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System and method for controlling load dump voltage of a synchronous machine

  • US 20040150376A1
  • Filed: 02/03/2003
  • Published: 08/05/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2003
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. In an automobile electrical system having an alternator drivingly connected to a vehicle engine, the alternator having a polyphase output winding producing a polyphase output in the form of a polyphase alternator voltage for each phase, a load dump apparatus for varying the output of the alternator comprising:

  • a control bridge coupled to said polyphase output winding and having a pair of direct voltage output terminals, said control bridge including a first switchable element and a second switchable element for each corresponding phase winding, said first and second switchable elements being connected in series across the output of the bridge and having a common input note connected to the corresponding phase winding, each controllable in accordance with a respective conduction signal applied thereto, a controller for generating a plurality of conduction signals, said conduction signals being applied to said first and second switchable elements for controlling the conduction thereof under normal operating condition and for controlling the switchable elements under an over voltage condition; and

    wherein the normal operating condition occurs when the output voltage of each phase winding is up to a selected limit and the over-voltage condition occurs when the output voltage of any phase winding is above the selected limit, the conduction of the first switching element for a phase being on for a time when the corresponding phase voltage is above the selected limit.

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