System and method for managing the electrical system of a vehicle
First Claim
1. A vehicle comprising:
- an engine for producing mechanical energy to propel said vehicle;
engine cranking means operatively connected to said engine for cranking said engine;
a battery mounted on said vehicle to supply electrical energy to said engine cranking means;
an alternator operatively connected to said battery to supply electrical energy to said battery;
temperature sensing means operatively connected to said battery for sensing the temperature of said battery; and
control means, operatively connected to said temperature sensing means and said alternator, for controlling the electrical energy supplied by said alternator to said battery in response to a predetermined battery temperature/battery voltage schedule such that said battery is appropriately charged based upon the sensed temperature of said battery.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Vehicle electrical system management systems and methods are provided for a vehicle, such as a tractor/trailer. In particular, a system and method are provided for detecting a faulty alternator or other motorized component by analyzing the waveform of the alternator and other motor of the vehicle. As a result, the system and method can provide a motorist with an advance warning as whether the alternator or other motor is functioning improperly. In addition, a system and method are provided for controlling the charging of a battery based upon the temperature of the battery such that the battery can be charged in a more efficient manner. In this regard, the temperature of the battery is sensed and the alternator thereafter charges the battery to a predefined voltage based upon the sensed temperature and a predetermined battery temperature/battery voltage schedule.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A vehicle comprising:
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an engine for producing mechanical energy to propel said vehicle; engine cranking means operatively connected to said engine for cranking said engine; a battery mounted on said vehicle to supply electrical energy to said engine cranking means; an alternator operatively connected to said battery to supply electrical energy to said battery; temperature sensing means operatively connected to said battery for sensing the temperature of said battery; and control means, operatively connected to said temperature sensing means and said alternator, for controlling the electrical energy supplied by said alternator to said battery in response to a predetermined battery temperature/battery voltage schedule such that said battery is appropriately charged based upon the sensed temperature of said battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A vehicle comprising:
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an engine for producing mechanical energy to propel said vehicle; engine cranking means operatively connected to said engine for cranking said engine; a battery mounted on said vehicle to supply electrical energy to said engine cranking means; an alternator operatively connected to said battery to supply electrical energy to said battery in the form of a waveform; waveform analysis means for comparing the actual waveform supplied by said alternator to a predetermined waveform indicative of a properly functioning alternator and for providing an indication if the actual waveform varies from the predetermined waveform by more than a predetermined amount, wherein said waveform analysis means comprises means for determining an RMS value of the actual waveform supplied by said alternator and for comparing the RMS value of the actual waveform with an RMS value for the predetermined waveform indicative of a properly functioning alternator. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A method of optimizing the charge of a vehicle battery by an alternator comprising the steps of:
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providing a predetermined battery temperature/battery voltage schedule; sensing the temperature of said battery; providing electrical energy from the alternator to the battery to thereby charge the battery; and controlling the electrical energy provided by said alternator to said battery in response to the predetermined battery temperature/battery voltage schedule such that said battery is appropriately charged based upon the sensed temperature of said battery. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of detecting a faulty alternator in a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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supplying electrical energy from said alternator to a battery in said vehicle in the form of a waveform; comparing the actual waveform supplied by said alternator to a predetermined waveform indicative of a properly functioning alternator; providing an indication if the actual waveform varies from the predetermined waveform by more than a predetermined amount; and determining an RMS value of the actual waveform supplied by said alternator, and wherein said comparing step comprises comparing the RMS value of the actual waveform with an RMS value for the predetermined waveform indicative of a properly functioning alternator. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification