Multifunction regulator synchronized to an alternator

Abstract

A plurifunction device for regulating the excitation voltage of an alternator for charging the battery of an automobile vehicle, comprising battery and alternator phase voltage inputs, an excitation regulation output and a terminal connected to an indicator lamp. It also includes field coil power excitation control circuit, a battery voltage sensing circuit connected to the battery voltage input to supply a signal indicating that an alternator-battery connection is broken and an excitation regulation signal related to the peak and average values of the battery voltage. An alternator phase voltage amplitude sensing circuit supplies a first sensing signal related to a first threshold value authorizing the establishing of an excitation current with a frequency and cyclic ratio imposed by an alternator phase voltage signal applied to the alternator phase voltage input to initiate cutting in of the alternator. A second sensing signal related to an intermediate second threshold value authorizes application of a full-field condition to the alternator during cutting in initiated by the first sensing signal. A third sensing signal related to a third threshold value near a battery charge regulation voltage indicates the alternator phase voltage amplitude for sensing faults relating to this amplitude. An alternator field coil excitation control and memory supply a signal authorizing the full-field condition during cutting in of the alternator. A timer for the field coil excitation control and memory is synchronized to the alternator rotation speed. The field coil excitation voltage is controlled by conditional control logic.