Low discharge capacitor motor starter system

• US 5,146,095 A
• Filed: 03/30/1990
• Issued: 09/08/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
• Original Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
• Inventors: Tsuchiya, Yoshinobu, Shirata, Akihiro, Moroboshi, Hiroyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): COLBERT, LAWRENCE
• Application Number:
  US07/501,775
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 290/38, 123/179 G
• US Class Current: 290/38.00R
• 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: F02N 2200/023 Engine temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/063 Battery voltage

Abstract

An engine starter system starts a motor in response to operation of a starter keyswitch. Immediately before the engine is started, a capacitor is manually connected to a power supply such as a storage battery. When the capacitor is charged up to a preset voltage, the electric energy stored in the capacitor is discharged to energize the motor.

Claims

1. A starter system for a motor, comprising:

a large-capacitance capacitor electrically connectable to the motor for supplying stored electric energy to the motor to energize the motor;

power supply means for charging said capacitor; and

switch means for normally disconnecting said capacitor from said power supply means, for connecting said capacitor to said power supply means when the capacitor is to be charged by the power supply means, and for discharging electric energy stored in said capacitor to the motor when said capacitor is charged up to a preset voltage.

2. An engine starter system according to claim 1, further including charge indicator means for indicating that said capacitor is charged up to the preset voltage, and connection controlling means for connecting said starter motor to said power supply means depending on the indication of said charge indicator means.

3. An engine starter system according to claim 1, further including voltage setting means for setting said preset voltage depending on the temperature of a coolant for the engine.

4. An engine starter system according to claim 1, wherein said capacitor comprises an electric double layer capacitor.

5. A starter system for an automotive engine including a starter motor operatively coupled to the engine to deliver a starting force to the engine, said system comprising:

a battery having a stored supply of electric energy;

an electrical circuit electrically coupled to the battery and the starter motor and including a large-capacitance capacitor chargeable by the electric energy of the battery, said capacitor being normally disconnected from the battery and the starter motor;

a manual switch movable between first and second positions;

a first switch disposed in the electrical circuit and being operable to normally disconnect the capacitor from the battery and to connect the battery to the capacitor when the manual switch is in the first position, thereby charging the capacitor with electric energy to a predetermined voltage level; and

a second switch disposed in the electrical circuit and being operable to normally disconnect the capacitor from the battery and to connect the capacitor to the starter motor when the predetermined voltage level has been achieved when the manual switch is in the second position, thereby discharging the electric energy stored in the capacitor to the starter motor.