Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for conserving battery power in a snowmobile electrical system

US5024205A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
10References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 30, 1990
Grant dateJun 18, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 30, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF02P11/025
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A snowmobile electrical system having a battery conservation circuit. The system is designed to conserve battery power after deactivation of the engine using the kill switch, even if the key switch is left on. Battery power is normally consumed by continued connection of the microprocessor-based electronic engine control unit (ECU) to the battery after kill switch activation. To prevent battery consumption, the ECU monitors the electrical output of the ignition system at a position within the system wherein the output is dependent on engine speed. If the output drops to a specified level, a signal generator in the ECU is activated. Signals from the signal generator are directed to a solid state switching system which disconnects the battery from the ECU. As a result, battery consumption is controlled.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.