US5982154A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Generation-stop detection system of alternator
Assignee: Denso Corp
•
Filing: 1998-01-30
•
Granted: 1999-11-09
•
Expires: 2018-01-30
Abstract
Abstract A generation-stop detection system of an alternator is provided. A unit provides a generation-stop condition signal when an output voltage of the alternator is lower than a reference voltage. A rotation speed detection unit detects a rotation speed. A reference voltage changing unit changes the reference voltage proportionally to the rotation speed of the alternator. A warning signal unit provides a warning signal if the generation-stop condition signal is provided at a rotation speed lower than a predetermined speed. The warning signal is maintained even when the rotation speed of the alternator becomes higher than the predetermined speed. The warning signal is interrupted when the output voltage of the alternator is higher than the voltage of the battery.
Inventors
- 👤 Wakako Kanazawa
- 👤 Hirohide Sato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:37
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/14; H02J7/16; H02J7/60; H02J7/61; H02J7/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 78
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A system for detecting when an alternator stops generating, said alternator having a rotor and a field coil, said system comprising: a reference level setting unit for providing a reference voltage level, said reference voltage level being lower than a normal output voltage of said alternator and higher than the output voltage of said alternator generated when said field coil is not excited; a condition detection unit providing a generation-stop condition signal when the output voltage of said alternator becomes lower than said reference level; a speed detection unit detecting a rotation speed of said alternator; and a correction unit for correcting said generation-stop condition signal according to said rotation speed of said alternator.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A system for detecting when an alternator stops generating, said alternator having a rotor and a field coil, said system comprising: a reference level setting unit for providing a reference voltage level, said reference voltage level being lower than a normal output voltage of said alternator and higher than the output voltage of said alternator generated when said field coil is not excited; a condition detection unit providing a generation-stop condition signal when the output voltage of said alternator becomes lower than said reference level; a speed detection unit detecting a rotation speed of said alternator; and a correction unit for correcting said generation-stop condition signal according to said rotation speed of said alternator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said rotor comprises said field coil and a permanent magnet disposed in a magnetic field generated by said field coil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said condition detection unit provides said generation stop condition signal according to a result of a comparison between said output voltage of said alternator and a voltage of said reference level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said correction unit comprises a reference-voltage changing unit for changing the voltage of said reference level as the rotation speed of said alternator changes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 4, wherein said reference voltage changing unit increases said voltage of said reference level as said rotation speed of said alternator becomes higher.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 5, wherein the voltage of said reference level is proportional to and higher than the output voltage of said alternator generated when a field current is not supplied to said field coil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 5, wherein the voltage of said reference level is set lower than a battery voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 5, further comprising a unit for nullifying said generation-stop condition signal when the output voltage of said alternator becomes higher than a battery voltage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said correction unit comprises a maintenance unit for providing a maintenance signal to maintain said generation-stop condition signal after the rotation speed of said alternator becomes higher than a predetermined speed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 9,wherein said maintenance unit provides a warning signal if said condition detection unit provides said generation-stop condition signal when the rotation of said alternator is lower than said predetermined speed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 9, wherein said condition detection unit provides said generation stop condition signal according to a result of a comparison between said output voltage of said alternator and the voltage of said reference level.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system according to claim 9, wherein said correction unit comprises a reference voltage changing unit for changing the voltage of said reference level as the rotation speed of said alternator changes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 12, wherein said reference voltage changing unit increases the voltage of said reference signal as the rotation speed of said alternator becomes higher.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 13, wherein the voltage of said reference level is proportional to and higher than the output voltage of said alternator generated when a field current is not supplied to said field coil.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for detecting when an alternator stops generating, said alternator charging a vehicle battery by supplying field current to a field coil, said system comprising: first means for providing a generation-stop condition signal when an output voltage of said alternator is lower than a reference voltage; second means for detecting a rotation speed of said alternator; third means for changing said reference voltage proportionally to the rotation speed of said alternator; fourth means for providing a warning signal if said generation-stop condition signal is provided at a rotation speed lower than a predetermined speed; and fifth means for maintaining said warning signal even when the rotation speed of said alternator becomes higher than said predetermined speed.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for detecting when an alternator stops generating, said alternator charging a vehicle battery by supplying field current to a field coil, said system comprising: first means for providing a generation-stop condition signal when an output voltage of said alternator is lower than a reference voltage; second means for detecting a rotation speed of said alternator; third means for changing said reference voltage proportionally to the rotation speed of said alternator; fourth means for providing a warning signal if said generation-stop condition signal is provided at a rotation speed lower than a predetermined speed; and fifth means for maintaining said warning signal even when the rotation speed of said alternator becomes higher than said predetermined speed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 15, further comprising sixth means for deactivating said fourth means when the output voltage of said alternator is higher than the voltage of said battery.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 16, wherein said fourth means comprises a delay circuit for interrupting the generation-stop condition signal for a predetermined period, preventing an erroneous warning due to an abrupt change in a vehicle load connection.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
130 words
A system for detecting when an alternator stops generating, said alternator charging a vehicle battery by supplying a field current to a field coil, said system comprising: first means for detecting a rotation speed of said alternator; a reference signal generating circuit connected to said alternator and said first means, said reference signal generating circuit generating a reference signal having a voltage increasing as the rotational speed of said alternator increases, said reference signal generating circuit comprising a counter providing numbers corresponding to said rotation speed; a generation-stop signal circuit providing a generation-stop signal when an output voltage of said alternator is lower than said reference voltage; and second means for providing a warning signal if said generation-stop condition is provided at a rotation speed lower than a predetermined speed.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
130 words
A system for detecting when an alternator stops generating, said alternator charging a vehicle battery by supplying a field current to a field coil, said system comprising: first means for detecting a rotation speed of said alternator; a reference signal generating circuit connected to said alternator and said first means, said reference signal generating circuit generating a reference signal having a voltage increasing as the rotational speed of said alternator increases, said reference signal generating circuit comprising a counter providing numbers corresponding to said rotation speed; a generation-stop signal circuit providing a generation-stop signal when an output voltage of said alternator is lower than said reference voltage; and second means for providing a warning signal if said generation-stop condition is provided at a rotation speed lower than a predetermined speed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system according to claim 18, further comprising a warning signal maintenance circuit connected between said reference signal generating circuit and said second means, said maintenance circuit maintaining said warning signal when the rotation speed of said alternator becomes higher than said predetermined speed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 19, wherein said warning signal maintenance circuit comprises an RS flip-flop circuit connected to said second means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system according to claim 20, further comprising a battery connected to said alternator and third means for comparing the output voltage of said alternator with a voltage of said battery, and further comprising a gate circuit connected between said generation-stop signal circuit and said flip-flop circuit, said gate circuit interrupting said warning signal when the output voltage of said alternator is higher than said battery voltage.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
124 words
A system for detecting when an alternator stops generating, said alternator comprising a rotor and a field coil, said system comprising: a generation condition detection unit providing a generation-stop condition signal when signals respectively indicating a generation voltage of said generator and a reference level are compared and said generation voltage is found to be lower than said reference level; a speed detection unit detecting a rotation speed of said alternator; and a correction unit for correcting said signals according to said rotation speed to prevent an undesired stoppage of said generation-stop condition signal due to an increase in said generation voltage not caused by an increase in electric current supplied to said field coil and caused by an increase in said rotation speed.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
124 words
A system for detecting when an alternator stops generating, said alternator comprising a rotor and a field coil, said system comprising: a generation condition detection unit providing a generation-stop condition signal when signals respectively indicating a generation voltage of said generator and a reference level are compared and said generation voltage is found to be lower than said reference level; a speed detection unit detecting a rotation speed of said alternator; and a correction unit for correcting said signals according to said rotation speed to prevent an undesired stoppage of said generation-stop condition signal due to an increase in said generation voltage not caused by an increase in electric current supplied to said field coil and caused by an increase in said rotation speed.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 22, wherein said generation voltage of said alternator comprises an output voltage of said alternator.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 22, wherein said rotor comprises said field coil and a permanent magnet disposed in a magnetic field generated by said field coil.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 22, wherein said correction unit comprises a reference-voltage changing unit for changing a voltage of said reference level as the rotation speed of said alternator changes.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 25, wherein said reference-voltage changing unit increases said voltage of said reference level as the rotation speed of said alternator becomes higher.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 26, wherein the voltage of said reference level is proportional to and higher than the generation voltage of said alternator generated when a field current is not supplied to said field coil.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 26, wherein the voltage of said reference level is set lower than a battery voltage.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 26, further comprising a unit for nullifying said generation-stop condition signal when the generation voltage of said alternator becomes higher than a battery voltage.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 22, wherein said correction unit comprises a maintenance unit for providing a maintenance signal to maintain said generation-stop condition signal after the rotation speed of said alternator becomes higher than a predetermined speed.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 30, wherein said maintenance unit provides a warning signal if said condition detection unit provides said generation-stop condition signal when the rotation speed of said alternator is lower than said predetermined speed.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system according to claim 30, wherein said correction unit comprises a reference voltage changing unit for changing the voltage of said reference level as the rotation speed of said alternator changes.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 32, wherein said reference voltage changing unit increases said voltage of said reference signal as the rotation speed of said alternator becomes higher.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 33, wherein the voltage of said reference level is proportional to and higher than the generation voltage of said alternator generated when a field current is not supplied to said field coil.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for detecting when an alternator stops generating, said alternator having a rotor including a field coil and a permanent magnet, said system comprising: a generation condition detection unit providing a generation-stop condition signal when an output voltage of said alternator becomes lower than a reference voltage level; a speed detection unit detecting a rotation speed of said alternator; and a correction unit for changing said reference voltage level according to said rotation speed so that said reference voltage level is always lower than said output voltage while said alternator is in a normal condition and so that said reference voltage level is always higher than said output voltage when said field coil is not excited.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for detecting when an alternator stops generating, said alternator having a rotor including a field coil and a permanent magnet, said system comprising: a generation condition detection unit providing a generation-stop condition signal when an output voltage of said alternator becomes lower than a reference voltage level; a speed detection unit detecting a rotation speed of said alternator; and a correction unit for changing said reference voltage level according to said rotation speed so that said reference voltage level is always lower than said output voltage while said alternator is in a normal condition and so that said reference voltage level is always higher than said output voltage when said field coil is not excited.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 35, wherein said rotor comprises said field coil and a permanent magnet disposed in a magnetic field generated by said field coil.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 35, wherein said correction unit comprises a reference-voltage changing unit for changing said reference voltage level as the rotation speed of said alternator changes.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 37, wherein said reference-voltage changing unit increases said reference voltage level as the rotation speed of said alternator becomes higher.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 38, wherein said reference voltage level is proportional to and higher than the output voltage of said alternator generated when a field current is not supplied to said field coil.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 38, wherein said reference voltage level is set lower than a battery voltage.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 38, further comprising a unit for nullifying said generation-stop condition signal when the output voltage of said alternator becomes higher than a battery voltage.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 35, wherein said correction unit comprises a maintenance unit for providing a maintenance signal to maintain said generation-stop condition signal after the rotation speed of said alternator becomes higher than a predetermined speed.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 42, wherein said maintenance unit provides a warning signal if said condition detection unit provides said generation-stop condition signal when the rotation speed of said alternator is lower than said predetermined speed.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 42, wherein said correction unit comprises a reference voltage changing unit for changing said reference voltage level as the rotation speed of said alternator changes.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 44, wherein said reference voltage changing unit increases said reference voltage level as the rotation speed of said alternator becomes higher.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 45, wherein said reference voltage level is proportional to and higher than the output voltage of said alternator generated when a field current is not supplied to said field coil.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
118 words
A system for detecting when an alternator stops generating, said alternator comprising a stator including a stator winding and a rotor including a field coil and a permanent magnet, said system comprising: means for providing a generation-stop signal when an output voltage of said stator winding becomes lower than a reference voltage level; means for detecting a rotation speed of said alternator; and means for changing said reference voltage level according to said rotation speed so that said reference voltage level is always lower than said output voltage when said alternator is in a normal condition and so that said reference voltage level is always higher than said output voltage generated when said field coil is not excited.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
118 words
A system for detecting when an alternator stops generating, said alternator comprising a stator including a stator winding and a rotor including a field coil and a permanent magnet, said system comprising: means for providing a generation-stop signal when an output voltage of said stator winding becomes lower than a reference voltage level; means for detecting a rotation speed of said alternator; and means for changing said reference voltage level according to said rotation speed so that said reference voltage level is always lower than said output voltage when said alternator is in a normal condition and so that said reference voltage level is always higher than said output voltage generated when said field coil is not excited.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 47, wherein said rotor comprises said field coil and a permanent magnet disposed in a magnetic field generated by said field coil.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 47, wherein said changing means comprises a reference-voltage changing unit for changing said reference voltage level as the rotation speed of said alternator changes.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 49, wherein said reference-voltage changing unit increases said reference voltage level as the rotation speed of said alternator becomes higher.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 50, wherein said reference voltage level is proportional to and higher than the output voltage of said alternator generated when a field current is not supplied to said field coil.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 50, wherein said reference voltage level is set lower than a battery voltage.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 50, further comprising a unit for nullifying said generation-stop condition signal when the output voltage of said alternator becomes higher than a battery voltage.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 47, wherein said changing means comprises a maintenance unit for providing a maintenance signal to maintain said generation-stop condition signal after the rotation speed of said alternator becomes higher than a predetermined speed.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system according to claim 54, wherein said maintenance unit provides a warning signal if said providing means provides said generation-stop condition signal when the rotation speed of said alternator is lower than said predetermined speed.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 54, wherein said changing means comprises a reference voltage changing unit for changing said reference voltage level as the rotation speed of said alternator changes.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 56, wherein said reference voltage changing unit increases said reference voltage level as the rotation speed of said alternator becomes higher.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 57, wherein said reference voltage level is proportional to and higher than the output voltage of said alternator generated when a field current is not supplied to said field coil.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 47, further comprising means for thereafter maintaining said generation-stop signal when said output voltage of said alternator becomes higher than said reference voltage level.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for detecting when an alternator stops generating, said alternator comprising a stator including an output winding and a rotor including a field coil and a permanent magnet, said system comprising: first means for providing a reference voltage level which is lower than a normal output voltage of said output winding and higher than an output of said output winding generated when said field coil is not energized in a predetermined speed range; second means for providing a generation-stop signal when the output voltage of said alternator becomes lower than said reference voltage level; and third means for thereafter maintaining said generation-stop signal when said output voltage of said alternator becomes higher than said reference voltage.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for detecting when an alternator stops generating, said alternator comprising a stator including an output winding and a rotor including a field coil and a permanent magnet, said system comprising: first means for providing a reference voltage level which is lower than a normal output voltage of said output winding and higher than an output of said output winding generated when said field coil is not energized in a predetermined speed range; second means for providing a generation-stop signal when the output voltage of said alternator becomes lower than said reference voltage level; and third means for thereafter maintaining said generation-stop signal when said output voltage of said alternator becomes higher than said reference voltage.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 60, wherein said rotor comprises said field coil and said permanent magnet disposed in a magnetic field generated by said field coil.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 60, wherein said third means comprises a reference-voltage changing unit for changing said reference voltage level as the rotation speed of said alternator changes.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 62, wherein said reference-voltage changing unit increases said reference voltage level as the rotation speed of said alternator becomes higher.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 63, wherein said reference voltage level is proportional to and higher than the output voltage of said alternator generated when a field current is not supplied to said field coil.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 63, wherein said reference voltage level is set lower than a battery voltage.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 63, further comprising a unit for nullifying said generation-stop condition signal when the output voltage of said alternator becomes higher than a battery voltage.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 63, wherein said third means comprises a maintenance unit for providing a maintenance signal to maintain said generation-stop condition signal after the rotation speed of said alternator becomes higher than a predetermined speed.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system according to claim 67, wherein said maintenance unit provides a warning signal if said second means provides said generation-stop condition signal when the rotation speed of said alternator is lower than said predetermined speed.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 67, wherein said third means comprises a reference voltage changing unit for changing said reference voltage level as the rotation speed of said alternator changes.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 69, wherein said reference voltage changing unit increases said reference voltage signal as the rotation speed of said alternator becomes higher.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 70, wherein said reference voltage level is proportional to and higher than the output voltage of said alternator generated when a field current is not supplied to said field coil.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4362982A
Cited
US4477766A
Cited
US4623833A
Cited
US5061889A
Cited
US5254935A
Cited
US5306977A
Cited
US5483146A
Cited
US5497071A
Cited
US5483116A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-08 | 2003-05-10 | 2003-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-08 | 2007-05-10 | 2007-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-08 | 2011-05-10 | 2011-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |