Abstract: A method and apparatus for governing a generator which generator comprises micro-hydropower generating equipment usable in run-of-the-stream situations. A plurality of dump loads are associated with the electrical output of the generator and changes in frequency of the output phase voltage of the generator are detected. The dump loads are switched into or out of association with the generator in response to the frequency changes so as to cause substantially compensating frequency changes. The rate at which the compensating frequency changes occurs are damped desirably by use of a flywheel.

Abstract: A voltage regulating system for a generator that supplies the battery and electrical loads on a motor vehicle. The system includes a load response control for detecting whenever a substantial electrical load is applied to the generator tending to cause a drop in generator output voltage and when such a condition is detected field current is controlled to gradually increase field current from some value. The load response control includes means for storing an electrical signal that corresponds to generator field current and for utilizing this stored value to set generator field current at a value corresponding to a field current that occurred just prior to the detected drop in voltage and then increasing field current slowly from this value.

Abstract: A digital electronic governor controls and stabilizes the electrical power output delivered to an output circuit by an AC alternator having a rotating shaft driven by a source. The governor provides a first relatively fast acting governing function operatively responsive to phase shift of the electrical power output relative to the rotating shaft corresponding to changes in load at the output circuit. The first governor stabilizes the phase shift of the electrical power output at a specified phase lag interval relative to the shaft rotation. The electronic governor also provides a second governing function operatively responsive to relatively slower inertial changes in the speed of rotation of the shaft, corresponding to changes in the power level of the AC alternator. This second governor stabilizes the rotating shaft at a specified speed of rotation, e.g., 60 cycles per second. The first governor generates load signals in response to the measured phase shift deviation from a standard phase lag interval.

Abstract: An electrical power supply arrangement comprises an electrical generator having a field winding and supplying current through a switching device to external loads. The switching device is responsive to sequential switching signals from a control circuit, and the control circuit also provides a control signal to reduce the field voltage of the generator during each switching operation, so that switching if effected when no current is flowing to the loads.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for supplying high-power electric loads operated in a pulse-like manner, particularly to X-ray equipment.The apparatus makes use of the mechanical energy of rotation of a flywheel rotated through a time period which is substantially longer than the pulse duration of the load by a driving power being substantially smaller than the pulse power of the load to generate a supply voltage for the load in expense of this mechanical energy. The driving period of the flywheel and the associated moderate driving power provide an energy balance with the short pulses with high power consumption. The apparatus comprises a generator unit with at least one electric rotary machine which has a rotor that rotates together with the flywheel. The excitation of the rotary machine is provided by a field power supply being controlled by a control unit. The control unit controls the excitation of the generator unit to provide predetermined output voltage and current levels for the load.

Abstract: In a device for starting an AC load powered by an AC generator and designed so that, prior to starting the load, the magnetic circuit of the generator is saturated to prevent an abrupt large drop of terminal voltage thereof when starting the load, and that in this state the load is started. A starting device comprising a coil for saturating the magnetic circuit of the generator and a starter coil both of which are wound in a same direction around a common closed magnetic path to couple these two coils magnetically, and operative so that, after saturating the magnetic circuit of the generator by the saturating coil, the connections of the two coils are switched over to start the load, and that by the reverse voltage induced in the starter coil by the energized saturating coil, the surge current which is produced, when the load is started, at the time of switching the coil connections is suppressed.

Abstract: A fully automatic system for providing electrical energy to heating and/or hot water systems in facilities serviced by single phase a.c. comprising a three-phase generator driven by single phase a.c. motor means intermittently operated on a load requirement basis wherein the three-phase generator output is normally maintained in an open-circuited condition. Upon controlled load demand, the motor means is energized and the three-phase output is connected to the load only upon achieving optimum operating speed, at which time switch means automatically connects the load to the three-phase output, which on-line condition is maintained until thermostatic control means senses the fact that the system has achieved the desired temperature level at which time the single phase motor means is deenergized.Additional sensing means are provided for protecting the system against damage due to excessive temperature and/or low level conditions.

Abstract: An interface circuit for standard voltage regulator circuits that may be employed as an add-on component in an automotive electrical system for providing voltage regulation of the vehicle alternator in accordance with a given reference voltage that is in addition to the normal battery voltage regulation. The interface circuit includes a current control switching device coupled in the current path of the alternator field winding, and a control network responsive to the alternator output and the given reference voltage for operating said switching device in a duty cycle fashion so as to superimpose the additional regulation of the alternator voltage upon its normal battery regulation.

Abstract: An adjustable speed propulsion engine for a boat also drives an electric generator which supplies electric power to an electric load circuit on the boat. A solid state electronic control circuit senses when generator voltage departs from a voltage "window" or range defined by preselected low and high voltages (as a result of a departure in engine speed from a cruise speed range to some lower or high speed) and operates a contactor to disconnect the generator from the load circuit to prevent low or high voltage damage to electrical equipment on board. The electronic control circuit operates the contactor to reconnect the generator to the load circuit only when generator voltage rises to a preselected initial turn-on voltage which is above the preselected low voltage but below the normal rated voltage of the generator. The electronic control circuit includes time delay means to prevent a transient low voltage condition ("flicker") from causing disconnection of the generator from the load circuit.

Abstract: A control circuit for supplying power to the heater of an electrically heatable windshield of an automotive vehicle while simultaneously providing the requisite current for the standard electrical system of the vehicle includes a resistive heating element connected in series between the vehicle alternator output and the high voltage terminal of the vehicle battery, so that current conducted through the heating element is supplied to both the battery and the load circuit. A control circuit, responsive to the alternator output voltage and the battery voltage, controls a voltage regulator to regulate the alternator output voltage within a first narrow band corresponding to the rated battery voltage and within a second narrow band corresponding to a given power rating for the heater.

Abstract: A method of converting inertial mechanical energy into a high energy direct current electrical pulse of short time duration is disclosed. Apparatus for practicing the method is described. According to the invention, a rotating mass is provided together with electrical conductor means for producing a localized magnetic field at the surface of the mass. A localized magnetic flux compression means is also provided at the surface of the mass and either the electrical conductor means or the flux compression means is rotated with the mass to produce periodic compression of the flux of the localized magnetic field in response to the rotation of the mass. A load is connected across the electrical conductor during such flux compression which converts a major portion of the inertial energy of the rotary mass into an exponentially rising pulse of direct current through the load with a very rapid decay.

Abstract: A control circuit employed within an automotive electrical system for controlling the voltage transition rate between battery float and discharge levels in the presence of a switchable coupling between the battery and standard alternator. The control circuit includes means for regulating the alternator output voltage to said battery float level when the battery is coupled to receive charge current from said alternator, and for transforming said alternator output voltage to said discharge level at a predetermined rate prior to the battery coupling being switched to supply current to the load circuit, and further means for transforming said alternator output voltage to said float level at said predetermined rate after said battery coupling being switched to again receive charge current, whereby said predetermined rate provides a gradual change in the energization of said load circuit in the presence of the recited switchable coupling.

Abstract: In a generator system, a load is alternatively connected to or disconnected from a generator to make it easy for the generator to get the load to start.

Abstract: The method for regulating the terminal voltage delivered by an independent alternating-current generator consists in measuring the voltage in at least one phase, in measuring and automatically adjusting the frequency with respect to a reference value by putting dissipative resistors in circuit, and in automatically varying the reference value of the frequency as a function of variations in voltage. The invention achieves stable voltage control which prevents harmful oscillations and is applicable in particular to asynchronous generators which are driven by a natural fluid.

Abstract: A stabilizing equipment for a power transmission system having a power source system, at least one transmission line and at least one line circuit breaker inserted between the power source system and the transmission line for interrupting the transmission line when a fault occurs thereon. The stabilizing equipment comprises a fault detector for detecting the fault, a series damping resistor, first means for inserting the series damping resistor between the power source system and the line circuit breaker before the line circuit breaker is opened and after the fault is detected by the fault detector, a parallel damping resistor, second means for inserting the parallel damping resistor between the power source system and ground after the line circuit breaker is opened, and third means for separating the parallel damping resistor first and subsequently the series damping resistor before the line circuit breaker is reclosed after reclosing conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electromechanical energy converter with inertial energy storage. The device, a single phase, two or multi-pole alternator with stationary field coils, and a rotating armature is provided. The rotor itself may be of laminated steel for slower pulses or for faster pulses should be nonmagnetic and electrically nonconductive in order to allow rapid penetration of the field as the armature coil rotates. The armature coil comprises a plurality of power generating conductors mounted on the rotor. The alternator may also include a stationary or counterrotating compensating coil to increase the output voltage thereof and to reduce the internal impedance of the alternator at the moment of peak outout.

Abstract: A device for cutting out non-essential loads in a generator and battery-fed electric plant includes a voltage detecting unit connected across the terminals of the battery. The detecting unit may be a relay. Whenever the voltage at the terminals falls below a predetermined level, the detecting unit effects the disconnection of the non-essential loads from the terminals of the battery and generator.

Abstract: A control and energization circuit for applying the vehicle alternator output directly to the resistive window heaters is disclosed. By disconnecting the alternator output from the vehicle battery, thereby temporarily interrupting the charging cycle of the battery, substantially the full alternator output may be applied to the window heaters to deice the vehicle windows.

Abstract: The converter includes a dc. motor energizable from a battery and adapted to drive an alternator which produces an ac. output voltage for powering a load device. When the switch of the load device is closed or opened to start and stop the latter, the motor of the converter is automatically energized or de-energized. A unique system for controlling automatic energization and de-energization of the motor is constituted by low cost and reliable components and is characterized by a voltage divider and a diode circuit which (1) cause battery current to flow through a pick-up resistor to effect starting of the motor when the load device switch is first closed, and (2) limit the current through the resistor to small values when the alternator is operating.

Abstract: In a system for limiting torque occurring in a turbine-generator shaft when a three-pole short circuit is switched off, one pole of a switch that switches-off the short circuit is opened first, and both of the other poles are then opened after the passage of a predetermined delay period.