3-pole battery switches
First Claim
1. In a vehicle electrical system having a 3-pole battery containing an AUX battery for supplying electrical auxiliaries and a CRA battery, a device for connection between the like soles of the battery having,(a) a normally open switch connecting said CRA and AUX batteries,(b) a normally closed switch connecting the AUX battery to the electrical auxiliaries, and(c) sensing means which detects the state of charge of the AUX battery and any current from the AUX battery to the CRA battery and which(i) connects and disconnects the CRA battery and the AUX battery, and(ii) connects and disconnects the AUX battery to and from the electrical auxiliaries so as to enable a generator to charge both the CRA and AUX batteries and to meet fluctuating loads,and wherein the normally closed switch is a bistable relay.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In 3-pole vehicle batteries with a cranking battery (2) and an auxiliaries battery (8) a device accompanies the battery wherein a switch R1 connects and disconnects the like poles (6,12) so that may receive charge and a switch R2 which connects and disconnects electrical auxiliaries to and from the auxiliary battery. The device senses the state of charge of the auxiliary battery and the current flowing from the auxiliaries battery to the cranking battery. A microprocessor μP uses this and extra data to open R2 and prevent any serious discharge of the auxiliaries battery; to close R1 to permit charging of the cranking battery and to allow the cranking battery to assist a partially discharged auxiliaries battery; to open R1 when overcharge is indicated. In a second version only switch R1 is present but a detector senses the operator'"'"'s requirement to start the vehicle and closes R1 to join the outputs of the cranking and auxiliaries batteries.
32 Citations
23 Claims
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1. In a vehicle electrical system having a 3-pole battery containing an AUX battery for supplying electrical auxiliaries and a CRA battery, a device for connection between the like soles of the battery having,
(a) a normally open switch connecting said CRA and AUX batteries, (b) a normally closed switch connecting the AUX battery to the electrical auxiliaries, and (c) sensing means which detects the state of charge of the AUX battery and any current from the AUX battery to the CRA battery and which (i) connects and disconnects the CRA battery and the AUX battery, and (ii) connects and disconnects the AUX battery to and from the electrical auxiliaries so as to enable a generator to charge both the CRA and AUX batteries and to meet fluctuating loads, and wherein the normally closed switch is a bistable relay.
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4. In a vehicle electrical system having a 3-Pole battery containing an AUX battery for supplying electrical auxiliaries and a CRA battery, a device for connection between the like poles of the battery having,
(a) a normally open switch connecting said CRA and AUX batteries, (b) a normally closed switch connecting the AUX battery to the electrical auxiliaries, and (c) sensing means which detects the state of charge of the AUX battery and any current from the AUX battery to the CRA battery and which (i) connects and disconnects the CRA battery and the AUX battery, and (ii) connects and disconnects the AUX battery to and from the electrical auxiliaries so as to enable a generator to charge both the CRA and AUX batteries and to meet fluctuating loads and wherein the normally closed switch comprises two current conductors in parallel, both requiring maintenance current to maintain conduction, the current capacity and the maintenance current for one conductor being larger than for the other conductor, the sensing means being capable of selecting which conductor is more economical for the prevailing load.
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8. In a vehicle electrical system having a 3-Pole battery containing an AUX battery for supplying electrical auxiliaries and a CRA battery, a device for connection between the like poles of the battery having
(a) a normally open switch connecting said CRA and AUX batteries, (b) a normally closed switch connecting the AUX battery to the electrical auxiliaries, and (c) sensing means which detects the state of charge of the AUX battery and any current from the AUX battery to the CRA battery and which (i) connects and disconnects the CRA battery and the AUX battery, and (ii) connects and disconnects the AUX battery to and from the electrical auxiliaries so as to enable a generator to charge both the CRA and AUX batteries and to meet fluctuating loads, and wherein the sensing means comprises: -
data storage means suitable for storing data representing battery current, battery voltage and current from the CRA battery to the AUX battery, data entry means suitable for entering data concerning AUX battery current, AUX battery voltage, and current from the CRA battery to the AUX battery, and comparing means which compares the entered data with the corresponding stored data and generates signals which control the operation of the normally closed switch and signals which operate the normally open switch. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification