US3757199A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power supply regulator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-11-16
•
Granted: 1973-09-04
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Expires: 1991-11-16
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure relates to a snowmobile lighting system having a permanent magnet alternator with a preselected open circuit voltage connected to energize a pair of taillights and a dual filament headlight. A silicon controlled rectifier is connected across the alternator output. A resistance bridge network is also connected across the output of the alternator with one leg of the bridge type network including the taillights. A transistor has its input elements connected across the output terminals of the network and its output elements connected to the gate circuit of the controlled rectifier. The resistance of the taillights increases with the output of the alternator and when it rises about a selected level, the transistor conducts and fires the controlled rectifier. A cutoff switch is connected in parallel with the resistor of the bridge connected to the taillights to directly connect the taillights across the alternator to minimize the output of the alternator. A multiple position switch selectively connects either or both of the filaments of the headlight for bright, dim, or minimal energization, respectively.
Inventors
- 👤 F Minks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:22
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/14; H02J7/1469; H02J7/1492; B; B60; B60R; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/03; H02J2105/00; H02J2105/30; H02J2105/33; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/80; Y02T10/92
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A system for regulating the AC power supplied by a source to lighting means, comprising means for varying the flow of AC power from said source to said lighting means, means including a power sensitive impedance having a characteristic which varies with the root mean square voltage applied therein for producing a signal dependent upon the root mean square voltage applied by said source to said lighting means irrespective of substantial variations of frequency, amplitude, waveform and symmetry of the AC power supplied, and means responsive to said signal for controlling said power-flow-varying means to regulate the power supplied to said lighting means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A system for regulating the AC power supplied by a source to lighting means, comprising means for varying the flow of AC power from said source to said lighting means, means including a power sensitive impedance having a characteristic which varies with the root mean square voltage applied therein for producing a signal dependent upon the root mean square voltage applied by said source to said lighting means irrespective of substantial variations of frequency, amplitude, waveform and symmetry of the AC power supplied, and means responsive to said signal for controlling said power-flow-varying means to regulate the power supplied to said lighting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said impedance comprises an incandescent lamp.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said lamp is connected in series with resistor means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said power-flow-varying means is a gate-controlled semiconductor switch connected across said source and having the gate thereof responsive to said signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system in accordance with claim 4, wherein said signal-responsive means includes means for turning on said semiconductor switch for a portion only of the AC cycle of said source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system in accordance with claim 4, wherein said semiconductor switch is connected directly across siad source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said signal-responsive means includes means for controlling said power-flow-varying means to limit the power flow to said lighting means when the root mean square voltage applied to said lighting means reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said source is an alternator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said alternator is a permanent magnet type.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said power sensitive impedance has a time constant long relative to the period of the AC source and is substanTially insensitive to source voltage variations of relatively short duration.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said signal-producing means comprises a bridge circuit having said power sensitive impedance in one leg thereof, said bridge circuit having an input connected across said lighting means and having an output at which said signal is produced.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system in accordance with claim 11, further comprising means for amplifying the signal at the output of said bridge circuit and for coupling an amplified signal to said power-flow-varying means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said lighting means comprises incandescent lamp means for illuminating night time movement of a vehicle, and means separate from said power sensitive impedance connected to said source for reducing the illumination level of said lamp to a day time level substantially below the illumination level for night time and sufficient to prevent vibration damage of said lamp means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said signal producing means has connecting means for applying to said signal producing means a voltage which is substantially in accord with the voltage applied to said lighting means by said source.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the power-flow-varying means is controlled by said controlling means to regulate the power supplied to said lighting means on alternate half-cycles only.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
93 words
A system for regulating the power supplied by a source to a load, comprising a gate-controlled semiconductor switch connected across said source, a bridge circuit having an input connected across said load and including a power sensitive impedance in one of the legs thereof for producing a signal at an output of said bridge circuit dependent upon the root mean square voltage applied by said source to the load, and amplifier means coupling said signal to the gate of said switch for turning on said switch when the signal reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
93 words
A system for regulating the power supplied by a source to a load, comprising a gate-controlled semiconductor switch connected across said source, a bridge circuit having an input connected across said load and including a power sensitive impedance in one of the legs thereof for producing a signal at an output of said bridge circuit dependent upon the root mean square voltage applied by said source to the load, and amplifier means coupling said signal to the gate of said switch for turning on said switch when the signal reaches a predetermined level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |