Patent ID: 6646845
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: H02J

Abstract:
A battery protection system for a battery, comprising:an electronic switching device comprising a plurality of electronic switches positioned intermediate to a positive terminal of a battery and an electrical load; a controller for manipulating said electronic switching device between an open circuit position and a closed circuit position, said closed circuit position connecting said electrical load to said battery and said open circuit position disconnecting said electrical load from said battery; a detection system, said detection system instructs said controller to manipulate said electronic switching device into said open circuit position when said detection system detects a battery charge that is lower than a threshold value, said threshold value is a charge sufficient enough to provide cranking power to an automobile engine; a short-circuit detection system being capable of detecting a short-circuit situation within said electrical load of said battery, said short-circuit detection system instructs said controller to manipulate said electronic switching device into said open circuit position when said short-circuit detection system detects said short-circuit; a manual override switch for completely disconnecting said battery from any electrical load; a bypass circuit being adapted to allow a bypass current to flow from the battery when said electronic switching device is in said open circuit position, said bypass current being incapable of supplying a starting voltage to an engine of a vehicle into which the battery is installed; a vehicle status detection system, said vehicle status detection system instructs said controller to manipulate said electronic switching device into said closed circuit position when a battery re-connect condition is detected in said bypass current by said vehicle status detection system; and a controller bypass system, said controller bypass system prevents said controller from manipulating said electronic switching device into said open circuit position when a critical vehicle system is in operation.