Device for detecting the overdischarge of battery

Claim 2

In a control circuit for an accumulator which is adapted to supply an electrical load and to be employed with a prime mover; first means for controlling energization of said load from said accumulator; second means for providing a warning signal; third means responsive to the operative condition of said prime mover; and fourth means responsive to a fault condition in said accumulator, said third and fourth means cooperating when a fault condition occurs in said accumulator to cause said first means to prevent energization of said load when said prime mover is inoperative and to enable energization of said load and operation of said warning signal when said prime mover is operative.

Claim 3

A control circuit according to claim 1 wherein said fault condition is overdischarge of said accumulator.

Claim 4

A control circuit according to claim 1 wherein said accumulator has electrolyte therein and wherein said fault condition is low electrolyte therein.

Claim 5

A control circuit according to claim 1, wherein said first means includes a relay having relay contacts for connection in circuit between said accumulator and said load and having a resetting coil; wherein said fourth means includes a detecting device and a detecting switch controlled thereby; and wherein said third means includes change-over switch means for connecting said detecting switch to enable alternate energization of said resetting coil or said second means.

Claim 6

A control circuit according to claim 4 wherein said relay further comprises a setting coil for setting said relay contacts and a selectively operable setting switch for operating said setting coil.

Claim 7

A control circuit according to claim 5 including a selectively operable release switch for selectively disconnecting said second means.

Claim 8

A control circuit according to claim 4 wherein said fault condition is overdischarge of said accumulator.

Claim 9

A control circuit according to claim 4 wherein said accumulator has electrolyte therein and wherein said fault condition is low electrolyte therein.

Claim 10

In a control circuit for an accumulator for supplying an electrical load and for employment in association with a prime mover; a relay for controlling energization of said load by said accumulator, said relay including normally closed relay contacts connectable between said accumulator and said load and a resetting coil energizable to open said relay contacts; a warning signal device; a detecting device including a normally open detecting switch in circuit with said relay contacts and closable in response to a fault condition in said accumulator; and change-over switch means responsive to the operative condition of said prime mover, said change-over switch means having one position when said prime mover is inoperative wherein it connects said detecting switch to enable operation of said relay coil so that closure of said detecting switch effects energization of said resetting coil and having another position when said prime mover is operative wherein it connects said detecting switch to enable operation of said relay coil so that closure of said detecting switch enables energization of said relay coil and connects said detecting switch to effect operation of said warning signal device.

Claim 11

In a control circuit for an accumulator for supplying an electrical load and for employment in association with a prime mover; a relay for controlling energization of said load by said accumulator, said relay including normally closed relay contacts connectable between said accumulator and said load and a resetting coil energizable to open said relay contacts; a warning signal device; a detecting device including a normally open detecting switch in circuit with said relay contacts and closable in response to a fault condition in said accumulator; and change-over switch means responsive to the operative condition of said prime mover, said change-over switch means having one position when said prime mover is inoperative wherein it connects said detecting switch to enable operation of said relay coil so that closure of said detecting switch effects energization of said resetting coil and having another position when said prime mover is operative wherein it connects said detecting switch to enable operation of said relay coil so that closure of said detecting switch enables energization of said relay coil and connects said detecting switch to effect operation of said warning signal device.

Claim 12

A control circuit according to claim 9 wherein said fault condition is overdischarge of said accumulator.

Claim 13

A control circuit according to claim 9 wherein said accumulator has electrolyte therein and wherein said fault condition is low electrolyte therein.

Claim 14

A control circuit according to claim 9 wherein said relay further comprises a setting coil for setting said relay contacts and a selectively operable setting switch for operating said setting coil.

Claim 15

A control circuit according to claim 12 including a selectively operable release switch selectively disconnecting said second means.

Claim 16

A control circuit according to claim 9 wherein said change-over switch means includes a change-over switch for connecting said detecting switch to said resetting coil or to said warning device.

Claim 17

A control circuit according to claim 9 wherein said change-over switch means includes a diode in circuit with said resetting coil and a change-over switch for connecting said diode to ground.

Claim 18

Apparatus comprising: a prime mover having operative and inoperative states; an electrical load; an accumulator for supplying said load; and control means for said accumulator including; means indicative of the state of said prime mover; a warning device; and means responsive to a fault condition in said accumulator to prevent energization of said load by said accumulator if said fault condition occurs while said prime mover is in an inoperative state and to permit energization of said load by said accumulator and to effect operation of said warning device if said fault condition occurs while said prime mover is in an operative state.

Claim 19

Apparatus comprising: a prime mover having operative and inoperative states; an electrical load; an accumulator for supplying said load; and control means for said accumulator including; means indicative of the state of said prime mover; a warning device; and means responsive to a fault condition in said accumulator to prevent energization of said load by said accumulator if said fault condition occurs while said prime mover is in an inoperative state and to permit energization of said load by said accumulator and to effect operation of said warning device if said fault condition occurs while said prime mover is in an operative state.

Claim 20

A means for giving a warning relative to a fault condition in an accumulator used to supply a load and employed with a prime mover having operative and inoperative status, comprising: a detecting device for detecting the overdischarge of said accumulator as well as the surface level of the electrolyte contained in said accumulator, a keeping relay of the self-holding type for controlling the current supply from said accumulator, a switch arranged to operate to sense whether said prime mover is operated or not, and a warning means whereby, when said prime mover is stopped, said switch serves to close the keeping relay circuit so as to stop current supply from said accumulator by the operation of said detecting device while, when said prime mover is operated, said switch serves to open said keeping relay circuit so as to give through said warning means a warning relative to any accident in said accumulator by the operation of said detecting device.

Claim 21

A means for giving a warning relative to a fault condition in an accumulator used to supply a load and employed with a prime mover having operative and inoperative status, comprising: a detecting device for detecting the overdischarge of said accumulator as well as the surface level of the electrolyte contained in said accumulator, a keeping relay of the self-holding type for controlling the current supply from said accumulator, a switch arranged to operate to sense whether said prime mover is operated or not, and a warning means whereby, when said prime mover is stopped, said switch serves to close the keeping relay circuit so as to stop current supply from said accumulator by the operation of said detecting device while, when said prime mover is operated, said switch serves to open said keeping relay circuit so as to give through said warning means a warning relative to any accident in said accumulator by the operation of said detecting device.