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Tractor/trailor cranking management system and method

  • US 5,798,577 A
  • Filed: 02/29/1996
  • Issued: 08/25/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/29/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A vehicle comprising:

  • a tractor adapted for mechanically connecting to a trailer;

    an engine operatively connected to the tractor and having one of an active state or an inactive state, said engine producing mechanical energy to propel said tractor in said active state;

    engine cranking means operatively connected to said engine for cranking said engine;

    a battery mounted on said tractor to supply electrical energy to said engine cranking means, said battery operatively providing a battery output voltage signal;

    means, responsive to said battery output voltage, for allowing transfer of electrical energy from said battery to an electrical accessory load while said engine is in said inactive state and sufficient energy remains in said battery to crank said engine to produce said active state, wherein said means comprises accessory energy transfer control means electrically connected to said battery and to said electrical accessory load for enabling transfer of electrical energy from said battery to said electrical accessory load when said battery output voltage signal is above a first predetermined voltage threshold and for inhibiting transfer of electrical energy from said battery to said electrical accessory load when said battery output voltage signal is below a second predetermined voltage threshold selected such that sufficient energy is conserved within said battery to crank said engine to produce said active state in said engine; and

    temperature sensing means operatively connected to said engine for sensing a temperature of said engine and wherein said accessory energy transfer control means comprises voltage threshold determining means responsive to said temperature sensing means for determining said first and second predetermined voltage thresholds responsive to the sensed engine temperature.

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