Patent ID: 6271642
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: G08B,H02J,Y02T

Abstract:
In a vehicle having an electric motor for starting an engine, an alternator driven by the engine to generate electricity, and vehicle loads, a battery system comprising:a first battery for selectively powering the electric motor to start the engine, the first battery having a first charge level;a second battery to operate and maintain the vehicle loads, the second battery being connected to the alternator and having a second charge level;a charging switch in a first circuit path between the first battery and the second battery and the alternator, the charging switch connecting the first battery to the second battery and the alternator;a charge maintenance device in a second circuit path between the first battery and the second battery and the alternator for charging the first battery to a predefined level; anda controller coupled to the first battery to monitor the first charge level and coupled to the second battery to monitor the second charge level, the controller enabling and disabling the charge maintenance device in response to the first charge level, and the controller opening and closing the charging switch in response to the second charge level.