Systems and methods of reducing a load on an engine
First Claim
1. A system for reducing an alternator'"'"'s load on an engine when the engine drives a second load, the system comprising:
- an alternator including a stator, a voltage regulator, a rectifier, and a field coil;
a battery having a first terminal and a second terminal both of which are coupled to the alternator;
a resistor having a first lead coupled to the first terminal and a second lead coupled to the field coil; and
a switch coupled in parallel across the resistor, the switch being open when the engine drives the second load and closed when the engine is not driving the second load;
wherein the switch receives a signal from the second load indicating when the engine is driving the second load.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for reducing an alternator'"'"'s load on an engine when the engine drives a second load. The system includes an alternator, a battery, a resistor, and a switch. The alternator includes a stator, a voltage regulator, a rectifier, and a field coil. The battery has a first terminal coupled to the alternator and a second terminal coupled to the alternator. The resistor has a first lead coupled to the first terminal and a second lead coupled to the field coil. The switch is coupled in parallel across the resistor, and is open when the engine drives the second load and closed when the engine is not driving the second load.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for reducing an alternator'"'"'s load on an engine when the engine drives a second load, the system comprising:
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an alternator including a stator, a voltage regulator, a rectifier, and a field coil; a battery having a first terminal and a second terminal both of which are coupled to the alternator; a resistor having a first lead coupled to the first terminal and a second lead coupled to the field coil; and a switch coupled in parallel across the resistor, the switch being open when the engine drives the second load and closed when the engine is not driving the second load; wherein the switch receives a signal from the second load indicating when the engine is driving the second load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A truck electrical control system, comprising:
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an air conditioner driven by an engine and configured to cool a cab of a truck; an alternator driven by the engine and coupled to the air conditioner, the alternator receiving a signal from the air conditioner indicating whether the air conditioner is operating or not operating, the alternator applying a first load on the engine when the air conditioner is not operating and applying a second load on the engine when the air conditioner is operating, the second load being less than the first load; a switch, the signal opening the switch to transition the alternator from the first load to the second load; and a battery charged by the alternator; wherein the opening of the switch routes current supplied to the field coil through a resistor, wherein the routing of the current through the resistor reduces a field current and reduces an output of the alternator. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of reducing an alternator load on an engine when the engine drives a second load, the method comprising:
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driving an alternator by the engine; applying, by the alternator, a first load on the engine; connecting a second load to the engine; providing a signal by the second load in response to the second load connecting with the engine; receiving the signal by the alternator; opening a switch by the signal, the switch connected in parallel with a resistor, the switch and resistor coupled between a battery terminal and a field coil of the alternator; and reducing the first load on the engine when the alternator receives the signal, wherein the opening of the switch reduces a current supplied to a field coil of the alternator, wherein a resistor reduces a current supplied to the field coil reducing an output of the alternator and reducing the first load. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification