WO2025144428A4

WO2025144428A4 - Isolated energy source for engine start applications

Info

Publication number: WO2025144428A4
Application number: PCT/US2024/010000
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yongsheng Ma
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2023-12-29
Filing date: 2024-04-15
Publication date: 2025-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-29
Also published as: WO2025144428A3; WO2025144428A2

Abstract

The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to an isolated power source system for engine equipped machinery vehicles, boats, airplanes, generators, etc., isolated from the electrical system of the engine, a dedicated power source is electrically connected to the power supply terminal of the engine starter's solenoid, to exclusively provide cranking current to the electric motor of engine starter when the coils of the solenoid are energized; and a charging circuit used to selectively connect the isolated power source to the electrical system of the engine or other power supply.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 20 September 2025 (20.09.2025) Claims

[Claim 1] An isolated hybrid energy source system for engine start applications, comprising: A hybrid energy source comprising at least two isolated energy sources in a half closed or a fully closed housing, wherein the housing has at least two positive output terminals and one negative terminal on an outer surface thereof, wherein each of the at least two positive output terminals is respectively connected to a positive end of one of the at least two isolated energy sources; wherein one of the at least two positive output terminals is configured to connect to a power supply terminal of a solenoid of an engine starter, and the negative ends of said at least two isolated energy sources are connected to the at least one negative terminal on the outer surface of the housing; A charging circuit, comprising at least one normal open switching device, configured to selectively electrically connect the at least two isolated energy sources in parallel when closed, and to isolate said at least two isolated energy sources when the switching device is switched open; said switching device further comprises a control end being connected to a trigger signal; and means of controlling said switching device comprising the control end of the switching device being connected to the trigger signal, including: being connected to a power supply line or relay of a device of the engine which is on when the engine is running and is off when the engine is shut, optionally with a timer relay, or being connected to a switching device, said switching device is generally opened and closed in response to one or more of the engine's operating parameters, optionally with a timer relay, or being connected to a programmable controller located within or out of the housing of said hybrid energy source, the activation and deactivation of the charging circuit may be triggered on and off respectively by a signal sent to the control end, said controller may selectively store at least one predetermined value programmable by a user, wherein said controller further comprises at least one parameter sensor, said sensor is configured to monitor one or more engine operating parameters, said operating parameter sensor of the controller may include: a pressure sensor configured to monitor a pressure level of an air intake; or a pressure sensor configured to monitor a pressure level of engine oil; or a vibration sensor configured to detect a vibration of the engine or other parts; or a voltage sensor configured to monitor a voltage of an electrical circuit of the system; or a sensor configured to detect an operating parameter of the vehicle indicative of an engine running state; wherein the electronic controller is configured to open said switching device of said charging circuit when a level of the operating parameters is lower than a predetermined level, indicating the engine is shut; and to close the switching device when the level of one or more monitored operating parameters equals or is higher than a predetermined level, indicating the engine is running.

[Claim 2] The isolated hybrid energy source system for engine start applications as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising: wherein each of the at least two isolated energy sources is enclosed in a respective enclosure, the first energy source includes at least one positive output terminal, one negative terminal and one positive charging terminal on an outer surface of the enclosure, the output terminal is configured to connect to the power supply terminal of the solenoid of an engine starter; said charging circuit, comprising at least one normal open switching device, located within or out of the enclosure of the energy source, one end of said charging circuit is connected to the positive charging terminal of the first energy source and another end connected to the positive terminal of another energy source, said switching device further comprises a control end being connected to a trigger signal; and means of controlling said switching device.

[Claim 3] An isolated energy source, comprising: An energy source, comprising at least one positive output terminal, one positive charging terminal and at least one negative terminal; wherein the positive output terminal is configured to connect to the power supply terminal of the solenoid of an engine starter; a charging circuit, comprising at least one normal open switching device configured to selectively electrically connect and disconnect the charging terminal of said power source to another energy source; said switching device further comprises a control end for an external trigger signal and the means for triggering the switching device with said external trigger signal, the activation and deactivation of the charging circuit may be triggered on and off respectively by a signal sent to the control end during normal operation of the engine; and means of controlling said switching device.

[Claim 4] The energy systems according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the energy sources may comprise more than one of a plurality of serially connected energy storage cells, comprising combinations of various battery types like Pb-acid battery, lithium ion battery cells, lithium titanate battery cells (LTO), capacitors, super capacitor (ultra capacitor) cells, and may be configured in serial or in parallel to meet any voltage and current requirement.

[Claim 5] The energy source according to claim 3, wherein the energy source may comprise more than one of a plurality of serially connected energy storage cells, comprising various battery types like Pb-acid battery, lithium ion battery cells, lithium titanate battery cells (LTO), capacitors, super capacitor (ultra capacitor) cells, and may be configured in serial or in parallel to meet any voltage and current requirement.

[Claim 6] The energy systems of claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein said housing or enclosure of the energy systems are dimensioned to conform to a form factor of a conventional standard battery for easy replacement in vehicles, automobiles, boats, airplanes, generators, etc.

[Claim 7] The energy system according to claim 1 , claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the charging circuit comprises a DC-DC converter, said DC-DC converter is configured to convert a first voltage from a first energy source to a second, different voltage for a second energy source.

[Claim 8] The energy systems according claim 1 , claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the charging circuit comprises at least one of a normal open switching device or a DC-DC converter, one end of said switching device or DC-DC converter is connected to the positive charging terminal of one energy source and another end connected to another energy source.

[Claim 9] The energy system of claim 1 , claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said means for controlling the said charging circuit comprises the control end of the switching device or DC-DC converter being connected to an on-board computer such as a control module or other engine control system of an engine.

[Claim 10] The energy system of claim 1 , claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising at least one sensor for measuring a level of available electrical power from said isolated energy source, and optionally a second power source sensor for measuring the level of available electrical power from said another energy source, and a display operatively coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to indicate information collected by said at least one sensor.

[Claim 11] The power systems of claim 1 , claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the charging circuit further comprises at least one manual control or switch, said manual control or switch is configured independently and operatively to activate and deactivate the charging circuit.

[Claim 12] The energy source system of claim 1 , claim 2 or claim 3, further including an indicator to display the operational status of the charging circuit.

[Claim 13] The energy source system of claim 1 , claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising a remote enclosure housing said display, and/or said manual switch, and/or indicator, wherein said enclosure is located for access by the operator.

[Claim 14] The energy source system of claim 1 , claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said charging circuit further comprises a circuit breaker or a fuse in the charging circuit.

[Claim 15] The energy source system of claim 1 , claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said charging circuit further comprises a current limiting device like a resistor connected within the circuit.

[Claim 16] The energy source system of claim 1 , claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said power system further comprises overcharge protection and charging balancing circuits when charging the energy cells.

[Claim 17] A method for starting an engine in a vehicle having a first power source for powering a vehicle electrical system and a second, isolated power source, the method comprising the steps of: in response to an ignition signal, supplying cranking current to an electric motor of an engine starter exclusively from the second power source; detecting that the engine has entered a running state; and subsequent to detecting that the engine has entered the running state, automatically establishing a charging path to recharge the second power source using power generated by an alternator of the running engine.