Booster pack with storage capacitor
AssigneeMidtronics, Inc.
InventorJ. David VonderHaar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A jump-start booster pack for starting a vehicle having a depleted vehicle battery is provided. The jump-start booster pack includes a positive connector that can couple to a positive terminal of the vehicle battery and a negative connector that can couple to a negative terminal of the vehicle battery. The apparatus also includes a storage capacitor that provides starting energy to the vehicle when electrical connection is made between the storage capacitor and the vehicle battery through the positive and negative connectors.
Claims30
An apparatus for starting a vehicle having a depleted vehicle battery, the apparatus comprising:
- a portable jump-start booster pack, separate from the vehicle, comprising:
- a positive connector configured to couple to a positive terminal of the vehicle battery;
- a negative connector configured to couple to a negative terminal of the vehicle battery;
- a storage capacitor configured to provide starting energy to the vehicle when electrical connection is made between the storage capacitor and the vehicle battery through the positive and negative connectors;
- and
- a DC-DC converter circuit configured to receive a supply voltage, from a source that is independent of the apparatus for starting the vehicle, and to provide a charging voltage, as a function of the supply voltage, to charge the storage capacitor, wherein the charging voltage is greater than the supply voltage.
A method of jump-starting a vehicle having a depleted vehicle battery, the method comprising:
- providing a portable jump-start booster pack, separate from the vehicle, the jump-start boaster pack comprising:
- a positive connector configured to couple to a positive terminal of the vehicle battery;
- a negative connector configured to couple to a negative terminal of the vehicle battery;
- a storage capacitor configured to provide starting energy to the vehicle when electrical connection is made between the storage capacitor and the vehicle battery through the positive and negative connectors;
- and
- a DC-DC converter circuit configured to receive a supply voltage, from a source that is independent of the apparatus for starting the vehicle, and to provide a charging voltage, as a function of the supply voltage, to charge the storage capacitor, wherein the charging voltage is greater than the supply voltage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.