Patent ID: 6646561
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A method for in-use detecting low cranking strength of a combustion engine battery during engine starting, the engine starting featuring activation and initiation of cranking of the combustion engine crankshaft by energy supplied by the combustion engine battery, the method comprising the steps of:(a) sensing time varying voltage of the battery by a comparator, from initiation of and during the engine starting; (b) comparing said time varying voltage of the battery to a constant reference DC voltage by said comparator, for forming a plurality of output signals of said comparator, from said initiation of and during the engine starting; (c) integrating said plurality of said output signals of said comparator by an integrator, for forming an output signal of said integrator, during the engine starting; (d) determining and responding to said output signal of said integrator by a detector, for forming an output signal of said detector, during the engine starting; (e) determining and responding to said output signal of said detector by an alarm, whereupon according to said determination by said alarm, said response by said alarm is selected from the group consisting of remaining inactive and activating for providing an in-use warning signal of the low cranking strength of the battery to an operator of the combustion engine, at a time selected from the group consisting of during the engine starting and following the engine starting prior to engine turn-off; (f) sensing at least one engine characteristic selected from the group consisting of engine noise and engine vibration, by at least one engine characteristic sensor; (g) measuring said at least one engine characteristic of the engine and comparing said at least one engine characteristic to at least one corresponding pre-determined threshold level of said engine characteristic for distinguishing between engine activation and engine non-activation, said engine non-activation including engine turn-off; (h) performing at least one â€˜ANDâ€™ logic operation on a first signal corresponding to said at least one engine characteristic and on a delayed second signal sent from said detector corresponding to the low cranking strength of the battery; and (i) upon completing a particular â€˜ANDâ€™ logic operation, activating said alarm for providing an additional in-use warning signal of the low cranking strength of the battery following engine turn-off.