Dual output alternator system
First Claim
1. A dual output alternator system, having a first output for providing first and second output voltages at first and second outputs of the dual alternator system, the dual output alternator system comprising:
- an alternating current (ac) voltage source controllable by controlling a field current thereof, said ac voltage source having an output and an internal inductance;
a rectifier having an input coupled to the ac voltage source having a first output and having a second output, each of the first and second outputs coupled to respective ones of the first and second output of the dual output alternator system;
a sensor having an input coupled to at least one of said ac voltage source, an engine and a back emf signal source and having an output; and
a control system having a first input coupled to the output of said sensor, a second input coupled to at least one of the first and second outputs of the dual output alternator system and a first output coupled to said rectifier.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dual output alternator system includes an alternating current (ac) voltage source controllable by controlling a field current, a rectifier coupled to the ac voltage source and having first and second outputs coupled to respective ones of first and second outputs of the dual output alternator system, a sensor coupled to at least one of the ac voltage source, an engine and a back emf signal source and a control system having a first input coupled to an output of the sensor, a second input coupled to at least one of the first and second outputs of the dual output alternator system and a first output coupled to the rectifier.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A dual output alternator system, having a first output for providing first and second output voltages at first and second outputs of the dual alternator system, the dual output alternator system comprising:
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an alternating current (ac) voltage source controllable by controlling a field current thereof, said ac voltage source having an output and an internal inductance;
a rectifier having an input coupled to the ac voltage source having a first output and having a second output, each of the first and second outputs coupled to respective ones of the first and second output of the dual output alternator system;
a sensor having an input coupled to at least one of said ac voltage source, an engine and a back emf signal source and having an output; and
a control system having a first input coupled to the output of said sensor, a second input coupled to at least one of the first and second outputs of the dual output alternator system and a first output coupled to said rectifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
a plurality of thyristors, each of said thyristors having a first terminal coupled to a respective one of the ac voltage source output terminals, a second terminal coupled to the first output of the dual output alternator system and a third terminal coupled to receive a control signals from said control system; and
a plurality of field effect transistors, each of said field effect transistors having a first terminal coupled to a respective one of the ac voltage source output terminals, a second terminal coupled to a reference potential and a control terminal which receives control signals from said control system.
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4. The system of claim 3 wherein said control system comprises:
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a control processor adapted to receive at least a first signal from said sensor and a second signal from one of the first and second outputs of the dual output alternator;
a first duty/firing controller having a first terminal coupled to said control processor and having a second terminal coupled to a control terminal of each of said plurality of thyristors;
a second duty/firing controller having a first terminal coupled to coupled to said control processor and having a second terminal coupled to said switched mode rectifier; and
a field controller having a first terminal coupled to said control processor and having a second terminal coupled to said ac voltage source.
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5. The system of claim 1 wherein said rectifier is a switched mode rectifier that comprises:
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a first set of switches, each of said switches having a first terminal coupled to one of the output terminals of said ac voltage source, having a second terminal coupled to a first one of the outputs of the dual alternator system and having a third terminal coupled to said control system; and
a second set of switches, each of said second set of switches having a first terminal coupled to the output terminals of said ac voltage source and to the first terminals of the first set of switches, having a second set of terminals coupled to the a second one of the outputs of the dual output alternator system and having a third terminal coupled to the control system.
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6. The system of claim 5 wherein:
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said first set of switches are provided as thyristors each of said thyristors having a first terminal coupled to a respective one of the ac voltage source output terminals, a second terminal coupled to the first output of the dual output alternator system and a third terminal coupled to receives control signals from a first duty/firing controller; and
said second set of switches are provided as field effect transistors, each of said field effect transistors having a first terminal coupled to a respective one of the ac voltage source output terminals, a second terminal coupled to a reference potential and a control terminal which receives control signals from a second duty/firing controller.
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7. The system of claim 3 further comprising a set of diodes with each of the diodes having a first terminal coupled to the output terminals of said ac voltage source and having a second terminal coupled to the second output of the dual output alternator system.
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10. The system of claim 1 wherein:
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said ac voltage source comprises a dual-wound alternator having separate machine windings; and
said rectifier comprises a pair of separate rectifiers, each of the rectifiers coupled to one of the first and second outputs of the dual alternator system.
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11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a connecting system having a first terminal adapted to couple to a charging source and a second terminal coupled to said ac voltage source, said connecting system for selectively providing a low impedance path between the first and second terminals thereof.
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12. The system of claim 11 further comprising a charging source having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, said charging source for charging a second source coupled to the second output of the dual output alternator system.
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13. The system of claim 11 further comprising a jump charging controller coupled to said control system, said jump charging controller operative to enable said rectifier to be used in conjunction with the ac voltage source inductances as a dc-to-dc converter to charge a second source from a first source.
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14. The system of claim 12 wherein the positive terminal of said charging source is coupled to the neutral point of the ac voltage source.
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15. The system of claim 12 wherein said charging source has a voltage level which is less than the voltage level of the second source.
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16. The system of claim 12 wherein said charging source corresponds to a first source coupled to the first output of the dual output alternator system.
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17. The system of claim 1 wherein said sensor is provided as at least one of:
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a speed sensor having an input port coupled to one of said ac voltage source and an engine of the vehicle and having an output port coupled to said control system; and
a back emf sensor having an input port coupled to said ac voltage source and an output port coupled to said control system.
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8. The system of 1 wherein said rectifier comprises:
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a switched mode rectifier; and
a diode bridge coupled between said ac voltage source and said switched mode rectifier.
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9. The system of 1 wherein said switched-mode rectifier includes a transformer.
Specification