System and method for managing the electrical system of a vehicle

• US 6,150,793 A
• Filed: 08/24/1998
• Issued: 11/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: DBD Marine Pty Ltd., Purkey's Fleet Electric, Inc. (Mission Critical Electronics LLC), Ves-Tek, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vehicle Enhancement Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Lesesky, Alan C., Weant, Bobby Ray, Purkey, Bruce A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUK, LAWRENCE W
• Application Number:
  US09/138,865
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 320/104, 320/103, 320/128
• US Class Current: 320/104
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/08 Circuits or control means specially adapted for starting of engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/10 Safety devices F02N11/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/101 for preventing engine starter actuation or engagement
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 19/00 Starting aids for combustion engines, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/063 Battery voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007194 of the battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/14 for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

Vehicle electrical system management systems and methods are provided for a vehicle, such as a tractor/trailer. In particular, a system and method are provided for detecting a faulty alternator or other motorized component by analyzing the waveform of the alternator and other motor of the vehicle. As a result, the system and method can provide a motorist with an advance warning as whether the alternator or other motor is functioning improperly. In addition, a system and method are provided for controlling the charging of a battery based upon the temperature of the battery such that the battery can be charged in a more efficient manner. In this regard, the temperature of the battery is sensed and the alternator thereafter charges the battery to a predefined voltage based upon the sensed temperature and a predetermined battery temperature/battery voltage schedule.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

an engine for producing mechanical energy to propel said vehicle;

engine cranking means operatively connected to said engine for cranking said engine;

a battery mounted on said vehicle to supply electrical energy to said engine cranking means;

an alternator operatively connected to said battery to supply electrical energy to said battery;

temperature sensing means operatively connected to said battery for sensing the temperature of said battery; and

control means, operatively connected to said temperature sensing means and said alternator, for controlling the electrical energy supplied by said alternator to said battery in response to a predetermined battery temperature/battery voltage schedule such that said battery is appropriately charged based upon the sensed temperature of said battery.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising a memory device for storing a plurality of predetermined battery temperature/battery voltage schedules for respective ones of a plurality of different battery types.

3. A vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising a regulator operatively connected between said control means and said alternator for controlling the supply of electrical energy from said alternator to said battery in response to the predetermined battery temperature/battery voltage schedule such that said battery is appropriately charged based upon the sensed temperature of said battery.

4. A vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising a battery heater operatively connected to said temperature sensing means and said battery for heating said battery when the temperature of said battery sensed by said temperature sensing means falls below a predetermined setting.

5. A vehicle comprising:

an engine for producing mechanical energy to propel said vehicle;

engine cranking means operatively connected to said engine for cranking said engine;

a battery mounted on said vehicle to supply electrical energy to said engine cranking means;

an alternator operatively connected to said battery to supply electrical energy to said battery in the form of a waveform;

waveform analysis means for comparing the actual waveform supplied by said alternator to a predetermined waveform indicative of a properly functioning alternator and for providing an indication if the actual waveform varies from the predetermined waveform by more than a predetermined amount, wherein said waveform analysis means comprises means for determining an RMS value of the actual waveform supplied by said alternator and for comparing the RMS value of the actual waveform with an RMS value for the predetermined waveform indicative of a properly functioning alternator.

6. A vehicle according to claim 5 further comprising indicator means for warning the operator of said vehicle if the actual waveform representing the electrical energy supplied to said battery by said alternator varies from the predetermined waveform by more than the predetermined amount.

7. A vehicle according to claim 5 wherein said waveform analysis means comprises means for capturing the waveform output by a properly functioning alternator in order to define the predetermined waveform.

8. A method of optimizing the charge of a vehicle battery by an alternator comprising the steps of:

providing a predetermined battery temperature/battery voltage schedule;

sensing the temperature of said battery;

providing electrical energy from the alternator to the battery to thereby charge the battery; and

controlling the electrical energy provided by said alternator to said battery in response to the predetermined battery temperature/battery voltage schedule such that said battery is appropriately charged based upon the sensed temperature of said battery.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said providing step comprises providing a plurality of different predetermined battery temperature/battery voltage schedules for respective ones of a plurality of different battery types.

10. A method according to claim 8 further comprising the step of regulating said alternator so as to control the supply of electrical energy from said alternator to said battery in response to the predetermined battery temperature/battery voltage schedule such that said battery is appropriately charged based upon the sensed temperature of said battery.

11. A method according to claim 8 further comprising the steps of:

sensing if the temperature of the battery falls below a predetermined setting; and

heating said battery when the sensed temperature of said battery falls below the predetermined setting.

12. A method of detecting a faulty alternator in a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

supplying electrical energy from said alternator to a battery in said vehicle in the form of a waveform;

comparing the actual waveform supplied by said alternator to a predetermined waveform indicative of a properly functioning alternator;

providing an indication if the actual waveform varies from the predetermined waveform by more than a predetermined amount; and

determining an RMS value of the actual waveform supplied by said alternator, and wherein said comparing step comprises comparing the RMS value of the actual waveform with an RMS value for the predetermined waveform indicative of a properly functioning alternator.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein said of providing an indication comprises the step of warning the operator of said vehicle if the actual waveform representing the electrical energy supplied to said battery by said alternator varies from the predetermined waveform by more than the predetermined amount.

14. A method according to claim 12 further comprising the step of capturing the waveform output by a properly functioning alternator in order to define the predetermined waveform.

15. A method according to claim 12 wherein said supplying, comparing and providing steps are performed while the vehicle is in an operative state.