Supplementary energy starting system incorporating a timing circuit
First Claim
1. An engine cranking system comprising:
- an engine operably moveable between a running condition and an off condition;
a cranking motor coupled to the engine;
a capacitor with first and second capacitor terminals;
a first electrical path interconnecting at least one of the cranking motor or at least one battery to one of the first or second capacitor terminals; and
a control circuit coupled to the capacitor, the control circuit comprising;
a timer operative to track temporal information, wherein the control circuit is operative to apply a control voltage that varies in response to the tracked temporal information; and
a first relay included in the first electrical path, the first relay operative to switch, in response to the control voltage, between a first open-circuit condition, in which the relay interrupts the first electrical path, and a first closed-circuit condition.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An engine cranking system and a method of cranking an engine are provided. The engine cranking system comprises an engine, cranking motor, and capacitor. The engine cranking system further comprises an electrical path interconnecting the cranking motor or a battery to the capacitor. The engine cranking system further comprises a control circuit coupled to the capacitor. The control circuit comprises a timer operative to track temporal information. The control circuit is operative to apply a control voltage that varies in response to the tracked temporal information. The control circuit further comprises a relay included in the electrical path. The relay is operative to switch, in response to the control voltage, between an open-circuit condition, in which the relay interrupts the electrical path, and a closed-circuit condition.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An engine cranking system comprising:
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an engine operably moveable between a running condition and an off condition; a cranking motor coupled to the engine; a capacitor with first and second capacitor terminals; a first electrical path interconnecting at least one of the cranking motor or at least one battery to one of the first or second capacitor terminals; and a control circuit coupled to the capacitor, the control circuit comprising; a timer operative to track temporal information, wherein the control circuit is operative to apply a control voltage that varies in response to the tracked temporal information; and a first relay included in the first electrical path, the first relay operative to switch, in response to the control voltage, between a first open-circuit condition, in which the relay interrupts the first electrical path, and a first closed-circuit condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of cranking an engine, the method comprising:
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providing an engine cranking system comprising; an engine operably moveable between a running condition and an off condition; a cranking motor coupled to the engine; a capacitor with first and second capacitor terminals; a first electrical path interconnecting at least one of the cranking motor or at least one battery to one of the first or second capacitor terminals; and a first relay included in the first electrical path; tracking temporal information; applying a control voltage that varies in response to the tracking of the temporal information; and switching the first relay, in response to the control voltage being applied thereto, from a first open-circuit condition, in which the relay interrupts the first electrical path, to a first closed-circuit condition, thereby completing the first electrical path. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An engine cranking system comprising:
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an engine operably moveable between a running condition and an off condition; a cranking motor coupled to the engine; a capacitor with first and second capacitor terminals; a first electrical path interconnecting at least one of the cranking motor or at least one battery to one of the first or second capacitor terminals; and a control circuit coupled to the capacitor, the control circuit comprising; a timer relay including a timer that is operative to count down a predetermined period of time, wherein the timer relay is operative to switch, in response to whether the predetermined period of time has elapsed, between a first open-circuit condition, in which the timer relay interrupts a second electrical path, and a first closed-circuit condition, and wherein the control circuit is operative to apply a control voltage, at least in part from the capacitor, that varies in response to the whether the predetermined period of time has elapsed; and a relay included in the first electrical path, the relay operative to switch, in response to the control voltage, between a second open-circuit condition, in which the relay interrupts the first electrical path, and a second closed-circuit condition.
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Specification