Regulator for boosting the output of an alternator

• US 6,541,943 B1
• Filed: 03/02/2001
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Penntex Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Penntex Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Wylie, John R., Stroud, Jimmy G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tamai, Karl
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cuevas, Pedro J.
• Application Number:
  US09/798,170
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 322/28, 322/17, 322/61, 322/59, 322/44
• US Class Current: 322/28
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/2434 with pulse modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 2101/45 for motor vehicles, e.g. car alternators
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 2201/09 Boost converter, i.e. DC-DC step up converter increasing the voltage between the supply and the inverter driving the motor
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/38 Self-excitation by current derived from rectification of both output voltage and output current of generator
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/48 Arrangements for obtaining a constant output value at varying speed of the generator, e.g. on vehicle H02P9/04 - H02P9/46 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/92 Energy efficient charging or discharging systems for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors specially adapted for vehicles

Abstract

The regulator includes a control circuit for controlling a transistor switch. The switch has an output coupled to a field terminal which is to be coupled to the rotor'"'"'s field coil. The regulator also includes a stator terminal coupled to the control circuit; an ignition terminal coupled to the control circuit for turning the regulator on and off; and a positive battery terminal coupled to the control circuit. A bank of capacitors is coupled between the stator terminal and the input of the switch. The rectifier has an anode coupled to the battery terminal and a cathode coupled to the input of the switch. The capacitor bank in conjunction with the rectifier boost the voltage to the switch and the field. This increases the maximum output of the alternator.

Claims

1. A regulator for operating an alternator of a motor vehicle, wherein the alternator is of the type having a rotor field coil, a stator coil and rectifiers for maintaining the charge a battery of the vehicle, comprising:

a control switch having an input, an output and a control means,

said switch having a conduction state and an off state,

a control circuit having an output coupled to said control means for controlling the state of said switch,

a field terminal coupled to said output of said switch for applying current to said rotor coil,

a stator terminal coupled to said control circuit,

an ignition terminal coupled to said control circuit, for turning said regulator on for allowing said control circuit to control the state of said switch,

a positive battery terminal coupled to said control circuit and to be coupled to the positive terminal of the battery of the vehicle,

a capacitor means and a diode for increasing the current to the field terminal for application to the rotor coil,

said capacitor means being coupled between said stator terminal and said input of said switch,

said diode having an anode coupled to said positive battery terminal and a cathode coupled to said input of said switch.

2. A system for providing electrical power for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a battery having a positive terminal,

an alternator comprising a rotor field coil, a stator coil, rectifiers, and an output coupled to said positive terminal,

a control switch having an input, an output and a control means,

said switch having a conduction state and an off state,

a control circuit having an output coupled to said control means for controlling the state of said switch,

a field terminal coupled from said output of said switch and to said rotor coil,

a stator terminal coupled to said stator coil and to said control circuit,

an ignition terminal coupled to said positive terminal of said battery and to said control circuit and including an on-off switch for actuating said control circuit when said on-off switch is closed,

a positive battery terminal, coupled to said positive terminal of said battery and to said control circuit for applying current thereto,

a capacitor means and a diode for increasing the current to the rotor coil,

said capacitor means being coupled between said stator terminal and said input of said control switch,

said diode having an anode coupled to said positive terminal and a cathode coupled to said in put of said control switch.