Apparatus for determining wear in the frictional components of an alternator

• US 20060238171A1
• Filed: 04/26/2005
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BorgWarner Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Remy International Incorporated (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lawahmeh, Ahmed
• Granted Patent: US 7,202,639 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 322/28
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/343 in operation
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 29/0241 the fault being an overvoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/48 Arrangements for obtaining a constant output value at varying speed of the generator, e.g. on vehicle H02P9/04 - H02P9/46 take precedence

Abstract

An apparatus for determining wear in the frictional components of an alternator. Such an apparatus may comprise circuitry configured to count voltage peaks generated by the automotive alternator; circuitry configured to compare the counted voltage peaks against a predetermined standard; and circuitry configured to generate a warning indication when the counted voltage peaks exceeds the predetermined standard. Such an apparatus may comprise comprises circuitry configured to measure a voltage drop across the alternator brushes; circuitry configured to compare the voltage drop against a predetermined voltage drop criterion; and circuitry configured to generate a warning indication if the voltage drop exceeds the predetermined voltage drop criterion.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in conjunction with an automotive alternator, the apparatus comprising:

circuitry configured to count voltage peaks generated by said automotive alternator;

circuitry configured to compare said counted voltage peaks against a predetermined standard; and

circuitry configured to generate a warning indication when said counted voltage peaks exceeds said predetermined standard.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory, said memory electrically connected to said circuitry configured to compare said counted voltage peaks against said predetermined standard, said predetermined standard being stored in said memory.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said circuitry configured to count voltage peaks generated by said automotive alternator comprises a microprocessor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said circuitry configured to compare said counted voltage peaks against a predetermined standard count comprises a microprocessor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said warning indication comprises a visible signal.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said warning indication comprises an audible signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said alternator comprises electrically conductive alternator brushes, the apparatus further comprising:

circuitry configured to measure a voltage drop across said alternator brushes;

circuitry configured to compare said voltage drop against a predetermined voltage drop criterion; and

circuitry configured to generate a warning indication if said voltage drop exceeds said predetermined voltage drop criterion.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

a memory, said memory electrically connected to said circuitry configured to compare said voltage drop against said predetermined voltage drop criterion, said predetermined voltage drop criterion being stored in said memory.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said circuitry configured to measure a voltage drop across said alternator brushes comprises a microprocessor.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said circuitry configured to compare said voltage drop against a predetermined voltage drop criterion comprises a microprocessor.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said warning indication comprises a visible signal.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said warning indication comprises an audible signal.

13. An apparatus for use in conjunction with an automotive alternator, wherein the alternator comprises electrically conductive alternator brushes, the apparatus comprising:

circuitry configured to measure a voltage drop across said alternator brushes;

circuitry configured to compare said voltage drop against a predetermined voltage drop criterion; and

circuitry configured to generate a warning indication if said voltage drop exceeds said predetermined voltage drop criterion.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a memory, said memory electrically connected to said circuitry configured to compare said voltage drop against said predetermined voltage drop criterion, said predetermined voltage drop criterion being stored in said memory.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said circuitry configured to measure a voltage drop across said alternator brushes comprises a microprocessor.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said circuitry configured to compare said voltage drop against a predetermined voltage drop criterion comprises a microprocessor.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said warning indication comprises a visible signal.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said warning indication comprises an audible signal.