Electrical power source and heat augmentation system for use in automotive vehicles

Claim 2

An electrical power source for a vehicle having a conventional electrical load and at least one alternate load, such electrical power source including in combination: first rotating field alternator means having a first field winding which is rotatable to develop a first output voltage in response to a first control current applied to a first set of energizing terminals; first circuit means connecting said first output voltage to the conventional load; second rotating field alternator means having a second field winding that is rotatable to develop a second output voltage in response to a second control current applied to a second set of energizing terminals; second circuit means connecting said second output voltage to the alternate load; drive shaft means mechanically interconnecting said first and second field windings, said drive shaft means being arranged to rotate said first and second field windings in a tandem manner thereby enabling said first and second rotating field alternators to be included in a single housing; an electrical source providing a voltage between output terminals thereof; first control means selectively coupling said output terminals of said electrical source across said first set of energizing terminals, said electrical source thereby energizing said first alternator means so that it produces said first output voltage; and second control means selectively coupling said output terminals of said electrical source across said second set of energizing terminals, said electrical source thereby energizing said second alternator means so that it produces said second output voltage.

Claim 3

The electrical power source of claim 1 for providing electrical power to the conventional electrical load, and to first and second alternate loads and further including: third circuit means having one set of output terminals connected to said first alternate load and a second set of output terminals connected to said second alternate load and a set of input terminals connected to receive said second output voltage, said third circuit means being coupled to said second control means such that said third circuit means can switch between said first and second alternate loads only if said second alternator means is not energized.

Claim 4

The electrical power source of claim 1 further including: first brush and slip-ring assembly mechanically connected to said drive shaft means and electrically connected between said first field winding and said first set of energizing terminals; second brush and slip-ring assembly mechanically connected to said drive shaft means and electrically connected between said second field winding and said second set of energizing terminals; and third brush and slip-ring assembly connected between said first and second field windings and a reference potential;

Claim 5

An electrical power source and heat augmentation system for providing power to a conventional automotive load and to heat producing elements arranged in an automotive vehicle having a heating system with a heat radiator utilizing the fluid circulating in the cooling system of the vehicle, a plenum chamber, a fan for forcing air heated by the radiator into a compartment, and a fan speed control mechanism having an input terminal and a switch with a plurality of positions; such power source and heat augmentation system including in combination: first generator means with a first portion which is rotatable to develop a first output voltage in response to a first control current applied to a first set of energizing terminals, first circuit means connecting said first output voltage to the conventional load; second generator means with a second portion which is rotatable to develop a second output voltage in response to a second control current applied to a second set of energizing terminals, second circuit means connecting said second output voltage to the heat producing load; drive shaft means mechanically coupled to rotate said first and second portions in a tandem manner; electrical supply providing a control voltage between output terminals thereof; first control means selectively coupling said output terminals of said supply across said first set of energizing terminals thereby energizing said first generator means; second control means selectively coupling said output terminals of said supply across said second set of energizing terminals thereby energizing said second generator means; and third control means electrically coupling the fan speed control mechanism with the second control means so that the fan is operaTed whenever the second control means couples said output terminals of said supply across said second set of energizing terminals.

Claim 6

An electrical power source and heat augmentation system for providing power to a conventional automotive load and to heat producing elements arranged in an automotive vehicle having a heating system with a heat radiator utilizing the fluid circulating in the cooling system of the vehicle, a plenum chamber, a fan for forcing air heated by the radiator into a compartment, and a fan speed control mechanism having an input terminal and a switch with a plurality of positions; such power source and heat augmentation system including in combination: first generator means with a first portion which is rotatable to develop a first output voltage in response to a first control current applied to a first set of energizing terminals, first circuit means connecting said first output voltage to the conventional load; second generator means with a second portion which is rotatable to develop a second output voltage in response to a second control current applied to a second set of energizing terminals, second circuit means connecting said second output voltage to the heat producing load; drive shaft means mechanically coupled to rotate said first and second portions in a tandem manner; electrical supply providing a control voltage between output terminals thereof; first control means selectively coupling said output terminals of said supply across said first set of energizing terminals thereby energizing said first generator means; second control means selectively coupling said output terminals of said supply across said second set of energizing terminals thereby energizing said second generator means; and third control means electrically coupling the fan speed control mechanism with the second control means so that the fan is operaTed whenever the second control means couples said output terminals of said supply across said second set of energizing terminals.

Claim 7

The electrical power source and heat augmentation system of claim 4 wherein said third control means includes: switchable means having control, input and output terminals, said input terminal being connected to said electrical supply, said control terminal being connected to the fan speed control mechanism so that as the fan speed control mechanism is switched into a selected one of its plurality of positions said switchable means is rendered conductive between its input and output terminals; and fourth circuit means connecting said output terminal of said switchable means to said second control means so that said second generator means is rendered opeative only if said fan speed control mechanism is switched to said selected position.

Claim 8

The electrical power source and heat augmentation system of claim 4 wherein said second circuit means includes a first temperature responsive switch and a second temperature responsive switch which are connected in series, said first temperature responsive switch being located in the plenum chamber and opening if the temperature of the air in the plenum chamber is greater than a first predetermined value and closing if the temperature of the air in the plenum chamber is less than a second predetermined value; and said second temperature responsive switch being responsive to the temperature of the fluid supplied to the heat radiator, said second temperature responsive switch opening if the temperature of the fluid exceeds a third predetermined value and closing if the temperature of the fluid is less than a fourth predetermined value.

Claim 9

The electrical power source and heat augmentation system of claim 4 wherein said second portion of said second generator means is connected through an electron control device to the fan speed control mechanism so that as said second portion is energized the fan is also energized.