Alternator voltage regulator

Claim 2

A voltage regulator circuit for an alternator having a rotor which rotates relative to a stator for generating an alternator voltage output and a field winding for increasing the alternator voltage output when a field current flows therethrough, said voltage regulator circuit comprising: speed sensing means for producing a reference signal in response to the rotation of the rotor relative to the stator exceeding a predetermined speed; first comparator means for producing an enable signal in response to the alternator output voltage reaching a predetermined relationship with said reference signal, said first comparator means being operatively connected with said speed sensing means and with said alternator; signal altering means for altering the amplitude of said reference signal in response to said enable signal, said signal altering means being operatively connected to said first comparator means; and, switching means for switching the field current to said field winding in response to said enable signal, said switching means being operatively connected with said first comparator means.

Claim 3

The regulator circuit as set forth in claim 1 further including reference signal amplitude control means for controlling the amplitude of said reference signal, said reference signal controlling means being operatively connected with said speed sensing means.

Claim 4

The regulator circuit as set forth in claim 2 wherein said reference signal amplitude control means comprises a zener diode in parallel with a voltage divider.

Claim 5

A voltage regulator circuit for an alternator having a rotor which rotates relative to a stator for generating an alternator voltage output and a field winding for increasing the alternator voltage output when a field current flows therethrough, said voltage regulator circuit comprising: a speed sensing means including an operational amplifier having a first input operatively connected with an isolated speed dependent output of said alternator and having a second input operatively connected with the alternator voltage output, said operational amplifier producing a high output when the magnitude of the signal received on its first input exceeds the amplitude of the signal received on its second input and a low output when the magnitude received on its second input exceeds the magnitude of the signal received on its first input, said high output comprising a reference signal; first comparator means for producing an enable signal in response to the alternator output voltage reaching a predetermined relationship with said reference signal, said first comparator means being operatively connected with said speed sensing means and with said alternator; and, switching means for switching the field current to said field winding in response to said enable signal, said switching means being operatively connected with said first comparator means.

Claim 6

A voltage regulator circuit for an alternator having a rotor which rotates relative to a stator for generating an alternator voltage output and a field winding for increasing the alternator voltage output when a field current flows therethrough, said voltage regulator circuit comprising: a speed sensing means including an operational amplifier having a first input operatively connected with an isolated speed dependent output of said alternator and having a second input operatively connected with the alternator voltage output, said operational amplifier producing a high output when the magnitude of the signal received on its first input exceeds the amplitude of the signal received on its second input and a low output when the magnitude received on its second input exceeds the magnitude of the signal received on its first input, said high output comprising a reference signal; first comparator means for producing an enable signal in response to the alternator output voltage reaching a predetermined relationship with said reference signal, said first comparator means being operatively connected with said speed sensing means and with said alternator; and, switching means for switching the field current to said field winding in response to said enable signal, said switching means being operatively connected with said first comparator means.

Claim 7

The regulator circuit as set forth in claim 4 wherein said speed sensing means further includes a first voltage divider operatively connected with said operational amplifier first input and a second voltage divider operatively connected with said operational amplifier second input.

Claim 8

The regulator circuit as set forth in claim 5 wherein said comparator means comprises an operational amplifier having a first input operatively connected with said speed sensing means and a second input operatively connected with the alternator voltage output, said operational amplifier having a high output signal when the amplitude of the signal received on the first input exceeds the amplitude of the signal received on the second input and producing a low output signal when the amplitude of the signal received on the second input exceeds the amplitude of the signal received on the first output, said high output signal comprising said enable signal.

Claim 9

The regulator circuit as set forth in claim 6 further including a voltage divider operatively connecting said second input with said alternator voltage output.

Claim 10

A voltage regulator circuit for an alternator having a rotor which rotates relative to a stator for generating an alternator voltage output and a field winding for increasing the alternator voltage output when a field current flows therethrough, said voltage regulator circuit comprising; speed sensing means for producing a reference signal in response to the rotation of the rotor relative to the stator exceeding a predetermined speed; an operational amplifier having a first input operatively connected with said speed sensing means, a second input operatively connected with the alternator voltage output and an output, said operational amplifier assuming a high state when the amplitude of the signal received on the first input exceeds the amplitude of the signal received on the second input and assuming low state when the amplitude of the signal received on the second input exceeds the amplitude of the signal received on the first input, in said high state an enable signal is produced on the operational amplifier output; a feedback loop connected between the operational amplifier output and the operational amplifier first input for reducing the amplitude of the reference signal received on the first input in response to said enable signal; and, switching means for switching the field current to said field winding in response to said enable signal, said switching means being operatively connected with said operational amplifier output.

Claim 11

A voltage regulator circuit for an alternator having a rotor which rotates relative to a stator for generating an alternator voltage output and a field winding for increasing the alternator voltage output when a field current flows therethrough, said voltage regulator circuit comprising; speed sensing means for producing a reference signal in response to the rotation of the rotor relative to the stator exceeding a predetermined speed; an operational amplifier having a first input operatively connected with said speed sensing means, a second input operatively connected with the alternator voltage output and an output, said operational amplifier assuming a high state when the amplitude of the signal received on the first input exceeds the amplitude of the signal received on the second input and assuming low state when the amplitude of the signal received on the second input exceeds the amplitude of the signal received on the first input, in said high state an enable signal is produced on the operational amplifier output; a feedback loop connected between the operational amplifier output and the operational amplifier first input for reducing the amplitude of the reference signal received on the first input in response to said enable signal; and, switching means for switching the field current to said field winding in response to said enable signal, said switching means being operatively connected with said operational amplifier output.

Claim 12

The regulator circuit as set forth in claim 8 wherein the feedback loop comprises a capacitor connected in parallel with a series diode and resistor.

Claim 13

The regulator circuit as set forth in claim 8 wherein said switching means comprises a cascading transistor having its base connected with said operational amplifier such that the cascading transistor is placed in its conductive state by said enable signal, said switching means further comprising a power transistor in series with said field winding, the base of said power transistor being connected with said cascading transistor such that the power transistor is caused to be in its fully conductive state when the cascading transistor is in its conductive state.

Claim 14

The regulator circuit as set forth in claim 2 wherein said switching means comprises a power transistor connected in series with the field winding of said alternator, the base of said power transistor being operatively connected with said comparator means such that the enable signal places the power transistor in its conductive state.

Claim 15

A voltage regulator circuit for a three phase alternator having a rotor which rotates relative to a plurality of stator coils for generating a potential across an alternator output, having at least one field winding which increases said potential when a field current flows therethrough, being adapted for charging a rechargable battery connected across the alternator output, and having a speed dependent output which carries a potential that varies substantially with the speed of the rotation of the rotor relative to the stator, said voltage regulator circuit comprising: a first operational amplifier having a first input operatively connected with the speed dependent output and having a second input operatively connected with the alternator output, said first operational amplifier producing a high output signal when a predetermined relationship exists between the amplitude of the signals received on its first and second inputs; a second operational amplifier having a first input operatively connected with the output of said first operational amplifier and having a second input operatively connected with the alternator output, said second operational amplifier producing a high output signal in response to a predetermined relationship between the amplitude of the signals received on its first and second inputs; and, a power transistor connected in series with the alternator field winding, the base of the power transistor being operatively connected with the output of said second operational amplifier such that the high output signal of the second operational amplifier renders said power transistor fully conductive.

Claim 16

A voltage regulator circuit for a three phase alternator having a rotor which rotates relative to a plurality of stator coils for generating a potential across an alternator output, having at least one field winding which increases said potential when a field current flows therethrough, being adapted for charging a rechargable battery connected across the alternator output, and having a speed dependent output which carries a potential that varies substantially with the speed of the rotation of the rotor relative to the stator, said voltage regulator circuit comprising: a first operational amplifier having a first input operatively connected with the speed dependent output and having a second input operatively connected with the alternator output, said first operational amplifier producing a high output signal when a predetermined relationship exists between the amplitude of the signals received on its first and second inputs; a second operational amplifier having a first input operatively connected with the output of said first operational amplifier and having a second input operatively connected with the alternator output, said second operational amplifier producing a high output signal in response to a predetermined relationship between the amplitude of the signals received on its first and second inputs; and, a power transistor connected in series with the alternator field winding, the base of the power transistor being operatively connected with the output of said second operational amplifier such that the high output signal of the second operational amplifier renders said power transistor fully conductive.

Claim 17

The regulator circuit as set forth in claim 12 wherein the stator coils of the alternator are arranged in a Y configuration and wherein the speed dependent output is operatively connected with the common connection of the stator coils.

Claim 18

The regulator circuit as set forth in claim 12 further including a reference signal control means for controlling the amplitude of the high output signal from said first operational amplifier, said control means being operatively connected with the output of the first operational amplifier to produce a reference voltage in response to the high output signal from the first operational amplifier, said first input of the second operational amplifier being operatively connected with said control means.

Claim 19

The regulator circuit as set forth in claim 14 further including a feedback loop operatively connected between the output of said second operational amplifier and the first input of said second operational amplifier, said feedback loop reducing the magnitude of the reference voltage received on the first input of the second operational amplifier in response to the high output signal of the second operational amplifier.

Claim 20

The regulator circuit as set forth in claim 15 further including a cascading transistor having its base operatively connected with said second operational amplifier to be rendered conductive by said high output signal from the second operational amplifier, said cascading transistor being operatively connected with the base of said power transistor such that the cascading transistor renders the power transistor fully conductive when the cascading transistor is in its conductive state.

Claim 21

A battery recharging circuit comprising: an alternator having three stator windings connected in a Y configuration, a speed dependent output operatively connected with a common connection of the three stator coils, an alternator output operatively connected with the stator coils, and a field winding for increasing the potential at the alternator output when a field current flows therethrough; a battery which is operatively connected with said alternator output; and a voltage regulator circuit having (i) a first comparator means for producing a reference signal when some predetermined relationship exists between the amplitude of signals received on its first and second

Claim 22

A battery recharging circuit comprising: an alternator having three stator windings connected in a Y configuration, a speed dependent output operatively connected with a common connection of the three stator coils, an alternator output operatively connected with the stator coils, and a field winding for increasing the potential at the alternator output when a field current flows therethrough; a battery which is operatively connected with said alternator output; and a voltage regulator circuit having (i) a first comparator means for producing a reference signal when some predetermined relationship exists between the amplitude of signals received on its first and second

Claim 23

The regulator circuit as set forth in claim 8 wherein in said low state said operational amplifier functions as a current sink.

Claim 24

A voltage regulator circuit for an alternator which includes a rotor that rotates relative to a stator for generating an alternator output voltage on an alternator voltage output and a field winding for increasing the alternator output voltage when a field current flows therethrough, said voltage regulator circuit comprising: speed sensing means for producing a fixed amplitude DC reference signal in response to the rotation of the rotor relative to the stator exceeding a predetermined angular velocity and a low signal below the predetermined angular velocity; a bistable solid state circuit means selectively assuming a first state in which the bistable circuit means produces a high output signal on a bistable circuit means output such that the bistable circuit means functions as a current source and second state in which the bistable circuit means produces a substantially fixed amplitude low output signal on the bistable circuit output such that the bistable circuit means functions as a current sink, the bistable circuit means includes a first input operatively connected with said speed sensing means and a second input operatively connected with the alternator voltage output, said bistable circuit means assuming the first state in response to the fixed DC reference signal exceeding a fixed function of the alternator output voltage and assuming the second state in response to the fixed function of the alternator output voltage exceeding the signal from the speed sensing means; and, switching means for switching the field current to said field winding in response to said bistable circuit means high signal, said switching means being operatively connected with said bistable circuit means.

Claim 25

A voltage regulator circuit for an alternator which includes a rotor that rotates relative to a stator for generating an alternator output voltage on an alternator voltage output and a field winding for increasing the alternator output voltage when a field current flows therethrough, said voltage regulator circuit comprising: speed sensing means for producing a fixed amplitude DC reference signal in response to the rotation of the rotor relative to the stator exceeding a predetermined angular velocity and a low signal below the predetermined angular velocity; a bistable solid state circuit means selectively assuming a first state in which the bistable circuit means produces a high output signal on a bistable circuit means output such that the bistable circuit means functions as a current source and second state in which the bistable circuit means produces a substantially fixed amplitude low output signal on the bistable circuit output such that the bistable circuit means functions as a current sink, the bistable circuit means includes a first input operatively connected with said speed sensing means and a second input operatively connected with the alternator voltage output, said bistable circuit means assuming the first state in response to the fixed DC reference signal exceeding a fixed function of the alternator output voltage and assuming the second state in response to the fixed function of the alternator output voltage exceeding the signal from the speed sensing means; and, switching means for switching the field current to said field winding in response to said bistable circuit means high signal, said switching means being operatively connected with said bistable circuit means.

Claim 26

The regulator circuit as set forth in claim 19 wherein the speed sensing circuit includes an operational amplifier for producing a high signal on its output above the preselected angular velocity and a low signal below the preselected angular velocity and further including a reference signal amplitude controlling means operatively connected with the speed control operational amplifier output for fixing the amplitude of the operational amplifier high signal, the operational amplifier high signal with the fixed amplitude being the fixed amplitude reference signal.

Claim 27

The regulator circuit as set forth in claim 20 wherein the bistable circuit means includes an operational amplifier.