Interrelated power delivery controls – including engine control – Transmission control – Engine starting interlock
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-21
2003-09-09
Estremsky, Sherry (Department: 3681)
Interrelated power delivery controls, including engine control
Transmission control
Engine starting interlock
C290S032000, C290S03600R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06616573
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to starter-generators. More specifically, the invention relates to a starter-generator circuit that eliminates inadvertent power drainage from a power source.
Starter-generators are used in utility vehicles and equipment having internal combustion engines. Starter-generators are electromagnetic machines that combine the functions of a starter motor and a generator in a single device. A starter-generator is responsible for starting an engine and, once the engine is running, operating as a generator of electrical power. The electrical power is often used to recharge a starting battery and to power devices within or connected to the vehicle or equipment containing the starter-generator. Starter-generators are usually controlled by starter-generator circuits. Often the starter-generator circuit includes a voltage regulator to control the voltage level of generated electrical power.
Starter-generator circuits may also interact with components of the vehicle or device in which they are installed. For example, known utility vehicles are equipped with pedal-actuated-starter-generator circuits, such as the circuit
110
shown in FIG.
1
. The circuit
110
includes a ground or ground node
111
, a battery
112
with a positive terminal
114
, and a two-position key switch
118
. The switch
118
includes a ground terminal
120
, a magneto terminal
124
, a battery terminal
126
, and an accessory terminal
128
. The switch can be placed in one of two positions—an off/magneto kill position and a run/accessory power position. When in the off/magneto kill position, the switch
118
couples the magneto terminal
124
to the ground terminal
120
. When in the run/accessory power position, the switch
118
couples the battery terminal
126
to the accessory terminal
128
. In this position, power from the battery may be supplied to accessories (such as lights, a radio, etc. in the vehicle or device) and to a starter-generator (discussed below).
A pedal activated switch
132
is connected to the accessory terminal
128
. When the pedal activated switch
132
is closed (such as when a driver steps on an accelerator pedal of a utility vehicle), a coupling is established between the battery terminal
126
and a first inductor coil terminal
140
of a solenoid
142
.
The solenoid
142
has a second inductor coil terminal
144
and an open-in-neutral gearshift switch
152
is coupled to the terminal
144
. When the open-in-neutral gearshift switch
152
is closed (such as when a driver places a utility vehicle in gear) a coupling is established between the second inductor coil terminal
144
and ground
111
. This energizes the solenoid
142
such that a solenoid switch
148
is closed. When closed, the solenoid switch
148
couples the positive terminal
114
of the battery
112
to a node
155
. The node
155
is coupled to an inductor
160
. The inductor
160
is coupled to a terminal
161
of a starter-generator
162
. The starter-generator
162
is coupled to an engine (not shown). When the engine is off, the starter-generator acts as a starter and uses power supplied from the battery to start the engine. Once the engine starts and the engine speed reaches a certain level, the starter-generator acts as generator and generates current that may be used to recharge the battery
112
.
The starter-generator
162
is coupled to a transistor terminal
170
of a voltage regulator
172
. The voltage regulator
172
is coupled to the node
155
and regulates the voltage applied to the battery
112
by selectively creating a path between the terminal
161
and the ground.
Another example of a starter-generator circuit is a key actuated starter-generator circuit. Like a pedal-actuated-starter-circuit, a key actuated starter-generator circuit has a multi-position switch coupled to a solenoid relay, a voltage regulator, and a starter-generator. However, a key-actuated starter generator circuit lacks a pedal activated switch and may or may not include a gearshift switch.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The inventors have discovered that a problem with the pedal-actuated-starter-generator circuit
110
and key-actuated starter generator circuits is that so long as the key switch (such as switch
118
) remains in the run/accessory power position, accessories can continue to draw power from the battery. In addition, if the engine stalls (in which case the switches
132
and
152
may remain closed in the circuit
110
) or operates in such a way that the voltage at the starter-generator is less than the voltage at the positive terminal of the battery, power may be drawn from the battery. In some circumstances it is possible that these demands may deplete the battery. Once depleted, starting the vehicle or device in which the starter-generator is located is impossible until the battery is replaced or recharged with an another mechanism. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved starter-generator circuit such that inadvertent power drainage can be eliminated or reduced.
The invention provides a system for preventing power drain of a battery and utilizes a key actuated starter-generator circuit. The circuit includes a key switch with a plurality of predetermined positions to provide a connection between an electrical power source and a solenoid, and a bypass rectifier to prevent inadvertent drainage of an electrical power source. The solenoid couples the electrical power source to a starter-generator. The circuit also includes a starter-generator to start an engine and to generate power to charge the electrical power source and a voltage regulator to regulate a predetermined voltage applied to the electrical power source. The system may also include a gear-controlled neutrally closed switch to provide a ground for the solenoid.
The inventors also devised a method of starting an engine with a key switch. The method involves turning a key switch to a starting position and energizing a solenoid by an electrical power source. The closing of the solenoid energizes a starter-generator. The method also involves turning the key switch to a running position, and charging the electrical power source by the starter-generator. The method further involves de-energizing the solenoid by moving the key switch to a second predetermined position, or by opening the switched circuit path. The method may further involve keeping a gear in a neutral position. By configuring a rectified circuit path and the solenoid in parallel, and with either the key switched to the second predetermined position or the switched circuit path opened, the electrical power source is recharged by the generator through the rectified circuit path.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings.
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Bobbitt, III John T.
McLeod Paul W.
Club Car Inc.
Estremsky Sherry
Lewis Tisha D.
Michael & Best & Friedrich LLP
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