Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Remy Technologies, LLC

Remy International, Inc.

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Delco Electronics Corporation

Reny International, Inc.

Jack Douglas Harmon

Mingshe Zhou

Michael D Bradfield

Jim Phillips

Daniel Joseph Clark

Larry J Leaf

Robert R Steele, Jr

Jerald D Luttrell

Thomas A Merrill

An alternator comprises a regulator configured to control the electric current to a field coil. The regulator includes a field driver circuit, the field driver circuit configured to deliver the electric current to the field coil at a switching frequency. The regulator further includes a controller configured to vary the switching frequency of the field driver circuit between a plurality of different switching frequencies. The alternator further comprises a sensor configured to detect a predetermined alternator condition, and the controller is configured to adjust the switching frequency of the field driver circuit in response to the sensed predetermined condition such as, for example, a rotor speed, a pulse width from the field driver circuit, an efficiency of the alternator, a temperature within the alternator, a temperature outside of the alternator, or magnetic noise of the alternator.

Alternator regulator with variable rotor field frequency

A vehicle alternator comprises a housing with a voltage regulator positioned within the housing. The alternator further comprises a rotor having a field coil positioned within the housing and a stator positioned within the housing. The stator includes stator windings configured to provide an output voltage in response to rotation of the rotor. The voltage regulator is configured to receive a battery temperature signal from outside of the alternator and control the current provided to the field coil based at least in part on the received battery temperature signal. In at least one embodiment, the battery temperature signal is provided from a temperature sensor positioned adjacent to the vehicle battery. The voltage regulator of the alternator includes a processor configured to control the current provided to the field coil based at least in part on the particular type of vehicle battery used in association with the alternator.

Internal packaged alternator with microprocessor controlled multi-input regulator

An alternator configured for use in a vehicle comprises a stator having a plurality of stator windings. A rotatable field coil is positioned adjacent to the stator within the alternator. A field driver circuit is configured to deliver an electric current to the field coil. A voltage sensor is configured to detect a battery voltage. A controller in the alternator is configured to execute either a first field current control program or a second field current control program depending at least in part upon the detected battery voltage. The first field current control program is configured to control the electric current delivered to the field coil in a 12 volt vehicle power system. The second field current control program is configured to control the electric current delivered to the field coil in a 24 volt vehicle power system.

Alternator regulator with automatic regulation dependent on system voltage

A method for implementing voltage regulation for an electrical generator device includes comparing an output voltage of the electrical generator device to a desired set point voltage thereof, and generating an output control signal configured to regulate a field current of the generating device. The output control signal is generated in accordance with a linear mode of operation during of one of an overvoltage condition and an undervoltage condition with respect to the desired set point voltage, and wherein the output control signal is automatically set to a predetermined value in a non-linear mode of operation during the other of the overvoltage condition and the undervoltage condition.

Method and system for improving voltage regulator accuracy in vehicle alternators

A method for protecting voltage regulator driver circuitry during a short circuit condition of an alternator field coil includes passively detecting a drop in field coil voltage during an on-portion of a duty cycle of the field coil voltage, wherein the passive detection of the drop in field coil voltage signifies an interrupt event. Responsive to the interrupt event, a logical state of a driver enable control signal is changed so as to deactivate driver circuitry associated with a switching device used to pass field current through the field coil, wherein the driver circuitry, when deactivated, prevents the switching device from passing current regardless of the state of a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal applied to the driver circuitry.

Method and system for protecting voltage regulator driver circuitry during field coil short circuit condition

The disclosed apparatus relates to a current sensing electrical energy generation system comprising, an electric machine, a conductor electrically connected to the electric machine, and a current sensor responsive to current flow in the conductor.

Current sensor for electric machine control

A method for communicating voltage regulator switching information to a vehicle computer includes generating a first output signal from a voltage regulator, the first output signal configured to regulate a field current of a generating device associated therewith. A second output signal is generated from the voltage regulator, the second output signal communicated to the vehicle computer, the second output signal further indicative of the state of the first output signal. The second output signal represents an average value of the first output signal, having transient values included within the first output signal filtered therefrom.

Method and system for communicating voltage regulator switching information to a vehicle computer

A vehicle alternator and methods for controlling an amount of torque loading of the vehicle alternator on an engine are provided. The vehicle alternator utilizes a voltage regulator with a microprocessor to control an amount of torque loading, based on a rotational speed of a rotor of the alternator, or an amount of current output by the alternator, or both.

Vehicle alternator and methods for controlling torque loading of the vehicle alternator on an engine

An apparatus and method are provided to deliver a pair of output signals indicative of engine rotational speed and/or generator rotational speed. The signals are compared to each in order to determine if a generator is operating properly. At least one output signal is delivered to, or developed internally and used by, a voltage regulator of the generator. One output signal is generated based on a ripple on a positive voltage input to the voltage regulator from a generator. The other signal is indicative of the voltage at the rectifier bridge.

Apparatus and method for comparing output signals indicative of engine rotational speed and/or generator rotational speed

A system for battery-based activation of a voltage regulator has a voltage detection circuit that measures the voltage produced by a battery, for example, an automotive system battery. The system further includes a voltage regulation unit, which is activated when the voltage that the battery produces is below a threshold value indicative of an attempt to start an engine. To begin regulation, a field current signal of a generator is strobed to create a battery voltage signal that exceeds the minimum reference value. If the battery voltage signal is above a minimum reference value, the battery voltage signal will be analyzed to ensure that neither voltage spiking nor a no load change condition caused the anomaly. Once these safety checks are complete, the battery voltage signal can be regulated.

Transition voltage start regulator

A voltage regulator having a single I/F terminal is disclosed. According to the teachings of the present invention, the I/F terminal of the present invention precludes the use of an I terminal alternator model and a separate F terminal model. The I/F terminal provides the function of both the I and F terminal which were heretofore provided in separate voltage regulator models.

Common pin voltage regulator

An activation apparatus is provided for motion-based activation of a voltage regulator. Also provided is a method of activating a voltage regulator in a motion-based manner. A motion-responsive element detects motion (e.g., motion, vibration, and/or acceleration) and applies an activation signal to the voltage regulator in response thereto. The voltage regulator becomes activated in response to this signal. Also provided is a charging system containing a voltage regulator that is activated based on motion. Since some voltage regulation units require strobing of the activation signal, the activation apparatus can be provided with strobing circuitry. The strobing circuitry turns the activation signal ON and OFF in a cyclic manner, preferably over for a predetermined duration, according to the needs of the particular voltage regulation unit or a transistor associated therewith that controls the flow of current through a field winding of the charging system's generator.

Apparatus and method for motion-based activation of a voltage regulator

An apparatus and method are provided to deliver an output signal indicative of engine rotational speed and/or generator rotational speed. The output signal preferably is delivered to, or developed internally and used by, a voltage regulator. The output signal can be generated based on a ripple on a positive voltage input to the voltage regulator from a generator. A charging system containing such a voltage regulator and/or apparatus also is provided. Use of this apparatus and method advantageously circumvents the need for a separate connection between one or more phases of the generator (e.g., taken from an AC input to a bridge rectifier of the generator) and the voltage regulator, which connection typically was heretofore required by voltage regulators that are load-responsive or otherwise operate in a manner dependent upon the rotational speed of the generator and/or engine.

Apparatus and method for providing an output signal indicative of engine rotational speed and/or generator rotational speed

A motor vehicle power supply system for supplying current to the direct voltage loads on a motor vehicle. The system has two alternating generators which are driven by the engine of the motor vehicle. The output windings of the respective generators are connected to bridge rectifiers that supply current to a common motor vehicle direct current load. Each generator has a field winding and the current supplied to a respective field winding is controlled by a respective voltage regulator. The voltage regulators cause pulses of current to be supplied to the field windings. The system has a control circuit for controlling the pulse width of the current pulses supplied to the respective field windings such that the pulse width of the current pulses supplied to one field winding are substantially equal to the pulse width of the current pulses supplied to the other field winding.

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Carmel, IN, United States of America

Jack Douglas Harmon