System and method for sequentional electrical power delivery from two generators in a vehicle electrical system

• US 8,072,092 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2010
• Issued: 12/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
• Original Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
• Inventors: Patterson, Ciaran
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAVALLARI, DANIEL J
• Application Number:
  US12/658,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20110018340A1
• Time in Patent Office: 658 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 307/23, 320/126, 320/123, 320/138
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/12 Parallel operation of dc generators with converters, e.g. with mercury-arc rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00302 Overcharge protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1423 with multiple batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/143 with multiple generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1438 in combination with power supplies for loads other than batteries

Abstract

A vehicle electrical system comprises two generators coupled with one or more electrical subsystem, each of which includes at least one of a stored energy source and electrical load. Each generator is regulated via its associated voltage regulator at a common regulation voltage. Sequential electrical power delivery from the generators is achieved via a sequencing means. Where two or more electrical subsystems are present, electrical isolation is achieved via an isolating means. Overcharge protection is achieved by sensing and responding to the highest voltage of the two or more electrical subsystems.

Claims

1. A vehicle electrical system, comprising:

(a) a first generator coupled with two or more electrical subsystems, each of said electrical subsystems comprising at least one of a stored energy source and electrical load, via a means for isolating;

(b) a second generator coupled with one of the two or more electrical subsystems, via a means for sequencing operative to introduce a change in voltage between the second generator and the one of the two or more electrical subsystems;

(c) a first voltage regulator, coupled with the first generator, operative to sense two or more first-regulator-electrical-subsystems-sense voltages of the two or more electrical subsystems and regulate an output voltage of the first generator at a first regulation voltage in response to the highest voltage of the two or more first-regulator-electrical-subsystems-sense voltages;

(d) a second voltage regulator, coupled with the second generator, operative to sense a second-regulator-generator-output-sense voltage of an output terminal of the second generator and regulate an output voltage of the second generator at the first regulation voltage in response to the second-regulator-generator-output-sense voltage;

wherein the vehicle electrical system operates to electrically isolate the two or more electrical subsystems, to protect against overcharging the two or more electrical subsystems, and to provide electrical power to the two or more electrical subsystems sequentially from the first and second generators.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for isolating comprises two or more diodes.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for sequencing comprises one of a diode, an integrated circuit, an electrical cable.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the two or more electrical subsystems comprise at least one stored energy source and the system further comprises means to generate a first signal indicative of a temperature of the stored energy source and wherein at least one of the first and second voltage regulators, further operates to sense the first signal and modify the first regulation voltage according to the first signal.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first and second voltage regulators further operates to generate an error signal indicative of a fault condition, via a means for communicating, when the first signal is outside of a predetermined range.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the means for communicating is one of a light emitting diode and vehicle computer system I/O port.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the first voltage regulator further operates to sense a first-regulator-energize-sense voltage of an energize terminal and regulate the output voltage of the first generator at the first regulation voltage in response to the first-regulator-energize-sense voltage, when the first signal is outside of a predetermined range.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the means to generate the first signal is one of a thermistor disposed in proximity of the stored energy source, an internal voltage regulator temperature sensor, and vehicle computer system I/O port.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein the modification of the first regulation voltage is achieved via a lookup table.

10. The system of claim 4, wherein the first regulation voltage is modified according to a default temperature when the first signal is outside of a predetermined range.

11. The system of claim 4, further comprising means to generate a second signal indicative of a type of the stored energy source and wherein at least one of the first and second voltage regulators further operates to sense the second signal and further modify the first regulation voltage according to the second signal.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the means to generate the second signal is one of a switch and vehicle computer system I/O port.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second voltage regulators further operates to generate an error signal indicative of a fault condition, via a means for communicating, when the lowest voltage of the two or more first-regulator-electrical-subsystems-sense voltages is less than a predetermined value.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the first voltage regulator further operates to sense a first-regulator-energize-sense voltage of an energize terminal and regulate the output voltage of the first generator at the first regulation voltage in response to the first-regulator-energize-sense voltage, when the lowest voltage of the two or more first-regulator-electrical-subsystems-sense voltages is less than a predetermined value.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the first voltage regulator further operates to activate an over-voltage-cut-out circuit when the highest voltage of the two or more first-regulator-electrical-subsystems-sense voltages is greater than a predetermined value.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the first voltage regulator further operates to sense a first-regulator-isolator-input-sense voltage of an input terminal of the means for isolating and activate an over-voltage-cut-out circuit when the first regulator-isolator-input-sense voltage is greater than a first predetermined value.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first and second voltage regulators further operates to generate an error signal indicative of a fault condition, via a means for communicating, when the first-regulator-isolator-input-sense voltage is greater than the lowest voltage of the two or more first-regulator-electrical-subsystems-sense voltages by a second predetermined value.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the first voltage regulator further operates to sense a first-regulator-energize-sense voltage of an energize terminal and regulate the output voltage of the first generator at the first regulation voltage in response to the first-regulator-energize-sense voltage, when the first-regulator-isolator-input-sense voltage is greater than the lowest voltage of the two or more first-regulator-electrical-subsystems-sense voltages by a second predetermined value.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first and second voltage regulators further operates to generate an error signal indicative of a fault condition, via a means for communicating, when the first-regulator-isolator-input-sense voltage is less than a second predetermined value and a duty cycle of the first generator field current is greater than a third predetermined value.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the first voltage regulator further operates to sense a first-regulator-energize-sense voltage of an energize terminal and regulate the output voltage of the first generator at the first regulation voltage in response to the first-regulator-energize-sense voltage, when the first-regulator-isolator-input-sense voltage is less than a second predetermined value and a duty cycle of the first generator field current is greater than a third predetermined value.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the first voltage regulator further operates to sense a first-regulator-energize-sense voltage of an energize terminal and activate an over-voltage-cut-out circuit when the first-regulator-energize-sense voltage is greater than a predetermined value.

22. A vehicle electrical system, comprising:

(a) a first generator coupled with two or more electrical subsystems, each of said electrical subsystems comprising at least one of a stored energy source and electrical load, via a means for isolating;

(b) a second generator coupled with one of the two or more electrical subsystems, via a means for sequencing operative to introduce a change in voltage between the second generator and the one of the two or more electrical subsystems;

(c) a first voltage regulator, coupled with the first generator, operative to sense a first-regulator-electrical subsystems-sense voltage of one of the two or more electrical subsystems and regulate an output voltage of the first generator at a first regulation voltage in response to the first-regulator-electrical subsystems-sense voltage;

(d) a second voltage regulator, coupled with the second generator, operative to sense a second-regulator-generator-output-sense voltage of an output terminal of the second generator and regulate an output voltage of the second generator at the first regulation voltage in response to the second-regulator-generator-output-sense voltage;

wherein the vehicle electrical system operates to electrically isolate the two or more electrical subsystems and to provide electrical power to the two or more electrical subsystems sequentially from the first and second generators.

23. A method for electrically isolating, protecting against overcharging, and providing electrical power, sequentially from a first and second generators, to two or more electrical subsystems in a vehicle electrical system, wherein each of said electrical subsystems comprising at least one of a stored energy source and electrical load, said first generator coupled with the two or more electrical subsystems via a means for isolating, said second generator coupled with one of the two or more electrical subsystems, via a means for sequencing operative to introduce a change in voltage between the second generator and the one of the two or more electrical subsystems, said method comprising:

(i) sensing two or more first-regulator-electrical-subsystems-sense voltages of the two or more electrical subsystems, via a first voltage regulator coupled with the first generator;

(ii) regulating an output voltage of the first generator at a first regulation voltage in response to the highest voltage of the two or more first-regulator-electrical-subsystems-sense voltages, via the first voltage regulator;

(iii) sensing a second-regulator-generator-output-sense voltage of an output terminal of the second generator, via a second voltage regulator coupled with the second generator; and

(iv) regulating an output voltage of the second generator at the first regulation voltage in response to the second-regulator-generator-output-sense voltage, via the second voltage regulator.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the two or more electrical subsystems comprise at least one stored energy source and the system further comprises means to generate a first signal indicative of a temperature of the stored energy source, said method further comprising:

(v) sensing the first signal, via at least one of the first and second voltage regulators; and

(vi) modifying the first regulation voltage according to the first signal, via at least one of the first and second voltage regulators.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

(vii) generating an error signal indicative of a fault condition, when the first signal is outside of a predetermined range, via a means for communicating.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

(vii) sensing a first-regulator-energize-sense voltage of an energize terminal, via the first voltage regulator; and

(viii) regulating the output voltage of the first generator at the first regulation voltage in response to the first-regulator-energize-sense voltage, when the first signal is outside of a predetermined range, via the first voltage regulator.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the system further comprises means to generate a second signal indicative of a type of the stored energy source, said method further comprising:

(vii) sensing the second signal, via at least one of the first and second voltage regulators; and

(viii) modifying the first regulation voltage according to the second signal, via at least one of the first and second voltage regulators.

28. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

(v) generating an error signal indicative of a fault condition when the lowest voltage of the two or more first-regulator-electrical-subsystems-sense voltages is less than a predetermined value, via a means for communicating.

29. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

(v) sensing a first-regulator-energize-sense voltage of an energize terminal, via the first voltage regulator;

(vi) regulating the output voltage of the first generator at the first regulation voltage in response to the first-regulator-energize-sense voltage, when the lowest voltage of the two or more first-regulator-electrical-subsystems-sense voltages is less than a predetermined value, via the first voltage regulator.

30. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

(v) activating an over-voltage-cut-out circuit when the highest voltage of the two or more first-regulator-electrical-subsystems-sense voltages is greater than a predetermined value, via the first voltage regulator.

31. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

(v) sensing a first-regulator-isolator-input-sense voltage of an input terminal of the means for isolating, via the first voltage regulator; and

(vi) activating an over-voltage-cut-out circuit when the first regulator-isolator-input-sense voltage is greater than a first predetermined value, via the first voltage regulator.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

(vii) generating an error signal indicative of a fault condition when the first-regulator-isolator-input-sense voltage is greater than the lowest voltage of the two or more first-regulator-electrical-subsystems-sense voltages by a second predetermined value, via a means for communicating.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

(vii) sensing a first-regulator-energize-sense voltage of an energize terminal, via the first voltage regulator; and

(viii) regulating the output voltage of the first generator at the first regulation voltage in response to the first-regulator-energize-sense voltage, when the first-regulator-isolator-input-sense voltage is greater than the lowest voltage of the two or more first-regulator-electrical-subsystems-sense voltages by a second predetermined value, via the first voltage regulator.

34. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

(vii) generating an error signal indicative of a fault condition when the first-regulator-isolator-input-sense voltage is less than a second predetermined value and a duty cycle of the first generator field current is greater than a third predetermined value, via a means for communicating.

35. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

(vii) sensing a first-regulator-energize-sense voltage of an energize terminal, via the first voltage regulator; and

(viii) regulating the output voltage of the first generator at the first regulation voltage in response to the first-regulator-energize-sense voltage, when the first-regulator-isolator-input-sense voltage is less than a second predetermined value and a duty cycle of the first generator field current is greater than a third predetermined value, via the first voltage regulator.

36. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

(v) sensing a first-regulator-energize-sense voltage of an energize terminal, via the first voltage regulator; and

(vi) activating an over-voltage-cut-out circuit when the first-regulator-energize-sense voltage is greater than a predetermined value, via the first voltage regulator.

37. A method for electrically isolating and providing electrical power, sequentially from a first and second generators, to two or more electrical subsystems in a vehicle electrical system, wherein each of said electrical subsystems comprising at least one of a stored energy source and electrical load, said first generator coupled with the two or more electrical subsystems via a means for isolating, said second generator coupled with one of the two or more electrical subsystems, via a means for sequencing operative to introduce a change in voltage between the second generator and the one of the two or more electrical subsystems, said method comprising:

(i) sensing a first-regulator-electrical subsystems-sense voltage of one of the two or more electrical subsystems, via a first voltage regulator coupled with the first generator;

(ii) regulating an output voltage of the first generator at a first regulation voltage in response to the first-regulator-electrical subsystems-sense voltage, via the first voltage regulator;

(iii) sensing a second-regulator-generator-output-sense voltage of an output terminal of the second generator, via a second voltage regulator coupled with the second generator; and

(iv) regulating an output voltage of the second generator at the first regulation voltage in response to the second-regulator-generator-output-sense voltage, via the second voltage regulator.