VEHICLE WITH SWITCHED SUPPLEMENTAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM FOR ENGINE CRANKING

• US 20030222501A1
• Filed: 03/08/2001
• Published: 12/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KOLD BAN International Limited
• Original Assignee: KOLD BAN International Limited
• Inventors: Burke, James O.
• Granted Patent: US 6,819,010 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.6
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0866 comprising several power sources, e.g. battery and capacitor or two batteries
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2011/0885 Capacitors, e.g. for additional power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/345 using capacitors as storage or buffering devices

Abstract

A vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a cranking motor, and a battery includes a double-layer capacitor characterized by a capacitance greater than 150 farads, and a low internal resistance. First and second electrical paths interconnect the capacitor with the cranking motor. A control circuit is coupled between the positive and negative terminals of the capacitor, and this control circuit includes a switch that applies a variable control voltage to a relay in response to the position of the switch. The relay is included in one of the electrical paths, and the relay isolates the capacitor from the cranking motor when switched to the open-circuit condition by the control voltage and enables the capacitor to supply cranking current to the cranking motor when the control voltage places the relay in the closed-circuit condition.

Claims

1. In a vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, a cranking motor coupled with the engine to crank the engine, and a battery coupled with the cranking motor, the improvement comprising:

a double layer capacitor characterized by a capacitance greater than 150 farads and an internal resistance at 1 kHz and 20°

C. less than 0.008 ohms, said capacitor comprising first and second terminals;

first and second electrical paths interconnecting the first and second terminals, respectively, with the cranking motor;

a control circuit coupled between the first and second terminals of the capacitor, said control circuit comprising a switch having a variable switch position, said control circuit operative to apply a control voltage that varies in response to the switch position of the switch;

a relay included in the first electrical path, said relay operative to switch in response to the control signal between a closed-circuit condition and an open-circuit condition, in which the relay interrupts the first electrical path.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the switch comprises an ignition switch of the vehicle, wherein the variable switch position comprises accessory, off, run, and start positions, and wherein the control circuit is operative (1) to place the relay in the open-circuit condition when the ignition switch is in any one of the accessory and off positions, and (2) to place the relay in the closed-circuit condition when the ignition switch is in any one of the run and start positions.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the switch comprises an ignition switch of the vehicle, wherein the variable switch position comprises off and start positions, and wherein the control circuit is operative (1) to place the relay in the open-circuit condition when the ignition switch is in the off position, and (2) to place the relay in the closed-circuit condition when the ignition switch is in the start position.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the relay comprises first and second control terminals, and wherein the control circuit comprises first and second diodes coupled between the second relay control terminal and the first electrical path on opposite sides of the relay.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the control circuit comprises an electrical path interconnecting the switch and the first relay control terminal.