Cold start alternator

• US 10,186,998 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2015
• Issued: 01/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Giuliano Res
• Original Assignee: Giuliano Res
• Inventors: Res, Giuliano
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuevas, Pedro J
• Application Number:
  US15/324,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20170201197A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,296 Days
• Field of Search: 322 8, 363 98, 123598
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 29/0241 the fault being an overvoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 29/027 the fault being an over-current
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/08 Control of generator circuit during starting or stopping of driving means, e.g. for initiating excitation
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/107 for limiting effects of overloads

Abstract

An alternator having associated therewith a power and control circuit, the circuit enabling the alternator to continue its operation during either an excessive electrical load or a short circuit; wherein, the circuit is capable of isolating at least one polarity of at least one phase of a power supply to thereby provide power at least for control circuitry.

Claims

1. An alternator having associated therewith a power and control circuit, the circuit enabling the alternator to continue its operation during either an excessive electrical load or a short circuit;

wherein, the circuit is capable of isolating at least one polarity of at least one phase of a power supply to thereby provide power at least for control circuitry;

the circuit further comprising at least one electronic or electromechanical switch, each switch capable of disconnection of said at least one single phase of said power supply; and

control circuitry for detecting an overload or short circuit on the alternator'"'"'s output terminals and a controller for controlling the electronic or electromechanical switch or switches so that the switch or switches are closed during normal operation.

2. An alternator according to claim 1 wherein, the isolation of a single polarity of said at least one phase, isolates power from said at least one single phase to an electrical load.

3. An alternator according to claim 2 wherein, power from one said at least one isolated phase is useable to provide current to the load when induced by equipment or another device associated with the alternator.

4. An alternator according to claim 3 wherein, when power from said at least one isolated phase is used to power the circuit, one or more additional phases provide current to the load.

5. An alternator according to claim 4 wherein each said at least one electronic or electromechanical switch is arranged in series with a rectifier.

6. An alternator according to claim 5 wherein the switch or switches comprise/s a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor [MOSFET] capable of amplifying or switching electronic signals using changes in voltage.

7. An alternator according to claim 6 wherein the metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor is connected in series with one of three phase rectifier bridge'"'"'s power diodes that deliver current to a positive output terminal.

8. An alternator according to claim 7 wherein when the transistor is off no current flows to the load and when the transistor is on current flows to the load.

9. An alternator according to claim 8 wherein the excessive electrical load occurs during start up of an item of electrical power drawing equipment.

10. An alternator according to claim 9 further comprising:

a rectifier connected to a phase of stator windings of the alternator; and

control circuitry for detecting an overload or short circuit on the alternator'"'"'s output terminals and a controller for controlling the electronic or electromechanical switch or switches so that the switch or switches are closed during normal operation.

11. An alternator according to claim 10 wherein a first power line between a first power diode and the power MOSFET is used to power the control circuitry and/or the field coil.

12. An alternator according to claim 11 wherein a second power line connects two other power diodes to the power MOSFET.

13. An alternator according to claim 12 further comprising a current sensor interposed between the first power line and the positive output terminal to enable measurement of the output current.

14. An alternator according to claim 13 wherein current flows in either direction when the power MOSFET is on and connecting the first and second power lines.

15. An alternator according to claim 14 wherein the circuit further comprises a voltage booster which increases the voltage from the first power line to provide the required gate drive voltage for the MOSFET.

16. An alternator according to claim 15 wherein the gate drive voltage for the power MOSFET is at least several volts higher than the second power line voltage.

17. An alternator according to claim 16 wherein during normal operation, the power MOSFET is turned on by the control circuitry to enable current to flow in both directions across the power MOSFET.

18. An alternator according to claim 17 wherein, when the output voltage is below a threshold voltage, the control circuitry turns off the power MOSFET to disconnect the first power line from the second line.

19. An alternator according to claim 18 wherein, when an overload or short circuit occurs, the output voltage drops.

20. An alternator according to claim 19 wherein during normal operation the first power line continues to provide power to the control circuitry, the field coil and the voltage booster.

21. An alternator according to claim 20 wherein the power MOSFET, is disposed in series with a phase before a rectifier or rectifiers.

22. An alternator according to claim 21 wherein a whole phase is disconnected from the load and the power from the phase can be used in any way as selected.

23. An alternator according to claim 22 wherein the alternator includes coils mounted to a rotor and brushes to conduct the power from these coils to conductors attached to the main body of the alternator.

24. An alternator according to claim 23 wherein the switch or switches are open during an electrical overload, thereby allowing disconnected power to be used for powering the control circuitry.

25. An alternator according to claim 23 wherein the switch or switches are open during an electrical overload allowing disconnected power to be used for powering the field coil.

26. An alternator according to claim 23 wherein the switch or switches are open during an electrical overload allowing disconnected power to be used for powering the control circuitry and the field coil.

27. A power control circuit for an alternator;

the circuit enabling the alternator to continue its operation during either an excessive electrical load or a short circuit;

wherein, the circuit is capable of isolating at least one polarity of at least one phase of a power supply to thereby provide power at least for control circuitry;

the circuit further comprising at least one electronic or electromechanical switch, each switch capable of disconnection of said at least one single phase of said power supply; and

control circuitry for detecting an overload or short circuit on the alternator'"'"'s output terminals and a controller for controlling the electronic or electromechanical switch or switches so that the switch or switches are closed during normal operation.