US6177737B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle electrical power back-up circuit and method
Assignee: GRESS GARY J
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Filing: 1997-12-17
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Granted: 2001-01-23
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Expires: 2017-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle electrical back-up circuit and method. Vehicle electrical devices normally receive the power required for their operation from a vehicle electrical system at a first voltage. An auxiliary storage battery is provided at a second, lower voltage. Preferably, charge is maintained in the battery by a charging circuit powered by the vehicle electrical system. A voltage booster circuit boosts the second voltage of the auxiliary storage battery back to the first voltage, providing auxiliary electrical power available for operating the electrical devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul B. Palfey
- 👤 Gary J. Gress
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:30
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
An electrical power back-up circuit for providing back-up power to a vehicle electrical device adapted for receiving the power required for its operation from a vehicle electrical system at a first, primary voltage, comprising: a storage module adapted for storing electrical energy at a second, storage voltage which is substantially lower than the first voltage, and releasing said electrical energy over a period of time at said second voltage to provide electrical power at said second voltage; and a booster module adapted for receiving at least a portion of said electrical power provided by said storage module at said second voltage, boosting the voltage thereof from said second voltage to about the first voltage, and then providing the boosted voltage to the vehicle electrical device as auxiliary power available for its operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
An electrical power back-up circuit for providing back-up power to a vehicle electrical device adapted for receiving the power required for its operation from a vehicle electrical system at a first, primary voltage, comprising: a storage module adapted for storing electrical energy at a second, storage voltage which is substantially lower than the first voltage, and releasing said electrical energy over a period of time at said second voltage to provide electrical power at said second voltage; and a booster module adapted for receiving at least a portion of said electrical power provided by said storage module at said second voltage, boosting the voltage thereof from said second voltage to about the first voltage, and then providing the boosted voltage to the vehicle electrical device as auxiliary power available for its operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first, primary voltage is about 12 volts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
162 words
An electrical power back-up circuit for providing back-up power to a vehicle electrical device adapted for receiving the power required for its operation from a vehicle electrical system at a first, primary voltage, comprising a storage module adapted for storing electrical energy at a second, storage voltage which is substantially lower than the first voltage, and releasing said electrical energy over a period of time at said second voltage to provide electrical power at said second voltage, and a booster module adapted for receiving at least a portion of said electrical power provided by said storage module at said second voltage, boosting the voltage thereof from said second voltage to about the first voltage, and then providing the boosted voltage to the vehicle electrical device as auxiliary power available for its operation, wherein said storage module is further adapted for receiving at least a portion of said electrical energy from the power supplied by the vehicle electrical system at the first voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
162 words
An electrical power back-up circuit for providing back-up power to a vehicle electrical device adapted for receiving the power required for its operation from a vehicle electrical system at a first, primary voltage, comprising a storage module adapted for storing electrical energy at a second, storage voltage which is substantially lower than the first voltage, and releasing said electrical energy over a period of time at said second voltage to provide electrical power at said second voltage, and a booster module adapted for receiving at least a portion of said electrical power provided by said storage module at said second voltage, boosting the voltage thereof from said second voltage to about the first voltage, and then providing the boosted voltage to the vehicle electrical device as auxiliary power available for its operation, wherein said storage module is further adapted for receiving at least a portion of said electrical energy from the power supplied by the vehicle electrical system at the first voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the first, primary voltage is about 12 volts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
The electrical power back-up circuit of claim 3 , further comprising a charging module adapted for receiving electrical power from the vehicle electrical system at the first voltage and producing electrical power at about said second voltage, and for providing said electrical power to said storage module, wherein said storage module is further adapted for receiving at least a portion of said electrical energy from the power produced by said charging module.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrical power back-up circuit of claim 5 , further comprising an isolating element for electrically isolating said booster module from said charging module.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the first, primary voltage is about 12 volts.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for providing back-up power to a vehicle electrical device adapted for receiving the power required for its operation from a vehicle electrical system at a first, primary voltage, comprising the steps of: storing electrical energy at a second, storage voltage which is substantially lower than the first voltage; releasing said electrical energy over a period of time at said second voltage to provide electrical power at said second voltage; boosting the voltage of said electrical power from said second voltage to about the first voltage; and providing the boosted voltage to the vehicle electrical device as auxiliary power available for its operation.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for providing back-up power to a vehicle electrical device adapted for receiving the power required for its operation from a vehicle electrical system at a first, primary voltage, comprising the steps of: storing electrical energy at a second, storage voltage which is substantially lower than the first voltage; releasing said electrical energy over a period of time at said second voltage to provide electrical power at said second voltage; boosting the voltage of said electrical power from said second voltage to about the first voltage; and providing the boosted voltage to the vehicle electrical device as auxiliary power available for its operation.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for providing back-up power to a vehicle electrical device adapted for receiving the power required for its operation from a vehicle electrical system at a first, primary voltage, comprising the steps of storing electrical energy at a second, storage voltage which is substantially lower than the first voltage, releasing said electrical energy over a period of time at said second voltage to provide electrical power at said second voltage, boosting the voltage of said electrical power from said second voltage to about the first voltage, providing the boosted voltage to the vehicle electrical device as auxiliary power available for its operation, and receiving at least a portion of said electrical energy from the power supplied by the vehicle electrical system at the first voltage.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for providing back-up power to a vehicle electrical device adapted for receiving the power required for its operation from a vehicle electrical system at a first, primary voltage, comprising the steps of storing electrical energy at a second, storage voltage which is substantially lower than the first voltage, releasing said electrical energy over a period of time at said second voltage to provide electrical power at said second voltage, boosting the voltage of said electrical power from said second voltage to about the first voltage, providing the boosted voltage to the vehicle electrical device as auxiliary power available for its operation, and receiving at least a portion of said electrical energy from the power supplied by the vehicle electrical system at the first voltage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 9 , further comprising receiving electrical power from the vehicle electrical system at the first voltage, and producing electrical power at about said second voltage, wherein said receiving at least a portion of said electrical energy from the power supplied by the vehicle electrical system comprises receiving at least a portion of said electrical energy from the power produced by said charging module.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-23 | 2004-07-24 | 2005-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-23 | 2008-07-24 | 2009-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-23 | 2012-07-24 | 2013-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |