WO2002007286A1 - Starting motor circuit - Google Patents

Starting motor circuit Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002007286A1
WO2002007286A1 PCT/GB2001/002998 GB0102998W WO0207286A1 WO 2002007286 A1 WO2002007286 A1 WO 2002007286A1 GB 0102998 W GB0102998 W GB 0102998W WO 0207286 A1 WO0207286 A1 WO 0207286A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
battery
switch means
voltage
control means
current switch
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2001/002998
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2002007286A8 (en
Inventor
Arnot Lindsay Franses
Original Assignee
Arnot Lindsay Franses
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Arnot Lindsay Franses filed Critical Arnot Lindsay Franses
Priority to AU2001267736A priority Critical patent/AU2001267736A1/en
Publication of WO2002007286A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002007286A1/en
Publication of WO2002007286A8 publication Critical patent/WO2002007286A8/en

Links

Classifications

    • 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 or control means specially adapted for starting of engines
    • F02N11/0862—Circuits or control means specially adapted for starting of engines characterised by the electrical power supply means, e.g. battery
    • F02N11/0866—Circuits or control means 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
    • 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
    • F02N11/10—Safety devices
    • 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
    • H01M4/00—Electrodes
    • H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
    • H01M4/64—Carriers or collectors
    • H01M4/70—Carriers or collectors characterised by shape or form
    • H01M4/72—Grids
    • H01M4/73—Grids for lead-acid accumulators, e.g. frame plates
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M6/00—Primary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M6/50—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance, e.g. for maintaining operating temperature
    • H01M6/5011—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance, e.g. for maintaining operating temperature for several cells simultaneously or successively
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/14—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising 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 depolarising 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
    • 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
    • F02N2200/00—Parameters used for control of starting apparatus
    • F02N2200/06—Parameters used for control of starting apparatus said parameters being related to the power supply or driving circuits for the starter
    • F02N2200/063—Battery voltage
    • 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
    • F02N2250/00—Problems related to engine starting or engine's starting apparatus
    • F02N2250/02—Battery voltage drop at start, e.g. drops causing ECU reset
    • 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
    • F02N2300/00—Control related aspects of engine starting
    • F02N2300/20—Control related aspects of engine starting characterised by the control method
    • F02N2300/2011—Control involving a delay; Control involving a waiting period before engine stop or engine start
    • 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
    • H01M10/06—Lead-acid accumulators
    • H01M10/12—Construction or manufacture
    • 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
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
    • 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
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
    • Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to starting motors.
  • Motor vehicles including cars, vans, lorries, boats and aircraft, and other motor installations such as electric generators are typically driven by internal combustion engines. Such engines need to be driven through their cycles by an external power source for starting and an electric starter motor is usually provided for this.
  • Starter motors are themselves usually powered from a battery in the vehicle which is re-charged by an generator driven by the vehicle's engine.
  • these batteries are also used for powering auxiliary apparatus, e.g. lights, air-conditioning systems and entertainment systems, and hotel loads.
  • auxiliary apparatus e.g. lights, air-conditioning systems and entertainment systems
  • hotel loads e.g. hotel loads.
  • the use of the auxiliary apparatus while the vehicle's engine is not running and the powering of the hotel loads can lead to the battery becoming fully discharged. If this occurs, the engine cannot be restarted.
  • the lead-acid accumulators commonly used in road vehicles also slowly discharge when not being used. Consequently, the user of a vehicle may be confronted with the problem of starting the vehicle after a period of non-use during which the battery has become discharged. Furthermore, emergency service vehicles often carry a large number of electrical loads, including lights, sirens and communications equipment, and on occasion the battery has been found to run down while a vehicle's engine is running.
  • a motor installation comprising a starter motor, a first battery having an earth terminal coupled to the vehicle earth, a second battery, first switch means, second switch means for initiating operation of the starter motor, a controllable high-current switch means for selectively electrically coupling the earth terminals of the first and second batteries and control means, the non-earth terminals of the batteries being connected together, wherein the control means is configured to be responsive to operation of the first switch means to close the high-current switch means thereby coupling the earth terminals of the batteries.
  • the first and second switch means may be different poles of a multipole rotary switch.
  • the second switch cannot be operated to start the engine before the first switch has been operated to connected the earths of the batteries.
  • the kit comprising said second battery, said high-current switch means and said control means, the control means having an input and an output and being configured such that, when operational, the output changes to produce a signal for closing the high-current controlled switching means when a signal at the input undergoes a predetermined change.
  • the controllable high-current switch means is preferably one or more solid-state devices, such as MOSFETs.
  • an electromechanical switch e.g. a relay, could be used.
  • the control means includes a timer circuit for causing the high-current switch means to reopen when a predetermined period has elapsed since operation of the ignition switch for starting.
  • the timer circuit need not force re-opening of the high-current switch, if some other criterion for keeping the switched closed continues to be met.
  • voltage sensing means is preferably included for sensing the voltage across the first battery and the control means is responsive to the voltage sensing means to close said high-current switch means when the voltage sensed by the voltage sensing means exceeds a predetermined voltage.
  • the control means is powered from the second battery when the high- current switch means is open. Consequently, if the second battery is flat or has been removed, the vehicle can be operated in the conventional single-battery manner without an special operations being required.
  • an electrode plate for a lead acid battery comprising an apertured frame and a terminal portion on the frame, wherein the cross -sectional areas of frame portions between apertures remote from the terminal portion are less than those near the terminal portion.
  • the apertures may be rectangular, circular or any other shape.
  • the apertures are preferably arranged in rows and columns.
  • Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of a system according to the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a circuit diagram of the system shown in Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a plot illustrating the operation of the comparator of Figure 1;
  • Figure 4 shows a plate of a battery;
  • Figure 5 illustrates a conventional battery plate in elevation
  • Figure 6 illustrates a battery plate corresponding to that of Figure 5 but configured in accordance with the invention.
  • Figure is a perspective view of a six cell battery that includes battery plates in accordance with the invention.
  • the starting arrangements for an internal combustion engine (not shown) of a motor vehicle comprise a first battery 1, a second battery 2, an ignition switch unit 3a 5 3b, a starter motor 4. a relay 5, a high-current solid-state switch 6, e.g. intelligent MOSFETs having internal thermal and overcurrent protection, a comparator 7, a timer 8 and an OR-ing circuit 9.
  • the ignition switch unit is a three position rotary switch (more positions may be provided) having first and second poles 3a, 3b. The ignition switch is also sprung so that it returns to the second position from the third position unless held there by a user.
  • the second battery 2 is preferably one adapted for supplying large currents, such as a Hawker SBS40.
  • the positive terminals of the batteries 1, 2 are connected together by a common positive line.
  • the negative terminal of the first battery 1 is connected directly to the vehicle earth and the negative terminal of the second battery 2 is connected to the solid-state switch 6 which can be turned on to connect the negative terminal of the second battery to the vehicle earth.
  • the first pole 3 a of the ignition switch and the relay 5 are connected such that when the ignition switch 3a, 3b is in its second position, current flows from the common positive line through the first pole 3 a of the ignition switch and then through the coil of the relay 5 to earth. When current flows through the coil of the relay 5, the relay 5 closes energising the starter motor 4 from the common positive line.
  • the timer 8 is connected between the second pole 3b of the ignition switch and one input of the OR-ing circuit 9.
  • the other input of the OR-ing circuit 9 is connected to the output of the comparator 7.
  • One input of the comparator 7 is connected to the common positive line and the other is connected to a reference voltage (Nref).
  • the comparator 7 exhibits hysteresis.
  • the output of the OR-ing circuit 9 is connected to the control terminal of the solid-state switch 6.
  • the comparator 7 If the voltage across the first battery 1 is greater than a first threshold, e.g. 13.2N, the comparator 7 produces an output that causes the OR-ing circuit 9 to close the solid-state switch 6. This connects the second battery 2 in parallel with the first battery 1 so that the second battery 2 can charge.
  • a first threshold e.g. 13.2N
  • the output of the comparator 7 changes state causing the solid-state switch 6 to open. This isolates the earth terminal of the second battery 2 from the vehicle earth and prevents it being undesirably discharged.
  • the user can now turn the ignition switch 3 a, 3 b to its third position.
  • the output of the second pole 3b remains unchanged.
  • the first pole 3a now connects the coil of the relay 5 to the common positive line.
  • the second battery 2 is available to supply current to the starter motor 4 for starting the vehicle's engine.
  • the solid-state switch 6 When the period of the timer 8 expires, its output returns to its original state. If the voltage on the common positive line is now above the first threshold, for example because the vehicle's engine is running and its generator is only lightly loaded, the solid-state switch 6 is kept closed by the action of the comparator 7. However, if the voltage on the common positive line is not above the first threshold, for example because the engine has not started or the engine is running with the generator heavily loaded, the solid-state switch 6 opens when the output of the timer 8 returns to its original state.
  • the timer 8 ensures that the second battery 2 is connected in circuit until any engine management electronics have been initialised, any pre-heat circuits operated (diesels), the engine has started and the generator output stabilised.
  • the solid-state switch 6 While the engine is running, at any time when the voltage on the common positive line exceeds the first threshold, the solid-state switch 6 will be closed for recharging of the second battery 2 by the action of the comparator 7 until the voltage on the common positive line falls below the second threshold.
  • the comparator 7, the timer 8 and the OR-ing circuit 9 are implemented using a MAX951 combined operational amplifier 11 and comparator 12 integrated circuit and supporting passive components.
  • the integrated comparator 12 is inherently hysteretic.
  • the comparator 7 in Figure 1 is provided by the operational amplifier 11, which has a gain of about 10, and a potential divider for sensing the voltage across the first battery 1.
  • the potential divider comprises a larger resistor 13 and a smaller resistor 14.
  • the larger resistor 13 is connected to the common positive line via a small resistor 15 and the smaller resistor 14 is connected to the earth terminal of the first battery 1.
  • the non-inverting input of the integrated comparator 12 is connected to the ignition switch 3 via a diode 19 and a large-value capacitor 17.
  • the positive end of the capacitor 17 is connected to the negative terminal of the second battery 2 by a large-value resistor 18.
  • timer 8 is implemented by the capacitor 17 and the large-value resistor 18 and that the OR-ing circuit 9 comprises the diode 19, the second resistor 16 and the integrated comparator 12.
  • the first battery 1 may be a lead-acid accumulator having a plurality of electrode plates 21.
  • Each plate 21 is made of lead and comprises a frame 22 containing porous lead (negative electrode) or lead oxide (positive electrode) 23.
  • Each plate has a terminal 24 by which it can be connected to other plates in the same or different cells or to a battery terminal.
  • the frame 22 is in the form of a rectangular grid. However, it can be seen that the apertures containing the lead or lead oxide 23 near the terminal 24 are smaller than those further away. Consequently, the current density in the frame remains more constant over the whole frame than is the case with a conventional regular frame. Preferably, the apertures are sized so that the current density in the frame material remains substantially constant over the whole frame 22. In this way, the internal resistance of the battery is lowered.
  • FIG. 6 A more practical example of the battery plate in accordance with the invention is shown in Figure 6 and in the following description, it will be compared with a conventional, corresponding battery plate shown in Figure 5.
  • the battery plates in accordance with the invention are included in a six cell lead-acid battery shown schematically in Figure 7.
  • the six cells of the battery are electrically connected in series. Each cell has a cell opening 25. Each cell contains a number of the lead battery plates 21 electrically connected together through their terminals 24 by a bridge piece (not shown). In this example, nine battery plates are included in each of the six cells, arranged in a generally parallel configuration spaced from one another for example by porous glass fibre material. As well known in the art, the cells are filled with a dilute solution of sulphuric acid.
  • the battery plate 26 comprises a frame 27 with a 4x20 array of rectangular apertures 28 containing lead oxide, which are all of identical dimensions.
  • a battery plate 21 in accordance with the invention has the same width and height dimensions as the plate 26 shown in Figure 5, with a corresponding 4x 20 array of apertures 23.
  • the apertures 23 containing lead oxide nearer the terminal 24 are smaller than those further away.
  • the apertures are equally spaced in the height dimension whereas in the width dimension, the spacing between next adjacent apertures 23 decreases progressively away from the terminal 24.
  • the spacing dimension X at the top of the plate may be 2.9mm whereas the spacing X' furthermost from the terminal 24 may be 1.0mm. It has been found that such a configuration gives rise to an improved, more uniform current density in the frame material without reduction of storage density.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Secondary Cells (AREA)
  • Electric Propulsion And Braking For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Control Of Charge By Means Of Generators (AREA)

Abstract

An auxiliary battery (2) is provided in a motor installation, e.g. in a vehicle. A control circuit (7, 8, 9) connects the earth terminal of the auxiliary battery (2) to the installation's earth for starting of the installation's internal combustion engine and when sufficient power is available from a generator, driven by the engine, to charge the auxiliary battery (2). Also, an improved battery plate (21) is disclosed with apertures (23) that decrease in size towards its terminal (24).

Description

STARTING MOTOR CIRCUIT
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to starting motors.
Background
Motor vehicles, including cars, vans, lorries, boats and aircraft, and other motor installations such as electric generators are typically driven by internal combustion engines. Such engines need to be driven through their cycles by an external power source for starting and an electric starter motor is usually provided for this.
Starter motors are themselves usually powered from a battery in the vehicle which is re-charged by an generator driven by the vehicle's engine. However, these batteries are also used for powering auxiliary apparatus, e.g. lights, air-conditioning systems and entertainment systems, and hotel loads. The use of the auxiliary apparatus while the vehicle's engine is not running and the powering of the hotel loads can lead to the battery becoming fully discharged. If this occurs, the engine cannot be restarted.
The lead-acid accumulators commonly used in road vehicles also slowly discharge when not being used. Consequently, the user of a vehicle may be confronted with the problem of starting the vehicle after a period of non-use during which the battery has become discharged. Furthermore, emergency service vehicles often carry a large number of electrical loads, including lights, sirens and communications equipment, and on occasion the battery has been found to run down while a vehicle's engine is running.
Many solutions to this problem, using additional batteries, have been proposed, see for example EP-A-O 838 888.
Summary of the invention
According to the present invention, there is provided a motor installation comprising a starter motor, a first battery having an earth terminal coupled to the vehicle earth, a second battery, first switch means, second switch means for initiating operation of the starter motor, a controllable high-current switch means for selectively electrically coupling the earth terminals of the first and second batteries and control means, the non-earth terminals of the batteries being connected together, wherein the control means is configured to be responsive to operation of the first switch means to close the high-current switch means thereby coupling the earth terminals of the batteries. The first and second switch means may be different poles of a multipole rotary switch. Preferably, the second switch cannot be operated to start the engine before the first switch has been operated to connected the earths of the batteries.
According to the present invention, there is also provided the kit comprising said second battery, said high-current switch means and said control means, the control means having an input and an output and being configured such that, when operational, the output changes to produce a signal for closing the high-current controlled switching means when a signal at the input undergoes a predetermined change.
The controllable high-current switch means is preferably one or more solid-state devices, such as MOSFETs. However, an electromechanical switch, e.g. a relay, could be used.
Preferably, the control means includes a timer circuit for causing the high-current switch means to reopen when a predetermined period has elapsed since operation of the ignition switch for starting. The timer circuit need not force re-opening of the high-current switch, if some other criterion for keeping the switched closed continues to be met. For instance, voltage sensing means is preferably included for sensing the voltage across the first battery and the control means is responsive to the voltage sensing means to close said high-current switch means when the voltage sensed by the voltage sensing means exceeds a predetermined voltage. Thus, the second battery can be charged when sufficient energy is available. Preferably, the control means is powered from the second battery when the high- current switch means is open. Consequently, if the second battery is flat or has been removed, the vehicle can be operated in the conventional single-battery manner without an special operations being required.
According to the present invention, there is further provided an electrode plate for a lead acid battery comprising an apertured frame and a terminal portion on the frame, wherein the cross -sectional areas of frame portions between apertures remote from the terminal portion are less than those near the terminal portion. The apertures may be rectangular, circular or any other shape. The apertures are preferably arranged in rows and columns.
Brief description of the drawings
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -
Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of a system according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a circuit diagram of the system shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a plot illustrating the operation of the comparator of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a plate of a battery;
Figure 5 illustrates a conventional battery plate in elevation;
Figure 6 illustrates a battery plate corresponding to that of Figure 5 but configured in accordance with the invention; and
Figure is a perspective view of a six cell battery that includes battery plates in accordance with the invention.
Detailed description
Referring to Figure 1, the starting arrangements for an internal combustion engine (not shown) of a motor vehicle comprise a first battery 1, a second battery 2, an ignition switch unit 3a5 3b, a starter motor 4. a relay 5, a high-current solid-state switch 6, e.g. intelligent MOSFETs having internal thermal and overcurrent protection, a comparator 7, a timer 8 and an OR-ing circuit 9. The ignition switch unit is a three position rotary switch (more positions may be provided) having first and second poles 3a, 3b. The ignition switch is also sprung so that it returns to the second position from the third position unless held there by a user.
The second battery 2 is preferably one adapted for supplying large currents, such as a Hawker SBS40.
The positive terminals of the batteries 1, 2 are connected together by a common positive line. The negative terminal of the first battery 1 is connected directly to the vehicle earth and the negative terminal of the second battery 2 is connected to the solid-state switch 6 which can be turned on to connect the negative terminal of the second battery to the vehicle earth.
The first pole 3 a of the ignition switch and the relay 5 are connected such that when the ignition switch 3a, 3b is in its second position, current flows from the common positive line through the first pole 3 a of the ignition switch and then through the coil of the relay 5 to earth. When current flows through the coil of the relay 5, the relay 5 closes energising the starter motor 4 from the common positive line.
The timer 8 is connected between the second pole 3b of the ignition switch and one input of the OR-ing circuit 9. The other input of the OR-ing circuit 9 is connected to the output of the comparator 7. One input of the comparator 7 is connected to the common positive line and the other is connected to a reference voltage (Nref). The comparator 7 exhibits hysteresis. The output of the OR-ing circuit 9 is connected to the control terminal of the solid-state switch 6.
If the voltage across the first battery 1 is greater than a first threshold, e.g. 13.2N, the comparator 7 produces an output that causes the OR-ing circuit 9 to close the solid-state switch 6. This connects the second battery 2 in parallel with the first battery 1 so that the second battery 2 can charge.
If the voltage on the common positive line now falls, due to discharging or instantaneous current demand, to below a second threshold, for example, 12.8N, the output of the comparator 7 changes state causing the solid-state switch 6 to open. This isolates the earth terminal of the second battery 2 from the vehicle earth and prevents it being undesirably discharged.
When a user comes to start the vehicle, the user turns the ignition switch 3a, 3b initially to its first position. This causes the timer 8 to produce an output for the predetermined period which is applied to an input of the OR-ing circuit 9. This causes the OR-ing circuit 9 to close the solid-state switch 6.
The user can now turn the ignition switch 3 a, 3 b to its third position. The output of the second pole 3b remains unchanged. However, the first pole 3a now connects the coil of the relay 5 to the common positive line. In this configuration and assuming that the timer 8 has not timed out, the second battery 2 is available to supply current to the starter motor 4 for starting the vehicle's engine.
When the period of the timer 8 expires, its output returns to its original state. If the voltage on the common positive line is now above the first threshold, for example because the vehicle's engine is running and its generator is only lightly loaded, the solid-state switch 6 is kept closed by the action of the comparator 7. However, if the voltage on the common positive line is not above the first threshold, for example because the engine has not started or the engine is running with the generator heavily loaded, the solid-state switch 6 opens when the output of the timer 8 returns to its original state.
The timer 8 ensures that the second battery 2 is connected in circuit until any engine management electronics have been initialised, any pre-heat circuits operated (diesels), the engine has started and the generator output stabilised.
While the engine is running, at any time when the voltage on the common positive line exceeds the first threshold, the solid-state switch 6 will be closed for recharging of the second battery 2 by the action of the comparator 7 until the voltage on the common positive line falls below the second threshold. Referring to Figure 2, the comparator 7, the timer 8 and the OR-ing circuit 9 are implemented using a MAX951 combined operational amplifier 11 and comparator 12 integrated circuit and supporting passive components. The integrated comparator 12 is inherently hysteretic.
The MAX951 is powered from the second battery 2 and the integrated comparator 12 includes a reference voltage generator (not shown) that produces a reference voltage of 1.2N above, in this case, the negative terminal voltage of the second battery 2. The reference voltage is available at the inverting input (-) of the integrated comparator 12 and is supplied to the non-inverting input of the operational amplifier 11 via a first resistor 10.
The circuit in Figure 2 will be better understood, if it is borne in mind that the reference voltage (Nref) produced in the integrated comparator 12 is (VI - N2) + 1.2, where Nl is the voltage across the first battery 1 and N2 is the voltage across the second battery 2. Thus, as the voltage across the first battery 1 increases, the reference voltage rises in sympathy.
The comparator 7 in Figure 1 is provided by the operational amplifier 11, which has a gain of about 10, and a potential divider for sensing the voltage across the first battery 1. The potential divider comprises a larger resistor 13 and a smaller resistor 14. The larger resistor 13 is connected to the common positive line via a small resistor 15 and the smaller resistor 14 is connected to the earth terminal of the first battery 1. Thus for constant N2, Vref tracks changes in Nl and changes in the output of the potential divider are a fraction of the causative changes in Nl. Referring to Figure 3, it can be seen that the reference voltage Nref exceeds the output of the potentiometer for Nl above about 13.2N with N2 = 12N.
When Nref exceeds the output of the potentiometer, the output of the operational amplifier 11 rises above the reference voltage Nref. The output of the operational amplifier 11 is supplied to the non-inverting input of the integrated comparator 12 via a second resistor 16. Consequently, when the output of the operational amplifier 11 rises above the reference voltage Nref, the output of the integrated comparator 12 goes to its positive limit, turning on the solid-state switch 6.
The non-inverting input of the integrated comparator 12 is connected to the ignition switch 3 via a diode 19 and a large-value capacitor 17. The positive end of the capacitor 17 is connected to the negative terminal of the second battery 2 by a large-value resistor 18. Thus, when the ignition switch 3a, 3b is turned from its first position to its second position, the capacitor 17 charges rapidly, applying a positive voltage to the non-inverting input of the integrated comparator 12. This voltage exceeds the reference voltage Nref, causing the output of the integrated comparator 12 to go positive thereby turning on the solid-state switch 6. The capacitor 17 can only discharge slowly through the large-value capacitor 18 which ensures that the solid-state switch 6 remains turned on for 40 seconds after the ignition switch 3 a, 3b has been turned to its second position from its first position.
It can be seen from the foregoing that the timer 8 is implemented by the capacitor 17 and the large-value resistor 18 and that the OR-ing circuit 9 comprises the diode 19, the second resistor 16 and the integrated comparator 12.
Many modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiment described above, for instance to adapt the system to a an engine installation having 6, 24 or 42N electrical system.
Referring to Figure 4, the first battery 1 may be a lead-acid accumulator having a plurality of electrode plates 21. Each plate 21 is made of lead and comprises a frame 22 containing porous lead (negative electrode) or lead oxide (positive electrode) 23. Each plate has a terminal 24 by which it can be connected to other plates in the same or different cells or to a battery terminal.
The frame 22 is in the form of a rectangular grid. However, it can be seen that the apertures containing the lead or lead oxide 23 near the terminal 24 are smaller than those further away. Consequently, the current density in the frame remains more constant over the whole frame than is the case with a conventional regular frame. Preferably, the apertures are sized so that the current density in the frame material remains substantially constant over the whole frame 22. In this way, the internal resistance of the battery is lowered.
A more practical example of the battery plate in accordance with the invention is shown in Figure 6 and in the following description, it will be compared with a conventional, corresponding battery plate shown in Figure 5. The battery plates in accordance with the invention are included in a six cell lead-acid battery shown schematically in Figure 7.
The battery shown in Figure 7 is of conventional dimensions for use in a motor vehicle and may typically have a length 1= 180mm, width w=75mm and height h= 130mm. The six cells of the battery are electrically connected in series. Each cell has a cell opening 25. Each cell contains a number of the lead battery plates 21 electrically connected together through their terminals 24 by a bridge piece (not shown). In this example, nine battery plates are included in each of the six cells, arranged in a generally parallel configuration spaced from one another for example by porous glass fibre material. As well known in the art, the cells are filled with a dilute solution of sulphuric acid. An example of one of the battery plates 21 is shown in Figure 6 and a corresponding battery plate 26 of conventional design is shown in Figure 5 by way of comparison. In the prior art plate of Figure 5, the battery plate 26 comprises a frame 27 with a 4x20 array of rectangular apertures 28 containing lead oxide, which are all of identical dimensions. The frame 27 may have a width dimension W=65mm and height dimension H = 122mm.
Referring to Figure 6, a battery plate 21 in accordance with the invention has the same width and height dimensions as the plate 26 shown in Figure 5, with a corresponding 4x 20 array of apertures 23. However, as explained with reference to Figure 4, the apertures 23 containing lead oxide nearer the terminal 24 are smaller than those further away. In the example of Figure 6, the apertures are equally spaced in the height dimension whereas in the width dimension, the spacing between next adjacent apertures 23 decreases progressively away from the terminal 24. Thus, the spacing dimension X at the top of the plate may be 2.9mm whereas the spacing X' furthermost from the terminal 24 may be 1.0mm. It has been found that such a configuration gives rise to an improved, more uniform current density in the frame material without reduction of storage density.

Claims

Claims
1. A motor installation comprising a starter motor, a first battery having an earth terminal coupled to the vehicle earth, a second battery, first switch means, second switch means for initiating operation of the starter motor, a controllable high-current switch means for selectively electrically coupling the earth terminals of the first and second batteries and control means, the non- earth terminals of the batteries being connected together, wherein the control means is configured to be responsive to operation of the first switch means to close the high-current switch means thereby coupling the earth terminals of the batteries.
2. A motor installation according to claim 1, wherein the second switch means cannot be operated until the first switch means has been operated to cause the high- current switch means to close.
3. A motor installation according to claim 1, wherein the first and second switch means comprise respective poles of a multipole rotary switch.
4. A motor installation according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the control means includes a timer circuit for causing the high-current switch means to reopen when a predetermined period has elapsed since it was closed by operation of the first switch.
5. A motor installation according to any preceding claim, including voltage sensing means for sensing the voltage across the first battery, wherein the control means is responsive to the voltage sensing means to close said high-current switch means when the voltage sensed by the voltage sensing means exceeds a predetermined voltage.
6. A motor installation according to any preceding claim, wherein the control means is powered from the second battery when the high-current switch means is open.
7. A motor vehicle including an installation according to any preceding claim.
8. A kit of parts for creating a motor installation according to claim 1, the kit comprising said second battery, said high-current switch means and said control means, the control means having an input and an output and being configured such that, when operational, the output changes to produce a signal for closing the high- current controlled switching means when a signal at the input undergoes a predetermined change.
9. A kit according to claim 8, wherein the control means includes a timer circuit for causing the output to change to produce a signal for opening the high-current switch means when a predetermined period has elapsed since the input has undergone said predetermined change.
10. A kit according to claim 8 or 9, including voltage sensing means for sensing the voltage across the first battery, wherein the control means is configured to be responsive to the voltage sensing means to output a signal for closing said high- current switch means when the voltage sensed by the voltage sensing means exceeds a predetermined voltage.
11. An electrode plate for a lead acid battery comprising an apertured frame and a terminal portion on the frame, wherein the cross-sectional areas of frame portions between apertures remote from the terminal portion are less than those near the terminal portion.
12. A plate according to claim 11 having a generally symmetrical quadrilateral periphery with terminal portion in one corner thereof.
13. A plate according to claim 12 wherein the apertures are rectangular.
14. A battery including an electrode plate according to claim 11.
15. A lead acid battery including a plurality of cells each including a plurality of electrode plates as claimed in claim 11.
PCT/GB2001/002998 2000-07-04 2001-07-04 Starting motor circuit WO2002007286A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001267736A AU2001267736A1 (en) 2000-07-04 2001-07-04 Starting motor

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0016462.4 2000-07-04
GB0016462A GB2364452B (en) 2000-07-04 2000-07-04 Starting motors

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002007286A1 true WO2002007286A1 (en) 2002-01-24
WO2002007286A8 WO2002007286A8 (en) 2002-03-14

Family

ID=9895037

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2001/002998 WO2002007286A1 (en) 2000-07-04 2001-07-04 Starting motor circuit

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2001267736A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2364452B (en)
WO (1) WO2002007286A1 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1318590A2 (en) * 2001-12-05 2003-06-11 MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Aktiengesellschaft Power supply device with two batteries and two generators in a commercial vehicle
EP2144773A1 (en) * 2007-04-04 2010-01-20 Cooper Technologies Company Methods and systems for supplying power to a load
WO2012071982A1 (en) * 2010-11-29 2012-06-07 泉州劲鑫电子有限公司 Solar energy ignition device for motor vehicle
WO2012110870A3 (en) * 2011-02-14 2013-04-11 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle, control apparatus for vehicle, and control method for vehicle
WO2016075616A3 (en) * 2014-11-10 2016-07-07 Awelco Inc. Production S.P.A. Aid module for electrically starting an internal combustion engine
WO2019185141A1 (en) * 2018-03-28 2019-10-03 Volvo Truck Corporation Vehicle electrical starter circuit protection
EP3657583A4 (en) * 2018-02-28 2021-05-05 The Furukawa Battery Co., Ltd. Positive electrode grid for lead storage battery, and lead storage battery

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009140603A1 (en) * 2008-05-16 2009-11-19 James Wurth Hybrid start/run apparatus

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5668463A (en) * 1994-07-22 1997-09-16 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Auxiliary battery charge control circuit
EP0838888A2 (en) * 1996-10-26 1998-04-29 Lucas Industries Public Limited Company Vehicle battery controller

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5488283A (en) * 1993-09-28 1996-01-30 Globe-Union, Inc. Vehicle battery system providing battery back-up and opportunity charging
GB2302622B (en) * 1995-06-22 2000-03-29 Glorywin Int Group Ltd Battery controller
DE19628222A1 (en) * 1996-07-15 1998-01-22 Bosch Gmbh Robert Device for power supply in a motor vehicle

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5668463A (en) * 1994-07-22 1997-09-16 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Auxiliary battery charge control circuit
EP0838888A2 (en) * 1996-10-26 1998-04-29 Lucas Industries Public Limited Company Vehicle battery controller

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1318590A2 (en) * 2001-12-05 2003-06-11 MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Aktiengesellschaft Power supply device with two batteries and two generators in a commercial vehicle
EP1318590A3 (en) * 2001-12-05 2004-12-29 MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Aktiengesellschaft Power supply device with two batteries and two generators in a commercial vehicle
EP2144773A1 (en) * 2007-04-04 2010-01-20 Cooper Technologies Company Methods and systems for supplying power to a load
EP2144773A4 (en) * 2007-04-04 2013-12-04 Cooper Technologies Co Methods and systems for supplying power to a load
WO2012071982A1 (en) * 2010-11-29 2012-06-07 泉州劲鑫电子有限公司 Solar energy ignition device for motor vehicle
WO2012110870A3 (en) * 2011-02-14 2013-04-11 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle, control apparatus for vehicle, and control method for vehicle
WO2016075616A3 (en) * 2014-11-10 2016-07-07 Awelco Inc. Production S.P.A. Aid module for electrically starting an internal combustion engine
EP3657583A4 (en) * 2018-02-28 2021-05-05 The Furukawa Battery Co., Ltd. Positive electrode grid for lead storage battery, and lead storage battery
US11158861B2 (en) 2018-02-28 2021-10-26 The Furukawa Battery Co., Ltd. Positive electrode grid body for lead-acid battery, and lead-acid battery
WO2019185141A1 (en) * 2018-03-28 2019-10-03 Volvo Truck Corporation Vehicle electrical starter circuit protection
US11085411B2 (en) 2018-03-28 2021-08-10 Volvo Truck Corporation Vehicle electrical starter circuit protection

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2001267736A1 (en) 2002-01-30
GB2364452B (en) 2002-07-31
GB2364452A (en) 2002-01-23
WO2002007286A8 (en) 2002-03-14
GB0016462D0 (en) 2000-08-23

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6057666A (en) Method and circuit for controlling charging in a dual battery electrical system
CN101740839B (en) Battery system
US4025860A (en) Control system for battery hybrid system
JP2003032908A (en) Capacitor battery pack, control method and controller thereof, and automotive storage system
WO2015074108A1 (en) Electrical system enhancer
CN104285336A (en) Capacitor and battery combination
JPH02280635A (en) Charger
US4970451A (en) Device for utilizing low voltage electric current sources
JPH10257683A (en) Charging-discharging circuit for combined batteries
EP1025632B1 (en) Method and circuit for controlling charging in a dual battery electrical system
SE541416C2 (en) On-board electrical system for a vehicle
US6633091B1 (en) Storage module
WO2002007286A1 (en) Starting motor circuit
JPH10257682A (en) Method of operating combined batteries and charging-discharging circuit for combined batteries
JPH11355966A (en) Charger and discharger for battery pack
JP3994812B2 (en) Power system
KR19990088292A (en) Electrical double layer capacitor having short-circuit function
JPH09252528A (en) Electricity storage apparatus
US20200130512A1 (en) Balancing energy in a parallelized battery system
JP3911131B2 (en) Vehicle power supply
JP3768106B2 (en) Charger
CN112470402A (en) Switching device, electrical energy storage system, device and/or vehicle and method for connecting a voltage source to a load resistor
US20240291265A1 (en) Protecting circuit for battery during engine starting events
JPH05300660A (en) Power supply for automobile
US20240291296A1 (en) Protecting circuit for battery during engine starting events

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: C1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: C1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

CFP Corrected version of a pamphlet front page

Free format text: REVISED TITLE RECEIVED BY THE INTERNATIONAL BUREAU AFTER COMPLETION OF THE TECHNICAL PREPARATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2003130092

Country of ref document: RU

Kind code of ref document: A

Format of ref document f/p: F

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP