Alternator for a motor vehicle having a ventilator and device for monitoring and a controlling the ventilator

• US 5,160,881 A
• Filed: 04/01/1991
• Issued: 11/03/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Meyer, Friedhelm, Kohl, Walter, Schramm, Guenter
• Primary Examiner(s): HICKEY, ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US07/671,863
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 310/12, 310/63, 322/33, 322/34, 322/DIG. 1, 322/7, 318/140
• US Class Current: 322/7
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/06 for dynamo-electric generators; for synchronous capacitors

Abstract

Fresh air from an area located outside of the engine compartment is supplied to an alternator in a motor vehicle by ventilator. The ventilator is supplied with voltage from the alternator power supply system, and since a failure of the ventilator could lead to destruction of the alternator due to heat, the functioning of the ventilator is monitored by a device or circuit for monitoring and/or controlling the ventilator. This circuit also has a device for self-checking and controls the additional ventilator as a function of the alternator temperature by a device for measuring alternator temperature electrically connected to it.

Claims

1. In an alternator with a ventilator, particularly a three-phase alternator for a motor vehicle, the ventilator being structured and positioned so as to produce an air flow of the ventilator to cool the alternator, and the ventilator being electrically connected to the alternator so as to be supplied with voltage by the alternator, the improvement comprising a device (15) for controlling and monitoring the ventilator (18), said device (15) being electrically connected with the ventilator (18).

2. The improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein the device (15) for at least one of controlling and monitoring the ventilator (18) has means for self-checking in operation and has means for displaying (16) disturbances in operation of the ventilator.

3. The improvement as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for self-checking is structured so as to check said device each time a controller (17) is switched on and to terminate said checking after a predetermined time period.

4. The improvement as defined in claim 2, further comprising mean to produce oscillator pulses in a timed manner and wherein the predetermined time period is determined by counting the oscillator pulses.

5. The improvement as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for producing a signal which depends on a temperature in the alternator, said means for producing a signal being electrically connected to the device for at least one of controlling and monitoring the ventilator (15), and the device is structured to control the ventilator (18) according to the temperature signal.

6. The improvement as defined in claim 5, wherein said means for producing a signal which depends on a temperature in the alternator includes a temperature sensor (81) fastened at the alternator.

7. The improvement as defined in claim 2, further comprising an additional display means (16a) provided for displaying errors in operation of the device.

8. In an alternator with a ventilator, particularly a three-phase alternator for a motor vehicle, the ventilator being structured and positioned so as to produce an air flow of the ventilator to cool the alternator, and the ventilator being electrically connected to the alternator so as to be supplied with voltage by the alternator, the improvement comprising a device (15) for at least one of controlling and monitoring the ventilator (18), said device (15) being electrically connected with the ventilator (18), said device (15) having means for self-checking in operation and having means for displaying (16) disturbances in operation of the ventilator.

9. The improvement as defined in claim 8, wherein said means for self-checking is structured so as to check said device each time a controller (17) is switched on and to terminate said checking after a predetermined time period.

10. The improvement as defined in claim 8, further comprising mean to produce oscillator pulses in a timed manner and wherein the predetermined time period is determined by counting the oscillator pulses.

11. The improvement as defined in claim 8, further comprising means for producing a signal which depends on a temperature in the alternator, said means for producing a signal being electrically connected to the device for at least one of controlling and monitoring the ventilator (15), and the device is structured to control the ventilator (18) according to the temperature signal.

12. The improvement as defined in claim 11, wherein said means for producing a signal which depends on a temperature in the alternator includes a temperature sensor (81) fastened at the alternator.