Patent ID: 6690140
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: H02J,Y02T

Abstract:
A vehicle electrical system, comprising:an alternator; a plurality of subsidiary electrical systems operating at different voltage levels coupled to the alternator for energization, at least two of the subsidiary electrical systems, each subsidiary electrical system having a voltage regulator isolating the voltage levels on said subsidiary electrical system from the other subsidiary electrical system; one of said at least two subsidiary electrical systems being a battery charging system with the voltage regulator for the battery chaining system being a controllable voltage regulator coupled to the alternator for energization; a battery in the battery charging system connected to the controllable voltage regulator for receiving charging current; a battery temperature sensor providing measurement signals of battery temperature; a current sensor coupled to a terminal of the battery for providing signals relating to current drawn and supplied to the battery; and a body controller computer connected to receive the measurement signals of battery temperature and the signals relating to current drawn and supplied to the battery and responsive thereto for generating a control signal for regulating the output voltage of the battery charging current provided by the controllable voltage regulator.