Electronic control for series circuits

• US 5,245,272 A
• Filed: 10/10/1991
• Issued: 09/14/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: David C. Herbert
• Original Assignee: David C. Herbert
• Inventors: Herbert, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephan, Steven L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BERHANE, ADOLF D
• Application Number:
  US07/774,549
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 323/299, 323/300, 323/320, 323/349, 323/270, 363/89
• US Class Current: 323/300
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/44 semiconductor devices only
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 5/293 using semiconductor devices only

Abstract

An electronic controller (22) designed to be placed within an electrical series circuit for the purpose of controlling voltage and amperage applied to a series load (21) within the same circuit. The concept of design being that the controller is attached exclusively to the series circuit and obtains operating voltage through the points of connection to the series circuit. The controller provides a wide range of variable amperage control to the load being driven. Further design features are that the controller operates within a series circuits comprising alternating current, rectified alternating current, pure direct current or a combination of any without modification.

Claims

1. An electrical controller for the purpose of controlling current within an electrical series circuit, said series circuit comprising as a minimum, a power source, an electrical load, and said controller, of which the said controller is placed in series and in between the opening of any single conductor of said series circuit, said controller obtaining exclusive operational power from the points of connection to said conductor of said series circuit, said controller upon conduction, shunting all available current within said series circuit through said points of connection to said electrical load, said controller:

(a) comprising circuitry to convert the current of said series circuit entering said controller to direct current of proper polarity for use within said controller and to allow said series circuit current to exit from said controller in the original waveform existing prior to conversion, and

(b) comprising circuitry to switch said series circuit current on and off at a set frequency, and

(c) comprising circuitry to produce regulated power to the internal components of said controller, and

(d) comprising circuitry to control the duration of the on and off periods during the switching cycles, and

(e) comprising circuitry to capture peak voltage levels existing between the points of connection of said controller to said series circuit conductors during periods of non-conduction, the purpose thereof being to supply power to the internal components of said controller during conduction cycles.

2. The said series circuit current of claim 1 being either alternating current, rectified alternating current to direct current, pure direct current, or a combination of any.

3. The said controller of claim 1 requiring a maximum of two connections to the said series circuit.

4. The said controller of claim 1 produces a pulse width signal which is modulated with the said series circuit current waveform.

5. The said controller of claim 1 produces a variable pulse width modulated signal repeating at a set pulse cycle frequency unsyncronized to the waveforms applied to said series circuit.

6. The said controller of claim 1 being operable over a wide range of voltages and frequencies applied to said series circuit.

7. The said controller of claim 1 being of such design as to preclude the need of electrical isolation between the source of power supplied to the control circuitry and the source of power supplied to the switching circuitry.

8. An electronic controller which provides for control of a generated current within an electrical series circuit by means of a switching circuit designed to shunt available current of said series circuit through said controller to a load connected within the said series circuit, said series circuit consisting of a minimum, a source of power, an electrical load and said controller, said controller being connected in series and in between the opening of any single conductor of said series circuit and obtaining exclusive operational power at the points of connection to said series circuit, said controller:

(a) comprising circuitry to convert the current of said series circuit entering said controller to direct current of proper polarity for use within said controller and to allow said series circuit current to exit from said controller in the original waveform existing prior to conversion, and

(b) comprising circuitry to switch said series circuit current on and off at a set frequency, and

(c) comprising circuitry to produce regulated power to the internal components of said controller, and

(d) comprising circuitry to control the duration of the on and off periods during the switching cycles, and

(e) comprising circuitry to capture peak voltage levels existing between the points of connection of said controller to said series circuit conductors during periods of non-conduction, the purpose thereof being to supply power to the internal components of said controller during conduction cycles.

9. The said series circuit current of claim 8 being either alternating current, rectified alternating current to direct current, pure direct current, or a combination of any.

10. The said controller of claim 8 requiring a maximum of two connections to the said series circuit.

11. The said controller of claim 8 produces a pulse width signal which is modulated with the said series circuit current waveform.

12. The said controller of claim 8 produces a variable pulse width modulated signal repeating at a set pulse cycle frequency unsyncronized to the waveforms applied to said series circuit.

13. The said controller of claim 8 being operable over a wide range of voltages and frequencies applied to said series circuit.

14. The said controller of claim 8 being of such design as to preclude the need of electrical isolation between the source of power supplied to the control circuitry and the source of power supplied to the switching circuitry.

15. An electrical controller for the purpose of shunting current around electrical components placed within a series circuit which restrict or control current to a load within said series circuit, said series circuit comprising a source of power, an electrical load, a current restricting device and said electrical controller being placed in parallel with said current restricting device, said electrical controller obtaining exclusive operational power from the points of connection to the said current restricting device, said electrical controller shunting total available current of said series circuit around said current restricting device upon conduction for application to said electrical load, said controller:

(a) comprising circuitry to convert the current of said series circuit entering said controller to direct current of proper polarity for use within said controller and to allow said series circuit current to exit from said controller in the original waveform existing prior to conversion, and

(b) comprising circuitry to switch said series circuit current on and off at a set frequency, and

(c) comprising circuitry to produce regulated power to the internal components of said controller, and

(d) comprising circuitry to control the duration of the on and off periods during the switching cycles, and

(e) comprising circuitry to capture peak voltage levels existing between the points of connection of said controller to said current restricting device during periods of non-conduction, the purpose thereof being to supply power to the internal components of said controller during conduction cycles.

16. The said series circuit current of claim 15 being either alternating current, rectified alternating current to direct current, pure direct current, or a combination of any.

17. The said controller of claim 15 requiring a maximum of two connections to the said series circuit.

18. The said controller of claim 15 produces a pulse width signal which is modulated with the said series circuit current waveform.

19. The said controller of claim 15 produces a variable pulse width modulated signal repeating at a set pulse cycle frequency unsyncronized to the waveforms applied to said series circuit.

20. The said controller of claim 15 being operable over a wide range of voltages and frequencies applied to said series circuit.