Patent · US Expired

Tractor/trailor cranking management system and method

US5798577A · kind A · utility

65Cited by
9References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 29, 1996
Grant dateAug 25, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 29, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T10/70
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Vehicle cranking management systems and methods are provided for a vehicle preferably including a tractor mechanically connected to a trailer. Electrical energy is enabled to transfer from a battery of the vehicle to an electrical accessory load, when a battery output voltage signal is above a first predetermined threshold voltage, but is inhibited from transferring from the battery to the electrical accessory load if the battery output voltage signal is below a second predetermined threshold voltage. The first and second predetermined threshold voltages may be determined responsive to a sensed temperature of the vehicle engine, preferably a sensed temperature of oil present in the engine. In addition, electrical energy is enabled to transfer from the battery to a starter which cranks the vehicle's engine if a cranking command signal to crank the engine is asserted for less than a first predetermined time interval. If a cranking command signal is continuously asserted for a period longer than the first predetermined time interval, however, electrical energy is inhibited from transferring from the battery to the starter for a second predetermined time interval, to thereby inhibit th…

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