Abstract: In an apparatus, a first detecting unit detects the number of revolutions of a power generator, a second detecting unit detects an output voltage of the power generator, and a third detecting unit detects an output current of the power generator. A torque calculating unit calculates power generation torque based on the detected number of revolutions of the power generator, the detected output voltage, and the detected output current using relationship information. The relationship information represents a relationship between the power generation torque and each of the number of revolutions of the power generator, the output voltage, and the output current.

Abstract: A control apparatus controls the generation of a vehicle electric generator having an armature winding, excitation winding and rectifier connected to the armature winding. The apparatus includes a flywheel diode connected to the excitation winding in parallel, a switch element connected to the excitation winding, a control signal setting circuit, and a signal output section. The setting circuit controls a duty ratio of the switch element in correspondence to a first generation status of the generator to control electric current flowing through the excitation winding while varying a switching frequency of the generator depending on a second generation status of the generator. The signal output section is connected to a junction point between the excitation winding and the switch element and outputs a signal, involving a duty ratio associated with the first generation status and a switching frequency associated with the second generation status, to an external device.

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 generator control circuit is provided that includes a first circuit (44) monitoring a generator voltage change rate and producing a first output when the voltage change rate is above a first level, a second circuit (48) monitoring a generator current change rate and producing a second output when the current change rate is above a second level, and a third circuit (13, 28) operatively connected to the first circuit (44) and the second circuit (48) for decreasing a power level supplied to the generator when a plurality of conditions are satisfied, the plurality of conditions including the voltage change rate being above the first level and the current change rate being above the second level. A method of controlling a generator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotary electric apparatus, such as on-vehicle three-phase AC generator (i.e., alternator) comprises a main rotary unit, a semiconductor power converter, and an air cooling mechanism. The main rotary unit is provided with a rotor and an armature disposed as a stator around the armature. The armature has armature windings wound therearound. The semiconductor power converter is disposed together with the main rotary unit. The air cooling mechanism cools down the semiconductor power converter. This mechanism comprises a fan motor driven in response to an AC (alternating current) excitation by current coming from the armature windings.

Abstract: An object is to provide an inverter module capable of reducing installation space, and in summary, the inverter module comprises a switching element group provided in a mold package to convert a DC voltage into a three-phase pseudo AC voltage by switching, wherein resistors to detect voltages before and after a switch connected in serial to a DC power source are integrally molded into the mold package, and wherein there are provided pins to connect the resistors before and after the switch, and pins to output terminal voltages of the resistors.

Abstract: A vehicular generator-motor 1 is composed of a rotor, a stator having three phase armature winding 2, and a converter 4. The rotor is provided with a field winding 3 for magnetizing a plurality of magnetic pole pieces 14a, 15a, and permanent magnets 17 for magnetizing the magnetic pole pieces 14a, 15a together with the field winding 3. When the generator-motor 1 is operated as a motor, the converter 4 is operated as an inverter to restrain the armature current at the time of low speed rotation to the extent of the additional magnetic flux from the permanent magnets.

Abstract: A method for constant-current generation by means of a rotational energy source, a generator and a control circuit connected to the generator. Mechanical rotational energy is generated by the energy source and the mechanical rotational energy is transmitted to the generator rotor. The magnetic field distribution produced in the generator is controlled by the control circuit that controls the current distribution in the generator between load current and generator current by feedback control by generating an opposing magnetic field. The power uptake and the current output are adapted without losses and the alternating current generated by the generator is transferred to an averaging direct-current circuit. A suitable device for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: Generation of segmented sawtooth waveforms. A desired waveform is divided into intervals. A slope is associated with each interval. A charge current representing the slope is applied to a timing capacitor during each interval. Responsive to a clock signal, a counter chain indexes a digital memory which provides values to a digital to analog converter. The output of the digital to analog converter drives an adjustable current source to charge the timing capacitor.

Abstract: An alternator for a motor vehicle includes a current generation device and a rectifier. The current generation device has multiple phase stator windings in which AC currents are generated. The rectifier is connected to the windings of the current generation device. The rectifier includes multiple sets of first and second diodes for the multiple phase windings. At least one of the first and second diodes of each set is a Schottky diode. A voltage clamping device is connected to the rectifier to protect the Schottky diodes from surge reverse voltage.

Abstract: A vehicle AC generator apparatus includes one or more rectifier elements for rectifying a generated AC voltage, and a generator control apparatus which monitors the voltage difference between opposing terminals of a rectifier element, to thereby detect the commencement of electrical generation upon engine starting as the time point at which the polarity of the voltage difference first corresponds to the forward conduction direction of the rectifier element. Controlled parameters such as the current supplied to a charging warning lamp and the excitation current of a generator winding are changed appropriately when generation commencement is detected.

Abstract: In a control apparatus of a vehicle AC generator, a flip-flop for receiving a clock pulse with a constant period and a control pulse is used. The clock pulse sets the control period at the constant period, and decides an on timing of the power transistor in this control period. The control pulse decides an off timing. A load response control circuit performs a load response control to adjust an on time ratio of the power transistor from a lower limit to an upper limit in accordance with an increase in load, and a second control signal circuit adjusts the on time ratio from a regulated value close to the upper limit to the upper limit.

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 method and apparatus for generating power in a demand responsive manner is disclosed. The apparatus includes a controller monitoring power demand conditions to determine activation of an energy delivery system. The energy delivery system responds to the controller by providing rotational energy through release of a power transfer and brake unit, which permits descent of a suspended mass as a means for providing rotational energy. The rotational energy is transferred to a generator through a combining gear box and transmission communicating with the energy delivery system. The controller modulates the power transfer and brake unit to maintain the rate at which the mass descends to assure that a predetermined, substantially constant RPM of the generator is maintained for generation of power by steps for generating power.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are described for controlling a vehicle electrical generator. A regulator for controlling a generator in response to an input signal received from a control module suitably includes a discriminator module, a processing module and a switching circuit. The discriminator determines whether the regulator is operating in voltage or torque control mode. If the input signal is a voltage control, the output generator produces a modulation signal to produce a desired voltage between two battery terminals. If the input signal is a torque control, the output generator produces one or more modulation signals (e.g. pulse width modulation signals) to control the torque of the generator. The modulation signals are applied across a field coil or other controllable element of the generator by a switching circuit that applies positive and/or negative voltage from the battery terminals as appropriate.

Abstract: An electrical system and method for a turbine/alternator comprising a gas driven turbine and a permanent magnet alternator rotating on a common shaft includes an inverter circuit connectable either to an output circuit or the stator winding of the alternator. A control circuit during a start-up mode switches the inverter circuit to the stator winding of the alternator and during a power out mode switches the inverter circuit to the output circuit. During the power out mode, current data is sensed and is used for current limit and/or power balancing.

Abstract: An electronic control apparatus includes target FR calculator that calculates a target exciting current duty ratio FR based on an exciting current inputted from FR terminal of a regulator and flowing through field coil, and information of engine operating conditions. The electronic control apparatus also includes target FR limit value FRCLP calculator that calculates a FRCLP corresponding to a drive torque limit value based on an output of a correlative information detector. A comparator compares target FR and FRCLP, outputs a control signal within FRCLP to a control unit, and controls a duty ratio FR of exciting current flowing through a field coil not to be larger than FRCLP.

Abstract: A vehicle power generation control apparatus that has a power supply circuit, a rotation detecting circuit, an exciting current detecting circuit, an exciting current control circuit, a torque detecting/maximum exciting current determining circuit and a power transistor. When a speed of rotation of a vehicle generator is detected by the rotation detecting circuit and an exciting current flowing through an exciting winding of the vehicle generator is detected by the exciting current detecting circuit, the torque detecting/maximum exciting current determining circuit calculates an upper limit value of the exciting current so that a rate of change of a generator torque does not exceed a predetermined value, and the exciting current control circuit controls the exciting current so that the exciting current becomes below the limit value. This can prevent the engine revolution from becoming unstable due to variation of load or variation of engine revolution.

Abstract: The invention provides a power generation unit (100) having a generator (8) driven from shaft (112) and which has a transformer (24) connected to its output terminals for transforming the output voltage from 220V AC to a required voltage of 18V AC peak-to-peak. One or more secondary generators (20) in the form of standard vehicle 3-phase AC alternators are driveable by the shaft (112). The first generator (8) transformer output terminals are connected to a rectifier circuit where the transformer output of 18 V AC peak-to-peak is rectified to the excitation voltage of the one or more secondary generators field coils such that the total transformed electrical power of the transformer (24), after being rectified, is used to excite or energise these field coils which in turn generates an electrical output at the output terminal diode banks (21) which is fed to the welding cable connector terminals (15).

Abstract: A method for operating a load dependent current-generating system which supplies at least one electric drive motor with electrical energy. A power request is made to the electric drive motor, and a dynamic parameter of the current generating system and/or a simulation model, which characterizes the behaviour of the current generating system, is used for calculating the setpoint current value for the current generating system.

Abstract: A system and method for electrically coupling windings of a main generator rotor to a plurality of DC sources on an exciter that each have respective first-voltage and second-voltage terminals is disclosed. The system includes first and second conductive plates supported by the rotor that respectively define first and second apertures that surround a rotor shaft. The first plate includes a first rotor winding terminal by which the plate is electrically coupled to the windings, and a first plurality of terminals configured to be respectively coupled to the first-voltage terminals of the DC sources. The second plate is electrically insulated from the first plate, includes a second rotor winding terminal by which the second plate is electrically coupled to the windings, and includes a second plurality of terminals configured to be respectively coupled to the second-voltage terminals of the DC sources.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding power from an engine/generator driven welding power supply includes an engine and a generator. A welding power supply is connected to the generator output, and provides welding power. A controller controls the apparatus, and receives an RPM input signal indicative of the engine RPM, and a user selected magnitude input. The controller includes an output reduction circuit that reduces the magnitude of the welding power by a variable amount in the event the engine is likely to stall, so as to reduce the likelihood of a stall, but maintain sufficient power for a welding arc. The magnitude of the welding power is reduced by an amount responsive to the engine speed in the event that the engine RPM is less than an RPM threshold, and/or by an amount responsive to the user selectable setting in the event that the user selectable setting is greater than a threshold.

Abstract: A power converter includes a shunt resistor constituted by a shunt resistance and a plurality of main electrodes made of a sheet-like resistive material. In the shunt resistor, plates lower in volume electric resistivity than the resistive material, higher in thermal conductivity than the resistive material and thicker in thickness than the resistive material are fixedly attached by solder, to the side surfaces of the main electrodes opposite to the side surfaces with which the main electrodes are fixedly attached to an insulating layer. At least one plate main electrode for electrically connecting with main circuit wiring is provided in each of the plates. At least one constricted portion is formed between each of the plate main electrodes and the shunt resistance. Plate detection electrodes for detecting a voltage between the opposite ends of the shunt resistance is provided on the plates near the shunt resistance portion.

Abstract: A power generation system includes a turbogenerator having a motor/generator and a turbine coupled to a common shaft, and generates AC power. A first power converter is coupled to the turbogenerator and a DC bus and converts the AC power to DC power on the DC bus. A second power converter is coupled to the DC bus and is couple-able to a load. The second power converter converts the DC power on the DC bus to an output power for coupling to the load. Also coupled to the DC bus are a battery and a capacitor to stabilize a DC voltage on the DC bus during load changes. The power generation system further includes a power controller coupled to the turbogenerator and the first and second power converters. The power controller regulates a speed of the turbine, independent of the DC voltage on the DC bus.

Abstract: A flywheel energy storage device, for producing electrical power in an allowable range of operating voltages for an output load, includes an energy storage flywheel supported for rotation on a bearing system, and a brushless motor and a brushless permanent magnet generator for accelerating and decelerating the flywheel for storing and retrieving energy. The generator has a multiplicity of windings for producing output power from the generator by a magnetic coupling that provides output power DC voltage. An out regulator circuit provides variable DC voltage that is maintained within the allowable range for connected loads as the flywheel slows during discharging. The output regulator circuit includes electronic switches for switching connections of the windings to change the number of windings connected to the output to maintain output power DC voltage within the allowable range. The switching occurs less than once per every 10 revolutions of the flywheel.

Abstract: A controller for an A.C. generator for a vehicle, includes: batteries each of which is charged with electric charges on the basis of an output of generation of electrical energy of an A.C. generator having a field coil; voltage regulating means for regulating a current, which is caused to flow through the field coil, on the basis of the detection result of a voltage developed across the terminals the batteries due to an output voltage of the A.C. generator into an fixed output value of the generation of electrical energy of the A.C.

Abstract: A generator controller (4) is provided which is able to detect and respond to failure of a generator output voltage sensor, whilst being able to distinguish voltage sensor failure from output voltage collapse due to the presence of an overload or short circuit condition. The presence of a voltage sensor failure is indicated by the measured output voltage being below a first voltage threshold whilst the output current is also below a current threshold.

Abstract: A rectifying section 2, and a DCDC converter 3 which lowers an input DC voltage and then outputs the voltage are disposed between an AC generator 1 and a load 4. When the output voltage Vt of the AC generator 1 is gradually lowered with starting from E0, the output power P is increased, and is maximum at Vt=V12. When the output voltage Vt is further lowered, the output power P is reduced. As an operating point at which the same output power P is obtained, there are a point of Vt=V11, and that of Vt=V13. The operation of the DCDC converter 3 is controlled so as to operate at the point of Vt=V13 where the output current I is lower.

Abstract: A method of controlling a claw-pole synchronous machine with enhanced controllability without incurring additional expensiveness. Operation of the claw-pole synchronous machine is controlled through a vector control of an armature voltage and an armature current supplied from an inverter power source in combination with a field current control. When the claw-pole synchronous machine is operated as a generator, the field current is controlled on the basis of a demanded output power and rotation speed of the claw-pole synchronous machine while a field weakening control with the armature current (id) is performed by controlling magnitude and a phase difference angle (Ø) of the armature current (id).

Abstract: When a transistor is turned ON, a predetermined voltage VCL is applied to a minus terminal of a voltage comparator through a C terminal. A predetermined voltage Vd (Vd>VCL) is applied to a plus terminal of the voltage comparator, and an output of the voltage comparator changes from a low level to a high level. Such change is detected by a trigger detection circuit so as to activate a timer circuit, and an output of the timer circuit transitions to the high level during a predetermined time. Thereby, a transistor is changed to an on-state, a reference voltage Vb of an adjustment voltage applied to a plus terminal of a voltage comparator is set generally to 0V, and a transistor is turned OFF, so as to temporarily suspend a power generation state of a vehicular generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding with an engine driven inverter power supply includes generating an ac output with an engine and generator. The output is rectified and inverted to provide an ac inverter output. The engine is controlled using feedback indicative of a welding output operating parameter. The feedback may also be taken from the inverter or generator, and the generator may be controlled instead of or in addition to the engine. Engine parameters that may be controlled include engine speed, selecting between an idle speed and a run speed, a throttle position, a fuel pump, an injection timer, a fuel to air ratio, fuel consumption and ignition timing. Another aspect of the invention is having the feedback be responsive to one or more of the welding current, welding voltage, welding power, or functions thereof. The feedback may be responsive to the current, voltage, power, ripple and functions thereof.

Abstract: In a vehicle power generation control apparatus comprising a power supply circuit, a rotation detecting circuit, an exciting current detecting circuit, an exciting current control circuit, a torque detecting/maximum exciting current determining circuit and a power transistor, when a speed of rotation of a vehicle generator is detected by the rotation detecting circuit and an exciting current flowing through an exciting winding of the vehicle generator is detected by the exciting current detecting circuit, the torque detecting/maximum exciting current determining circuit calculates an upper limit value of the exciting current so that a rate of change of a generator torque does not exceed a predetermined value, and the exciting current control circuit controls the exciting current so that the exciting current becomes below the limit value. This can prevent the engine revolution from becoming unstable due to variation of load or variation of engine revolution.

Abstract: Among the embodiments of the present invention is an apparatus that includes an alternator and circuitry operable to regulate electrical power output by the alternator. This circuitry includes an analog-to-digital converter with an analog signal input node. The converter is responsive to three or more different analog signal levels provided to this input node to correspondingly generate three or more different multibit control word values. The circuitry is programmable with any of these values to correspondingly operate in three or more different operating configurations depending on the value selection.

Abstract: A power converter includes a shunt resistor constituted by a shunt resistance and a plurality of main electrodes made of a sheet-like resistive material. In the shunt resistor, plates lower in volume electric resistivity than the resistive material, higher in thermal conductivity than the resistive material and thicker in thickness than the resistive material are fixedly attached by solder, to the side surfaces of the main electrodes opposite to the side surfaces with which the main electrodes are fixedly attached to an insulating layer. At least one plate main electrode for electrically connecting with main circuit wiring is provided in each of the plates. At least one constricted portion is formed between each of the plate main electrodes and the shunt resistance. Plate detection electrodes for detecting a voltage between the opposite ends of the shunt resistance is provided on the plates near the shunt resistance portion.

Abstract: The present control circuit and method extends the operating range of digitally sampled control loops. A programmable output of a generator is controlled. The programmable output includes a an output level having a corresponding set point. The generator has a drive input that is driven to an actual drive point for controlling the output level of the programmable output. A set point corresponding to a requested output level is determined. A predicted drive point is then determined. The actual drive point of the generator drive input is forced to the predicted drive point. The output level of the programmable output is sensed. A digital output signal that is representative of the sensed output level is generated. The actual drive point of the generator drive input is controlled based on the digital output signal, such that the output level of the programmable output is controlled. The actual drive point corresponding to the requested output level is then stored.

Abstract: A current generator for the production of a reference current includes a first P type transistor, a source of which is connected to a first pole of a resistor and a gate of which is connected to a second pole of the resistor. The reference current flows in the resistor with a value that is a function of a threshold voltage of the first transistor. The current generator further includes a second N type transistor whose drain, gate and source are connected respectively to the second pole of the resistor, the first pole of the resistor and the drain of the first resistor. The second transistor is configured to operate in saturation mode.

Abstract: A voltage regulator for control of a vehicle generator. The voltage regulator is selectably responsive to a voltage representing the generator output voltage at the alternator output terminal, or to an external voltage sensed at a load or source point on the vehicle. The voltage regulator determines the relationship between these two sensed voltages and in response thereto chooses one of the sensed voltages for use in controlling the generator output by controlling the field excitation current input thereto. Certain conditions also cause the voltage regulator to latch in a mode where it is controlled only by one of the alternator output terminal voltage or the external voltage. Manual resetting may be required to discontinue the latched operational mode.

Abstract: An alternator is provided having a pulley mounted on a rotating shaft of a rotor through a one-way clutch which transmits a driving power to the rotor during acceleration of a crankshaft and does not transmit the driving power to the rotor during deceleration of the crankshaft. The rotor has a plurality of magnetic poles surrounding a field coil, and an alternator control mechanism supplies a predetermined exciting current to the field coil upon sensing engine stop. Noise from the alternator is prevented by reducing the rotating period of the alternator rotor during an engine stop while preventing early breakage or slip noise of the belt during ordinary vehicle driving.

Abstract: A DC motor control for an electrical implement such as a reel mower includes a regulator having additional inputs connected to a main intelligent control which includes interlock circuitry. The additional inputs provide both an on/off or voltage select function and an interlock function. A low cost and low current field regulator circuit provides switching and load control and eliminates high inrush currents and voltage and current transients. On/off functions and level control functions can be provided from a logic level signal, and the motors can be started smoothly by bringing the voltage up gradually.

Abstract: A method for operating a load dependent current-generating system which supplies at least one electric drive motor with electrical energy. A power request is made to the electric drive motor, and a dynamic parameter of the current generating system and/or a simulation model, which characterizes the behaviour of the current generating system, is used for calculating the setpoint current value for the current generating system.

Abstract: A voltage controller for an automotive alternator prevents a delay in response to an engine controller, thus enabling proper engine control to be accomplished. The voltage controller for an automotive alternator includes a switching means connected to an alternator, which is driven by an engine to charge a battery, so as to control supply and cutoff of exciting current supplied to a field coil of the alternator, and a conduction rate monitoring output terminal for monitoring the conduction rate of the field coil. The conduction rate monitoring output terminal outputs the conduction rate of the field coil in a steady mode wherein the output voltage of the alternator is a predetermined voltage or more, while it outputs an alternator voltage change signal in a transient mode wherein the output voltage of the alternator is below the predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A voltage regulator for a generator drivable by an internal combustion engine is proposed, in which the triggering of the end stage transistor for varying the exciter current is done with the aid of a pulse width modulator. The digital pulse width modulator employed is a component of a closed-loop control circuit for the exciter current, which uses the generator voltage as the actual value and regulates the pulse width ratio duty factor as a function of the generator voltage detected, and in addition a system damping is performed, in that one entire period of the duty factor can be turned off in overriding fashion. This overridingly turned-off period can be adapted in its duration to the duty factor, thus resulting in a voltage change that is independent of the duty factor. The maximum current rise rate can thus be limited by limiting the maximum rate of change of the pulse width modulator.

Abstract: An integrated system for comprehensive control of an electric power generation system utilizes state machine control having particularly defined control states and permitted control state transitions. In this way, accurate, dependable and safe control of the electric power generation system is provided. Several of these control states may be utilized in conjunction with a utility outage ride-through technique that compensates for a utility outage by predictably controlling the system to bring the system off-line and to bring the system back on-line when the utility returns. Furthermore, a line synchronization technique synchronizes the generated power with the power on the grid when coming back on-line. The line synchronization technique limits the rate of synchronization to permit undesired transient voltages.

Abstract: A vehicle motor-generator apparatus based on a field winding type of synchronous machine coupled to a power inverter and a battery, wherein the synchronous machine is controlled to operate as a motor to perform engine starting and thereafter be driven by the engine as an electrical generator, wherein during a short time interval at the commencement of engine starting, the armature winding of the synchronous machine is driven by a current such that magnetic flux is produced by the armature winding acting in the same direction as magnetic flux produced by the field winding, to thereby achieve increased torque during the time when maximum torque is required.

Abstract: A power unit is provided which is capable of controlling electric current to be supplied to a load connected to the power unit, in a flexible manner in dependence on a load condition. Postive and negative converters of a cycloconver are connected to three-phase output windings of a three-phase generator and connected in an antiparallel manner to each other for generating a single-phase alternating current to be supplied to the load. A firing angle control device causes the positive and negative converters to be alternately switched to operate every half a repetition period of the single-phase alternating current, to thereby cause the cycloconverter to generate the single-phase alternating current. A desired wave-forming circuit forms a desired waveform of a drive signal input to the firing angle control device, for causing the firing angle control device to drive the positive and negative converters, such that the output single-phase alternating current has a desired alternating current waveform.

Abstract: In a control device of an a.c. generator for a vehicle which is designed in such a way that for a first time right after an engine having been started, an output of the a.c. generator is suppressed to a minimum value, and for a second time following the first time, the output of the a.c. generator is gradually increased from the minimum value up to a maximum value to stabilize the revolution of the engine, the invention is intended to shorten a period of time required to suppress the output of the generator at high temperatures to thereby prevent a reduction in the charging performance of a battery. At high temperatures, a time interval of a timer 402, to which the first period of time is set, and a discharging time constant of a capacitor 407, which defines the second period of time, are both shortened on the basis of an output a of a temperature sensor 410.

Abstract: A controller for a car AC generator which eliminates the need for a drive signal supplied by a key switch and stabilizes the power generation of an AC generator at the start of an internal combustion engine. The voltage regulator of the controller comprises trigger means for supplying a field current from a battery to a field coil by detecting a drop in battery voltage.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the terminal voltage of a single phase alternator employs a current sensor for sensing the load current. The load current signal is compared with a set point for producing an accelerator signal as the load changes. A drive for the alternator is controlled by an accelerator responsive to the accelerator signal. When the system is in a no load condition, the accelerator signal reduces the speed of the drive. A circuit responsive to the terminal voltage drives an exciter circuit to maintain the terminal voltage at not less than 50% of a desired or rated voltage.

Abstract: An alternator regulator controls both output voltage and output current, limits input drive power and torque, and maintains output power within a prescribed range while operating over a wide ambient temperature range and shaft speed range. Voltage, shaft speed, and temperature signals are monitored, and the results are processed to determine the output current and to control the output power without exceeding the programmed limits for output voltage, output current, temperature, output power, drive power, torque, and shaft speed. This provides a predictable output power characteristic for the alternator and it eliminates high input drive power and torque excursions that occur at low temperature and certain shaft speeds. If programmed limits are exceeded over a specified interval, and the alternator does not respond to the control changes imposed by the regulator, the regulator will turn off the alternator's field current, activate an alarm circuit, and set fault codes.