Jump start system

Claim 2

A jump starting system for providing auxiliary power in combination with a battery of a service vehicle to start the engine of a disabled vehicle the service vehicle battery having multiple cells and only two externally accessible electrical terminals, one of the terminals being of a first polarity and the other of the terminals being of a second polarity, the service vehicle including a service vehicle battery charging means for electrically charging the service vehicle battery, the service vehicle charging means including terminals of first and second polarity, the disabled vehicle having an electrical system which has a normal design operating voltage and a maximum design operating voltage, the disabled vehicle including a battery having a predetermined nominal design voltage and being connectable to the electrical system, said jump starting system comprising: (a) at least one auxiliary battery having an electrical terminal of a first polarity and having an electrical terminal of a second polarity, the first and second polarities of said auxiliary battery respectively corresponding to the first and second polarities of the service vehicle battery; (b) first means for selectively connecting said auxiliary battery in electrical series with the service vehicle battery, the total nominal design voltage across said auxiliary battery and the service vehicle battery while connected in electrical series being less than twice the nominal design voltage of the disabled vehicle battery; (c) second means for electrically charging said auxiliary battery independently of the service vehicle battery; (d) third means for selectively electrically connecting said auxiliary battery charging means to the service vehicle battery charging means so as to charge electrically said auxiliary battery.

Claim 3

The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the total nominal design voltage across said auxiliary battery and said service vehicle battery while connected in electrical series is approximately equal to the normal operating voltage of the disabled vehicle electrical system.

Claim 4

A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the total nominal design voltage across said auxiliary battery and the service vehicle battery while connected in electrical series is no greater than approximately the maximum allowable operating voltage of the disabled vehicle electrical system.

Claim 5

The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said third means may electrically connect said auxiliary battery charging means to the service vehicle battery charging means only when said auxiliary battery is not connected in electrical series with the service vehicle battery.

Claim 6

The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first and third means are mutually exclusive in operation with respect to each other such that essentially either said auxiliary battery is connected in electrical series with the service vehicle battery or said auxiliary battery charging means is electrically connected to the service vehicle battery charging means.

Claim 7

The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said auxiliary battery charging means includes at least a first and a second electrical power connection configured for connection to the service vehicle battery charging means, and at least one electrical charging connection adapted too provide a flow of current, said first electrical power connections being electrically connectable to said second polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery charging means, and at least one of said charging connections being electrically connected to said terminal of said first polarity of said auxiliary battery, and wherein said first and third means comprise: (a) a single pole, double throw electrical switch having a first throw and a second throw, said pole being electrically connectable to said first polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery charging means; (b) a single pole, single throw electrical relay having a pair of normally open contacts, one of said contacts being electrically connectable too said first polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery, the other contact being electrically connected to said second polarity terminal of said auxiliary battery, said electrical relay having ann electrical coil with at least two electrical terminals, one of said terminals being electrically connected to said first throw of said electrical switch, the other of said terminals being electrically connectable too said second polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery charging means; (c) a double pole, single throw electric relay having a first pair and a second pair of normally open electrical contacts, one of said contacts of said first pair being electrically connected to said second polarity terminal of said auxiliary battery, the other of said contacts of said first pair being electrically connectable to said second polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery charging means, one of said contacts of said second pair being electrically connectable to said first polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery charing means, the other of said contacts of said second pair being electrically connected to said second electrical power connections of said auxiliary battery charging means.

Claim 8

A jump starting system for providing auxiliary power to start the engine of a disabled vehicle in combination with a battery electrically connected to the ignition system of a service vehicle, said service vehicle battery having a terminal of a first polarity and a terminal of a second polarity, said jump start system comprising: (a) a first auxiliary battery having a terminal of a first polarity and a terminal of a second polarity; (b) a second auxiliary battery having a terminal of a first polarity and a terminal of a second polarity; (c) a third auxiliary battery having a terminal of a first polarity and a terminal of a second polarity; (d) the first polarity and the second polarity of each of said auxiliary batteries respectively corresponding too the first polarity and the second polarity of the service vehicle battery; (e) a single pole double throw electrical switch, said switch including a first throw and a second throw, said pole being electrically connectable to said first polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery; (f) first, second and third single pole single throw electrical relays, each of said electrical relays having a respective pair of normally open electrical contacts, each of said relays having a respective electrical coil, each of said electrical coils having first and second electrical terminals, each of said first electrical terminals being electrically connected to one throw of said switch, each of said second electrical terminals being electrically connectable to said second polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery; (g) first, second and third double pole single throw electrical relays, each of said electrical relays including a first and a second pair of normally open electrical contacts, each of said electrical relays including an electrical coil, each of said electrical coils having respective first and second terminals, each of said first terminals being electrically connected to said second throw of said electrical switch, each of said second terminals being electrically connectable to said second polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery; (h) said first contact of said first single pole single throw electrical relay being electrically connectable to said first polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery, said second contact being electrically connected too said second polarity terminal of said first auxiliary battery; (i) said first electrical contact of said second single pole single throw electrical relay being electrically connected to said first polarity terminal of said first auxiliary battery, said second electrical contact being electrically connected to said second polarity terminal of said second auxiliary battery; (j) said first electrical contact of said third single pole single throw electrical relay being connected to said first polarity terminal of said second auxiliary battery, said second electrical contact being electrically connected to said second polarity terminal of said third auxiliary battery; (k) said first electrical contact of said first pair of contacts of said first double pole single throw electrical relay being electrically connected to said second polarity terminal of said first auxiliary battery, said second electrical contact being electrically connectable to said second polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery; (l) said first electrical contact of said first pair of contacts of said second double pole single throw electrical relay being electrically connected to said second polarity terminal of said second auxiliary battery, said second electrical contact being electrically connectable to said second polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery; (m) said first electrical contact of said first pair of contacts of said third double pole single throw electrical relay being electrically connected to sad second second polarity terminal of said third auxiliary battery, said second electrical contact being electrically connectable to said second polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery; (n) first and second voltage regulators, having respective first and second electrical power terminals, each of said respective first electrical power terminals being electrically connectable to said second polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery, said first voltage regulator having a charging terminal electrically connected to said first polarity terminal of said first auxiliary battery, said second voltage regulator having a charging terminal electrically connected to said first polarity terminal of said third auxiliary battery; (o) said first electrical contact of said second pair of electrical contacts of said first double pole single throw electrical relay being electrically connected to said second electrical power terminal of said first voltage regulator, said second electrical contact being electrically connectable to said first polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery; (p) said first electrical contact of said second pair of electrical contacts of said second double pole single throw electrical relay being electrically connected to said first polarity terminal of said second auxiliary battery, said second electrical contact being electrically connectable to said first polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery; and (q) said first electrical contact of said second pair of electrical contacts of said third double pole single throw electrical relay being electrically connected to said second electrical power terminal of said second voltage regulator, said second electrical contact being electrically connectable to said first polarity terminal.

Claim 9

A jump starting system for providing auxiliary power to start the engine of a disabled vehicle in combination with a battery electrically connected to the ignition system of a service vehicle, said service vehicle battery having a terminal of a first polarity and a terminal of a second polarity, said jump start system comprising: (a) a first auxiliary battery having a terminal of a first polarity and a terminal of a second polarity; (b) a second auxiliary battery having a terminal of a first polarity and a terminal of a second polarity; (c) a third auxiliary battery having a terminal of a first polarity and a terminal of a second polarity; (d) the first polarity and the second polarity of each of said auxiliary batteries respectively corresponding too the first polarity and the second polarity of the service vehicle battery; (e) a single pole double throw electrical switch, said switch including a first throw and a second throw, said pole being electrically connectable to said first polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery; (f) first, second and third single pole single throw electrical relays, each of said electrical relays having a respective pair of normally open electrical contacts, each of said relays having a respective electrical coil, each of said electrical coils having first and second electrical terminals, each of said first electrical terminals being electrically connected to one throw of said switch, each of said second electrical terminals being electrically connectable to said second polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery; (g) first, second and third double pole single throw electrical relays, each of said electrical relays including a first and a second pair of normally open electrical contacts, each of said electrical relays including an electrical coil, each of said electrical coils having respective first and second terminals, each of said first terminals being electrically connected to said second throw of said electrical switch, each of said second terminals being electrically connectable to said second polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery; (h) said first contact of said first single pole single throw electrical relay being electrically connectable to said first polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery, said second contact being electrically connected too said second polarity terminal of said first auxiliary battery; (i) said first electrical contact of said second single pole single throw electrical relay being electrically connected to said first polarity terminal of said first auxiliary battery, said second electrical contact being electrically connected to said second polarity terminal of said second auxiliary battery; (j) said first electrical contact of said third single pole single throw electrical relay being connected to said first polarity terminal of said second auxiliary battery, said second electrical contact being electrically connected to said second polarity terminal of said third auxiliary battery; (k) said first electrical contact of said first pair of contacts of said first double pole single throw electrical relay being electrically connected to said second polarity terminal of said first auxiliary battery, said second electrical contact being electrically connectable to said second polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery; (l) said first electrical contact of said first pair of contacts of said second double pole single throw electrical relay being electrically connected to said second polarity terminal of said second auxiliary battery, said second electrical contact being electrically connectable to said second polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery; (m) said first electrical contact of said first pair of contacts of said third double pole single throw electrical relay being electrically connected to sad second second polarity terminal of said third auxiliary battery, said second electrical contact being electrically connectable to said second polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery; (n) first and second voltage regulators, having respective first and second electrical power terminals, each of said respective first electrical power terminals being electrically connectable to said second polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery, said first voltage regulator having a charging terminal electrically connected to said first polarity terminal of said first auxiliary battery, said second voltage regulator having a charging terminal electrically connected to said first polarity terminal of said third auxiliary battery; (o) said first electrical contact of said second pair of electrical contacts of said first double pole single throw electrical relay being electrically connected to said second electrical power terminal of said first voltage regulator, said second electrical contact being electrically connectable to said first polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery; (p) said first electrical contact of said second pair of electrical contacts of said second double pole single throw electrical relay being electrically connected to said first polarity terminal of said second auxiliary battery, said second electrical contact being electrically connectable to said first polarity terminal of the service vehicle battery; and (q) said first electrical contact of said second pair of electrical contacts of said third double pole single throw electrical relay being electrically connected to said second electrical power terminal of said second voltage regulator, said second electrical contact being electrically connectable to said first polarity terminal.

Claim 10

The system of claim 7, wherein said first and third auxiliary batteries have a nominal design voltage of two volts, and said second auxiliary battery has a nominal design voltage of 12 volts.

Claim 11

A jump starting system for providing auxiliary power in combination with a primary battery to start the engine of a disabled vehicle, the primary battery having multiple cells and only two externally accessible electrical terminals, one of the terminals being of a first polarity and the other of the terminals being of a second and opposite polarity, the disabled vehicle electrical system having a normal design operating voltage and a maximum design operating voltage, the disabled vehicle electrical system designed to include a battery electrically connected to the electrical system, the disabled vehicle battery having a predetermined nominal design voltage, said jump starting system comprising: (a) at least one auxiliary battery having an electrical terminal of a first polarity and having an electrical terminal of a second polarity, the first and second polarities of said auxiliary battery respectively corresponding to the first and second polarities of the primary battery; (b) first means for selectively connected said auxiliary battery in electrical series with the primary battery, the total nominal design voltage across said auxiliary battery and the primary battery while connected in electrical series being less than twice the nominal design voltage of the disabled vehicle battery; (c) second means for electrically charging said auxiliary battery independently of the primary battery; (d) third means for selectively electrically connecting said charging means to a source of electrical power so as to charge electrically said auxiliary battery, said first and third means being mutually exclusive in operation with respect to each other such that essentially either said auxiliary battery is connected in electrical series with the primary battery or said changing means may be electrically connected to a source of electrical power; (e) said auxiliary battery charging means including at least a first and a second electrical power connection configured for connection to a source of electrical power, and an electrical charging connection configured for providing a flow of current, said first electrical power connection being electrically connectable to a first terminal of a source of electrical power and said first polarity electrical charging connection being electrically connected to said terminal of said auxiliary battery; and (f) wherein said first and second means comprise: (i) a single pole double throw electrical switch having a first throw and a second throw, said pole being electrically connectable to said first polarity terminal of the primary battery; (ii) a single pole single throw electrical relay having a pair of normally open contacts, one of said contacts being electrically connectable to said first polarity terminal of the primary battery, the other contact being electrically connected to said second polarity terminal of said auxiliary battery, said electrical relay having an electrical coil with at least two electrical terminals, one of said terminals being electrically connected to said first throw of said electrical switch, the other of said terminals being electrically connectable to said second polarity terminal of the primary battery; (iii) a double pole, single throw electrical relay having a first pair and a second pair of normally open electrical contacts, one of said contacts of said first pair being electrically connected to said second polarity terminal of said auxiliary battery, the other of said contacts of said first pair being electrically connectable to said second polarity terminal of the primary battery, one of said contacts of said second pair being electrically connectable to a second terminal of a source of electrical power the other of said contacts of said second pair being electrically connected too said second electrical power connection of said charging means.

Claim 12

A jump starting system for providing auxiliary power in combination with a primary battery to start the engine of a disabled vehicle, the primary battery having multiple cells and only two externally accessible electrical terminals, one of the terminals being of a first polarity and the other of the terminals being of a second and opposite polarity, the disabled vehicle electrical system having a normal design operating voltage and a maximum design operating voltage, the disabled vehicle electrical system designed to include a battery electrically connected to the electrical system, the disabled vehicle battery having a predetermined nominal design voltage, said jump starting system comprising: (a) at least one auxiliary battery having an electrical terminal of a first polarity and having an electrical terminal of a second polarity, the first and second polarities of said auxiliary battery respectively corresponding to the first and second polarities of the primary battery; (b) first means for selectively connected said auxiliary battery in electrical series with the primary battery, the total nominal design voltage across said auxiliary battery and the primary battery while connected in electrical series being less than twice the nominal design voltage of the disabled vehicle battery; (c) second means for electrically charging said auxiliary battery independently of the primary battery; (d) third means for selectively electrically connecting said charging means to a source of electrical power so as to charge electrically said auxiliary battery, said first and third means being mutually exclusive in operation with respect to each other such that essentially either said auxiliary battery is connected in electrical series with the primary battery or said changing means may be electrically connected to a source of electrical power; (e) said auxiliary battery charging means including at least a first and a second electrical power connection configured for connection to a source of electrical power, and an electrical charging connection configured for providing a flow of current, said first electrical power connection being electrically connectable to a first terminal of a source of electrical power and said first polarity electrical charging connection being electrically connected to said terminal of said auxiliary battery; and (f) wherein said first and second means comprise: (i) a single pole double throw electrical switch having a first throw and a second throw, said pole being electrically connectable to said first polarity terminal of the primary battery; (ii) a single pole single throw electrical relay having a pair of normally open contacts, one of said contacts being electrically connectable to said first polarity terminal of the primary battery, the other contact being electrically connected to said second polarity terminal of said auxiliary battery, said electrical relay having an electrical coil with at least two electrical terminals, one of said terminals being electrically connected to said first throw of said electrical switch, the other of said terminals being electrically connectable to said second polarity terminal of the primary battery; (iii) a double pole, single throw electrical relay having a first pair and a second pair of normally open electrical contacts, one of said contacts of said first pair being electrically connected to said second polarity terminal of said auxiliary battery, the other of said contacts of said first pair being electrically connectable to said second polarity terminal of the primary battery, one of said contacts of said second pair being electrically connectable to a second terminal of a source of electrical power the other of said contacts of said second pair being electrically connected too said second electrical power connection of said charging means.