METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REGULATING AN OUTPUT VOLTAGE OF AN ALTERNATOR
First Claim
1. A method of regulating an output voltage of an alternator, the method comprising, within an alternator regulator module:
- measuring a first voltage across a first external contact of the alternator regulator module operably coupled to a first output contact of the alternator and a second external contact of the alternator regulator module operably coupled to a second output contact of the alternator during an ON state of an excitation cycle for the alternator;
measuring a second voltage across the first external contact of the alternator regulator module and the second external contact of the alternator regulator module during an OFF state of an excitation cycle for the alternator;
deriving an average voltage value of the first and second voltage measurements; and
deriving an offset value based at least partly on the derived average voltage value,wherein the method further comprises;
measuring an instantaneous voltage across the first external contact of the alternator regulator module and the second external contact of the alternator regulator module; and
configuring a control signal for regulating the output voltage of the alternator based at least partly on the instantaneous voltage measurement and the derived offset value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of regulating an output voltage of an alternator. The method comprises measuring first and second external contacts of the alternator regulator module operably coupled to first and second output contacts of the alternator respectively during an ON state of an excitation cycle for the alternator, measuring a second voltage across the first and second external contacts of the alternator regulator module during an OFF state of an excitation cycle for the alternator, deriving an average voltage value of the first and second voltage measurements, and deriving an offset value based at least partly on the derived average voltage value.
The method further comprises measuring an instantaneous voltage across the first and second external contacts of the alternator regulator module, and configuring a control signal for regulating the output voltage of the alternator based at least partly on the instantaneous voltage measurement and the derived offset value.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of regulating an output voltage of an alternator, the method comprising, within an alternator regulator module:
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measuring a first voltage across a first external contact of the alternator regulator module operably coupled to a first output contact of the alternator and a second external contact of the alternator regulator module operably coupled to a second output contact of the alternator during an ON state of an excitation cycle for the alternator; measuring a second voltage across the first external contact of the alternator regulator module and the second external contact of the alternator regulator module during an OFF state of an excitation cycle for the alternator; deriving an average voltage value of the first and second voltage measurements; and deriving an offset value based at least partly on the derived average voltage value, wherein the method further comprises; measuring an instantaneous voltage across the first external contact of the alternator regulator module and the second external contact of the alternator regulator module; and configuring a control signal for regulating the output voltage of the alternator based at least partly on the instantaneous voltage measurement and the derived offset value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An alternator regulator module for regulating an output voltage of an alternator, the alternator regulator module comprising at least one control component arranged to:
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receive an indication of a first voltage across a first external contact of the alternator regulator module operably coupled to a first output contact of the alternator and a second external contact of the alternator regulator module operably coupled to a second output contact of the alternator during an ON state of an excitation cycle for the alternator; receive an indication of a second voltage across the first external contact of the alternator regulator module and the second external contact of the alternator regulator module during an OFF state of an excitation cycle for the alternator; derive an average voltage value of the first and second voltages; and derive an offset value based at least partly on the derived average voltage value, wherein the at least one control component is further arranged to; receive an indication of an instantaneous voltage across the first external contact of the alternator regulator module and the second external contact of the alternator regulator module; and configure a control signal for regulating the output voltage of the alternator based at least partly on the instantaneous voltage and the derived offset value. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification