US 4,412,137 A · Dual voltage engine starter management system

Abstract

A dual voltage engine starter system having a first battery pack (B) for supplying power to the system and a second battery pack (A) and contactors (SC,PC) for connecting the battery packs in series mode for cold weather starting or in parallel mode for warm weather starting, a pilot relay (SPR) for controlling the standard start solenoid (SOL), and a starter contactor (SMC) that controls the starter motor (SM) circuit to protect the solenoid contacts (SOL1). A control logic system (FIGS. 2a-b) has a single timer (TMR) and a sequencing timer circuit (STC) for controlling the contactors and relay in particular sequences, both for high and low voltage start cycles and for starting and terminating start cycles. A low voltage detector (LVD) controls a start-terminate latch (STL) to abort the start cycle if the start motor (SM) voltage is too low. A frequency sensor (FS) sets the latch (STL) to end the starting cycle when the engine reaches running speed. A transfer detector (TD) sets the latch (STL) to abort the starting cycle if mode transfer is attempted during the starting cycle. Weld detectors (WDC) function at the end of the start cycle to prevent reclosing of the parallel contactor if either the series contactor or the pilot relay contacts (SC1, SC2, SPR1, SPR2) have failed to open. A low system voltage detector connects the series battery pack's voltage to the control system.

Claims23

Dependent claims

In a system for starting an internal combustion engine having a starter motor and a standard starter solenoid, the system comprising:

a first battery for or battery pack for supplying operating power to the system;
a second battery or battery pack;
first electrically operable switching means for connecting said first and second batteries in parallel for normal starting;
second electrically operable switching means for connecting said first and second batteries in series for cold weather starting;
an electrically operable starter pilot switch in circuit with said batteries for energizing the standard starter solenoid;
an electrically operable starter motor switch in circuit with said batteries for energizing the starter motor;
means for operating said first switching means to connect said batteries in parallel;
means for selecting a series or parallel batteries starting mode;
means for applying a start signal;
and control means operable when series batteries starting has been selected and responsive to said start signal for opening said first switching means and then closing in predetermined timed sequence said second switching means, said starter pilot switch and said starter motor switch in that order to apply power to the starter motor to initiate a high voltage starting cycle.

7 more elements

In a system for starting an internal combustion engine having a starter motor and a standard starter solenoid including a pull coil and a hold coil and standard contacts, the system comprising:

a first battery for supplying operating power to the system and a second battery;
first switching means for connecting said first and second batteries in parallel for normal weather starting;
second switching means for connecting said first and second batteries in series for cold weather starting;
a starter pilot switch in circuit with said batteries for energizing the pull and hold coils of the standard starter solenoid;
a starter motor switch in circuit with said batteries and said standard solenoid contacts for energizing said starter motor;
means for selecting a series or parallel batteries starting mode;
means for applying a start signal;
and timing means comprising a single timing device responsive to said start signal and sequencing means responsive thereto for opening said first switching means and then closing in predetermined timed sequence said second switching means, said starter pilot switch and said starter motor switch in that order in the event series batteries starting was selcted;
means responsive to termination of said start signal for opening said second switching means;
and said single timing device being responsive to termination of said start signal and said sequencing means being responsive thereto for opening in predetermined timed sequence said starter motor switch and said starter pilot switch in that order and thereafter reclosing said second switching means.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dual voltage engine starter management system

Life of this patent

Dual voltage engine starter management system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23