Vehicle Enhancement Systems, Inc.

Purkey's Fleet Electric, Inc.

Auto Meter Products, Inc.

Battery Dynamics Group, LLC

Purkey's Electrical Consulting

Purkey's Fleet Electrics, Inc.

Ph Ingenuities, LLC

Purkey Electrical Consulting

Bruce A Purkey

Alan C Lesesky

Dale B Henningson

Bobby Ray Weant

Carl Ray Smith

Robert Weant

A system for controlling an AC power inverter has a charging power source (e.g., vehicle alternator), a battery (e.g., vehicle crank battery), a DC to AC power inverter, a shunt or current-measuring device (which may either be internal to, or external to, the AC power inverter), electrical connections (i.e., cables and connections between the charging power source, battery, AC power inverter, and shunt), and a control module; wherein the control module is capable of measuring shunt voltage, battery voltage, elapsed time, and is capable of turning the AC power inverter On and Off based upon certain criteria (i.e., control logic).

System and method for controlling an alternating current power inverter

In one method of using solar power as a supplemental power source in a DC system of a vehicle, the voltage of a vehicle battery is measured to determine if an alternator is operating. Upon determining that the alternator is running, a solar charge controller sets the voltage set-point to be about 0.1 Volts higher than the voltage produced by the alternator. This allows the solar panel to contribute up to the full power capability of the solar panel to the DC power system, even though the battery may be fully charged, which reduces the load on the alternator, thereby improving fuel economy.

System and method for using solar power to supplement power in a DC electrical system

In one embodiment, a system for monitoring and indicating remote battery charging comprises a sensor unit, a power source, at least one remote battery, and a wiring harness; wherein the sensor unit comprises an analog to digital converter (an 'A/D Converter') and a display means such as lights (e.g., LEDs) and/or a screen (e.g., LCD). In one method of use, the system for monitoring then monitors the power supply (the source) as well as the auxiliary charging system (e.g., the liftgate electrical system) and provides advanced warnings or signals when the system is not receiving sufficient power or is otherwise not functioning properly.

System and method for monitoring remote battery charging

The present invention provides systems and methods for testing and storage of information related to a component. A data collection device having a memory is fixedly connected to the component. A test device communicates with the data collection device to store test data concerning the component in the data collection device. The test device also performs analysis of the test data and provides information concerning the health and maintenance history of the component. The present invention also provides systems and methods for determining the current drawn or supplied by electrical components connected in parallel in an electrical system. A current sensor located between the electrical components determines the current supply or draw of one of the electrical components, while a current sensor between the electrical components and the remainder of the electrical system determine a cumulative current draw or supply by both the electrical components.

Data collection device and associated system for monitoring and storing performance and maintenance data related to a component of an electrical system

A systematic method and system for testing the charging and starting systems of a vehicle, which requires each individual test to pass before proceeding is provided. In addition, the invention incorporates an improved alternator test that determines whether the alternator belt is slipping using data read using a vehicle data port. Further, the invention provides a battery bank test that correlates the voltage before and after a load is applied to the battery bank to the batteries' conditions. When testing the starter, the oil temperature is read via the vehicle data port, allowing for a determination of whether the current draw is abnormally high.

Alternator battery system tester and method

A vehicle incorporates a crank battery, a rechargeable auxiliary battery, and an onboard electrical power source separate from the crank battery and the auxiliary battery. A battery charge controller manages a supply of electrical energy to the auxiliary battery to charge the auxiliary battery. The battery charge controller includes a first comparator for monitoring a voltage level of the crank battery, and a second comparator for monitoring a voltage level of the onboard electrical power source. A first switching device electrically couples the crank battery and the auxiliary battery to charge the auxiliary battery when the voltage level of the crank battery exceeds a first voltage threshold, and electrically decouples the crank battery and the auxiliary battery when the voltage level of the crank battery is below the first voltage threshold. A second switching device electrically couples the onboard power source and the auxiliary battery to charge the auxiliary battery when: (i) the voltage level of the crank battery is below the first voltage threshold and (ii) the voltage level of the onboard power source exceeds a second voltage threshold; and electrically decouples the onboard power source and the auxiliary battery when the voltage level of the onboard power source is below the second voltage threshold.

System and method for managing distribution of vehicle power in a multiple battery system

Systems and methods for monitoring and storing performance and maintenance data related to an electrical component

A system, capacitor having auxiliary cells, and associated methods for starting an engine is provided. The capacitor is an enhanced-power capacitor that provides enhanced cranking power. The capacitor is isolated from the battery and the rest of the engine's electrical system at preselected times. The capacitor is electrically connected to the alternator when the engine is running and is charged by the alternator. When the engine is not running, the capacitor is electrically isolated to prevent the capacitor discharging by powering accessory devices; the battery can power devices while the capacitor remains electrically isolated. During starting, the capacitor provides all the power supplied to the starter solenoid. If the battery is too weak to energize the electrical system during starting, an override allows the capacitor to provide power for all starting functions.

Capacitor-based powering system and associated methods

The present invention provides methods and systems for testing voltage drops in positive and negative legs of an electrical system and for determining maximal current capacity of the electrical system based on the measured voltage drops. This is accomplished by connecting load leads of a testing unit at a starter or alternator of the electrical system, and connecting voltage leads of the testing unit at a battery of the electrical system. A load of known resistance is applied and a voltage at the load is measured. Voltage drops at the positive and negative legs of the electrical system are determined, based at least in part on the voltage at the load. A maximum current capacity of the electrical system is calculated based on the determined voltage drops.

Microprocessor-based hand-held electrical-testing system and method

An apparatus and method for providing supplementary power to an electrical system of a vehicle or other machinery is provided. The apparatus and methods specifically provide a rapid-delivery of high amounts of power. The significant power levels are sufficient, for example, to turn the starter of a heavy-duty commercial transport vehicle stranded by a disabled battery. The power is supplied by a power source having the combination of high-density capacitor and battery. The power delivery is controlled to avoid such standard problems as reverse or same polarity connections and overvoltage. Control is effected by a combination voltage sensing circuit and isolation circuit to prevent current between the power source and the electrical system unless prescribed conditions are satisfied. The energy level of the power source is sustained by the capacitor-battery combination along with the capabilities to receive return charging from the electrical system as well as from alternating current and direct current sources.

Apparatus for providing supplemental power to an electrical system and related methods

Vehicle electrical system management systems and methods are provided for a vehicle, such as a tractor/trailer. In particular, a system and method are provided for detecting a faulty alternator or other motorized component by analyzing the waveform of the alternator and other motor of the vehicle. As a result, the system and method can provide a motorist with an advance warning as whether the alternator or other motor is functioning improperly. In addition, a system and method are provided for controlling the charging of a battery based upon the temperature of the battery such that the battery can be charged in a more efficient manner. In this regard, the temperature of the battery is sensed and the alternator thereafter charges the battery to a predefined voltage based upon the sensed temperature and a predetermined battery temperature/battery voltage schedule.

System and method for managing the electrical system of a vehicle

An apparatus and methods are provided for controlling power to interior functions of a trailer of a heavy duty vehicle. The apparatus preferably includes a vehicle trailer adapted to be connected to a heavy duty vehicle and having an interior cargo storage chamber and at least one door for providing access to the interior cargo storage chamber, a power supply connected to the trailer, at least one light source connected to the power supply and mounted within the interior cargo storage chamber of the trailer, and a light controller mounted to the trailer, connected to the power supply and the light source, and responsive to open and closed positions of the at least one door for controlling the power to the at least one light during predetermined periods of time when the at least one door of the trailer is in an open position and a closed position so that when the at least one door is in the open position the at least one light is in an on position having power supplied thereto and when the door is in a closed position the power is prevented from being supplied to the at least one light and thereby cause the at least one light to be in an off position.

Apparatus and method for controlling power to interior trailer functions

Vehicle cranking management systems and methods are provided for a vehicle preferably including a tractor mechanically connected to a trailer. Electrical energy is enabled to transfer from a battery of the vehicle to an electrical accessory load, when a battery output voltage signal is above a first predetermined threshold voltage, but is inhibited from transferring from the battery to the electrical accessory load if the battery output voltage signal is below a second predetermined threshold voltage. The first and second predetermined threshold voltages may be determined responsive to a sensed temperature of the vehicle engine, preferably a sensed temperature of oil present in the engine. In addition, electrical energy is enabled to transfer from the battery to a starter which cranks the vehicle's engine if a cranking command signal to crank the engine is asserted for less than a first predetermined time interval. If a cranking command signal is continuously asserted for a period longer than the first predetermined time interval, however, electrical energy is inhibited from transferring from the battery to the starter for a second predetermined time interval, to thereby inhibit the engine from being cranked during the second predetermined time interval. The vehicle may also include a speed sensor which senses a rotational speed of the engine, and electrical energy may be inhibited from transferring from the battery to the starter responsive to the sensed engine speed being greater than a predetermined threshold speed.

Growing community of inventors

Rogers, AR, United States of America

Bruce A Purkey