Method and device for in-use detecting low cranking strength of a combustion engine battery during engine starting

A method for in-use detecting low cranking strength of a combustion engine battery during engine starting, the engine starting featuring activation and initiation of cranking of the combustion engine crankshaft by energy supplied by the combustion engine battery, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) sensing time varying voltage of the battery by a comparator, from initiation of and during the engine starting;
• (b) comparing said time varying voltage of the battery to a constant reference DC voltage by said comparator, for forming a plurality of output signals of said comparator, from said initiation of and during the engine starting;
• (c) integrating said plurality of said output signals of said comparator by an integrator, for forming an output signal of said integrator, during the engine starting;
• (d) determining and responding to said output signal of said integrator by a detector, for forming an output signal of said detector, during the engine starting;
• (e) determining and responding to said output signal of said detector by a one shot, for forming an output signal of said one shot, during the engine starting;
• (f) determining and responding to said output signal of said one shot by a counter, whereupon according to said output signal of said one shot said counter registers a count number of occurrences of the low cranking strength of the battery, for forming an output signal of said counter, during the engine starting;
• (g) determining and responding to said output signal of said integrator by a reset signal detector, for forming an output signal of said reset signal detector, substantially simultaneous to step (d) of said determining and said responding to said output signal of said integrator by said detector, during the engine starting;
• (h) delaying forwarding of said output signal of said reset signal detector by a reset delay, during the engine starting;
• (i) analyzing and responding to substantially simultaneous reception of said output signal of said one shot and said output signal of said reset delay by a reset logic circuit, for forming an output signal of said reset logic circuit, whereupon according to said output signal of said reset logic circuit sent to said counter, response of a counter reset mechanism associated with said counter is selected from the group consisting of activating for resetting said count number of said counter and remaining inactive by not resetting said count number of said counter, during the engine starting;
• and
• (j) determining and responding to said output signal of said counter by an alarm, whereupon according to said determination by said alarm, said response by said alarm is selected from the group consisting of remaining inactive and activating for providing an in-use warning signal of the low cranking strength of the battery to an operator of the combustion engine, at a time selected from the group consisting of during the engine starting and following the engine starting prior to engine turn-off.

A method for in-use detecting low cranking strength of a combustion engine battery during engine starting, the engine starting featuring activation and initiation of cranking of the combustion engine crankshaft by energy supplied by the combustion engine battery, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) sensing time varying voltage of the battery by an integrator, from initiation of and during the engine starting;
• (b) evaluating time varying difference between said time varying voltage of the battery and a constant reference DC voltage by said integrator, for forming a plurality of evaluated voltage differences, from said initiation of and during the engine starting;
• (c) integrating said plurality of said evaluated voltage differences by said integrator, for forming an output signal of said integrator, during the engine starting;
• (d) determining and responding to said output signal of said integrator by a detector, for forming an output signal of said detector, during the engine starting;
• (e) determining and responding to said output signal of said detector by an alarm, whereupon according to said determination by said alarm, said response by said alarm is selected from the group consisting of remaining inactive and activating for providing an in-use warning signal of the low cranking strength of the battery to an operator of the combustion engine, at a time selected from the group consisting of during the engine starting and following the engine starting prior to engine turn-off;
• (f) sensing at least one engine characteristic selected from the group consisting of engine noise and engine vibration, by at least one engine characteristic sensor;
• (g) measuring said at least one engine characteristic of the engine and comparing said at least one engine characteristic to at least one corresponding pre-determined threshold level of said engine characteristic for distinguishing between engine activation and engine non-activation, said engine non-activation including engine turn-off;
• (h) performing at least one ‘AND’ logic operation on a first signal corresponding to said at least one engine characteristic and on a delayed second signal sent from said detector corresponding to the low cranking strength of the battery;
• and
• (i) upon completing a particular ‘AND’ logic operation, activating said alarm for providing an additional in-use warning signal of the low cranking strength of the battery following engine turn-off.

A method for in-use detecting low cranking strength of a combustion engine battery during engine starting, the engine starting featuring activation and initiation of cranking of the combustion engine crankshaft by energy supplied by the combustion engine battery, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) sensing time varying voltage of the battery by an integrator, from initiation of and during the engine starting;
• (b) evaluating time varying difference between said time varying voltage of the battery and a constant reference DC voltage by said integrator, for forming a plurality of evaluated voltage differences, from said initiation of and during the engine starting;
• (c) integrating said plurality of said evaluated voltage differences by said integrator, for forming an output signal of said integrator, during the engine starting;
• (d) determining and responding to said output signal of said integrator by a detector, for forming an output signal of said detector, during the engine starting;
• (e) determining and responding to said output signal of said detector by a one shot, for forming an output signal of said one shot, during the engine starting;
• (f) determining and responding to said output signal of said one shot by a counter, whereupon according to said output signal of said one shot said counter registers a count number of occurrences of the low cranking strength of the battery, for forming an output signal of said counter, during the engine starting;
• (g) determining and responding to said output signal of said integrator by a reset signal detector, for forming an output signal of said reset signal detector, simultaneous to step (d) of said determining and said responding to said output signal of said integrator by said detector, during the engine starting;
• (h) delaying forwarding of said output signal of said reset signal detector by a reset delay, during the engine starting;
• (i) analyzing and responding to simultaneous reception of said output signal of said one shot and said output signal of said reset delay by a reset logic circuit, for forming an output signal of said reset logic circuit, whereupon according to said output signal of said reset logic circuit sent to said counter, response of a counter reset mechanism associated with said counter is selected from the group consisting of activating for resetting said count number of said counter and remaining inactive by not resetting said count number of said counter, during the engine starting;
• and
• (j) determining and responding to said output signal of said counter by an alarm, whereupon according to said determination by said alarm, said response by said alarm is selected from the group consisting of remaining inactive and activating for providing an in-use warning signal of the low cranking strength of the battery to an operator of the combustion engine, at a time selected from the group consisting of during the engine starting and following the engine starting prior to engine turn-off.

A device for in-use detecting low cranking strength of a combustion engine battery during engine starting, the engine starting featuring activation and initiation of cranking of the combustion engine crankshaft by energy supplied by the combustion engine battery, the device comprising:

• (a) a constant reference DC voltage;
• (b) a comparator operatively connected to leads of the combustion engine battery and to said constant reference DC voltage, for sensing time varying voltage of the battery and for comparing said time varying voltage of the battery to said constant reference DC voltage, thereby forming a plurality of output signals of said comparator from initiation of and during the engine starting;
• (c) an integrator operatively connected to said comparator, for integrating said plurality of said output signals of said comparator, thereby forming an output signal of said integrator during the engine starting;
• (d) a detector operatively connected to said integrator, for determining and responding to said output signal of said integrator, thereby forming an output signal of said detector during the engine starting;
• (e) an alarm operatively connected to said detector, for determining and responding to said output signal of said detector, whereupon according to said determination by said alarm, said response by said alarm is selected from the group consisting of remaining inactive and activating for providing an in-use warning signal of the low cranking strength of the battery to an operator of the combustion engine, at a time selected from the group consisting of during the engine starting and following the engine starting prior to engine turn-off;
• (f) at least one engine characteristic sensor selected from the group consisting of engine noise sensors and engine vibration sensors, operatively connected for sensing at least one engine characteristic selected from the group consisting of engine noise and engine vibration;
• (g) at least one engine characteristic level tester selected from the group consisting of engine noise level testers and engine vibration level testers, operatively connected to said at least one engine characteristic sensor for measuring said at least one engine characteristic and for comparing said measurement to a corresponding pre-determined threshold level of said at least one engine characteristic, for distinguishing between engine activation and engine non-activation, where engine non-activation includes engine turn-off;
• (h) a logic circuit operatively connected to said at least one engine characteristic level tester and to an alarm, for performing at least one ‘AND’ logic operation on a first signal received from said engine characteristic level tester and on a delayed second signal received from said detector, said logic circuit upon completing a particular ‘AND’ logic operation activates said alarm for providing an additional in-use warning signal of the low cranking strength of the battery following said engine turn-off;
• and
• (i) a delay mechanism operatively connected to said detector and to said logic circuit, for effecting delay of said delayed second signal sent from said detector to said logic circuit, following said engine turn-off.

A device for in-use detecting low cranking strength of a combustion engine battery during engine starting, the engine starting featuring activation and initiation of cranking of the combustion engine crankshaft by energy supplied by the combustion engine battery, the device comprising:

• (a) a constant reference DC voltage;
• (b) a comparator operatively connected to leads of the combustion engine battery and to said constant reference DC voltage, for sensing time varying voltage of the battery and for comparing said time varying voltage of the battery to said constant reference DC voltage, thereby forming a plurality of output signals of said comparator from initiation of and during the engine starting;
• (c) an integrator operatively connected to said comparator, for integrating said plurality of said output signals of said comparator, thereby forming an output signal of said integrator during the engine starting;
• (d) a detector operatively connected to said integrator, for determining and responding to said output signal of said integrator, thereby forming an output signal of said detector during the engine starting;
• (e) a one shot operatively connected to said detector, for determining and responding to said output signal of said detector, thereby forming an output signal of said one shot during the engine starting;
• (f) a counter operatively connected to said one shot, for determining and responding to said output signal of said one shot, whereupon according to said output signal of said one shot said counter registers a count number of occurrences of the low cranking strength of the battery, thereby forming an output signal of said counter during the engine starting;
• (g) an alarm operatively connected to said counter, for determining and responding to said output signal of said counter, whereupon according to said determination by said alarm, said response by said alarm is selected from the group consisting of remaining inactive and activating for providing an in-use warning signal of the low cranking strength of the battery to an operator of the combustion engine, at a time selected from the group consisting of during the engine starting and following the engine starting prior to engine turn-off;
• (h) a counter reset mechanism associated with said counter, for resetting said count number of said occurrences of the low cranking strength of the battery;
• (i) a reset signal detector operatively connected to said integrator, for determining and responding to said output signal of said integrator, thereby forming an output signal of said reset signal detector during the engine starting;
• (j) a reset delay operatively connected to said reset signal detector, for delaying forwarding of said output signal of said reset signal detector during the engine starting;
• and
• (k) a reset logic circuit operatively connected to said one shot, operatively connected to said reset delay, and operatively connected to said counter, for analyzing and responding to substantially simultaneous reception of said output signal of said one shot and said output signal of said reset delay, thereby forming an output signal of said reset logic circuit, whereupon according to said output signal of said reset logic circuit sent to said counter, response of said counter reset mechanism associated with said counter is selected from the group consisting of activating for resetting said count number of said counter and remaining inactive by not resetting said count number of said counter, during the engine starting.

A device for in-use detecting low cranking strength of a combustion engine battery during engine starting, the engine starting featuring activation and initiation of cranking of the combustion engine crankshaft by energy supplied by the combustion engine battery, the device comprising:

• (a) a constant reference DC voltage;
• (b) an integrator operatively connected to leads of the combustion engine battery and to said constant reference DC voltage, for sensing time varying voltage of the battery, for evaluating time varying difference between said time varying voltage of the battery and said constant reference DC voltage, thereby forming a plurality of evaluated voltage differences from said initiation of and during the engine starting, and for integrating said plurality of said evaluated voltage differences, thereby forming an output signal of said integrator during the engine starting;
• (c) a detector operatively connected to said integrator, for determining and responding to said output signal of said integrator, thereby forming an output signal of said detector during the engine starting;
• (d) an alarm operatively connected to said detector, for determining and responding to said output signal of said detector, whereupon according to said determination by said alarm, said response by said alarm is selected from the group consisting of remaining inactive and activating for providing an in-use warning signal of the low cranking strength of the battery to an operator of the combustion engine, at a time selected from the group consisting of during the engine starting and following the engine starting prior to engine turn-off;
• (e) at least one engine characteristic sensor selected from the group consisting of engine noise sensors and engine vibration sensors, operatively connected for sensing at least one engine characteristic selected from the group consisting of engine noise and engine vibration;
• (f) at least one engine characteristic level tester selected from the group consisting of engine noise level testers and engine vibration level testers, operatively connected to said at least one engine characteristic sensor for measuring said at least one engine characteristic and for comparing said measurement to a corresponding pre-determined threshold level of said at least one engine characteristic, for distinguishing between engine activation and engine non-activation, where engine non-activation includes engine turn-off;
• (g) a logic circuit operatively connected to said at least one engine characteristic level tester and to an alarm, for performing at least one ‘AND’ logic operation on a first signal received from said engine characteristic level tester and on a delayed second signal received from said detector, said logic circuit upon completing a particular ‘AND’ logic operation activates said alarm for providing an additional in-use warning signal of the low cranking strength of the battery following said engine turn-off;
• and
• (h) a delay mechanism operatively connected to said detector and to said logic circuit, for effecting delay of said delayed second signal sent from said detector to said logic circuit, following said engine turn-off.

A device for in-use detecting low cranking strength of a combustion engine battery during engine starting, the engine starting featuring activation and initiation of cranking of the combustion engine crankshaft by energy supplied by the combustion engine battery, the device comprising:

• (a) a constant reference DC voltage;
• (b) an integrator operatively connected to leads of the combustion engine battery and to said constant reference DC voltage, for sensing time varying voltage of the battery, for evaluating time varying difference between said time varying voltage of the battery and said constant reference DC voltage, thereby forming a plurality of evaluated voltage differences from said initiation of and during the engine starting, and for integrating said plurality of said evaluated voltage differences, thereby forming an output signal of said integrator during the engine starting;
• (c) a detector operatively connected to said integrator, for determining and responding to said output signal of said integrator, thereby forming an output signal of said detector during the engine starting;
• (d) a one shot operatively connected to said detector, for determining and responding to said output signal of said detector, thereby forming an output signal of said one shot during the engine starting;
• (e) a counter operatively connected to said one shot, for determining and responding to said output signal of said one shot, whereupon according to said output signal of said one shot said counter registers a count number of occurrences of the low cranking strength of the battery, thereby forming an output signal of said counter during the engine starting;
• (f) an alarm operatively connected to said counter, for determining and responding to said output signal of said counter, whereupon according to said determination by said alarm, said response by said alarm is selected from the group consisting of remaining inactive and activating for providing an in-use warning signal of the low cranking strength of the battery to an operator of the combustion engine, at a time selected from the group consisting of during the engine starting and following the engine starting prior to engine turn-off;
• (g) a counter reset mechanism associated with said counter, for resetting said count number of said occurrences of the low cranking strength of the battery;
• (h) a reset signal detector operatively connected to said integrator, for determining and responding to said output signal of said integrator, thereby forming an output signal of said reset signal detector during the engine starting;
• (i) a reset delay operatively connected to said reset signal detector, for delaying forwarding of said output signal of said reset signal detector during the engine starting;
• and
• (j) a reset logic circuit operatively connected to said one shot, operatively connected to said reset delay, and operatively connected to said counter, for analyzing and responding to substantially simultaneous reception of said output signal of said one shot and said output signal of said reset delay, thereby forming an output signal of said reset logic circuit, whereupon according to said output signal of said reset logic circuit sent to said counter, response of said counter reset mechanism associated with said counter is selected from the group consisting of activating for resetting said count number of said counter and remaining inactive by not resetting said count number of said counter, during the engine starting.