US 5,200,877 AGranted

Battery protection system

AssigneeBaton Labs, Inc.

InventorsArnold L. Betton, Edgar A. Hirzel

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A vehicle storage battery protection system that senses a drop in battery voltage to a level at which the battery still retains sufficient power to start the vehicle. If the sensed voltage remains at or below this level for a time greater than the time normally required to start the vehicle, the battery is disconnected from the load and a hysteresis signal is provided to prevent a reconnection as the battery voltage begins to rise after the load has been disconnected. The load is automatically reconnected to the battery upon operation of the ignition switch to restart the vehicle. A reset circuit provides a small test voltage to the disconnected load, and senses a voltage drop caused by operation of the ignition switch to start the vehicle. This sensed voltage drop is detected and causes a main switch to reconnect the battery to the loads.

Claims39

Dependent claims

For use in conjunction with an engine system having a battery, an ignition system, and a first at least one electrically powered load connected to the battery, a device adapted to electrically disconnect the battery from the first at least one load whenever the battery energy falls below a predetermined value and to automatically connect the battery to the first at least one load, said device comprising:

a normally closed main switch for connection between a battery and the first at least one electrically powered load;
means for sensing an electrical battery characteristic indicative of battery drain and for generating an output signal whenever the energy capacity of said battery falls below a predetermined value;
timing means responsive to said sensing means output signal for generating a timing output signal a delay interval after said sensing means output signal;
means responsive to said timing means output signal for opening said main switch;
circuit means including said first at least one electrically powered load for connection to a second at least one electrically powered load such that when said second load is connected to said first at least one electrically powered load the voltage across said circuit means decreases;
and
automatic reset means connected to said circuit means for closing said main switch when the voltage across said circuit means changes.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/679,535Filed 2 Apr 1991 · continuation in part
Priority: 4 Apr 1990
Granted: 6 Apr 1993
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

H02J 9/002
Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting: in which a reserve is maintained in an energy source by…
H02J 7/14
Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries: for charging batteries from dynamo-electric…
H02J 7/63
Including safety or protection arrangements: against overdischarge
H02J 7/80
Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries: including monitoring or indicating arrangements