Alternator regulator having output monitoring and limiting controls
First Claim
1. A voltage regulator for controlling an alternator establishing an electrical output including an output voltage and an output current to a connected load, comprisinga control circuit means having output means controlling the electrical output of such alternator,a current sensing means having connection means adapted to be connected to the output of the alternator and establishing a current-related signal proportional to the level of the output current from the alternator, a voltage sensing means having an input means and connection means adapted to connect said input means to the output of the alternator and establishing a voltage-related signal proportional to the level of the voltage output of the alternator, a voltage/current selection means having a first input connected to said current sensing means and a second input connected to said voltage sensing means and having an output means for controlling transmission of signals from said sensing means for controlling said alternator, said selection means transmitting a single one of said signals from said sensing means,a sensor continuity detector connected to the connection of said voltage sensing means to said alternator and operable to separately detect the lack of continuity in the connection means of the voltage sensor means to said alternator and to thereby detect an essentially open circuit condition in said connection means, andmeans connecting said sensor continuity detector to said control circuit means to control said alternator and override the signal from said selection means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An alternator regulator includes a status sensor connected to monitoring the connection of a voltage sensor to the alternator and a separate current limited monitor unit to regulate the output in accordance with the alternator current output. The sensor monitor unit includes a continuity circuit detector coupled to the voltage sensor and operable to continuously monitor the state of the connection to the alternator. A fault in the circuit connection such as a loose terminal, a broken lead or other such faults, opens the continuity circuit and generates a signal which drive the regulator off and terminates operation of the alternator, thereby protecting the alternator from possible destruction. A voltage/current mode selector receives a voltage related signal and a current related signal. A signal comparator is coupled to the voltage related signal and the sensed current related signal and generates a logic control signal applied to the selector to transmit one of the two signals. If the voltage drops, the current control is automatically triggered at a selective level to control the alternator output in accordance with the current output. The current limit control will limit the alternator output when zero voltage is occasioned by a short circuit condition. The conjoint control effected by the separate status sensing monitor positively shuts down the alternator, preventing operation of the current mode and insuring total protection of the alternator system.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A voltage regulator for controlling an alternator establishing an electrical output including an output voltage and an output current to a connected load, comprising
a control circuit means having output means controlling the electrical output of such alternator, a current sensing means having connection means adapted to be connected to the output of the alternator and establishing a current-related signal proportional to the level of the output current from the alternator, a voltage sensing means having an input means and connection means adapted to connect said input means to the output of the alternator and establishing a voltage-related signal proportional to the level of the voltage output of the alternator, a voltage/current selection means having a first input connected to said current sensing means and a second input connected to said voltage sensing means and having an output means for controlling transmission of signals from said sensing means for controlling said alternator, said selection means transmitting a single one of said signals from said sensing means, a sensor continuity detector connected to the connection of said voltage sensing means to said alternator and operable to separately detect the lack of continuity in the connection means of the voltage sensor means to said alternator and to thereby detect an essentially open circuit condition in said connection means, and means connecting said sensor continuity detector to said control circuit means to control said alternator and override the signal from said selection means.
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11. A regulator for controlling an alternator,
a control means having an output means for controlling the excitation of the alternator and thereby the electrical output of the alternator, a current sensing means having input means for connection to the output of the alternator and establishing a current-related signal proportional to the voltage output of the alternator, a voltage sensing means having input means for connection to the output of the alternator and establishing a voltage-related signal proportional to the voltage output of the alternator, a voltage/current selector means having input means connected to said current sensing means and to said voltage sensing means and having an output means and selectively connecting said output means to said current sensing means or said voltage sensing means, and signal level comparator means having input means connected to said current sensing means and to said voltage sensing means and having an output means connected to actuate said selector means in accordance with the level of the signals from said sensing means, said comparator means connecting said voltage sensing means to said output means and responsive to a voltage-related signal with said alternator producing a zero output to connect said current sensing means to said output means to limit the current and prevent a damaging current flow from said alternator.
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18. A voltage regulator unit for regulating an alternator,
an output sensor means having an input means connected to the output of the alternator to sense the electrical output of the alternator and having processing means, conductors connecting said processing means and said input means to establish a related output signal, control means connected to said processing means, and operable to control the output of the alternator, a sensor continuity detector connected to the output sensor means and directly monitoring the physical continuity of the conductors between said input means and said processing means and establishing a control signal in response to an opening in said conductors from the input means to the output sensor means, limit means connecting said detector to said control means to signal said opening and thereby connection loss in said conductors, said regulator including a D.C. power supply, said detector including means connected to said power supply to establish a D.C. current flow through said alternator and said input means to said sensing means, and said detector monitors the level of the D.C. current flow and thereby the continuity of the coupling of the sensor input means to the alternator.
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19. In combination, a generator unit and a voltage regulator for controlling an alternator establishing electrical output including an output voltage and an output current to a connected to a load, said regulator comprising
a control circuit means having output means controlling the electrical output of such alternator, a current sensing means having input means adapted to be connected to the output of the alternator and establishing a current-related signal proportional to the level of the output current from the alternator, a voltage sensing means having an input means adapted to be coupled to the output of the alternator and establishing a voltage-related signal proportional to the level of the voltage output of the alternator, a voltage/current selection means having a first input connected to said current sensing means and a second input connected to said voltage sensing means and having an output means for controlling transmission of signals from said sensing means for controlling said alternator, said selection means transmitting a single one of said signals from said sensing means, a sensor continuity detector for connection to the input means of said voltage sensing means to said alternator and for separately detecting the lack of continuity in the connection means of the voltage sensor means to said alternator and to thereby detect an essentially open circuit condition in said connection means, means connecting said sensor continuity detector to said control circuit means to control said alternator and override the signal from said selection means, and said generator unit including a permanent magnet generator, a rectifier means connected to the output of said generator and establishing a D.C. power supply to said voltage regulator, said detector including means connected to said rectifier means to establish a D.C. current flow through said alternator and the input means to said voltage sensing means, and said detector includes a D.C. current sensing means monitoring the level of said D.C. current flow and thereby the continuity of the connection of the voltage sensing means to the alternator.
Specification