Under voltage protection for a starter/alternator

• US 6,633,153 B1
• Filed: 08/02/2002
• Issued: 10/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dana Corporation (Dana, Inc.)
• Inventors: Blackburn, Scott Evart
• Primary Examiner(s): Luk, Lawrence
• Application Number:
  US10/209,910
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• Field of Search: 320/132, 320/130, 320/134, 320/136, 320/137, 324/426
• US Class Current: 320/132
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/503 Battery correction, i.e. corrections as a function of the state of the battery, its output or its type
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/10 Safety devices F02N11/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0031 using battery or load disconnect circuits H02J9/002 takes precedence

Abstract

The method is directed to preserve the starter/alternator in an IC engine installation from potential failure owing to insufficient electrical charge in the system energy storage device. The system controller monitors starter/alternator controller signals relating to energy storage device charge level and whether the starter/alternator is available for operation. When monitored charge is detected to be insufficient to operate the starter/alternator, the starter/alternator is disabled and the system controller provides this information to the vehicle operator as a warning signal that the starter/alternator is disabled. Once the operator has effected a remedy (i.e., recharging or replacing the energy charging device), the starter/alternator is again made available for operation.

Claims

1. A method of preventing a starter/alternator from initiating a starting sequence for an associated IC engine in a system that includes an energy storage device, a starter/alternator, and an IC engine, comprising the steps of:

monitoring the available voltage of the energy storage device;

comparing said monitored voltage to a predetermined threshold voltage;

disabling the starter/alternator in a starter mode when said voltage is below said predetermined threshold voltage, thereby disabling said starting sequence of said associated IC engine and preserving electrical energy in said energy storage device;

providing an indication signal of said disabling of said starter/alternator; and

re-enabling operation of said starter/alternator when said monitored voltage exceeds said predetermined threshold voltage.

2. A method as in claim 1, comprising the further step of:

disabling said starter/alternator in alternator mode when said monitored voltage is below a predetermined threshold voltage.

3. A method as in claim 1, comprising the further step of:

replacing said energy storage device.

4. A method as in claim 1, comprising the further step of:

recharging said energy storage device.