Globe-union Inc.

Brett M Lenhardt

Mark S Inkmann

Richard T Johnson

Neil C Karolek

David W Saari

Jerome A Kondrakiewicz

Michael T Reher

William C Delaney

Bradley N Koeppel

Arlen P Walker

An arrangement for mounting a battery monitoring circuit on the cover of the battery and for connecting the terminal ends of first and second lead wires of a battery monitoring circuit to the positive and negative terminals of the battery, the arrangement including a cavity formed in the battery cover for mounting the battery monitoring circuit, first and second battery terminal bushings which are molded integrally with the cover and are adapted to be mounted on and connected to the positive and negative battery terminals when the battery cover is installed on the battery, each of the battery terminal bushings including a pad having an upwardly directed mounting post that is adapted to receive and secure the terminal end of one of the lead wires of the battery monitoring circuit, the battery cover having first and second lead wire slots in its surface which extend from the cavity in which the battery monitoring circuit is mounted, to the locations of the battery terminal bushings for directing the lead wires to the mounting posts and for protecting the leads from damage during use.

Connection arrangement for battery monitoring circuits

A battery thermal control system including a casing for the battery and a cover for enclosing the battery in the casing, the casing being provided with a number of ribs for supporting the battery in a spaced relation to the bottom of the casing and to the side walls of the casing, a fan connected to discharge air into the casing for circulation through the spaces between the battery and the casing and a bypass duct for connecting the fan to a warm air source for heating the battery in the winter. A timer circuit is provided for continuing the operation of the fan after the engine is turned off. The timing circuit including a temperature switch for activating the timer circuit when the temperature is above a preset minimum.

Method and apparatus for thermal control of automotive components

A method and apparatus for estimating the temperature of a vehicle battery, wherein the estimated temperature is used to control the voltage at which the vehicle battery is charged. The variables used to estimate the temperature of the vehicle battery can include a reference temperature sensed from one or more temperature sensors located apart from the battery, and a group of coefficients. Each type of vehicle using the vehicle battery temperature estimation method utilizes a group of coefficients tailored specifically for the vehicle. For a given type of vehicle, empirical data is compiled for determining the specific group of coefficients for the vehicle. This data is compiled by operating the vehicle, and periodically sampling and storing the vehicle speed, the reference temperature, the actual battery temperature, and the elapsed time between samplings. From this data a group of coefficient is determined for the vehicle. The coefficients are then utilized by the vehicle control unit to estimate battery temperature. Based upon the estimated battery temperature, the control unit then can control the voltage at which the vehicle battery is charged.

Method and apparatus for estimating a battery temperature

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Milwaukee, WI, United States of America

Brett M Lenhardt