Patent ID: 6515456
Filing Date: 2003-02-04
Classification: H02J

Abstract:
A battery recharging and maintenance system comprising:(a) a battery connected for (i) supplying energy to electrical load apparatus, and (ii) receiving recharging energy from an alternator; (b) an alternator connected to drive means for producing electrical energy and connected to supply electrical energy to said electrical load apparatus and to said battery; (c) voltage regulator means connected to said alternator and adapted to control said alternator so as to vary the magnitude of the voltage output of said alternator as a function of a control signal applied to said voltage regulator means; (d) voltage regulator control means adapted to produce a control signal and being connected to control said voltage regulator means to thereby vary said voltage output of said alternator and thus vary the charging current of said battery, said voltage regulator control means comprising means monitoring battery voltage including means for monitoring said battery's open circuit voltage (OCV) following an extended period of inactivity of said drive means, said OCV being applied to processing means to provide an estimate of state of charge (SOC) of said battery before each resumption of activity of said drive means.