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Title: Arrangement for tapping battery bank alternately from opposite ends
Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A direct current motor energizing circuit comprising a direct current motor, a bank of series connected batteries, said bank including opposite ends, and switch means for electrically disconnecting and connecting said bank to said motor, said switch means including means operable so that successive energizations of said motor are alternately from said opposite ends of said battery bank. 2. A direct current motor energizing circuit comprising a direct current motor, a bank of series connected batteries including a postive end terminal and a negative end terminal, a speed control switch including a first plurality of contacts connected to said battery bank and including a first end contact, a second plurality of contacts connected to said battery bank and including a second end contact, a first switch contact, a second switch contact, and an actuator operative to selectively electrically connect and disconnect said first switch contact with said contacts of said first plurality of contacts and to selectively electrically connect and disconnect said second switch contact with said contacts of said second plurality of contacts, and switch means connected to said end contacts, to said motor, and to said end terminals of said battery bank and operative in response to operation of said actuator alternatively to electrically connect one or more of said batteries to said motor so as to drive said motor in a given direction and so as to drain said batteries from one of said end terminals of said battery bank and to electrically connect one or more of said batteries to said motor so as to drive said motor in said given direction and so as to drain said batteries from the other of said end terminals of said battery bank. 3. A circuit in accordance with claim 2 wherein said motor includes first and second terminals, and wherein said switch means includes a first switch operative upon closure to electricaly connect one of said motor terminals to one of said first and second switch contacts, and to electrically connect the other of said motor terminals to one of said end terminals and to said end contact of one of said plurality of contacts, a second switch operable upon closure to electrically connect one of said motor terminals to the other of said first and second switch contacts and to electrically connect the other of said motor terminals to the other of said end terminals and said end contact of the other of said plurality of contacts, and means operable incident to movement of said actuator relative to a position disconnecting said first and second switch contacts from said first and second plurality of contacts for alternately closing one of said first and second switches and opening of the other of said first and second switches. 4. A direct current motor energizing circuit comprising a direct current motor, a bank of series connected batteries including a positive end terminal, a negative end terminal, and a plurality of intermediate terminals of respectively located between adjacent of said series connected batteries, a speed control switch including a first plurality of contacts including a first series of contacts and a first end contact, a second plurality of contacts including a second series of contacts and a second end contact, a first switch contact, a second switch contact, and an actuator operably movable to selectively electrically connect and disconnect said first switch contact with said contacts of said first plurality of contacts and to selectively electrically connect and disconnect said second switch contact with said contacts of said second plurality of contacts, first leads respectively electrically connecting said contacts of said first series thereof to said intermediate terminals in a first sequence beginning with said intermediate terminal adjacent one of said end terminals and continuing to said intermediate terminal adjacent the other of said end terminals, said first leads respectively including therein first diodes having respective annodes respectively connected to said intermediate terminals, second leads respectively electrically connecting said contacts of said second series thereof to said intermediate terminals in a second sequence opposite to said first sequence, said second leads respectively including therein second diodes having respective cathodes respectively connected to said intermediate terminals, switch means connected to said end contacts, to said motor, and to said end terminals of said battery bank and operative in response to operation of said actuator alternatively to electrically connect one or more of said batteries to said motor as as to drive said motor in a given direction and so as to drain said batteries from one of said end terminals of said battery bank and to electrically connect one or more of said batteries to said motor so as to drive said motor in said given direction and so as to drain said batteries from the other of said end terminals of said battery bank. 5. A circuit in accordance with claim 4 wherein said motor includes first and second terminals, and wherein said switch means includes a first switch operative upon closure to electrically connect one of said motor terminals to one of said first and second switch contacts, and to electrically connect the other said motor terminals to one of said end terminals and to said end contact of one of said plurality of contacts, a second switch operable upon closure to electrically connect one of said motor terminals to the other of said first and second switch contacts and to electrically connect the other of said motor terminals to the other of said end terminals and said end contact of the other of said plurality of contacts, and means operable incident to movement of said actuator relative to a position disconnecting said first and second switch contacts from said first and second plurality of contacts for alternately closing one of said first and second switches and opening of the other of said first and second switches. 6. A circuit in accordance with claim 4 wherein said motor includes first and second terminals, and wherein said switch means comprises a normally open first switch operative upon closure to electrically connect one of said motor terminals to said first switch contact and to electrically connect the other of said motor terminals to one of said end terminals and to said end contact of one of said plurality of contacts, a normally open second switch operable upon closure to electrically connect one of said motor terminals to said second switch contact and to electrically connect the other of said motor terminals to the other of said end terminals and to said end contact of the other of said plurality of contacts, and means operable incident to movement of said actuator relative to a position disconnecting said first and second switch contacts from said first and second plurality of contacts for alternately closing said first and second switch means. 7. A circuit in accordance with claim 6 wherein said first switch is operable to connect the other of said motor terminals to said positive end terminal and to said end contact of said second plurality of contacts. 8. A direct current motor energizing circuit in accordance with claim 6 wherein said first normally open switch includes a first coil operable upon energization thereof to close said first switch, wherein said second normally open switch includes a second coil operable upon energization thereof to close said second switch, wherein said means for alternately closing said first and second switches comprises a cycling switch including an actuating coil and an input terminal, said cycling switch being operable, upon successive actuations thereof, to alternately electrically connect said first and second coils to said input terminal, and an actuating switch operable in response to movement of said actuator to said disconnect position to electrically connect said cycling switch energizing coil to a source of current and operable in response to movement of said actuator from said disconnect position to electrically connect said recycling switch input terminal to a source of current. 9. A circuit in accordance with claim 4 wherein said switch means comprises a normally open first switch operative upon closure to electrically connect said first switch contact to one of said end terminals and to said end contact of one of said plurality of contacts, a normally closed second swtich operable upon closure to electrically connect one of said motor terminals to the other of said end terminals and to said end contact of the other of said plurality of contacts, and means operable incident to movement of said actuator relative to a position disconnecting said first and second switch contacts from said first and second plurality of contacts for alternately closing said first and second switches. 10. A circuit in accordance with claim 9 wherein said first switch is operable to connect said first switch contact ot said negative end terminal and to said end contact of said first plurality of contacts. 11. A circuit in accordance with claim 9 wherein said second switch is connected to one of said motor terminals by a lead, wherein said first switch contact is connected to the other of said motor terminals by another lead, wherein said circuit further includes another normally open switch in one of said leads, and wherein said means for alternately opening anc closing said first and second switches is also operable to close said other normally open switch. 12. A direct current motor energizing circuit in accordance with claim 9 wherein said switch means includes a coil operable upon energization thereof to close said first switch and to open said second switch, wherein said means for alternately closing said first and second switches comprises a cycling switch including an actuating coil and an input terminal, said cycling switch being operable, upon successive actuations thereof, to alternately electrically connect said coil to said input terminal and to disconnect said coil from said input terminal and an actuating switch operable in response to movement of said actuator to said disconnect position to electrically connect said cycling switch energizing coil to a source of current and operable in response to movement of said actuator from said disconnect position to electrically connect said recycling switch input terminal to a source of current. 13. A circuit in accordance with claim 12 wherein said second switch is connected to one of said motor terminals by a lead, wherein said first switch contact is connected to the other of said motor terminals by another lead, and wherein said circuit further includes another normally open switch in one of said leads, said other normally open switch including a coil operable, upon energization thereof, to close said other switch, said last mentioned coil being connected to said actuating switch for energization thereof in response to movement of said actuating switch from said disconnect position. 14. A direct current motor energizing circuit comprising a direct current motor, a bank of series connected batteries including a positive end terminal and a negative end terminal, a speed control switch including a plurality of contacts connected to said battery bank, a switch contact, and an actuator operative to selectively electrically connect and disconnect said switch contact with said contacts of said plurality of contacts, and means electrically connecting said motor to said battery bank and to said switch contact and electrically connecting said plurality of contacts to said battery bank including switch means operative in response to operation of said actuator alternatively to electrically connect one or more of said batteries to said motor so as to drive said motor in a given direction and so as to drain said batteries from one of said end terminals of said battery bank and to electrically connect one or more of said batteries to said motor so as to drive said motor in said given direction and so as to drain said batteries from the other of said end terminals of said battery bank. 15. A circuit in accordance with claim 14 wherein said motor includes a first terminal connected to said switch contact and a second terminal, and wherein said switch means includes a first switch operative upon closure to electrically connect said second motor terminal to one of said end terminals of said battery bank, a second switch operable upon closure to electrically connect said second motor terminal to the other of said end terminals of said battery bank and means operable incident to movement of said actuator relative to a position disconnecting said switch contact from said plurality of contacts for alternately closing one of said first and second switches and opening of the other of said first and second switches. 16. A circuit in accordance with claim 15 wherein said battery bank includes an intermediate terminal, and means connecting said intermediate terminal to one of said plurality of contacts including parallel, oppositely oriented, uni-directional first and second flow paths respectively including first and second additional switches, and means for opening and closing said first additional switch concurrently with said first switch and for opening and closing said second additional switch concurrently with said second switch. 17. A circuit in accordance with claim 16 wherein said additional switches are solenoid operated switches. 18. A circuit in accordance with claim 16 wherein said additional switches are SCR's. 19. A circuit in accordance with claim 15 wherein said first switch connects said second motor terminal to said positive terminal of said battery bank, wherein said second switch connects said second motor terminal to said negative terminal of said battery bank, wherein said plurality of contacts includes an end contact, and further including a first additional switch connecting said end contact to said negative terminal of said battery bank, a second additional switch connecting said end contact to said positive terminal of said battery bank, and means for opening and closing said first additional switch concurrently with opening and closing of said first switch and for opening and closing said second additional switch concurrently with opening and closing of said second switch. 20. A sub-circuit in accordance with claim 19 wherein said additional switches are solenoid actuated switches. 21. A circuit in accordance with claim 15 wherein said battery bank includes first and second intermediate terminals, wherein said plurality of contacts includes first and second contacts, means connecting said first contact to said first and second intermediate terminals through respective oppositely oriented, parallel first and second flow paths, means connecting said second contact to said first intermediate terminal through a third uni-directional flow path which is oppositely oriented from said first flow path and which includes a first additional switch, means connecting said second contact to said second intermediate terminal through a fourth uni-directional flow path which is oppositely oriented from said second flow path and which includes a second additional switch, and means for opening and closing said first additional switch concurrently with opening and closing of said first switch and for opening and closing said second additional switch concurrently with opening and closing of said second switch. 22. A circuit in accordance with claim 15 wherein said first switch connects said second motor terminal to said positive terminal of said battery bank, wherein said second switch connects said second motor terminal to said negative terminal of said battery bank, wherein said battery bank includes first and second intermediate terminals and a central terminal intermediate said first and second terminals, and wherein said plurality of contacts includes, in series, first, second, third, and end contacts, means connecting said first contact to said first and second intermediate terminals through respective uni-directional oppositely oriented, parallel first and second flow paths, means connecting said third contact to said first intermediate terminal through a third uni-directional flow path which is oppositely oriented from said first flow path and which includes a first additional switch, means connecting said third contact to said second intermediate terminal through a fourth uni-directional flow path which is oppositely oriented from said second flow path and which includes a second additional switch, means connecting said second contact to said central terminal including parallel, oppositely oriented, uni-directional fifth and sixth flow paths respectively including third and fourth additional switches, a fifth additional switch connecting said end contact to said positive end terminal, a sixth additional switch connecting said end contact to said negative end terminal, and means for opening and closing said first, third and fifth additional switches concurrently with opening and closing of said second switch and for opening and closing said second, fourth and sixth additional switches concurrently with opening and closing of said first switch. 23. A circuit in accordance with claim 22 wherein said additional switches are solenoid actuated switches. 24. A circuit in accordance with claim 22 wherein said second, third and fourth additional switches are SCR's and said first, fifth and sixth additional switches are solenoid operated switches. 25. A circuit in accordance with claim 22 wherein said first, second, third and fourth additional switches are SCR's and said fifth and sixth additional switches are solenoid operated switches. 26. A circuit in accordance with claim 22 wherein said first and second flow paths include respective additional seventh and eighth switches, wherein said battery bank includes a first additional terminal intermediate said positive end terminal and said first intermediate terminal and a second additional terminal intermediate said second intermediate terminal and said negative end terminal, wherein said plurality of contacts are located in a series and include an additional contact located to the other side of said first contact from said second contact, and further including means connecting said additional contact to said first and second additional terminals through respective uni-directional oppositely oriented parallel seventh and eighth flow paths, and means for opening and closing said seventh additional switch concurrently with opening and closing of said second switch and for opening and closing said eighth additional switch concurrently with opening and closing of said first switch. 27. A circuit in accordance with claim 26 wherein said second, third, fourth, seventh and eighth additional switches are SCR's and said first, fifth and sixth additional switches are solenoid operated switches. 28. A circuit in accordance with claim 26 wherein said first, second, third, fourth, seventh and eighth additional switches are SCR's and said fifth and sixth additional switches are solenoid operated switches. Other info: Inventors: McAuliffe, Gerald N. (Lincoln, NE, US) Wooters, Eldon W. (Lincoln, NE, US) Application Number: 790534 Filing Date: 1977-04-25 Publication_date: 1978-12-26 Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation (Waukegan, IL) Primary Class(es): 318/440 307/81, 320/120 Other Classes: US Patent Ref:
Other Refs: Primary Examiner: Hohauser, Herman Assistant Examiner: Attorney: Michael, Best & Friedrich |
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