Auto Meter Products, Inc.

Purkey's Fleet Electric, Inc.

Gtr Development LLC

Ph Ingenuities, LLC

Dale B Henningson

Bruce A Purkey

Charles J Groeller

Guy Thomas Rini

Bryan R Lundbeck

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 is an electronically controlled battery contactor that opens (disconnects) or closes (connects) the battery circuit from the other parts of a motor vehicle electrical system based on measured or sensed data derived from monitoring the electrical system, communicating with other on-board control units, and pre-programmed requirements specific to the vehicle operation. The primary functions are to protect the battery from excessive current drain when the vehicle is parked, protect against short circuits across the main electrical feed, and provide emergency disconnect for vehicle impact, rollover or sensed thermal events. A programmed delay function controls the opening of the contactor in conjunction with other electronic control units that may require electrical power for a period of time after vehicle shutdown. A master electrical disconnect switch is provided for manual override for servicing the vehicle or during an emergency.

Intelligent battery disconnect

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

An engine-powered vehicle includes an engine, a battery corresponding to a battery voltage, a starter, an alternator, a plurality of switchable electrical loads, a key switch configured to control the switchable electrical loads and corresponding to a key voltage, and an electrical system health monitor (ESHM) controller. The ESHM controller is configured to monitor a plurality of voltages, to determine an operating state based on the plurality of voltages, and to determine whether an operating state is a valid operating state or a fault state. The ESHM controller is configured to set a fault alert for vehicle maintenance when the operating state is a fault state and, when the operating state is a valid operating state, to monitor a predetermined set of input parameters corresponding to the operating state, to detect certain anomalies based voltage waveforms of the plurality of voltages, and to perform a corrective action based on the anomalies.

Electrical system health monitor (ESHM) system 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

Heavy duty battery system tester and method

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

A system for determining the operating characteristics of an energy source. The system comprises a controller for generating and shaping a time-varying voltage signal for application to the energy source; a converter for receiving from the energy source a time-varying return voltage signal and for converting the tire-varying return voltage signal into a digital signal. The amplitude of the time-varying return signal contains information representative of the operating characteristics of the energy source. The time-varying return voltage signal is produced in response to the time-varying voltage signal. The controller is responsive to the digital signal and determines the operating characteristics of the energy source. The controller generates display signals, and the display signals are representative of the operating characteristics of the energy source. The system also includes a display for displaying the display signals.

Growing community of inventors

Manti, UT, United States of America

Dale B Henningson