CA3128246C - Dual battery system - Google Patents

Dual battery system

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Publication number
CA3128246C
CA3128246C CA3128246A CA3128246A CA3128246C CA 3128246 C CA3128246 C CA 3128246C CA 3128246 A CA3128246 A CA 3128246A CA 3128246 A CA3128246 A CA 3128246A CA 3128246 C CA3128246 C CA 3128246C
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CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
battery
auxiliary
primary
surplus condition
power supply
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
CA3128246A
Other languages
French (fr)
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CA3128246A1 (en
Inventor
Igor Abramov
Original Assignee
Redarc Technologies Pty Ltd
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Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2019900341A external-priority patent/AU2019900341A0/en
Application filed by Redarc Technologies Pty Ltd filed Critical Redarc Technologies Pty Ltd
Publication of CA3128246A1 publication Critical patent/CA3128246A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA3128246C publication Critical patent/CA3128246C/en
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/50—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries acting upon multiple batteries simultaneously or sequentially
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
    • B60L50/50—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
    • B60L50/60—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using power supplied by batteries
    • B60L50/64—Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
    • B60L58/12—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries responding to state of charge [SoC]
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R16/00—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
    • B60R16/02—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements
    • B60R16/03—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for
    • B60R16/033—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for characterised by the use of electrical cells or batteries
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/4207—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/425—Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing
    • H01M10/4257—Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/44—Methods for charging or discharging
    • H01M10/441—Methods for charging or discharging for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/48—Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte
    • H01M10/482—Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/14—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/14—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle
    • H02J7/1423—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle with multiple batteries
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/80—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries including monitoring or indicating arrangements
    • H02J7/82—Control of state of charge [SOC]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/855—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries with circuits adapted for supplying loads from the battery
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/90—Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage
    • H02J7/933—Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage the cycle being controlled or terminated in response to electric parameters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02N—STARTING OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; STARTING AIDS FOR SUCH ENGINES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02N11/00—Starting of engines by means of electric motors
    • F02N11/08—Circuits specially adapted for starting of engines
    • F02N11/0862—Circuits specially adapted for starting of engines characterised by the electrical power supply means, e.g. battery
    • F02N11/0866—Circuits specially adapted for starting of engines characterised by the electrical power supply means, e.g. battery comprising several power sources, e.g. battery and capacitor or two batteries
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R19/00—Arrangements for measuring currents or voltages or for indicating presence or sign thereof
    • G01R19/165—Indicating that current or voltage is either above or below a predetermined value or within or outside a predetermined range of values
    • G01R19/16533—Indicating that current or voltage is either above or below a predetermined value or within or outside a predetermined range of values characterised by the application
    • G01R19/16538—Indicating that current or voltage is either above or below a predetermined value or within or outside a predetermined range of values characterised by the application in AC or DC supplies
    • G01R19/16542—Indicating that current or voltage is either above or below a predetermined value or within or outside a predetermined range of values characterised by the application in AC or DC supplies for batteries
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R19/00—Arrangements for measuring currents or voltages or for indicating presence or sign thereof
    • G01R19/165—Indicating that current or voltage is either above or below a predetermined value or within or outside a predetermined range of values
    • G01R19/16566—Circuits and arrangements for comparing voltage or current with one or several thresholds and for indicating the result not covered by subgroups G01R19/16504, G01R19/16528, G01R19/16533
    • G01R19/16576—Circuits and arrangements for comparing voltage or current with one or several thresholds and for indicating the result not covered by subgroups G01R19/16504, G01R19/16528, G01R19/16533 comparing DC or AC voltage with one threshold
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/04—Construction or manufacture in general
    • H01M10/0445—Multimode batteries, e.g. containing auxiliary cells or electrodes switchable in parallel or series connections
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/425—Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing
    • H01M2010/4271—Battery management systems including electronic circuits, e.g. control of current or voltage to keep battery in healthy state, cell balancing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2220/00—Batteries for particular applications
    • H01M2220/20—Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J2105/00—Networks for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by their spatial reach or by the load
    • H02J2105/30—Networks for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by their spatial reach or by the load the load networks being external to vehicles, i.e. exchanging power with vehicles
    • H02J2105/33—Networks for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by their spatial reach or by the load the load networks being external to vehicles, i.e. exchanging power with vehicles exchanging power with road vehicles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/90—Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage
    • H02J7/94—Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage in response to battery current
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/7072—Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
    • Y02T90/14—Plug-in electric vehicles

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)
  • Secondary Cells (AREA)

Abstract

A dual battery system, including: a primary battery which drives a starter motor; an auxiliary battery which drives one or more auxiliary loads; an alternator which supplies current to recharge the primary battery; and a power supply circuit which supplies current from the alternator to recharge the auxiliary battery when a surplus condition is detected, the surplus condition indicating that the alternator is generating more electrical power than is required for recharging the primary battery, wherein the power supply circuit ceases to supply current to recharge the auxiliary battery when absence of the surplus condition is detected so that the primary and auxiliary batteries become electrically isolated, thereby ensuring that recharging of the auxiliary battery does not have an adverse effect on the level of charge of the primary battery.

Description

DUAL BATTERY SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a dual battery system and a method of controlling a dual battery system. It relates particularly but not exclusively to a dual battery system for a vehicle where an auxiliary battery for auxiliary loads can be charged with no adverse effects on a primary battery for a starter motor. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] A dual battery system is one example of a way of providing for the electrical needs of a vehicle which has a number of electrical accessories or auxiliary loads. The batteries can be connected together, so that together they supply all of the electrical needs of the vehicle. They can also be electrically separated, so that one battery supplies some of the electrical needs of the vehicle while the other battery supplies the rest, or there can be some sort of switching arrangement which allows prioritisation of one of the batteries over the other. The importance of the limiting of amount energy being sourced from starter battery is more apparent now in the time of wider use of smart alternator, start-stop and other car electrical generation limiting technologies.
[0003] A specific example of a dual battery system includes a starter battery and auxiliary battery is exemplified by US Patent 6,229,279. The system described in that patent includes a power switch arranged between the starter battery and the vehicle auxiliary electrical system battery. The starter or primary battery carries the primary load, which is understood to be the loads essential for starting (starting motor) and safe driving capability, and the auxiliary or secondary battery carries a secondary load which includes vehicle accessories and comfort components.
[0004] In the system of US Patent 6,229,279, the starter battery and auxiliary battery can be connected together in parallel during operation of the starter. This may be of some assistance if the starter battery has lost some of its charge, but ideally the starter battery should always be charged sufficiently to be able to operate the starter on its own. However, 1CA 03128246 2021-07-29 WO 2020/160597 PCT/AU2020/050071 if the level of charge in the auxiliary battery is lower than that in the starter battery, the starter battery will face an additional load if the two batteries are connected during operation of the starter.
[0005] US Patent 6,229,279 proposes some circuit arrangements to ensure appropriate switching between the starter and auxiliary batteries, but the methods of charging the auxiliary battery in such systems are disadvantageous because of the difficulty of making correct decisions as to the times at which switches needs to be closed or opened. The penalty for the wrong decision is the discharge of the starter battery, leading to an inability to start the vehicle's engine. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dual battery system, including: a primary battery which drives a starter motor; an auxiliary battery which drives one or more auxiliary loads; an alternator which supplies current to recharge the primary battery; and a power supply circuit which supplies current from the alternator to recharge the auxiliary battery when a surplus condition is detected, the surplus condition indicating that the alternator is generating more electrical power than is required for recharging the primary battery, wherein the power supply circuit ceases to supply current to recharge the auxiliary battery when absence of the surplus condition is detected so that the primary and auxiliary batteries become electrically isolated, thereby ensuring that recharging of the auxiliary battery does not have an adverse effect on the level of charge of the primary battery.
[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a dual battery system, the method including: driving a starter motor using a primary battery; driving one or more auxiliary loads using an auxiliary battery; 2CA 03128246 2021-07-29 WO 2020/160597 PCT/AU2020/050071 supplying current to recharge the primary battery using an alternator; detecting a surplus condition indicating that the alternator is generating more electrical power than is required for recharging the primary battery; a power supply circuit supplying current from the alternator to recharge the auxiliary battery when the surplus condition is detected; detecting absence of the surplus condition indicating that the alternator is no longer generating more electrical power than is required for recharging the primary battery; and the power supply circuit ceasing to supply current to recharge the auxiliary battery when absence of the surplus condition is detected and electrically isolating the primary and auxiliary batteries, thereby ensuring that recharging of the auxiliary battery does not have an adverse effect on the level of charge of the primary battery.
[0008] The surplus condition may be determined to exist when voltage measured across the primary battery exceeds a predetermined threshold level. If the primary battery is a lead flooded battery, a suitable threshold level is typically in the range of 11.8 to 14.0 volts. The voltage threshold level may be adjustable within that range too, rather than fixed.
[0009] Alternatively, the surplus condition may be determined to exist when a state of charge measurement of the primary battery indicates that the primary battery has a state of charge exceeding a threshold level which for example is close to 100%.
[0010] Thus, embodiments of the dual battery system provide a method of detecting the level of surplus energy available from the alternator by measuring the voltage level on the primary battery, measuring primary battery current, and/or measuring state of charge of the primary battery. Further, the primary battery state of charge may be determined using measurements of both primary battery voltage and primary battery current.
[0011] Embodiments of the dual-battery system therefore provide the primary battery obvious priority in charging over the auxiliary battery. That is, components of the dual battery system are connected in such way that the power supply circuit converts power 3CA 03128246 2021-07-29 WO 2020/160597 PCT/AU2020/050071 from the primary battery to power with voltage sufficient to charge the auxiliary battery only at a time when there is surplus energy delivered from the alternator.
[0012] In preferred arrangements, the power supply circuit is further able to convert any level of input voltage from the primary battery to the required charging voltage of the auxiliary battery. The power supply circuit here has the ability to convert any level of input voltage to charging voltage of the auxiliary battery regardless of the designated voltage level of the primary battery. When the power supply circuit is not in use, it completely isolates input from output.
[0013] It is preferred that the power supply circuit operates without delay to supply or cease supply of current to the auxiliary battery as soon as the surplus condition or absence of the surplus condition is detected. That is the decision of the power supply circuit to draw current is made dynamically, as soon as the surplus condition or absence of the surplus condition is detected, without delay.
[0014] The amount of current supplied by the power supply circuit to the auxiliary battery when the surplus condition is detected may be a fixed amount. For example, the fixed amount is the maximum current available. Alternatively, the amount of current supplied by the power supply circuit to the auxiliary battery when the surplus condition is detected is proportional to the amount of current by which the voltage measured across the primary battery exceeds the threshold level.
[0015] The invention will now be described in greater detail by reference to an example embodiment. It is to be understood that the particularity of the example embodiment does not supersede the generality of the foregoing description of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG.1shows a dual-battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4CA 03128246 2021-07-29 WO 2020/160597 PCT/AU2020/050071
[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting voltage against time, illustrating how the supply of current by the power supply circuit to the auxiliary battery corresponds with the primary battery exceeding the surplus condition, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting voltage against time, illustrating how the supply of current by the power supply circuit to the auxiliary battery corresponds with the primary battery exceeding the surplus condition, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 is an illustrative embodiment of a power supply circuit suitable for use in the system of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 5 is an illustrative embodiment of an alternative power supply circuit suitable for use in the system of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] Referring firstly to Figure1and the embodiment of the invention illustrated therein, the dual battery system for a vehicle includes a primary battery1which drives a starter motor 2. The system also includes an auxiliary battery 3 which drives an auxiliary load 4, which may include numerous different types of electrical equipment which typically constitute accessories to the vehicle.
[0022] The dual battery system also includes an alternator 5 which supplies current to recharge primary battery 1, and a power supply circuit 6 which supplies current from alternator 5 to recharge auxiliary battery 3 when a surplus condition is detected, indicating that alternator 5 is generating more electrical power than is required for recharging primary battery 1.
[0023] Power supply circuit 6 also immediately ceases the supply of current to recharge auxiliary battery 3 when the absence of the surplus condition is detected so that the primary battery1and auxiliary battery 3 become electrically isolated from each other, thereby 5CA 03128246 2021-07-29 WO 2020/160597 PCT/AU2020/050071 ensuring that the recharging of auxiliary battery 3 does not have an adverse effect on the level of charge of primary battery 1.
[0024] The surplus condition may be determined to exist when voltage measured across primary battery1exceeds a predetermined threshold level. The threshold voltage level will typically be in the range 11.8V to 14.0V and, for the lead flooded type of battery most commonly available at present in the automotive market, a battery voltage level of between 12.7V and 13.2V indicates that the battery is almost completely charged. Thus, for the purposes of the following description, it will be assumed that the surplus condition threshold level is 12.7 volts. For other types of batteries, the threshold level will be a different amount, but it will be appreciated that a suitable threshold level is already known or can be determined for most types of batteries.
[0025] The dual battery system illustrated in Figure 1further includes a voltage gauge 7, which monitors the voltage across primary battery 1. As soon as the voltage exceeds the surplus condition threshold (in this example illustrated as 12.7V), power supply circuit 6 operates to supply current to recharge auxiliary battery 3. Voltage gauge 7 continues to monitor the voltage across primary battery 1, and as soon as that voltage drops below the threshold level, power supply circuit 6 operates to isolate the primary battery and alternator circuitry from auxiliary battery 3, so that priority is always given to keeping primary battery 1in a near-fully-charged state.
[0026] As an alternative to determining the surplus condition when the voltage level measured across primary battery1exceeds a fixed threshold voltage, the threshold voltage level can be adjustable. Figure 4 shows one possible arrangement for power supply circuit 6, in which threshold voltage "Vs_threshoid" is adjustable to any level between 11.8V and 14.0V. The actual current voltage "Vs_bat" of primary battery1is compared with Vs_threshoid in a Comparator, and the output enables or disables power switch unit PSU, which in turn supplies power to auxiliary battery 3 if Vs_bat exceeds Vs_threshoid, or prevents the supply of power to auxiliary battery 3 if Vs_bat does not exceed Vs_threshoid.
[0027] A further alternative power supply circuit 6 is illustrated in Figure 5. In this arrangement, the surplus condition is determined to exist when a state of charge 6CA 03128246 2021-07-29 WO 2020/160597 PCT/AU2020/050071 measurement of the primary battery indicates that the primary battery has a state of charge exceeding a threshold level which is close to 100%. For example, power supply circuit 6 can be set to supply current to recharge auxiliary battery 3 as soon as the state of charge for the primary battery is measured as exceeding 95%, and power supply circuit 6 can be set to isolate the primary battery and alternator circuitry from auxiliary battery 3 as soon as the state of charge for the primary battery is measured as falling below 95%.
[0028] The dual battery system of Figure1includes a current gauge 8 which measures the current flowing through primary battery 1.The detected current, shown as "ls_bat" in Figure 5, and the primary battery voltage "Vs bat" are inputs to a "Start battery State of Charge estimator". The precise manner of estimation of state of charge is not a part of the present invention. The output of the State of Charge estimator is then used to provide an input to power switch unit PSU which in turn supplies power to auxiliary battery 3 if the state of charge exceeds an appropriate threshold, or prevents the supply of power to auxiliary battery 3 if the state of charge does not exceed the threshold.
[0029] The power supply circuit is preferably able to convert any level of input voltage to the required charging voltage of the auxiliary battery.
[0030] One significant issue with prior art dual battery systems is that there is a delay between measurement of a parameter indicative of a need to switch connections and the actual switching of those connections. The delay is often attributable to the use of complex and uncertain algorithms used in conditions where noise can easily alter the outcome of the controls. A preferred feature of the present invention is that the power supply circuit operates without delay to supply or cease supply of current to the auxiliary battery as soon as the presence or absence of the surplus condition is detected.
[0031] The amount of current supplied by the power supply circuit to the auxiliary battery when the surplus condition is exceeded may be a fixed amount. This is illustrated graphically in Figure 2, where the top chart illustrates the starter battery (primary battery) voltage "VSb" over time, and the bottom chart illustrates the current supplied by the power supply circuit Ipse over time. 7CA 03128246 2021-07-29 WO 2020/160597 PCT/AU2020/050071
[0032] Starting at the left hand side of Figure 2, it will be seen that initially the starter battery voltage is below 12.7 volts and the power supply circuit current is off. Then, as soon as the starter battery voltage reaches 12.7 volts, the power supply circuit current is turned on to a fixed current level. The power supply circuit current continues at the fixed rate while the starter battery voltage remains above 12.7 volts, but as soon as the starter battery voltage drops below 12.7 volts the power supply circuit current is turned off, isolating the auxiliary battery so that the full benefit of the power generated by the alternator is restored to recharging the starter battery.
[0033] As the rest of the charts in Figure 2 show, this cycle continues to repeat while the vehicle's engine is running, ensuring as a matter of first priority that the primary battery is always in a near-fully-charged state, while at the same time allowing opportunistic charging of the auxiliary battery.
[0034] As an alternative to the fixed current arrangement illustrated in Figure 2, the amount of current supplied by the power supply circuit to the auxiliary battery may be proportional to the amount by which the surplus condition is exceeded, as illustrated in Figure 3.
[0035] Starting at the left hand side of Figure 3, it will be seen that initially the starter battery voltage is below 12.7 volts and the power supply circuit current is off. Then, as soon as the starter battery voltage reaches 12.7 volts, the power supply circuit current is turned on at a current level which is proportionate to the amount by which the starter battery voltage exceeds 12.7 volts. As the starter battery voltage reaches its peak level, the power supply circuit current also reaches its peak level.
[0036] As the starter battery voltage falls from its peak level, the power supply circuit current also falls, until the starter battery voltage drops below 12.7 volts, at which point the power supply circuit current is turned off, isolating the auxiliary battery so that the full benefit of the power generated by the alternator is restored to recharging the starter battery.
[0037] As the rest of the charts in Figure 3 show, this cycle continues to repeat while the vehicle's engine is running, ensuring as a matter of first priority that the primary battery is 8CA 03128246 2021-07-29 WO 2020/160597 PCT/AU2020/050071 always in a near-fully-charged state, while at the same time allowing opportunistic charging of the auxiliary battery.
[0038] The above description of background art is included to explain the context of the present invention. It is not taken as an admission that any of the documents or other material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge at the priority date of any one of the claims of this specification. 9

Claims (6)

  1. CLAIMS 1. A dual battery system, including: a primary battery adapted to drive a starter motor; an auxiliary battery adapted to drive one or more auxiliary loads; an alternator adapted to supply current to recharge the primary battery; and a power supply circuit adapted to supply current from the alternator to recharge the auxiliary battery when a surplus condition is detected, the surplus condition indicating that the alternator is generating more electrical power than is required for rechargingthe primary battery, wherein the power supply circuit ceases to supply current to recharge the auxiliary battery when absence of the surplus condition is detected so that the primary and auxiliary batteries become electrically isolated, thereby ensuring that recharging of the auxiliary battery does not have an adverse effect on the level of charge of the primary battery; wherein the surplus condition is determined to exist when voltage measured across the primary battery exceeds a threshold level; wherein the threshold level is between 11.8 volts and 14.0 volts; and wherein the threshold level is adjustable.
  2. 2. A dual battery system according to claim1wherein the primary battery is a lead flooded battery.
  3. 3. A dual battery system according to any one of claims1to 2 wherein the power supply circuit is configured to dynamically supply or cease supply of current to the auxiliary battery as soon as the surplus condition or absence of the surplus condition is detected.
  4. 4. A dual battery system according to any one of claims1to 3 wherein the amount of current supplied by the power supply circuit to the auxiliary battery when the surplus condition is detected is a fixed amount. 10 Date re?ue/Date received 2023-12-145.
  5. A dual battery system according to claim1wherein the amount of current supplied by the power supply circuit to the auxiliary battery when the surplus condition is detected is proportional to the amount of voltage by which the voltage measured across the primary battery exceeds the threshold level.
  6. 6. A method of controlling a dual battery system, the method including: driving a starter motor using a primary battery; driving one or more auxiliary loads using an auxiliary battery; supplying current to recharge the primary battery using an alternator; detecting a surplus condition indicating that the alternator is generating more electrical power than is required for recharging the primary battery; supplying by means of a power supply circuit current from the alternator to recharge the auxiliary battery when the surplus condition is detected; detecting absence of the surplus condition indicating that the alternator is no longer generating more electrical power than is required for recharging the primary battery; and the power supply circuit ceasing to supply current to recharge the auxiliary battery when absence of the surplus condition is detected and electrically isolatingthe primary and auxiliary batteries, thereby ensuring that recharging of the auxiliary battery does not have an adverse effect on the level of charge of the primary battery; wherein the surplus condition is detected to exist when voltage measured across the primary battery exceeds a threshold level; wherein the threshold level is between 11.8 volts and 14.0 volts; and wherein the threshold level is adjustable. Date re?ue/Date received 2023-12-14
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