Apparatus and method for automatically testing the generator and regulator of a motor vehicle
First Claim
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1. A method for testing an apparatus for producing an output voltage and an output current, said apparatus having predetermined performance characteristics and rotatable coil means, comprising the steps of:
- limiting said output voltage substantially to a predetermined voltage threshold;
variably rotating said rotatable coil means;
sensing said output current to determine the zero-watt rotary speed of said apparatus, said apparatus initiating production of said output current whenever said output voltage substantially equals said predetermined voltage threshold;
rotating said rotatable coil means at a first and second rotary speed above said zero-watt rotary speed;
measuring said output current at said first and second rotary speeds; and
comparing said zero-watt rotary speed, said first rotary speed output current and said second rotary speed output current with said predetermind performance characteristics.
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Abstract
An automatic generator and regulator tester and method thereof. With the apparatus and method described herein, various performance characteristics of the generator and regulator are determined for comparison, automatically and electronically, to known, standardized performance characteristics.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for testing an apparatus for producing an output voltage and an output current, said apparatus having predetermined performance characteristics and rotatable coil means, comprising the steps of:
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limiting said output voltage substantially to a predetermined voltage threshold; variably rotating said rotatable coil means; sensing said output current to determine the zero-watt rotary speed of said apparatus, said apparatus initiating production of said output current whenever said output voltage substantially equals said predetermined voltage threshold; rotating said rotatable coil means at a first and second rotary speed above said zero-watt rotary speed; measuring said output current at said first and second rotary speeds; and comparing said zero-watt rotary speed, said first rotary speed output current and said second rotary speed output current with said predetermind performance characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An apparatus for testing a unit producing an output voltage and an output current, said unit having rotatable coil means, comprising, in combination:
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drive means for variably rotating said rotatable coil means, said drive means having at least a first and second rotary speed; output means for selectively limiting said output voltage substantially to a predetermined voltage level, said unit producing said output current whenever said output voltage substantially equals said predetermined voltage level; means for measuring said output current at said first and second rotary speeds; and means for sensing initiation of said output current said sensing means, drive means and output means cooperatively defining zero-watt means for determining the zero-watt rotary speed of said unit. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification