Internal packaged alternator with microprocessor controlled multi-input regulator
First Claim
1. A vehicle alternator comprising:
- a housing;
a rotor having a field coil positioned within the housing;
a stator positioned within the housing, the stator configured to provide an output voltage in response to rotation of the rotor; and
a voltage regulator positioned within the housing, the voltage regulator configured to receive a battery temperature signal and a battery current signal from outside of the alternator, the voltage regulator further configured to control the current provided to the field coil based at least in part on the received battery temperature signal and the received battery current signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle alternator comprises a housing with a voltage regulator positioned within the housing. The alternator further comprises a rotor having a field coil positioned within the housing and a stator positioned within the housing. The stator includes stator windings configured to provide an output voltage in response to rotation of the rotor. The voltage regulator is configured to receive a battery temperature signal from outside of the alternator and control the current provided to the field coil based at least in part on the received battery temperature signal. In at least one embodiment, the battery temperature signal is provided from a temperature sensor positioned adjacent to the vehicle battery. The voltage regulator of the alternator includes a processor configured to control the current provided to the field coil based at least in part on the particular type of vehicle battery used in association with the alternator.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vehicle alternator comprising:
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a housing; a rotor having a field coil positioned within the housing; a stator positioned within the housing, the stator configured to provide an output voltage in response to rotation of the rotor; and a voltage regulator positioned within the housing, the voltage regulator configured to receive a battery temperature signal and a battery current signal from outside of the alternator, the voltage regulator further configured to control the current provided to the field coil based at least in part on the received battery temperature signal and the received battery current signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of controlling vehicle alternator comprising:
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delivering a battery temperature signal from outside the vehicle alternator to a regulator positioned within a housing of the vehicle alternator; delivering a battery current signal from outside the vehicle alternator to the regulator; providing a current to a field coil; and adjusting the current provided to the field coil based at least in part on the battery temperature signal and the battery current signal received by the regulator. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An electrical arrangement for a vehicle, the electrical arrangement comprising:
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a vehicle battery; a temperature sensor provided adjacent the vehicle battery, the temperature sensor configured to provide a battery temperature signal; a current sensor configured to detect current through an electrical conductor connected to the vehicle battery and provide a battery current signal; and an alternator configured to receive the battery temperature signal from the temperature sensor, the alternator comprising, an alternator housing, a rotor having a field coil positioned within the alternator housing, a stator positioned within the alternator housing, the stator configured to provide an output voltage in response to rotation of the rotor; and a voltage regulator positioned within the housing, the voltage regulator configured to receive the battery temperature signal and the battery current signal, the voltage regulator further configured to control the current provided to the field coil based at least in part on the received battery temperature signal and the received battery current signal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification