Method and apparatus for the automatic connection of battery cables
First Claim
1. Anti-spark jumper cable apparatus for automatically interconnecting batteries via sets of battery cables, each set adapted to be connected to the terminals of a battery comprising:
- means coupled to said battery cables for automatically sensing the polarity of the voltages delivered by said batteries at the respective terminals and for automatically connecting said battery cables together such that the respective positive and negative terminals of said batteries are connected together, said battery polarity sensing means including means for sensing the polarity of the output voltages from both batteries, means for comparing the sensed polarities and means for setting said connecting means responsive to whether the sensed polarities are the same or different.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for the automatic connection of battery cables to eliminate spark or other undesirable effects from misconnection includes apparatus for sensing the polarity of the batteries to which the cables are attached and for automatically switching the connection cables so that the polarities are matched. Other portions of the circuit inhibit charging if one of the clamps becomes disconnected from a battery post or if a battery is below a predetermined small voltage indicating either an unchargeable battery or a disconnected cable condition. A specialized battery cable clamp is provided in which one set of jaws is insulated from the other, with a standoff preventing the jaws from touching each other. Once predetermined conditions have been met and the sense of the terminals on each of the batteries has been periodically ascertained, the main switching relays are activated so as to connect the appropriate main battery cables from one battery to another.
54 Citations
13 Claims
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1. Anti-spark jumper cable apparatus for automatically interconnecting batteries via sets of battery cables, each set adapted to be connected to the terminals of a battery comprising:
means coupled to said battery cables for automatically sensing the polarity of the voltages delivered by said batteries at the respective terminals and for automatically connecting said battery cables together such that the respective positive and negative terminals of said batteries are connected together, said battery polarity sensing means including means for sensing the polarity of the output voltages from both batteries, means for comparing the sensed polarities and means for setting said connecting means responsive to whether the sensed polarities are the same or different. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of automatically inter-connecting two batteries via battery cables and respective clamps so as to prevent sparking and reverse polarity connections while at the same time sensing an unchargeable battery or a dropped cable clamp and inhibiting inter-battery connection, comprising he steps of:
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automatically comparing the polarities of the output voltages of each of the batteries to be connected; switching one set of cables to the other set of cables such that the polarities are correct; sensing either a low battery condition, a dropped cable clamp or insufficient power in a battery; and inhibiting inter-battery connection responsive to the sensing of any of the conditions of said sensing step, thereby to prevent charging of one battery from the other, whereby sparking due misconnection or dropped cables is precluded.
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Specification