Trailer tow method for controlling charging
First Claim
1. A method for controlled recharging of a trailer battery, the method comprising:
- determining when the trailer battery is electrically coupled to a vehicle battery;
reporting a trailer battery present status when the trailer battery is electrically coupled to the vehicle battery;
measuring a steady state trailer battery discharge rate, the steady state trailer battery discharge rate being based on one or more electrical devices powered by the trailer battery;
comparing the measured steady state trailer battery discharge rate to a trailer battery recharge rate; and
if the measured trailer battery discharge rate is greater than the trailer battery recharge rate, sending, by a processor, a first and a second power control signal to alternately recharge the trailer battery at a first and a second rate, respectively.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and integrated circuit for preserving a battery'"'"'s charge and protecting electrical devices is disclosed. A maximum and a minimum battery voltage value at the output port are stored in a memory. A steady state battery voltage at the output port is measured and stored in the memory. A processor compares the measured steady battery voltage value to the maximum and the minimum battery voltage values. If the measured steady state battery voltage value is greater than the maximum battery voltage value, an over voltage state is reported by the processor. If the measured steady state battery voltage value is less than the minimum battery voltage value, a low battery voltage state is reported by the processor.
65 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for controlled recharging of a trailer battery, the method comprising:
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determining when the trailer battery is electrically coupled to a vehicle battery; reporting a trailer battery present status when the trailer battery is electrically coupled to the vehicle battery; measuring a steady state trailer battery discharge rate, the steady state trailer battery discharge rate being based on one or more electrical devices powered by the trailer battery; comparing the measured steady state trailer battery discharge rate to a trailer battery recharge rate; and if the measured trailer battery discharge rate is greater than the trailer battery recharge rate, sending, by a processor, a first and a second power control signal to alternately recharge the trailer battery at a first and a second rate, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for controlled recharging of a trailer battery by a vehicle battery, the method comprising:
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determining when the trailer battery is electrically coupled to the vehicle battery; measuring a steady state trailer battery discharge rate, the steady state trailer battery discharge rate being based on one or more electrical devices powered by the trailer battery; comparing the measured steady state trailer battery discharge rate to a trailer battery recharge rate; and if the measured trailer battery discharge rate is greater than the trailer battery recharge rate, sending, by a processor, a first and a second power control signal to alternately recharge the trailer battery at a first and a second rate, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for controlled recharging of a trailer battery by a vehicle battery, the vehicle battery delivering power to the trailer battery via an output port of a trailer tow connector coupled to the vehicle battery, the method comprising:
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determining if a trailer battery is electrically coupled to the vehicle battery; measuring a steady state trailer battery discharge rate; comparing the measured steady state trailer battery discharge rate to a trailer battery recharge rate; and if the measured trailer battery discharge rate is greater than the trailer battery recharge rate, sending, by a processor, a first and a second power control signal to alternately recharge the trailer battery at a first and a second rate, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification