Patent US3924154A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3924154A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Voltage regulator for alternating current lighting system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-11-21
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Granted: 1975-12-02
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Expires: 1993-11-21
Abstract
Abstract A semi-conductor voltage regulator includes a dual transistor differential amplifier pair adapted so as not to be damaged by reverse voltages during the application of either polarity of alternating current to the associated sensing network. The sensing network includes resistors, the value of which are selected to provide an offset current during one polarity of alternating current with respect to the other polarity. A diode is coupled with the differential amplifier transistor pair in order to protect those devices and the load from high, suddenlyapplied or transient voltages generated externally or by internal switching within the regulator.
Inventors
- 👤 Floyd M Minks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:47
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; Y10; Y10S; Y10S323/00; Y10S323/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
In a lighting system for use with an AC power producing source the frequency voltage, amplitude and waveform of which vary from time to time and having lighting means connected to be energized by the AC power supplied from said source: a voltage sensitive network having terminals connected to be energized by the waveform of said source and having output terminals producing a signal dependent upon the true RMS voltage value of said source; control means connected to control the flow of AC power from said source to said lighting means and having an input means; two amplifying means each having an input terminal, an output terminal, and a common input-output terminal, the common input-output terminals of said amplifying means being connected together, the output terminal of one amplifying means supplying power to said input terminal of said control means; said input terminals of said two amplifying means being connected to said output terminals of said true RMS voltage sensitive network to regulate the AC power supplied by said source to said lighting means; impedance means for preventing destructive voltages and currents from appearing between said input terminals and said common input-output terminals of said amplifying means for either polarity of the waveform applied to said network to prevent the true RMS voltage supplied from said source to said lighting means from rising above a preselected value; and means to make said network slightly more sensitive to one polarity portion of the waveform of said source than to the other polarity portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
In a lighting system for use with an AC power producing source the frequency voltage, amplitude and waveform of which vary from time to time and having lighting means connected to be energized by the AC power supplied from said source: a voltage sensitive network having terminals connected to be energized by the waveform of said source and having output terminals producing a signal dependent upon the true RMS voltage value of said source; control means connected to control the flow of AC power from said source to said lighting means and having an input means; two amplifying means each having an input terminal, an output terminal, and a common input-output terminal, the common input-output terminals of said amplifying means being connected together, the output terminal of one amplifying means supplying power to said input terminal of said control means; said input terminals of said two amplifying means being connected to said output terminals of said true RMS voltage sensitive network to regulate the AC power supplied by said source to said lighting means; impedance means for preventing destructive voltages and currents from appearing between said input terminals and said common input-output terminals of said amplifying means for either polarity of the waveform applied to said network to prevent the true RMS voltage supplied from said source to said lighting means from rising above a preselected value; and means to make said network slightly more sensitive to one polarity portion of the waveform of said source than to the other polarity portion.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
102 words
A system for supplying AC power from a source to a lighting means, comprising: a control means for varying the flow of AC power from said source to said lighting means; a network sensitive to a true RMS voltage applied thereto and having an output, said network energized by the waveform of said source; means to make said network slightly more sensitive to one polarity portion of the waveform of said source than to the other polarity portion; means connecting the output of said network to said control means to regulate the AC power supplied by said source to said lighting means.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
102 words
A system for supplying AC power from a source to a lighting means, comprising: a control means for varying the flow of AC power from said source to said lighting means; a network sensitive to a true RMS voltage applied thereto and having an output, said network energized by the waveform of said source; means to make said network slightly more sensitive to one polarity portion of the waveform of said source than to the other polarity portion; means connecting the output of said network to said control means to regulate the AC power supplied by said source to said lighting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
167 words
An AC vehicular power system including an engine-driven alternator and a lighting load to be energized therefrom; a control means with an input means capable of limiting the AC voltage supplied from said alternator to said load in response to a signal at its input means; a first true RMS voltage sensitive network energized by the waveform of said alternator and having a time constant longer than the period of the voltage produced by said alternator and having an output; a second voltage sensitive network having a time constant shorter than the period of the voltage produced by said alternator and therefore primarily sensitive to peak voltages, and having an outPut; means connecting said outputs of both said networks to the input of said control means to prevent the voltage of said system from exceeding predetermined voltages for longer than predetermined times; and means to make said network slightly more sensitive to one polarity portion of the waveform of said alternator than to the other polarity portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
167 words
An AC vehicular power system including an engine-driven alternator and a lighting load to be energized therefrom; a control means with an input means capable of limiting the AC voltage supplied from said alternator to said load in response to a signal at its input means; a first true RMS voltage sensitive network energized by the waveform of said alternator and having a time constant longer than the period of the voltage produced by said alternator and having an output; a second voltage sensitive network having a time constant shorter than the period of the voltage produced by said alternator and therefore primarily sensitive to peak voltages, and having an outPut; means connecting said outputs of both said networks to the input of said control means to prevent the voltage of said system from exceeding predetermined voltages for longer than predetermined times; and means to make said network slightly more sensitive to one polarity portion of the waveform of said alternator than to the other polarity portion.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
185 words
A system for supplying AC power from an engine-driven alternator source, the voltage, frequency, and waveform of which vary from time to time to a lamp load; including a true RMS regulator; said regulator containing a semi-conductor switching means connected to control the flow of power from said source to said load and having a gate terminal means; a true RMS voltage sensitive network energized by the waveform of said alternator source and having terminals connected to said source and having output terminals; a control signal path for connecting said output of said network to said gate, said path containing a semiconductor junction biased and connected so that the forward voltage drop thereof cancels with a similar drop inherent in other components of said regulator at the time when a gate signal is required to produce a stable RMS voltage to said load, whereby said regulator regulates the AC power supplied by said alternator source to said lamp load; and means for making said network slightly more sensitive to one polarity portion of the waveform of said alternator source than to the other polarity portion.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
185 words
A system for supplying AC power from an engine-driven alternator source, the voltage, frequency, and waveform of which vary from time to time to a lamp load; including a true RMS regulator; said regulator containing a semi-conductor switching means connected to control the flow of power from said source to said load and having a gate terminal means; a true RMS voltage sensitive network energized by the waveform of said alternator source and having terminals connected to said source and having output terminals; a control signal path for connecting said output of said network to said gate, said path containing a semiconductor junction biased and connected so that the forward voltage drop thereof cancels with a similar drop inherent in other components of said regulator at the time when a gate signal is required to produce a stable RMS voltage to said load, whereby said regulator regulates the AC power supplied by said alternator source to said lamp load; and means for making said network slightly more sensitive to one polarity portion of the waveform of said alternator source than to the other polarity portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
251 words
In a lighting system for use with an AC power producing source the frequency voltage, amplitude and waveform of which vary from time to time and having lighting means connected to be energized by the AC power supplied from said source: a true RMS voltage sensitive network having terminals connected to be energized by the waveform of said source and having output terminals producing a signal dependent upon the RMS value of said source; control means connected to control the flow of power from said source to said lighting means and having an input means; two amplifying means each having an input terminal, an output terminal, and a common input-output terminal, the common input-output terminals of said amplifying means being connected together, the output terminal of one amplifying means supplying power to said input terminal of said control means; said input terminals of said amplifying means being connected to said output terminals of said true RMS voltage sensitive network; impedance means to prevent destructive voltages and currents from appearing between said input terminals and said common input-output terminals of said amplifying means for either polarity of the waveform applied to said network to prevent the true RMS voltage supplied from said source to said lighting means from rising above a preselected value, to thereby regulate the AC power supplied by said source of said lighting means; and means for making said network slightly more sensitive to one polarity portion of the waveform of said source than to the other polarity portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
251 words
In a lighting system for use with an AC power producing source the frequency voltage, amplitude and waveform of which vary from time to time and having lighting means connected to be energized by the AC power supplied from said source: a true RMS voltage sensitive network having terminals connected to be energized by the waveform of said source and having output terminals producing a signal dependent upon the RMS value of said source; control means connected to control the flow of power from said source to said lighting means and having an input means; two amplifying means each having an input terminal, an output terminal, and a common input-output terminal, the common input-output terminals of said amplifying means being connected together, the output terminal of one amplifying means supplying power to said input terminal of said control means; said input terminals of said amplifying means being connected to said output terminals of said true RMS voltage sensitive network; impedance means to prevent destructive voltages and currents from appearing between said input terminals and said common input-output terminals of said amplifying means for either polarity of the waveform applied to said network to prevent the true RMS voltage supplied from said source to said lighting means from rising above a preselected value, to thereby regulate the AC power supplied by said source of said lighting means; and means for making said network slightly more sensitive to one polarity portion of the waveform of said source than to the other polarity portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said source is an alternator attached to an engine of a vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said amplifying means are transistors with their emitters connected together.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said network contains a lamp with an impedance which varies with the power applied thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said source is an alternator attached to an engine of a vehicle and said lighting means are lamps associated with said vehicle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-01 | 1979-06-02 | 1979-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-01 | 1983-06-02 | 1983-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-01 | 1987-06-02 | 1987-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |