BATTERY AUGMENTATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A battery augmentation system comprising, at least one conversion means wherein the conversion means is adapted to be coupled, in use, to an auxiliary power system for receiving an output signal from the auxiliary power system, the conversion means being capable of converting the output signal from the auxiliary power system into a converted signal and the conversion means further being adapted to be coupled, in use, to a battery or battery circuit for providing the battery with the converted signal to thereby supplement the battery, wherein supplementing the battery prevents the battery output voltage from dropping below a predefined level, thus preventing damage to the battery.
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Abstract
A battery augmentation system and method is disclosed. It is particularly designed for the augmentation of batteries in electric or hybrid vehicles. The system comprises of conversion means operatively connected between an auxiliary power system and a electric-motor-battery of the vehicle, wherein the conversion means converts an output signal from the auxiliary power system into a converted signal. The converted signal supplements the electric-motor-battery output voltage preventing it from dropping below a predefined level, thus preventing damage to the electric-motor-battery. The system makes further use of an external battery which can be charged either by mains power or through the auxiliary power system of the electric/hybrid vehicle allowing the vehicle to be converted to a plug-in capable hybrid/electric vehicle. Once installed, the battery augmentation system improves the power of a hybrid or electric vehicle, extends the useful lifetime of a new or used electric-motor-battery and also improves fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
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Citations
29 Claims
- 1. A battery augmentation system comprising, at least one conversion means wherein the conversion means is adapted to be coupled, in use, to an auxiliary power system for receiving an output signal from the auxiliary power system, the conversion means being capable of converting the output signal from the auxiliary power system into a converted signal and the conversion means further being adapted to be coupled, in use, to a battery or battery circuit for providing the battery with the converted signal to thereby supplement the battery, wherein supplementing the battery prevents the battery output voltage from dropping below a predefined level, thus preventing damage to the battery.
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20. A hybrid or electric vehicle having at least one conversion means wherein the conversion means is operatively connected to an auxiliary power system of the vehicle, the conversion means converting an output signal from the auxiliary power system into a converted signal, the converted signal being supplied to an electric-motor-battery of the vehicle, the converted signal supplementing the electric-motor-battery output voltage, wherein supplementing the electric-motor-battery output voltage with the converted signal prevents the electric-motor-battery output voltage from dropping below a predefined level, thus preventing damage to the electric-motor-battery.
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21. A device for use in a vehicle, wherein the device is adapted to be coupled, in use, to an auxiliary power system of the vehicle for receiving an output signal from the auxiliary power system, the device being capable of converting the output signal from the auxiliary power system into a converted signal and the device further being adapted to be coupled, in use, to an electric-motor-battery or battery circuit of the vehicle for providing the electric-motor-battery with the converted signal to thereby supplement the electric-motor-battery, wherein supplementing the electric-motor-battery prevents the electric-motor-battery output voltage from dropping below a predefined level, thus preventing damage to the electric-motor-battery.
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22. A battery augmentation method for augmenting a battery, the method comprising the steps of:
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converting an output signal from an auxiliary power system into a converted signal through conversion means, supplying the converted signal to the battery or battery circuit thereby supplementing the battery output voltage, such that supplementing the battery output voltage with the converted signal prevents the battery output voltage from dropping below a predefined level, thus preventing damage to the battery. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A battery augmentation system for a hybrid or electric vehicle, the system comprising at least one conversion means, the conversion means capable, in use, of being connected between an auxiliary power system and an electric-motor-battery of the vehicle, wherein the conversion means is capable, in use, of converting an output signal from the auxiliary power system into a converted signal and supplying the converted signal to the electric-motor-battery, thereby supplementing the output voltage of the electric-motor-battery, thus preventing the output voltage of the electric-motor-battery from dropping beyond a predetermined value and preventing damage to cells of the electric-motor-battery.
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28. An add-on kit for a hybrid or electric vehicle, the add-on kit including at least one conversion means, the conversion means capable, in use, of being connected between an auxiliary power system and an electric-motor-battery of the vehicle, wherein the conversion means is capable, in use, of converting an output signal from the auxiliary power system into a converted signal and supplying the converted signal to the electric-motor-battery, thereby supplementing the output voltage of the electric-motor-battery, thus preventing the output voltage of the electric-motor-battery from dropping beyond a predetermined value and preventing damage to cells of the electric-motor-battery.
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29. A battery augmentation system comprising, at least one conversion means wherein the conversion means is operatively connected to an auxiliary power system, the conversion means converting an output signal from the auxiliary power system into a converted signal, the converted signal supplementing an output voltage of a battery, wherein supplementing the battery output voltage with the converted signal prevents the battery output voltage from dropping below a predefined level, thus preventing the battery from being damaged.
Specification