US4349775A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Temperature compensated voltage regulator for photovoltaic charging systems
Assignee: BP Solar International LLC
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Filing: 1981-01-02
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Granted: 1982-09-14
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Expires: 2001-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A voltage regulator for use in photovoltaic charging of storage batteries includes a temperature compensated reference voltage. The circuitry of the invention permits fixed temperature coefficient and variable temperature coefficient temperature compensated regulation. The voltage regulator comprises an operational amplifier including a linearly temperature dependent current source coupled to an input terminal of said operational amplifier and a voltage source having a selectable voltage which is connected to another input of said operational amplifier, said reference voltage circuit being operable to provide a reference voltage about equal to a maximum charging voltage for said batteries; a comparator for comparing said reference voltage with an output voltage of said photovoltaic array; and a switch responsive to said comparator to inhibit charging whenever said array output exceeds said reference voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 Yiduk Kwon
- 👤 Paul Lawson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:38
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05F; G05F1/00; G05F1/10; G05F1/46; G05F1/468; H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/34; H02J7/35; H02J7/90; H02J7/971; H02J7/975; H02J7/977; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/56; Y10; Y10S; Y10S136/00; Y10S136/291; Y10S136/293; Y10S323/00; Y10S323/906; Y10S323/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A regulator system for controlling photovoltaic charging of primary batteries, said system comprising: storage batteries having a room temperature full charge voltage V normal , said voltage being temperature dependent; a photovoltaic array having an output voltage capable of exceeding V normal , said array being coupled to provide charging power to said batteries; regulator means interposed between said array and said batteries, said regulator means including comparator means for comparing battery voltage to a reference voltage; reference voltage means capable of providing a reference voltage about equal to the temperature dependent charge voltage V normal , said reference means including an operational amplifier, arranged to provide biased current to voltage conversion, having a temperature dependent current source coupled to one input of said amplifier and a second voltage source having a predetermined voltage level coupled to a second input to said operational amplifier whereby said reference means provides a linearly temperature dependent reference voltage to said comparator means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A regulator system for controlling photovoltaic charging of primary batteries, said system comprising: storage batteries having a room temperature full charge voltage V normal , said voltage being temperature dependent; a photovoltaic array having an output voltage capable of exceeding V normal , said array being coupled to provide charging power to said batteries; regulator means interposed between said array and said batteries, said regulator means including comparator means for comparing battery voltage to a reference voltage; reference voltage means capable of providing a reference voltage about equal to the temperature dependent charge voltage V normal , said reference means including an operational amplifier, arranged to provide biased current to voltage conversion, having a temperature dependent current source coupled to one input of said amplifier and a second voltage source having a predetermined voltage level coupled to a second input to said operational amplifier whereby said reference means provides a linearly temperature dependent reference voltage to said comparator means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The regulator system of claim 1 wherein said temperature dependent current source is a linearly temperature dependent current source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The regulator system of claim 2 wherein said linearly proportional current is about one microamp per degree K.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The regulator system of claim 1 wherein said batteries comprise lead acid storage batteries having a room temperature full charge voltage of about 2.3 volts/cell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The regulator system of claim 1 wherein said reference voltage means further includes means for preselecting a value for room temperature normal full charge voltage, V normal , and means for preselecting a voltage to temperature dependency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
113 words
A temperature compensated regulator for controlling a photovoltaic array charging of primary storage batteries, said regulator comprising: reference voltage means having an operational amplifier including a linearly temperature dependent current source coupled to an input terminal of said operational amplifier and a voltage source having a selectable voltage which is connected to another input of said operational amplifier, said reference voltage means being operable to provide a reference voltage about equal to a maximum charging voltage for said batteries; comparator means for comprising said reference voltage with an output voltage of said photovoltaic array; and switching means, responsive to said comparator means to inhibit charging whenever said array output exceeds said reference voltage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
113 words
A temperature compensated regulator for controlling a photovoltaic array charging of primary storage batteries, said regulator comprising: reference voltage means having an operational amplifier including a linearly temperature dependent current source coupled to an input terminal of said operational amplifier and a voltage source having a selectable voltage which is connected to another input of said operational amplifier, said reference voltage means being operable to provide a reference voltage about equal to a maximum charging voltage for said batteries; comparator means for comprising said reference voltage with an output voltage of said photovoltaic array; and switching means, responsive to said comparator means to inhibit charging whenever said array output exceeds said reference voltage.
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) | 1985-09-13 | 1986-03-15 | 1986-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-09-13 | 1990-03-15 | 1990-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-09-13 | 1994-03-15 | 1994-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |