A.C. generator control apparatus and method having abnormality information output function
First Claim
1. A control apparatus for a vehicle a.c. generator having a field winding and a switching device connected in series with the field winding, the control apparatus comprising:
- regulator means for turning on and off the switching device in a variable duty ratio within a predetermined range at every predetermined cycle period thereby to regulate an output voltage of the generator;
output means for outputting a power generation ratio output signal in a pulse-width modulated form, the output signal having a duty ratio corresponding to the duty ratio of the switching device;
detection means for detecting an abnormality in the generator and producing an abnormality signal; and
mask means for masking a part of the output signal by the abnormality signal and applying a masked signal to an external apparatus though a signal wire.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A voltage regulator for an a.c. generator produces a power generation ratio signal having a duty ratio corresponding to the current supply to the field winding of the a.c. generator. This power generation ratio signal is applied to an external apparatus through a signal wire. The duty ratio of the power generation ratio signal is more than 10% when the a.c. generator is normal. When abnormality is detected, the power generation ratio signal is partly masked by an abnormality detection signal so that the duty ratio of the power generation signal is reduced to be less than 10% and this change may be detected by the external apparatus. Alternatively, the power generation ratio signal may be transmitted only intermittently when the abnormality is detected.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A control apparatus for a vehicle a.c. generator having a field winding and a switching device connected in series with the field winding, the control apparatus comprising:
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regulator means for turning on and off the switching device in a variable duty ratio within a predetermined range at every predetermined cycle period thereby to regulate an output voltage of the generator;
output means for outputting a power generation ratio output signal in a pulse-width modulated form, the output signal having a duty ratio corresponding to the duty ratio of the switching device;
detection means for detecting an abnormality in the generator and producing an abnormality signal; and
mask means for masking a part of the output signal by the abnormality signal and applying a masked signal to an external apparatus though a signal wire. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A control method for a vehicle a.c. generator having a field winding and a switching device connected in series with the field winding, the control method comprising steps of:
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turning on and off the switching device in a variable duty ratio within a predetermined range at every predetermined cycle period thereby to regulate an output voltage of the generator;
producing a power generation ratio output signal in a pulse form having a duty ratio corresponding to the duty ratio of the switching device; and
transmitting the output signal to an external apparatus, wherein the transmitting step includes a step of changing the output signal depending on whether an abnormality in the a.c. generator is detected. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification