ELECTRICAL CHOPPER REGULATOR CIRCUITS

• US 3,614,586 A
• Filed: 12/29/1969
• Issued: 10/19/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kenneth G. King
• Original Assignee: Kenneth G. King
• Inventors: King, Kenneth G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beha, Jr., William H.
• Application Number:
  US04/888,384
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 321/43-45,2 318/341,345 307/252.51,252.55 323/22SC
• US Class Current: 363/124
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/135 using semiconductor devices only
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 7/29 using pulse modulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 388/905 Armature and field windings connected in series, i.e. series motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 388/919 Triggered by resistor or capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 388/92 Chopper

Abstract

An electrical chopper regulator circuit comprises a main controllable rectifier device connected in a current path between input and output terminals and a commutating capacitor connected in a second current path. Second and third controllable rectifier devices control connection of the commutating capacitor with appropriate polarity to opposite sides of the main controllable rectifier device so as to interrupt current flow in the main controllable rectifier device. A charging circuit for controlling charging of the commutating capacitor includes a switching device and an inductance through which current flows to charge the commutating capacitor to the correct polarity for commutating the main controllable rectifier device before firing of that device.

Claims

1. An electrical chopper regulator circuit comprising DC input terminals;

DC output terminals;

a first, main controllable rectifier device connected in a current path between said input and output terminals;

a commutating capacitor having first and second terminals;

means including second and third controllable rectifier devices for connecting said first and second terminals of said communicating capacitor with appropriate polarity to opposite sides of said main controllable rectifier device so as to interrupt current flow in said main controllable rectifier device and to enable said main controllable rectifier device to acquire the forward blocking capability thereof; and

charging circuit means for controlling charging of said commutating capacitor from the input terminals and including a switching device and an inductance through which current flows to charge said commutating capacitor to the correct polarity for commutating the main controllable rectifier device before firing of the said main controllable rectifier device.

2. A circuit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said circuit includes switching means for providing, prior to the charging of said commutating capacitor, initial current flow in said inductance such that energy stored in the inductance is transferable to aid in charging said commutating capacitor.

3. A circuit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said switching device of said charging circuit, said inductance, said capacitance, and one of said second and third controllable rectifier devices are connected in that order in a second current path, said switching means for providing initial current flow in said inductance comprising said switching device of said charging circuit means and one of said second and third controllable rectifier devices.

4. A circuit as claimed in claim 3 wherein said switching device of said charging circuit means, said capacitance and said inductance are connected together in that order in a second current path, said switching means providing initial current flow in said inductance comprising one of said second and third controllable rectifier devices.

5. A circuit as claimed in claim 2 wherein the path of said initial current flow includes a load connected between the output terminals.

6. A circuit as claimed in claim 2 wherein the path of said initial current flow excludes a load connected between the output terminals.