Voltage regulating device using transistor means for voltage clipping and having load current compensation

• US 4,684,876 A
• Filed: 05/27/1986
• Issued: 08/04/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kirby B. Creel
• Original Assignee: Kirby B. Creel
• Inventors: Creel, Kirby B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beha, Jr., William H.
• Application Number:
  US06/867,131
• Time in Patent Office: 434 Days
• Field of Search: 323/265, 323/266, 323/268, 323/270, 323/274, 323/275, 323/303, 323/226, 323/246, 323/245, 323/294, 323/273, 307/568, 361/91, 363/89
• US Class Current: 323/268
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/445 being transistors in series with the load

Abstract

An alternating current voltage regulator is provided which clips the maxima of the positive and negative portions of the incoming alternating current wave form at a regulated level thereby producing alternating current output wave form, and which varies the regulated output voltage level in response to changes in output current. The preferred regulator includes two electrically independent regulating sections, one for clipping the positive portion of the alternating current wave form and the other for clipping the negative portion of the incoming alternating current wave form. Preferably each independent regulating section includes means for sensing the positive and negative portions of the output current respectively and for varying the regulated level of the positive and negative output voltages respectively in response thereto. A second embodiment is illustrated using the amplifier as part of the current sensing means for use with high load current applications.

Claims

1. In an alternating current voltage regulator for use between a source of alternating current input voltage and a load, the regulator including input terminals adapted for coupling with the source and output terminals adapted for coupling with the load, said input voltage including a relatively positive portion and a relatively negative portion, the regulator comprising:

voltage clipping means, operatively coupled with the input terminals and adapted for receiving a control signal, for clipping the maxima of the relatively positive and relatively negative portions of the input voltage at a level corresponding to and in response to said control signal to create an output voltage at a regulated level at the output terminals;

voltage sensing means operatively coupled with the output terminals and with said voltage clipping means for sensing the magnitude of the output voltage and for producing said control signal in response thereto; and

current sensing means coupled in a series relationship with said load for sensing the magnitude of said output current, said current sensing means including means for varying the regulated level of the output voltage in a predetermined, correlated response to variations in the sensed magnitude of said output current,

said voltage clipping means including

positive portion clipping means for clipping the maxima of the positive portion of the input voltage in response to a positive portion control signal to create a regulated positive portion output voltage, and

negative portion clipping means for clipping the maxima of the negative portion of the input voltage in response to a negative portion control signal to create a regulated negative portion output voltage,

said voltage sensing means including

positive portion voltage sensing means for sensing the magnitude of said positive portion output voltage and for producing said positive portion control signal in response thereto, and

negative portion voltage sensing means for sensing the magnitude of said negative portion output voltage and for producing said negative portion control signal in response thereto,

said current sensing means including

positive portion current sensing means for sensing the average magnitude of the positive portion of the output current existing over a predetermined plurality of alternating current cycles, and for providing a correlated positive portion current signal in response thereto, and

negative portion current sensing means for sensing the average magnitude of the negative portion of the output current existing over a predetermined plurality of alternating current cycles, and providing a correl ated negative portion current signal in response thereto,

said positive portion voltage sensing means including means for receiving said positive portion current signal and for varying said positive portion output voltage in response thereto,

said negative portion sensing means including means for receiving said negative portion current signal and for varying said negative portion output voltage in response thereto.

2. The regulator as set forth in claim 1, further including temperature compensating means thermally coupled with the load for sensing the temperature of the load and for varying said output voltage in a predetermined response to said sensed temperature.

3. The regulator as set forth in claim 1, said voltage clipping means including a field effect transistor.