Battery backup system with remote switch for actuating backup battery

• US 6,734,651 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2002
• Issued: 05/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tommy Ahrens, William F. Martens
• Original Assignee: Simtech Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Cook, Donald, Cook, Norman
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US10/163,658
• Publication Number:
  US 20020195995A1
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• Field of Search: 320/103, 320/104, 320/105, 320/112, 320/117, 320/118, 320/121, 320/122
• US Class Current: 320/103
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0807 Remote means
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0866 comprising several power sources, e.g. battery and capacitor or two batteries
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/14 Starting of engines by means of electric starters with external current supply F02N11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/482 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/00 Structural combinations of different types of electrochemical generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1423 with multiple batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A multiple battery system for a vehicle comprises a primary battery; a reserve battery electrically connectable to the primary battery; and a control unit with a relay switch electrically connected between the primary and reserve batteries. The relay switch is operable to close upon actuation and connect the reserve battery to the primary battery. The control unit also has a receiver electrically connected to the relay switch and is adapted to receive a control signal for actuating the relay switch. A wireless transmitter has a manually actuable switch for sending the control signal to the receiver. With this arrangement, actuation of the transmitter switch causes the control signal to be transmitted to the receiver and actuate the relay switch to connect the reserve battery to the primary battery.

Claims

1. A multiple battery system comprising:

a primary battery;

a reserve battery electrically connectable to the primary battery;

a control unit comprising;

a relay switch electrically connected between the primary and reserve batteries, the relay switch being operable to close upon actuation and connect the reserve battery to the primary battery; and

a wireless receiver electrically connected to the relay switch, the receiver being adapted to receive a control signal for actuating the relay switch; and

a wireless transmitter with a manually actuable switch for sending the control signal to the receiver upon actuation of the switch;

whereby actuation of the wireless transmitter switch causes the control signal to be transmitted to the receiver and actuate the relay switch to thereby connect the reserve battery to the primary battery.

2. A multiple battery system according to claim 1, wherein the relay switch connects the reserve battery in parallel with the primary battery.

3. A multiple battery system according to claim 1, and further comprising a timer circuit operably connected between the receiver and the relay switch for deactivating the relay switch after a predetermined time period to prevent further discharge of the reserve battery.

4. A multiple battery system according to claim 3, and further composing a charging circuit for charging the reserve battery when the relay switch is open.

5. A multiple battery system according to claim 1, and further comprising a charging circuit for charging the reserve battery when the relay switch is open.

6. A multiple battery system according to claim 5, wherein die charging circuit comprises a plurality of diodes connected in parallel across the relay switch to thereby permit charging of the reserve battery and prevent discharging of the reserve battery when the relay switch is open.

7. A multiple battery system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter switch comprises a momentary contact switch to thereby prevent transmission of the control signal during non-use.

8. A multiple battery system according to claim 1, and further comprising means for manually actuating the transmitter switch for a period of time to thereby connect the reserve battery to the primary battery for the period of time.

9. A multiple battery system according to claim 1, wherein at least the reserve battery and the control unit comprise separate housings.

10. A multiple battery system according to claim 9, wherein the reserve battery housing is dimensioned to have a volume up to approximately 200 cubic inches.

11. A multiple battery system according to claim 1, wherein the primary battery, the reserve battery, the control unit and the transmitter comprise, separate housings.

12. A multiple battery system according to claim 11, wherein the control unit comprises a first set of electrical wires extending to opposite terminals of the main battery and a second set of electrical wires extending to corresponding terminals of the reserve battery.

13. A multiple battery system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is electrically connected to the reserve battery for operating the control unit when the primary battery is discharged.

14. A multiple battery system comprising:

a primary battery;

a reserve battery electrically connectable to the primary battery;

a relay switch electrically connected between the primary and reserve batteries, the relay switch being operable between a closed position wherein the reserve battery is connected to the primary battery and an open position wherein the reserve battery is disconnected from the primary battery to prevent discharge of the reserve battery;

a manually actuable switch operably connected to the relay switch for moving the relay switch to the closed position upon actuation of the manually actuable switch; and

a timer circuit operably connected to the relay switch for moving the relay switch to the open position after a predetermined time period that beans when the manually actuable switch is actuated to prevent further discharge of the reserve battery.

15. A multiple battery system according to claim 14, wherein the manually actuable switch is a momentary contact switch to thereby prevent operation of the relay switch during non-use.

16. A multiple battery system according to claim 14, wherein the relay switch connects the reserve battery in parallel with the primary battery.

17. A multiple battery system according to claim 14, and further comprising a charging circuit for charging the reserve battery when the relay switch is open.

18. A multiple battery system according to claim 17, wherein the charging circuit comprises a plurality of diodes connected in parallel across the relay switch to thereby permit charging of the reserve battery and prevent discharging of the reserve battery when the relay switch is in the open position.

19. A multiple battery system according to claim 14, wherein the relay switch and the manually actuable switch are electrically connected to the reserve battery for operating relay switch when the primary battery is discharged.

20. A multiple battery system according to claim 14, wherein at least the reserve battery and the control unit comprise separate housings.

21. A multiple battery system according to claim 20, wherein the reserve battery housing is dimensioned to have a volume up to approximately 200 cubic inches.

22. A method for temporarily providing reserve battery power to a vehicle having a primary battery and an electrical system connected to the primary battery, the method comprising:

providing a reserve battery;

providing a relay switch between the primary battery and the reserve battery;

providing a manually actuable momentary contact switch in communication with the relay switch;

actuating the momentary contact switch for a period of time to thereby actuate the relay switch and connect the reserve battery to the primary battery for the period of time; and

releasing the momentary contact switch at the end of the period of time to disconnect the reserve battery from the primary battery.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the electrical system comprises a starter motor, a starter solenoid and an ignition switch adapted for electrical connection to the primary battery, and further comprising actuating the ignition switch during the period of time to thereby engage the starter solenoid and starter motor with the reserve battery.