US 12,438,388 B1
Variable voltage charging system and method for a vehicle
Steven J. Gonring, Slinger, WI (US)
Assigned to Brunswick Corporation, Mettawa, IL (US)
Filed by Brunswick Corporation, Mettawa, IL (US)
Filed on Apr. 12, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/633,755.
Application 18/633,755 is a continuation of application No. 17/831,196, filed on Jun. 2, 2022, granted, now 12,003,133.
Application 17/831,196 is a continuation of application No. 16/723,243, filed on Dec. 20, 2019, granted, now 11,381,103, issued on Jul. 5, 2022.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H02J 7/14 (2006.01); B60R 16/033 (2006.01); F02B 63/04 (2006.01); F02D 29/06 (2006.01); F02N 11/08 (2006.01)
CPC H02J 7/14 (2013.01) [B60R 16/033 (2013.01); F02B 63/042 (2013.01); F02D 29/06 (2013.01); F02N 11/0862 (2013.01); F02D 2200/101 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A charging system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
an alternator configured to generate electric power from a rotation output of an engine, wherein the alternator is configured to alternately output at least a low charge voltage to charge a low voltage storage device and a high charge voltage to charge a high voltage storage device;
a switch configured to switch between at least a first switch position connecting the alternator to the low voltage storage device and a second switch position connecting the alternator to the high voltage storage device; and
a controller configured to control operation of the alternator and the switch between at least a low voltage mode and a high voltage mode based on at least one of an engine RPM of the engine and a temperature so as to switch from the low voltage mode to the high voltage mode when the engine RPM increases and to switch from the high voltage mode to the low voltage mode when engine RPM decreases, wherein in the low voltage mode the alternator outputs the low charge voltage and the switch is in the first switch position and in the high voltage mode the alternator outputs the high charge voltage and the switch is in the second switch position.