The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 22, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 17, 2000
Alfred H. Barrett, Carmel, IN (US);
Gary A. Cameron, Anderson, IN (US);
Delphi Technologies, Inc., Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
An improved motor vehicle electrical system includes a flexible topology DC-to-DC converter for coupling an engine-driven alternator to vehicle electrical loads at a mode-dependent transfer ratio. The output voltage of the alternator is regulated based the load voltage, and the converter is operable in one of a number of different modes based on engine speed, including a forward boost mode, a forward unity mode, and a forward buck mode. In the forward boost mode, the converter output voltage is boosted above that of the alternator to enable battery charging at low engine speeds; in the forward unity mode, the alternator output voltage is transferred to the battery and electrical loads at a unity transfer ratio; and in the forward buck mode, the converter output voltage is reduced below that of the alternator to enhance the alternator power output at medium-to-high engine speeds. In applications where a single electrical machine is utilized for both starting and generating functions, the converter is capable of operation in a reverse buck mode during engine starting for purposes of increasing the current supplied to the machine.