With Electric Generating Means Patents (Class 123/179.28)
  • Patent number: 7004136
    Abstract: The system includes at least one transmission belt operable to couple the drive shafts of auxiliary devices with a pulley operatively connectable to the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, and a servo controlled clutch operable selectively to control the coupling of the pulley with the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. Between the pulley and the crankshaft of the engine is interposed an overrun clutch such that when the angular velocity of the crankshaft is greater than and, respectively, less than that of the pulley, the pulley is able to be driven in rotation by the crankshaft and, respectively, becomes freely rotatable with respect to this crankshaft. The servo controlled clutch is normally de energised and disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile Per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Garabello, Domenico Mesiti, Dario Caenazzo
  • Patent number: 6988475
    Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine coupled with a cranking motor, which is coupled with an electrical battery, includes connecting a capacitor with an electrical system of another engine or battery, wherein the capacitor is disconnected from the cranking motor coupled with the first engine, and charging the capacitor with the electrical system of the other engine or battery. The method further includes connecting the capacitor with the cranking motor coupled with the first engine, at a time when the first battery has insufficient charge to start the first engine, and starting the first engine with the cranking motor and the capacitor. A portable rapid-delivery power supply apparatus for providing a supplementary source of power to an electrical system includes a capacitor having connectors adapted to be connected to the electrical system and a charging device coupled to the capacitor, wherein the charger is powered by alternating current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Kold Ban International, Ltd.
    Inventor: James O. Burke
  • Patent number: 6957636
    Abstract: A starter/battery charger, which is coupled to an internal-combustion engine, operates as a starting motor for starting the engine and also operates as a charging generator for charging a battery after the engine has been started. Control unit controls the rotation speed of the engine by performing a driving control and a braking control on the starter/battery charger. The control unit carries out a judgement that a self-ignition state has been established in the engine depends on one of the rotation speed of the engine and a variation rate of the rotation speed has exceeded a prescribed value. The control unit switchs from the driving control to the braking control upon the judgement, thereby preventing the overshoot in the rotation speed of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaru Kuribayashi, Yoshihito Asao
  • Patent number: 6935202
    Abstract: An inertia-drive starter is proposed, in the case of which a relay is not required to engage the pinion in the flywheel ring gear (47) of an internal combustion engine. With this starter, a pushing-forward of the driven shaft (33) to engage a pinion (45) in the flywheel ring gear (47) is brought about by means of a pole tube (9) located on the stator (5) of the starter motor (5, 7), which said pole tube executes a turning motion around the motor axis when the starter motor (5, 7) is energized. Means (55, 63, 77, 79) are provided that convert the turning motion of the pole tube (9) directly into an axial motion acting on the driven shaft (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Siems, Ingo Richter, Sven Hartmann, Hans Braun, Juergen Kugler
  • Patent number: 6910453
    Abstract: A starting motor 5 of an internal combustion engine 1 drives an input/output pulley 10 through a belt 11. Auxiliary machinery 6, 7 and 8 is driven by the engine 1 though the belt 11 while the engine is in operation. The starting motor 5 drives the auxiliary machinery 6, 7 and 8 through the belt 11 while the engine is in standstill. A speed change mechanism 41 transmits rotation of the starting motor 5 at a high gear ratio to the engine to start the same, and transmits rotation of an engine output shaft 2 at a lower gear ratio to the motor 5 to make the motor 5 generate power while the engine is in operation. The speed change mechanism 41 overlaps the pulley 10 at least partially axially of the output shaft 2. The pulley 10 defines an oil chamber 39 for containing lubricate oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soichi Sugino, Tsukasa Takahashi, Yorinori Kumagai
  • Patent number: 6889645
    Abstract: A method for starting a hybrid drive having a battery, an internal combustion engine, and at least two electric machines, at least one being used to start the internal combustion engine. Reliable starting even at very low temperatures by bringing at least one of the electric machines to a specified or specifiable rotational speed in a state that is uncoupled from the internal combustion engine at the beginning of a starting phase, while electric power is supplied from the battery, and the electric machine is subsequently switched to generator operation; the electric power generated in generator operation is supplied to at least one further one of the electric machines which then starts the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Tumback, Dieter Hoetzer
  • Patent number: 6840203
    Abstract: Engine starting performance is enhanced by a brushless motor having no rotor position detecting sensor. In the first place an engine is rotated forward and then is reversely rotated to overcome a high load region of the engine. Then, the engine is accelerated and rotated forward and started. In a light load region of the engine, the engine is immediately accelerated and normally rotated. It is judged whether the region of the engine is the high load region or light load region based on the rotation speed when the starting operation is started. After the starting operation is started, if the forward rotation speed reaches a first speed, and a second speed which is higher than the first speed is obtained even after predetermined time is elapsed, an immediate starting-judging section 36 outputs a detection signal to a starting/normal rotation control section 37.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Toshinori Inagawa
  • Publication number: 20040261743
    Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine coupled with a cranking motor, which is coupled with an electrical battery, includes connecting a capacitor with an electrical system of another engine or battery, wherein the capacitor is disconnected from the cranking motor coupled with the first engine, and charging the capacitor with the electrical system of the other engine or battery. The method further includes connecting the capacitor with the cranking motor coupled with the first engine, at a time when the first battery has insufficient charge to start the first engine, and starting the first engine with the cranking motor and the capacitor. A portable rapid-delivery power supply apparatus for providing a supplementary source of power to an electrical system includes a capacitor having connectors adapted to be connected to the electrical system and a charging device coupled to the capacitor, wherein the charger is powered by alternating current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Gordon L. Kelling, James O. Burke
  • Patent number: 6834632
    Abstract: A stop and start control apparatus of an internal combustion engine prevents fuel supplied in a specific cylinder at the time of stopping the engine from being discharged in an unburned state. When an ignition switch is turned off in a state that the unburned fuel is sealed in the combustion chamber of a specific cylinder during idling stop, the unburned fuel is combusted to prevent the unburned fuel from being discharged. The vibration occurring at that time can be suppressed by rotating the motor generator in the counter direction to the rotation direction of the crankshaft. After the unburned fuel is sealed in the combustion chamber of the specific cylinder, if it is estimated that the unburned fuel is discharged, the exhaust valve corresponding to the specific cylinder is closed at the predetermined timing, or the unburned fuel is combusted, whereby the unburned fuel is prevented from being discharged. Thus, deterioration of emission can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Kataoka, Yasushi Kusaka
  • Publication number: 20040173174
    Abstract: An automotive internal combustion engine control system drives auxiliary machinery by a starting motor while an internal combustion engine is at a standstill and efficiently regenerates energy by operating the starting motor as a power generator while the internal combustion engine is in operation. The output of the starting motor 5 capable of operating as a power generator is transmitted to an input/output pulley 10 mounted on the output shaft of the internal combustion engine 1 by an endless transmission belt 11 to start the internal combustion engine 1. The output of the engine is transmitted to auxiliary machinery 6, 7 and 8 by the endless transmission belt 11 while the internal combustion engine 1 is in operation. The output of the starting motor 5 is transmitted to the auxiliary machinery 6, 7 and 8 by the endless transmission belt 11 while the engine is in an intentional standstill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soichi Sugino, Tsukasa Takahashi, Yorinori Kumagai
  • Publication number: 20040112320
    Abstract: A starter-generator (ISG) is mechanically connected to an internal combustion engine (BKM), comprises a bi-directional AC/DC converter (1), and can be connected to an accumulator (B1) by means of a first switch (S1), and connected to a double layer capacitor (DLC) by means of a second switch (S2). The accumulator (B1) is either connected to the double layer capacitor (DLC) by means of a control circuit (PWM), or the accumulator (B1) and the double layer capacitor (DLC) are connected to a bidirectional DC/DC converter (3) and to a second accumulator (B2) by means of a third switch (S3) and a fourth switch (S4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Stephan Bolz, Rainer Knorr
  • Patent number: 6727599
    Abstract: The invention relates to a generator system for a motor vehicle, which comprises an asynchronous generator and a converter. The converter serves for the production of converter output voltages from a direct current source, which form a three-phase system which, inside the machine, produce a rotating field suitable for the generator function for the formation of rotating fields suitable for the generator function. The converter output voltages thereby have a frequency—referred to in the following as a CO frequency—which is changeable in dependence on the range of rotational speed of the generator. The voltage curve of the converter output voltages can be broken down into a primary component with a sinusoidal voltage curve of the CO frequency and into at least one additional secondary component with a sinusoidal voltage curve with an odd-numbered multiple of the CO frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Continental Isad GmbH & Co. oHG
    Inventor: Günter Schlangen
  • Patent number: 6718927
    Abstract: Two low-voltage energy storage devices (B1 and B2) are provided in an arrangement that ensures, on the one hand, a high start power in the vehicle electrical system, resulting from being connected to a higher-level voltage, for a starter generator (SG) that is coupled to an internal combustion engine. The arrangement additionally ensures, on the other hand, full compatibility with low-voltage vehicle electrical system consumers (VB). The arrangement allows the two low-voltage energy storage devices (B1 and B2), either separately or when connected in parallel, to supply the vehicle electrical system consumers (VB) with a low voltage. In addition, the arrangement allows the two low-voltage energy storage devices (B1 and B2), when connected in series, to provide the high start power with increased voltage and correspondingly reduced current intensity at least for a cold start of the starter generator (SG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Goetze, Hans-Peter Johanning
  • Patent number: 6718931
    Abstract: A recoil starter has a starter case provided around a starter shaft. A one-way clutch mechanism is formed between one end of the starter shaft and an engine. A reel is mounted rotatably on the starter shaft and a rope is wound in a groove of the reel. A first spiral spring has its ends fixed respectively to the starter case and reel and urges the reel in the direction in which the rope is taken up. A second spiral spring has its ends fixed respectively to the reel and transmits a rotational force of the reel to the starter shaft when the rope is drawn out. The peak load at the engine starting time is absorbed in the second spiral spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Starting Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinori Morishige, Shuhei Tsunoda, Seiichi Nieda
  • Publication number: 20040051320
    Abstract: The invention discloses an actuator (1) that can be used as a clutch actuator/starter, as a clutch actuator/generator, or as a clutch actuator/starter/generator. Consequently, an actuator that is embodied as an auxiliary unit can perform several functions for the motor (12), thus permitting the number of parts, the amount of space required, and the weight of the motor to be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Christoph Woernle
  • Publication number: 20040041402
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to create a simple and especially axially compact way of assembling a drive device comprising an internal combustion engine (1), a starter-generator (2), and an automatic gearbox (3, 4) situated on the output end and having an upstream torque converter (3) which is connected to the crankshaft (1.1) of the internal combustion engine (1) by means of a flexible disc (5). To this end, the starter-generator (2) is arranged on the axial side of the torque converter (3), opposite the internal combustion engine (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: Uwe Dehrmann
  • Patent number: 6695082
    Abstract: A vehicle having a transmission for transmitting a torque from a drive machine to drive wheels, with the transmission having a transmission output shaft and a transmission input shaft, in which the torque can be transmitted from the drive machine to the transmission output shaft, and having an electrical machine which has a rotor and a stator, with means being provided in order to connect the electric-motor torque of the electrical machine optionally to the transmission input shaft or to the transmission output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Otmar Bitsche, Karl-Ernst Noreikat, Tobias Ostertag, Alfons Rennefeld, Wolfgang Schwienbacher, Sven Stephan, Lars Weinschenker
  • Patent number: 6688270
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for preventing overrun of an engine starter with high reliability by detecting accurately a state in which an engine operation has been started on the basis of a starter supply voltage to thereby protect the engine starter from excessive load and burnout while sparing extra interconnection or wiring for the starter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motoi Hisamoto, Katsuyuki Sumimoto
  • Patent number: 6681736
    Abstract: A starter protective device is provided which is capable of accurately determining the commencement of overrunning (i.e., timing of the commencement of starting of an engine) even in the presence of variations in the cycle of fluctuations in a battery voltage, noise and so on, thereby to prevent a starter from being overrun after starting of an engine in a reliable manner. The starter protective device includes an overrunning determination section 15 for determining when the starter motor 4 commences overrunning; and a starter motor cut-off section for interrupting the main contactor 3 when it is determined that the starter motor 4 commences overrunning. The overrunning determination section 15 detects a change over time of the battery voltage BV after the starter switch 2 has been turned on, and determines that the starter motor 4 commences overrunning when the battery voltage VB remains unchanged without any increase or decrease over a predetermined time T.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Sumimoto, Keiichi Komurasaki
  • Publication number: 20040011316
    Abstract: A method is described for starting a hybrid drive having a battery (1), an internal combustion engine (9), and at least two electric machines (5, 8), at least one being used to start the internal combustion engine (9). Reliable starting even at very low temperatures is achieved by bringing at least one of the electric machines (5) to a specified or specifiable rotational speed in a state that is uncoupled from the internal combustion engine (9) at the beginning of a starting phase, while electric power is supplied from the battery (1), and the electric machine is subsequently switched to generator operation; the electric power generated in generator operation is supplied to at least one further one of the electric machines (8) which then starts the internal combustion engine (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Stefan Tumback, Dieter Hoetzer
  • Patent number: 6679212
    Abstract: A remote vehicle starter with a capacitor for starting a vehicle by electrically connecting the vehicle starter directly or via the vehicle battery. The vehicle starter capacitor may be connected to a power source during a starting procedure, thereby remaining in a charged state and more effectively starting the vehicle. Optional circuitry, e.g., activating lights and a buzzer, may be present to warn the operator that incorrect vehicular and capacitive polarities have been mated, before the capacitor is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Goodall Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Gordon L. Kelling
  • Patent number: 6668781
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric starter for an internal combustion engine, having a thermal monitoring protector (4) for turning the starter (1) off when its limit operating temperature is reached. The starter is characterized by a device (5) for ascertaining a virtual operating temperature (TV); the device (5) ascertains the virtual operating temperature (TV) as a function of at least one operating parameter that affects the operating temperature of the starter (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Seils, Manfred Ackermann
  • Patent number: 6615785
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an arrangement for controlling the rpm of a drive unit. During run-up of the engine to idle after start, a desired rpm is pregiven and an actual rpm is detected for forming the course of rpm. An electric machine is driven in dependence upon the deviation between the desired rpm and the actual rpm. With respect to the engine, the electric machine outputs braking and driving torques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Ruediger Weiss
  • Patent number: 6561336
    Abstract: The invention concerns a friction clutch comprising a flywheel (3) with a front end designed to be fixed to a motor vehicle crankshaft (11) and a rear end in the form of a reaction plate (4) with a central recess (39) externally defined by a friction surface and a friction disc coupled with a central hub designed to be interlocked in rotation with the input shaft of a movement gear box comprising a clutch housing, the flywheel (13) bearing between its front and rear ends the rotor (6) of a rotating electric machine (2) comprising a fixed stator borne internally by a strut designed to be interlocked with at least one of the vehicle engine-clutch housing (14) block (62). The invention is applicable to a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur
    Inventors: David Huart, Michel Graton, Cédric Plasse, Roger Abadia, Fabrice Tauvron, Pierre Faverolle, Dokou Antoine Akemakou, Gilles Lebas
  • Publication number: 20030075134
    Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine coupled with a cranking motor, which is coupled with an electrical battery, includes connecting a capacitor with an electrical system of another engine or battery, wherein the capacitor is disconnected from the cranking motor coupled with the first engine, and charging the capacitor with the electrical system of the other engine or battery. The method further includes connecting the capacitor with the cranking motor coupled with the first engine, at a time when the first battery has insufficient charge to start the first engine, and starting the first engine with the cranking motor and the capacitor. A portable rapid-delivery power supply apparatus for providing a supplementary source of power to an electrical system includes a capacitor having connectors adapted to be connected to the electrical system and a charging device coupled to the capacitor, wherein the charger is powered by alternating current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: Kold Ban International, Ltd.
    Inventor: James O. Burke
  • Patent number: 6484596
    Abstract: The invention relates to a crankshaft starter-generator for an internal combustion engine wherein the starter-generator is drive-coupled to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine and serves both as the starter and the generator. A stator of the starter-generator is coupled with torsional strength to a motor block of the internal combustion engine. A rotor of the starter-generator is drive-coupled with the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. A carrier is arranged coaxially with respect to the crankshaft and drive-coupled thereto. The rotor is drive-coupled to the carrier. The rotor and the carrier are arranged coaxially with respect to each other and are coupled to one another with torsional strength. Furthermore, the stator is arranged on the inside, and the rotor is arranged on the outside of the starter-generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Kontec GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Puchas
  • Publication number: 20020152981
    Abstract: Two low-voltage energy storage devices (B1 and B2) are provided in an arrangement that ensures, on the one hand, a high start power in the vehicle electrical system, resulting from being connected to a higher-level voltage, for a starter generator (SG) that is coupled to an internal combustion engine. The arrangement additionally ensures, on the other hand, full compatibility with low-voltage vehicle electrical system consumers (VB). The arrangement allows the two low-voltage energy storage devices (B1 and B2), either separately or when connected in parallel, to supply the vehicle electrical system consumers (VB) with a low voltage. In addition, the arrangement allows the two low-voltage energy storage devices (B1 and B2), when connected in series, to provide the high start power with increased voltage and correspondingly reduced current intensity at least for a cold start of the starter generator (SG).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: SIEMENS AG
    Inventors: Thomas Goetze, Hans-Peter Johanning
  • Patent number: 6459166
    Abstract: The invention provides a warm-up control device of a hybrid electric vehicle, which warms up an engine for generator while extending the life of the engine and improves the quietness. If an engine temperature is not greater than a set temperature after the start of the engine for generator, the warm-up control device controls a load of the generator and controls an engine output in accordance with the load of the generator so as to maintain an engine revolution speed at a predetermined low revolution speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yanase, Makoto Ogata
  • Patent number: 6453864
    Abstract: A method of controlling engine crankshaft motion in a hybrid electric drive system having an internal combustion engine and a motor-generator operatively connected to a crankshaft of the engine is disclosed. The steps include monitoring the crankshaft position, forecasting a crankshaft stall position; comparing the forecast stall position with a target range; and if the forecast crankshaft stall position is outside the target range, operating the motor-generator to modify the forecast stall position to be within the target range. These steps properly position the crankshaft for re-initiating engine start-up. The method further includes the steps of calculating an effective lube interval time once the crankshaft speed is zero; comparing the effective lube interval time to a critical time; and if the effective lube interval time is greater than the critical time, pulsing the motor-generator to rock the crankshaft for a pulse time to redistribute a lubricant film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Charles Downs, Goro Tamai, Tony T. Hoang, Dennis T. Richey
  • Patent number: 6418899
    Abstract: An electric drive arrangement for internal combustion engines in motor vehicles having an electric starter coupled to the internal combustion engine, and an electric generator drive connected with the internal combustion engine. The arrangement is connected to a supply battery via a semiconductor circuit arrangement, which determines the operation of the generator either in a generator mode or a motor mode. An electronic control device is used for controlling the starting operation of the internal combustion engine as a function of the signal of at least one temperature sensor with the aid of the generator operated as a motor, either alone or together with the starter. This arrangement makes it possible to achieve quicker and more comfortable starting operations in combination with lower pollutant emissions. The starting operations can be carried out reliably even at very low temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Roland Bluemel, Hermann Bosch, Anton Heni
  • Patent number: 6420793
    Abstract: A method of energizing a combined starter/alternator to start an engine in a vehicle including a primary energy storage device and a secondary energy storage device. The method includes the steps of monitoring a charge value on the secondary energy storage device, and activating a converter switching circuit to charge the secondary energy storage device with the primary energy storage device until the charge value is greater than a maximum charge value. Thereafter, an inverter switching circuit is activated to energize the starter/alternator with the power available in the primary and secondary energy storage devices. The starter/alternator is activated as a starter motor until the engine starts or the charge on the secondary energy storage device falls below a mininum charge value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan Roy Gale, Michael W Degner, Michael Alan Tamor
  • Patent number: 6371067
    Abstract: A starter circuit provides capacitor-assisted energization of a vehicle's starter motor and prevents damage to capacitors in the circuit. The circuit includes a battery, a capacitor pack and a power control switch in the line connecting the pack to the motor and battery. The starter circuit includes a regulator for limiting current flow from the battery to the pack to a selected rate, the regulator being connected between the battery and the pack in parallel with the power control switch. A regulator switch is between the regulator and the capacitor pack. The starter circuit has a control circuit for selectively opening and closing the switches in response to a voltage level of the pack. The control circuit detects the voltage level of the pack, opens the power control switch when the voltage level falls below a predetermined threshold and simultaneously closes the regulator switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: John J. Schmitz, A. David Stormer, Kenneth J. Libby
  • Publication number: 20010025618
    Abstract: A remote vehicle starter with a capacitor for starting a vehicle by electrically connecting the vehicle starter directly or via the vehicle battery. The vehicle starter capacitor may be connected to a power source during a starting procedure, thereby remaining in a charged state and more effectively starting the vehicle. Optional circuitry, e.g., activating lights and a buzzer, may be present to warn the operator that incorrect vehicular and capacitive polarities have been mated, before the capacitor is discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: Gordon L. Kelling
  • Patent number: 6293839
    Abstract: An engine E is received vertically in an engine room 36 covered by an engine cover 4, and a generator 62 is arranged in a position above a front end of a crankcase 7 of the engine E and facing an opening 101 formed at a front of belt covers 10, 11. An air flowing from an air intake port 41 formed at a rear, upper portion of the engine cover 4, toward an intake opening 791, of an intake silencer 76 provided at a front, lower end of the engine room 36 cools the generator 62 disposed in a path of flow. A part of air in the engine room 36 is introduced into an interior of the belt covers 10, 11 through the opening 101 to be discharged outside from a ventilation port 751, and at that time the generator 62 is cooled by the air which passes through the opening 101.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Tsunoda, Hiroki Tawa