EP0398691A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Electrical power distribution system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-05-16
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Granted: —
•
Expires: 2010-05-16
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to power distribution systems and more particularly, to such systems using power storage devices such as batteries and involving a first electrical load best served by a power source having a low current rate and slow discharge period, and a second electrical load best served by a power source having a high current rate and rapid discharge period. One particular application involving these requirements is in automobile electrical systems. The present invention provides an electrical control circuit that functions in conjunction with such power sources to satisfy such electrical system operating requirements. The system of the present invention maintains the power sources in electrically separate condition when the associated vehicle engine is not running, so as to prevent discharge of the power source serving engine starting systems as a result of inadvertent discharge of the other power source. The control circuit detects presence of external conditions such as vibration or voltage drop created as an operator is about to start the engine. The control circuit electrically connects the power sources for starting, and may retain the connection for charging purposes, but disconnects the power sources from each other after engine operation is concluded. Controls are also provided for connection or disconnection of the power source in response to detected conditions such as undesirable voltages or current flows in the electrical system.
Inventors
- 👤 Pita Witehira
- 👤 Evan Lloyd Bydder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:09
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J1/00; H02J1/14; H02J7/00; H02J7/14; H02J7/60; H02J7/64; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
An electrical power distribution system, comprising: a first electrical line for carrying power from a first power source to a first electrical load; a second electrical line, electrically seperated from the first electrical line, for carrying power from a second power source to a second electrical load; and means responsive to an external stimulus for electrically connecting the second line to the first line during a time period defined by presence of the external stimulus, so as to carry power from both of the first and second power sources to the first electrical load during said time period.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
An electrical power distribution system, comprising: a first electrical line for carrying power from a first power source to a first electrical load; a second electrical line, electrically seperated from the first electrical line, for carrying power from a second power source to a second electrical load; and means responsive to an external stimulus for electrically connecting the second line to the first line during a time period defined by presence of the external stimulus, so as to carry power from both of the first and second power sources to the first electrical load during said time period.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 1, further comprising: a control switch; and means responsive to the control switch for electrically connecting the second line to the second electrical load so as to carry power from the second power source to said second electrical load during a time period defined by the control switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 2, wherein the means for electrically connecting the second line to the second electrical load also connects the first line to the second electrical load during said time period defined by the control switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 1, wherein the first power source comprises a d.c. source having cells that discharge at a rate sufficient for supply of power to conventional automobile electronic auxilliary loads.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 4, wherein the first electrical load comprises a load formed of conventional automobile electronic auxiliary equipment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 1, wherein the second power source comprises a d.c. source having cells that discharge at a rate sufficient for supply of power to a conventional automobile starter motor, during cranking of the motor in starting an associated engine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 6, wherein the second electrical load comprises a conventional automobile starter motor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 1, wherein the means for electrically connecting the first line to the second line comprises: a switch having a first terminal electrically connected to the first line and a second terminal electrically connected to the second line, such that when the switch is closed, the first and second lines are electrically connected together; and a switch control circuit responsive to the external stimulus for closing and opening the switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 8, wherein the switch control circuit comprises: a first relay electrically connected so as to control the opening and closing of the switch; a sensor for detecting the external stimulus; and a second relay responsive to the sensor and electrically connected to one of the first and second power sources for providing power to the first relay in response to sensor detection of the external stimulus, so that said first relay causes the switch to close, connecting the first and second power sources together.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 9, wherein the switch control circuit further comprises timing means electrically connected to one of the first and second relays for causing the first relay to delay opening the switch for a selected time after the external stimulus is no longer detected by the sensor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 1, wherein the external stimulus comprises a mechanical condition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 11, wherein the external stimulus comprises mechanical vibration.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 11, wherein the external stimulus comprises noise.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 11, wherein the external stimulus comprises movement of a selected object.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 11, wherein the external stimulus comprises a change in temperature of a designated region.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 10, wherein the external stimulus comprises an electrical condition.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 16, wherein the external stimulus comprises a voltage change at a designated location in the power distribution system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 16, wherein the external stimulus comprises a current flow change in a designated component of the power distribution system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 1, wherein the first line has an electrical resistance of a conventional automobile cable for carrying power from a battery to automobile auxiliary equipment, and wherein the second line has an electrical reisitance of a conventional automobile cable for carrying power from a battery to an automobile starter motor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
82 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in claim 1, further comprising: means electrically connected to the first electrical line, and electrically connected through the connecting means to the second line when said first and second lines are electrically connected, for charging the first and second power sources; means for detecting selected conditions in the electrical power distribution system; and means responsive to the detecting means for electrically separating the charging means from the second line following detection of the selected conditions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 20, wherein the charging means comprises a conventional automotive generator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
69 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 20, wherein the selected condition comprises a voltage level at a specified location in said distribution system that is outside selected limits, and wherein the means for electrically separating the charging means from the second line compirses electronic circuitry electrically connected to the connecting means for causing said connecting means to electrically disconnect the second line from the first line.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
149 words
An electrical power distribution system, comprising: a first power source for powering electrical loads of the type created by conventional automotive auxiliary equipment; a second power source for powering electrical loads of the type created by conventional automotive starter motors; a first electrical conductor for carrying power from the first power source to a first electrical load; a second electrical conductor for carrying power from the second power source to a second electrical load; and an electrical switching system electrically connected between the first and second conductors and responsive to detection of the presence or absence of a selected physical condition for electrically connecting the first conductor to the second conductor during a time period defined by detection of the presence of said selected physical condition, so that power is distributed from both of the first and second power sources to the first electrical load during said time period.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
149 words
An electrical power distribution system, comprising: a first power source for powering electrical loads of the type created by conventional automotive auxiliary equipment; a second power source for powering electrical loads of the type created by conventional automotive starter motors; a first electrical conductor for carrying power from the first power source to a first electrical load; a second electrical conductor for carrying power from the second power source to a second electrical load; and an electrical switching system electrically connected between the first and second conductors and responsive to detection of the presence or absence of a selected physical condition for electrically connecting the first conductor to the second conductor during a time period defined by detection of the presence of said selected physical condition, so that power is distributed from both of the first and second power sources to the first electrical load during said time period.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
69 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 23, wherein the first power source comprises a first series of battery cells constructed so as to provide a slow discharge configuration for supplying current to conventional automotive auxilliary equipment, and wherein the second power source comprises a second series of battery cells constructed so as to provide a rapid discharge configuration for applying current to conventional automotive starter motors.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
39 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 24, wherein the first and second series of battery cells form two sets of cells arranged in series parallel so as to provide dual current variations at their positive terminals.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 25, further comprising a housing within which the first and second power sources and the electrical switching system are all secured.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
59 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 23, further comprising: a control switch; and an electrical circuit responsive to the control switch for electrically connecting the second conductor to the second electrical load so as to carry power from the second power source to said second electrical load during a time period defined by the control switch.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
55 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 27, wherein the electrical switching system comprises: means for detecting a selected condition in the electrical power distribution system; and means responsive to the detecting means for electrically seperating the first and second conductors for a selected period of time after detection of the selected condition.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 28, wherein the detecting means comprises an electronic circuit, and wherein the selected condition comprises a voltage level at a specified location in the distribution system that is outside a selected voltage limit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
An electrical power distribution system as defined in Claim 28, wherein the detecting means comprises an electronic circuit, and wherein the selected condition comprises an electrical current level at a specified location in the distribution system that is outside a selected current limit.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of distributing power from first and second power sources to first and second electrical loads in an electrical system, comprising the steps of: providing a first electrical line for carrying power from the first power source to the first electrical load; providing a second electrical line for carrying power from the second power source to the second electrical load; detecting the presence of a selected physical condition; and electrically connecting the second line to the first line during a time period defined by presence of the selected physical condition, so as to carry power from both of the first and second power sources to the first electrical load during said time period.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of distributing power from first and second power sources to first and second electrical loads in an electrical system, comprising the steps of: providing a first electrical line for carrying power from the first power source to the first electrical load; providing a second electrical line for carrying power from the second power source to the second electrical load; detecting the presence of a selected physical condition; and electrically connecting the second line to the first line during a time period defined by presence of the selected physical condition, so as to carry power from both of the first and second power sources to the first electrical load during said time period.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method of distributing power as defined in Claim 31, further comprising the steps of: detecting operation of a control switch; and electrically connecting the second line to the second electrical load so as to carry power from the second power source to said second electrical load during a time period defined by the control switch.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method of distributing power as defined in Claim 31, further comprising the steps of: detecting the absence of the selected physical condition; continuing to maintain the electrical connection between the first and second lines for a selected period of time after detecting the absence of the selected physical condition; and electrically seperating the first and second lines after expiration of the selected period of time.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of distributing power as defined in Claim 31, further comprising the steps of: detecting a selected condition in the electrical power distribution system; and electrically seperating the first and second lines in response to detection of the selected condition.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method of distributing power as defined in Claim 34, wherein the step of detecting a selected condition comprises the step of detecting a voltage level that is outside selected voltage limits in a specified location in the electrical system.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method of distributing power as defined in Claim 34, wherein the step of detecting a selected condition comprises the step of detecting an electrical current level that is outside selected electrical current limits in a specified location in the electrical system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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