Dual rate voltage regulator
First Claim
1. A dual rate voltage regulator for a direct current alternator or generator having a field coil terminal and positive and negative output terminals for connection across a battery, the regulator comprising:
- (a) positive, negative and field coil terminals arranged for connection to corresponding terminals of a direct current alternator or generator,(b) first electrically actuated switch means for connecting said field coil terminal to one of said positive and negative terminals,(c) first electric switch actuator means arranged to be connected across said positive and negative terminals for operation at a predetermined low level output voltage from a direct current alternator or generator to open said first switch means, whereby to limit the output charging voltage to said low level,(d) second electrically actuated switch means arranged to releasably connect said first electric switch actuator means across said positive and negative terminals, and(e) second electric switch actuator means connected across said positive and negative terminals and operable at a predetermined higher level output voltage from the direct current alternator or generator to close said second switch means and connect said first switch actuator means across said terminals, whereby to operate the first switch actuator means to open said first switch means and reduce the direct current voltage output of the alternator or generator from said higher level to said low level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A voltage regulator includes a first normally closed switch arranged for releasably connecting the field coil terminal of an engine-driven DC alternator or DC generator to its appropriate positive or negative output terminal. The first switch is controlled by an electric actuator having an electric circuit arranged for connection across the output terminals of the alternator or generator and is operable at a predetermined lower level output voltage to open the first switch, whereby to limit the output charging voltage to said lower level which is predetermined to effect charging of the battery without significant consumption of water. A second switch in the electric circuit of the first switch actuator is controlled by an electric actuator arranged for connection across the output terminals of the alternator or generator and is operable at a predetermined higher level output voltage to close the second switch and activate the first switch actuator to open the first switch and reduce the charging voltage to said lower level from said higher level which is predetermined to effect charging of the battery quickly, whereupon charging continues at the lower level until the engine is shut down.
17 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A dual rate voltage regulator for a direct current alternator or generator having a field coil terminal and positive and negative output terminals for connection across a battery, the regulator comprising:
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(a) positive, negative and field coil terminals arranged for connection to corresponding terminals of a direct current alternator or generator, (b) first electrically actuated switch means for connecting said field coil terminal to one of said positive and negative terminals, (c) first electric switch actuator means arranged to be connected across said positive and negative terminals for operation at a predetermined low level output voltage from a direct current alternator or generator to open said first switch means, whereby to limit the output charging voltage to said low level, (d) second electrically actuated switch means arranged to releasably connect said first electric switch actuator means across said positive and negative terminals, and (e) second electric switch actuator means connected across said positive and negative terminals and operable at a predetermined higher level output voltage from the direct current alternator or generator to close said second switch means and connect said first switch actuator means across said terminals, whereby to operate the first switch actuator means to open said first switch means and reduce the direct current voltage output of the alternator or generator from said higher level to said low level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification