Energy storage device for starting engines of motor vehicles and other transportation systems
First Claim
1. An energy storage device for use in connection with an independently-operable engine of a motor vehicle, the engine including a battery and an engine starter, the energy storage device comprising:
- a DC-DC converter for converting a first voltage provided from the battery to a second voltage;
at least one capacitor, electrically connected to said DC-DC converter, for storing the second voltage, the second voltage providing energy for starting the engine of the motor vehicle;
a portable housing for housing said DC-DC converter and said at least one capacitor, said DC-DC converter and said at least one capacitor substantially contained within said portable housing, wherein said energy storage device is separate from and selectively coupleable to said independently-operable engine wherein said housing includes a first area for housing said DC-DC converter and a second area for housing a first and second plurality of capacitors;
a barrier, positioned within said housing, for substantially separating said first and second areas of said housing from one another, said barrier includes a thermally insulated plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite thereof, said first surface of said plate being positioned within said first area of said housing, and said second surface of said plate being positioned within said second area of said housing, said DC-DC converter is mounted to said first surface of said plate; and
a heat sink having a first surface and a second surface opposite thereof, said first surface of said heat sink is exposed to said first area of said housing, and said second surface of said heat sink is exposed to an atmosphere exterior to said housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An energy storage device for storing energy for starting an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle includes a DC-DC converter, a plurality of capacitors connected electrically to the DC-DC converter, and a housing for containing the DC-DC converter and the capacitors. The DC-DC converter converts a voltage provided by the motor vehicle'"'"'s battery to a second voltage stored by the capacitors. During an engine start cycle, energy discharges from the capacitors to the starter motor of the engine, wherein the stored voltage of the capacitors provides energy to start the engine. The capacitors are recharged by the vehicle'"'"'s battery. A thermally insulated barrier separates the DC-DC converter and the capacitors. The housing may be sized and shaped substantially as that of a standard motor vehicle battery, enabling the energy storage device to be installed within the motor vehicle as a substitute for one or more of the vehicle'"'"'s batteries.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An energy storage device for use in connection with an independently-operable engine of a motor vehicle, the engine including a battery and an engine starter, the energy storage device comprising:
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a DC-DC converter for converting a first voltage provided from the battery to a second voltage; at least one capacitor, electrically connected to said DC-DC converter, for storing the second voltage, the second voltage providing energy for starting the engine of the motor vehicle; a portable housing for housing said DC-DC converter and said at least one capacitor, said DC-DC converter and said at least one capacitor substantially contained within said portable housing, wherein said energy storage device is separate from and selectively coupleable to said independently-operable engine wherein said housing includes a first area for housing said DC-DC converter and a second area for housing a first and second plurality of capacitors;
a barrier, positioned within said housing, for substantially separating said first and second areas of said housing from one another, said barrier includes a thermally insulated plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite thereof, said first surface of said plate being positioned within said first area of said housing, and said second surface of said plate being positioned within said second area of said housing, said DC-DC converter is mounted to said first surface of said plate; and
a heat sink having a first surface and a second surface opposite thereof, said first surface of said heat sink is exposed to said first area of said housing, and said second surface of said heat sink is exposed to an atmosphere exterior to said housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An energy storage device for storing energy for starting an engine of a motor vehicle, comprising:
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a DC-DC converter for converting a first voltage generated by an electrical system of the motor vehicle to a second voltage; a plurality of capacitors, electrically connected to said DC-DC converter, for storing the second voltage, the second voltage providing energy for starting the engine of the motor vehicle; a housing having a first area for housing said DC-DC converter and a second area for housing said plurality of capacitors, said DC-DC converter and said plurality of capacitors are self-contained within said housing, said housing being sized and shaped substantially of that of a motor vehicle battery housing; a thermally insulated barrier positioned between said first and second area of said housing for separating said DC-DC converter from said plurality of capacitors; and a heat sink mounted to said housing, said heat sink being in thermal communication with said DC-DC converter for dissipating heat generated by said DC-DC converter to an atmosphere exterior to said housing.
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Specification