Jump Starter Alternator and Super Capacitor System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional jump starters are ineffective in starting large vehicle engines with jumper cables longer than nine to ten feet due to excessive resistance, which dissipates the electrical power and reduces cranking power, limiting their reach and convenience in applications like roadside assistance.
Innovation Solution
A jump starter system incorporating a high output alternator and a 'super' capacitor, integrated with electronic control and relays, allowing the use of jumper cables up to fifty feet by overcoming resistance and providing sufficient cranking power, and enabling quick recharging for repeated start attempts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If conventional jump starters with standard capacitors are used, then they can provide sufficient electrical power for starting, but they are limited to jumper cable lengths of nine to ten feet due to excessive resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters by using a capacitor with significantly higher capacitance (200+ amps compared to conventional capacitors). This parameter change allows the system to deliver sufficient power over longer cable lengths by compensating for the resistance-induced power loss through increased stored energy capacity.
2Ease of manufacture
If standard 3/0 electric power cables are used, then they are readily available and easy to connect, but they are unable to carry the power discharged by the capacitor over lengths greater than nine to ten feet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the power delivery parameters by implementing a capacitor discharge mechanism that delivers extremely high current (200+ amps) for a brief duration. This allows the use of standard cable gauge while overcoming the resistance limitation through the intensity and duration of the discharge pulse.
3Power
If AC battery chargers with boost mode are used, then they can assist in starting a vehicle, but they take five to twenty minutes to boost a dead battery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action through the capacitor charge-discharge cycle. The capacitor is quickly charged from the AC source and then discharged in a brief, high-power pulse to start the engine. This periodic charge-discharge mechanism enables fast starting assistance while still allowing for battery recharging when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor performs preliminary action by being pre-charged with electrical energy before the starting attempt. This preliminary energy storage allows the system to deliver immediate high-power output without waiting for gradual battery charging, enabling instant engine starting assistance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the starting of large vehicle engines with longer jumper cables, providing greater reach and convenience, and allowing for quick recharging of capacitors between multiple starting attempts, making it suitable for fleet applications and vehicles with large engines.
Implementation Method 1
Each embodiment of the jump starters of this invention includes a high output (200-300 amp) alternator
Implementation Method 2
Capacitor boosted jump starters are often used to start vehicles with large gasoline and diesel engines that have high inertial starting loads
Implementation Method 3
The resistance in the jumper cable at lengths greater than nine feet (9′) is too much for the jump starter's capacitors to overcome
Data Source
AI summary
A jump starter unit for starting large vehicles and other equipment using jumper cable at lengths up to fifty (50) feet. The jump starter includes a high output (200-300 amp) alternator and a large (2000 Farad) capacitor. The alternator is also used to maintain the capacitor's charge when the boost charge is not needed. The alternator and capacitor are integrated into an electrical system that includes an electronic control and a plurality of relays that provide the various charging and boost functions of the unit. In certain embodiments, the jump starter unit may take the form of a portable or mobile self contained apparatus having its own combustion to drive the high output alternator. In other embodiments, the jump starter unit may be integrated into a service vehicle, such as a tow truck or utility vehicle, and utilize the vehicle's engine to drive the jump starter's high output alternator.