Microprocessor controlled booster apparatus with polarity protection

• US 7,345,450 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2002
• Issued: 03/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vector Products Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vector Products Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Krieger, Michael, Randolph, Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu; Bao Q.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Berhanu; Samuel
• Application Number:
  US10/315,061
• Publication Number:
  US 20040130298A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,925 Days
• Field of Search: 320/105, 320/103, 320/104, 320/134, 320/136, 320/165, 324/426, 324/429
• US Class Current: 320/104
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0034 using reverse polarity correcting or protecting circuits mechanical means of polarity protection H02J7/0045

Abstract

A polarity protection circuit for a battery booster device is provided. According to an exemplary embodiment, the polarity protection circuit is comprised of solid-state devices. Preferably no mechanical or electro-mechanical devices, such as solenoids are included in the polarity protection circuit. The polarity protection circuit is electrically connected to the battery to be charged and to the boosting battery. The polarity protection circuit prevents current flow between the batteries unless proper polarity is achieved.

Claims

1. A polarity detection circuit, comprising:

cables for connecting a first battery to a depleted battery;

a polarity sensing circuit coupled to the first battery for providing an enable signal when a correct polarity connection is made between the first battery and the depleted battery;

a semiconductor device coupled to the polarity sensing circuit, the semiconductor device passing charging current flow between the first battery and the depleted battery when it receives the enable signal;

a frequency generator coupled to one of the cables and injecting a signal of a predetermined frequency into that cable; and

a frequency detector coupled to the other one of the cables, the frequency detector preventing the semiconductor device from permitting current flow between the first battery and the depleted battery when the frequency detector ceases to detect the signal of predetermined frequency injected by the frequency generator.

2. The polarity detection circuit of claim 1, further comprising:

a safety switch that when activated prevents the semiconductor device from permitting current flow between the first battery and the depleted battery.

3. The polarity detection circuit of claim 1, wherein the polarity sensing circuit comprises an opto-isolator.

4. The polarity detection circuit of claim 1, wherein the polarity sensing circuit comprises an LED coupled to one of the cables, the LED being forward biased when a correct polarity connection is made between the first battery and the depleted battery;

and

a phototransistor coupled to the LED, current flow through the forward biased LED turning on the phototransistor to provide the enable signal.

5. The polarity detection circuit of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor device comprises at least one transistor.

6. The polarity detection circuit of claim 5, wherein the current from the first battery flows through the at least one transistor to the depleted battery.

7. The polarity detection circuit of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor device comprises at least one FET having a control electrode, the control electrode receiving the enable signal to place the FET into a conducting state.

8. The polarity detection circuit of claim 7, wherein the FET is a part of a current path between the first battery and the depleted battery.

16. The polarity detection circuit of claim 1, wherein the depleted battery has terminals and is in a vehicle containing an alternator electrically coupled to the depleted battery, and further comprising a processor to receive a measured voltage at the terminals of the depleted battery via the cables to test alternator operation in dependence of the voltage at the depleted battery after the vehicle has started.

17. The polarity detection circuit of claim 16, further including a display coupled to the processor to indicate alternator functionality.

18. The polarity detection circuit of claim 17, wherein the processor determines a possible malfunction of the alternator if a rapid rise in voltage is not detected at the depleted battery after the vehicle is started, and the malfunction is shown on the display.

19. The polarity detection circuit of claim 17, wherein the processor determines that the alternator is operating properly if a rapid rise in voltage is detected at the depleted battery after the vehicle is started, and the proper operation of the alternator is shown on the display.

9. A portable booster apparatus, comprising:

means for providing power;

means for connecting the means for providing power to a depleted battery;

means for detecting polarity of the connection between the means for providing power and the depleted battery and for generating an enable signal when a correct polarity is detected; and

at least one FET having a control electrode and being coupled to the means for detecting polarity, the control electrode receiving the enable signal and placing the FET into a conducting state in which charging current flow passes through the FET between the means for providing power and the depleted battery; and

means for injecting a signal of a predetermined frequency into the means for connecting; and

means for detecting frequency coupled to the means for connecting on an opposite side of the depleted battery than the means for injecting, the means for detecting placing the FETs into a non-conducting state when the means for detecting ceases to detect the frequency from the means for injecting.

10. The booster apparatus of claim 9, further comprising means for indicating a correct polarity connection to a user.

11. The booster apparatus of claim 10, wherein the means for indicating comprises a LED.

12. The booster apparatus of claim 9, further comprising means for interrupting current flow after a correct polarity connection has been established.

13. The booster apparatus of claim 12, and wherein the means for interrupting comprises a microprocessor programmed to place the FET in a non-conducting state if no depleted battery is present and further comprising at least one sensor connected to an input of the microprocessor for producing a measured signal representing the presence of the depleted battery at the means for connecting.

14. The booster apparatus of claim 12, further comprising an indicator for indicating when current flow has been interrupted.

15. The booster apparatus of claim 9, wherein the means for detecting polarity comprises an opto-isolator.

20. A portable booster apparatus, comprising:

means for providing power;

means for connecting the means for providing power to a depleted battery;

means for detecting polarity of the connection between the means for providing power and the depleted battery and for generating an enable signal when a correct polarity is detected;

at least one FET having a control electrode and being coupled to the means for detecting polarity, the control electrode receiving the enable signal and placing the FET into a conducting state in which charging current flow passes through the FET between the means for providing power and the depleted battery;

means for injecting a signal of a predetermined frequency into the means for connecting; and

means for detecting frequency coupled to the means for connecting on an opposite side of the depleted battery than the means for injecting, the means for detecting placing the FETs into a non-conducting state when the means for detecting ceases to detect the frequency from the means for injecting; and

means for interrupting current flow after a correct polarity connection has been established;

wherein the means for interrupting comprises a momentary switch adapted to short circuit the control electrode of the FET when depressed.

21. A portable booster apparatus, comprising:

means for providing power;

means for connecting the means for providing power to a depleted battery;

means for detecting polarity of the connection between the means for providing power and the depleted battery and for generating an enable signal when a correct polarity is detected; and

at least one FET having a control electrode and being coupled to the means for detecting polarity, the control electrode receiving the enable signal and placing the FET into a conducting state in which charging current flow passes through the FET between the means for providing power and the depleted battery;

means for injecting a signal of a predetermined frequency into the means for connecting; and

means for detecting frequency coupled to the means for connecting on an opposite side of the depleted battery than the means for injecting, the means for detecting placing the FETs into a non-conducting state when the means for detecting ceases to detect the frequency from the means for injecting;

comprising means for interrupting current flow after a correct polarity connection has been established;

wherein the means for interrupting comprises a microprocessor programmed to place the FET in a non-conducting state if no depleted battery is present and further comprising at least one sensor connected to an input of the microprocessor for producing a measured signal representing the presence of the depleted battery at the means for connecting;

wherein the microprocessor is programmed to place the at least one FET in a non-conducting state, then check the measured signal about once every second, and place the at least one FET in a conducting state if a depleted battery is present.