Auxiliary starter unit for use with a diesel engine, and method for starting a diesel engine
First Claim
1. For use with a vehicle having a diesel engine and an electrical system, the electrical system being associated with a first operating voltage level, an auxiliary starting unit for facilitating starting of the diesel engine comprising:
- at least one heater positioned to improve a starting characteristic of the diesel engine;
an inverter having an intermediate circuit, the intermediate circuit being associated with a second operating voltage, the second operating voltage being higher than the first operating voltage;
an energy storage device located to receive electrical energy from the intermediate circuit;
a controlled switch having a closed state and an open state, the controlled switch being positioned to couple the energy storage device in circuit with the at least one heater to deliver electrical energy thereto; and
a heating controller in communication with the controlled switch for selectively causing the controlled switch to enter the closed state to thereby supply the at least one heater with electrical energy at a third operating voltage, the third operating voltage being higher than the first operating voltage.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An auxiliary starter unit is disclosed for facilitating starting of a diesel engine. The auxiliary starter unit includes a heater positioned in proximity to the diesel engine to improve a starting characteristic of the diesel engine. The auxiliary starter unit also includes an inverter having an intermediate circuit. The auxiliary starter unit is further provided with an energy storage device located to receive electrical energy from the intermediate circuit, and a controlled switch having a closed state and an open state. The controlled switch is positioned to couple the energy storage device in circuit with the heater to deliver electrical energy thereto. Additionally, the auxiliary starter unit includes a heating controller in communication with the controlled switch for selectively causing the controlled switch to enter the closed state to thereby supply the heater with electrical energy at an operating voltage which is higher than the operating voltage of an electrical system associated with a vehicle driven by the diesel engine.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. For use with a vehicle having a diesel engine and an electrical system, the electrical system being associated with a first operating voltage level, an auxiliary starting unit for facilitating starting of the diesel engine comprising:
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at least one heater positioned to improve a starting characteristic of the diesel engine; an inverter having an intermediate circuit, the intermediate circuit being associated with a second operating voltage, the second operating voltage being higher than the first operating voltage; an energy storage device located to receive electrical energy from the intermediate circuit; a controlled switch having a closed state and an open state, the controlled switch being positioned to couple the energy storage device in circuit with the at least one heater to deliver electrical energy thereto; and a heating controller in communication with the controlled switch for selectively causing the controlled switch to enter the closed state to thereby supply the at least one heater with electrical energy at a third operating voltage, the third operating voltage being higher than the first operating voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. For use with a vehicle having a diesel engine and an electrical system, the diesel engine being operatively coupled to a crankshaft, the electrical system being associated with a first operating voltage level, an auxiliary starting unit for facilitating starting of the diesel engine comprising:
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an electrical starter operatively coupled to the crankshaft; at least one electrically powered heater positioned to improve a starting characteristic of the diesel engine; an inverter in communication with the electrical starter for selectively driving the electrical starter, the inverter having an intermediate circuit, the intermediate circuit being associated with a second operating voltage, the second operating voltage being higher than the first operating voltage; an energy storage device located to receive electrical energy from the intermediate circuit and adapted to selectively supply electrical energy at a third operating voltage to at least one of the electrical starter and the at least one heater; and a heating controller for selectively supplying the at least one heater with electrical energy from the energy storage device. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. For use with a vehicle having a diesel engine and an electrical system, the diesel engine being operatively coupled to a crankshaft, the electrical system being associated with a first operating voltage level, an auxiliary starting unit for facilitating starting of the diesel engine comprising:
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an electrical starter operatively coupled to the crankshaft; at least one electrically powered heater positioned to improve a starting characteristic of the diesel engine; an inverter in communication with the electrical starter for selectively driving the electrical starter by supplying the starter with electrical energy, the inverter having an intermediate circuit and a voltage converter, the intermediate circuit being associated with a second operating voltage, the second operating voltage being higher than the first operating voltage; a vehicle battery coupled to the intermediate circuit via the voltage converter; an energy storage device located to receive electrical energy from the intermediate circuit and adapted to selectively supply electrical energy at a third operating voltage to at least one of the electrical starter and the at least one heater; a heating controller for selectively supplying the at least one heater with electrical energy, a first portion of the electrical energy supplied to the at least one heater being taken from the energy storage device and a second portion of the electrical energy supplied to the at least one heater being taken from the vehicle battery. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification