US 2009/0212740 A1 · On-board battery supervisor

Abstract

An on-board battery supervisor that monitors the state-of-charge (SOC) of a lead-acid vehicle battery and automatically disconnects loads from the battery to prevent over-discharging of the battery, is disclosed. As the battery is being discharged, the on-board battery supervisor disconnects loads at an SOC level that leaves enough energy in the battery to reliably start the vehicle engine, while providing as much energy as possible to accessory loads. The loads are automatically reconnected as the battery is charged. Some preferred embodiments of the invention are designed specifically for use in watercraft and a dual output version of the invention simplifies the electrical system. All embodiments have circuit breaker outputs, high peak current capability, a low quiescent current drain and a dual timer that allows accurate determination of the SOC of the battery.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An on-board battery supervisor means for monitoring the state-of-charge (SOC) of a battery in a boat having an outboard motor (or other engine type), the on-board battery supervisor means comprising:

a voltage means for measuring the voltage of the battery through Kelvin connections;
a dual timer means for determining when the output of the voltage means is valid;
a current sensing means for measuring load current from the battery, excluding outboard motor current;
a compensation means for battery internal resistance;
an evaluation means for determining the state-of-charge (SOC) of the battery based on the relationship between the measured voltage, measured current, battery internal resistance compensation and the dual timer;
a first switching means for connecting and disconnecting loads connected to the battery;
a latching, adjustable, circuit breaker means that is integral to the first switching means;
a second switching means for manual control of first switching means and for resetting the latching, adjustable, circuit breaker means;
a first status means for indicating when the state-of-charge (SOC) level of the battery is above a level that allows for reliably starting the outboard motor;
and
a second status means for indicating a fault.

8 more elements

An on-board dual output battery supervisor means for monitoring the state-of-charge (SOC) of a battery in a boat having an outboard motor (or other engine type), the on-board dual output battery supervisor means comprising:

a voltage means for measuring the voltage of the battery through Kelvin connections;
a dual timer means for determining when the output of the voltage means is valid;
a current sensing means for measuring load current from the battery, excluding outboard motor current;
a compensation means for battery internal resistance;
an evaluation means for determining the state-of-charge (SOC) of the battery based on the relationship between the measured voltage, measured current, battery internal resistance compensation and the dual timer;
a first switching means for connecting and disconnecting a trolling motor connected to the battery;
a second switching means for connecting and disconnecting other accessory loads to the battery;
a latching, adjustable, circuit breaker means that is integral to the first switching means and to the second switching means;
a third switching means for manual control of first and second switching means and for resetting the latching, adjustable, circuit breaker means;
a first status means for indicating when the state-of-charge (SOC) level of the battery is above a level that allows for reliably starting the outboard motor;
and
a second status means for indicating a fault.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

On-board battery supervisor

Life of this patent

On-board battery supervisor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16