Abstract: A battery charger for incorporation into an electric-powered vehicle is disclosed. The charger includes a ferroresonant voltage-regulating circuit for providing an output voltage proportional to the frequency of an input AC voltage. A high frequency converter converts a DC voltage supplied, for example, from a rectifier connected to a standard AC outlet, to a controlled frequency AC voltage which is supplied to the input of the ferroresonant circuit. The ferroresonant circuit includes an output, a saturable core transformer connected across the output, and a first linear inductor and a capacitor connected in series across the saturable core transformer and tuned to resonate at the third harmonic of the AC voltage from the high frequency converter. The ferroresonant circuit further includes a second linear inductor connected between the input of the ferroresonant circuit and the saturable core transformer.

Abstract: A permanent magnet rotary electric machine has two permanent magnet rotors rotatable within respective stator windings, and drivingly connected to an input shaft. The driving connection to one of the rotors is provided by an epicyclic gear train to which the input shaft is coupled. A second input to the gear train is provided by a gear carrier which is angularly movable about the input shaft axis by an actuator which is responsive to a difference between a desired and sensed operating condition of the machine, as for example desired and sensed values of output voltage when the machine is a generator.

Abstract: A shunting element includes first and second electrical terminals for shunting an electrical component, a semiconductor component, and at least two electrically conducting parts partly formed in springs being electrically conductingly connected between the semiconductor component and one of the electrical terminals, the terminals being connected to each other with a low resistance through the electrically conducting parts when a current flows which raises the temperature in the semiconductor component to a given value.

Abstract: A dual fueled thermoelectric generator wherein two different sources of energy are provided. The first source of energy is electrical energy which is tapped from an overhead transmission ground wire and converted into thermal energy by electric resistance heaters. The thermal energy produced is applied to a thermopile which converts it into DC electric energy. The second source is a fossil fuel which is converted into thermal energy when a burner is actuated. The thermal energy produced thereby is applied to a thermopile. The burner is actuated in response to either a loss of input voltage from the transmission ground wire or loss of output power from the thermopile. The fossil fuel is preferably propane and the output of the thermopile may be supplied to distributed loads, such as distributed fiber optic repeaters.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular charging generator utilizing various sensors which detect an unstable rotation during the starting of an engine, the acceleration/deceleration condition of the engine, an overload condition of the engine etc. to regulate the output voltage of the generator by a micro-computer, whereby the rotation of the engine is stabilized and the acceleration performance is enhanced due to a reduction of the load of the generator while and over-discharge of the battery is effectively compensated. Also, various abnormal conditions are detected by the sensors and indicated.

Abstract: This invention relates to a battery charger which includes a timer which becomes energized upon a battery approaching a fully charged condition and the timer then commences a preset timed equalization or finishing charge which brings each cell of the battery into a 100% fully charged condition. The battery may remain connected to the charger which includes a restart monitor which causes the charger to automatically re-charge the battery to a fully charged condition when it senses that the battery is losing its charge.

Abstract: An electrical circuit is provided which is operable in a first mode to deliver electrical energy to the load of an energy-using device and to a rechargeable battery for charging thereof. The circuit is operable in a second mode to deliver energy to the load of the energy-using device alternatively from either the rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. The circuit includes a pair of discharge terminals spaced apart by a first preselected distance so as to engage the power terminals of either the rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. The circuit includes a charging terminal spaced apart from one of the discharge terminals by a distance greater than said first distance so as to engage a terminal extension carried by one of the power terminal contacts of the rechargeable battery whereby only the rechargeable battery may be charged in the circuit.

Abstract: A depolarizing device conditioning for small batteries includes an open ended housing for receiving and holding a large battery to be used as a source of depolarizing current, a carrier, for receiving a small battery to be depolarized, configured to be slidably received in the open end of the housing and a cover to be placed over the end of the housing and the holder. A contact assembly includes a spring connecting one end of the large battery to a conductive member extending over the open end of the housing and a cooperating conductive member extending across the interior of the cover and terminating at the open end of the cover, the ends of the conductive members are configured to releasably, lockably interact so as to retain the small battery in conductive, conditioning relationship with the large battery.

Abstract: A control apparatus incorporated in a charging generator for controlling interruption of an exciting current supplied to a field winding of the charging generator comprises a power transistor for intermittently interrupting the exciting current, a voltage detecting circuit for controlling on-off of the power transistor depending on the voltage generated by the charging generator, a current detecting circuit for detecting an initial exciting current supplied to the field winding until the charging generator generates an output voltage high enough for starting its charging operation, and a circuit for turning off the power transistor as soon as the value of the current detected by the current detecting circuit exceeds a predetermined setting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing sterile, charged batteries for use in a sterile field. The method includes the steps of placing at least one battery in a sterilization container, sterilizing the battery within the container, charging the battery while maintaining it in a sterile state within the container, and transferring the sterile, charged battery in a sterile state to the sterile field. The container is adapted to permit the entrance of a sterilant and to prevent the entrance of contaminants. The container may include an integral battery charger adapted to withstand exposure to the environment of a sterilization process. Alternatively, the container may include a connector for releasably electrically connecting the battery housed within the container to a distinct, external battery charger.

Abstract: A method of providing sterile, charged batteries for use in a sterile field which includes the steps of sterilizing at least one battery and a battery charger, transferring the sterilized battery and charger in a sterile state to the sterile field and charging the battery with the battery charger. The battery charger is adapted to withstand exposure to the environment present during the sterilization process. The sterilizing step may be preceded by an initial charging step in which the battery is charged with a battery charger. A sterilizable battery charger permits implementation of the method.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter with shock resistant mechanism characterized by a circuit breaker/contactor device in combination with an electromagnetic actuator which comprises a pair of opposed and facing solenoids having aligned armatures for actuating a linkage to open and close contacts of the circuit breaker contactor, and the linkage having a coupler link for movement between co-linear alignment with the armatures when the contacts are closed and for non-linearity when the contacts are open.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus connected with a battery charger system is comprised of a charge current source (101), charge current controlling means (103), a battery (102, B), switch means (105), load means (104), switch-operating means (106) and a fast-charging period controlling means (107) which provides a capacitor (C5) charged connectedly with the charge of said battery (102, B) and discharged connectedly with the discharge of said battery (102, B) to said load means (104), and serves to flow large current through said charge current controlling means (103) during the interval before the charge voltage of said capacitor (C5) is raised to attain to a predetermined voltage and to flow small current through said means (103) after said interval.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in an electrical power generating system including a generator for supplying an A.C. output voltage to a load on a set of lines and a circuit responsive to the A.C. output voltage for producing a regulating voltage, the generator having a winding the D.C. energization of which controls the A.C. output voltage. The apparatus controls the energization of the winding and includes a switching circuit adapted to be connected across a resistance and which when rendered conductive bypasses the resistance to couple the voltage regulating circuit to the winding with negligible loss of energy. The switching circuit is combined with a circuit that produces a signal when an increase in the A.C. output voltage exceeding a preselected parameter occurs, and with another circuit that renders the switching circuit nonconductive in response to the signal thereby causing the resistance to consume energy from the winding. Methods of operation of the apparatus are also described.

Abstract: A battery condition indicator provides an indication of both the charge used and the life remaining in a rechargeable battery. The time of use of the battery between charges is measured to provide an indirect measure of the charge remaining. The total time of service of the battery is measured to provide an indirect measure of the age or life of the battery.

Abstract: A location detecting apparatus for use with a fluid conducting conduit in which a movable member moves includes an internally mounted magnet attached to the movable member and an external portion attached to the conduit for magnetically interacting with the internal magnet when the movable member is moved to a predetermined location. In the preferred embodiment there are two magnets, one extending from each end of the movable member. In this embodiment, the external portion includes two similar assemblies, each attached to a respective end of the conduit and each including suitable magnetically responsive switches, a reducing flange attached to the conduit, a manifold pipe extending through the reducing flange, and a clamping mechanism for releasably attaching the switches to the manifold pipe.

Abstract: An alternating current electrical power generating system in which the generator is driven by a prime mover, such as a fluid-driven turbine, whose speed may vary, the generator rotor being coupled to the output shaft of a differential drive unit, one input of which is coupled to the prime mover and the other input of which is coupled to a synchronous generator whose output is fed to a thyristor controlled variable load.

Abstract: A load control system for controlling the field current of an alternating current generator and the idle speed control system for the engine that drives the generator. A voltage regulator senses the output voltage of the generator and controls field current by causing a semiconductor switch connected in series with the field winding to switch on and off in accordance with the magnitude of the sensed voltage. The voltage regulator is controlled to operate in a conventional manner when engine speed is higher than engine idle speed. When engine speed is in an idle speed range the duty cycle or on time of the semiconductor is controlled such that consecutive occurring on times are gradually increased to gradually increase field current when the output voltage of the generator is below a desired regulated value.

Abstract: A system for charging a storage battery initially charges the battery at a maximum rate of current which tapers in magnitude until the battery attains a selected voltage, and thereafter charges the battery with a continuing reduction of current until termination. Termination is accomplished by sensing current delivered to the battery over time, monitoring a curve representative of such data, and discontinuing charger operation when the slope of the curve attains a selected value.

Abstract: A voltage regulating system for a diode-rectified alternating current generator that supplies the electrical loads on a motor vehicle including charging the storage battery. The voltage regulator has a reference voltage developing circuit that can operate either in a temperature compensated mode or a flat mode. In the temperature compensated mode the reference voltage developed by the circuit varies with temperature and while the circuit is in the flat mode the reference voltage remains substantially constant with changes in temperature. The voltage regulator has a switching transistor connected in series with the field winding of the generator which can operate in a current limiting mode in the event that sensed field current becomes excessive. The voltage regulator includes circuitry for ensuring that the output voltage of the generator properly builds-up when the field winding is initially excited by the battery.