REGENERATIVE CHOPPER CIRCUITRY

• US 3,793,578 A
• Filed: 03/13/1972
• Issued: 02/19/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Magnetek Incorporated Ste
• Original Assignee: Charles E. Rettig
• Inventors: Rettig, Charles E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beha, Jr., William H.
• Application Number:
  US05/234,026
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 321/8R,43,44,49 307/106,107,240,321 318/331,375,376 323/DIG.1
• US Class Current: 363/132
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/155 using semiconductor devices only

Abstract

A chopper for converting fixed magnitude direct current voltage to adjustable magnitude direct current voltage is capable of regenerative operation. Two series connected current control device and diode pairs are connected between adjustable DC voltage output conductors. The fixed magnitude DC voltage input conductors are connected intermediate the elements of each pair. Control circuitry is connected to the current control devices for controlling the magnitude of the output voltage and for effecting power supplying or regenerative operation.

Claims

1. A circuit having input terminals connectable to means providing constant magnitude direct current voltage and output terminals providing adjustable magnitude direct current voltage, said circuit comprising;

a bridge circuit having a pair of said input terminals and a pair of said output terminals, each of said input terminals being connected to each of said output terminals by bridge arm conductors;

a pair of current flow control means connected in two opposite bridge arm conductors for establishing a current path in said circuit including said means providing constant magnitude direct current voltage as an electrical source, at least having relay contacts interposed in one of the opposite bridge arm conductors one of said pair of current control means comprising a relay;

a pair of unidirectional current flow devices connected in the remaining two bridge conductor arms and poled for establishing a current path in said circuit including said means providing constant magnitude direct current voltage as an electrical load; and

control circuitry including polarity detection means coupled to said output terminals and to said relay for operating said relay in accordance with the voltage impressed on said output terminals for establishing the current flow controlling state of said current control means for controlling the periods in which said current control means are simultaneously in the same current flow controlling state and the magnitude and polarity of the adjustable magnitude direct current voltage.

2. The circuit according to claim 1 wherein one said current flow control means comprises a transistor and said unidirectional current flow devices comprise diodes.

3. The circuit according to claim 1 wherein said control circuitry includes voltage level sensing means coupled to said output terminals, said control circuitry initially placing said relay in the current flow state and subsequently placing said relay in the current blocking state after a predetermined output voltage level has been exceeded, said control circuitry further regulating the current flow controlling state of said other current flow control means.