Battery Monitoring Computer Starts Engine To Charge Battery
When the vehicle's engine is off, a battery condition monitoring computer
inside the vehicle periodically monitors the condition of the vehicle's
battery. If the battery's charge falls under a threshold, the
computer automatically starts the vehicle's engine to charge the
battery. Once the battery is fully charged, the computer turns
off the engine.
The computer automatically start the
vehicle's engine without the present, authorization or knowledge of the
owner only when the battery's charge falls below a threshold. The
computer can calculate the minimum charge threshold based on various
variables such as the age or type of battery, the outdoor temperature
etc.
The computer itself is powered either by
the vehicle's battery or has it's own separate rechargeable
battery. Optionally to prevent car theft, before starting the
vehicle's engine, the computer pulls up the windows, locks the doors,
locks the steering wheel, disengages the transmission or takes other
drastic security related actions. In addition to minimize power
drain from the battery, the computer shuts down any electrical
accessories such as air conditioning, heating or lighting.
Alternatively when the engine is off and the computer detects low voltage in the battery, it can start a battery charging auxiliary motor
(instead of the vehicle's main engine) to charge the battery. The
auxiliary motor is only used for charging the battery when the
vehicle's engine is off. When the vehicle's engine is on, the
battery is charged normally by the main engine's alternator.
When
the vehicle's engine is off and the computer detects that the battery's
charge is below a threshold, the computer starts the auxiliary engine
(motor) to charge the battery - not the main engine. The use of
an auxiliary motor increases the vehicle's security and fuel efficiency
since the auxiliary motor is not connected to the transmission and is
smaller than the main engine.
The auxiliary motor can
have a combustible engine that obtains fuel through the vehicle's main
gas tank or have it's own auxiliary gas tank. In addition, the
battery, the computer and the auxiliary motor can all be interconnected
and sold as one piece (a complete device) in auto supply stores.
Additionally a more sophisticated version of the computer
may even control the minimum speed in revolutions per minute (RPM) of
the vehicle's engine so as to obtain a preset minimum output power from
the power source, i.e., alternator/regulator in order to fully charge
the battery. A higher RPM may be required during very cold winter
nights. The computer may calculate the exact amount of required
RPM depending on the condition of the battery, the amount of fuel left
in the gas tank and/or the outdoor temperature.
This is a flow chart
of events that occur and actions taken by the battery condition
monitoring computer after the vehicle's engine is turned off.
Here the computer starts the vehicle's main engine to charge the
battery.
This is also is a flow chart
of events that occur and actions taken by the computer after the
vehicle's engine is turned off. Here the computer starts an
auxiliary motor or engine (not the vehicle's main engine) to charge the
battery.
As illustrated as soon as the driver of the vehicle
turns the engine off, a timer is set to zero and is started.
Nothing happens until A (probably less than 10 minutes) passes ("wait"
period). After elapse of A minutes the computer will take
security measures to prevent car theft. Such steps may include
pulling windows up, locking doors or locking the steering. The
computer then shuts down all the electrical accessories that drain the
battery such as air conditioning, heating or lighting.
The
timer again is set to zero and nothing occurs until B (probably 2 to 5
hours depending on outdoor temperature and other variables) passes
("wait" period). B is a relatively long to minimize the drain on
the battery while the engine is off - reducing the number of
unnecessary frequent checks by the computer. After the elapse of
B time period , the computer determines or calculates the minimum
battery's charge needed to start the engine based on various variables
such as the age or type of battery, the outdoor temperature etc.
It then checks the battery's charge. If the battery's charge is
above the minimum threshold, the timer is set to zero again and nothing
happens until another B time period elapses (wait period).
The length of B can vary based on size, type and condition
of the battery or the outdoor temperature.
If the computer
determines that the battery's charge falls under a calculated
threshold, the computer starts the vehicle's engine (or the auxiliary
engine) to charge the battery. The timer is again set to
zero. While the engine is running, the computer periodically
monitors the battery's charge. Once the vehicle's battery is
fully charged the computer turns off the vehicle's engine (or the
auxiliary engine).
If after elapse of C time period the
vehicle's battery is still not charged, the computer turns off the
engine (or the auxiliary engine). C is a relatively long time
period to allow the engine (or auxiliary motor) ample time to charge
the battery. If the battery does not charge, then the battery,
the computer or the charging mechanism of the engine
(alternator/regulator) are probably defective and in need of
repair. To save fuel, the computer turns off the engine (or the
auxiliary engine).
The auxiliary batter-charging motor
can have it's own independent fuel tank or be connected to the
vehicle's main fuel tank. The computer is connected by two wires
to the two poles of the battery. The computer is powered by the
vehicle's main battery (or it can have it's own power source
independent of the battery) and can analyze and detect the condition of
the battery through the two wires connected to the two poles of the
battery. If the battery's voltage drops below a certain level,
the computer will detect it. The computer is also connected to
the main vehicle' circuitry (not shown). When the vehicle's
engine is turned off, there will be no power transmitted to the
computer which enables it to detect when the vehicle's engine is turned
off.
When the vehicle's engine is turned off,
periodically the computer through wires detects and monitors the
condition of the battery. as shown the computer is also connected
to an auxiliary motor through wires and can start or turn off the
auxiliary motor depending on the condition of the battery. When
the vehicle's engine is off, if the computer detects a low voltage
condition (below a certain threshold), it starts the auxiliary motor to
fully charge the battery.
Description of the Prior Art
US
Patent 5,281,919 describes a battery condition monitoring computer
located on the vehicle for providing status and information concerning
maintenance and replacement requirements and power output capability of
a storage battery in a motor vehicle. The computer continuously
monitors the battery capacity, state of charge and certain fault
conditions. The ambient temperature, battery voltage
alternator/regulator output voltage and current to and from the battery
are continuously measured. Current voltage (I-V) data is analyzed to
determine the internal resistance and polarization of the battery.
A
determination is made regarding state of charge and fault conditions
produced by corroded terminals and low electrolyte level. The low
temperature starting limit is determined by comparing the battery's
power output capability with starting power requirements of the
vehicle. Data produced by the comparison are indicated on the dashboard
of the vehicle. In addition, when the battery is fully charged,
the computer can cut out the alternator through a clutch, thereby
enhancing the gas mileage. However when the state of charge is
below a set limit, or the accessory current drain is above a preset
limit, or the ambient temperature is below a preset limit, the power
source is kept operational.
