System for assisting a main engine start-up

• US 20070095321A1
• Filed: 10/31/2005
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Orr, David, Marchand, David, Bernardi, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,240,653 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/179.3
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2037/02 starting
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 7/10 characterised by using auxiliary engines or apparatus of combustion type by using explosive cartridges F02N13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1415 with a generator driven by a prime mover other than the motor of a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1423 with multiple batteries

Abstract

A method is provided for assisting a start-up of a work machine having a battery assembly and a main engine. The method may include starting an auxiliary power unit, and using electrical power generated by the auxiliary power unit to condition the battery assembly. The method may also include adding electrical power generated by the auxiliary power unit to electrical power generated by the battery assembly for a main engine cranking event.

Claims

1. A method for assisting a start-up of a work machine having a battery assembly and a main engine, the method comprising:

starting an auxiliary power unit;

using electrical power generated by the auxiliary power unit to condition the battery assembly; and

adding electrical power generated by the auxiliary power unit to electrical power generated by the battery assembly for a main engine cranking event.

2. The method of claim 1, further including manually starting the auxiliary power unit when the battery assembly temperature falls below a threshold level.

3. The method of claim 1, further including manually starting the auxiliary power unit when the battery assembly charge falls below a threshold level.

4. The method of claim 1, further including automatically starting the auxiliary power unit when the battery assembly temperature falls below a threshold level.

5. The method of claim 1, further including automatically starting the auxiliary power unit when the battery assembly charge falls below a threshold level.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein if the main engine cranking event is unsuccessful, the auxiliary power unit is configured to recharge the battery assembly prior to a subsequent main engine cranking event.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein conditioning the battery assembly includes at least one of warming and recharging the battery assembly.

8. The method of claim 1, further including jump-starting the auxiliary power unit.

9. A main engine start-up system, comprising:

a starter motor configured to crank the main engine;

a battery assembly configured to supply electrical power to the starter motor; and

an auxiliary power unit configured to generate electrical power for conditioning the battery assembly;

wherein the electrical power generated by the auxiliary power unit is added to the electrical power generated by the battery assembly for a main engine cranking event.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the auxiliary power unit is configured to be manually started when the battery assembly temperature falls below a threshold level.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the auxiliary power unit is configured to be manually started when the battery assembly charge falls below a threshold level.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the auxiliary power unit is configured to be automatically started when the battery assembly temperature falls below a threshold level.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the auxiliary power unit is configured to be automatically started when the battery assembly charge falls below a threshold level.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein if the main engine cranking event is unsuccessful, the auxiliary power unit is configured to recharge the battery assembly prior to a subsequent main engine cranking event.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the battery assembly consists of only two batteries.

16. A work machine having a main engine start-up system, comprising:

a starter motor configured to crank the main engine;

a battery assembly configured to supply electrical power to the starter motor; and

an auxiliary power unit configured to generate electrical power for conditioning the battery assembly;

wherein the electrical power generated by the auxiliary power unit is added to the electrical power generated by the battery assembly during a main engine cranking event.

17. The work machine of claim 16, wherein the auxiliary power unit is configured to be manually started when the battery assembly temperature falls below a threshold level.

18. The work machine of claim 16, wherein the auxiliary power unit is configured to be manually started when the battery assembly charge falls below a threshold level.

19. The work machine of claim 16, wherein the auxiliary power unit is configured to automatically start when the battery assembly temperature falls below a threshold level.

20. The work machine of claim 16, wherein the auxiliary power unit is configured to automatically start when the battery assembly charge falls below a threshold level.

21. The work machine of claim 16, wherein if the main engine cranking event is unsuccessful, the auxiliary power unit is configured to recharge the battery assembly prior to a subsequent main engine cranking event.

22. The work machine of claim 16, wherein the battery assembly consists of only two batteries.

23. A start-up system for a main engine that is mounted on a machine frame, the start-up system comprising:

a starter motor configured to crank the main engine;

a battery assembly configured to supply electrical power to the starter motor; and

an auxiliary power unit attached to the machine frame and configured to generate electrical power for conditioning the battery assembly;

wherein the electrical power generated by the auxiliary power unit is added to the electrical power generated by the battery assembly for a main engine cranking event.