Vehicle with switched supplemental energy storage system for engine cranking

In a vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, a cranking motor coupled with the engine to crank the engine, and a battery coupled with the cranking motor, the improvement comprising:

• a capacitor comprising first and second terminals;
• first and second electrical paths interconnecting the first and second terminals, respectively, with the cranking motor and a system ground;
• an oil pressure switch comprising a circuit positionable between at least an open and closed position, said oil pressure switch coupled to at least one of the battery and said capacitor;
• and
• a relay included in one of the first and second electrical paths and coupled to said oil pressure switch, said relay positionable between at least a closed-circuit condition, in which the relay completes said one of the first and second electrical paths and an open-circuit condition, in which the relay interrupts said one of the first and second electrical paths, wherein said at least one of the battery and said capacitor apply a control voltage to said relay when said oil pressure switch circuit is positioned in said closed position, and wherein said relay is positioned in said closed-circuit condition in response to said control voltage being applied thereto when said oil pressure switch circuit is positioned in the closed position.

A method for cranking an internal combustion engine comprising:

• providing an electrical system comprising a capacitor comprising first and second terminals interconnected with a cranking motor and a system ground by way of first and second electrical paths respectively;
• a first switch comprising a circuit positionable between at least an open and closed position, said first switch coupled to a battery;
• a second switch comprising a first circuit coupled between said first switch and said system ground and a second circuit coupled between the first and second terminals of the capacitor, wherein said second switch is positionable between an on position and a momentary position;
• and a relay included in one of the first and second electrical paths and coupled to said second switch, said relay moveable between at least a closed-circuit condition, in which the relay completes said one of the first and second electrical paths, and an open-circuit condition, in which the relay interrupts said one of the first and second electrical paths;
• positioning said circuit of said first switch in said closed position;
• positioning said second switch in said on position;
• applying a first control voltage to said relay with said battery through said circuit of said first switch when said circuit of said first switch is in the closed position and through said first circuit of said second switch when said second switch is in the on position;
• positioning said second switch in said momentary position;
• applying a second control voltage to said relay with said capacitor through said second circuit of said second switch when said second switch is in the momentary position;
• and
• positioning said relay in said closed-circuit condition in response to at least one of said first and second control voltages being applied thereto and thereby completing said one of the first and second electrical paths.

A method for cranking an internal combustion engine comprising:

• providing an electrical system comprising a capacitor comprising first and second terminals interconnected with a cranking motor and a system ground by way of a first and second electrical paths respectively;
• an oil pressure switch comprising a circuit positionable between at least an open and closed position, said oil pressure switch coupled to at least one of a battery and said capacitor;
• and a relay included in one of the first and second electrical paths and coupled to said oil pressure switch, said relay moveable between at least a closed-circuit condition, in which the relay completes said one of the first and second electrical paths, and an open-circuit condition, in which the relay interrupts said one of the first and second electrical paths;
• applying at least a minimum predetermined oil pressure to said oil pressure switch and thereby positioning said circuit of said oil pressure switch in said closed position;
• applying a control voltage to said relay with said at least one of the battery and said capacitor when said oil pressure switch circuit is positioned in said closed position;
• and
• positioning said relay in said closed-circuit condition in response to said control voltage being applied thereto and thereby completing said one of said first and second electrical paths.