Control system for an alternating current generator

• US 6,294,899 B1
• Filed: 02/14/2000
• Issued: 09/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Iwatani, Shiro, Tokugawa, Kazuya
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US09/503,117
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 322/25, 322/27, 322/28, 322/36, 322/37
• US Class Current: 322/28
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00308 Overvoltage protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/163 with special means for initiating or limiting the excitation current
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 2101/45 for motor vehicles, e.g. car alternators
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/305 controlling voltage H02P9/302 takes precedence

Abstract

In order to make the output voltage of the alternating current generator to be controllable even when a malfunction is produced on the negative electrode side of the magnetic field coil, the voltage control circuit for controlling the output voltage of the alternating current generator is provided on the negative electrode side of the magnetic field coil of the alternating current generator for charging a battery and, on the positive electrode side of the same, the overvoltage protection circuit for controlling the output voltage of the alternating current generator is provided.

Claims

1. A control system for an alternating current generator for charging a battery and comprising a magnetic field coil, generator coils and a voltage control circuit for controlling output voltage of said alternating current generator and being provided on the negative electrode side of said magnetic field coil, wherein an overvoltage protection circuit for controlling said output voltage of said alternating current generator is provided on the positive electrode side of said magnetic field coil.

2. A control system for an alternating current generator according to claim 1, wherein said voltage control circuit comprises a first power transistor for controlling magnetic field current by turning on and turning off the same and being connected in series with said magnetic field coil on the negative electrode side of said magnetic field coil, said voltage control circuit controls said first power transistor by detecting said output voltage of said alternating current generator, thereby controls said output voltage to a first predetermined value which is a normal value of said output voltage.

3. A control system for an alternating current generator according to claim 2, wherein said overvoltage protection circuit comprises a second power transistor for controlling magnetic field current by turning on and turning off the same and being connected in series with said magnetic field coil on its positive electrode side, a first voltage control section which works so as to control said output voltage to a second predetermined value by controlling said second power transistor through detection of said output voltage of said alternating current generator, and a second voltage control section which works so as to shut off said second power transistor when said output voltage exceeds a third predetermined value being set higher than said first and second predetermined values.

4. A control system for an alternating current according to claim 3, wherein said overvoltage protection circuit turns on an overvoltage warning lamp when said second voltage control section is operated caused by said output voltage of said alternating current generator exceeding over said third predetermined value.

5. A control system for an alternating current generator according to claim 2, wherein said voltage control circuit is installed within body of said alternating current generator.

6. A control system for an alternating current generator according to claim 3, wherein said overvoltage protection circuit is installed within body of said alternating current generator.

7. A control system for an alternating current generator according to claim 2, wherein said voltage control circuit is arranged to be formed to a separated body from said alternating current generator.

8. A control system for an alternating current generator according to claim 3, wherein said overvoltage protection circuit is arranged to be formed to a separated body from said alternating current generator.

9. A control system for an alternating current generator according to claim 3, wherein said second predetermined value is the same with said first predetermined value.

10. A control system for an alternating current generator according to claim 3, wherein said third predetermined value is set higher by 1.8V for battery of 12V grade with respect to said first predetermined value and is set higher by 4.5V for battery of 24V grade with respect to the same.