Multiple mode vehicle power supply system

Claim 2

A power supply system for an electrical load, including in combination; voltage generating means having first, second and third winding means, first, second and third rectifying means connected to said first, second and third winding means, respectively, each said rectifying means comprising a rectifier circuit having positively and negatively polarized outputs, and switching means operable to first, second and third conditions for connecting the outputs of said rectifying means to the load, said switching means in said first condition connecting the outputs of said rectifying means in series with respect to each other, in said second condition connecting the outputs of said first and second rectifying means in series with respect to each other and the combination in parallel with the output of said third rectifying means and in said third condition connecting the outputs of said rectifying means in parallel with respect to each other, said switching means including first and second switches, a first one of which is coupled between the positively polarized output of said second rectifier circuit and the negatively polarized output of said first rectifier circuit and the second one of which is coupled between the negatively polarized output of said second rectifier circuit and the positively polarized output of said third rectifier circuit.

Claim 3

A power supply system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second switches each have a fIrst closed and second open operating condition, both said switches being closed to connect the outputs of said rectifying means in series, one of said switches being closed and one being open to connect the outputs of said first and second rectifying means in series and in parallel with said third rectifying means and both being open to connect the outputs of said rectifying means in parallel.

Claim 4

A power supply system as claimed in claim 2 wherein each said rectifying means comprise a full wave rectifier circuit and wherein said power supply system further includes first, second, third and fourth electron control devices, said first device connected between the positive output of said third rectifier circuit and the load, said second device connected between the positive output of said second rectifier circuit and the load, said third device connected between a reference potential and the negative output of said second rectifier circuit and said fourth device connected between the reference potential and the negative output of said first rectifier circuit, said devices being in a non-conducting state when said switches are both closed, said first and third devices conducting when said first switch is closed and said second switch is open and said device is being in a state of conduction when said switches are open.

Claim 5

A power supply system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said electron control devices include diodes.

Claim 6

A motor vehicle power supply system for providing power to an electrical load including in combination; an alternator having a three winding stator, the windings being disconnected from each other electrically, and a rotating field winding for inducing a current flow in the three windings to provide an output therefrom, said field winding being rotated in accordance with the speed of the engine of said vehicle, first, second and third rectification means for rectifying the outputs of the first, second and third windings of said three winding stator, respectively, means for regulating the outputs of said stator windings and switching means operable to first, second and third conditions in accordance with the speed of rotation of said field winding to connect the outputs of said rectification means to the load, said switching means in said first condition connecting the outputs of said rectification means in series, in said second condition connecting the outputs of said first and second rectification means in series and in parallel with the output of said third rectification means and in said third condition connecting the outputs of said rectification means in parallel, wherein each said rectification means include a full wave rectifier bridge circuit, each having first and second inputs connected to a corresponding one of said three windings of said stator and a positive and negative output, and wherein said switching means include first and second switches, said first switch connected between the negative and positive outputs of said first and second rectifier bridge circuits, respectively, and said second switch connected between the negative and positive outputs of said second and third bridge circuits, respectively, said first and second switches being closed for connecting said bridge circuit outputs in series, one of said switches being closed and one being open for connecting two of said bridge circuit outputs in series and in parallel with respect to the third bridge circuit output and both of said switches being open for connecting said bridge circuit outputs in parallel.

Claim 7

A motor vehicle power supply system for providing power to an electrical load including in combination; an alternator having a three winding stator, the windings being disconnected from each other electrically, and a rotating field winding for inducing a current flow in the three windings to provide an output therefrom, said field winding being rotated in accordance with the speed of the engine of said vehicle, first, second and third rectification means for rectifying the outputs of the first, second and third windings of said three winding stator, respectively, means for regulating the outputs of said stator windings and switching means operable to first, second and third conditions in accordance with the speed of rotation of said field winding to connect the outputs of said rectification means to the load, said switching means in said first condition connecting the outputs of said rectification means in series, in said second condition connecting the outputs of said first and second rectification means in series and in parallel with the output of said third rectification means and in said third condition connecting the outputs of said rectification means in parallel, wherein each said rectification means include a full wave rectifier bridge circuit, each having first and second inputs connected to a corresponding one of said three windings of said stator and a positive and negative output, and wherein said switching means include first and second switches, said first switch connected between the negative and positive outputs of said first and second rectifier bridge circuits, respectively, and said second switch connected between the negative and positive outputs of said second and third bridge circuits, respectively, said first and second switches being closed for connecting said bridge circuit outputs in series, one of said switches being closed and one being open for connecting two of said bridge circuit outputs in series and in parallel with respect to the third bridge circuit output and both of said switches being open for connecting said bridge circuit outputs in parallel.