Electronic Development, Inc.

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Other

Wesley A Rogers

John T Auman

William D Route

James J Laggan

A multi-battery charging system for reduced fuel consumption and emissions for an automotive vehicle. The system starts the vehicle with a start battery in a fuel savings manner, removing electrical torque from the alternator shaft, and allows a second (run) battery to provide all or some of the current required by the vehicle loads as a fuel savings measure. The system also utilizes an electrically heated catalytic converter (EHC) and a third (EHC or storage) battery to provide a 3 to 15 second preheat and/or a 20 second current, during vehicle start, to the EHC heater coil, e.g., of a small EHC located in series with a standard catalytic converter for emissions reduction to reduce emissions during start. The start battery is recharged after start and switched out of the system fully charged for future vehicle starts. The run battery is recharged when its charge level drops below a predetermined level with an on board battery charging device powered from a 115 volt or 220 volt ac power line source external to the vehicle.

Multi-battery fuel saving and emissions reduction system for automotive vehicles

Multi-battery fuel saving and emission reduction system for automotive vehicles

Method and apparatus for accurately measuring charge storage system operating conditions in a vehicle. A measurement circuit produces an electrical response at an output which varies linearly with battery voltage levels. The circuit is calibrated to provide an output only for a voltage range above a specified battery voltage level in order to improve the resolution in detecting these levels using a standard electrical level detector such an ammeter or voltmeter. The measurement circuit is connected to a display circuit for indicating at least one charge storage system operating condition based on the terminal voltage of the battery. The measurement circuit also includes an output damper to limit the large, rapid output variations experienced during vehicle start and circuitry for compensating for variations in circuit performance due to temperature variations.

Method and apparatus for testing a vehicle charge storage system

A multi-channel electromagnetically transparent voltage probe transmission link system for monitoring a plurality of voltage signals at a plurality of test points of a device under test that is subjected to a radiation field. Each channel includes two voltage probes, an electrical to optical signal transmitter, an optical signal transmission line and a receiver located out of the radiation field. The voltage probes contact and sense the voltage signals at the test point. The electrical to optical transmitters are removably mounted in a common base and are powered by either a common (or shared) power supply and/or by dedicated power supplies, such as rechargeable batteries. The receivers process the optical signals and provide display signals corresponding to the sensed voltage signal at the plurality test points for evaluating the effect of the test radiation field. An attenuator which may be electromagnetically transparent is provided for attenuating a sensed voltage signal to a range suitable for processing by a transmitter device having a limited input range, over a frequency range of interest. The input circuits to the transmitter are provided with a centertap which provides a return current path for the voltage signals of the device under test that are sensed by a voltage probe. Low power consumption and low voltage drift circuits are used.

Multi-channel electromagnetically transparent voltage waveform monitor

Method and apparatus for accurately measuring charge storage system operating conditions in a vehicle. A measurement circuit produces an electrical response at an output which varies linearly with voltage levels measured via a remote connection to the battery terminals. The circuit is calibrated to provide that electrical levels are produced at the output only over a voltage range above a specified voltage level at the battery terminals in order to improve the resolution in detecting these levels using a standard electrical level detector such an ammeter or voltmeter. The measurement circuit is connected to a display circuit for indicating at least one charge storage system operating condition based on the terminal voltage of the battery. Alternatively, the measurement circuit may be connected to a display circuit for indicating the specific gravity of the battery based on the terminal voltage of the battery.

An apparatus and method for converting a voltage waveform into an optical signal is usable in a multi-channel, electromagnetically transparent, voltage probe transmission link system to monitor simultaneously a plurality of voltage signal waveforms of a device or system under test. In the present invention, a first lead provides a first voltage level, a second lead provides a virtual ground associated with the first voltage level, a circuit connected to the first and second leads provides a centertap second voltage level, first and second input circuits connected to the centertap receive the voltage waveform and respectively provide first and second output signals corresponding to the voltage waveform, a differential amplifier differentially amplifies the first and second output signals and provides a third output signal that corresponds to the difference between the first and second output signals, and the third output signal is converted to an optical signal corresponding to the voltage waveform. The optical signal may be an analog or digital optical signal and, in the described transmission link system, the voltage waveform may be emitted by the device or system under test.

Apparatus and method for converting a voltage waveform into an optical

Apparatus and method for low cost monitoring the level of signal at a test point in a system for susceptibility to electromagnetic fields. A probe, including a detector diode, and a non-metallic, electrically overdamped conductor, which is transparent to the electromagnetic field, is used to monitor the signal level at a test point as an amplitude modulated radio frequency carrier. The carrier is transmitted to a monitor outside of the range of the electromagnetic field using a transmission link, such as an optical waveguide transmitter, that is transparent to the electromagnetic field when the system under test fails. The probe may include a plurality of detector diodes mounted on a printed circuit board in a shielded structure that is directly connected to the test wire of the circuit to be monitored.

Probe for sensing moculated signals and method of using same

Apparatus and method for low cost monitoring the level of signal at a test point in a system for susceptibility to electromagnetic fields. A probe, including a detector diode, and a non-metallic, electrically overdamped conductor, which is transparent to the electromagnetic field, is used to monitor the signal level at a test point as an amplitude modulated radio frequency carrier. The carrier is transmitted to a monitor outside of the range of the electromagnetic field using a transmission link, such as an optical waveguide transmitter, that is transparent to the electromagnetic field when the system under test fails. The system under test can then be removed from the electromagnetic field and, for each frequency at which the system failed, a voltage can be injected, using a voltage injection probe, into the system at another point to recreate the detected level of signal at the test point that was coupled into the system from the electromagnetic field. This simulates the effect of the susceptibility to the electromagnetic field, and permits testing of a suitable filter or other expedient applied to the system, even though the system is not exposed to the electromagnetic field. Thus, the system may be tested for susceptibility inside a shielded enclosure and subjected to a controlled electromagnetic field, and the susceptibility may be recreated and solved outside of the shielded enclosure. The probe may include a plurality of detector diodes mounted on a printed circuit board in a shielded structure that is directly connected to the test wire of the circuit to be monitored.

Method for simulating a controlled voltage for testing circuits for

A multi-battery charging system for reduced fuel consumption and emissions for an automotive vehicle. The system starts the vehicle with a start battery in a fuel savings manner, removing electrical torque from the alternator shaft, and allows a second (run) battery to provide all or some of the current required by the vehicle loads as a fuel savings measure. The system also utilizes an electrically heated catalytic converter (EHC) and a third (EHC or storage) battery to provide a 3 to 15 second preheat and/or a 20 second current, during vehicle start, to the EHC heater coil, e.g., of a small EHC located in series with a standard catalytic converter for emissions reduction to reduce emissions during start. The start battery is recharged after start and switched out of the system fully charged for future vehicle starts. The run battery is recharged when its charge level drops below a predetermined level with an on board battery charging device powered from a 115 volt or 220 volt ac power line source external to the vehicle. The system also increases the alternator field current to charge the run battery during vehicle deceleration to use vehicle momentum to torque the alternator shaft, thus saving fuel. The system controls the alternator field current with a voltage regulator. The voltage regulator senses the charge level of the three batteries and vehicle operating conditions and provides the proper current into the alternator rotor for maximum fuel savings. The voltage regulator may be a non microprocessor or a microprocessor controlled device.

Multi-battery fuel saving and emission reduction system for automotive

A multi-battery charging system and for reduced fuel consumption and associated emissions for an automotive vehicle. The system starts the vehicle with a start battery in a fuel saving manner, removing electrical torque from alternator shaft, and allows a second (run) battery to provide all or some of the current required by the vehicle loads as fuel savings measure. The start battery is typically recharged after start using the alternator and then switched out of the system in a fully charged state for future vehicle starts. The run battery is typically recharged when its charge level drops below a predetermined level using an on-board battery charging device. The on-board battery charging device is powered from a power line source (e.g., 115 volt or 220 volt ac) external to the vehicle. The system controls the alternator field current with a voltage regulator. The voltage regulator senses the charge level of the two batteries and vehicle operating conditions and provides the proper current into the alternator rotor for maximum fuel savings. The voltage regulator may be a non-microprocessor or a microprocessor controlled device.

Fuel saving multi-battery charging system and method

Apparatus for low cost monitoring the level of signal at a test point in a system for susceptibility to electromagnetic fields. A probe, including a detector diode, and a non-metallic, electrically overdamped conductor, which is transparent to the electromagnetic field, is used to monitor the signal level at a test point as an amplitude modulated radio frequency carrier. The carrier is transmitted to a monitor outside of the range of the electromagnetic field using a transmission link, such as an optical waveguide transmitter, that is transparent to the electromagnetic field when the system under test fails. The system under test can then be removed from the electromagnetic field and, for each frequency at which the system failed, a voltage can be injected, using a voltage injection probe, into the system at another point to recreate the detected level of signal at the test point that was coupled into the system from the electromagnetic field. This simulates the effect of the susceptibility to the electromagnetic field, and permits testing of a suitable filter or other expedient applied to the system, even though the system is not exposed to the electromagnetic field. Thus, the system may be tested for susceptibility inside a shielded enclosure and subjected to a controlled electromagnetic field, and the susceptibility may be recreated and solved outside of the shielded enclosure. The probe may include a plurality of detector diodes mounted on a printed circuit board in a shielded structure that is directly connected to the test wire of the circuit to be monitored.

Apparatus for low cost electromagnetic field susceptibility testing

A multi-channel electromagnetically transparent voltage probe transmission link system or method monitors a plurality of voltage signals at a plurality of test points of a device under test that is subject to a radiation field with at least two intensity levels. The system or method compares the monitored voltage signals at the first intensity level corresponding to the level at which the monitored voltage signals not being affected by the radiation field, and the second intensity level being greater than the first intensity level. The system or methods determines whether or not the device is affected by the radiation field by determining if the monitored voltage signals are affected by the radiation field at the second intensity level.

Apparatus and method for monitoring radiation effects at different

The present invention relates to a battery monitoring and charging system capable of determining when charging conditions are favorable, thereby adjusting the charging level to maximize fuel saving. In particular, the system increases the alternator field current to charge a battery during vehicle deceleration so that vehicle momentum, instead of engine power, is used to torque the alternator shaft. The system controls the alternator field current with a voltage regulator. The voltage regulator senses the charge level of the battery, the amplitude and direction of the battery current load, and vehicle operating conditions to provide the proper current into the alternator rotor for maximum fuel savings. The voltage regulator may be a non-microprocessor or a microprocessor controlled device.

Battery monitoring and deceleration dependent fuel-saving charging system

An apparatus and method for monitoring the state of charge of the battery having a shunt resistor connected in series with a battery and an integrating circuit connected across the terminals of the shunt resistor which includes a large capacitance element having the capability to store charge for long periods of time, so that the integration can be performed along the same curve even if power to the integrating circuit is interrupted during continuous or intermittent use. The apparatus and method are applicable to batteries for automotive vehicles. Temperature compensation schemes to adjust the state of charge monitoring circuit to correct for changes in battery performance characteristics with temperature are provided. A circuit for detecting the existence of a defective battery cell is provided. A system for monitoring charging and discharging of the battery over time and identifying various battery conditions and potential battery or battery charging system failures is provided.

Battery state of charge monitor

A multi-channel electromagnetically transparent voltage probe transmission link system for monitoring a plurality of voltage signals at a plurality of test points of a device under test that is subjected to a radiation field. Each channel includes two voltage probes, an electrical to optical signal transmitter, an optical signal transmission line and a receiver located out of the radiation field. The voltage probes contact and sense the voltage signals at the test point. The electrical to optical transmitters are removably mounted in a common base and are powered by either a common (or shared) power supply and/or by dedicated power supplies, such as rechargeable batteries. The receivers process the optical signals and provide display signals corresponding to the sensed voltage signal at the plurality of test points for evaluating the effect of the test radiation field. An attenuator which may be electromagnetically transparent is provided for attenuating a sensed voltage signal to a range suitable for processing by a transmitter device having a limited input range, over a frequency range of interest. The input circuits to the transmitter are provided with a centertap which provides a return current path for the voltage signals of the device under test that are sensed by a voltage probe. Low power consumption and low voltage drift circuits are used.

Growing community of inventors

Grosse Pointe Park, MI, United States of America

Wesley A Rogers