Apparatus for providing supplemental power to an electrical system and related methods

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In view of the foregoing background, the present invention advantageously provides an apparatus and method for delivering supplemental power to the electrical system of a vehicle or other machinery.
The advantages afforded by the claimed invention and described herein provide particular benefits in boosting power in the electrical system of a vehicle disabled by a discharged battery.
The claimed invention provides a power source with the capability to convey concentrated, rapid-delivery power to an electrical system, while automatically controlling the extent and timing of power delivery so as to deliver an optimal amount of power without risk of overloading the electrical system being boosted.
Specifically, the claimed invention utilizes an electronically controlled power booster combination of high-density capacitor and battery.
The capacitor, as described in detail below, is capable of storing a tremendous amount of charge and is thereby able to provide, via rapid transference of concentrated energy, a substantial power boost to an electrical system.
As further described below, the claimed invention utilizes a capacitor-battery combination that includes an electrochemical capacitor, which depending on its particular construction can contribute to the storage of tremendous amounts of charge.
The energy level of the capacitor is sustained at or above a preselected minimum level by the electrically connected battery.
An apparent offset to the advantages associated with rapid-burst, high-concentration power delivery, however, is that too much power may be delivered too quickly to the electrical system or before an improper connection between the power booster and electrical system has been detected.
The present invention overcomes this problem by providing a power delivery controller having electronic circuitry that optimally controls power delivery as alluded to above.
Specifically, the power delivery controller includes voltage detecting capabilities to detect voltage conditions in the electrical system to receive a power boost and an isolation circuit responsive to the detected voltage conditions to optimally control power delivery