US 2014/0110951 A1 · DOUBLE SOURCE BATTERY CHARGER

Abstract

A system and method for a double source battery charger of an engine-generator. The double source battery charger of the engine-generator includes an electric starter and a battery. The electric starter is selectively energized by the battery to start an engine of the engine-generator. The double source charger maintains the battery at a desired charge such that the battery has sufficient charge to energize the electric starter. The double source battery charger is selectively coupled to one of two power sources to charge the battery: an alternator of the engine-generator and an external AC source, such as a standard 120 Volt or 240 Volt wall outlet. As a result, the battery is charged by either power from a wall outlet or, if the generator is running, by power provided from the alternator.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of charging a battery in a generator having a double source battery charger, an electric starter motor, an internal combustion engine, and an external power connector, the method comprising:

coupling the battery to the electric starter motor to start the internal combustion engine;
driving an alternator, by the internal combustion engine, to produce alternator output power;
detecting at least one of a presence of the alternator output power and an absence of external power from the external power source connector and, in response, controlling a switch to connect the alternator to the double source battery charger;
charging the battery, by the double source battery charger, using the alternator output power from the alternator;
detecting at least one of an absence of the alternator output power and a presence of external power from the external power connector, and, in response, controlling the switch to connect the external power source connector to the double source battery charger;
and
charging the battery, by the double source battery charger, using the external power from the external power connector.

4 more elements

A generator having a double source battery charger, the generator comprising:

a battery;
an internal combustion engine;
an electric starter motor selectively coupled to the battery to start the internal combustion engine;
an alternator having a rotor driven by the internal combustion engine and a stator in which alternator output power is induced when the rotor is driven, the alternator output power provided at an alternator output;
an external power source connector operable to be coupled to an external power source and to provide external power at a connector output;
and
a switch having a first input coupled to the alternator output, a second input coupled to the connector output, and a switch output;
a battery charger coupled to the battery and operable to charge the battery, the battery charger having a power input coupled to the switch output such that the battery charger is selectively coupled, via the switch, to one of the alternator output and connector output to charge the battery using one of the alternator output power and the external power.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Double source battery charger

Life of this patent

Double source battery charger

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20