Battery charging systems

Claim 2

A battery charging system comprising in combination a generator charging the battery, said generator having a field winding, a voltage regulator coupled to the battery and controlling the output of the generator by switching the circuit to said field winding at a mark-space ratio determined by the voltage of the battery, said voltage regulator permitting charging of the battery to a first predetermined level, a sensing network serving to detect said mark-space ratio, and means whereby said sensing network serves when said mark-space ratio is infinite to increase the voltage to which the battery is charged for a predetermined period of time.

Claim 3

A battery charging system comprising in combination a generator charging the battery, said generator having a field winding, a voltage regulator coupled to the battery and controlling the output of the generator by switching the circuit to said field winding at a mark-space ratio determined by the voltage of the battery, said voltage regulator permitting charging of the battery to a first predetermined level, a sensing network serving to detect said mark-space ratio, said sensing network including a capacitor which is alternatelY charged and discharged by the voltage regulator except when the mark-space ratio is infinite, a switching arrangement coupled to the capacitor, said switching arrangement being operative when the mark-space ratio is infinite to increase the voltage to which the battery is charged for a predetermined period of time.

Claim 4

A battery charging system comprising in combination a generator charging the battery, said generator having a field winding, a voltage regulator coupled to the battery and controlling the output of the generator by switching the circuit to said field winding at a mark-space ratio determined by the voltage of the battery, said voltage regulator permitting charging of the battery to a first predetermined level, a sensing network serving to detect said mark-space ratio, said sensing network including a capacitor which is alternatelY charged and discharged by the voltage regulator except when the mark-space ratio is infinite, a switching arrangement coupled to the capacitor, said switching arrangement being operative when the mark-space ratio is infinite to increase the voltage to which the battery is charged for a predetermined period of time.

Claim 5

A voltage regulator for use in a battery charging system, the regulator including first and second input lines, the voltage between which is to be maintained at a predetermined level, a resistance chain connected between said lines, an input transistor coupled to said resistance chain by means of a Zener diode, said input transistor conducting when the voltage between the input lines reaches a first predetermined value, an output transistor connected between one of the input lines and an output terminal, the field winding of a generator being connected in use between said output terminal and the other supply line, and means coupling the input and output transistors so that when the Zener diode conducts, the regulator oscillates with a mark-space ratio determined by the current flowing through the Zener diode, the regulator further incorporating means sensitive to the potential at said output terminals when the Zener diode is non-conductive for increasing the required potential between the supply lines to turn the Zener diode on again.

Claim 6

A voltage regulator for use in a battery charging system, the regulator including first and second input lines, the voltage between which is to be maintained at a predetermined level, a resistance chain connected between said lines, an input transistor coupled to said resistance chain by means of a Zener diode, said input transistor conducting when the voltage between the input lines reaches a first predetermined value, an output transistor connected between one of the input lines and an output terminal, the field winding of a generator being connected in use between said output terminal and the other supply line, and means coupling the input and output transistors so that when the Zener diode conducts, the regulator oscillates with a mark-space ratio determined by the current flowing through the Zener diode, the regulator further incorporating means sensitive to the potential at said output terminals when the Zener diode is non-conductive for increasing the required potential between the supply lines to turn the Zener diode on again.