CHARGING IN MULTIPLE VOLTAGE START/STOP BAS SYSTEM
First Claim
1. An alternator-starter system, comprising:
- a stator having three coils;
an inverter/rectifier having three nodes connected to respective ones of the stator coils, the inverter/rectifier having an upper rail and a lower rail defining a DC bus;
a plurality of batteries connected in series, each battery having a positive (+) terminal and a negative (−
) terminal;
first and second switches for each battery, the first switch being operable to switchably connect the upper rail with the respective (+) terminal, the second switch being operable to switchably connect the lower rail with the respective (−
) terminal; and
a controller operable to monitor voltages of each battery.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An alternator-starter system and method is disclosed. A method of operating an alternator-starter having an inverter/rectifier for starting an engine and charging a plurality of batteries includes providing two switches for each battery, monitoring voltages of each of the plurality of batteries, and switching the switches to selectively charge individual ones of the plurality of batteries. A system includes a plurality of batteries connected in series, and includes first and second switches for each battery, the first switch being operable to switchably connect the upper rail of the inverter/rectifier with the respective (+) terminal, the second switch being operable to switchably connect the lower rail of the inverter/rectifier with the respective (−) terminal. A high voltage configuration may be utilized for motoring and generating modes.
19 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An alternator-starter system, comprising:
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a stator having three coils; an inverter/rectifier having three nodes connected to respective ones of the stator coils, the inverter/rectifier having an upper rail and a lower rail defining a DC bus; a plurality of batteries connected in series, each battery having a positive (+) terminal and a negative (−
) terminal;first and second switches for each battery, the first switch being operable to switchably connect the upper rail with the respective (+) terminal, the second switch being operable to switchably connect the lower rail with the respective (−
) terminal; anda controller operable to monitor voltages of each battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating an alternator-starter for starting an engine and charging a plurality of batteries, the alternator-starter having an inverter/rectifier, the method comprising:
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providing two switches for each battery; monitoring voltages of each of the plurality of batteries; and switching the switches to selectively charge individual ones of the plurality of batteries. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method of operating an alternator-starter having a stator with at least three coils, an inverter/rectifier having at least three nodes being connected to respective ones of the stator coils, the inverter/rectifier having an upper rail and a lower rail defining a DC bus, the method comprising:
-
providing a plurality of batteries connected in series, each battery having a positive (+) terminal and a negative (−
) terminal;providing first and second switches for each battery, the first switch being operable to switchably connect the upper rail with the respective (+) terminal, the second switch being operable to switchably connect the lower rail with the respective (−
) terminal; andmonitoring voltages of each battery. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification