Patent ID: 6057666
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: H02J,Y02T

Abstract:
A circuit for controlling the charging of a starting charge energy source in a vehicle and for controlling a supply of charge from a reserve charge energy source in the vehicle, the circuit comprising:a charging circuit in a circuit path between the starting charge energy source and the reserve charge energy source for converting a voltage of the reserve charge energy source to a voltage necessary to fully charge the starting charge energy source;a controller operably connected to sense the level of charge on starting charge energy source and on the reserve charge energy source, said controller enabling and disabling the charging circuit to connect and disconnect the starting charge energy source to the charging circuit in response to the level of voltage on the starting charge energy source, in response to the level of voltage on the reserve charge energy source, and in response to an on-off state of a vehicle engine; anda switchable device connected in the circuit path from the starting charge energy source to the reserve charge energy source, said switchable device being switchable to disconnect the starting charge energy source from the charging circuit and to connect the starting charge energy source to the reserve charge energy source and an alternator.