Auxiliary electrical power system for vehicular fuel economy improvement
First Claim
1. A method of improving the fuel economy of a vehicle of the type having a vehicle electrical system that includes a generator, the method comprising the steps of:
- sensing a vehicle voltage of the vehicle electrical system; and
supplying an offset current from an external source of electrical energy to the vehicle electrical system in response to said step of sensing a vehicle voltage of the vehicle electrical system;
whereby an electrical power output of the generator is reduced in response to said step of supplying the offset current.
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for improving the fuel economy of a vehicle of the type having a vehicle electrical system that includes a generator senses a vehicle voltage of the vehicle electrical system during determined intervals, and supplies an offset current from an external source of electrical energy to the vehicle electrical system in response to the sensing of a vehicle voltage of the vehicle electrical system. In this manner, the electrical power output of the generator, and its effect on fuel consumption, are reduced in response to supplying of the offset current. A source of electrical energy external to the electrical system of the motor vehicle is controlled by an electronic control unit coupled to the source of electrical energy. A power converter receives on and off commands from the electronic control unit in response to vehicle voltage measurements by the electronic control unit.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of improving the fuel economy of a vehicle of the type having a vehicle electrical system that includes a generator, the method comprising the steps of:
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sensing a vehicle voltage of the vehicle electrical system; and supplying an offset current from an external source of electrical energy to the vehicle electrical system in response to said step of sensing a vehicle voltage of the vehicle electrical system; whereby an electrical power output of the generator is reduced in response to said step of supplying the offset current. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of improving the fuel economy of a vehicle of the type having a vehicle electrical system that includes a generator, the method comprising the steps of:
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sensing a vehicle voltage VS of the vehicle electrical system during predeterminable intervals of time; determining whether the vehicle voltage VS of the vehicle electrical system is within predetermined voltage limits; and supplying an offset current from an external source of electrical energy to the vehicle electrical system in response to said step of sensing a vehicle voltage of the vehicle electrical system and at times other than during the predeterminable intervals of time, at a rate of offset current flow corresponding to IO=K1*VS+K2, where K1 and K2 are calibration constants; whereby an electrical power output of the generator is reduced in response to said step of supplying the offset current. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An arrangement for reducing a load on a generator of and electrical system of a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising:
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a source of electrical energy external to the electrical system of the motor vehicle; an electronic control unit having a first voltage input coupled to said source of electrical energy external to the electrical system of the motor vehicle; a power converter coupled to a command output of said electronic control unit, said power converter having active and inactive states in response to commands issued at the command output of said electronic control unit; and a vehicle voltage terminal for coupling to the electrical system of the motor vehicle and providing a vehicle voltage signal VS to a vehicle voltage signal input of said electronic control unit. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification