Power module for motor vehicles
A power module is connected to the starter, and generator of a motor vehicle. The power module is housed in a casing made of an insulative material. The power module includes a capacitor and an isolation circuit. The capacitor is connected to the starter when the ignition switch is closed to provide cranking current to the starter. The isolation circuit allows current to flow from the battery to the capacitor, but prevents current flow in the opposite direction. The capacitor is quickly recharged when the engine reaches an increased speed. Therefore, the capacitor is available to provide cranking current to a vehicle even when the vehicle repeatedly stops and starts over a short period of time.
1 . A power module for use in conjunction with an automotive starter, the power module comprising:
an electrically conductive isolation device, said electrically conductive isolation device comprising a first connection point and a second connection point, wherein flow of electric current from said first connection point to said second connection point is permitted, and flow of electric current from said second connection point to said first connection point is resisted;
means for storing an electric charge, said means for storing an electric charge comprising a positive lead and a negative lead, said means for storing an electric charge having a capacitance of less than 321 farads, said positive lead electrically connected to said second connection point of said electrically conductive isolation device;
means for electrically connecting said positive lead to an external electric load;
means for electrically connecting said negative lead to ground; and
means for electrically connecting said first connection point of said electrically conductive isolation device to a positive terminal of an external DC voltage source.
2 . The power module of claim 1 , wherein said electrically conductive isolation device comprises a diode.
3 . The power module of claim 1 , wherein said electrically conductive isolation device comprises an arrangement of electrically interconnected active components.
4 . The power module of claim 1 , wherein said means for storing an electric charge comprises at least one electric double layer capacitor.
5 . An automotive electrical system comprising:
a starter motor;
a generator;
a battery, said battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, said positive terminal electrically connected to said generator;
an electrically conductive isolation device, said electrically conductive isolation device comprising a first connection point and a second connection point, wherein flow of electric current from said first connection point to said second connection point is permitted, and flow of electric current from said second connection point to said first connection point is resisted, said first connection point of said electrically conductive isolation device electrically connected to said positive terminal of said battery, said first connection point of said electrically conductive isolation device electrically connected to said generator;
means for storing an electric charge, said means for storing an electric charge comprising a positive lead and a negative lead, said means for storing an electric charge having a capacitance of less than 321 farads, said positive lead electrically connected to said second connection point of said electrically conductive isolation device, said negative lead electrically connected to ground; and
means for electrically connecting said positive lead to said starter motor.
6 . The automotive electrical system of claim 5 , wherein said electrically conductive isolation device comprises a diode.
7 . The automotive electrical system of claim 5 , wherein said electrically conductive isolation device comprises an arrangement of electrically interconnected active components.
8 . The automotive electrical system of claim 5 , wherein said means for storing an electric charge comprises at least one electric double layer capacitor.
9 . A power module for use in conjunction with an automotive starter, the power module comprising:
means for storing an electric charge, said means for storing an electric charge comprising a positive lead and a negative lead, said negative lead electrically connected to ground; and
a rechargeable DC voltage source comprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal, said negative terminal electrically connected to said negative lead, said rechargeable DC voltage source connected in parallel with said means for storing an electric charge,
wherein said means for storing an electric charge and said rechargeable DC voltage source are contained in unitary package.
10 . The power module of claim 9 , wherein said rechargeable DC voltage source comprises a deep cycle battery.
11 . The power module of claim 9 , wherein said unitary package is sized to correspond to dimensions prescribed in a Battery Council International group number specification.
12 . The power module of claim 9 , wherein said means for storing an electric charge comprises at least one electric double layer capacitor.
13 . The power module of claim 9 , further comprising, within said unitary package:
means for charging said rechargeable DC voltage source, said means for charging said rechargeable DC voltage source electrically connected to said rechargeable DC voltage source.
14 . A power module for use in conjunction with an automotive starter, the power module comprising:
means for storing an electric charge, said means for storing an electric charge comprising a positive lead and a negative lead, said negative lead electrically connected to ground;
a rechargeable DC voltage source comprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal, said negative terminal electrically connected to said negative lead; and
an electrically conductive isolation device, said electrically conductive isolation device comprising a first connection point and a second connection point, wherein flow of electric current from said first connection point to said second connection point is permitted, and flow of electric current from said second connection point to said first connection point is resisted, said first connection point electrically connected to said positive terminal, said second connection point electrically connected to said positive lead,
wherein said means for storing an electric charge, said electrically conductive isolation device, and said rechargeable DC voltage source are contained in unitary package.
15 . The power module of claim 14 , wherein said unitary package is sized to correspond to the dimensions prescribed in a Battery Council International group number specification.
16 . The power module of claim 14 , further comprising:
means for charging said rechargeable DC voltage source, said means for charging said rechargeable DC voltage source electrically connected to said rechargeable DC voltage source.
17 . The power module of claim 14 , further comprising:
a voltage booster connected in parallel with said electrically conductive isolation device.
18 . The power module of claim 14 , wherein said electrically conductive isolation device comprises a diode.
19 . The power module of claim 14 , wherein said electrically conductive isolation device comprises an arrangement of electrically interconnected active components.
20 . The power module of claim 14 , wherein said means for storing an electric charge comprises at least one electric double layer capacitor.
21 . The power module of claim 14 , wherein said rechargeable DC voltage source comprises a deep cycle battery.
22 . An automotive electrical system comprising:
a starter motor;
a generator; and
a unitary power module, said unitary power module comprising:
(i) an electrically conductive isolation device, said electrically conductive isolation device comprising a first connection point and a second connection point, wherein flow of electric current from said first connection point to said second connection point is permitted, and flow of electric current from said second connection point to said first connection point is resisted, said first connection point of said electrically conductive isolation device electrically connected to said generator,
(ii) means for storing an electric charge, said means for storing an electric charge comprising a positive lead and a negative lead, said positive lead electrically connected to said second connection point of said electrically conductive isolation device, said negative lead electrically connected to ground, and
(iii) a first battery, said first battery comprising a first positive terminal and a first negative terminal, said first negative terminal electrically connected to said negative lead, said first positive terminal electrically connected to said first connection point of said electrically conductive isolation device.
23 . The automotive electrical system of claim 22 , wherein said first battery comprises a deep cycle battery.
24 . The automotive electrical system of claim 22 , further comprising:
means for charging said first battery, said means for charging said first battery electrically connected to said first battery.
25 . The automotive electrical system of claim 22 , further comprising:
a voltage booster connected in parallel with said electrically conductive isolation device.
26 . The automotive electrical system of claim 22 , wherein said electrically conductive isolation device comprises a diode.
27 . The automotive electrical system of claim 22 , wherein said electrically conductive isolation device comprises an arrangement of electrically interconnected active components.
28 . The automotive electrical system of claim 22 , wherein said means for storing an electric charge comprises at least one electric double layer capacitor.
29 . The automotive electrical system of claim 22 , wherein said unitary package is sized to correspond to the dimensions prescribed in a Battery Council International group number specification.
30 . The automotive electrical system of claim 22 , further comprising:
a second battery, said second battery having a second positive terminal and a second negative terminal, said second positive terminal electrically connected to said generator, said second positive terminal electrically connected to said first connection point of said electrically conductive isolation device.
31 . A power module for use in conjunction with an automotive starter, the power module comprising:
a diode, said diode comprising a first connection point and a second connection point, said diode biased to permit the flow of electric current from said first connection point to said second connection point and to resist the flow of electric current from said second connection point to said first connection point;
an electric double layer capacitor, said electric double layer capacitor comprising a positive lead and a negative lead, said positive lead electrically connected to said second connection point of said diode;
a deep cycle battery comprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal, said negative terminal electrically connected to said negative lead, said positive terminal electrically connected to said first connection point of said diode; and
means for charging said deep cycle battery, said means for charging said deep cycle battery electrically connected to said deep cycle battery, wherein said diode, said electric double layer capacitor, said deep cycle battery, and said means for charging said deep cycle battery are contained in unitary package.
32 . A power module for use in conjunction with an automotive starter, the power module comprising:
an arrangement of electrically interconnected active components, said arrangement of electrically interconnected active components comprising a first connection point and a second connection point, said arrangement of electrically interconnected active components biased to permit the flow of electric current from said first connection point to said second connection point and to resist the flow of electric current from said second connection point to said first connection point;
an electric double layer capacitor, said electric double layer capacitor comprising a positive lead and a negative lead, said positive lead electrically connected to said second connection point of said arrangement of electrically interconnected active components;
a deep cycle battery comprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal, said negative terminal electrically connected to said negative lead, said positive terminal electrically connected to said first connection point of said arrangement of electrically interconnected active components; and
means for charging said deep cycle battery, said means for charging said deep cycle battery electrically connected to said deep cycle battery,
wherein said arrangement of electrically interconnected active components, said electric double layer capacitor, said deep cycle battery, and said means for charging said deep cycle battery are contained in unitary package.