System and method for boosting battery output
First Claim
1. A method of boosting an output of a power supply battery in an electrical circuit including a power supply battery operable at a power supply voltage, a supercapacitor, a contactor connected across the supercapacitor, and a switch configured to open and close a current path from the power supply battery and the supercapacitor to an electrical load, wherein the method comprises:
- charging the supercapacitor to a regulated voltage;
applying, by closing the switch, a series combination of the regulated voltage and the power supply voltage to the electrical load;
wherein the step of charging the supercapacitor to the regulated voltage comprises charging the supercapacitor to a selected voltage level that is substantially less than the power supply voltage; and
if the supercapacitor becomes fully discharged, operating the contactor to bypass the supercapacitor and avoid reverse charging of the supercapacitor.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Electrical apparatuses, systems and methods involving battery boost circuitry configured to charge a supercapacitor to a regulated voltage different from the battery voltage and apply a series combination of the regulated voltage and the battery voltage to a load such as a starter motor for an internal combustion engine or a component of a handheld device. The circuitry also includes a contactor connected to the supercapacitor and operable to bypass the capacitor when fully discharged to avoid reverse charging of the supercapacitor.
43 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of boosting an output of a power supply battery in an electrical circuit including a power supply battery operable at a power supply voltage, a supercapacitor, a contactor connected across the supercapacitor, and a switch configured to open and close a current path from the power supply battery and the supercapacitor to an electrical load, wherein the method comprises:
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charging the supercapacitor to a regulated voltage; applying, by closing the switch, a series combination of the regulated voltage and the power supply voltage to the electrical load; wherein the step of charging the supercapacitor to the regulated voltage comprises charging the supercapacitor to a selected voltage level that is substantially less than the power supply voltage; and if the supercapacitor becomes fully discharged, operating the contactor to bypass the supercapacitor and avoid reverse charging of the supercapacitor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of boosting an output of a power supply battery in an electrical circuit including a power supply battery operable at a power supply voltage, a first supercapacitor, a contactor connected across the first supercapacitor, and a switch configured to open and close a current path from the power supply battery and the first supercapacitor to an electrical load, wherein the method comprises:
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maintaining a first voltage on the first supercapacitor via transferring energy from the power supply battery, having a second voltage, to the first supercapacitor, wherein the first voltage is substantially lower than the second voltage; and connecting the power supply battery and the first supercapacitor in series with the electrical load, via the switch, while the first voltage is different from the second voltage; and when the first capacitor becomes fully discharged, operating the contactor to bypass the supercapacitor and establish a direct connection between the battery and the electrical load. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electrical system comprising:
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a supercapacitor; a means for charging the supercapacitor to a regulated voltage; and a circuit, comprising the supercapacitor and the means for charging the supercapacitor, for applying a series combination of the regulated voltage and a battery voltage to a load in response to a trigger event; wherein the electrical system further comprises a second supercapacitor, wherein the circuit is operable to connect the second supercapacitor in parallel with the load in response to the trigger event, and wherein an occurrence of the trigger event comprises engaging an ignition switch of a vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. An apparatus comprising:
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a means for charging a supercapacitor to a first voltage via regulating a transfer of charge from a battery, having a second voltage, to the supercapacitor; a means for connecting the charged supercapacitor and the battery in series with a load; and a means for bypassing the supercapacitor when fully discharged to prevent reverse charging thereof. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus comprising:
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a means for charging a supercapacitor to a first voltage via regulating a transfer of charge from a battery, having a second voltage, to the supercapacitor; and a means for connecting the charged supercapacitor and the battery in series with a load; wherein the first voltage is substantially different than the second voltage; and wherein the apparatus is an engine, and the load comprises a motor mechanically coupled to the engine.
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Specification