Multiple application voltage regulator system and method
First Claim
1. A multiple application voltage regulator system having analog and digital circuit requirements comprising:
- a single integrated circuit including;
means for performing both analog and digital circuit functions;
a single voltage comparator for performing any comparator functions required by the voltage regulator system; and
logic gates, a binary counter and plural decoders, the logic gates driven by the binary counter for providing an output waveform to prevent a simultaneous activation of a plurality of the decoders to thereby prevent switching transients.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A single integrated circuit for multiple vehicle voltage regulator applications is inexpensive, programmable and responsive to mixed signals. The integrated circuit provides both analog and digital functions, and uses a single voltage comparator serving all comparator functions. A variety of features are included with the single integrated circuit in order to permit the programmable, mixed signal and multiple application characteristics of the device. Among the features are the provision for a single voltage comparator that serves all comparator functions, logic gates for preventing the simultaneous activation of fixed reference divider analog switches to eliminate current transients, the use of a single TC diode for thermal shut down and multiple temperature compensation curves with different voltage versus temperature rate of change parameters, a single band gap referenced shunt regulator circuit to serve as both a power source to the integrated circuit and as a precision reference voltage for the comparator, and a selectable load control function to gradually apply the field voltage at a programmable rate consisting of reversible and "up" binary counters with associated logic to prevent abrupt torque loads on the driving engine caused by the activation of electrical loads.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A multiple application voltage regulator system having analog and digital circuit requirements comprising:
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a single integrated circuit including; means for performing both analog and digital circuit functions; a single voltage comparator for performing any comparator functions required by the voltage regulator system; and logic gates, a binary counter and plural decoders, the logic gates driven by the binary counter for providing an output waveform to prevent a simultaneous activation of a plurality of the decoders to thereby prevent switching transients.
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2. A multiple application voltage regulator system having analog and digital circuit requirements comprising
a single integrated circuit including: -
means for performing both analog and digital circuit functions; a single voltage comparator for performing any comparator functions required by the voltage regulator system; and a single TC diode and a programmable associated circuit coupled for rendering the single integrated circuit responsive to a plurality of voltage versus temperature conditions, the single TC diode capable of initiating a predetermined thermal shut down function.
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3. A multiple application voltage regulator system having analog and digital circuit requirements comprising:
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a single integrated circuit including; means for performing both analog and digital circuit functions; a single voltage comparator for performing any comparator functions required by the voltage regulator system; and means including a single shunt regulator circuit for providing both power and a precision reference voltage to the single integrated circuit.
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4. A multiple application voltage regulator system having analog and digital circuit requirements comprising:
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a single integrated circuit including; means for performing both analog and digital circuit functions; a single voltage comparator for performing any comparator functions required by the voltage regulator system; and a voltage doubler circuit having means for interfacing with a selected one of a plurality of field driver circuits and means for programming the single integrated circuit for the selected field driver circuit.
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5. A multiple application voltage regulator system having analog and digital circuit requirements comprising:
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a single integrated circuit including; means for performing both analog and digital circuit functions; a single voltage comparator for performing any comparator functions required by the voltage regulator system; and means including a programmable decoder capable of being hardwired for selecting a plurality of circuit constants for a variety of voltage regulator applications.
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6. A multiple application voltage regulator system having analog and digital circuit requirements comprising:
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a single integrated circuit including; means for performing both analog and digital circuit functions; a single voltage comparator for performing any comparator functions required by the voltage regulator system; and means including a stator phase input circuit programmable for use with either alternating current or direct current signals.
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7. A multiple application voltage regulator system having analog and digital circuit requirements comprising:
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a single integrated circuit including; means for performing both analog and digital circuit functions; a single voltage comparator for performing any comparator functions required by the voltage regulator system; and means including a digital low pass filter for restricting circuit activation by false logic signals.
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8. A multiple application voltage regulator system having analog and digital circuit requirements comprising:
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a single integrated circuit including; means for performing both analog and digital circuit functions; a single voltage comparator for performing any comparator functions required by the voltage regulator system; and a speed detector circuit and a warning lamp, and means for rendering the speed detector circuit responsive to changes in alternator speed to provide an output for permitting only an imperceptible activation of the warning lamp upon interruption of voltage regulator operation.
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9. A multiple application voltage regulator system having analog and digital circuit requirements comprising:
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a single integrated circuit including; means for performing both analog and digital circuit functions; a single voltage comparator for performing any comparator functions required by the voltage regulator system; and means for selectively providing a load control function to provide an output for gradually applying a field voltage at a programmable rate.
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10. A multiple application voltage regulator system having analog and digital circuit requirements comprising:
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a single integrated circuit including; means for performing both analog and digital circuit functions; a single voltage comparator for performing any comparator functions required by the voltage regulator system; and a warning lamp coupled with the single integrated circuit and means for continuously powering the single integrated circuit to prevent false warning lamp illumination.
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11. A multiple application voltage regulator system having analog and digital circuit requirements comprising:
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a single integrated circuit including; means for performing both analog and digital circuit functions; a single voltage comparator for performing any comparator functions required by the voltage regulator system; and logic interconnection means for eliminating one of a master and initial reset conditions.
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12. A multiple application voltage regulator system having analog and digital circuit requirements comprising:
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a single integrated circuit including; means for performing both analog and digital circuit functions; a single voltage comparator for performing any comparator functions required by the voltage regulator system; and means for cancelling impedance variations.
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13. A multiple application voltage regulator system having analog and digital circuit requirements comprising:
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a single integrated circuit including; means for performing both analog and digital circuit functions; a single voltage comparator for performing any comparator functions required by the voltage regulator system; and a field monitoring circuit including a redundant field signal transistor and an isolating diode for avoiding interruption of a main field circuit in the event that the isolating diode is shorted to a battery terminal.
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14. A multiple application voltage regulator system having analog and digital circuit requirements comprising:
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a single integrated circuit including; means for performing both analog and digital circuit functions; a single voltage comparator for performing any comparator functions required by the voltage regulator system; and means for receiving inputs from a stator circuit.
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15. A multiple application voltage regulator system for regulating voltage from an engine-driven alternator used in a motor vehicle, comprising a single integrated circuit having within the single integrated circuit means for performing both voltage regulator analog and digital circuit functions, the single integrated circuit also having integrated therewith a single voltage comparator for performing any comparator function required for regulating voltage from the engine-driven alternator and means for performing at least the following comparative functions:
- fail-safe detection;
over-voltage sensing;
set point detection;
under-voltage detection;
thermal shut-down detection; and
turn-on detection.
- fail-safe detection;
Specification