Electrical charging system

Details Electrical charging system Electrical charging system

2000-02-17

2001-04-10

Wong, Peter S. (Department: 2838)

Electricity: battery or capacitor charging or discharging

Serially connected batteries or cells

Switchable to parallel connection

C320S116000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06215277

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an electrical charging stem and more particularly, to an electrical charging stem which selectively and efficiently charges a pair batteries.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A typical vehicle electrical charging system includes one or more batteries which store and supply electrical power and energy to vehicle's various electrical components and accessories, and an alternator which provides electrical power to the vehicle and which charges the one or more batteries.
One type of electrical charging system, commonly referred to as a dual voltage type electrical system, includes a pair of batteries which have different electrical output voltages (e.g. 12 volts and 36 volts) and which increase the efficiency of the system. One drawback associated with these types of electrical charging systems is that additional or different components are required to charge both of the batteries without compromising the integrity of the system. Particularly, additional components are required to allow the batteries to be charged while continuing to provide voltage to their respective busses.
Efforts have been made to utilize a DC—DC converter to allow the alternator to simultaneously charge the batteries without compromising the integrity of the system. Other attempts have been made which utilize a dual output alternator or a pair of alternators to charge the batteries. While each of these proposed charging systems allow the batteries to be simultaneously charged while continuing to supply power to their respective busses, these systems are relatively expensive to implement and require special packaging constraints. For example and without limitation, DC—DC converters are relatively expensive, large and difficult to install within existing vehicle platforms. Furthermore, DC—DC converters generate an undesirable amount of electromagnetic noise which can interfere with the operation of other electronic components and devices within the vehicle. Dual output alternators and dual alternator systems further require additional electronic and mechanical components which unnecessarily complicate these systems. Moreover, each of these prior systems requires additional charging controllers or control systems which actively maintain the integrity and reliability of these systems.
There is therefore a need for a new and improved electrical charging system which overcomes at least some of the drawbacks of prior systems and which includes a pair of batteries and an alternator that selectively and efficiently charges the pair of batteries.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a first object of the invention to provide an electrical charging system which overcomes some or all of the previously delineated drawbacks associated with prior electrical charging systems.
It is a second object of the invention to provide an electrical charging system having a pair of batteries which provide electrical power at different voltages and an alternator which selectively charges the pair of batteries.
It is a third object of the invention to provide a dual voltage electrical charging system which selectively charges a pair of batteries in a cost-effective manner without compromising the integrity of the system.
According to a first aspect of the present invention a charging system is provided. The charging system is adapted for use in combination with an electrical system of the type having an alternator which provides an output voltage, a first battery, and a second battery. The charging system includes a voltage regulator which is operatively coupled to the alternator and which is effective to selectively cause the output voltage to equal a first voltage value and a second voltage value. A switch is operatively coupled to the first battery, the second battery and the alternator. The switch is movable from a first position in which the first battery is connected to the alternator to a second position in which the second battery is connected to the alternator. The system further includes a controller which is communicatively coupled to the voltage regulator and to the switch, the controller being effective to cause the switch to move from the first position to the second position, the controller further being effective to cause the voltage regulator to cause the output voltage to equal the first voltage value when the switch is in the first position and to equal the second voltage value when the switch is in the second position, thereby selectively charging the first and the second battery.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling the charging of a first battery and a second battery is provided. The first battery and the second battery are contained within an electrical system including an alternator. The method includes the steps of connecting the first battery to the alternator for a first period of time; causing the alternator to generate a first output voltage for the first period of time, thereby charging the first battery; causing the alternator to shut off for a second period of time; disconnecting the first battery from the alternator; connecting the second battery to the alternator for a third period of time; and causing the alternator to generate a second output voltage for the third period of time, thereby charging the second battery.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following specification and by reference to the following drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4090122 (1978-05-01), Hoinski
patent: 5184109 (1993-02-01), Tanaka et al.
patent: 5418401 (1995-05-01), Kaneyuki
patent: 5488283 (1996-01-01), Dougherty
patent: 5610499 (1997-03-01), Rogers
patent: 5726553 (1998-03-01), Waugh
patent: 6057666 (2000-05-01), Dougherty et al.

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