Charge control system for a vehicle battery
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for controlling charging of a battery of a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine comprising:
- an input configured to receive an engine shutdown signal indicative that the engine will be shut down during an idle period to thereby conserve fuel;
an engine shutdown delay configured to delay shutdown of the engine for a shutdown delay period in response to the engine shutdown signal; and
charge boost circuitry configured to increase a charge signal applied to the battery of the vehicle during the engine shutdown delay period, wherein the charge signal is increased independently of a load on the charge boost circuitry.
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Abstract
A system for controlling charging of a battery of a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine. The system includes an input that receives an engine shutdown signal indicative that the engine will be shut down during an idle period to thereby conserve fuel. An engine shutdown delay delays shutdown of the engine for a shutdown delay period in response to the engine shutdown signal. Charge boost circuitry increases a charge signal applied to the battery of the vehicle during the engine shutdown delay period.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling charging of a battery of a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine comprising:
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an input configured to receive an engine shutdown signal indicative that the engine will be shut down during an idle period to thereby conserve fuel;
an engine shutdown delay configured to delay shutdown of the engine for a shutdown delay period in response to the engine shutdown signal; and
charge boost circuitry configured to increase a charge signal applied to the battery of the vehicle during the engine shutdown delay period, wherein the charge signal is increased independently of a load on the charge boost circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for controlling charging of a battery of a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, comprising:
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an alternator, driven by the engine, and electrically coupled to the battery, the alternator adapted to charge the battery with a charging signal; and
engine shutdown circuitry configured to automatically shut down the engine during idle periods and to provide a shutdown control signal that causes an increase the charging signal just prior to shutting down the engine to thereby increase the ability of the battery to crank the engine, wherein the charge signal is increased independently of a load on the alternator. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus for controlling charging of a battery of a vehicle, comprising:
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an internal combustion engine configured to power the vehicle;
an alternator, driven by the engine, and electrically coupled to the battery, the alternator adapted to charge the battery with a charging signal; and
engine shutdown circuitry configured to automatically shut down the engine during idle periods and to provide a shutdown control signal that causes an increase the charging signal just prior to shutting down the engine to thereby increase the ability of the battery to crank the engine. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of controlling charging of a battery in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine that drives an alternator, comprising:
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providing a charging signal to the battery from the alternator; and
automatically shutting down the engine during idle periods and providing a shutdown control signal that causes an increase in the charging signal just prior to shutting down the engine to thereby increase the ability of the battery to crank the engine. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification