Half-wave regulator rectifier for an alternator
First Claim
1. A regulator rectifier for an alternator producing alternate positive and negative voltage waveforms between output terminals connected in a circuit for charging a battery to a regulated battery voltage during the positive waveform comprising:
- a controlled rectifier connected as a rectifying element between one terminal of the alternator and one terminal of the battery;
control circuit means for controlling forward conduction of the controlled rectifier during the positive waveform of the alternator including controlled switching means having conductive and nonconductive conditions and an alternator voltage tracking circuit;
the tracking circuit being connected across the alternator terminals to monitor the alternator voltage independently of the battery voltage, and producing a signal tracking the positive voltage waveform of the alternator in the vicinity of the regulated battery voltage,the controlled switching means being connected to the tracking circuit and responsive to the tracking signal to switch between conductive and nonconductive states as the alternator voltage reaches the regulated voltage and also connected to a control gate of the controlled rectifier to remove bias from the control gate and prevent conduction of the rectifier unless alternator current flows through the battery before the alternator voltage reaches the regulated battery voltage.
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Abstract
A half-wave regulator rectifier utilizes a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) as the rectifying element between an alternator producing positive and negative voltage phases or waveforms and a battery charged by the alternator. The SCR is permitted to conduct charging currents through the battery during the positive voltage phases by means of a control circuit having a transistor connected to the control gate of the SCR. The control circuit monitors the alternator voltage and causes the transistor to inhibit conduction through the SCR above a regulated battery voltage unless charging current flows through the battery before the regulated battery voltage is reached by the alternator voltage. The regulator rectifier is protected against damage when abnormal conditions exist, such as no battery connection with the regulated system.
15 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A regulator rectifier for an alternator producing alternate positive and negative voltage waveforms between output terminals connected in a circuit for charging a battery to a regulated battery voltage during the positive waveform comprising:
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a controlled rectifier connected as a rectifying element between one terminal of the alternator and one terminal of the battery; control circuit means for controlling forward conduction of the controlled rectifier during the positive waveform of the alternator including controlled switching means having conductive and nonconductive conditions and an alternator voltage tracking circuit; the tracking circuit being connected across the alternator terminals to monitor the alternator voltage independently of the battery voltage, and producing a signal tracking the positive voltage waveform of the alternator in the vicinity of the regulated battery voltage, the controlled switching means being connected to the tracking circuit and responsive to the tracking signal to switch between conductive and nonconductive states as the alternator voltage reaches the regulated voltage and also connected to a control gate of the controlled rectifier to remove bias from the control gate and prevent conduction of the rectifier unless alternator current flows through the battery before the alternator voltage reaches the regulated battery voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. In combination with a battery and a battery charging alternator having a first terminal connecting directly with a first terminal of the battery, the improvement comprising:
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a silicon controlled rectifier connected as a rectifying member between a second terminal of the battery and a second terminal of the alternator to selectively conduct a charging current from the alternator through the battery during one half cycle of the alternator output; a controlled switch connected between the gate and cathode electrodes of the silicon controlled rectifier; the gate and cathode electrodes of the silicon controlled rectifier also being connected to the terminals of the alternator whereby the silicon controlled rectifier may be biased for conduction by the alternator voltage independently of the battery voltage and be unbiased by the controlled switch; and electrical circuit means connected with the alternator terminals and the controlled switch for actuating the switch and unbiasing the silicon controlled rectifier above a preselected alternator voltage. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A half-wave regulator rectifier for charging a battery from a source producing an alternating output voltage comprising:
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a silicon controlled rectifier serially connected between one terminal of the source and one terminal of the battery with the anode and cathode forwardly biased during a positive phase of the alternating output voltage for conducting a charging current through the battery, the rectifier also having a control gate gating the rectifier for conduction when a forward bias is present between the gate and cathode; and regulating means for controlling conduction of the silicon controlled rectifier during each positive phase of the alternating output voltage including voltage monitoring circuit means connected to the source for monitoring the source voltage when the source is both above and below a selected regulated voltage level, and connected to the rectifier for controlling forward bias at the control gate independently of the battery, the circuit means including a controlled switch having conductive and nonconductive conditions and being actuated by the monitored source voltage during each positive phase regardless of the battery voltage as the source voltage reaches the selected regulated voltage level, the switch being operatively connected to the control gate of the silicon controlled rectifier to allow a forward bias to exist at the gate of the silicon controlled rectifier during the portion of each positive phase in which the source voltage is below the regulated voltage level and to remove forward bias from the gate during the portion of each positive phase in which the voltage is above the regulated voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification