EP0191571A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alternator regulator protection circuit
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1986-01-27
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-01-27
Abstract
Abstract The circuit prevents damage to the regulator (24) or to the battery (12) of an automotive ignition system due to the ignition being turned «on» but the engine/alternator not rotating. A fixed duty cycle control signal is added to the control signal for the excitation current only when non-rotation is detected, thus limiting battery drain and excessive temperature in the regulator module.
Inventors
- 👤 Kirk Alan Sievers
- 👤 Arthur James Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:08
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/14; H02J7/16; H02J7/163; H02H; H02H7/00; H02H7/06; H02H7/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
An alternator circuit for use with an alternator (10), associated rectifiers (16) and battery (12) and comprising: a regulator (22, 24) including a control circuit (22) for controlling the current in the field coil (14) of said alternator; a source of clock signals (40) the alternator circuit characterized by; first gating means (82, 84, 86) coupled to said source for providing a first control signal having a predetermined duty cycle; a logic circuit (70, 72, 74, 76, 80) coupled to said alternator and to said clock signal source for providing a second control signal indicative of the operational status of said alternator; and second gating means (78, 90) coupled to said first gating means and said logic circuit for providing a third control signal, and coupled to said regulator whereby said control circuit is enabled by said third control signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
An alternator circuit for use with an alternator (10), associated rectifiers (16) and battery (12) and comprising: a regulator (22, 24) including a control circuit (22) for controlling the current in the field coil (14) of said alternator; a source of clock signals (40) the alternator circuit characterized by; first gating means (82, 84, 86) coupled to said source for providing a first control signal having a predetermined duty cycle; a logic circuit (70, 72, 74, 76, 80) coupled to said alternator and to said clock signal source for providing a second control signal indicative of the operational status of said alternator; and second gating means (78, 90) coupled to said first gating means and said logic circuit for providing a third control signal, and coupled to said regulator whereby said control circuit is enabled by said third control signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An alternator circuit in accordance with claim 1 and wherein the first gating means includes means (88) for providing a choice of duty cycles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An alternator circuit in accordance with claim 1 and wherein the second control signal indicates rotational status.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An alternator circuit in accordance with claim 1 and wherein the second control signal indicates voltage output status.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An alternator circuit in accordance with claim 1 and wherein the logic circuit includes means (80) for latching the second control signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
An alternator circuit in accordance with claim 5 and wherein the logic circuit further includes means (70, 72) for providing a status signal indicative of the rotational status and the second gating means includes a first gate (78) for combining the first control signal, the status signal and the latched second control signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
An alternator circuit in accordance with claim 1 and wherein an input signal for said control circuit (22) is coupled through said second gating means (78, 90) and the second gating means further includes a second gate (90) for combining the third control signal and said input signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
116 words
An alternator circuit for use with an alternator, associated rectifiers and battery and comprising: a regulator (22, 24) including a control circuit (22) for controlling the current in the field coil of said alternator; a source (40) of clock signals, including means for providing a control signal having a predetermined duty cycle, the alternator circuit characterized by; logic means (70, 72, 74, 76, 80) for providing an output signal indicative of the operational status of said alternator; and gating means (78, 82, 84, 86, 90) coupled to said regulator, said clock source and said logic means for providing an enabling signal for said regulator control circuit in response to said control signal and said output signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
116 words
An alternator circuit for use with an alternator, associated rectifiers and battery and comprising: a regulator (22, 24) including a control circuit (22) for controlling the current in the field coil of said alternator; a source (40) of clock signals, including means for providing a control signal having a predetermined duty cycle, the alternator circuit characterized by; logic means (70, 72, 74, 76, 80) for providing an output signal indicative of the operational status of said alternator; and gating means (78, 82, 84, 86, 90) coupled to said regulator, said clock source and said logic means for providing an enabling signal for said regulator control circuit in response to said control signal and said output signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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