Multi-range regulated dc power supply

Claim 2

A multi-range regulated DC power supply having output terminals to which a load may be connected, comprising a plurality of unregulated DC poWer sources each capable of supplying a different maximum desired output voltage and each also capable of supplying a different range of voltage-current outputs, a single automatic electronic control system connected in circuit between said plurality of unregulated power sources and said output terminals, said control system comprising voltage regulating means for all of said individual power sources, said voltage regulating means including a multiplicity of variable electrical resistances, a diode in circuit with each of said resistances, each of said resistances being connected through said diode to an associated unregulated source and the output terminals, means based on a given load requirement to utilize one of said variable electrical resistances and its associated diode to provide a regulated output voltage to the load and based upon a variation in the load requirement which exceeds the capability of the unregulated source in circuit, to smoothly decrease the current flow through said diode and associated electrical resistance and simultaneously provide increased current flow from one or more of the other unregulated sources, associated electrical resistances and diodes, to provide continuous regulated DC output voltage across the load to meet the load requirement.

Claim 3

The combination set forth in claim 1 in which each of said unregulated DC power sources is capable of supplying a different range of voltage outputs and the automatic control system selects the particular unregulated power source which will supply the required output to the load connected to said output terminals.

Claim 4

The combination set forth in claim 1 in which means are provided to indicate when the output voltage requirement of the load exceeds the capabilities of said DC power sources.

Claim 5

The combination set forth in claim 1 in which each of said unregulated DC sources comprises a capacitor, means are provided respectively to charge each of said capacitors to a different predetermined voltage, said variable electrical means being connected in series between one side of each of said capacitors and the corresponding polarity side of said DC output terminals, the other side of said capacitors being connected to the corresponding other side of said DC terminals, and said diode is connected in each series circuit, except the circuit including the capacitor charged to the maximum voltage, between an associated capacitor and the associated electrical means.

Claim 6

The combination set forth in claim 4 in which each of said variable electrical resistances is a transistor, the emitter of the transistor associated with the capacitor providing the maximum voltage, being electrically connected to the base of the transistor providing the next lower voltage, said connections being successively repeated to the base of the transistor providing the minimum voltage, the emitter of said last named transistor being connected to one of the output terminals, means to compare the output voltage with a reference voltage and to provide drive for said plurality of transistors, whereby the transistors associated with the power sources whose voltage is insufficient to provide the desired output are driven into saturation and each is disconnected from its associated unregulated power source by means of its associated diode being inadequately biased, whereby the only power sources being connected to said output terminals are those capable of supplying the desired output.

Claim 7

A multi-range regulated DC power supply having output terminals to which a load may be connected, comprising a plurality of unregulated DC power sources each capable of supplying a different maximum desired output voltage and each also capable of supplying a different range of voltage-current outputs, a single automatic electrical control system connected in circuit between said plurality of unregulated power sources and said output terminals, said control system comprising current regulating means for all of said individual poWer sources, said current regulating means including a multiplicity of variable electrical resistances, a diode in circuit with each of said resistances, each of said resistances being connected through said diode to an associated unregulated source and the output terminals, means based on a given load requirement to utilize one of said variable electrical resistances and its associated diode to provide a regulated output current to the load and based upon a variation in the load requirement which exceeds the capability of the unregulated source in circuit, to smoothly decrease the current flow through said diode and associated electrical resistance and simultaneously provide increased current flow from one or more of the other unregulated sources, associated electrical resistances and diodes, to provide continuous regulated DC output current through the load to meet the load requirement.

Claim 8

A multi-range regulated DC power supply having output terminals to which a load may be connected, comprising a plurality of unregulated DC power sources each capable of supplying a different maximum desired output voltage and each also capable of supplying a different range of voltage-current outputs, a single automatic electrical control system connected in circuit between said plurality of unregulated power sources and said output terminals, said control system comprising current regulating means for all of said individual poWer sources, said current regulating means including a multiplicity of variable electrical resistances, a diode in circuit with each of said resistances, each of said resistances being connected through said diode to an associated unregulated source and the output terminals, means based on a given load requirement to utilize one of said variable electrical resistances and its associated diode to provide a regulated output current to the load and based upon a variation in the load requirement which exceeds the capability of the unregulated source in circuit, to smoothly decrease the current flow through said diode and associated electrical resistance and simultaneously provide increased current flow from one or more of the other unregulated sources, associated electrical resistances and diodes, to provide continuous regulated DC output current through the load to meet the load requirement.

Claim 9

The combination set forth in claim 6 in which each of said unregulated DC power sources is capable of supplying a different range of current outputs and the automatic control system selects the particular unregulated power source which will supply the required output to the load connected to said output terminals.

Claim 10

The combination set forth in claim 6 in which means are provided to indicate when the output voltage-current requirement of the load exceeds the capabilities of said DC power sources.

Claim 11

The combination set forth in claim 6 in which each of said unregulated DC sources comprises a capacitor, means are provided respectively to charge each of said capacitors to a different predetermined voltage, said variable electrical means being connected in series between one side of each of said capacitors and the corresponding polarity side of said DC output terminals, the other side of said capacitors being connected to the corresponding other side of said DC terminals, and said diode is connected in each series circuit, except the circuit including the capacitor charged to the maximum voltage, between an associated capacitor and the associated electrical means.

Claim 12

The combination set forth in claim 9 in which each of said variable electrical resistances is a transistor, the emitter of the transistor associated with the capacitor providing the maximum voltage, being electrically connected to the base of the transistor providing the next lower voltage, said connections being successively repeated to the base of the transistor providing the minimum voltage, the emitter of said last named transistor being connected to one of the output terminals, means to compare the output voltage with a reference voltage and to provide drive for said plurality of transistors, whereby the transistors associated with the power sources whose voltage is insufficient to provide the desired output are driven into saturation and each is disconnected from its associated unregulated power source by means of its associated diode being inadequately biased, whereby the only power sources being connected to said output terminals are those capable of supplying the desired output voltage-current.