pin of a 7-way connector on a tractor-trailer.

7. A system for charging an auxiliary battery on a vehicle, wherein a source of electrical energy provides a first portion of energy for the charging of said battery and a second portion of energy for operating an anti-lock braking system (ABS) on said vehicle, the system comprising:

circuitry which senses a varying energy demand of an ABS, said circuitry generating a control signal in response to said energy demand, and conveying said control signal to a regulator;

said regulator responding to said control signal by varying a first portion and a second portion of electrical energy provided by a source, so as to satisfy said varying demand while directing the maximum possible energy flow to a battery consistent with said demand; and

circuitry which introduces a delay between the arrival of said control signal at said regulator and said responding of said regulator.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said delay operates only when brakes on said vehicle are released.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said circuitry which may introduce a delay comprises an LC circuit.

10. A method for charging a battery, comprising:

providing a source of electrical energy, wherein a first portion of said energy is used to charge a battery, and a second portion of said energy is provided to one or more devices, said devices having varying demands for energy, and

sensing said varying demands and generating, in response to said varying demands, a control signal, said control signal being fed to a regulator, said regulator responding to said control signal by varying said first and second portions so as to satisfy said varying demand while directing the maximum possible energy flow to said battery consistent with said demand.

11. The method of claim 10, additionally comprising introducing a delay between the arrival of said control signal at said regulator and said responding of said regulator.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said delay is introduced only when said demand for energy is decreasing over time.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said one or more devices comprises an anti-lock brake system operating on the brakes of a vehicle.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said source is the ACC pin of a 7-way connector on a tractor-trailer.

15. A method for charging an auxiliary battery on a vehicle, wherein a source of electrical energy provides a first portion of energy for the charging of said battery and a second portion of energy for operating an anti-lock braking system (ABS) on said vehicle, the method comprising:

sensing a varying energy demand of an ABS, generating a control signal in response to said demand, and conveying said signal to a regulator;

said regulator responding to said signal by varying a first portion and a second portion of electrical energy provided by a source, so as to satisfy said demand while directing the maximum possible energy flow to a battery consistent with said demand; and

introducing a delay between the arrival of said control signal at said regulator and said responding of said regulator.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said delay operates only when brakes on said vehicle are released.