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. 09, 2007
Filed:
Jan. 12, 2005
Martin Pierson, Howell, MI (US);
Martin Pierson, Howell, MI (US);
Lionel LLC, Chesterfield, MI (US);
Abstract
A voltage regulator is configured to regulate an alternating current source provided to a model toy railroad layout. The voltage regulator delivers a substantially constant voltage level to the features and accessories drawing power from the third rail of the railroad layout. The voltage regulator comprises a load control unit having an output configured to be coupled to a load. The load control unit is responsive to a load control signal for controlling the delivery of current to the load during at least a portion of an alternating current waveform. A feedback unit is coupled to the output of the load control unit and is configured to produce a feedback signal indicative of an average voltage level of the alternating current source applied at the output. A controller is responsive to the feedback signal and is configured to generate the load control signal such that the average voltage level substantially corresponds to a predetermined reference voltage level. The controller may be further configured to receive a user input signal defining the reference voltage level.