Vehicle with switched supplemental energy storage system for engine cranking

• US 7,134,415 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2005
• Issued: 11/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KOLD BAN International Limited
• Original Assignee: KOLD BAN International Limited
• Inventors: Solberg, Dean R., Burke, James O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cronin, Stephen K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Castro, Arnold
• Application Number:
  US11/029,659
• Publication Number:
  US 20050224035A1
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 123/179.3, 123/179.1, 123/179.24, 290/38.R
• US Class Current: 123/179.3
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0866 comprising several power sources, e.g. battery and capacitor or two batteries

Abstract

An engine cranking system includes an engine, a cranking motor coupled to the engine, a battery coupled to the cranking motor and to a system ground and a capacitor. First and second electrical paths interconnect the capacitor with the cranking motor and the system ground. The system further includes first and second switches and a first relay included in one of the first or second electrical paths. The first relay is moveable between at least a closed-circuit position, wherein the first relay completes one of the first and second electrical paths, and an open-circuit position, wherein the first relay interrupts one of the first and second electrical paths. The first switch is coupled between the first relay and the capacitor. A second relay is coupled to the second switch and is moveable between at least a closed-circuit position, wherein the second relay completes a third electrical path activating the cranking motor, and an open-circuit position, wherein the second relay interrupts the third electrical path preventing cranking of the cranking motor.

Claims

1. An engine cranking system comprising:

an engine operably moveable between a running condition and an off condition;

a cranking motor coupled to said engine;

a battery comprising first and second battery terminals, said first battery terminal electrically coupled to said cranking motor and said second battery terminal electrically coupled to a system ground;

a capacitor comprising first and second capacitor terminals;

first and second electrical paths interconnecting said first and second capacitor terminals, respectively, with said cranking motor and said system ground;

first and second switches comprising first and second sets of switch terminals respectively;

a first relay included in one of said first or second electrical paths and having a first control terminal and a second control terminal, wherein said second set of switch terminals is coupled between one of said first and second capacitor terminals and said second control terminal, and wherein the other of said first and second capacitor terminals is electrically coupled with said first control terminal, and wherein said first relay is moveable between at least a closed-circuit position, in which the first relay completes said one of said first and second electrical paths, and an open-circuit condition, in which the first relay interrupts said one of said first and second electrical paths; and

a second relay having first and second control terminals, wherein said first set of switch terminals is coupled between said first battery terminal and said first control terminal of said second relay, and wherein said second control terminal of said second relay is coupled to said system ground, and wherein said second relay comprises a switched terminal coupled to the cranking motor.

2. The engine cranking system of claim 1 wherein said first relay is included in said second electrical path, wherein said second set of switch terminals is coupled between said second capacitor terminal and said second control terminal of said first relay, and wherein said first capacitor terminal is electrically coupled with said first control terminal of said first relay, and wherein said first relay completes said second electrical path when in said closed-circuit position and said first relay interrupts said second electrical path when in said open-circuit position.

3. The engine cranking system of claim 1 wherein said first and second switches comprise a double pole, single-throw switch.

4. The engine cranking system of claim 3 wherein said double pole, single-throw switch forms part of an ignition switch.

5. The engine cranking system of claim 1 further comprising a running engine sensory component coupled between one of said system ground and said first battery terminal and one of said first and second control terminals of said first relay, wherein said running engine sensory component maintains said first relay in said closed-circuit position when said engine is operated in said running condition.

6. The engine cranking system of claim 1 further comprising a running engine sensory component coupled between said system ground and said second control terminal of said first relay, wherein said running engine sensory component maintains said first relay in said closed-circuit position when said engine is operated in said running condition.

7. The engine cranking system of claim 6 wherein said running engine sensory component comprises a normally open oil pressure switch electrically coupled between said system ground and said second control terminal of said first relay, wherein said normally open oil pressure switch is positionable in a closed position in response to at least a predetermined minimum oil pressure being applied thereto.

8. The engine cranking system of claim 1 further comprising a third switch coupled between the first battery terminal and the first switch, said third switch moveable between at least an off position and a run position.

9. An engine cranking system comprising:

an engine;

a cranking motor coupled to said engine;

a battery coupled to said cranking motor and to a system ground;

a capacitor;

first and second electrical paths interconnecting said capacitor with said cranking motor and said system ground;

first and second switches;

a first relay included in one of said first or second electrical paths, wherein said first relay is moveable between at least a closed-circuit position, wherein said first relay completes said one of said first and second electrical paths, and an open-circuit position, wherein said first relay interrupts said one of said first and second electrical paths, and wherein said first switch is coupled between said first relay and said capacitor; and

a second relay coupled to said second switch, wherein said second relay is moveable between at least a closed-circuit position, wherein said second relay completes a third electrical path activating said cranking motor, and an open-circuit position, wherein said second relay interrupts said third electrical path preventing cranking of said cranking motor.

10. The engine cranking system of claim 9 wherein said first relay is included in said second electrical path.

11. The engine cranking system of claim 9 wherein said first and second switches comprise a double pole, single-throw switch.

12. The engine cranking system of claim 11 wherein said double pole, single-throw switch comprises an ignition switch.

13. The engine cranking system of claim 9 further comprising a running engine sensory component coupled to said first relay, wherein said running engine sensory component maintains said first relay in said closed-circuit position when said engine is operated in said running condition.

14. The engine cranking system of claim 9 further comprising a running engine sensory component coupled between said system ground and said second control terminal of said first relay, wherein said running engine sensory component maintains said first relay in said closed-circuit position when said engine is operated in a running condition.

15. The engine cranking system of claim 14 wherein said running engine sensory component comprises a normally open oil pressure switch, wherein said normally open oil pressure switch is positionable in a closed position in response to at least a predetermined minimum oil pressure being applied thereto.

16. The engine cranking system of claim 9 further comprising a third switch coupled between said battery and said first switch, said third switch moveable between at least an off position and a run position.

17. The engine cranking system of claim 9 wherein each of said first and second switches are moveable between a closed position and an open position, wherein said first relay is moved to said closed-circuit position when said first switch is moved to said closed position, and wherein said second relay is moved to said closed-circuit position when said second switch is moved to said closed position.

18. A method for cranking an internal combustion engine comprising:

providing an engine cranking system comprising an engine, a cranking motor coupled to said engine, a battery coupled to said cranking motor and to a system ground, a capacitor, first and second electrical paths interconnecting said capacitor with said cranking motor and said system ground, first and second switches, a first relay included in one of said first or second electrical paths, wherein said first relay is moveable between at least a closed-circuit position and an open-circuit position, and wherein said first switch is coupled between said first relay and said capacitor, and a second relay coupled to said second switch, wherein said second relay is moveable between at least a closed-circuit position and an open-circuit position;

simultaneously closing said first and second switches;

applying a first control voltage to said first relay with said capacitor through said closed first switch;

positioning said first relay in said closed-circuit position in response to said first control voltage being applied thereto and thereby completing said one of said first and second electrical paths;

applying a second control voltage to said second relay through said closed second switch; and

positioning said second relay in said closed-circuit position in response to said second control voltage being applied thereto.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said first and second switches comprise a double pole, single-throw switch.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising providing a running engine sensory component coupled to said first relay, sensing that said engine is in a running condition with said running engine sensory component, and maintaining said first relay in said closed-circuit position with said running engine sensory component.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said running engine sensory component comprises a normally open oil pressure switch.

22. The method of claim 18 further comprising providing a third switch coupled between said battery and said second switch, said third switch moveable between at least one of an accessory and off position and a run position.