Multi-battery fuel saving and emission reduction system for automotive vehicles

A method of operating a battery charging system for an automotive vehicle including a starter motor, a catalytic converter for reducing emissions, a fuel burning engine, and vehicle load and accessory load circuits, comprising:

• providing a start battery for providing a discharge current for operating the starter motor to start the engine;
• providing a run battery for operating vehicle load and accessory circuits;
• providing a storage battery having a first very high discharge current;
• providing a heater for receiving the first high discharge current and heating the catalytic converter to an elevated temperature;
• providing an alternator having a variable output condition including a selectable output voltage with an output current, the alternator being driven by the vehicle engine;
• monitoring the state of charge of the start battery;
• initiating a starting operation by connecting the start battery to the start motor for a first period of time and connecting the storage battery to the heater for a second period of time;
• placing the alternator output at a first output condition when the state of charge of the start battery is below a first charge threshold;
• connecting the start battery to the alternator output for recharging the start battery following the starting operation;
• and
• disconnecting the start battery from the alternator output when the start battery state of charge is above the first charge threshold.

A battery charging system for an automotive vehicle having electrical accessory circuits and a fuel consuming engine comprising:

• a start battery for starting the engine;
• a rechargeable storage battery for operating the accessory circuits;
• a circuit for monitoring the state of charge of the storage battery;
• means for indicating when the storage battery state of charge is below a selected threshold charge level;
• and
• a line power charger for recharging the storage battery having an input for receiving a supply of electricity.

In an automotive vehicle having a start battery, a start motor, an ignition switch having a vehicle start operation for connecting the start battery to the start motor for starting the vehicle engine and a catalytic converter for reducing undesired vehicle engine emissions, a system for reducing vehicle emissions during starting comprising:

• a rechargeable storage battery having a very high discharge current capacity;
• a line power charger for recharging the storage battery having an input for receiving a supply of electricity;
• a heater for heating the catalytic converter to an elevated temperature in response to receiving the high discharge current;
• a switch having a closed condition for connecting the storage battery to the heater so that the high discharge current will pass into the heater which then heats the catalytic converter and an open condition for switching the storage battery out of the system;
• and
• a control circuit for placing the switch in the closed condition during the vehicle start operation so that the high discharge current will pass into the heater which heats the catalytic converter.

In an automotive vehicle having a start battery, a start motor, an ignition switch having a vehicle start operation for connecting the start battery to the start motor for starting the vehicle engine, and a catalytic converter for reducing undesired vehicle engine emissions, a method for reducing vehicle emissions during starting comprising:

• (a) providing a rechargeable storage battery having a very high discharge current;
• (b) providing a line power charger for recharging the storage battery having an input for receiving a supply of electricity;
• (c) providing a heater for heating the catalytic converter to an elevated temperature in response to receiving the high discharge current;
• (d) connecting the storage battery to the heater during the starting operation so that the high discharge current will pass into the heater which heats the catalytic converter;
• and
• (e) switching the storage battery out of the system after the vehicle engine has started.