Power supply device

• US 5,119,010 A
• Filed: 03/30/1990
• Issued: 06/02/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
• Original Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
• Inventors: Koyama, Yuichi, Koshizawa, Toshifumi, Shirata, Akihiro, Tsuchiya, Yoshinobu
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephan, Steven L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KINCAID, KRISTINE LYNN
• Application Number:
  US07/501,748
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 320/3, 320/4, 320/13, 320/14, 320/15, 320/61, 320/1, 363/61, 307/110, 290/50
• US Class Current: 320/110
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0866 comprising several power sources, e.g. battery and capacitor or two batteries
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/087 Details of the switching means in starting circuits, e.g. relays or electronic switches
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2011/0885 Capacitors, e.g. for additional power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/08 Three-wire systems; Systems having more than three wires
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/46 for ICE-powered road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1423 with multiple batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/00 Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A power supply device for use on a motor vehicle includes a charging power supply such as an alternator or a battery, a plurality of capacitors, chargeable by the charging power supply, for supplying stored electric energy to an electric load such as an engine starter, and a successive charging control circuit arrangement for successively charging the capacitors, one by one, with the charging power supply.

Claims

1. A power supply device comprising:

a charging power supply;

a plurality of capacitors connected parallel to said charging power supply and being chargeable by said charging power supply, for supplying stored electric energy to an electric load;

successive charging means for successively charging said capacitors with said charging power supply; and

said successive charging means comprising detecting means for detecting the amount by which each of said capacitors is charged, and connection control means, responsive to detection of a fully charged condition of one of said capacitors, for connecting another uncharged one of said capacitors to said charging power supply and for keeping the charged capacitor connected to said charging power supply.

2. A power supply device according to claim 1, wherein said charging power supply comprises an alternator.

3. A power supply device according to claim 1, wherein said charging power supply comprises a battery.

4. A power supply device according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means comprises means for detecting the voltage across each of said capacitors.

5. A power supply device according to claim 4, wherein said detecting means comprises a zener diode.

6. A power supply device according to claim 5, wherein said control means comprises a relay circuit having a coil connected to said zener diode.

7. A power supply device according to claim 1, wherein said capacitors are connected parallel to said electric load.