Chrysler Motors Corporation

Daniel P Merchant

Min Sway-Tin

William R Kissel

Douglas C Frantz

Thomas J Mangliers

A heat sink assembly to dissipate heat from electrical components to ambient surroundings is disclosed. The heat sink assembly of the present invention includes a housing having a mechanism for retaining electrical components within the housing. The electrical components include heat sink tabs. A mechanism is coupled with the housing and the heat sink tabs of the electrical components to dissipate heat from the electrical components to the ambient surroundings. Also, a mechanism is associated with the assembly to couple the assembly to a circuit board or the like.

Multiple semiconductor heat sink/mounting assembly

A microprocessor-based electronic voltage regulation system for controlling the charging of the battery in a vehicle. The conventional voltage regulator is eliminated and the intelligence of the microprocessor already present on the vehicle for controlling engine operation is used to regulate the output of the alternator. The battery temperature signal from a temperature transducer and a battery voltage signal from a sense line connected directly to the positive terminal of the battery are supplied to the microprocessor through an analog-to-digital converter. The microprocessor is programmed to ascertain from the battery temperature signal the desired set point voltage based upon an inverse first order relationship between battery temperature and desired battery voltage with preset maximum and minimum voltage set point levels. Energization of the field windings is controlled in accordance with a comparison between the desired set point voltage and the battery voltage signal on the battery sense line and is implemented in response to a control signal from the microprocessor by a solid-state power switching circuit which interfaces with the alternator field windings. In addition, the microprocessor is provided with additional feedback information relating to various driving conditions, such as vehicle deceleration, throttle position, engine RPM, and elapsed time since ignition, and is further programmed to modify the desired voltage set point or modify engine RPM in accordance with such driving conditions. Overcurrent protection for the logic circuitry and improved diagnostic capabilities are also provided.

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Warren, MI, United States of America

Daniel P Merchant