Reliance Electric Company

Reltec Corporation

Robert J Plow

James A Giancaterino

John E Mitchell

Jerry C Rader

Thomas G Lock

A power distribution system, having distributed intelligence, includes a controller in communication with a plurality of rectifiers/power conversion units (PCUs). The controller and rectifiers/PCUs communicate with each other to generate system level current limit via a single control point, where system level current limit is accomplished by controlling the individual current limits of the rectifiers/PCUs. The system level current limit operating in combination with ambient temperature sensors, battery temperature sensors, load current sensors, and battery re-charge current sensors to control the operation of the system. The above sensors are also used in combination with a system level voltage control.

System level current limiting

A circuit for use in a multiphase regulated supply to provide regulation of the ripple current contained in the filtered d.c. output signal of the supply. The supply regulates its output voltage and/or current by controlling the conduction time of the switching elements contained in the rectifier portion of the supply. The switching element conduction time is controlled by controlling the generation of firing pulses to the switching elements as a function of an error control signal which is equal to a first error signal. This signal is equal to the amount by which the actual value of said voltage and/or current deviates from a reference value of said parameter. When the ripple regulation circuit is included in the supply, a second error signal is generated which represents the deviation of the d.c. value of the ripple from a predetermined reference. Also included in the ripple regulation circuit is circuitry for selecting the error control signal as equal only to the larger amplitude one of the first and second error signals. The supply therefore regulates only voltage and/or current until the ripple becomes excessive at which point the supply regulates only ripple.

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Avon Lake, OH, United States of America

Robert J Plow