US3984755A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Voltage regulator
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1975-12-02
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Granted: 1976-10-05
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Expires: 1995-12-02
Abstract
Abstract A direct current ramp potential signal which is produced in synchronism with each half cycle of the alternator output voltage and increases in magnitude within a predetermined range during each half cycle is compared with a direct current reference potential signal inversely proportional to alternator connected load. Circuitry is provided for effecting the electrical energization of the alternator field winding in response to an electrical signal produced when the potential level of the ramp potential signal has reached a value equal to that of the reference potential signal. Provision is also made for effecting the deenergization of the alternator field winding with sustained overvoltage conditions and for ramping the output voltage down linearly with conditions of output potential frequencies less than the desired frequency.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard N. Lehnhoff
- 👤 Dennis J. Ricker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:30
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02P; H02P9/00; H02P9/14; H02P9/36; H02H; H02H7/00; H02H7/06; H02P9/26; H02P9/30; H02P9/302
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A voltage regulator circuit for controlling the electrical energization of the field winding of an alternating current alternator in a manner to maintain the alternator alternating current output voltage substantially constant, comprising: circuit means responsive to the alternator output voltage for producing a direct current reference potential signal of a potential level inversely proportional to alternator connected load; circuit means for producing a direct current ramp potential signal in synchronism with each half cycle of the alternator output voltage which increases in magnitude within a predetermined range during each said half cycle; circuit means responsive to said reference potential signal and said ramp potential signal for producing an output signal of a selected polarity when the potential level of said ramp potential signal has reached the potential level of said reference potential signal; and means effective to electrically energize the alternator field winding in response to the signal produced by said last-named circuit means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A voltage regulator circuit for controlling the electrical energization of the field winding of an alternating current alternator in a manner to maintain the alternator alternating current output voltage substantially constant, comprising: circuit means responsive to the alternator output voltage for producing a direct current reference potential signal of a potential level inversely proportional to alternator connected load; circuit means for producing a direct current ramp potential signal in synchronism with each half cycle of the alternator output voltage which increases in magnitude within a predetermined range during each said half cycle; circuit means responsive to said reference potential signal and said ramp potential signal for producing an output signal of a selected polarity when the potential level of said ramp potential signal has reached the potential level of said reference potential signal; and means effective to electrically energize the alternator field winding in response to the signal produced by said last-named circuit means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
222 words
A voltage regulator circuit for controlling the electrical energization of the field winding of an alternating current alternator in a manner to maintain the alternator alternating current output voltage substantially constant, comprising: circuit means for producing a direct current alternator output voltage sensing potential signal of a potential level proportional to the alternator output voltage; circuit means responsive to said output voltage sensing potential signal for producing a direct current reference potential signal of a potential level inversely proportional to alternator connected load; circuit means for producing a direct current ramp potential signal in synchronism with each half cycle of the alternator output voltage which increases in magnitude within a predetermined range during each said half cycle; circuit means responsive to said reference potential signal and said ramp potential signal for producing an output signal of a selected polarity when the potential level of said ramp potential signal has reached the potential level of said reference potential signal, respectively; means effective to electrically energize the alternator field winding in response to the signal produced by said last-named circuit means; and alternator output overvoltage protection circuit means responsive to said sensing potential signal for interrupting alternator field winding energization when the alternator output voltage level exceeds a predetermined desired alternator output voltage level by a selected percentage of the desired alternator output voltage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
222 words
A voltage regulator circuit for controlling the electrical energization of the field winding of an alternating current alternator in a manner to maintain the alternator alternating current output voltage substantially constant, comprising: circuit means for producing a direct current alternator output voltage sensing potential signal of a potential level proportional to the alternator output voltage; circuit means responsive to said output voltage sensing potential signal for producing a direct current reference potential signal of a potential level inversely proportional to alternator connected load; circuit means for producing a direct current ramp potential signal in synchronism with each half cycle of the alternator output voltage which increases in magnitude within a predetermined range during each said half cycle; circuit means responsive to said reference potential signal and said ramp potential signal for producing an output signal of a selected polarity when the potential level of said ramp potential signal has reached the potential level of said reference potential signal, respectively; means effective to electrically energize the alternator field winding in response to the signal produced by said last-named circuit means; and alternator output overvoltage protection circuit means responsive to said sensing potential signal for interrupting alternator field winding energization when the alternator output voltage level exceeds a predetermined desired alternator output voltage level by a selected percentage of the desired alternator output voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
230 words
A voltage regulator circuit for controlling the electrical energization of the field winding of an alternating current alternator in a manner to maintain the alternator alternating current output voltage substantially constant, comprising: circuit means responsive to the alternator output voltage for producing a direct current reference potential signal of a potential level inversely proportional to alternator connected load; circuit means for producing a direct current ramp potential signal in synchronism with each half cycle of the alternator output voltage which increases in magnitude within a predetermined range during each said half cycle; circuit means responsive to said reference potential signal and said ramp potential signal for producing an output signal of a selected polarity when the potential level of said ramp potential signal has reached the potential level of said reference potential signal; means effective to electrically energize the alternator field winding in response to the signal produced by said last-named circuit means; means for producing a direct current frequency error ramp signal of a potential level inversely proportional to the alternator output voltage frequency and of a substantially ground potential level while the alternator output voltage is of the desired frequency; and means for applying said frequency error ramp signal to said first named circuit means in a sense to increase the potential level of said reference potential signal with a decrease of frequency of the alternator output voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
230 words
A voltage regulator circuit for controlling the electrical energization of the field winding of an alternating current alternator in a manner to maintain the alternator alternating current output voltage substantially constant, comprising: circuit means responsive to the alternator output voltage for producing a direct current reference potential signal of a potential level inversely proportional to alternator connected load; circuit means for producing a direct current ramp potential signal in synchronism with each half cycle of the alternator output voltage which increases in magnitude within a predetermined range during each said half cycle; circuit means responsive to said reference potential signal and said ramp potential signal for producing an output signal of a selected polarity when the potential level of said ramp potential signal has reached the potential level of said reference potential signal; means effective to electrically energize the alternator field winding in response to the signal produced by said last-named circuit means; means for producing a direct current frequency error ramp signal of a potential level inversely proportional to the alternator output voltage frequency and of a substantially ground potential level while the alternator output voltage is of the desired frequency; and means for applying said frequency error ramp signal to said first named circuit means in a sense to increase the potential level of said reference potential signal with a decrease of frequency of the alternator output voltage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
271 words
A voltage regulator circuit for controlling the electrical energization of the field winding of an alternating current alternator in a manner to maintain the alternator alternating current output voltage substantially constant, comprising: circuit means for producing a direct current alternator output voltage sensing potential signal of a potential level proportional to the alternator output voltage; circuit means responsive to said output voltage sensing potential signal for producing a direct current reference potential signal of a potential level inversely proportional to alternator connected load; circuit means for producing a direct current ramp potential signal in synchronism with each half cycle of the alternator output voltage which increases in magnitude within a predetermined range during each said half cycle; circuit means responsive to said reference potential signal and said ramp potential signal for producing an output signal of a selected polarity when the potential level of said ramp potential signal has reached the potential level of said reference potential signal, respectively; means effective to electrically energize the alternator field winding in response to the signal produced by said last-named circuit means; means for producing a direct current frequency error ramp signal of a potential level inversely proportional to the alternator output voltage frequency and of a substantially ground potential level while the alternator output voltage is of the desired frequency; means for applying said frequency error ramp signal to said first named circuit means in a sense to increase the potential level of said reference potential signal with a decrease of frequency of alternator output voltage; and means for selectively conditioning said voltage regulator circuit for either of two alternator output voltage frequencies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
271 words
A voltage regulator circuit for controlling the electrical energization of the field winding of an alternating current alternator in a manner to maintain the alternator alternating current output voltage substantially constant, comprising: circuit means for producing a direct current alternator output voltage sensing potential signal of a potential level proportional to the alternator output voltage; circuit means responsive to said output voltage sensing potential signal for producing a direct current reference potential signal of a potential level inversely proportional to alternator connected load; circuit means for producing a direct current ramp potential signal in synchronism with each half cycle of the alternator output voltage which increases in magnitude within a predetermined range during each said half cycle; circuit means responsive to said reference potential signal and said ramp potential signal for producing an output signal of a selected polarity when the potential level of said ramp potential signal has reached the potential level of said reference potential signal, respectively; means effective to electrically energize the alternator field winding in response to the signal produced by said last-named circuit means; means for producing a direct current frequency error ramp signal of a potential level inversely proportional to the alternator output voltage frequency and of a substantially ground potential level while the alternator output voltage is of the desired frequency; means for applying said frequency error ramp signal to said first named circuit means in a sense to increase the potential level of said reference potential signal with a decrease of frequency of alternator output voltage; and means for selectively conditioning said voltage regulator circuit for either of two alternator output voltage frequencies.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
314 words
A voltage regulator circuit for controlling the electrical energization of the field winding of an alternating current alternator in a manner to maintain the alternator alternating current output voltage substantially constant, comprising: circuit means for producing a direct current alternator output voltage sensing potential signal of a potential level proportional to the alternator output voltage; circuit means responsive to said output voltage sensing potential signal for producing a direct current reference potential signal of a potential level inversely proportional to alternator connected load; circuit means for producing a direct current ramp potential signal in synchronism with each half cycle of the alternator output voltage which increases in magnitude within a predetermined range during each said half cycle; circuit means responsive to said reference potential signal and said ramp potential signal for producing an output signal of a selected polarity when the potential level of said ramp potential signal has reached the potential level of said reference potential signal, respectively; means effective to electrically energize the alternator field winding in response to the signal produced by said last-named circuit means; alternator output overvoltage protection circuit means responsive to said sensing potential signal for interrupting alternator field winding energization when the alternator output voltage level exceeds a predetermined desired alternator output voltage level by a selected percentage of the desired alternator output voltage; means for producing a direct current frequency error ramp signal of a potential level inversely proportional to the alternator output voltage frequency and of a substantially ground potential level while the alternator output voltage is of the desired frequency; means for applying said frequency error ramp signal to said first named circuit means in a sense to increase the potential level of said reference potential signal with a decrease of frequency of the alternator output voltage; and means for selectively conditioning said voltage regulator circuit for either of two alternator output voltage frequencies.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
314 words
A voltage regulator circuit for controlling the electrical energization of the field winding of an alternating current alternator in a manner to maintain the alternator alternating current output voltage substantially constant, comprising: circuit means for producing a direct current alternator output voltage sensing potential signal of a potential level proportional to the alternator output voltage; circuit means responsive to said output voltage sensing potential signal for producing a direct current reference potential signal of a potential level inversely proportional to alternator connected load; circuit means for producing a direct current ramp potential signal in synchronism with each half cycle of the alternator output voltage which increases in magnitude within a predetermined range during each said half cycle; circuit means responsive to said reference potential signal and said ramp potential signal for producing an output signal of a selected polarity when the potential level of said ramp potential signal has reached the potential level of said reference potential signal, respectively; means effective to electrically energize the alternator field winding in response to the signal produced by said last-named circuit means; alternator output overvoltage protection circuit means responsive to said sensing potential signal for interrupting alternator field winding energization when the alternator output voltage level exceeds a predetermined desired alternator output voltage level by a selected percentage of the desired alternator output voltage; means for producing a direct current frequency error ramp signal of a potential level inversely proportional to the alternator output voltage frequency and of a substantially ground potential level while the alternator output voltage is of the desired frequency; means for applying said frequency error ramp signal to said first named circuit means in a sense to increase the potential level of said reference potential signal with a decrease of frequency of the alternator output voltage; and means for selectively conditioning said voltage regulator circuit for either of two alternator output voltage frequencies.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-10-05 | 1980-04-05 | 1980-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-05 | 1984-04-05 | 1984-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-05 | 1988-04-05 | 1988-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |