Abstract: A vehicle electrical system comprises a generator, voltage regulator, electrical energy source, and control device. The generator provides electrical current to one or more electrical loads. Voltage variations are suppressed by storing electrical energy of the field coil of the generator in the electrical energy source, and by proving electrical energy from the electrical energy source to the field coil. The control device comprises a controller and a charging module operative to maintain the voltage of the electrical energy source at a predetermined voltage that is above the regulation voltage so as to reduce the generator output voltage variations.

Abstract: This invention discloses a power control system comprising a prime mover and a generator driven by the prime mover. A control device is coupled with the generator to ascertain a change in speed of the generator and vary an output power of the generator according to the change. The control device applies a signal to reduce the generator output power and another signal to restore the generator output power. The power control system may include a transmission, a speed converter, and/or an accessory.

Abstract: An electrical system comprises a generator and a control device coupled with the generator and operable to control electrical current through the electrical system via a switch module. The control device determines a loss of symmetry between two alternating phase signals generated by a first and second phase windings of a single or multiple stator generator. Specifically, the control device determines a first and second average values of two of the two or more alternating phase signals and operates to control electrical current distribution throughout the electrical system, via one or more switch modules, when the first average value differs from the second average value by a predetermined value.

Abstract: A vehicle electrical system comprises a generator and a control device coupled with the generator and operable to protect the generator from catastrophic failure while providing the electrical load in the electrical system with sufficient electrical power. The control device determines a loss of symmetry between two alternating phase signals generated by a first and second phase windings of a single or multiple stator generator. In particular, the control device determines a first and second average values of two of the two or more alternating phase signals and either limits or ceases the total electrical output current of the generator, via a generator output power controller, when the first average value differs from the second average value by a predetermined value. The control device may alternatively be configured to generate an error signal without varying the generator's total electrical output current even in the event of a malfunction.

Abstract: A vehicle electrical system comprises two generators coupled with one or more electrical subsystem, each of which includes at least one of a stored energy source and electrical load. Each generator is regulated via its associated voltage regulator at a common regulation voltage. Sequential electrical power delivery from the generators is achieved via a sequencing means. Where two or more electrical subsystems are present, electrical isolation is achieved via an isolating means. Overcharge protection is achieved by sensing and responding to the highest voltage of the two or more electrical subsystems.

Abstract: An optical system including a signal processing unit has been developed to study the contours of objects and/or their deformations. The optical system utilizes projectors comprising an illumination source including those outside the visible range and an observation source such as a digital camera. The optical system provides information regarding the object in such a way that renders a complete description of the surface geometry and/or its deformation. The optical system further facilitates a substantial simplification in obtaining the desired result in the form of eliminating the need for point-wise solution of simultaneous equations. The signal processing unit comprises software that, among others, provides a transformation that mimics projection and observation from infinity. The signal processing unit further reduces data processing by recognizing known geometric shapes, and automatically correcting for discontinuities of the object and/or optical system.

Abstract: A power control system comprises a prime mover and a generator driven by the prime mover. A control device is coupled with the prime mover and the generator wherein the control device ascertains a power level of the generator and varies an output power of the prime mover according to the power level. The control device measures a duty cycle of a generator output power controller to ascertain the generator power level and generates a signal to a prime mover controller so that the generator duty cycle remains within a pre-determined range. The power control system may include a transmission wherein the control device operation maybe conditioned on a state of the transmission. The power control system may include a speed converter coupled with the prime mover wherein the control device converts a speed of the prime mover according to the generator power level. The control device may operate to control an output power of the generator concurrently with controlling the output power of the prime mover.

Abstract: This invention discloses a power control system comprising a prime mover and a generator driven by the prime mover. A control device is coupled with the generator to ascertain a change in speed of the generator and vary an output power of the generator according to the change. The control device applies a signal to reduce the generator output power and another signal to restore the generator output power. The power control system may include a transmission, a speed converter, and/or an accessory.

Abstract: This invention discloses a power control system comprising a prime mover and a generator driven by the prime mover. A control device is coupled with the generator to ascertain a change in speed of the generator and vary an output power of the generator according to the change. The control device applies a signal to reduce the generator output power and another signal to restore the generator output power. The power control system may include a transmission, a speed converter, and/or an accessory.

Abstract: This invention discloses a power control system comprising a prime mover and a generator driven by the prime mover. A control device is coupled with the generator to ascertain a change in speed of the generator and vary an output power of the generator according to the change. The control device applies a signal to reduce the generator output power and another signal to restore the generator output power. The power control system may include a transmission, a speed converter, and/or an accessory.

Abstract: This invention discloses a power control system comprising a prime mover and a generator driven by the prime mover. A control device is coupled with the generator to ascertain a change in speed of the generator and vary an output power of the generator according to the change. The control device applies a signal to reduce the generator output power and another signal to restore the generator output power. The power control system may include a transmission, a speed converter, and/or an accessory.

Abstract: This invention discloses a power control system comprising a prime mover and a generator driven by the prime mover. A control device is coupled with the generator to ascertain a change in speed of the generator and vary an output power of the generator according to the change. The control device applies a signal to reduce the generator output power and another signal to restore the generator output power. The power control system may include a transmission, a speed converter, and/or an accessory.

Abstract: A high current, light weight, thermally stable, bidirectional semiconductor switch module in an electrical system uses MOSFET technology in a back-to-back parallel architecture. The device comprises a controller which permits it to operate in high electrical noise environments. The device is further controlled to operate in either or both directions based on external events such as voltage changes associated with the electrical system and with vehicle operating conditions. The device operates at currents typically from a few amperes to 1000 amperes and may be used as a circuit breaker, over voltage switch, isolation switch, transient protection switch, and voltage converter. The device functions to replace the solenoids and relays associated with starter motors in a vehicle electrical system.

Abstract: A power control system comprises a prime mover and a generator driven by the prime mover. A control device is coupled with the prime mover and the generator wherein the control device ascertains a power level of the generator and varies an output power of the prime mover according to the power level. The control device measures a duty cycle of a generator output power controller to ascertain the generator power level and generates a signal to a prime mover controller so that the generator duty cycle remains within a pre-determined range. The power control system may include a transmission wherein the control device operation may be conditioned on a state of the transmission. The power control system may include a speed converter coupled with the prime mover wherein the control device converts a speed of the prime mover according to the generator power level. The control device may operate to control an output power of the generator concurrently with controlling the output power of the prime mover.

Abstract: A control device measures a voltage drop across a conductor in a generator to determine and control the total generator output current. A temperature of the conductor is also measured to improve the accuracy. The control device may further improve on the accuracy by compensating for the electrical current through a field coil that may power the generator. The control device may be used in combination with a generator in a vehicle electrical system. Other system parameters may be monitored to improve on the system monitoring, diagnostics, and control. The generator may include a conductor comprising a process-controlled geometric shape.