System and method for electric current and power monitor and control of a generator

• US 7,598,713 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2008
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
• Original Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
• Inventors: Patterson, Ciaran, Pourkermani, Mahmood, Basic, Nisvet
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko; Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US12/288,779
• Publication Number:
  US 20090058207A1
• Time in Patent Office: 349 Days
• Field of Search: 322/22, 322/23, 322/25, 322/28, 322/37, 322/99
• US Class Current: 322/37
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 29/64 Controlling or determining the temperature of the winding

Abstract

A control device measures a voltage drop across a conductor in a generator to determine and control the total generator output current. A temperature of the conductor is also measured to improve the accuracy. The control device may further improve on the accuracy by compensating for the electrical current through a field coil that may power the generator. The control device may be used in combination with a generator in a vehicle electrical system. Other system parameters may be monitored to improve on the system monitoring, diagnostics, and control. The generator may include a conductor comprising a process-controlled geometric shape.

Claims

1. A generator, comprising:

a conductor comprising

a process-controlled geometric shape and operative to generate

a first signal indicative of

an electrical potential across the conductor and wherein

a total electrical output current generated by the generator is substantially proportional to the electrical potential,

wherein the process-controlled geometric shape comprised at least one of a specific length and a specific cross section,

wherein the specific length is a specified dimension comprising a tolerance range of less than or equal to 1/100 of an inch.

2. The generator of claim 1, further comprising a control device responsive to the first signal and operative to at least one of limit and cease the total electrical output current, via a generator output power controller, according to the first signal.

3. The control device of claim 2, wherein said generator output power controller comprises at least one of a voltage regulator, a field coil, a silicon controlled rectifier, and a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor.

4. The generator of claim 2, further comprising means to generate a second signal indicative of a temperature of the conductor and wherein the control device is additionally responsive to the second signal and operative to at least one of limit and cease the total electrical output current, via the generator output power controller, according to at least one of the first and second signal.

5. The generator of claim 2, further comprising means to generate a second signal indicative of electrical current through a field coil included in the generator and wherein the control device is additionally responsive to the second signal and operative to at least one of limit and cease the total electrical output current, via the generator output power controller, according to at least one of the first and second signal.

6. The generator of claim 1, wherein the specific cross section is one of a circular, a rectangular of a trapezoidal cross-section.