Abstract: A system for improving engine starting is disclosed. In one example, an engine starting is improved by providing a predictable load to the engine during engine starting. The predictable load may be provided by controlling alternator field voltage during the engine start.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a constant-power brushless DC motor and a generator using the same, and in particular, to a constant-power brushless DC motor and a generator using the same, which stably generates power upon load fluctuation. Since the stator is wound in parallel by phases and poles, the motor is realized to generate high power with low voltage and since the stator's winding is performed without interconnection, automatic production is realized to reduce costs and enable mass production. Accordingly, a generator constituted by using the above-described motor supplies high efficient power.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a transient power source that includes a flywheel that stores kinetic energy. In the event of a loss of main or operating power, the kinetic energy stored in the flywheel is converted into electrical energy. As one example, the rotation of the flywheel drives a generator that converts this mechanical (i.e., kinetic energy) into electrical energy. Additionally, the exemplary flywheel, as one embodiment, generates a cooling airflow for various components of the electrical machine. Thus, the rotation of the flywheel not only generates power, but also cools the various components of the transient power source as well.

Abstract: An electric generation control apparatus for a vehicle alternator receives an electric generation control signal transferred from an ECU placed apart from the control apparatus through a data transfer line. The control apparatus has a voltage comparator, a communication state judgment circuit, a serial data communication receiver, a PWM communication receiver, and an electric generation control circuit. The voltage comparator acts as a receiver of receiving the electric generation control signal transferred through the data transfer line. The communication state judgment circuit judges whether the received signal is a PWM signal or a serial data signal. The serial data communication receiver and the PWM communication receiver demodulate an electric generation control parameter from the received control signal based on the judgment result. The electric generation control circuit controls the operation of the vehicle alternator based on the electric generation control parameter demodulated.

Abstract: An electric generation control apparatus for a vehicle alternator receives an electric generation control signal transferred from an ECU placed apart from the control apparatus through a data transfer line. The control apparatus has a voltage comparator, a communication state judgment circuit, a serial data communication receiver, a PWM communication receiver, and an electric generation control circuit. The voltage comparator acts as a receiver of receiving the electric generation control signal transferred through the data transfer line. The communication state judgment circuit judges whether the received signal is a PWM signal or a serial data signal. The serial data communication receiver and the PWM communication receiver demodulate an electric generation control parameter from the received control signal based on the judgment result. The electric generation control circuit controls the operation of the vehicle alternator based on the electric generation control parameter demodulated.

Abstract: A DF signal averaging circuit includes a counter for counting a clock signal fed from a clock signal generator, an OR circuit which causes the counter to perform count-up operation only when a transistor is in an ON state with the clock signal and a potential signal fed from the clock signal generator and a positive electrode of the transistor, respectively, a memory circuit for calculating an averaged DF signal from output values of the counter with specific timing, and a preset control circuit for calculating a preset value for the counter from the averaged DF signal fed from the memory circuit and setting the preset value in the counter with specific timing. The averaged DF signal output from the memory circuit is transmitted to an external control unit which is an ECU of a vehicle via a communication interface.

Abstract: A control unit of a vehicle generator is provided which is capable of instantaneously stopping power generation in a safe manner with an inexpensive system configuration without the need of interrupting a large current when a key switch is turned off. The control unit includes a vehicle generator (2), a battery (5) adapted to be charged by an output of the vehicle generator, and a control circuit (2) having an on-off control switching transistor (1j) for controlling the turning on and off of a field current of the vehicle generator. The control circuit is operable to interrupt the on-off control switching transistor (1j) when a detected voltage of the battery (5) is higher than a reference voltage, and make the on-off control switching transistor (1j) conductive thereby to control the voltage of power generation at a predetermined voltage when the detected voltage of the battery (5) is below the reference voltage.

Abstract: In an alternator, failure in a power supply line connected to an output terminal of a rectifier is detected. Upon detection of a failure in this power supply line, power generation is suppressed for a predetermined period that is longer than the time constant of a field winding of the alternator. Preferably, a high voltage pulse is detected to discriminate a first condition where a single high voltage pulse is generated when an electrical load connected to the power supply line is cut off and a second condition where a high voltage pulse is repeatedly and frequently generated when a failure occurs in the power supply line. Only when the second condition is discriminated, power generation suppression control of the alternator is conducted.

Abstract: A voltage regulator is comprised of a semiconductor element for controlling current supplied to a field coil, a flywheel element, a generation voltage regulation circuit for controlling the semiconductor element, and a switching capacity control circuit for controlling a current-switching capacity during a former stage of a turn-off transition period of the semiconductor element to be larger than that during the latter stage of the turn-off transition period. Accordingly, the current change rate can be reduced, so that surge voltage and electro-magnetic wave can be reduced.

Abstract: A circuit configuration for controlling the field current of an alternating current generator in a vehicle electrical generator system includes a digital to analog converter for converting a digital command signal to an analog voltage. A first comparator compares the system field current with the converted analog voltage. A switched component, operatively connected to a power switch, is switchable in response to the comparator output. A frequency generator, operatively connected to the switched component, provides timed pulses to periodically tell the switched component to turn on the power switch.

Abstract: A vehicular power generator control apparatus includes a switching transistor, a voltage control circuit, a high rotation speed detecting circuit, a leakage detecting circuit and a maximum conduction rate restricting circuit. The leakage detecting circuit detects leakage current flowing to a P-terminal. When the leakage current is detected, a maximum conduction rate set by the maximum conduction rate restricting circuit is changed from a small value at low rotation speeds to a large value. Thereby, field current flowing in a field coil is increased, a large voltage is generated at stator coils and current flows to a rectifying circuit to thereby reduce the leakage current which flows to the P-terminal.

Abstract: The present invention features a voltage-limiting regulator for use with an AC generator having DC-excited fields. The AC output voltage from the generator is sensed and compared to a fixed reference representative of the sensed difference is amplified and applied to the DC field excitation input of the AC generator. As the DC voltage supplied to the field varies, the AC output voltage from the generator may be held constant under varying load conditions. The voltage-limiting regulator is particularly useful for vehicle-mounted, high power, single phase AC generators.

Abstract: A method of producing electrical energy from rotary motion of an axle of a vehicle utilizes a generator assembly including a generator coupled to the axle. The method includes determining the rate of rotation of the axle, carrying out the electrical energy production as well as the determination of the rate of rotation exclusively through the generator, and evaluating pulse parameters of each induced electrical voltage pattern for the determination of the rate of rotation. The generator assembly includes a rotor coupled to the axle and permanent magnets mounted on the rotor distributed over the circumference thereof. The permanent magnets have radially extending polar axes. A stator includes induction coils mounted coaxially around the circumference of the rotor. An air gap is defined between the stator and the rotor.

Abstract: Disclosed are a starter and power generator which starts an engine and which is subsequently driven by the engine to generate power, and a motor used in the starter, in particular, a self-controlled commutatorless motor in which a rotating magnetic field is developed across the stator in accordance with an angle of rotation of the rotor. Normally, output matching means is connected to the three phase windings of the stator, whereby an alternator is defined by the combination of the rotor, the stator and the output matching means. However, in response to a starting command, energizing means is substituted for the output matching means, whereby a combination of the rotor, the stator, timing means and energizing means form a commutatorless motor. Thus, subsequent to starting the engine, the motor is driven by the engine to generate power.

Abstract: A brushless generator exciter employs a hybrid full-wave rectifier in which at least some of the rectifying diodes are controllable according to an external signal for adjusting the total exciter power fed to the generator rotor. An optical transmission technique is employed for communicating gate and sync signals between stationary and rotating components.

Abstract: An electric shaver comprising a shaver housing comprising a generally rectangular box-like casing and a head casing removably mounted on one end of the box-like casing; a finely perforated stationary shear foil replaceably mounted on the head casing; a reciprocable blade assembly positioned inside the head casing and outside the box-like casing and cooperable with the stationary shear foil to cut bristles entering the head casing through the perforations in the stationary shear foil; an electric drive motor accommodated within the box-like casing and having a drive shaft, said drive shaft having first and second ends opposite to each other and protruding outwards from the motor in opposite directions away from each other; means for connecting the first end of the drive shaft with the blade assembly to permit the blade assembly to undergo oscillation relative to the stationary shear foil; a photoelectric detector comprising a light emitting element and a photoelectric cell for providing an electric output sign

Abstract: A battery charging system for a dual-voltage motor vehicle electrical system that has a pair of series-connected batteries that can energize an electric cranking motor. One of the batteries is charged from a diode-rectified alternating current generator. A voltage regulator regulates the output voltage of the generator and includes a switching means connected in series with the field winding of the generator to control field current. The other battery is charged by field discharge current that is produced by the voltage induced in the generator field winding when the switching means is switched to a nonconductive state.

Abstract: A dual voltage motor vehicle electrical system comprising series connected cranking and accessory batteries that are used to energize an electric vehicle engine cranking motor. The accessory battery is charged by a vehicle engine driven generator and the cranking battery is charged by a battery charging circuit having an input connected to the accessory battery and an output connected to the cranking battery. The battery charging circuit is maintained in operation for a period of time after shut down of the engine to charge the cranking battery from the accessory battery. The battery charging circuit includes an inductance coil for transferring energy between the accessory and cranking batteries which may take the form of an actuating coil of a magnetic switch the contacts of which disconnect the accessory battery from an electrical load when the actuating coil is deenergized.

Abstract: The voltage regulator includes a voltage regulation electric circuit stage, an output electric circuit stage and an optic coupler connecting but electrically isolating said stages. The input of the voltage regulation stage is connected to a battery and/or directly or indirectly to the power output terminal of a direct current alternator or generator and the output of the voltage regulation stage is connected to the light emitting diode of the optic coupler the phototransistor of which is connected to a transistor switch in the output electric circuit stage which functions to connect the field windings of the alternator or generator to the same battery or to another battery in series with said battery, and/or to the power output terminal of the alternator or generator. When employed with series-connected batteries and the dual voltage control described in applicant's earlier U.S. Pat. No.

Abstract: A device for automatic excitation of brushless electrical machines, comprising: an A.C. exciter feeding a power converter built around controlled rectifiers disposed on a machine shaft; a converter control circuit employing optoelectronic elements with light-emitting diodes, composed of a booster unit, an inverter unit, and a unit intended for transfer of the converter into a non-controlled rectifier mode; and a photodetector receiving light signals from a stationary light source and located on the machine shaft. The device permits continuous control from boosting modes to inversion.