US 5,175,484 A · Electrical power distribution

Abstract

The present invention relates to power distribution systems and more particularly, to such systems using power storage devices such as batteries and involving a first electrical load best served by a power source having a low current rate and slow discharge period, and a second electrical load best served by a power source having a high current rate and rapid discharge period. One particular application involving these requirements is in automobile electrical systems. The present invention provides an electrical control circuit that functions in conjunction with such power sources to satisfy such electrical system operating requirements. The system of the present invention maintains the power sources in electrically separate condition when the associated vehicle engine is not running, so as to prevent discharge of the power source serving engine starting systems as a result of inadvertent discharge of the other power source. The control circuit detects presence of external conditions such as vibration or voltage drop created as an operator is about to start the engine. The control circuit electrically connects the power sources for starting, and may retain the connection for charging purposes, but disconnects the power sources from each other after engine operation is concluded. Controls are also provided for connection or disconnection of the power source in response to detected conditions such as undesirable voltages or current flows in the electrical system.

Claims38

Dependent claims

An electrical power distribution system, comprising:

a first electrical line connectable to a first power source and a first electric load for carrying power from said first power source to said first electrical load;
a second electrical line, electrically separated from the first electrical line and connectable to second power source and a second electrical load for carrying power from said second power source to said second electrical load;
and
means responsive to an external stimulus for electrically connecting the second line to the first line during a time period defined by presence of the external stimulus, so as to carry power form both of the first and second power sources to the first electrical load during said time period, and wherein the first power source comprises a first series of battery cells constructed so as to provide a slow discharge configuration for supplying current to conventional automotive auxiliary equipment, and wherein said second power source comprises a second series of battery cells constructed so as to provide a rapid discharge configuration for supplying current to conventional automotive starter motors.

1 more element

An electrical power distribution system, comprising:

a first power source for powering electrical loads of the type created by conventional automotive auxiliary equipment;
a second power source for powering electrical loads of the type created by conventional automotive starter motors;
a first electrical conductor connected to said first power source and a second electrical load for carrying power from the first power source to the first electrical load;
a second electrical conductor connected to said second power source and a second electrical load for carrying power from the second power source to the second electrical load;
and
an electrical switching system electrically connected between the first and second conductors and responsive to detection of the presence or absence of a selected physical condition for electrically connecting the first conductor to the second conductor during a time period defined by detection of the presence of said selected physical condition, so that power is distributed from both of the first and second power sources to the first electrical load during said time period, and wherein the first power source comprises a first series of battery cells constructed so as to provide a slow discharge configuration for supplying current to conventional automotive auxiliary equipment, and wherein said second power source comprises a second series of battery cells constructed so as to provide a rapid discharge configuration for supplying current to conventional automotive starter motors.

3 more elements

A method of distributing power from first and second power sources to firs and second electrical loads in an electrical system, comprising the steps of:

connecting a first electrical line to the first power source and the first electrical load;
connecting a second electrical line to the second power source and the second electrical load;
detecting the presence of a selected physical condition;
and
electrically connecting the second line to the first line during a time period defined by presence of the selected physical condition, so as to carry power from both of the first and second power sources to the first electrical load during said time period, and wherein the first power source comprises a first series of battery cells constructed so as to provide a slow discharge configuration for supplying current to conventional automotive auxiliary equipment, and wherein said second power source comprises a second series of battery cells constructed so as to provide a rapid discharge configuration for supplying current to conventional automotive starter motors.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Electrical power distribution

Life of this patent

Electrical power distribution

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims38